Smokey Bear Celebrates 81st Birthday
The original Smokey Bear poster. Fire safety has been the goal all along. Courtesy/USDA Forest Service
USDA News:
At the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Forest Service, wildfire prevention is a big priority. There’s no better ambassador of that essential message than everyone’s favorite wildfire prevention bear, Smokey.
Aug. 9 was Smokey’s 81st birthday, and as he enters his 9th decade of wildfire prevention activism, take a look back at where it all started.
80 plus years of wildfire messaging
First appearing on a wildfire prevention poster in August of 1944, Smokey Bear quickly became Read More
State GOP On Acting U.S. Attorney Ryan Ellison
Ryan Ellison
RPNM News:
Republican Party of New Mexico (RPNM) Chairwoman Amy Barela issued the following statement on the appointment of Ryan Ellison as Acting United States Attorney for the District of New Mexico:
“I want to extend my heartfelt congratulations to Ryan Ellison on his appointment as Acting United States Attorney for the District of New Mexico. Throughout his service as U.S. Prosecutor, Ryan has demonstrated professionalism, integrity, and a steadfast commitment to protecting the people of New Mexico.
“While his official confirmation has been delayed by political gamesmanship Read More
New Mexico State Treasurer’s Office Celebrates National ABLE Savings Day And National Financial Awareness Day
STATE News:
SANTA FE — Aug. 14 marked National ABLE Savings Day, a day recognized by ABLE Today and the National Association of State Treasurers (NAST) to raise awareness of ABLE Account programs and their life-changing impact on the lives of people with disabilities.
These accounts have helped thousands of individuals in the disability community take control of their financial futures, build independence, and plan with confidence. In honor of this empowering day of savings, the New Mexico State Treasurer’s Achieving a Better Life Experience (NM STABLE) program is proud to introduce the Read More
Los Alamos High School Athletic Director Guy Meyer Named Northeast Region 2024-2025 AD Of The Year
LAHS Athletic Director Guy Meyer Northeast Region Athletic Director of the Year for the 2024-2025 school year. Courtesy/LAPS
LAPS News:
Los Alamos High School (LAHS) Athletic Director Guy Meyer has been selected as the Northeast Region Athletic Director of the Year for the 2024-2025 school year.
He was presented the award by the New Mexico Athletic Directors Association during its summer conference recently in Albuquerque. Meyer was nominated by his peers for consideration by the awards committee.
“It is a great honor to be recognized by the NMAA,” Meyer said. “This award also represents Read More
New Mexico House Leaders & Texas House Democrats Rally Around Need For Fair Representation
Rep. Penny Morales Shaw (D-Houston) and Rep. Erin Zwiener (D-Driftwood) met Thursday with Speaker of the House Javier Martinez (D-Albuquerque) and House Majority Whip Dayan Hochman-Vigil (D-Albuquerque). Courtesy/NMHD
STATE News:
ALBUQUERQUE — Texas House Democrats joined New Mexico House Democratic leaders Thursday as part of their national campaign against Donald Trump’s nationwide assault on voting rights. Rep. Penny Morales Shaw (D-Houston) and Rep. Erin Zwiener (D-Driftwood) met with Speaker of the House Javier Martinez (D-Albuquerque) and House Majority Whip Dayan Hochman-Vigil Read More
FBI: Shiprock Man Sentenced To 8 Years In Prison For Drive-By Shooting Near Shiprock
FBI News:
ALBUQUERQUE — A Shiprock man was sentenced to 102 months in prison for a drive-by shooting that left a victim seriously injured.
There is no parole in the federal system.
According to court documents, Jan. 9, 2025, Larence Cambridge, 35, an enrolled member of the Navajo Nation, was a passenger in his own car when he fired multiple shots at another vehicle carrying two victims along U.S. Highway 64 near Shiprock, New Mexico. Cambridge struck the vehicle several times, seriously injuring one occupant, then fled the scene.
Upon his release from prison, Cambridge will be subject to five Read More
New Mexico Games Announces 2025 Athletes Of The Year
New Mexico’s archery sensation Claire Ortega. Courtesy/NMG
New Mexico’s tennis star Ronin Reznik. Courtesy/NMG
NMG News:
ALBUQUERQUE — The New Mexico Games (NMG) has announced the 2025 Athletes of the Year, honoring exceptional achievements and inspiring stories in the world of sports. The 2025 Athletes of the Year include archery sensation Claire Ortega and tennis star Ronin Reznik, each embodying the spirit of excellence and perseverance.
For Ortega, archery has been a lifelong passion. From shooting plastic toy bows as a child to earning gold medals at the state level, her dedication Read More
Project Venture Spotlights Culturally Grounded Approach To Build Resilience, Reduce Opioid & Overdose Crisis Risk
FORE News:
The U.S. opioid and overdose crisis has disproportionately impacted American Indian and Alaska Native communities — yet prevention strategies too often overlook cultural traditions, tribal beliefs, and the effects of historical and ongoing trauma. Indigenous adolescents face some of the highest risks, including higher rates of overdose, suicide, depression, and adverse childhood experiences than other racial and ethnic groups.
A new video from the Foundation for Opioid Response Efforts (FORE) spotlights Project Venture, an innovative program on the Pine Ridge Reservation Read More
FBI: Candidate Who Orchestrated Shootings And Murder-For-Hire After Election Loss Sentenced To 80 Years In Prison
FBI News:
ALBUQUERQUE — Solomon Peña was sentenced to 960 months in prison for orchestrating a politically motivated shooting spree and plotting to murder witnesses to obstruct justice.
According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, Solomon Peña, 42, ran for District 14 of the New Mexico House of Representatives during the November 2022 midterm elections. After his electoral defeat, Peña falsely claimed the election was rigged and began pressuring members of the Bernalillo County Board of Commissioners not to certify the results.
When they refused, Peña recruited Jose Read More
Governor Marks 90th Anniversary Of Social Security
From the Office of the Governor:
SANTA FE — Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham today celebrated 90 years of one of the most iconic, successful programs in American history, recognizing Social Security as a system that has lifted millions out of poverty, treated people with dignity, and provided security in their retirement years.
The governor emphasized that Social Security represents earned income for retirees and disabled workers—while calling out Congress for failing to address the real financial pressures facing the program.
“While Congress refuses to deal with inflation and the real-life Read More
