Non-Local News Releases

Statewide, NM - State Police will be conducting sobriety checkpoints, saturation patrols; and registration, insurance, and driver's license checkpoints in all New Mexico counties during March 2026.

We are bringing awareness to these events to reduce impaired driving-related fatalities through continued media attention and intensive advertising.

These checkpoints are helping to change society's attitude about driving while under the influence of intoxicating liquor or drugs.

WASHINGTON — During a U.S. Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee hearing to consider pending Trump administration nominees, U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), the Committee's Ranking Member, and Committee Democrats secured key commitments from former Congressman Steve Pearce, President Trump's pick to lead the Bureau of Land Management. In his answers to the Democratic Senators' questions, Pearce acknowledged he could not sell a large amount of public lands under existing law and said he would not recommend rolling back national monument designations across the West, including the Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks National Monument, Chuckwalla National Monument, and the Baaj Nwaavjo I'tah Kukveni-Ancestral Footprints of the Grand Canyon National Monument.

Additionally, Pearce pledged to enforce public land grazing laws and engage with communities with respect to the management of public lands. 

LAS CRUCES, N.M. – After deliberating for an hour, a Doña Ana County jury has found Nathan Rivas, 18, guilty on three counts of First-Degree Murder in connection with the March 21, 2025, mass shooting at Young Park.

The swift verdict marks the second conviction in the tragic event that claimed the lives of Dominick Estrada, 19, Andrew "AJ" Madrid, 16, and Jason Gomez, 17, and left 14 others wounded. Earlier this month, Nathan's older brother, Tomas Rivas, was also convicted of First-Degree Murder for his role in the bloodshed.

Following a trial presided over by District Judge Douglas Driggers, jurors found Nathan Rivas guilty under the theory of Depraved Mind Murder, determining that his actions demonstrated a total and deadly indifference to the value of human life.

SANTA FE — The Mexican Wolf Interagency Field Team has completed the annual population count and documented the population increased to a minimum of 319 at the end of 2025, which is up from the minimum count of 286 in 2024. This is a consistent growth pattern for more than a decade. 

The importance of this data is that this moves the recovery program one step closer to getting to the point that will support the downlisting of the Mexican wolf and development of a 4(d) rule under the ESA (Endangered Species Act). Implementation of a 4(d) rule would add greater flexibility in implementing management actions intended to reduce conflict while continuing recovery of the subspecies to the point of delisting.

SANTA FE – The New Mexico Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department is now accepting applications for rebates of up to $14,000 to help low-income households replace aging appliances and heating and cooling systems with energy-efficient alternatives, cutting monthly utility bills while promoting energy efficiency.

The rebates are available to New Mexico homeowners and renters who earn less than 80% of the median income for the area in which they live or participate in certain federal benefit programs

Once EMNRD certifies their eligibility, applicants receive coupons that can be converted into instant rebates when purchasing qualifying energy-saving products. The program is part of the state's broader strategy to reduce household energy costs and cut carbon emissions.

(Albuquerque, NM) – With wildfire risk on the rise, PNM is working to equip customers with the information they need to stay safe and prepared. The company is encouraging residents in High Fire Risk Areas to plan ahead and is outlining how PNM will communicate during critical wildfire events as part of its efforts to support statewide wildfire mitigation.

PNM is urging customers to prepare for wildfire season.

Create a Wildfire Safety Plan with multiple contacts including friends and family who can provide you with support.

SANTA FE – Members of the public will have opportunities to provide input as the New Mexico Department of Wildlife shapes its proposals for potential changes to several game species rules.

Meetings will be held next month in: 

• Albuquerque: Wednesday, March 11, from 5:30-8 p.m. at the Department's Northwest Area office (7816 Alamo Rd. NW, Albuquerque)

• Las Cruces: Thursday, March 12, from 5:30-8 p.m. at the Department's Southwest Area office (2713 E. Northrise Dr., Las Cruces). 

The meetings will include information on proposed changes to the rules governing hunting for deer, elk, pronghorn, Barbary sheep, oryx, ibex, bighorn sheep, javelina, turkey and migratory birds. The public will have the opportunity to provide feedback regarding the proposals. 

LAS CRUCES, SAN ANTONIO - White Sands Missile Range (WSMR) has planned road closures on U.S. 70 and U.S. 380 for Wednesday, February 25, 2026.

U.S. 70 will be blocked once beginning at 7:10 a.m. for approximately one hour and being lifted by 8:10 a.m. This block will be located at Red Block (top of San Augustin Pass, mile marker 164) and Yellow Block (White Sands National Park, mile marker 200). Las Cruces Gate, Nike Avenue and Owen Road will also be impacted.