Non-Local News Releases

In all construction zones, motorists are asked to reduce speed, obey posted signs, and use extreme caution, as well as continuing to be cautious of heavy equipment and construction personnel in the area. PLEASE NOTE: Conditions are subject to change without notice. Double fines for speeding in work zones may be in effect.

White Sands Missile Range Notification

For information regarding closures, you may call WSMR at 678-1178 or 678-2222 for updates.

Interstates: 

SANTA FE – Most public colleges and universities in New Mexico will waive application fees throughout November, eliminating a financial barrier for prospective students during the annual 'No Fee November' initiative. 

The program is supported by the New Mexico Higher Education Department, New Mexico Public Education Department and New Mexico Educational Assistance Foundation. 

Since the Opportunity Scholarship Act passed in 2022, college enrollment in New Mexico has increased for four consecutive years. Fall enrollment is up 3.6% this year, with more than 40,000 New Mexicans pursuing career training certificates, associate and bachelor's degrees. 

(Washington, D.C., November 21, 2025) – Today, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is excited to highlight the launch of the NEW Unified New World screwworm (NWS) website, screwworm.gov. This dynamic new site centralizes NWS information available across the federal government and reflects our whole-of-government effort to fight this pest through implementation of Secretary Rollins' comprehensive five-pronged plan.

"The Trump Administration is leading a whole of government effort to protect our nation's cattle industry from the New World Screwworm. To ensure timely and effective communications, this new unified website will be a one stop shop for all screwworm related information and will help our stakeholders be better informed as new information comes available," said Secretary Brooke Rollins. "We are grateful for the robust interagency collaboration, and we continue to work every day with our state and industry partners to implement our screwworm plan. This is a national security priority and it has the full attention of our team."

Heinrich took to the floor to pass legislation, unanimously passed in the House, to repeal a last-minute provision allowing Republican senators to collect $500,000 per lawfully subpoenaed phone record

Video here

WASHINGTON — Today, U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), Ranking Member of the U.S. Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on the Legislative Branch, delivered remarks on the Senate floor and urged passage of legislation the House passed unanimously — H.R. 6019 — to repeal U.S. Senate Majority Leader John Thune's (R-S.D.) 'Arctic Frost' provision, which allows Republican senators to collect $500,000 for every phone record that was previously, lawfully obtained. The legislation mirrors Heinrich's legislation from earlier this week, known as the Anti-Cash Grab Act.

Albuquerque, NM – November 20, 2025 –– Christmas tree permits for the Cibola National Forest are available to purchase online through Recreation.gov and in-person for the Magdalena, Mountainair and Mt. Taylor Ranger Districts. Details about designated cutting areas, dates, and types of trees that may be cut can be found at Cibola National Forest Christmas Tree Permit.

To purchase a Christmas tree permit online for the Magdalena, Mountainair or Mt Taylor Ranger Districts, visit  www.recreation.gov/tree-permits  and search for the Cibola National Forest Christmas Tree Permits. It is important to carefully read the overview and need-to-know information prior to purchasing the permit. Visitors will also need to set up or log in to a Recreation.gov account to complete the transaction.

Administrative Office of the Courts announces behavioral health workshops. More information is available at NMhealthcouncils.org and in the PDF below.

SANTA FE — Roadrunner Food Bank, the Food Depot and the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish are pleased to announce the relaunch of the New Mexico Hunters Helping the Hungry program, a partnership between Roadrunner Food Bank and the Food Depot that enables hunters to donate wild game meat to help feed hungry New Mexicans.

Hunters can donate deer, elk, antelope, oryx, ibex or Barbary sheep meat to one of two processors: Honest Processing, located at 945 S. 2nd St. in Raton, or Padilla's Meat Cutting and Processing, located at 72 Hondo Seco Rd. in Arroyo Hondo. Honest Processing can be reached at 575-779-6612, and Padilla's Meat Cutting and Processing can be reached at 575-776-1233.

The November 2025  edition of The Spark newsletter features information about Firewise and Fire Adapted Communities. 

As a reminder, annual Firewise renewals are due Nov 21! 

Many thanks to Forest Stewards Guild, BLM, and New Mexico Forest and Watershed Restoration Institute. A live link to this release and archives of previous editions can be found at the Fire Adapted Communities NM website.