Non-Local News Releases

In all construction zones, motorists are asked to reduce speed, obey posted signs, and use extreme caution, as well as continuing to be cautious of heavy equipment and construction personnel in the area. PLEASE NOTE: Conditions are subject to change without notice. Double fines for speeding in work zones may be in effect.

White Sands Missile Range Notification

For information regarding closures, you may call WSMR at 678-1178 or 678-2222 for updates.

Interstates: 

I-10 Bridge Deck Repairs, Mile Marker 102 to 105, Deming/AkelaHW2M700118

SANTA FE – With New Mexico entering what state officials are calling an exceptionally dry fire season, the state Forestry Division is urging homeowners to take steps to protect their properties and their insurance coverage before fire season peaks this summer. 

An historically low winter snowpack is creating dangerous conditions across the state, with dry grass fuels building in the eastern plains and heavy tree fuels accumulating in forested areas. 

"We're heading into an exceptionally warm and dry wildfire season," said EMNRD Acting Secretary Erin Taylor. "These extreme conditions call for extra precautions. We need everyone to take action to prevent wildfires from impacting their communities."

NM Department of Wildlife stocking the pond with rainbow trout

PORTALES, N.M. – New Mexico State Parks will host an annual fishing derby at Oasis State Park on Saturday, March 21, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. 

The event is held in partnership with the Oasis State Parks Friends' Group and the New Mexico Department of Wildlife, which will stock the park pond with 800 rainbow trout measuring approximately 10 inches, to create a high-quality fishing opportunity for anglers.

"For many families, this could be the moment a child catches their very first fish," saidToby Velásquez, State Parks division director. "Experiences like that stay with people for a lifetime, and partnerships like this help us make long-lasting memories possible in state parks."

QUAY COUNTY, VILLAGE OF LOGAN REQUESTS U.S. ATTORNEY, NM ATTORNEY GENERAL INVESTIGATE FRAUD BY EASTERN NEW MEXICO WATER UTILITY AUTHORITY

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.

New Mexico Office of the Superintendent of Insurance Highlights Program To Assist in Wildfire Home Hardening

Santa Fe, NM – The Office of the Superintendent of Insurance (OSI) is proud to announce that the first certificate through the Wildfire Prepared Home Program has been issued to a homeowner in Otero County. Through this program, developed by the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS), residents can receive a certificate showing their insurance company the steps they are taking to mitigate their homes and properties against wildfires. The ideal result is to provide additional protections to property and lower insurance rates for residents.

Santa Fe, NM – Representatives Rebecca Dow (R–Truth or Consequences) and Stefani Lord (R–Sandia Park) have formally requested that the New Mexico Truth Commission fully meet the scope of its investigation into activities connected to Zorro Ranch, including a comprehensive review of the systemic failures that allowed misconduct to occur.

In a letter sent to Commission Chair Andrea Romero, the lawmakers emphasized that while identifying individual wrongdoing is critical, the Commission must also examine the institutional breakdowns that may have enabled those actions.

"This cannot be a surface-level investigation," said Rep. Dow. "If we fail to fully examine what happened and learn from it, we risk allowing the same failures to happen again. Victims deserve nothing less than a complete accounting of the truth and real reforms that ensure this never happens in New Mexico again."

SANTA FE — New Mexico veterans and their families can get hands-on help filing benefits claims, connect with service providers and attend sessions on emerging treatments and mental health resources at the state's annual veterans conference next month in Las Cruces.

The New Mexico Department of Veterans' Services (NMDVS) will host the free, two-day event April 17-18 at Hotel Encanto de Las Cruces, 705 S. Telshor Blvd., Las Cruces, NM 88011.

Conference sessions will include legislative updates, program briefings from state, federal and community partners, and presentations on resources available to veterans and their families. Special sessions will address women veteran mental health and service needs, tribal veteran issues and resources, and emerging medical treatments for post-traumatic stress disorder.

Volunteers clean a two-acre American flag at Spaceport America in March of 2026 (photo credit: Spaceport America)LAS CRUCES, N.M. (Wednesday, March 18, 2026) — One of the largest flags ever produced made its way to Spaceport America on the weekend of March 13-15, 2026, for comprehensive cleaning.

Josh Dorfman and AJ Rehberg, co-founders of the Great American Flag Preservation Group, transported the world's second-largest American flag to Spaceport America where it was unfurled, cleaned, and refurled by a group of nearly 100 community volunteers.

"We spent six years trying to find the right location to do this, and there were a number of factors we considered," said Josh Dorfman, co-founder of the Great American Flag Preservation Group. "First, there had to be a facility large enough to keep the flag. Second, security was important to us, and Spaceport America has a top-notch security team. We also needed a partner that was willing, and we found that."