Non-Local News Releases

Heavy rainfall, thunderstorms could create hazardous travel conditions across New Mexico

LAS CRUCES — The New Mexico Department of Transportation is urging motorists to use extreme caution as widespread thunderstorms and heavy rainfall are expected across southern New Mexico Tuesday through Thursday.

The National Weather Service has issued a Flood Watch from noon Tuesday, Sept. 22, through 7 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 23, for much of southern New Mexico. Heavy rainfall could lead to flash flooding, particularly in low-lying areas, arroyos, normally dry washes and locations with poor drainage.

Santa Fe, NM — Senate Republican Leader Bill Sharer (R-Farmington) today demanded that Senate President Pro Tempore Mimi Stewart (D-Albuquerque) immediately step down or face removal by the Senate at the first available opportunity following new reporting that has revealed a pedestrian traffic incident in an alleged hit-and-run, and a separate, quietly withdrawn ethics complaint filed against her by a fellow Democrat Senator.

According to reporting by the Albuquerque Journal, Senator Stewart was involved in a traffic incident that fractured a pedestrian's foot. Alleged in court documents, the victim claimed that Senator Stewart fled the scene of the incident, leaving the victim at the scene. She was not cited. The pedestrian's subsequent lawsuit against Stewart was settled and dismissed with prejudice earlier this year, with no details of the resolution made public. Separately, an ethics complaint filed against Stewart last session by Democrat State Senator Roberto "Bobby" Gonzales was resolved privately and later withdrawn, with both lawmakers declining to disclose the underlying details.

LAS CRUCES — White Sands Missile Range has scheduled a road closure on U.S. 70 for Tuesday, September 22.

US 70 is scheduled to be blocked two times at 6:55 a.m. and again at 9:55 a.m.  Each block will last approximately one hour, lifting around 7:55 a.m. and 10:55 a.m. respectively.  These blocks will be located at Blue Block (2 miles east of the access road - Mile Marker 172) and Brown Block (located at Mile Marker 192). 

San Augustin Pass and the LC Gate will not be affected. However, Nike Avenue will be affected by the closure.

All roadblocks are subject to change without notice. For updates, call White Sands Missile Range at 575-678-2221 or 575-678-2222, visit the New Mexico Department of Transportation at  www.nmroads.com  or call 511.

Leaders Armstrong & Sharer: New Mexicans deserve to hear both candidates for governor before they start casting ballots

SANTA FE, NM – House Republican Leader Gail Armstrong (R-Magdalena) and Senate Republican Leader Bill Sharer (R-Farmington) today called on Democratic gubernatorial candidate Deb Haaland to agree to a debate with Republican nominee Gregg Hull before early voting begins on October 6.

Only one debate between the two candidates is currently scheduled. It is set for October 8 on KOB-TV, after early voting has already started.

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – The Bureau of Land Management Rio Puerco Field Office, in partnership with the U.S. Wildland Fire Service, will conduct aerial herbicide treatments across approximately 3,775 acres of BLM-managed lands in Sandoval and Cibola counties between now and November 30, 2026. The treatments will strengthen the health and resilience of the public lands to better support multiple use and mitigate wildfire risk.

Thinning treatments enhance native plant diversity by reducing dense stands of sagebrush, juniper trees and rabbitbrush, allowing native grasses, forbs and other herbaceous vegetation to thrive. The resulting ground cover helps stabilize soils, reduce erosion and strengthen wildlife habitat, rangeland conditions and watershed health.

Managing forests for health and resilience

The Spark: Wildfire Preparedness is Year-Round

What exactly does a healthy forest look like? The answer: It depends.

This month's edition of The Spark bulletin covers what "healthy" means across different forest types, and how you can restore overly dense forests. Scroll to the bottom for a list of technical resources, grants and tips to help you plan a project.

(If you're wondering whether you can make a difference: A recent study found that even small forest treatments significantly reduced fire behavior during the Hermit's Peak-Calf Canyon Fire. So yes, every acre counts!)

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The Spark

No licenses required, but bag and possession limits still apply

SANTA FE — Anglers can fish for free in New Mexico on Sept. 26 and 27 as part of the state's Free Fishing Weekend.

Anyone can fish without a license in public fishing waters throughout the state on Saturday and Sunday, which is also National Hunting and Fishing Day nationwide. All anglers must observe bag limits and all other rules and regulations. For more information, please visit the New Mexico Department of Wildlife's website.

U.S Marshals locate and recover two missing juveniles from Arizona in the Albuquerque Metro Area

Albuquerque, NM– The U.S. Marshal Service, Southwest Investigative Fugitive Taskforce, recovered two missing juveniles in the Albuquerque Metro Area.

On September 15,2026, the U.S Marshal Service- District of Arizona contacted the United States Marshals Service-District of New Mexico for assistance in trying to locate and recover two missing female juveniles out of Glendale Metro Area in Arizona. The juveniles are 17, and 13, who were suspected victims of sex trafficking.