Non-Local News Releases
This category will feature news releases from out-of-area government agencies and representatives, as well as events that are not taking place in the four-county area of Grant, Catron, Hidalgo or Luna. For local events please visit Local News Releases.
NMSU Art Museum opens summer exhibitions June 22
- Category: Non-Local News Releases Non-Local News Releases
- Published: 08 June 2023 08 June 2023
Three new art exhibitions will have opening receptions at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, June 22 at New Mexico State University's Art Museum. The events are free and open to the public and will run through Sept. 16, 2023.
"Cara Despain: Specter,"on view in the UAM's Contemporary Gallery, is an immersive multimedia exhibition featuring work by Miami-based artist Cara Despain. Using sculptural and video-based installations created with found objects and archival film from the 1940s-60s, Despain explores the irreversible environmental consequences and hidden psychological and microscopic health effects left in the wake of nuclear weapons development and testing across the Southwest.
Governor's Special Hunt Auction Online for 2023
- Category: Non-Local News Releases Non-Local News Releases
- Published: 08 June 2023 08 June 2023
Proceeds to benefit Game Protection Fund and NMDGF mission-related projects and programs.
New Mexico – Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham, pursuant to 2007 legislation, has authorized the auctioning of eight big-game hunts to benefit the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish (NMDGF). NMDGF has partnered with New Mexico Ducks Unlimited (DU) to offer the New Mexico Governor’s Special Hunt Auction 2023 Online. Funds from the public auction support the Game Protection Fund and are used solely for NMDGF mission-related projects and programs.
The eight packages offered this year are up for auction now and will close on June 30 at 8 p.m. The hunts this year include:
Heinrich, Luján, Bipartisan Colleagues Introduce Bill to Invest in America’s Forests and Watersheds
- Category: Non-Local News Releases Non-Local News Releases
- Published: 08 June 2023 08 June 2023
The Headwaters Protection Act Expands Support for Forest Service Programs Authorized in 2018 Farm Bill, Championed by Heinrich
WASHINGTON — Today, U.S. Senators Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) and Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) joined their bipartisan colleagues U.S. Senators Michael Bennet (D-Colo.) Mike Crapo (R-Idaho) and others to introduce the Headwaters Protection Act. This bipartisan legislation would expand support for two U.S. Forest Service (USFS) programs created by Heinrich in the 2018 Farm Bill. The two programs together prevent water pollution at the source, improve the health of our watersheds, and ensure investments benefit downstream communities.
“Nearly a decade ago, I was proud to lead the bipartisan effort with Senator Jeff Flake to establish these programs within the U.S. Forest Service. While our work helped improve the management of watersheds in our national forests and reduce the risks of catastrophic wildfires, last year’s historic wildfires made clear: there’s more work to do,” said Heinrich. “As we continue to confront the reality of drier forests and more extreme wildfire seasons, we must extend and strengthen these programs to support the long-term sustainable use of our land and water.”
New Mexico State Police Participate in the National Click it or Ticket Campaign.
- Category: Non-Local News Releases Non-Local News Releases
- Published: 07 June 2023 07 June 2023
Statewide, NM - From May 22, 2023, through June 4, 2023, the New Mexico State Police participated in the National Occupant Protection Mobilization, Click it or Ticket (CIOT) Campaign. The CIOT Campaign was conducted on all roadways within the state with an emphasis on seat belt use for both drivers and passengers.
During the two-week CIOT Campaign, New Mexico State Police officers issued a total of 751 traffic citations (216 citations were for lack of seat belt usage and 24 citations were for no child restraint). Officers also issued 511 other traffic citations for various traffic violations and made a total of 23 arrests (3 DWI arrests, 14 Misdemeanor arrests, and 6 Felony arrests).
The safety of motorists is a top priority of the New Mexico State Police and officers will continue to conduct operations throughout the year. We encourage the public to drive safely and obey all laws while traveling the highways of New Mexico
As Fire Season Begins, Heinrich, Luján Lead National Push to Increase Wildland Firefighter Recruitment and Retention
- Category: Non-Local News Releases Non-Local News Releases
- Published: 07 June 2023 07 June 2023
The Senators' Letter Comes as Temporary Pay Increases for Wildland Firefighters in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Are Set to Expire in September
WASHINGTON — U.S. Senators Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) and Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) joined Senator Michael Bennet (D-Colo.) and a bipartisan group of Western senators in urging the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Government Affairs to consider a long-term solution to increase wildland firefighter recruitment and retention. In their letter, the senators push Congress to act before short-term pay increases in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law for over 16,000 federal wildland firefighters are set to expire on September 30th, 2023.
"Investing in our federal wildland firefighters is a matter of national security as critical infrastructure, homes, communities, structures, and natural resources are at grave and growing risk of catastrophic wildfire," wrote the senators. "As the 2023 fire season begins, Congress must support our nation's federal wildland firefighters and ensure the federal government has a robust and resilient workforce.
Wildfires have become more destructive, dangerous, and costly in recent years, increasing the need to recruit and retain experienced wildland firefighters. The acreage burned by wildfires annually has doubled over the past two decades, with over 7.5 million acres burned last year, alone. Between 2017 and 2021, wildfires destroyed an average of over 12,000 homes, businesses, and structures annually – more than three times greater than the prior five years. Over the past five years, the cost of these wildfires has been estimated to reach nearly $67 billion.
New Mexico Farm & Ranch Heritage Museum in Las Cruces having demonstration and workshops
- Category: Non-Local News Releases Non-Local News Releases
- Published: 07 June 2023 07 June 2023
Guests to the New Mexico Farm & Ranch Heritage Museum in Las Cruces on June 17 will enjoy a variety of demonstrations and workshops during the annual Fiber Extravaganza.
What: The third-annual Fiber Extravaganza. Fiber arts demonstrations – including wool spinning, knitting, weaving, quilting, basket weaving, and natural dyeing -- are featured from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on June 17. Workshops are added to this year’s event, including basket weaving, needle binding, Colcha embroidery, beginning stitching, painting on silk, the use of color, and tatting. Admission is $5 for adults, $4 for senior citizens, and $3 for children 4 to 17. The fee includes all of the Museum’s regular offerings. For workshop registration information, please contact Farm & Ranch Museum Education Coordinator LuAnn Kilday at (575) 522-4100 or luann.kilday@dca.nm.gov.
Final construction update for Truth or Consequences
- Category: Non-Local News Releases Non-Local News Releases
- Published: 06 June 2023 06 June 2023
Due to construction on New School Road in Truth or Consequences, water will be shut off on June 8 and 9, 2023. Please see details in the PDF below.
Heinrich Introduces Bill to Improve Access to Rental Housing
- Category: Non-Local News Releases Non-Local News Releases
- Published: 06 June 2023 06 June 2023
DEPOSIT Act could help more than 12,000 New Mexican families access rental housing
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) introduced the Delivering Essential Protection, Opportunity, and Security for Tenants (DEPOSIT) Act. An important piece of addressing the housing crisis, this legislation will help low-income renters overcome the barrier of security deposit payments when moving into new housing. U.S. Representative Barbara Lee (D-Cali.) has introduced companion legislation in the House.
"We have a serious housing crisis in New Mexico and across the country. It's impacting everyone, at all income levels and in nearly every community. The DEPOSIT Act tackles one piece of this puzzle by focusing on the costs that come from moving into a new home," said Heinrich. "That includes security deposits - one of the biggest barriers low-income renters face when moving into a new apartment, often required on top of two month's rent. This legislation unlocks support to help renters overcome this barrier so their families can settle into a safe place to call home and build a foundation for a better future."