Non-Local News Releases

(Washington, D.C., July 10, 2025) – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) today published a final rule removing requirements for the use of discriminatory racial and gender preferences in USDA programs when these requirements are not required by an act of Congress. The Biden Administration weaponized USDA programs to willfully discriminate on the basis of race and gender. This was found to be unconstitutional by a Federal District Court and no appeal was filed, clearly an uncontroverted admission that it had acted illegally.

"We are taking this aggressive, unprecedented action to eliminate discrimination in any form at USDA. It is simply wrong and contrary to the fundamental principle that all persons should be treated equally. President Trump has directed the cabinet to scrutinize all programs for illegal and unfair discrimination, and as long as I am Secretary of Agriculture, when we find leftover Biden discrimination in our programs, we will hold those persons who have committed these insidious acts accountable and take swift action to correct these illegal actions," said U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins.

First-time Accessibility Pilot Grants awarded to two entities

SANTA FE – The New Mexico Tourism Department (NMTD) is supporting a record 14 projects in the third year of the agency's Destination Forward Program.

A total of $1.8 million in grant funding will go to support the planning, design, construction and renovation of tourism-related infrastructure projects across the state.

"Thoughtful investments in tourism-related infrastructure are essential for proper destination stewardship," said Acting Secretary Lancing Adams. "Now entering its third year, Destination Forward is becoming an increasingly valuable element to our mix of programs that serve the needs of communities throughout New Mexico."

After 80 years of struggle for acknowledgment, the State of New Mexico  Department of Transportation is setting up a sign at the Stallion Gate entrance to the Trinity Site that recognizes the sacrifice and suffering of the Downwinders of New Mexico.  The sign dedication will take place at 11:00 a.m. at the Stallion Gate entrance off Highway 380 east of San Antonio, NM.  Melissa Park, the Executive Director of the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons (ICAN who was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize 2017) will be in attendance along with other dignitaries.  The sign was made possible via State House Memorial 8 passed in 2025 Legislative Session and sponsored by Representatives Ferrary, Lujan, Silva and Block.

(Washington, D,C., July 10, 2025) — Today, in conjunction with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Department of Labor, Department of Justice, and Department of Education, the U.S. Department of Agriculture issued notice to all relevant program partners making clear its interpretation of the term "Federal public benefit" as used in Title IV of the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 (PRWORA). The notice also identifies potential USDA programs that provide "Federal public benefits" within the scope of PRWORA. 

"The generosity of the American taxpayer has long been abused by faulty interpretations of 1996 welfare reform law," said Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins. "Today's notice makes clear its intent—illegal aliens should not receive government dollars. This effort is one of many by the Department of Agriculture to eliminate waste, fraud, and abuse of USDA's programs and policies." 

(Washington, D.C., July 9, 2025)- Yesterday, Mexico's National Service of Agro-Alimentary Health, Safety, and Quality (SENASICA) reported a new case of New World Screwworm (NWS) in Ixhuatlan de Madero, Veracruz in Mexico, which is approximately 160 miles northward of the current sterile fly dispersal grid, on the eastern side of the country and 370 miles south of the U.S./Mexico border. This new northward detection comes approximately two months after northern detections were reported in Oaxaca and Veracruz, less than 700 miles away from the U.S. border, which triggered the closure of our ports to Mexican cattle, bison, and horses on May 11, 2025.

While USDA announced a risk-based phased port re-opening strategy for cattle, bison, and equine from Mexico beginning as early as July 7, 2025, this newly reported NWS case raises significant concern about the previously reported information shared by Mexican officials and severely compromises the outlined port reopening schedule of five ports from July 7-September 15. Therefore, in order to protect American livestock and our nation's food supply, Secretary Rollins has ordered the closure of livestock trade through southern ports of entry effective immediately.

(Washington, D.C., July 8, 2025) — Today, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins alongside U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi, and U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem announced the next pillar of her Make Agriculture Great Again initiative: USDA's National Farm Security Action Plan. This historic plan elevates American agriculture as a key element of our nation's national security, addressing urgent threats from foreign adversaries and strengthening the resilience of our nation's food and agricultural systems.

"We feed the world. We lead the world. And we'll never let foreign adversaries control our land, our labs, or our livelihoods," said Secretary Rollins. "This Action Plan puts America's farmers, families, and future first—exactly where they belong. Under President Trump's leadership, American agriculture will be strong, secure, and resilient. He will never stop fighting for our farmers and our ranchers."

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – Due to increasing precipitation and higher humidity, which reduce fire danger, the Bureau of Land Management has terminated fire restrictions on public lands in the Albuquerque and Las Cruces districts. Affected counties include Bernalillo, Catron, Cibola, Doña Ana, Hidalgo, Grant, Luna, McKinley, Otero, Sandoval, Sierra, Socorro, Torrance, and Valencia. 

The BLM appreciates the public's cooperation to help minimize the number of human-caused wildfires. 

Please be aware that BLM statewide Fire Prevention Order NM910-25-01 remains in effect. The order prohibits fireworks and other explosive devices on BLM lands. For more information, please contact the BLM Albuquerque District Office at 575-761-8700, BLM Las Cruces District Office at 575-525-4300, or reference the BLM NM Fire Restrictions site. Additional fire restrictions information can be found at www.nmfireinfo.com .   

Meetings set for July 29 and 31 in Las Cruces and Albuquerque

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LAS CRUCES, N.M. – The New Mexico Department of Agriculture (NMDA) will hold public hearings Tuesday, July 29, and Thursday, July 31, to receive input on proposed amendments to the following rules:

Egg Inspection Fees (21.34.7 NMAC) – 9 a.m.

Seed Standards and Classifications (21.18.4 NMAC) – 10 a.m.

Pesticides Rule (21.17.50 NMAC) – 11 a.m.