Non-Local News Releases
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.
Senator Gay Kernan to Retire after 21 Years in the New Mexico Senate
- Category: Non-Local News Releases Non-Local News Releases
- Published: 28 June 2023 28 June 2023
SANTA FE – Senator Gay Kernan (R-Hobbs) today announced her retirement from the New Mexico Senate after 21 years of dedicated public service.
"After much prayerful consideration and with the help of my family, I have made the difficult decision to resign from my seat as New Mexico State Senator for District 42, effective August 1, 2023," said Senator Kernan. "I have not taken for granted the trust and confidence the voters have placed in me. Serving the constituents of Lea, Eddy, and Chaves Counties in the New Mexico Legislature has been a privilege and a tremendous honor. While I will miss my constituents and colleagues, and while transitions can be challenging, I am confident the Lea, Eddy, and Chaves County Commissions will recommend a qualified nominee from which my replacement will be selected."
First appointed in 2002 by then-Governor Gary Johnson, Senator Kernan is currently the sixth longest-serving member of the Senate and one of the longest-serving woman legislators in New Mexico history. She is the Ranking Member of the Senate Tax, Business, and Transportation Committee, and is widely respected for her expertise in education given her 18-year career as a school teacher.
Summer heat rising: Protect yourself, others from heat-related illness
- Category: Non-Local News Releases Non-Local News Releases
- Published: 27 June 2023 27 June 2023
SANTA FE – Rising temperatures across New Mexico bring increased risks of heat-related illness. The eastern and southern regions, including Chaves County, will face scorching conditions with temperatures approaching 112° and potentially higher this week.
This hot weather will persist throughout the week, posing a danger to those sensitive to heat or lacking effective cooling systems. The National Weather Service has issued a Heat Warning for several areas, including Roswell, Queen, Artesia, Carlsbad, Hobbs, Lovington, Eunice, and Jal.
Heat-related illness can be very serious and even deadly. Be aware of the symptoms and take appropriate action:
Heat cramps are muscle pain or spasms accompanied by heavy sweating, especially during intense exercise.
Heinrich Cosponsors Legislation to Support Advancements in Agriculture Research and Innovation
- Category: Non-Local News Releases Non-Local News Releases
- Published: 27 June 2023 27 June 2023
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) joined Senators Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), Tina Smith (D-Minn.), John Fetterman (D-Pa.), and Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) to introduce legislation to invest in public research, develop regionally adapted seed varieties and animal breeds, and enable the U.S. to maintain a robust and resilient foodand agricultural system. This standalone legislation is also a part of Senator Heinrich's Agriculture Resilience Act, comprehensive legislation that sets a bold vision of reaching net-zero greenhouse gas emissions in U.S. agriculture by the year 2040.
Heinrich, Moran Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Create Pathways to Stable Careers
- Category: Non-Local News Releases Non-Local News Releases
- Published: 27 June 2023 27 June 2023
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) and Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) introduced the bipartisan Apprenticeship Pathways Act, legislation to create pathways to careers for high school students by expanding access to apprenticeship programs.
Apprenticeships offer a direct path to acquiring in-demand skills, and early exposure to industries can encourage more students to pursue careers in those professions. Expanding apprenticeship programs for high school students can help address workforce shortages and ensure a sustainable workforce pipeline. This legislation particularly focuses on apprenticeship programs for occupations with high need, including the building trades, healthcare, manufacturing, technology, telecommunications, and early childhood education.
Traffic Alert White Sands Missile Range
- Category: Non-Local News Releases Non-Local News Releases
- Published: 27 June 2023 27 June 2023
US 70 Roadblock
LAS CRUCES - The New Mexico Department of Transportation District One office (NMDOT) along with White Sands Missile Range (WSMR) have posted an alert for Wednesday, June 28, 2023.
US 70 will be blocked two times beginning at 6:25 a.m. and the second block will begin at 7:55 a.m., lasting approximately 1 hour each. These blocks will be located at 'BLUE Block' (2 miles east of the access road - Mile Marker 172) and at 'BROWN Block' (Mile Marker 192). Nike Avenue will also be impacted by this block; however, San Augustine Pass and Las Cruces Gate will remain open.
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.
New Mexico Assists Homegrown Companies Secure Needed Funding
- Category: Non-Local News Releases Non-Local News Releases
- Published: 26 June 2023 26 June 2023
Collateral Assistance Program Boosts Start Up and Expanding Businesses
SANTA FE, N.M. – Several New Mexican businesses participating in the Collateral Assistance Program (CAP) through the New Mexico Economic Development Department (EDD) have been able to secure needed funding to grow their businesses and create jobs.
As part of the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), signed into law by President Biden in 2021, Congress allocated $10 billion to increase access to equity and debt capital through the State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI) program. A portion of New Mexico's SSBCI funds are used to provide collateral assistance to support loans to otherwise creditworthy New Mexico small businesses. With CAP, EDD pledges money to a CD account, worth no more than half the amount of the requested business loan. This CD is used as collateral, increasing the participating lender's ability to provide money and security.
In New Mexico, the program has provided $1.8 million in collateral support and has helped 11 entrepreneurs secure $10.7 million in lending, EDD Cabinet Secretary Alicia J. Keyes said.
Infrastructure Law Funding to Deliver High-Speed Internet to New Mexico
- Category: Non-Local News Releases Non-Local News Releases
- Published: 26 June 2023 26 June 2023
Heinrich Announces $675 Million in Infrastructure Law Funding to Deliver High-Speed Internet to New Mexico
WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) announced$675,372,311 in funding to expand high-speed internet access in New Mexico. The investment comes from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which Heinrich helped negotiate and pass into law.
“Expanding access to high-speed internet improves the quality of education our students receive, makes health care more accessible and affordable, strengthens public safety, and grows our economy,” said Heinrich. “Thanks to the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law that I fought hard to pass into law, we are delivering $675 million — one of the largest single investments in broadband in our state’s history — to develop the infrastructure needed to connect New Mexicans in every corner of our state to these vital services.”
USDA Makes Grants Available to Help Rural Communities
- Category: Non-Local News Releases Non-Local News Releases
- Published: 26 June 2023 26 June 2023
USDA Makes Grants Available to Help Rural Communities in New Mexico to Repair Water Infrastructure Damaged By Disasters in 2022
Investments are part of president Biden's Investing in America Agenda
WASHINGTON, June 26, 2023 – U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development New Mexico State Director Patricia Dominguez today announced the availability of grants to help rural communities repair water infrastructure damaged by presidentially delclared disasters such as last years forest fires in calendar year 2022. President Biden's Investing in America agenda is growing the American economy from the bottom up and middle-out – from rebuilding our nation's infrastructure, to driving over $470 billion in private sector manufacturing and clean energy investments in the United States, to creating good paying jobs and building a clean-energy economy that will combat climate change and make our communities more resilient.