Republicans Oppose Unconstitutional SB 17 Bill
STATE News:
SANTA FE — Jan. 28, Senate Bill 17 received a ‘Do Pass’ recommendation from the Senate Health & Public Affairs Committee on a 6-4 party line vote. This controversial and egregiously unconstitutional proposal was met with fierce opposition from Republican committee members. Led by Ranking Member Sen. Larry Scott (R-Hobbs), Sens. David Gallegos (R-Eunice), Jay Block (R-Rio Rancho), and Rex Wilson (R-Ancho) were unified in their ‘no’ votes.
SB 17 effectively:
- Grows government control over guns
- Burdens small, local gun dealers
- Targets law-abiding citizens, not criminals
Lovington BBQ Joint Gets State Funding For Expansion
Dunlap performs weekly live “how-to & Q&A” cooking shows on social media and you can download his free cookbook on the website at tdsbrewandbbq.com. Courtesy/NMEDD
NMEDD News:
LOVINGTON — TD’s Brew & BBQ, a Lovington-based maker of BBQ sauces and spice rubs, has been awarded state economic assistance to create 16 local jobs and expand operations through a program administered by the New Mexico Economic Development Department (EDD).
TD’s Brew & BBQ plans to hire 16 new full-time employees and generate an economic impact of more than $14 million Read More
ECECD To Administer 2026 Summer Food Service Program
ECECD News:
SANTA FE — The New Mexico Early Childhood Education and Care Department (ECECD) will continue administering the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) in 2026—ensuring children have access to nutritious meals during summer break and other school closures.
All children ages 1-18 are eligible—no registration or proof of enrollment is necessary. Individuals over 18 who have a mental or physical disability and participate during the school year in a qualifying program are also eligible to participate.
Organizations eligible for meal site sponsorship include public or Read More
Federal Abuses, Rural Jobs Clash In ICE Detention Debate
Hermila Sotelo, a member of Somos Un Pueblo Unido Eddy County, speaks in favor of House Bill 9, the Immigrant Safety Act, during public testimony before the House Judiciary Committee on Wednesday, Jan. 28, 2026, in the House chamber of the state Capitol. Sotelo, who said she has lived in the United States for 30 years after coming to the country from Chihuahua, Mexico, has been working with Somos Un Pueblo Unido in hopes of gaining citizenship this year. Matt Dahlseid/The New Mexican
By CLARA BATES
The Santa Fe New Mexican
A bill to restrict immigration detention centers in New Mexico, potentially Read More
U.S. Rep. Gabe Vasquez Presses USPS To Reverse Harmful Postmark Policy Change
U.S. Rep. Gabe Vasquez
U.S. CONGRESS News:
WASHINGTON, D.C. — On Jan. 27, 2026—one day into the 2025 tax filing season—U.S. Rep. Gabe Vasquez (NM-02) sent a letter (attached) to Postmaster General David P. Steiner raising serious concerns about a recent U.S. Postal Service policy change that could unfairly penalize New Mexicans who rely on USPS to send time-sensitive mail such as tax returns, rent payments, and Social Security or Medicare documents.
In December, USPS changed its long-standing practice of postmarking mail on the date it is dropped off by customers. Under the new policy, mail Read More
U.S. Rep. Teresa Leger Fernández Secures Major Wins For New Mexico In Funding Bill, Votes Against ICE Funding
U.S. Rep. Teresa Leger Fernández
CONGRESSIONAL News:
WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Rep. Teresa Leger Fernández (D-NM) has secured $8,682,250 in Community Project Funding for New Mexico and delivered key funding victories for the state as part of the Fiscal Year 2026 federal spending minibus covering Transportation and Housing and Urban Development, Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and the Department of Defense.
The funding will support critical infrastructure, housing, public safety, transit, and community facilities across municipalities in New Mexico.
“In a difficult political Read More
USDA Forest Service Issues Revised Oil & Gas Leasing Rule
USDA News:
WASHINGTON. D.C. — The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Forest Service finalized revisions to its regulation governing federal oil and gas resources on National Forest System lands. The revision modernizes and streamlines the process for managing energy development across millions of acres.
U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins and Interior Secretary Doug Burgum announced the updated rule today, emphasizing the Trump Administration’s joint commitment to eliminating outdated and burdensome processes and advancing President Donald J. Trump’s Executive Orders Read More
Lawmakers Introduce Clear Horizons Act ‘To Protect New Mexico Families From Rising Costs’
STATE News:
SANTA FE — Lawmakers have formally introduced the Clear Horizons Act (Senate Bill 18), a plan to provide long-term planning, stability, and accountability from the harmful effects of polluting industries.
As New Mexican families continue to face rising costs associated with the waste and byproducts of polluting industries, leaders in Santa Fe are responding with actionable legislation.
The Clear Horizons Act (Senate Bill 18) responds to the real and growing costs New Mexicans are already paying as extreme weather becomes more frequent and severe. New data presented to legislators Read More
GOP Senators Introduce Bill To End ‘Trial Lawyers’ Chokehold On New Mexico Healthcare’
Scene from the Roundhouse where Special Sessions are currently underway. Courtesy/Senate GOP
Sen. Craig Brandt is holding legislation that he and Senators Pat Woods, Nicole Tobiassen and Steve Lanier signed. Courtesy photo
Senate Republicans News:
SANTA FE — Four Republican Senators introduced a bill to prohibit obscene “punitive damages” payouts to trial lawyers at the expense of patients and doctors. In 2021, Democrats pushed through damaging increases to the punitive caps on medical malpractice claims, action that has created a crisis in healthcare access for New Mexico families. Read More
FBI: Shiprock Man Gets 78 Months In Prison For Unlawfully Possessing Loaded Shotgun
FBI News:
ALBUQUERQUE — A Shiprock man was sentenced to 78 months in prison for unlawfully possessing a loaded shotgun, which he obtained by stealing and attempting to sell it.
There is no parole in the federal system.
According to court records, Aug. 10, 2022, Crandall Craig Martin, 42, an enrolled member of the Navajo Nation, stole a loaded firearm with the intention of trading it for alcohol or money to buy alcohol. As both a previously convicted felon and misdemeanant convicted of a crime of domestic violence, Martin was prohibited from possessing firearms and ammunition.
Martin subsequently Read More
