State

LAMS Alpha Hawks Team 7813 Wins Awards In Alamagordo

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Alpha Hawks Robotics Team 7813 members from left, Brody Trujillo, Addie Weisse-Bernstein, Nicholas Testa, Andrew Gilbertson, Julian Delorey, Eric Xu and Brandon Keller pose with their robot during the First Technical Challenge (FTC) New Mexico Qualifying event at Alamagordo High School on Jan. 17. Courtesy/LAPS

LAPS News:

The Alpha Hawks Robotics Team 7813, consisting of Los Alamos Middle School students, was on the winning alliance at the First Technical Challenge (FTC) New Mexico Qualifying event at Alamagordo High School on Jan. 17. To prepare for the event, the team built a robot to Read More

New Federal SNAP Rules Prompt State-Funded Food Assistance

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HCA News:

SANTA FE — In response to new federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) eligibility rules that will cut food assistance for thousands of lawfully present immigrants, New Mexico is launching a temporary state-funded food assistance program to provide a one-time lump-sum payment to affected households. 

Approximately 19,485 lawfully present immigrants in New Mexico are projected to lose federal SNAP eligibility over the course of the year as they come up for renewal.  

To address the anticipated loss of benefits, and with the support of Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham, Read More

Interstate Doctor, Social Worker Compacts Head To Governor’s Desk

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By Margaret O’Hara
The Santa Fe New Mexican

A bill that would ease the process for out-of-state doctors to become licensed in the state, is headed to Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham’s desk after final passage in the House in less than 10 minutes Tuesday. 

The governor has already signaled her support for New Mexico joining the interstate medical compact, and said in her State of the State speech that the passage of Senate Bill 1 was one of her top priorities.

“If a qualified doctor in Colorado or Texas wants to move to New Mexico and start treating patients, this bill cuts red tape and Read More

Jobs, Clean Air Clash In Emissions Debate

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By Daniel J. Chacón
The Santa Fe New Mexican

A former oil worker and current medical student, Carter Bakarich stood before state senators Tuesday and implored them to take action for the health of his future patients.

“Pollution from carbon fuels brings devastating costs to our communities,” Bakarich told the Senate Conservation Committee during a marathon public hearing on a contentious proposal to put New Mexico’s existing pollution reduction goals into state statute.

The health of New Mexico residents and its economic prosperity collided during more than five hours of Read More

Bill Banning Local Government ICE Detention Deals Heads To Governor

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State Sen. Jim Townsend, left, talks with House Republicans John Block and Stefani Lord before a contentious Senate debate Tuesday, Feb. 3, 2026, at the state Capitol on a bill that would ban local governments from entering contracts to operate federal immigration detention centers. Townsend said it would leave roughly 1,000 people without employment. The Senate passed the measure, sending it to the governor. Photo by Jim Weber/The New Mexican

By CLARA BATES
The Santa Fe New Mexican

​Local governments in New Mexico will be banned from contracting with the federal government to operate immigration Read More

$387 Million Heinrich Secured For New Mexico In FY26 Funding Signed into Law, While Renewing Call For DHS Funding to Include Commonsense Reforms 

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U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich

From the Office of U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich:

WASHINGTON — U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), a member of the U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee and Ranking Member of the U.S. Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on the Legislative Branch, released the following statement announcing that $387 million he secured for New Mexico in Fiscal Year 2026 (FY26) appropriations funding is now law, including Congressionally Directed Spending for over 100 local projects.

Additionally, Heinrich announced that a package of health care legislation and his repeal of the Read More

Legislative Roundup: 16 Days Left In Session

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Jessica Leija tears up a little as she talks about her son, Enrique Leija, who was murdered in 2021, during a Remembrance Memorial for Homicide Survivors hosted by New Mexico Crusaders for Justice in the Capitol Rotunda on Tuesday, Feb. 3, 2026. Leija was one of many who attended the memorial to speak of their deceased loved ones and try to persuade policymakers to pass tougher laws against violent offenders. Jim Weber/The New Mexican

The Santa Fe New Mexican:

Getting cheesy: Senators spent 20 minutes on the floor Tuesday afternoon discussing their connections to Southwest Cheese — a Clovis Read More

Reasonable Malpractice Reform Benefits Every New Mexican

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By DAYMON ELY
Attorney
Former New Mexico Representative

At its heart, the debate over medical malpractice reform is not about trial lawyers or corporate profits – it is about our most basic values. Every New Mexican deserves access to quality health care. And every New Mexican deserves justice when that care falls tragically short.

Medical malpractice is rare. Fewer than 1% of medical providers are responsible for the vast majority of malpractice claims, but when tragedy strikes and a patient is harmed or killed, that patient or their family needs to know that they can get justice in a Read More

Gubernatorial Candidate Deb Haaland Officially On Ballot

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Democratic Gubernatorial Candidate Deb Haaland turning in ballot petitions this morning, signed by thousands of grassroots supporters across New Mexico, making her officially on the ballot in her quest to be the state’s next governor. ‘I’m in this fight because we need the right leader who can help move our state toward a future where everyone can thrive,’ she said. Courtesy photo Read More

Dekker: Senate Bill 177 Is A Blueprint For New Mexico’s Economic Future

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By DALE DEKKER
Founding Principal & Brand Ambassador
Dekker

For decades, New Mexico has talked about economic diversification. Senate Bill 177, sponsored by Sen. George Munoz is what it looks like when we finally decide to do it.

This legislation is not a collection of disconnected appropriations. It is a strategic investment plan – one that recognizes where the global economy is heading and positions New Mexico to compete, lead, and win in that future. At its core, SB 177 acknowledges a simple truth: states that invest intentionally in innovation, talent, and infrastructure will Read More