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.

Upcoming Tax-Free Weekend

Gov. Lujan Grisham reminds New Mexicans about the upcoming Tax-Free Weekend
New Mexicans can save 8% or more on purchases

SANTA FE – Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham is encouraging New Mexicans to take advantage of the upcoming Back-to-School Tax-Free Weekend, which could save shoppers 8 percent or more on purchases. 

“I want the focus for New Mexico families to be on the excitement of the upcoming school year – not on worrying about which school supplies they can afford,” said Gov. Lujan Grisham.

Businesses can choose to deduct the sales of various merchandise made between 12:01 a.m. on Friday, August 4, and midnight on Sunday, August 6. That allows them to sell qualifying merchandise tax-free. Many merchants also absorb the tax on non-qualifying items.  

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Wildfire Preparedness is Year-Round

Risk and Danger in the Post-Fire Environment


Santa Fe – Despite wet conditions in May and early June, this summer has been one of the hottest seasons in recent New Mexico history. With no monsoons to bail us out yet, the risk of wildfire remains ever persistent across the state.


Knowing your wildfire prevention safety measures is important to help keep fires from starting and spreading. But consider what happens after a fire has impacted your community. Wildfire risk isn't just about the fire itself -- risk and danger remain even after the fire has passed. There are a number of services available and actions that can be taken to help protect families and property in fire-affected areas. The Forest Stewards Guild and the Fire Adapted New Mexico learning network (FACNM), in cooperation with our partners, are sharing the “Wildfire Preparedness is Year-Round” message for August: Risk and Danger in the Post-Fire Environment.

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NMSU to drain, repair Alumni Pond near center of campus

Alumni Pond, a popular fishing and recreation spot near the center of New Mexico State University’s Las Cruces campus, will be closed for the next several months as a repair and refurbishment project gets underway this week. Also popularly known as the NMSU Duck Pond, Alumni Pond is named for the Alumni Avenue residence hall, built in the 1960s, which previously stood nearby.

 A leak was recently discovered in the pond’s concrete liner, and the pond will need to be drained and repaired – a project that could take up to a year, according to Tim Dobson, executive director of NMSU Facilities and Services. During that time, Dobson said the university will take the opportunity to assess what other repairs and improvements are needed. He said his team is in the early stages of determining the cost and timeline associated with the project.

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Rep. Gail Armstrong champions $80 million to rural healthcare

MAGDALENA, NM: Today it was announced that applications are ready for the $80 million Rural Healthcare Delivery Fund created under SB 7, co-sponsored by House Republican Caucus Chair Gail Armstrong (Magdalena). The Rural Healthcare Delivery Fund legislation was passed by the House and Senate during the 2023 Legislative Session in response to critical underfunding of healthcare in rural communities across New Mexico.

"I am proud that we have taken a proactive approach by outlaying funds for new rural-focused healthcare to provide critical services for our communities spread across the state," said State Rep. Gail Armstrong (R-Magdalena). "This funding is critical, and we must remain vigilant as many communities face losing their health services. We cannot continue to force smaller communities to lose their healthcare access, instead we must provide resources to bolster their quality of life within their own communities. I will continue to work to find solutions that ensure every New Mexican has access to critical healthcare services."

Governor announces Rural Health Care Delivery Fund

Governor announces Rural Health Care Delivery Fund applications open
$80 million in funding available for rural providers

SANTA FE – Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham announced today that providers may apply for the $80 million from the Rural Health Care Delivery Fund created earlier this year as part of the governor’s commitment to expanding health care in New Mexico.

"New Mexicans living in rural parts of our state should have the same access to high-quality and affordable health care, period," said Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham. "This fund is a crucial part of our overarching strategy to strengthen our state's rural health care systems, improve access to care, and advance health equity across New Mexico."

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NMSU to launch program to train high school teachers on agriculture, sustainability

New Mexico State University’s School of Hotel, Restaurant and Tourism Management and Arrowhead Center’s Innoventure Program have teamed up to establish an online professional development program to train high school culinary and hospitality teachers in the agricultural sciences and sustainability.


 
The program – funded by a $500,000 grant from the United States Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture – aims to increase participants’ knowledge of agricultural systems and sustainability over five courses and an immersive, in-person summer workshop. 

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In-Person Car Seat Inspection - Deming, NM

DEMING – The New Mexico Department of Transportation Traffic Safety Division (NMDOT TSD) and Safer New Mexico Now will host an in-person event.

Car Seat Fitting Station

from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Saturday, August 12, 2023, at the Sisbarro of Deming,

4210 New Mexico Hwy 549.

This free educational event provides parents and caregivers instruction on the proper selection, installation, and use of their car seats from nationally certified child passenger safety technicians.

Technicians will spend approximately 30 minutes per seat educating parents on the proper selection, installation, and use of their car and booster seats. Parents and caregivers will also learn important information regarding common errors in car seat safety and be able to ask questions. If a technician determines a car seat to be recalled, expired, or otherwise unsafe, replacement seats will be available. Car Seat replacement fee of $25 may apply.  

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Trust of Teachers and Favorability of Public Education Slips Post-COVID

Garrity Perception Survey Shows 64% of New Mexico Residents Trust Teachers
and 39% Favor Public Education

Albuquerque, NM – Post-pandemic, New Mexico residents lost favor with the education system. According to the 2023 Garrity Perception Survey (GPS), 64 percent of residents trust teachers (a five percent decline from 2020) and 39 percent of residents have a favorable opinion of public education (a two percent decline from 2020).  The 2023 scientific survey of 408 New Mexico residents has a 95 percent level of confidence.

“The pandemic challenged both public education and the teaching profession; we anticipated a bit of a dip in favorability and trust,” said Tom Garrity; President and CEO of The Garrity Group Public Relations. “Trust of teachers dropped five points and favorability of public education slipped two points, when compared to the 2020 survey.”

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