Public Safety

Smokey Bear Celebrates 81st Birthday

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The original Smokey Bear poster. Fire safety has been the goal all along. Courtesy/USDA Forest Service

USDA News:

At the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Forest Service, wildfire prevention is a big priority. There’s no better ambassador of that essential message than everyone’s favorite wildfire prevention bear, Smokey.

Aug. 9 was Smokey’s 81st birthday, and as he enters his 9th decade of wildfire prevention activism, take a look back at where it all started.

80 plus years of wildfire messaging

First appearing on a wildfire prevention poster in August of 1944, Smokey Bear quickly became Read More

State GOP On Acting U.S. Attorney Ryan Ellison

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Ryan Ellison

RPNM News:

Republican Party of New Mexico (RPNM) Chairwoman Amy Barela issued the following statement on the appointment of Ryan Ellison as Acting United States Attorney for the District of New Mexico:

“I want to extend my heartfelt congratulations to Ryan Ellison on his appointment as Acting United States Attorney for the District of New Mexico. Throughout his service as U.S. Prosecutor, Ryan has demonstrated professionalism, integrity, and a steadfast commitment to protecting the people of New Mexico.

“While his official confirmation has been delayed by political gamesmanship Read More

New Mexico House Leaders & Texas House Democrats Rally Around Need For Fair Representation

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Rep. Penny Morales Shaw (D-Houston) and Rep. Erin Zwiener (D-Driftwood) met Thursday with Speaker of the House Javier Martinez (D-Albuquerque) and House Majority Whip Dayan Hochman-Vigil (D-Albuquerque). Courtesy/NMHD

STATE News:

ALBUQUERQUE — Texas House Democrats joined New Mexico House Democratic leaders Thursday as part of their national campaign against Donald Trump’s nationwide assault on voting rights. Rep. Penny Morales Shaw (D-Houston) and Rep. Erin Zwiener (D-Driftwood) met with Speaker of the House Javier Martinez (D-Albuquerque) and House Majority Whip Dayan Hochman-Vigil Read More

FBI: Shiprock Man Sentenced To 8 Years In Prison For Drive-By Shooting Near Shiprock

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FBI News:

ALBUQUERQUE — A Shiprock man was sentenced to 102 months in prison for a drive-by shooting that left a victim seriously injured.

There is no parole in the federal system.

According to court documents, Jan. 9, 2025, Larence Cambridge, 35, an enrolled member of the Navajo Nation, was a passenger in his own car when he fired multiple shots at another vehicle carrying two victims along U.S. Highway 64 near Shiprock, New Mexico. Cambridge struck the vehicle several times, seriously injuring one occupant, then fled the scene.

Upon his release from prison, Cambridge will be subject to five Read More

Project Venture Spotlights Culturally Grounded Approach To Build Resilience, Reduce Opioid & Overdose Crisis Risk

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FORE News:

The U.S. opioid and overdose crisis has disproportionately impacted American Indian and Alaska Native communities — yet prevention strategies too often overlook cultural traditions, tribal beliefs, and the effects of historical and ongoing trauma. Indigenous adolescents face some of the highest risks, including higher rates of overdose, suicide, depression, and adverse childhood experiences than other racial and ethnic groups.

A new video from the Foundation for Opioid Response Efforts (FORE) spotlights Project Venture, an innovative program on the Pine Ridge Reservation Read More

FBI: Candidate Who Orchestrated Shootings And Murder-For-Hire After Election Loss Sentenced To 80 Years In Prison

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FBI News:

ALBUQUERQUE — Solomon Peña was sentenced to 960 months in prison for orchestrating a politically motivated shooting spree and plotting to murder witnesses to obstruct justice.

According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, Solomon Peña, 42, ran for District 14 of the New Mexico House of Representatives during the November 2022 midterm elections. After his electoral defeat, Peña falsely claimed the election was rigged and began pressuring members of the Bernalillo County Board of Commissioners not to certify the results.

When they refused, Peña recruited Jose Read More

Governor Marks 90th Anniversary Of Social Security

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From the Office of the Governor:

SANTA FE — Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham today celebrated 90 years of one of the most iconic, successful programs in American history, recognizing Social Security as a system that has lifted millions out of poverty, treated people with dignity, and provided security in their retirement years.  

The governor emphasized that Social Security represents earned income for retirees and disabled workers—while calling out Congress for failing to address the real financial pressures facing the program. 

“While Congress refuses to deal with inflation and the real-life Read More

County Update On Power Outage Knocking Out Electricity To 900+ Customers Today In White Rock

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The pole that held the cable that was snagged this morning was left leaning after power was restored to White Rock electric customers. Courtesy/LAC

DPU’s Electric Distribution crews followed up on power restoration by straightening the power pole. Courtesy/LAC

COUNTY News:

This morning’s, Aug. 14, power outage in White Rock knocked out electricity for more than 900 customers around 8:30 a.m. and was resolved an hour later.

The outage started when a delivery truck snagged a line on a power pole near Piñon School. While it was initially believed to be a power line that was snagged, Deputy Utility Read More

Rule Of Law Advances A Civil And Engaged Democracy

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New Mexico Supreme Court Chief Justice David K. Thomson, Courtesy/NMSC

By Chief Justice David K. Thomson
New Mexico Supreme Court

I am pleased to announce the New Mexico Supreme Court’s fifth annual “Rule of Law” program. The goal of the program is to educate middle school, high school, and college students on the judiciary’s role in our democracy and how the rule of law secures a just and civil society. This year we will hold oral argument at the Henderson Fine Arts Center at San Juan College in Farmington on Aug. 28, at 1 p.m.

Normally, I write an op-ed in advance of the program to discuss the importance Read More

Preserving History ‘Behind-The-Fence’ … Archaeologist, Historic Buildings Team Restoring Manhattan Project Relics

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Battleship Bunker in Pajarito Canyon, where important implosion tests preceded the Trinity Test. Courtesy/LANL

By MARLENE WILDEN
Los Alamos Daily Post
marlene@ladailypost.com

At Los Alamos’s Pajarito Site, also known as Technical Area 18 (TA-18), a quiet but profound restoration effort is unfolding. Led by archaeologists, historians and architects from Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL), this work goes beyond stabilizing concrete bunkers and experimental facilities from World War II. It’s part of a deeper mission to honor the full legacy of Manhattan Project National Historical Read More