Non-Local News Releases

New round of health care funding builds on record $146M investment 

SANTA FE – New Mexico's rural health care providers can now apply for a share of $50 million in health care funding as part of the State of New Mexico's three-year, $146 million investment that has helped recruit more than 800 health care workers to underserved communities. 

The funding comes from New Mexico's Rural Health Care Delivery Fund, established in 2023 and most recently replenished during the October 2025 special legislative session. To date, the program has helped ensure health care for more than 125,000 New Mexicans. 

First trade mission of its kind underscores growing leadership of women

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LAS CRUCES, N.M. — In a first-of-its-kind effort emphasizing the growing role of women in the cattle industry, the New Mexico Department of Agriculture (NMDA) partnered with the Kansas Department of Agriculture to host an all-women delegation of six cattle producers from Chihuahua, Mexico, for a multi-state trade mission focused on U.S. beef cattle genetics.

Women play an increasingly important role in agriculture, contributing significantly to farm and ranch operations worldwide, yet they remain underrepresented in international trade missions and leadership opportunities in the livestock sector. This mission, held during the International Year of the Woman Farmer and Women's History Month, underscores the expanding leadership and influence of women in agriculture across borders.

ENMWUA fraudulently acquired state and federal grants and loans

LOGAN, N.M. (March 19, 2026) – Fraud has been committed by Eastern New Mexico Water Utility Authority in order to obtain funds from the federal and state governments, according to information sent by Quay County and Village of Logan to the U.S. Attorney, Inspector General for the U.S. Department of the Interior, New Mexico State Auditor and New Mexico Attorney General.

ENMWUA is a governmental entity created by the New Mexico legislature for the purpose of building a water pipeline from Ute Lake in Quay County south 120 miles to the Clovis area. Although the project was originally budgeted at $500 million, recent estimates place the real cost at $1.4 billion. Congress has allocated money under the Infrastructure Act, but the majority of the total cost has not yet been obtained. 

The New Mexico Forestry Division would like to update you on a wildfire that is requiring the attention of suppression resources in New Mexico. 

Update: The Unified Fire was discovered at approximately 11 a.m. on Tuesday, March 23 near Madrone, east of Interstate 25 and south of Rio Communities in Valencia County. The fire is active and running through bosque fuels including grass, brush, and timber. Fire crews are employing a full suppression strategy during this initial attack response period. 

Multiple structures are threatened and smoke is visible from I-25 and the surrounding areas. State Highway 304 is closed at Sonnenburg Loop and Baca Road. Residents off Madrone Flyway and Lagrima Road near the river are currently being evacuated. Local residents should take caution and avoid the area. Currently, the Unified Fire is estimated at 125 acres and is zero percent contained. The cause of the fire is under investigation. 

By Lora Hines

BCBSNM Senior Communications Consultant

Large swaths of New Mexico, the fifth largest state in the country, have limited health care access because of persistent shortages of health care professionals.  

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of New Mexico partnered with the New Mexico Medical Society to award $500,000 in grants to help 10 independent medical practices recruit doctors and improve care access to residents statewide.

The practices have used the grants to attract needed care providers — including nephrologists, maternal and fetal medicine specialists and gastroenterologists — with signing bonuses, salary support and reimbursement for moving costs. 

"Recruiting and retaining talented physicians is one of the most pressing challenges facing New Mexico's health care system," says Dr. Brian Etheridge, BCBSNM's chief medical officer for Medicaid. "By investing in immediate recruitment needs and long-term workforce development, we're helping to ensure that families in every corner of the state have access to the care they deserve."

LAS CRUCES — James C. Flowers, 110, of Las Cruces was awarded the New Mexico Medal of Merit at his home on March 20 in recognition of a lifetime of service, sacrifice and dedication to his country.

Brigadier General Retired Jamison Herrera, Cabinet Secretary of the New Mexico Department of Veterans' Services, presented the award on behalf of Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham.

Flowers served during World War II from 1940 to 1945 as a first lieutenant and pilot with the 99th Fighter Squadron, part of the 332nd Fighter Group, known as the historic Tuskegee Airmen, the first Black military aviators in the U.S. Armed Forces, helping break racial barriers and pave the way for future generations of service members.

SANTA FE — Thirty fire departments across New Mexico will receive a combined $1.6 million in state grants to purchase protective gear and life-saving equipment, the Department of Finance and Administration announced today. 

The grants will fund high-priority equipment for new hires, including self-contained breathing apparatuses, firefighter turnout coats and pants, helmets, face shields, safety goggles, and other specialized protective equipment. 

In 2024, DFA funded 190 new firefighter and EMS positions statewide. Local communities, especially rural and remote areas, have long struggled with fire and emergency medical responses due to extended response times, large coverage areas, and a shortage of first responders. 

SANTA FE, N.M. – The Bureau of Land Management today announced an oil and gas lease sale scheduled for May 20, 2026, to offer 74 oil and gas parcels totaling 33,530 acres in New Mexico and Texas. 

The BLM completed scoping on these parcels in December 2025 and held a public comment period that closed in February 2026 on the parcels and the related environmental analysis. A 30-day public protest period to receive additional public input opened today and will close April 20, 2026. 

Leasing is the first step in the process to develop federal oil and gas resources. Before development operations can begin, an operator must submit an application for permit to drill detailing development plans. The BLM reviews applications for permits to drill, posts them for public review, conducts an environmental analysis and coordinates with state partners and stakeholders.