Non-Local News Releases

Santa Fe, NM — Senate Republican Leader Bill Sharer (R-Farmington) today revealed thatRepresentative Andrea Romero (D-Santa Fe) personally sponsored two separate capital outlay appropriations, totaling $100,000, for the First Judicial District Attorney's Office during the 2026 legislative session, just months before she began working a paid position at that same office in May.

According to the state's official capital outlay records, Romero sponsored $50,000 for "1st Jud Dist Attorney Equip Prchs" and another $50,000 for "1st Jud Dist Attorney Veh Prchs," both approved and signed into law as part of the 2026 capital outlay bill. Rep. Romero has already been the subject of a separate ethics complaint filed by Senator Sharer alleging she misused Truth Commission funds to hire a PR contractor to manage political fallout after her employment with the DA's office became public, as well as complaints from House Republican Whip Alan Martinez and private citizens over the legality of that employment itself.

SANTA FE –New Mexico State Parks will introduce its new mascot, Ranger Rio, at State Fair, which opens on Sept. 10. 

Ranger Rio is inspired by one of New Mexico's most iconic and adaptable wildlife species, the coyote. Found in every corner of the state, the coyote's blend of awareness, intelligence, and adaptability mirrors the work of the New Mexico State Park rangers and educators — always observing, always learning and always ready to guide park visitors.

Research partners will examine the potential for carbon capture at Project Jupiter and in New Mexico

AUSTIN, Texas—September 8, 2026—Oracle today announced up to $1 million in funding to support research into the potential for carbon capture and sequestration (CCS) at Project Jupiter and across New Mexico. The research will examine how carbon dioxide associated with Bloom Energy fuel cells could be captured safely and efficiently, create a pathway for permanent storage, and a viable commercial model for transportation and potential industrial use.

House Republican Leader Gail Armstrong Responds to "New America" Controversy, Points to Real Issues Facing New Mexico

SANTA FE, NM — House Republican Leader Gail Armstrong (R-Magdalena)released the following statement today on the recent controversy surrounding President Trump's social media post about New Mexico's name:

"Let me be clear about something: no political party owns New Mexican pride. The love we have for this state, for our mountains and our mesas, our acequias and our arroyos, our people and our history, doesn't check a party registration at the door. It crosses every political and ideological line that exists in this state, because it isn't political to begin with. It's who we are.

Let me say plainly: New Mexico's name and identity are not up for negotiation, not by this president or any other. That was true before Sunday's post and it'll be true long after everyone's forgotten about it.

So, when I see New Mexico Democrats manufacturing outrage over a social media post, I have to ask what they're really trying to accomplish. They know as well as I do that a post is not policy. They know the President of the United States has no constitutional authority to rename this state. What they're hoping is that if they yell loud enough about a troll post out of the White House, you won't notice what's happening right here in the Round House.

WASHINGTON — U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) and members of the N.M. Congressional Delegation, including U.S. Senator Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), and U.S. Representatives Teresa Leger Fernández (D-N.M.), Melanie Stansbury (D-N.M.), and Gabe Vasquez (D-N.M.), sent a letter pressing U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Secretary Doug Collins to ensure New Mexico veterans' unique needs are not diminished in the agency's planned reorganization of the Veterans Integrated Services Network (VISN) structure into five regional networks under the VA RISE Initiative.

New Mexico is home to more than 125,000 veterans, many of whom live in rural communities where access to healthcare is already limited. Veterans across the state face unique challenges, including long distances to VA medical centers, shortages of specialty care providers, and limited broadband access for telehealth services. New Mexico also has a disproportionately high share of Native American, Hispanic, and Latino veterans, whose healthcare needs are best served through culturally competent care and strong partnerships with Tribal governments and the Indian Health Service (IHS). New Mexico also has a particular need for local decision-making and resources that reflect the unique needs of veterans in geographically isolated areas.

(Washington, D.C., September 4, 2026) – Today, President Donald J. Trump signed two Executive Orders supporting America's ranchers and U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins made additional announcements protecting our nation's cattle herd and providing transparency for consumers. American ranchers embody the ethos of our nation's founding 250 years ago and should be provided with the tools to rebuild our Great American Cattle Herd.

In addition to the two Executive Orders, USDA also announced four additional actions it is taking to follow-up on the USDA Plan to Fortify the American Beef Industry (2025 USDA Beef Plan) released last year, and the Ranchers First Initiative released earlier this week.

USDA also launched a new webpage, highlighting the Trump Administration's undisputed status as the most pro-rancher administration in history. This is in stark contrast to the war on ranchers waged by the previous administration.

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: 

I-25 Guardrail Replacement Project, Mile Marker 6 to 14.2, Las Cruces to Dona AnaLC00384

CARLSBAD, N.M. — Public lands in southeastern New Mexico will advance the nation's surge toward Energy Dominance under a proposed final revision to a land-use plan for the Carlsbad Field Office. The proposed resource management plan would make 97% of public lands managed by the field office available for energy and mineral leasing alongside expanded grazing and recreational opportunities.

The Carlsbad Field Office manages approximately 2.1 million acres of public lands and 2.7 million acres of subsurface minerals in Eddy and Lea counties, and a portion of Chaves County in southeast New Mexico. These public lands possess unique geology containing extensive oil and natural gas reserves, which is part of the larger Permian Basin. Parcels located in the area were part of a record oil and gas lease sale in May that generated more than $4 billion in total receipts in New Mexico and Texas, underscoring strong industry demand for domestic energy development on public lands.