State

New Mexico 2026 ProStart Invitational To Highlight Student Culinary Skills

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NMRA News:

ALBUQUERQUE — The Hospitality Industry Education Foundation (HIEF) and New Mexico Restaurant Association (NMRA) will host the 23rd Annual New Mexico ProStart Invitational in Albuquerque, New Mexico on March 9, 2026, at the Albuquerque Convention Center. More than 90 top ProStart students from across the state will demonstrate their mastery of restaurant leadership skills in Culinary and Management in a fast-paced competition to win their share of generous post-secondary scholarships. The 1st place team in each category will be crowned the State Champions and represent New Read More

Rep. Vasquez Supports Funding to Protect Women & Kids From Abuse

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Rep. Vasquez with Angelica Calderon, Executive Director of La Piñon Sexual Assault Recovery Services in Las Cruces. Photo courtesy of the Office of Rep. Vasquez

STATE News:

LAS CRUCES — Feb. 6, U.S. Rep. Gabe Vasquez (NM-02) visited La Piñon Sexual Assault Recovery Services in Las Cruces, where he met with the Executive Director, program directors, and other staff. During the visit, La Piñon staff reported that the Administration’s actions and current political climate have eroded community trust, causing a 50% drop in local residents seeking their services — particularly in southern Doña Read More

Denish: Why Local Journalism Is Worth A Tax Credit

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By DIANE D. DENISH
Corner To Corner
diane@dianedenish.com

As is usually the case in 30-day legislative sessions, far more bills are introduced than can realistically be read, debated in committee, and passed by two chambers. One estimate puts the combined total at roughly 600 bills between the House and Senate—excluding “dummy bills,” which are empty shells that can become substantive after the introduction deadline.

Relatively few of those bills will reach the governor’s desk, and some won’t even receive a committee hearing. That doesn’t mean they’re bad ideas; it simply means they aren’t Read More

Scenes From International Women’s Forum-New Mexico’s 2026 Legislative Luncheon

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International Women’s Forum-New Mexico (IWF-NM) President Barbara Vigil, standing at left, welcomes legislators, members and guests to the IWF-NM 2026 Legislative Luncheon and first quarter membership meeting on Thursday at the New Mexico State Land Office in Santa Fe. To learn more about IWF-NM, click here. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com

At Thursday’s IWF-NM 2026 Legislative Luncheon, legislators briefed members and guests on key legislative activities and priorities, from left, Rep. Christina Parajón Dist. 25-Bernalillo, Rep. Meredeth Dixon Dist. 20-Bernalillo, House Read More

New Mexico Providers Struggle To Secure State Funding For Sex Assault, Domestic Violence Services

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The Roundhouse in Santa Fe. Post file photo

By Margaret O’Hara
The Santa Fe New Mexican

To MaryEllen Garcia, executive director of the New Mexico Coalition Against Domestic Violence, serving survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault shouldn’t be a short-term initiative. 

“Survivor safety, it’s not a pilot project. … It requires ongoing investment,” Garcia said. 

But whether state lawmakers are willing to make that investment this year remains uncertain.

As lawmakers hash out the details of how New Mexico will spend its money in fiscal year 2027, Read More

House Passes Legislation To Support Educators, Expand Access To Higher Education

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STATE News:

SANTA FE — Feb. 6, the House of Representatives passed three important pieces of legislation to support students and teachers and strengthen educational institutions across the state.

House Bill 8, which passed by a vote of 45-23, creates a first-of-its-kind dedicated funding source for higher education projects. This Higher Education Major Projects Fund would fully fund the UNM School of Medicine expansion, a mixed-use humanities building at NMSU, and student life and housing projects statewide. 

“As higher education enrollment continues to climb in New Mexico and capital Read More

Two New Mexico Elementary Schools Recognized As National Distinguished Schools 

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NMPED News:

SANTA FE — Two New Mexico elementary schools—Dennis Chavez Elementary in Belen and Loving Elementary in Loving—are among only 100 schools nationwide to be named 2025 National Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) Distinguished Schools. 

The New Mexico Public Education Department (PED) announced today the recognition as part of a national program administered by the National Association of ESEA State Program Administrators, which has honored high-achieving Title I schools since 1996. 

“I am incredibly proud of Dennis Chavez and Loving Elementary Schools Read More

Only In New Mexico: Subordinate Hires The Boss

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By MILAN SIMONICH 
The Santa Fe New Mexican

Never should rich and powerful public employees get to select their own bosses. It happens all the time at New Mexico’s universities.

Presidents of universities handpick the people who serve as student regents. The governor technically makes the appointment, but presidents supply the names of the students they want as regents.

With all that leverage, presidents can lock up the loyalty of regents who are supposed to be looking out for fellow students. The results can be awful for the student body, faculty members and the public.

At Western New Mexico Read More

Weekly Fishing Report: Feb. 8, 2026 

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By GEORGE MORSE 
Sports and Outdoors 
Los Alamos Daily Post 

The frigid temperatures a week ago that got the ice-fishing season started gave way to warmer temperatures last week. Eagle Nest Lake State Park hosted its annual Ice-Fishing Derby Jan. 31, but the warmer temperatures have led to the lake being closed again to ice fishing. 

Cash prizes were awarded after the Derby for the biggest rainbow trout, biggest northern pike and biggest yellow perch. The results of the Fishing Derby are available. Check out the Friends of Eagle Nest Lake and Cimarron Canyon State Parks website this week (link Read More

NMHED To Unveil New Mexico State University Art Gallery Exhibition Monday Feb. 9

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NMHED News:

SANTA FE – The New Mexico Higher Education Department (NMHED) invites the public and partners to a special opening reception unveiling the New Mexico State University Art Gallery exhibition hosted at the department’s state offices.

The exhibition will showcase a diverse collection of artwork created by NMSU students and alumni.

Details:

  • Who: Higher Education Secretary Stephanie Rodriguez, Deputy Secretary Patricia Trujillo, Ph.D., NMHED staff, representatives from NMSU;
  • When: 2-5 p.m., Monday, Feb. 9; and
  • Where: New Mexico Higher Education Department, 2044 Galisteo
Read More