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.
The New Mexico Film Office Announces Feature Film “The Line” Is Currently Filming in New Mexico
- Category: Non-Local News Releases Non-Local News Releases
- Published: 17 May 2023 17 May 2023
Santa Fe, NM - New Mexico Film Office Director Amber Dodson announced today that the feature film, “The Line,” has begun production in Las Cruces.
“We are thrilled to welcome ‘The Line’ to Las Cruces. In addition to showcasing our unique locations and talented crew, the film is providing some great opportunities for students to gain invaluable experience,” Las Cruces Film Liaison Andrew Jara said.
The film is a story about Emily, a young filmmaker who sets out to shoot a documentary about reuniting with her estranged mother of fourteen years. When her mother vanishes, Emily’s project explodes from an intimate exploration of family into something much more sinister.
"The Line” is produced by Gary Lucchesi (“Million Dollar Baby”), Aaron Kogan (“5 Doctors”), Steven Klein (Emmy-nominated “Wrestle”), and Michael McKay (“The Age of Adaline”), and Oscar-nominated documentary filmmaker, Pedro Kos (“Lead Me Home”), is set to direct.
Heinrich-Led Public Lands Conservation Bills Advance Out of Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee
- Category: Non-Local News Releases Non-Local News Releases
- Published: 17 May 2023 17 May 2023
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, is announcing the approval of three landmark New Mexico public lands conservation bills. Each of the bills now head to the Senate Floor for full consideration.
The M.H. Dutch Salmon Greater Gila Wild and Scenic River Act would designate portions of the Gila River, its watershed and other rivers in the Gila National Forest as Wild and Scenic Rivers. The Greater Gila watershed comprises the largest remaining network of naturally free-flowing river segments in the Southwestern United States. U.S. Representative Gabe Vasquez (D-N.M.) is sponsoring the legislation in the House. U.S. Senator Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) and U.S. Representatives Teresa Leger Fernández (D-N.M.) and Melanie Stansbury (D-N.M.) are original cosponsors.
The Buffalo Tract Protection Act withdraws four parcels of Bureau of Land Management (BLM) lands in southern Sandoval County, including the Buffalo Tract and the Crest of Montezuma, from any mineral development, including gravel mining.
Heinrich, Capito Celebrate Committee Passage of Bipartisan Simplifying Outdoor Access for Recreation Act
- Category: Non-Local News Releases Non-Local News Releases
- Published: 17 May 2023 17 May 2023
Bipartisan bill would improve the permitting process for outfitters, educational organizations, and community groups
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) and Shelley Moore Capito (R-W. Va.), celebrated the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee’s passage of their bipartisan Simplifying Outdoor Access for Recreation (SOAR) Act, legislation to improve the permitting process for outfitters, educational organizations, and community groups to access public land. The legislation was included in the America’s Outdoor Recreation Act, sponsored by Chairman Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) and Ranking Member John Barrasso (R-W.Y.).
“I am pleased that the Committee is moving forward with our legislation to make it easier for families, schools, and community groups to get outside and enjoy our public lands,” said Heinrich. “Our public lands are where we go to camp under the stars, chase bugling elk, or fish for trout in a mountain stream."
New Mexico Counties Awards over $345,000 for Wildfire Risk Reduction
- Category: Non-Local News Releases Non-Local News Releases
- Published: 17 May 2023 17 May 2023
2023-2024 Wildfire Risk Reduction Grant Program Recipients
SANTA FE, NM - New Mexico Counties awarded over $345,000 to eleven grant recipients for community wildfire protection plan updates, fuel reduction treatments, and education efforts through the 2023-2024 Wildfire Risk Reduction Grant Program. Grant recipients include Ciudad Soil & Water Conservation District (2 grants – education and fuels), Claunch-Pinto Soil & Water Conservation District, Dixon Community Fire District, East Mountain Wildfire Preparedness Association, Rio Arriba County, Socorro County, South Central Mountain RC&D Council, Taos County, Torrance County, and the Village of Angel Fire. The collaborative vetting process included the Bureau of Land Management, Forest Stewards Guild, NM Counties, NM Department of Game & Fish, NM Department of Homeland Security & Emergency Management, NM Forestry Division, NM State Land Office, and US Fish & Wildlife.
