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Bill proposes to take people to crisis centers for mental health aid instead of jails or hospitals
Instead of law enforcement taking people to jails or hospitals, New Mexicans could be sent to crisis triage centers to help with mental health needs. This will happen if House Bill 373 makes it through the Roundhouse. The legislation passed unanimously through the House Health and Human Services Committee on Wednesday. That was the bill’s […]
Health care fund could grow specialty medical services in rural New Mexico
When Melinda Montoya worked as a physical therapist in Shiprock, she saw patients that drove hundreds of miles for specialized medical care. Medical services and access to them for people that live in rural New Mexico is another burden on top of everything else Montoya said her patients experience daily. “People barely can meet their […]
Lawmakers get closer to passing bill that would expand voting rights and accessibility
Voting could be easier for hundreds of thousands of people in New Mexico if election-related legislation makes it a few more steps forward in the Roundhouse this session. House Bill 4, otherwise known as Voting Rights Protections, would boost voting accessibility in the state, especially for Indigenous communities and formerly incarcerated people convicted of felonies. […]
State starts monthslong process to get debris out of acequias near the Gila
In a few months, some acequias in southern New Mexico will finally be free of debris. The work to get that done starts today. During fall 2022, floods that came after the Black Fire in the Gila pushed debris down rivers, blocking up irrigation systems that need to have water flowing for farmers and ranchers […]
Southern acequia stewards try to understand ‘muddy’ disaster recovery process
Grant County acequia stewards gathered in Silver City on Wednesday, knowing they need to start irrigating crops within weeks. They also do not fully understand how to access state disaster aid. To find out where to start in their recovery process, the group gathered state officials to explain where different avenues of funding can come […]
Grant County sets aside $600,000 to help acequias that lack immediate state aid
Grant County commissioners in southern New Mexico said they’ll hand over $600,000 to help repair broken acequia systems that need money to start work in the coming weeks. The Black Fire and subsequent flooding damaged acequias last year. This means water isn’t flowing in acequias in Grant County. In many areas, ditches are full of […]
Gov signs $100M bill for disaster recovery and must figure out how to get millions to northern NM
New Mexico’s promise to give millions in disaster recovery will make its way to the northern part of the state recovering from the Hermits Peak-Calf Canyon fire for counties that have their paperwork in order. Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham signed Senate Bill 6 into law on Monday, setting aside $100 million from the state for […]
First disaster relief dollars for southern acequias to come from private donation
Warmer, longer days mean farmers and ranchers need to start irrigating water. In parts of southern New Mexico, that work is stalled because damaged acequias are still running dry due to last year’s massive disaster season that started with the Black Fire. Time is running out to fix up the irrigation systems that are needed […]
NM religious leaders show public support for abortion
Faith leaders from different denominations in New Mexico are encouraging lawmakers to expand legal protection for reproductive health care rights. On Wednesday, the New Mexico Religious Coalition for Reproductive Justice released a letter with over 100 people from different churches around the state advocating for a person’s right to make their own decisions about reproductive […]
$5 million proposal could help acequias recover from disasters in the past and future
Farmers and ranchers are dealing with clogged-up irrigation systems affecting their livelihoods because of last year’s massive wildfires and floods. Now, they’re looking for ways to clean up all the damage and get water flowing again. Senate Bill 176 would create a $5 million pot that acequia stewards and communities could pull from each year […]
Roundhouse one step away from giving millions for Hermits Peak-Calf Canyon fire recovery
Fixing the only road into town. Repairing aquifer systems so families aren’t worried about the water they drink or use for cattle or farming. That’s the kind of work that northern New Mexico counties could finally pay for if the state House passes the Hermits Peak-Calf Canyon Fire Recovery Funds bill. Monday, the House Appropriations […]
Lawmaker says local choice energy bill needs a rewrite to get through Roundhouse
It could be a long road ahead for legislation that aims to give New Mexicans a choice about where their electricity comes from. Sen. Carrie Hamblen (D-Las Cruces) is sponsoring the Local Choice Energy Act. It would allow tribal or local governments to enact programs that would let people choose local energy providers over investor-owned […]