Author
State needs to better fund emergency response to drought, fire and flood, expert group says
A newly created group composed of high-ranking state leaders and water experts said the New Mexico Legislature should anticipate more disastrous fires and floods like the state encountered this year – and find a way to make sure there’s money for hard-hit areas during those emergencies. Mike Hamman, the New Mexico State Engineer and leader […]
Former Española mayor and small business owner vying to be state auditor
Early voting is underway and the race for New Mexico’s next auditor is now between a former Española mayor and a complete newcomer to the world of politics. The state auditor conducts regular financial reviews of state and local public entities and can step in to audit an agency if there are suspicions of mismanagement. […]
At least 40 acequias still damaged after Hermits Peak-Calf Canyon Fire, association says (see map)
Dozens of historic irrigation channels in the burn scar of the state’s biggest wildfire remain damaged, the New Mexico Acequia Association told a legislative panel on Thursday. Of 68 acequias that the association has identified in and around the 340,000-acre burn scar, at least 41 are damaged. Another 11 are likely damaged. The rest are […]
Jacob Candelaria resigns from New Mexico Senate; Maestas wants his seat
State Sen. Jacob Candelaria announced Wednesday he would be resigning from the New Mexico State Senate, leaving two years before his term was slated to end. Candelaria, who recently left the Senate Democratic caucus amid fights with leadership, had previously announced he would not seek re-election in 2024. He previously told Source New Mexico he […]
Northern NM fire victims say they need help now, even with $2.5 billion on the way
About 200 victims of the biggest fire in state history packed a high school lecture hall in Mora on Monday night, many of whom say they need immediate help even as a massive compensation program is on its way. Many of the folks affected by the Hermits Peak-Calf Canyon Fire, which burned 340,000 acres of […]
U.S. Rep. Leger Fernandez to hold meeting in Mora to discuss $2.5 billion in aid
The member of Congress representing the communities affected by the Hermits Peak-Calf Canyon Fire is holding a meeting Monday in Mora to help fire victims learn more about a huge compensation program heading their way. Congress passed the $2.5 billion Hermits Peak-Calf Canyon Fire Assistance Act late last month. It aims to fully cover losses […]
Clock is ticking on burn scar agriculture as waterways remain clogged
If the vital irrigation infrastructure winding through the 500-square-mile burn scar in northern New Mexico isn’t repaired in the next few weeks, advocates warn that the charred and flooded region could lose at least a year’s worth of agriculture and ranching. And funding that could help won’t likely come in time. Historic irrigation channels known […]
NM water commission goes into closed session to talk ‘forever chemicals,’ despite transparency concerns
A board tasked with renewing a water discharge permit for the Cannon Air Force Base went into closed session for its deliberations Tuesday amid concerns about how often the public gets looped in on the base’s release of so-called “forever chemicals” into surrounding areas. The New Mexico Water Quality Control Commission voted 7-3 to discuss […]
Big law firms circle burn scar to get some of $2.5 billion NM fire payout
Now that a huge compensation program is on its way to the burn scar of the biggest fire in state history, private law firms are increasing efforts to convince victims that they need a lawyer to get a piece of the $2.5 billion pie. But attorneys with New Mexico Legal Aid say Hermits Peak-Calf Canyon […]
Gold King Mine settlement funds so far not spent on affected farmers, lawmaker says
State agencies will soon accept bids to spend millions in settlement money from a contaminant spill that turned northern New Mexico rivers yellow in 2015, but two state lawmakers expressed concerns that the money won’t reach people who need it most. It’s still early in the process for millions in settlement funds to be paid […]
Heinrich says $2.5 billion in aid for northern NM fire victims major step in restoring region
New Mexico’s senior United States Senator said he expects the $2.5 billion in compensation for victims of the Hermits Peak-Calf Canyon Fire will go a long way toward revitalizing a 500-square-mile section of northern New Mexico and life for those in it. The United States Senate on Thursday voted to approve a short-term spending bill […]
Federal legislation aims to improve FEMA response to wildfires
A bill cosponsored by New Mexico’s United States senators aims to help the Federal Emergency Management Agency better help victims of wildfires. Such blazes are growing in number and intensity across the West. U.S. Sen. Alex Padilla (D-California) said Wednesday on the Senate floor that FEMA has gotten “pretty good” at responding to floods, tornadoes […]