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.

Traffic Alert White Sands Missile Range US 70 Roadblock October 29, 2023

LAS CRUCES - The New Mexico Department of Transportation District One office (NMDOT) along with White Sands Missile Range (WSMR) have posted an alert for Sunday, October 29, 2023.

US 70 will be blocked beginning at 8:50 p.m., lasting approximately 1 hour being lifted by 9:50 p.m. This block will be located at ‘Blue Block’ (2 miles east of the access road - Mile Marker 172) and ‘Yellow Block’ (located near White Sands National Park, Mile Marker 200).  San Augustin Pass and Las Cruces Gate are NOT affected; however, Nike Avenue will be affected by this block.

All roadblocks are subject to change without notice, please call WSMR at 575-678-2221/2222 for updates or go to New Mexico Department of Transportation: www.nmroads.com  or call 511.

EMNRD’s Mining and Minerals Division receives national award

EMNRD’s Mining and Minerals Division receives national award for Mine Reclamation Work in New Mexico

The project used a natural channel design method to stabilize a waterway

SANTA FE, NM – The Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department’s (EMNRD’s) Mining and Minerals Division (MMD) has earned national recognition for its work in restoring and preserving the ecosystem around a former coal mine near the town of Raton in Northern New Mexico. 

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Senator Crystal Diamond Brantley Responds to LFC CARA Report

SANTA FE— Today, the Legislative Finance Committee presented a blistering evaluation of New Mexico's Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act (CARA) implementation by the Children, Youth and Families Department (CYFD). The evaluation exposes widespread failure to implement plans of care for families born with drug-addicted infants. Of particular concern is the fact that 42 percent of families who were given a plan of care were completely unaware that they had a plan. Further, almost half of families with a plan of care are not referred to substance use treatment and only 15 percent accept referrals.

In 2023, former Senator Gay Kernan (R-Hobbs) proposed Senate Bill 150 which would have required CYFD to conduct family assessments in the event of noncompliance with a CARA plan of care. The bill unanimously passed the Senate but died in the House.

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House Minority Whip Greg Nibert Announces His Intention to Fill the Senate District 27 Seat

ROSWELL, NM—Representative Greg Nibert (R-District 51) is submitting his name to the Chaves, Curry, DeBaca, Lea and Roosevelt County Commissions for their consideration of advancing his name to the Governor for appointment to fill the Senate District 27 seat recently vacated by long time Senator Stuart Ingle.

“Senator Ingle will be remembered as a champion of Eastern New Mexico and really, all of New Mexico,” said Rep. Greg Nibert. “He served as a mentor to many, including myself. He set a very high bar for public service, and it would be an honor to follow in his footsteps.”

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NMSU to host STTE Foundation’s first Southwest Collegiate Cup

New Mexico State University will host students from six other universities in the Southwest for the STTE Foundation’s Southwest Collegiate Cup, sponsored by Microsoft.


 
The event aims to empower university students with entrepreneurial aspirations, and serve as a catalyst for innovation and exchanging ideas. Teams will compete for recognition and prizes. It will take place from 2 to 5 p.m. Nov. 2 at the Corbett Center Student Union. Attendance is free and open to the public. Tickets are available online here.

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NMSU researcher: Depression increases risk of death among diabetics

In a newly published study, a New Mexico State University researcher found that depression can cause premature death among adults in the United States diagnosed with diabetes.


 
Jagdish Khubchandani, a professor of public health sciences at NMSU, conducted the study with Srikanta Banerjee of Walden University to understand the long-term impacts of depression in American adults living with Type 2 diabetes – an area they said lacked research.
 

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Heinrich, Fetterman, Warnock Introduce Legislation

Heinrich, Fetterman, Warnock Introduce Legislation to Help End Childhood Hunger 

The Healthy Meals Help Kids Learn Act would permanently increase federal reimbursement levels for school meals 

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), Chair of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies, John Fetterman (D-Pa.), and Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.) introduced the Healthy Meals Help Kids Learn Act, legislation to make it easier for students to access quality, nutritious school meals. The bill permanently increases the federal reimbursement level for school meals to help address funding challenges, enhance menus, and increase access to locally grown food. 

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Australian-based Star Scientific chooses New Mexico

Australian-based Star Scientific chooses New Mexico for North American expansion 
Albuquerque to be center for clean hydrogen research and manufacturing, create 200 jobs 
 
SYDNEY, Australia - New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham and Star Scientific Ltd. Global Group Chair Andrew Horvath announced today that the Australia-based green hydrogen research and development company has chosen New Mexico as the location for its first North American operation. 

 Star Scientific formalized the announcement by signing a Letter of Intent with Gov.  Lujan Grisham at the Sustainable Energy Council’s Asia-Pacific Hydrogen Summit and Exhibition in Sydney on Thursday. 

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