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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 those events please visit Local News Releases.
SANTA FE-- The New Mexico Department of Health (NMDOH) has identified five cases of West Nile Virus infections in residents of Bernalillo, Doña Ana, and Taos County. This year, no West Nile Virus deaths have been reported.
Recent rains have resulted in areas of standing water, which make excellent breeding grounds for mosquitoes that spread the disease. Although there are no human vaccines for West Nile Virus, New Mexicans can take precautions to reduce their chances of contracting the disease.
To prevent bites and disease NMDOH recommends residents:
- Regularly drain standing water, including water collecting in empty cans, tires, buckets, clogged rain gutters, saucers under potted plants, birdbaths, wading pools, and pet’s water bowls. Mosquitoes that spread West Nile virus breed in stagnant water and can do so in objects as small as a bottle cap.
EBTedge mobile application and cardholder web portal
SANTA FE – The New Mexico Human Services Department (HSD) is announcing new functionality within the EBTedge mobile application and web portal to allow additional options for EBT card replacement functions for our customers.
The EBTedge mobile application and cardholder web portal will now allow cardholders to complete the following:
- Check their EBT card order status
- Request a replacement card effortlessly
- Deactivate a card
“Ensuring that we can grant easier access for every New Mexican ebtEDGE cardholder to replace cards when needed, is a responsibility we take very seriously.” said Angela Medrano, HSD Deputy Secretary.
SANTA FE — This week, all 15 members of the Senate Republican Caucus signed a letter to Secretary James Kenney, joining the growing bipartisan opposition to the New Mexico Environment Department's proposed ozone precursor rule. The proposed new rule is projected to cause a substantial decrease in oil and gas production, and deal a devastating blow to the New Mexico energy economy.
"This is not just about the potential loss of thousands of jobs—it is about the dangerous ripple effect of crippling a driving economic force in our state's economy," said Senator Gay Kernan (District 42-Chaves, Eddy, and Lea). "We all want to move our state forward, but I fear this excessive rule will do much more harm than good."
SANTA FE — This week marks the beginning of Hispanic Heritage Month in the United States—a month-long, federally recognized celebration signed into law by President Ronald Reagan.
Senate Republican Leader, Senator Greg Baca, and the Senate Republican Caucus today released the following statement in honor and recognition of the occasion:
"The true richness and depth of New Mexico does not come from our gorgeous landscapes, but from our storied past. For generations, Hispanics in New Mexico and across the country have worked hard and persevered through much adversity to create a future their children could be proud of. And though times have changed, the long-standing Hispanic traditions of faith and family remain strong.
To all Hispanics Americans, we honor you and we celebrate your vital contributions to our nation's culture, history, and successes. Dios te bendiga y Dios bendiga a América."
American Idol contestant, Las Cruces native to perform at family-friendly event
LAS CRUCES – Do you like free entertainment, giveaways, tasty food samples, family-friendly fun and live music? If so, you won’t want to miss the 2021 AG Day.
The event takes place Saturday, Sept. 25 from 2 to 6 p.m. in the Pan American Center south parking lot and the Aggie Memorial Stadium northeast parking lot. Admission is free. Sept. 25 is also NMSU’s Homecoming celebration, with the “Aggies are back in action” theme. The homecoming parade begins at 10 a.m., and the day culminates with the NMSU vs. Hawaii football game at 6 p.m.
AG Day is hosted by the New Mexico Department of Agriculture and New Mexico State University (NMSU) College of Agricultural, Environmental and Consumer Sciences (ACES).
WASHINGTON, Sept. 16, 2021 – USDA Deputy Under Secretary for Rural Development Justin Maxson today announced that the department is accepting applications for funding to develop, build or retrofit commercial-scale biorefineries.
USDA is making the funding available through the Biorefinery, Renewable Chemical, and Biobased Products Manufacturing Assistance Program. The funding also may be used to convert renewable chemicals and other bio-based outputs of biorefineries into end-user products on a commercial scale.
These loan guarantees are intended to create jobs and diversify markets for agricultural and forestry products and agricultural waste material. They also increase the energy independence of the United States and promote resource conservation, public health and the reduction of climate pollution.
The Department is announcing two separate application cycles.
After a hiatus in 2020 and reevaluating how it determines rankings, Forbes has recognized New Mexico State University as one of America’s Top Colleges in 2021. NMSU is the highest ranking institution in New Mexico at 313.
Only 600 four-year schools of the nearly 2,700 degree-granting institutions in the country were ranked. For the first time Forbes ranked a public institution No. 1, with the University of California at Berkeley taking the top spot.
According to Forbes, “this year’s ranking more accurately represents the schools that most of America’s college students attend. According to federal data, nearly 80 percent of the nation’s 16 million undergraduates go to public schools.”
The new methodology uses better data on student outcomes. Forbes partnered with higher education consultant Michael Itzkowitz, who developed a federal database called College Scorecard. Previously, Forbes used data from PayScale. The updated methodology is based on alumni salary (20 percent), debt (15 percent), return on investment (15 percent), graduation rate (15 percent), Forbes American Leaders list (15 percent), retention rate (10 percent) and academic success (10 percent).
Albuquerque, September 16—National Hispanic Heritage Month is underway, a time to recognize and honor the many contributions and achievements of Hispanic citizens here in New Mexico and around the nation. Hispanic heritage is truly American heritage as this population has made an indelible mark on our nation's history. This special time is a firm reminder of the powerful strength we draw as a state and a nation from our immigration roots.
Hispanic Americans offer a rich culture and proud traditions that help make a strong fabric of New Mexico and American life. RPNM welcomes, honors and appreciates the many gifts and vibrant contributions Hispanic citizens offer every day in our society.
The Republican Party has always been the home for freedom and opportunity, and we will continue to champion those values while fighting for school choice, entrepreneurship, religious freedom, and the removal of barriers that impede opportunities to realize the American Dream.
