Non-Local News Releases

Maggie is known for creating art with her paws

CARLSBAD, NM – The New Mexico State Parks will celebrate the 20th birthday of Carlsbad local legend Maggie the Bear this Saturday, January 18, at Living Desert Zoo and Gardens State Park.
Maggie's story began when she was orphaned as a one-month-old cub and raised by a wildlife rehabilitator in Missouri. She arrived at Living Desert Zoo and Gardens State Park at five months old and has since charmed visitors with her signature paw-painting hobby, which started as a form of behavioral enrichment. As she turns 20, Maggie's journey has become an inspiring testament to wildlife rehabilitation and the bond between animals and their human caregivers.

SOCORRO, N.M. – The Bureau of Land Management's (BLM) Southern New Mexico Resource Advisory Council will host a meeting Jan. 23 and 24, from 8 a.m.- 4 p.m. The first day of the meeting, Jan. 23, will include a field trip to the Box Recreation Area and the Datil Well Recreation Campground. The public is invited to attend both days, but the first day will include a field trip and members of the public must provide their own transportation and there will not be a virtual option available. Both in-person and virtual participation options will be available the second day.

The meeting will take place at the BLM Socorro Field Office, 901 South Highway 85, Socorro, N.M., 87801. To register to attend the meeting virtually Jan. 24, please go to: https://blm.zoomgov.com/webinar/register/WN_hg9JTuxDQ7yG_dENBsP4YA#/registration.

NMDA is accepting grant applications beginning Jan 15

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LAS CRUCES, N.M. – The New Mexico Department of Agriculture (NMDA) is accepting grant applications for its Healthy Soil Program from Wednesday, Jan. 15, through Wednesday, March 19 at noon, Mountain Time.

NMDA will host two webinars in January to help both applicant types prepare to complete the online application for a Healthy Soil Program grant. NMDA will host a webinar for Eligible Entities Jan. 23 from 10 to 11: 30 a.m., and another webinar for Individual Applicants Jan. 23 from 3 to 4:30 p.m. Registration is required to attend either webinar. For related information, and to register for the webinars, visit the Healthy Soil Program website.

ALBUQUERQUE, NM, JANUARY 16—Today, Congress passed the Preventing Violence Against Women by Illegal Aliens Actwith a vote of 274-145. While 61 Democrats joined Republicans in supporting this legislation, New Mexico's Democrat representatives—Melanie Stansbury (CD 1) and Teresa Leger Fernandez (CD 3)—shamefully voted against it, once again abandoning New Mexico's women and children.

The bill amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to ensure that illegal immigrants convicted of sex offenses or domestic violence are deemed inadmissible and deportable.

"It is unconscionable that Democrat representatives from a border state would oppose the deportation of illegal immigrants convicted of violence and sex crimes against women and minors," said Ash Soular, spokeswoman for the Republican Party of New Mexico (RPNM). 

New Mexico pet owners encouraged to check "best if used by" dates
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Northwest Naturals has issued a voluntarily recall of certain two-pound packages of Feline Turkey Recipe Raw Frozen pet food after the product tested positive for the Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) virus. State officials encourage pet owners who may have purchased the product to check "best if used by" dates listed on the packaging.

The recalled product carries "best if used by" dates of May 21, 2026 (also look for "B10") and June 23, 2026 (also look for "B1"). The product was distributed in Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island and Washington in the United States, and British Columbia in Canada. The product may have also been distributed in New Mexico, as several retail locations throughout the state carry Northwest Naturals products.

SANTA FE – The New Mexico Department of Transportation is excited to announce the 2025 Name a Snowplow contest winners. Drumroll please.


The Winning names are:

District 1: Snow Bueno, Snow Way, José!
District 2: Scoop Dogg, Chips & Que Snow.
District 3: Alice Scooper, Taylor Drift.
District 4: Blizzard of Oz, Red Chilly Brrrr-ito.
District 5: Clear-o-Pathra, Blizzard Wizard.
District 6: Zia Later, Snow, En-CHILL-ada.

Thank you, New Mexico for the most unique, fun, and New Mexico-inspired names for our hardworking snowplows. These trucks play an important role in keeping our communities connected and our roads safe during the winter months—look for our newly named plows on roads near you.

WE'RE MOVING!

The fishing report will be released each week on Thursday starting Jan. 23. Moving from Tuesday to Thursday will help us get the most up-to-date fishing information to you right before you head outdoors for the weekend. 

SOUTHWEST CATCHES OF THE WEEK

House Democrats mourn their beloved colleague, a Bronze-Star Veteran,
who served his community in the Roundhouse for 16 years

Santa Fe, N.M. - Former New Mexico State Representative Eliseo "Lee" Alcon died Monday, January 13, 2025, surrounded by his family. Rep. Alcon, who had been diagnosed with liver cancer, resigned late last year after being placed on hospice care.

Rep. Alcon, a military veteran who received a Bronze Star for his service as a combat medic in the Army during the Vietnam War, was elected to the House in 2009. During his tenure, he advocated for policies to support New Mexico's veterans and their families, safeguard tribal sovereignty, strengthen the state's infrastructure and economy, and protect the environment. Rep. Alcon also served as Chair of the Consumer and Public Affairs Committee and the Labor, Veterans and Military Affairs committee.