Non-Local News Releases

Santa Fe, NM — This week, the Republican members of the Senate Finance Committee (SFC) sent a letter to the chairmen of the Legislative Finance Committee (LFC), urging that committee to "dedicate time in its 2026 work plan to study" fraud, waste, and abuse, as well as to "design legislative solutions to prevent further losses."

"We've seen rampant abuse involving taxpayer funds in Minnesota, California, and elsewhere," observed Senator Craig Brandt, the SFC Ranking Member. "We must root out such misuse of taxpayer dollars here in New Mexico and erect guardrails to ensure that public programs are managed responsibly and accountably."

March 25, 2026 

Highlights: Fire suppression crews worked throughout the night to continue establishing containment lines on the Unified Fire which is still active within the bosque area south of Rio Communities. This morning at 0700 command of the fire transitioned to a Type- 3 Team led by New Mexico Forestry Division. No structures have been impacted by the fire. Evacuations and road closures have been lifted across the area and power has been re-energized. The fire is approximately 500 acres and is 0% contained.    

Update: The Unified Fire held within its initial control lines from last night's operational shift. Late afternoon winds caused spotting across the river and increased the fire's perimeter. Night operations included using dozers and hand crews to establish line along the fire's edges. Fire behavior this morning is creeping and smoldering and fire activity will be expected to increase as the day's temperature warms. 

Lawyers Fight and Win for Kids to be Protected From Meta

New Mexico Jurors Are the Heroes

Santa Fe, NM — In a major victory for consumers and families, a jury has awarded a $375 million verdict against Meta, finding the social media giant failed to disclose the potential mental health harms its platforms pose to minors.

The case, brought by New Mexico Attorney General Raul Torrez in partnership with nationally recognized trial firm Motley Rice LLC, resulted in $187.5 million in damages for each of two claims - unfair practices and unconscionable conduct. Jurors imposed the maximum civil penalty of $5,000 per violation, identifying approximately 37,500 violations tied to teen users of Facebook and Instagram in New Mexico.

New round of health care funding builds on record $146M investment 

SANTA FE – New Mexico's rural health care providers can now apply for a share of $50 million in health care funding as part of the State of New Mexico's three-year, $146 million investment that has helped recruit more than 800 health care workers to underserved communities. 

The funding comes from New Mexico's Rural Health Care Delivery Fund, established in 2023 and most recently replenished during the October 2025 special legislative session. To date, the program has helped ensure health care for more than 125,000 New Mexicans. 

First trade mission of its kind underscores growing leadership of women

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LAS CRUCES, N.M. — In a first-of-its-kind effort emphasizing the growing role of women in the cattle industry, the New Mexico Department of Agriculture (NMDA) partnered with the Kansas Department of Agriculture to host an all-women delegation of six cattle producers from Chihuahua, Mexico, for a multi-state trade mission focused on U.S. beef cattle genetics.

Women play an increasingly important role in agriculture, contributing significantly to farm and ranch operations worldwide, yet they remain underrepresented in international trade missions and leadership opportunities in the livestock sector. This mission, held during the International Year of the Woman Farmer and Women's History Month, underscores the expanding leadership and influence of women in agriculture across borders.

ENMWUA fraudulently acquired state and federal grants and loans

LOGAN, N.M. (March 19, 2026) – Fraud has been committed by Eastern New Mexico Water Utility Authority in order to obtain funds from the federal and state governments, according to information sent by Quay County and Village of Logan to the U.S. Attorney, Inspector General for the U.S. Department of the Interior, New Mexico State Auditor and New Mexico Attorney General.

ENMWUA is a governmental entity created by the New Mexico legislature for the purpose of building a water pipeline from Ute Lake in Quay County south 120 miles to the Clovis area. Although the project was originally budgeted at $500 million, recent estimates place the real cost at $1.4 billion. Congress has allocated money under the Infrastructure Act, but the majority of the total cost has not yet been obtained. 

The New Mexico Forestry Division would like to update you on a wildfire that is requiring the attention of suppression resources in New Mexico. 

Update: The Unified Fire was discovered at approximately 11 a.m. on Tuesday, March 23 near Madrone, east of Interstate 25 and south of Rio Communities in Valencia County. The fire is active and running through bosque fuels including grass, brush, and timber. Fire crews are employing a full suppression strategy during this initial attack response period. 

Multiple structures are threatened and smoke is visible from I-25 and the surrounding areas. State Highway 304 is closed at Sonnenburg Loop and Baca Road. Residents off Madrone Flyway and Lagrima Road near the river are currently being evacuated. Local residents should take caution and avoid the area. Currently, the Unified Fire is estimated at 125 acres and is zero percent contained. The cause of the fire is under investigation. 

By Lora Hines

BCBSNM Senior Communications Consultant

Large swaths of New Mexico, the fifth largest state in the country, have limited health care access because of persistent shortages of health care professionals.  

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of New Mexico partnered with the New Mexico Medical Society to award $500,000 in grants to help 10 independent medical practices recruit doctors and improve care access to residents statewide.

The practices have used the grants to attract needed care providers — including nephrologists, maternal and fetal medicine specialists and gastroenterologists — with signing bonuses, salary support and reimbursement for moving costs. 

"Recruiting and retaining talented physicians is one of the most pressing challenges facing New Mexico's health care system," says Dr. Brian Etheridge, BCBSNM's chief medical officer for Medicaid. "By investing in immediate recruitment needs and long-term workforce development, we're helping to ensure that families in every corner of the state have access to the care they deserve."