Politics

Op-Ed: From Crisis To Recovery: The New Mexico Higher Education Dept.’s Role In Ensuring Fiscal Responsibility

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By GERALD HOEHNE
Chief of Staff
New Mexico Higher Education Department

When an institution is in trouble, the problems can pile up quickly.

From the outside, the damage appears irreversible. It takes a significant, collective effort—sometimes the comprehensive work of an entire government agency—to not only stop the landslide but to begin the painstaking work of rebuilding.

The New Mexico Higher Education Department has been that agency, and I want to share a positive, but often unheard, story about two of our state’s institutions that are now on the path to recovery thanks to our dedicated, Read More

Disaster Unemployment Assistance Deadline Extended For Lincoln And Doña Ana County Residents

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NMDWS News:

ALBUQUERQUE — Lincoln and Doña Ana county residents affected by the June 23, 2025, storms, flooding and landslides may now apply for federal disaster unemployment assistance after the application deadline was extended to Oct. 15, 2025.

Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) is available to individuals whose employment or self-employment was lost or interrupted as a direct result of the declared disaster in Lincoln and Doña Ana counties.

Individuals who lost work or employment due to the designated disaster must file DUA applications by established deadlines.

DUA is available Read More

Tales Of Our Times: Macadamias Have Proved To Be Hard Nuts To Crack     

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Tales Of Our Times

By JOHN BARTLIT
New Mexico Citizens
For Clean Air & Water

Macadamias Have Proved To Be Hard Nuts To Crack 

History has reasons of its own, which steered the fortunes of macadamia nuts. Macadamia nut trees evolved in nature far from the world’s crossroads where trade began. Trade took new wings in the “Age of Exploration”, lasting from the 1400s through the 1600s, some say the 1700s. Europe’s seafarers sailed afar and went ashore on many a land, where they came upon new foodstuffs and spices. Ships returned with these prizes to the port cities that were expanding back home. Read More

New Mexico #1 In Family Income Growth, Top 3 Nationwide In Household Gains

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EDD News:

SANTA FE — New Mexico families saw the fastest income growth in the nation last year, while overall household income growth ranked among the top three states, according to newly released data from the U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey (ACS).

In 2024, median family income in New Mexico grew faster than any other state — ranking #1 for both year-over-year growth (2023–2024) and long-term gains (2021–2024).

At the same time, median household income jumped by 8.9 percent, placing New Mexico third nationwide, behind only Alaska (10.4 percent) and Mississippi (9.1 percent). Read More

Grace Philips Elected To CRL Board Of Directors

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Risk Management Director Grace Philips
New Mexico Counties 

NMC News:

SANTA FE — At their Sept. 24 membership meeting, voting representatives of County Reinsurance, Ltd. (CRL) elected New Mexico Counties’ Risk Management Director Grace Philips to serve on the board of directors.

Philips manages the New Mexico County Insurance Authority (NMCIA) self- insurance risk pool that provides property, liability, and workers compensation coverage to New Mexico counties. NMCIA was one of five founding members of CRL when it was formed in 1997. Former Chaves County Assessor Ron Lethgo served as Read More

New Mexico ‘True Certified’ Reaches 500 Partner Milestone

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NMTD News:

SANTA FE — After nearly 10 years since its inception, the New Mexico True Certified program reached a major milestone earlier this month when it welcomed its 500th partner to the program.

The New Mexico True Certified program was originally established in spring 2016 with a couple of dozen initial partners and has since grown into the New Mexico Tourism Department’s largest program by far in terms of number of partners.

This program was created in response to expressed interest from the local business community for the opportunity to share in the New Mexico True brand. Recognizing Read More

New Mexico Environment Department Warns Public Of Concerning Algae Bloom In Santa Cruz Lake

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Harmful algae blooms spotted Sept. 22 in the water and on the shoreline of Santa Cruz Lake. Courtesy/NMED

NMED News:

SANTA FE — The New Mexico Environment Department (NMED) is advising visitors to Santa Cruz Lake near Española to exercise caution due to the presence of a potentially harmful algae bloom.

Recent samples collected from the lake indicate that harmful algae are present.

NMED is recommending that visitors follow specific safety precautions while at the lake:

  • Do not drink untreated surface water;
  • Avoid swimming in areas with algae blooms and keep pets out of the water;
  • Stay clear of
Read More

Robinson: Self-Serving Senators Keep Medical Compacts Out Of Special Session

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By SHERRY ROBINSON
All She Wrote
© 2025 New Mexico News Services

          • Look around, senators. You’re hurting people.

What is it about healthcare that inspires so much gibberish? On the same day that the president was dispensing unfounded medical advice on Tylenol to pregnant women, state Senate Majority Leader Peter Wirth was spinning a wild yarn about why lawmakers shouldn’t take up medical compacts during the upcoming special session.

The interstate medical licensure compact is an agreement among states to recognize each others’ professional licenses. It allows healthcare workers licensed Read More

VA Awards $6 Million+ Grant To New Mexico For Fort Stanton And Angel Fire State Veterans Cemeteries

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DVA News:

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Department of Veterans Affairs’ National Cemetery Administration (NCA) announced Friday it has awarded a grant of up to $1,325,135 to the State of New Mexico for the expansion of the Fort Stanton State Veterans Cemetery and a grant of up to $5,993,108 for the expansion of the Angel Fire State Veterans Cemetery.

The Fort Stanton cemetery serves more than 12,000 Veterans and their eligible family members in the region. The grant will fund 202 in-ground cremation gravesites, roadways, landscaping and irrigation.

The cemetery at Angel Fire serves more than 18,000 Read More

Tharp: Statement Of Candidacy For UNM-LA Advisory Board

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By CONNER TIFFANI THARP
Candidate
UNM-LA Advisory Board

Los Alamos County,

My name is Conner Tiffani Tharp and I am announcing my candidacy for the University of New Mexico-Los Alamos Advisory Board. Earlier this year, I was appointed to fill a vacancy on the board, and I am honored to now seek election to continue serving our community.

Serving on this board is important to me because UNM-LA plays a vital role in providing accessible education and career pathways in northern New Mexico. I want to continue to ensure that students of all ages, especially our non-traditional students, have the support Read More