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 College of ACES invites public to attend open house April 6

New Mexico State University’s College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences will host its fifth annual ACES Open House from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, April 6, on the Las Cruces campus.

Community members of all ages are invited to the free, family friendly event to explore several buildings, labs and auxiliary units on NMSU’s agricultural complex and learn about the various academic, research and outreach programs in the College of ACES.

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Supreme Court orders new trial for Portales daycare operators convicted of child abuse

SANTA FE – The state Supreme Court today reversed the reckless child abuse convictions of a mother and daughter who provided daycare in Portales and left two children unattended in a hot car in July 2017. One girl died and another survived her injuries.

The Court ordered a new trial for Sandi and Mary Taylor.

In a split decision, the Court concluded that instructions to the jury about the conduct necessary for the defendants to have committed reckless child abuse “confused and misdirected the jury and allowed it to make a finding of guilt on a legally inadequate basis.”

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$1.5 Billion Delivered for N.M. Military Installations

Heinrich Announces More Than $1.5 Billion Delivered for N.M. Military Installations During Tenure in Congress 

WASHINGTON - Following the President’s signature of the Fiscal Year 2024 (FY24) Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Fiscal, U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) announced that he has now secured more than $1.5 billion for New Mexico’s military installations during his tenure in Congress. 

“Delivering for our service members and cementing New Mexico’s role as a leader in national security is a responsibility I take very seriously. Through my service on the House and Senate Armed Services Committees and the Senate Appropriations Committee, I have made advancing our defense capabilities a top priority,” said Heinrich. “Today, I’m proud to announce that I have secured more than $1.5 billion during my time in Congress to invest in New Mexico’s military installations, strengthening New Mexico’s economy and our defense assets for decades to come.” 

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Feature Film “Eddington” Filming in New Mexico

New Mexico Film Office Announces Feature Film “Eddington” Filming in New Mexico

Santa Fe, NM - New Mexico Film Office Director Amber Dodson announced today that the feature film, “Eddington,” will begin filming this month in and around Albuquerque, Santa Fe County, and Truth or Consequences.

“Our film incentive programs were designed to bring big-name projects to our incredible rural communities,” Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham said. “This means jobs for locals, a boost for small businesses, and a chance to showcase New Mexico's breathtaking landscapes to the world.”

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NM State Parks considers public feedback, postpones fee hearing

Santa Fe, NM – Today, New Mexico State Parks, a division of the New Mexico Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department announced the postponement of the public hearing on its fees scheduled for April 1, 2024. This decision allows additional time to review and consider over 800 public comments and feedback received regarding fee increases. The new date for the public hearing will be announced in the near future.

“We traveled statewide to engage with our valued customers and understand their viewpoints,” said State Parks Division Director Toby Velasquez. “With over 800 public comments in hand, it’s clear that there’s a consensus for enhancing our fee structure. These insights will greatly enrich our revision process.”

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EMNRD issues $2 million in civil penalties to Murchison Oil and Gas, LLC

EMNRD issues $2 million in civil penalties to Murchison Oil and Gas, LLC for environmental breach

Notice of violation involves two separate sites

SANTA FE, NM – Today, the Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department’s (EMNRD) Oil Conservation Division (OCD) announced that it has issued a notice of violation (NOV) and proposed cumulative administrative civil penalties of $2,007,900. to Murchison Oil and Gas, LLC for failure to properly report and cleanup two produced water releases located at or near two separate well sites approximately 16 miles directly south of Carlsbad, NM.

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Ambitious Modernization Proposal for Santa Teresa Port of Entry

Heinrich Applauds Ambitious Modernization Proposal for Santa Teresa Port of Entry, Urges Swift Approval

U.S. Customs and Border Protection and General Services Administration present findings for major expansion of commercial and passenger vehicle lanes to make southern N.M. a hub for economic development 

FACT SHEET

WASHINGTON – Today, in a letter to the General Services Administration (GSA) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP), U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) urged the prompt completion of a feasibility study to expand and modernize the Santa Teresa Port of Entry (STLPOE). 

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Incident Review on the Fatal Shooting of Officer Darian Jarrott

New Mexico State Police Release Incident Review on the Fatal Shooting of Officer Darian Jarrott

Santa Fe, NM – The attached document is an internal Incident Review that a committee of State Police officers conducted in reference to the Darian Jarrott fatal shooting, which occurred on February 4, 2021.  The analysis and recommendations from it resulted in several internal State Police policy changes by Chief Tim Johnson. 

As a follow-up to those changes, we felt releasing the full Incident Review report to the public was necessary.   We are distributing this report to serve as a tool to improve officer safety and hopefully prevent a future tragedy.  Portions of the Incident Review take the form of a critique and will discuss errors made by various individuals.  The report also discusses possible alternative actions and tactics for certain situations.

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