Nation

Heinrich, Luján Visit Ruidoso To Meet With Firefighters, First Responders, Families Impacted By South Fork, Salt Fires

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U.S. Senators Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) and Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) meet with local leaders and emergency responders to discuss the South Fork and Salt Fires, June 18, 2024. Courtesy photo

STATE News:

RUIDOSO — Friday, U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) and Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) met with families, local and Tribal leaders, firefighters, first responders, and emergency operation commanders in Roswell, Ruidoso, and the Mescalero Apache Reservation, discussing the response to and impacts of the South Fork and Salt Fires currently burning in New Mexico. 

“These fires have already had devastating Read More

Leger Fernández And Bipartisan Group Of Legislators Launch Bicameral ‘Head Start To Congress Caucus’

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U.S. Rep. Teresa Leger Fernández, back row right, and U.S. Rep. Jahana Hayes at the launch of the bicameral ‘Head Start To Congress Caucus’ event June 20 alongside students from Higher Horizons Head Start. Courtesy photo

STATE News:

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Co-Chairs U.S. Rep. Teresa Leger Fernández (D-NM) and U.S. Rep. Tony Gonzales (R-TX) and a bipartisan group of legislators who have close ties to the Head Start program launched the “Head Start to Congress Caucus” June 20.

The Head Start program has served nearly 40 million children and provided services for hundreds of thousands of families since Read More

State Engineer On U.S. Supreme Court Rejection Of Special Master In Texas v. New Mexico Water Case

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State Engineer Mike Hamman

From the Office of the State Engineer:

SANTA FE – State Engineer Mike Hamman on Friday issued a statement upon learning the U.S. Supreme Court rejected the recommendation of the Special Master in the Texas v. New Mexico water case to enter the Consent Decree submitted by New Mexico, Texas and Colorado over the division of Rio Grande water south of Elephant Butte dam.

“We are disappointed that the U.S. Supreme Court has remanded the case back to the Court’s Special Master for further proceedings,” State Engineer Mike Hamman said. “We need to keep working to make the aquifers Read More

Heinrich Bill To Extend Federal Programs To Support Fire Departments Including Los Alamos County Passes Senate

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U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich

WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) applauded Senate passage of his bipartisan Fire Grants and Safety Act, legislation to extend federal programs that help support local fire departments in Los Alamos County, throughout New Mexico and across the country.

The bill would reauthorize the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) grant program and the Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) program through 2030 and the United States Fire Administration (USFA) through 2028.

The Read More

Biden Approves Major Disaster Declaration For New Mexico

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STATE News:

SANTA FE — Thursday, President Joe Biden granted Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham’s request for a Major Disaster Declaration for New Mexico, an action that will release federal funds to support recovery efforts for the ongoing South Fork Fire and Salt Fire. 

“I’m grateful to President Biden for approving the Major Disaster Declaration quickly,” Gov. Lujan Grisham said. “This federal assistance will help affected residents receive the necessary aid to begin to recover and rebuild their lives.” 

The declaration will provide assistance to individuals, households and businesses in Read More

Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham Formally Requests Major Disaster Declaration For New Mexico Wildfires 

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Figure 1: South Fork / Salt Fire Burn Scar Map as of June 18, 2024 at 11:59 p.m. Courtesy/Southwest Area Incident Management Team

From the Office of the Governor:

SANTA FE – Today, Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham formally requested a Major Disaster Declaration from President Joseph R. Biden Jr. in response to the devastating South Fork Fire and Salt Fire, which began on June 17, 2024. The request highlights the urgent need for federal assistance due to the extensive damage and ongoing threats posed by these wildfires.

“Our first responders are heroes, but they need more resources to combat this disaster Read More

Sen. Ben Ray Luján Issues Statement On Juneteenth

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U.S. Sen. Ben Ray Luján

U.S. SENATE News:

WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Sen. Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) issued the following statement about Juneteenth, which is recognized as a federal holiday after Congressional action in 2021:

“June 19, 1865, nearly two years after President Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation, Union troops arrived in Galveston Bay, Texas bearing news of freedom. More than 250,000 African Americans embraced freedom in what became known as Juneteenth or Freedom Day. On Juneteenth, we celebrate and commemorate the day on which the last of America’s enslaved learned Read More

New Mexico True Advertising Campaign In San Francisco Market Inspires Nearly 20,000 Trips To Land Of Enchantment

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NMTD News:

SANTA FE — According to an advertising effectiveness study commissioned by the New Mexico Tourism Department (NMTD), the first New Mexico True advertising campaign in the San Francisco market influenced 19,700 trips to New Mexico and generated an estimated $34.3 million in visitor spending.

The report also estimated that the average spending per trip to New Mexico from the San Francisco equated to roughly $1,700. Overall, the inaugural campaign in the San Francisco market generated a return-on-investment of $52 in visitor spending in New Mexico for every $1 spent on the campaign. Read More

Heinrich, Collins And Cortez Masto Announce 20 More Senators Cosponsor BUMP Act Since Friday’s Ruling

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U.S. SENATE News:’

WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), along with U.S. Senators Susan Collins (R-Maine) and Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.), are announcing 20 additional senators have cosponsored their Banning Unlawful Machinegun Parts (BUMP) Act since Friday’s ruling by the Supreme Court to overturn a Trump-era rule banning bump stocks—devices designed to inflict the highest number of casualties in the shortest amount of time. 

The BUMP Act would statutorily ban the sale of deadly bump stock devices that allow semiautomatic weapons to rapidly fire multiple rounds Read More

Unemployment Insurance Operations Center Closed Wednesday In Observance Of Juneteenth

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NMDWS News:

ALBUQUERQUE — All New Mexico Department of Workforce Solutions’ offices, including the Unemployment Insurance Operations Center, will be closed Wednesday, June 19, in observance of Juneteenth National Independence Day.

The Unemployment Insurance Tax & Claims System (www.jobs.state.nm.us) is available online 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Customer Service Agents in the Unemployment Insurance Operations Center will be available when business hours resume Thursday, at 8 a.m. June 20. The business hours of the Unemployment Insurance Operations Center are 8 a.m. to 4:30 Read More