Valles Caldera Seeks Input On Draft General Management Plan And Valle Grande District Development Concept Plan
Public landowners and stakeholders are invited to comment on upcoming projects at Valles Caldera. Courtesy/NPS
NPS News:
The National Park Service (NPS) invites public feedback on a draft general management plan and environmental assessment from Aug. 1 through Aug. 31, 2025.
The plan would establish long-term direction for resource protection and visitor experiences at the park, as well as high-level concepts to guide potential future facility investments. The public engagement period for this stage of the planning effort includes opportunities to submit written comments and learn Read More
Celebrate ‘Family Day Fiesta’ At Taylor-Mesilla Historic Site
NMDCA News:
You’re invited to Family Day Fiesta, a free and fun annual event, hosted by Taylor-Mesilla Historic Site, the Friends of Taylor-Mesilla Historic Site, and community partners including the Town of Mesilla, New Mexico Farm & Ranch Heritage Museum, City of Las Cruces Museums & Libraries, and many more.
From 10 a.m.–1 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 23, enjoy mariachi music, folklorico dancing, creative and kid-friendly activities, and a chance to explore the culture and history of Mesilla. From 11:30 a.m. to noon in partnership with the Town of Mesilla and the Calavera Coalition, Read More
FBI: Dulce Man Charged With Shooting Minor During Argument Inside A Vehicle
FBI News:
ALBUQUERQUE – A Dulce man has been charged in federal court for allegedly shooting a minor during an argument inside a vehicle.
According to court documents, on July 21, 2025, the minor victim was in a vehicle with another person when they picked up Leandrew Cody Velarde, 21, an enrolled member of the Jicarilla Apache Nation, who appeared intoxicated. During a subsequent argument, a gun discharged, striking the victim in the buttocks. When the victim attempted to call 911, Velarde reportedly threw their phone and fled the scene.
The victim was airlifted to a local hospital for treatment.
New Mexico Tourism Department Awards Second Round Of Route 66 Centennial Grant Funding
Courtesy/NMTD
NMTD News:
SANTA FE, NM – With the Route 66 centennial just around the bend, the New Mexico Tourism Department (NMTD) is revving up its Route 66 Centennial Grant Program for another year.
Thanks to a special appropriation allocated to NMTD during the 2025 Legislative Session, NMTD will be awarding a total of $1,306,097 to Route 66 communities in fiscal year 2026 for the purposes of marketing and promotion, special events and infrastructure.
NMTD awarded $752,538 in funding for marketing and promotion, $423,559 for infrastructure and $130,000 for special events.
“Promoting Read More
LANL: Community Relations Plan For Hazardous Waste Facility Permit — Request For Input
LANL News:
The Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) generates some hazardous and mixed waste. In November 2010, the New Mexico Environment Department (NMED) issued LANL Hazardous Waste Facility Permit (EPA ID Number NM0890010515-1).
The Permit establishes standards for how LANL manages, stores and treats hazardous wastes on-site and for the closure and post-closure care of permitted waste management units.
In compliance with the permit, LANL updates a Community Relations Plan annually, pending input from the public.
The plan provides for six elements of community relations:
- Establish
New Mexico Expands Disaster Food Assistance
Deputy Secretary Kyra Ochoa
New Mexico Health Care Authority News:
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- Eight counties gain temporary hot food access via EBT
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SANTA FE – Effective immediately, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) customers in Lincoln, Chaves, De Baca, Guadalupe, Otero, Sierra, Socorro and Torrance counties can temporarily use their EBT cards to buy hot, ready-to-eat foods from deli departments at authorized retailers.
This emergency measure remains in effect through Aug. 30.
“When disaster happens, families shouldn’t have to worry about how they’re going to put a hot meal on the table,” said Read More
SFCC, Other Higher Ed, Industry Partners Selected As Semifinalist In NSF Regional Engines Innovation Competition
SFCC News:
SANTA FE — Santa Fe Community College (SFCC) along with higher education and industry partners has been named as a semifinalist for a proposal in the National Science Foundation (NSF) regional engines competition.
The proposed initiative would address water scarcity and resilience across the Southwest. Known as the Energized Watershed Engine (EW Engine), the effort would bring together more than 50 partners and over $641 million in public and private commitments to accelerate water access, reuse and energy innovation.
The proposed initiative will be led by the University of Read More
August Is Child Support Awareness Month
HCA News:
SANTA FE — New Mexico’s Child Support Services Division celebrates 50 years of helping families this August, having collected $119 million for children and families in fiscal year 2025.
The milestone anniversary will be marked with a free public celebration Saturday, Aug. 16, at Tiguex Park in Albuquerque, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. The event will feature entertainment, games, face painting, food trucks, and free school supplies for school-aged children.
“We want the public to join us as we celebrate five decades of connecting children with the financial support they need,” Betina Gonzales Read More
Governor Announces Appointment Of Kristopher Houghton To New Mexico Court Of Appeals
STATE News:
SANTA FE — Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham announced the appointment of Kristopher Nicolas Houghton to the New Mexico Court of Appeals, filling the vacancy created by the resignation of Judge Kristina Bogardus.
The appointment begins Aug. 16 and will last until the next general election, one year after his appointment, as provided by law.
Houghton, of Los Ranchos de Albuquerque, currently serves as an Assistant U.S. Attorney in the Civil Division of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Mexico. He previously served as Chief of the Criminal Division from July 2022 Read More
U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration To Participate In ‘National Night Out’ Events Across The United States
DEA Administrator Terrance Cole
DEA News:
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The men and women of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) will join local law enforcement agencies and community groups across the country today, Aug. 5, to participate in “National Night Out” events.
“National Night Out” is an annual community-building campaign that promotes neighborhood camaraderie by strengthening partnerships between police and their communities. “National Night Out” is an opportunity for neighbors to meet neighbors and bring police and community together under positive circumstances. Read More
