Non-Local News Releases

Latest Census of Agriculture data now available 

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LAS CRUCES, N.M. – The latest Census of Agriculture reflects the diversity of New Mexico's agriculture industry, showing that the Land of Enchantment ranks among the top states in the country for the production of pecans, chile peppers, milk, cheese and onions. Data sets from the 2022 Census of Agriculture were released Feb. 13 by the United States Department of Agriculture's (USDA) National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS).

The following highlights from the 2022 census reflect increases in the size and diversity of New Mexico agriculture since 2017:   

Stephen Markham grew up in Las Cruces, but his journey to become an astronomer took him from Cornell University to Cal Tech and then to a postdoctoral position in France before returning home to accept a position at New Mexico State University as the Tombaugh Scholar.

"Steve Markham's research on the interiors and deep atmospheres of the giant planets adds an exciting dimension to the previous and ongoing studies of atmospheric phenomena at the giant planet cloud tops that have been done in the NMSU astronomy department," said Nancy Chanover, astronomy professor and principal investigator of NASA's Planetary Data System Atmospheres Discipline Node, which archives all data from planetary spacecraft missions. "Steve's involvement in the planning for a future mission to Uranus also demonstrates our continued interest in giant planet exploration."

Heinrich, Casey Introduce Legislation to Address Health Care Workforce Shortage in New Mexico, ExpandPathways to Health Careers  

WASHINGTON — U.S. Senators Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) and Bob Casey (D-Pa.) today introduced the Providing Resources and Opportunities for Health Education and Learning (PRO-HEAL) Act, legislation that would tackle the health care provider shortage in New Mexico and nationwide by expanding pathways to high quality, in-demand health care careers that medical professionals can access in their communities.  

Warmer temperatures have made this activity unsafe

Santa Fe, NM –The State Parks Division of the Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department announces that, effective immediately, ice fishing and any other related activities are closed at Eagle Nest State Park.

State Parks is instituting this closure because warming temperatures have reduced the thickness of the ice to the point that it is no longer safe for the public to access the lake surfaces. For more information, call 575-377-1594 or visit www.emnrd.nm.gov/spd

Ready for warmer weather? Reserve your camping space up to six months in advance at any of your 35 New Mexico State Parks through reserveamerica.com!

Over the last five years, wildfires have annually burned over 100,000 acres in New Mexico. And every year, humans continue to cause more than half of these fires. The keys to preventing human-caused wildfire lie in two areas: education and risk-reduction.  

To educate the public and help landowners and communities reduce the threat of catastrophic wildfire damage, the New Mexico Energy Minerals and Natural Resources (EMNRD) Forestry Division and its fire prevention partners in the southwest are kicking off Southwest Wildfire Awareness Week, March 25-30.   

Department of Health accepting applications for Birthing Workforce Retention Fund

SANTA FE – The New Mexico Department of Health (NMDOH) is accepting applications for the Birthing Workforce Retention Fund now through Monday, April 22, 2024.

The fund provides grants to Certified Nurse-Midwives (CNM) and physicians (OB and Family Medicine) who provide full scope perinatal care, including birthing services, and need assistance to cover malpractice insurance premium costs.

White House Investment set to make New Mexico a vital domestic epicenter for advanced chip manufacturing  

SANTA FE, N.M. – New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham today applauded the White House announcement that will make New Mexico a vital domestic epicenter for silicon chip manufacturing. 

President Joe Biden announced on Wednesday that the U.S. Department of Commerce and Intel Corporation have reached a non-binding preliminary memorandum of terms (PMT) to provide up to $8.5 billion in direct funding, under the CHIPS and Science Act, to strengthen the U.S. supply chain and re-establish American leadership in semiconductor manufacturing. 

New Mexico Outdoor Recreation Division's FY24 Outdoor Equity Funding Reaches $3.7 million

Outdoor Equity Fund has supported 115 organizations with outdoor youth programming in the current fiscal year

SANTA FE, N.M. – The New Mexico Outdoor Recreation Division (ORD) of the New Mexico Economic Development Department (EDD) has announced funding of $975,142 in new Outdoor Equity Fund (OEF) awards to 33 organizations.

These awards will be distributed to 16 rural, 13 urban, one land grant, and five Tribal communities. Of those awarded, 28 are first-time recipients of OEF funding.