Politics

USDA Forest Service Issues Revised Oil & Gas Leasing Rule

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USDA News:

WASHINGTON. D.C. — The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Forest Service finalized revisions to its regulation governing federal oil and gas resources on National Forest System lands. The revision modernizes and streamlines the process for managing energy development across millions of acres.

U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins and Interior Secretary Doug Burgum announced the updated rule today, emphasizing the Trump Administration’s joint commitment to eliminating outdated and burdensome processes and advancing President Donald J. Trump’s Executive Orders Read More

Lawmakers Introduce Clear Horizons Act ‘To Protect New Mexico Families From Rising Costs’

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STATE News:

SANTA FE — Lawmakers have formally introduced the Clear Horizons Act (Senate Bill 18), a plan to provide long-term planning, stability, and accountability from the harmful effects of polluting industries.

As New Mexican families continue to face rising costs associated with the waste and byproducts of polluting industries, leaders in Santa Fe are responding with actionable legislation.

The Clear Horizons Act (Senate Bill 18) responds to the real and growing costs New Mexicans are already paying as extreme weather becomes more frequent and severe. New data presented to legislators Read More

GOP Senators Introduce Bill To End ‘Trial Lawyers’ Chokehold On New Mexico Healthcare’

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Scene from the Roundhouse where Special Sessions are currently underway. Courtesy/Senate GOP

Sen. Craig Brandt is holding legislation that he and Senators Pat Woods, Nicole Tobiassen and Steve Lanier signed. Courtesy photo

Senate Republicans News:

SANTA FE — Four Republican Senators introduced a bill to prohibit obscene “punitive damages” payouts to trial lawyers at the expense of patients and doctors. In 2021, Democrats pushed through damaging increases to the punitive caps on medical malpractice claims, action that has created a crisis in healthcare access for New Mexico families. Read More

New Mexico December 2025 Unemployment Rate 4.3%

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NMDWS News:

New Mexico’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 4.3 percent in December, up from 4.2 percent in November and unchanged from the previous year’s rate. The national unemployment rate in December was 4.4 percent, down from 4.5 percent in November and up from 4.1 percent in December 2024.

Total nonagricultural payroll employment grew by 8,800 jobs, or 1.0 percent, between December 2024 and December 2025. The majority of gains came from the public sector. The private sector was up 3,000 jobs, or 0.4 percent, while the public sector was up 5,800 jobs, or 3.0 percent. Within the Read More

DPNM Applies For New Mexico To Be Early Primary State

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Chair Sara Attleson
Democratic Party of New Mexico 

DPNM News:

ALBUQUERQUE — The Democratic Party of New Mexico recently applied to the Democratic National Committee to move up the state’s presidential primary election to become one of the first voting states in 2028.

New Mexico’s presidential primary is currently held in June, long after the nomination contest is effectively decided. However, New Mexico’s electorate, with its plurality of Hispanic/Latino, rural, and largely working-class population, is one of the best reflections of the kinds of voters the Democratic Party must appeal Read More

New Mexico House Unanimously Passes Seven Interstate Compact Bills To Expand Access To Healthcare

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STATE News:

SANTA FE – Today, the House of Representatives unanimously passed seven bills to expand access to healthcare through participation in interstate compacts, which allow licensed, qualified healthcare providers in other states to serve patients in New Mexico. 
“Compacts are one of the quickest, most effective ways to improve access to healthcare, cut down on long wait times, and improve health outcomes for the people of our state,” said Rep. Liz Thomson (D-Albuquerque), lead sponsor of five of the compact bills passed today. “Not only does participation in compacts attract providers
Read More

Los Alamos Police Chief Issues Response To Questions From Community Regarding County Immigration Policy

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By Police Chief Dino Sgambellone
Los Alamos Police Department

The Los Alamos Police Department (LAPD) has received questions from some members of the community regarding our immigration policy. Our policy has remained consistent. LAPD will continue to work with all our federal partners to provide assistance as prescribed by law, or as a matter of public and/or officer safety. 

Specific to immigration, LAPD has a responsibility to properly identify and make Consular notification of any foreign citizen taken into custody in accordance with law and international treaties. However, victims Read More

Benson: And Then They Came For Me…

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Interfaith leaders hold a prayer vigil for justice at the Roundhouse on Monday as hundreds march from the Santa Fe Farmers Market to the Capitol in support of immigrants’ rights. Photo by Jody Benson

By JODY BENSON
Los Alamos

I texted an invitation to a friend to join Saturday’s action to “Shine a Light for Minnesota,” and “step out now for our neighbors, for our communities and for Alex” (a white, male, ICU nurse protesting in Minneapolis and shot dead by ICE agents), by lighting a candle as a prayer for him and immigrants.

The friend responded that there would be no murders, no violence if protestors Read More

Fuselier: Hope And Light

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By ROBERT FUSELIER 
Los Alamos

I have been encouraged by recent stories witnessing the effort of those within the Catholic Church – the Church in which I was raised – to demonstrate how our government’s current use of force, fear, and lies against the marginalized and those protecting them is antithesis to the teachings and ways of Jesus.

I have hope; I have hope because our Pope and many Catholic bishops, cardinals, and pastors are willing, along with many from other churches, to remind us of Jesus’ nonviolent approach to those in authority who oppressed those they were supposed to protect. Read More