Wildfire awareness, mitigation, and resilience helps New Mexico communities respond to evolving ecosystems.
Traffic Alert: White Sands Missile Range - US 70 Roadblock
- Category: Non-Local News Releases Non-Local News Releases
- Published: 16 May 2023 16 May 2023
LAS CRUCES - The New Mexico Department of Transportation District One office (NMDOT) along with White Sands Missile Range (WSMR) have posted an alert for Wednesday, May 17, 2023.
US 70 will be blocked three times beginning at 7:55 a.m. and the second block will begin at 8:55 a.m., and the third at 9:55 a.m., lasting approximately 1 hour each. The blocks will be located at 'BLUE Block' (2 miles east of the access road - Mile Marker 172) and at 'BROWN Block' (Mile Marker 192). Nike Avenue will also be impacted by this block; however, Owen Road and Las Cruces Gate will remain open.
All roadblocks are subject to change without notice, please call WSMR at 575-678-2221/2222 for updates or go to New Mexico Department of Transportation: www.nmroads.com or call 511.
Students from T or C, La Loma take top awards at NMSU Innoventure Challenge
- Category: Non-Local News Releases Non-Local News Releases
- Published: 16 May 2023 16 May 2023
Students from across New Mexico and the region gathered at New Mexico State University this spring to participate in the final competition of the 2022-2023 Innoventure Challenge, an event for young entrepreneurs-to-be. The event is hosted by NMSU’s Arrowhead Center.
This year’s final event took place March 30 at the Corbett Center Student Union. The Innoventure Challenge is a year-long competitive event open to middle and high school students throughout New Mexico and the Borderplex region. During the school year, students are challenged to think like entrepreneurs and to design simple prototypes out of an approved list of materials, all in a four-week timeframe. This challenges them to quickly put their teams’ ideas to the test and create innovative products.
Three preliminary rounds are scheduled every school year, two in the fall semester and one for the early spring semester, with each round having its own theme. Across New Mexico, 385 students participated in the preliminary rounds for the 2022-2023 Innoventure Challenge.
Interstate 25 San Antonio Interchange Study
- Category: Non-Local News Releases Non-Local News Releases
- Published: 16 May 2023 16 May 2023
Second Virtual Public Meeting
The New Mexico Department of Transportation (NMDOT) is evaluating improvement alternatives on the Interstate 25 (I-25) San Antonio Interchange, which is approximately 0.5 miles west of San Antonio, New Mexico between Milepost (MP) 139 and MP 140. I-25 connects with US 380, which is the main road into the nearby community of san Antonio. The purpose of this meeting is to go over the improvement alternatives developed and the study team's recommendations. We appreciated your involvement in the first meeting this past November; however we want to hear your thoughts on the alternatives and study recommendations! Please join us on Thursday, May 18, 2023, starting at 6:00 pm to learn more and share your input!
How to Participate
Thursday, May 18, 2023, 6:00 pm (MT)
NM State Auditor Maestas and State Treasurer Montoya Issue Joint Alert to Local Governments Regarding Collateralization and Signatory Authority
- Category: Non-Local News Releases Non-Local News Releases
- Published: 16 May 2023 16 May 2023
SANTA FE – With recent high profile bank failures raising serious concerns about the need to safeguard money in banks, New Mexico State Auditor Joseph M. Maestas and New Mexico State Treasurer Laura M. Montoya have issued a joint alert to all counties and municipalities throughout the State. Audits of state entities have caught the attention of the State’s top financial watchdogs, indicating that collateralization laws and Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”) guidance are inconsistently followed across the State.
In recent months, some local governments bypassed the collateral requirements by adding multiple employees or elected officials to bank accounts to secure $250,000 of FDIC insurance for each account signer. New Mexico state law requires banks to have proper collateralization to safeguard taxpayers’ money. Any amount of public money held in banks over the $250,000 insured by the FDIC must be backed by other forms of sureties.