Outdoor Alliance, Outdoor Recreation Community Advocate For Adequate Public Lands Funding
OUTDOOR ALLIANCE News:
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Outdoor recreation is growing rapidly on U.S. public lands, and in order to maintain the benefits for local economies, adequate funding from the U.S. Congress is needed. A letter, sent to Congress last week by Outdoor Alliance and more than 70 organizations and businesses that represent the outdoor recreation community, outlines the specific investments needed. Notably, the letter addresses the need to keep pace with the growing demand for outdoor recreation on U.S. Forest Service (USFS) and Bureau of Land Management (BLM) lands and to implement Read More
Rep. Vasquez Presses USDA On New World Screwworm Preparedness Ahead Of Summer Outbreak Season
STATE News:
WASHINGTON, D.C. — April 13, 2026, U.S. Rep. Gabe Vasquez (NM-02) sent a letter to Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins demanding answers on the Administration’s preparedness strategy for a New World Screwworm (NWS) outbreak as the warmer months approach. The letter also requested an update on the status of the sterile fly production and dispersal facilities in Texas. He was joined by six other members on the House Agriculture Committee. The New World Screwworm is a parasitic fly that infects and kills herds of cattle, causing massive economic losses for ranchers who are already Read More
Public Meeting: Citizen Advisory Committee To Meet April 28
NMW News:
LAS VEGAS — The New Mexico Department of Wildlife will hold a public meeting with the Public Land User (Habitat) Stamp Program Citizen Advisory Committee April 28 at New Mexico Highlands University.
Habitat restoration project opportunities that have been jointly developed by the Bureau of Land Management, United States Forest Service and the Department will be presented. Members of the public are invited to attend this hybrid public meeting. An agenda will be posted on the Public Land User (Habitat) Stamp Program website prior to the meeting.
- 9 a.m., Tuesday, April 28, 2026 — Las
Forest Service Announces $248M In Rural Schools Payments To Support Counties, Schools, & Wildfire Preparedness
SFNF News:
WASHINGTON D.C. — The U.S. Forest Service Tuesday announced it will be issuing $248 million in Secure Rural Schools payments for 2025, delivering critical funding to eligible states and counties with National Forest System lands. These payments help sustain public schools, maintain local roads, strengthen wildfire preparedness, and support other essential services in rural communities.
“Secure Rural Schools payments reflect our strong partnership with the counties and communities that surround national forests,” Forest Service Chief Tom Schultz said. “These funds Read More
State Land Office Named A National Top Workplace For Third Year In A Row
Employees of the State Land Office celebrate receiving the 2026 USA Today National Top Workplaces Award. Courtesy/NMSLO
STATE News:
SANTA FE — For the third year in a row, the New Mexico State Land Office is a recipient of the 2026 USA Today National Top Workplaces Award, Land Commissioner Stephanie Garcia Richard announced today. Only 924 organizations with fewer than 500 employees will be recognized in this year’s USA Today publication. The State Land Office ranked in the top 100, placing at #67, and were one of only seven government entities to win a USA Today National Top Workplaces Read More
FBI: Farmington Man Pleads Guilty To Federal Firearms Charge After Armed Carjacking
FBI News:
ALBUQUERQUE — A Farmington man has pleaded guilty in federal court to federal firearms offenses following a 2022-armed carjacking in which he discharged a weapon.
According to court documents, April 10, 2022, Myles Cordelle Dan Padilla, 34, took a motor vehicle from John Doe by force with a firearm. As a previously convicted felon, Padilla is prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition.
Padilla pleaded guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm and faces up to 15 years in prison at sentencing.
First Assistant U.S. Attorney Ryan Ellison and Justin A. Garris, Special Agent Read More
Senate Republicans Identify Key Topics For Interim Consideration By Health & Human Services Committee
NMSR News:
SANTA FE — The Republican members of the Legislative Health & Human Services (LHHS) Committee are recommending that the committee include several topics in its annual work plan.
Among these topics are long-needed reforms to the state’s troubled Children, Youth, & Families Department (CYFD), which was the subject of a scathing report highlighting “systemic failures” and which is also being investigated for alleged misuse of funds. Republicans also have raised concerns that the agency’s child placement decisions run afoul of the “best interest of the child.”
“Mahatma Read More
AMA Launches ‘Health Vs. Hype’ Podcast Series
AMA News:
CHICAGO — The American Medical Association (AMA), in collaboration with iHeartMedia’s Ruby studio, today announced the launch of its new podcast series, “Health vs. Hype with the AMA”.
The eight-episode series will provide an entertaining deep dive into the latest viral wellness trends, DIY medicine, and common health myths. Each episode will also include an evidence-based discussion with a physician to help listeners understand the trend and distinguish between which health claims are real, which are risky, and which are backed by science.
“With wellness trends and health Read More
New Mexico Governor Signs Record $1.5B For Higher Ed
From the Office of the Governor:Commissioner Garcia Richard, Department Of Defense, N.M. Land Conservancy Partner On 2nd Largest Land Conservation Agreement In State History
STATE News:
SANTA FE — New Mexico Land Commissioner Stephanie Garcia Richard has announced that she has partnered with the United States Department of Defense and the New Mexico Land Conservancy for the second time to protect an additional 60,000 acres of state trust land covering portions of Socorro and Torrance Counties in the White Sands region known as Turkey Ridge from future large developments.
The State Land Office received $3.2 million to benefit public education and other institutions under the agreement.
In January 2025, Commissioner Garcia Richard, the Department of Defense, Read More
