Non-Local News Releases

TULAROSA BASIN DOWNWINDERS CONSORTIUM (TBDC) will host their 17th Annual Candlelight Vigil to acknowledge the negative health effects suffered by the people of New Mexico after overexposure to radiation from the July 16, 1945, Trinity bomb blast.  The TBDC will memorialize those that have lost their lives to cancer and honor those who are living with, or who have survived cancer.

Members of the TBDC will be on hand to provide information on the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act (RECA) and how to apply for the compensation.   

And an update on the RECA program will be presented at the Candlelight Vigil.

SANTA ROSA, NM – New Mexico State Parks is announcing the imminent closure of the boat ramp at Santa Rosa Lake State Park due to a water release by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) on behalf of the Carlsbad Irrigation District.

The USACE Albuquerque District started releasing water from Santa Rosa Lake on July 20 and is scheduled to continue Aug. 3. This release is expected to lower the lake's elevation by approximately 36 feet, reducing reservoir storage from about 40,000 acre-feet to 3,500 acre-feet – a drop from 40% capacity down to 3%.

July 20, 2026

Youth Encouragement Elk license sale begins July 22

Department offers 1,960 antlerless licenses for youth who didn't draw a hunt this year

SANTA FE – Youth hunters will be eligible to purchase one of 1,960 antlerless Youth Encouragement Elk licenses through the New Mexico Department of Wildlife's Online License System starting at 10 a.m. MDT on July 22, 2026.

The Youth Encouragement Elk hunts provide additional hunting opportunities for youth and include 1,570 licenses for any legal sporting arm and 390 licenses for muzzleloader hunts. Licenses will be sold online only on a first-come, first-served basis. To purchase a license, customers will need to log into their Online License System account.

McKenzie Ridge Fire in Zuni Mountains
Gobbler Springs and Spud Fires in Mount Taylor Mountains

Albuquerque, NM – July 19, 2026 — Fire resources are actively responding to suppress new fire starts that may have resulted from scattered thunderstorms yesterday throughout central New Mexico.

Safety: The health and safety of firefighters and the public are always the first priority. Members of the public should avoid the fire areas. Drones pose a serious risk to firefighting and can cause air operations to cease. The public is reminded that "If you fly, we can't!"

An infrared (IR) flight is planned for today for central and northern New Mexico zone. IR aircraft are used to detect new fires started by lightning when they are small.

SANTA FE — More than 230 community projects across all 33 New Mexico counties will receive state funding, supporting services ranging from behavioral health and senior meal sites to youth programs and public safety. 

The Department of Finance and Administration (DFA) administers the Legislature-prioritized projects in the Government Results and Opportunity (GRO) program, which launched July 1. 

Created by the Legislature in 2024, GRO is a performance-based fund for pilot programs and community initiatives. Awards to state agencies, local governments, nonprofits, school districts, tribal entities, and higher education institutions are all tied to measurable outcomes reported over the two-year funding period. DFA partners with local governments and regional councils of governments to distribute funds and support recipient organizations. 

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

SANTA FE — Seventeen animal shelters across New Mexico will receive nearly $2 million to improve the care and sheltering of domestic cats and dogs. 

Department of Finance and Administration (DFA) administers the New Mexico Animal Welfare Program, which provides a framework for ongoing state support of animal welfare initiatives focused on the care and sheltering of cats and dogs. 

Funded projects address facility construction, renovation, and equipment needs: 

City of Aztec – $28,032 for new HVAC systems. 

City of Bayard – $290,600 for kennel construction, HVAC, drainage, and storage upgrades. 

SANTA FE, N.M. – The Bureau of Land Management today opened a 30-day public comment period to receive public input on plans to include 30 oil and gas parcels totaling 8,071 acres in New Mexico, Oklahoma, Kansas and Texas in a November 2026 sale. The comment period ends August 17, 2026.

The BLM completed scoping on these parcels in June 2026 and is now seeking public comment on the parcels and related environmental analysis. The BLM will use input from the public to help complete its review of each parcel.

Leasing is the first step in the process to develop federal oil and gas resources. Before development operations can begin, an operator must submit an application for permit to drill detailing development plans. The BLM reviews applications for permits to drill, posts them for public review, conducts an environmental analysis and coordinates with state partners and stakeholders.