Briefs
State works on broadband expansion plans before end-of-year federal deadline
With $675 million secured over the summer for internet expansion, New Mexico’s Office of Broadband Access and Expansion is working to make sure it’ll be ready to submit its first proposal about broadband plans in December. The broadband office must submit an initial proposal to the federal government on how it plans to use the […]
BLM wants to protect the Placitas area from oil and gas extraction
A proposal by the Bureau of Land Management would prohibit any new extractive industry activity for the next half century in the Placitas area of Sandoval County in central New Mexico. U.S. Interior Secretary Deb Haaland (Laguna) wants to withdraw nearly 4,213 acres of public lands from oil and gas extraction for 50 years “to […]
Las Cruces Equity Council seeking two candidates
The Las Cruces Public Schools Equity Council has two vacant seats, and is currently seeking candidates for the volunteer positions. One seat is reserved for a parent with children in elementary schools, the other is an open seat for any Las Cruces community member. The position requires two to six hours per month of council […]
N.M. governor declares state of emergency over gun violence
New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham signed an executive order saying gun violence in the state “constitutes a statewide public health emergency of unknown duration.” The order issued on Sept. 8 encourages local mayors and sheriff’s offices to ask for “an emergency proclamation and implementation of temporary additional restrictions” under the state Riot Control Act. […]
Oñate monument shooter delays sentencing to November
The 2020 Oñate monument shooter will get to experience at least one more New Mexico autumn before he faces any accountability from the criminal legal system. Video taken on June 15, 2020 shows Steven Ray Baca pushing a woman from behind to the ground, injuring her legs; macing a man in the face; pushing a […]
New Mexico and Ohkay Owingeh governors sign Indian Water Rights Settlement
Ohkay Owingeh and the state engineer will next bring the settlement to the state’s congressional delegation to advocate for the Rio Chama to be federally approved and funded. (Photo courtesy BLM)
PNM wants to raise electricity rates in 2024. You can tell state officials your thoughts on Thursday.
The Public Service Company of New Mexico wants to enact a price hike in 2024, and New Mexicans have another chance this week to voice their opinions on it. This would be the first time in five years that New Mexicans could get more expensive billing rates under PNM. The utility argues that its requested […]
Report finds agriculture uses 80% of NM’s fresh water
As climate change and drought make water an ever-scarcer commodity in New Mexico, a report last month by the non-governmental organization Food and Water Watch found agriculture is using more than 80% of the state’s fresh water. The report analyzed water use in the state and criticized dairies, alfalfa farming and pecan farming as, “egregious examples of […]
A look at Rep. Gabe Vasquez’s $10M in earmarks for 2024
Rep. Gabe Vasquez represents Congressional District 2. The district is expansive, stretching across the state’s western flank from Grants, including a slice of the South Valley, encompasses the Gila National Forest region, and reaches across Southern New Mexico from the bootheel to Hobbs. Vasquez’ original requests for Community Project Funding totaled a little more than […]
Here’s where Rep. Melanie Stansbury’s earmarks will go in 2024
Rep. Melanie Stansbury represents Congressional District 1, which incorporates much of Albuquerque east through the Estancia Valley to Santa Rosa, then spreads to southeastern chunks of the state, encompassing Ruidoso to Fort Sumner. Last year, Stansbury earmarked $18 million for 15 projects in the district. Some of those projects included $6.8 for the Albuquerque Sobering […]
Here’s where Rep. Teresa Leger Fernández plans to spend $11M in earmarks
Rep. Teresa Leger Fernández represents Congressional District 3, which spans the northern third of the state and alongside its eastern edge, stopping at Hobbs, Artesia and Roswell. Last year, Leger Fernández received $23.5 million in earmarks for fiscal year 2023. Some of the largest projects included $4 million for improvements to Spider Rock Road in […]
Spaceport paid out $130K in settlement with former employee
The New Mexico Spaceport Authority paid $130,000 to settle the lawsuit with former employee Karen Barker last month, according to court documents released Tuesday. In the agreement, Barker agreed to drop the 2020 lawsuit alleging discrimination and retaliation when she worked for the agency between 2017 and 2019. Barker sued both the agency and the […]