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 those events please visit Local News Releases.

Human Services Department launches Renew NM campaign to inform New Mexicans about Medicaid and SNAP changes

HSD customers will receive a turquoise envelope with vital benefit renewal information.

SANTA FE — The New Mexico Human Services Department (HSD) announced today that they are launching a statewide multilingual media campaign to alert HSD customers receiving Medicaid benefits that important benefit eligibility re-determinations will resume in April 2023.

On March 31, 2023, the federal government is ending the Medicaid continuous coverage flexibility established during the COVID-19 pandemic. The end of this flexibility means all 986,719 New Mexicans covered by Medicaid will have to renew their coverage when they are notified by the department. This week, HSD began sending renewal packets in a turquoise envelope to those customers whose renewal applications are due in April. The department has 12 months to complete all Medicaid renewals.   

HSD customers must respond to those notices immediately, otherwise they risk losing benefits. When they are due to renew, HSD customers have several options to submit their renewal application: 

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PRC to hold public comment hearing regarding PNM’s request for authorization for grid modernization components

SANTA FE, N.M. — The New Mexico Public Regulation Commission will hold a hearing to take public comment regarding case No. 22-00058-UT: In the Matter of Public Service Company of New Mexico’s Application for Authorization to Implement Grid Modernization Components that Include Advanced Metering Infrastructure and Application to Recover the Associated Costs through a Rider, Issuance of Related Accounting Orders, and Other Associated Relief. Written comments may also be submitted at any time in this case before the Commission takes final action. Public comments will not be considered as evidence in this proceeding.

Who: New Mexico Public Regulation Commission

What: Public Comment Hearing re: case No. 22-00058-UT  

When: Friday, March 17, at 9:30 a.m. MDT

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NMSU to host Southeast Rancher’s Workshop March 28

New Mexico State University’s Cooperative Extension Service will host the Southeast Rancher’s Workshop March 28 at the Eddy County Fairgrounds in Artesia, New Mexico. The workshop serves as a multi-county effort, collaborating with Chaves and Roosevelt counties.

NMSU Extension agents will host the event along with the New Mexico Beef Council, soil and water conservation districts from the participating counties and other local equipment and feed businesses. From 8:45 a.m. to 4 p.m., attendees will learn about livestock production management topics, with presentations on new ranching technologies and marketing experiences from a variety of speakers. The workshop is open to all ranchers and livestock producers in eastern New Mexico.

Iván Tellez, NMSU Extension agricultural agent, explained that consistently providing events and educational opportunities in livestock production is key to further develop a sustainable program.

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Traffic Alert: US 70 roadway rehabilitation project will cause delays

NMDOT insists drivers respect construction zone

LAS CRUCES - The New Mexico Department of Transportation District One office in cooperation with Mountain States Construction, Inc. (Contractor) will continue with the roadway rehabilitation project on US 70 from milepost 143 (I-10 /US 70 Interchange) to milepost 161 (Organ).

Drivers can expect various lane closures on the frontage road and intersections on all eastbound and westbound lanes from Nasa Rd. to Del Rey Blvd. Sunday, March 19, 2023, crews will be continuing nighttime roadwork on Sonoma Ranch Blvd. intersection. Crews will also be crack sealing on Bataan Memorial Frontage Road with one lane closed as needed.

During milling and paving operations lanes will be closed nightly for each lane of travel, traffic can travel to the next intersection to turn around. Contractor’s hours of operation will be from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m., Sunday through Thursday. Drivers should expect delays and plan accordingly.

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Public Information Meeting: NM 404 Widening Project - Anthony, NM

The community is encouraged to attend the public involvement meeting and provide comments.

ANTHONY- The New Mexico Department of Transportation (NMDOT) District One office in cooperation with Mountain States Constructors, Inc. (Contractor) invite you to attend the in-person public involvement meeting for the NM 404 widening project. Improvements to NM 404 “Anthony Gap” are needed to improve safety and provide easier passage through the area. 

Purpose: At this public meeting, we will review construction, expected traffic impacts, phasing, and timelines. We will also answer your questions and take comments. Project termini is milepost 0.920 to 8.8 for 7.926 miles. 

When: 6:00 pm to 7:00 pm, Monday, March 20, 2023

Where: Doña Ana Community College, Gadsden Location, Room 140 & 141 (1700 Ohara Rd., Anthony, NM 88021)

ADA: To request Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) related accommodations for this meeting, contact Ami Evans at (575) 640-5981 at least 48-hour prior to the meeting.

Supreme Court lifts $1,000 limit on punitive contempt fines

SANTA FE – The state Supreme Court today eliminated a cap of $1,000 on the fines that can be imposed for contempt of court in New Mexico without a jury trial for the person subject to the punishment.

In a unanimous opinion involving disciplinary action against an Albuquerque attorney, the justices overruled the decades-old limit but did not establish a new maximum monetary penalty for behavior constituting contempt of court, such as disobeying a court or disrespecting its authority.

A 1973 decision of the Court established the $1,000 fine limit by holding that penalties imposed above that amount would elevate acts of contempt to a “serious” criminal offense, which would require a jury trial unless waived by the defendant. That dollar amount, if adjusted for inflation, is the equivalent of about $6,738 in 2023, the justices noted.

“We decline to place an express limit on contempt fines today. Instead, we adhere to New Mexico precedent and federal precedent granting courts the power to determine whether an offense is serious under the circumstances of the case,” the Court wrote.

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Traffic Alert: US 70 Culvert Cleaning Project

NMDOT insists drivers respect construction zone

LAS CRUCES - The New Mexico Department of Transportation District One office in cooperation with Highland Enterprises, Inc. (Contractor) will be clearing the culverts east of Las Cruces along US 70 from milepost 166 to 172, including the WSMR entrance (WSMR S RT 280 & NM 213). This project was awarded in the amount of $397 thousand and is expected to take 60 working days to complete, weather pending.

Beginning Monday, March 20, 2023, crews will begin cleaning the culverts and arroyos along US 70. Drivers can expect various lane closures on both eastbound and westbound lanes as needed. Contractor’s hours of operation will be from 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday.

The New Mexico Department of Transportation is committed to the safety of the traveling public and thanks you for your cooperation during this work. For updated information go to: New Mexico Department of Transportation at www.nmroads.com or call 511. 

State Job Training Funds Approved for up to 145 Trainees

March JTIP Awardees Announced

SANTA FE, N.M. – The Job Training Incentive Program (JTIP), an initiative of the New Mexico Economic Development Department (EDD), has approved funding in March 2023 for up to 145 trainees with a total potential award of over $1.5 million, announced EDD Cabinet Secretary Alicia J. Keyes.

Allocated JTIP funds are paid after all employee training is complete. The program encourages companies to move to, stay in, and/or grow in New Mexico and to hire New Mexican employees. The number of companies awarded this month was small, five total, but very impactful. Each of the businesses has received prior awards and these new applications are proof that the companies’ plans of growth are coming to fruition.

“EDD is pleased to help support local companies as they expand and add new employees. This month’s applications come from Las Cruces, Santa Teresa, Rio Rancho, Albuquerque, and Los Alamos,” Secretary Keyes said. “The program’s success is evident with the potential of 145 new high-paying jobs that will build economic security for New Mexico families.”

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