Politics

Commissioner Garcia Richard, Department Of Defense, N.M. Land Conservancy Partner On 2nd Largest Land Conservation Agreement In State History

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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

Heinrich Meets With White Sands Missile Range Leadership

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U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich, 3rd from left, meets with White Sands Missile Range leadership for update on the range’s critical role in strengthening New Mexico jobs and advancing national security, April 10, 2026. Courtesy photo

U.S. SENATE News:

LAS CRUCES — U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), a member of the U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee, met with White Sands Missile Range Senior Commander Colonel Andrew R. Morgan, Command Sergeant Major Hermes F. Acevedo, U.S. Navy Commander Patrick D. Smith, Chief of Staff Patrick Curran, and U.S. Navy Detachment Site Director Abran Parra to receive Read More

New Mexico Approves First Air Quality Fee Increase In Decades

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Environment Secretary James Kenney

NMED News:

“New Mexico has not raised any air quality permit fees since 2009, despite seeing an over 2,000 percent increase in oil and gas-related general construction permits and a 126 percent increase in total permitting actions since 2012.” –Environment Secretary James Kenney 

SANTA FE — New Mexico’s Environmental Improvement Board — the state’s independent board that reviews and approves environmental rules — on Monday approved a proposal brought by the New Mexico Environment Department (NMED) to increase air quality permitting fees for the first Read More

Luján, Warren, Escobar, Underwood Lead 32 Lawmakers In Pressing Homeland Security Watchdog To Investigate Detainee Locator System Failures

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U.S. SENATE News:

SANTA FE — U.S. Sens. Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) and Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), along with Reps. Veronica Escobar (D-Texas) and Lauren Underwood (D-Ill.), led 32 members of Congress, including U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), in pressing the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Inspector General to investigate Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) failure to provide accurate information about where detainees are being held.

“Without a functional locator system, DHS is effectively creating ‘disappearances’ on U.S. soil,” the lawmakers wrote.

The DHS Online Read More

Leger Fernández Calls For Resignation Of Reps. Gonzales, Swalwell Following Reports Of Sexual Abuse Of Staff

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U.S. Rep. Teresa Leger Fernández

STATE News:

WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Rep. Teresa Leger Fernández (NM-03), Chair of the Democratic Women’s Caucus, called for the immediate resignation of Representatives Tony Gonzales and Eric Swalwell following allegations that they sexually abused their staff members. 

“Men in power rely on the silence of the women they have abused

“Both Reps. Tony Gonzales and Eric Swalwell believed it was acceptable to sexually abuse staff and still run for and serve in elected office. They clearly did not expect there would be any consequences for their actions. 

“Thankfully, Read More

U.S. Sen. Ben Ray Luján To Introduce Resolution Highlighting National Public Health Week

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U.S. Sen. Ben Ray Luján

U.S. SENATE News:

SANTA FE — U.S. Sen. Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) announced that he plans to introduce a resolution highlighting National Public Health Week, celebrated this year from April 6 through today.

This resolution is meant to raise awareness about the importance of public health amid continued attacks by the Trump administration and recognize how public health improves daily lives, safeguards families, and strengthens communities.

Sen. Luján’s resolution also recognizes the important work of public health workers and highlights the need to strengthen the Read More

New Mexico Environment Department Watch Alert: 153 Enforcement Actions Initiated; 69 Resolved In March 2026

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NMED News:

SANTA FE — The New Mexico Environment Department (NMED) is highlighting the ongoing success of its Enforcement Watch initiative, a transparency-focused program that provides the public with consistent and timely information about the Department’s enforcement actions across environmental protection, public health, and worker safety programs.

By making enforcement data accessible, Enforcement Watch reinforces NMED’s commitment to New Mexico residents for accountability and regulatory compliance statewide.

Launched in May 2023, Enforcement Watch shares monthly Read More

County Board Of Public Utilities To Meet April 15

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COUNTY News:

The Los Alamos County Board of Public Utilities will hold a regular meeting at 5:30 p.m., Wednesday, April 15, in Council Chambers at the Municipal Building at 1000 Central Ave.

Members of the public may view proceedings online or attend and provide public comment in person or via Zoom.

The agenda has been published and the complete packet is available here.

To watch BPU meetings, click here. Read More

Update: Lunch With A Leader Robert Gibson April 16

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LWV News:

The League of Women Voters of Los Alamos (LWV) invites the community to its Lunch with a Leader event, 11:45 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursday, April 16, at the Unitarian Fellowship Hall on Sage Loop.

This month’s leader has changed to Los Alamos County Board of Public Utilities (BPU) Chair Robert Gibson, who will be discussing local issues with public utilities in light of recent changes.

Gibson served on the BPU 20 years ago, between serving terms on the County Council. He has also served on several other public boards and committees and as a bill analyst at the New Mexico State Legislature.

Gibson Read More

Luján, Heinrich, Leger Fernández Call On Forest Service Opposing Carson National Forest Uranium Drilling Proposal, Demanding Full Environmental Review To Protect Chama Watershed

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STATE News:

SANTA FE — On April 9, U.S. Sen. Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), a member of the U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, and U.S. Rep. Teresa Leger Fernández (D-N.M.), a member of the House Committee on Natural Resources, wrote to Carson National Forest Supervisor James Duran expressing strong opposition to a proposal to conduct uranium drilling within the Carson National Forest.

The lawmakers also urged the Forest Service to require a full Environmental Read More