Forest Service says it’s not obligated to follow state law on prescribed burns
5 Views  The U.S. Forest Service scheduled two prescribed burns last week in the southwest part of the state despite a red flag warning issued by the National Weather Service. Ultimately the agency burned the day before, but not the day of the warning.
Gallup City Council hears public comment concerning potential abortion ban
25 Views  Gallup may be the next city in New Mexico to pursue adopting an anti-abortion ordinance. Tensions ran high at the city’s council meeting late Tuesday evening as each side made its case in support of or opposition to the proposed ordinance.
Legislative Finance Committee extends timeline for hiring new director
35 Views  The powerful Legislative Finance Committee held its first interim meeting this week and appointed Charles Sallee as interim director. The committee is extending its search for a permanent director.
New Mexico groups issue joint disapproval of climate vetoes
70 Views  Many climate scientists and researchers point to meaningful legislative action as the most effective path forward to both mitigate and adapt to a changing climate. New Mexico’s past legislative session had climate groups feeling hopeful –– but a series of line-item vetoes from Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham left them disappointed.
Efforts to reform unpaid legislature down to the wire in last days of session
82 Views  Lawmakers in New York State make more than $140,000 a year. Their counterparts in New Hampshire bring in just $100. In New Mexico, legislators receive a per diem, mileage and retirement benefits, but they are the only lawmakers in the country who don’t get a penny for the actual work they do.
Doña Ana County clerk sent evidence of online threats by Solomon Peña to FBI months ago
165 Views  A former Republican legislative candidate accused of coordinating recent shootings at the homes of several Democratic elected officials in Albuquerque is scheduled to be arraigned Friday morning. But an elections official says she reported him to the FBI last year–months before the attacks and his arrest.
With a national EV charging network on the horizon, can New Mexico keep up?
131 Views  Billions of dollars for electric vehicle infrastructure is making its way into communities across the country –– with an emphasis on tribal and rural areas. While this is a crucial first step for equitable access to modern technology, much more needs to be done to make EVs in New Mexico a feasible reality.
Lawmakers to consider taking redistricting out of their own hands
100 Views  Rep. Natalie Figueroa plans to introduce a bill in next month’s legislative session that aims to establish an independent redistricting commission to limit lawmakers’ role in drawing their own maps. Figueroa says it’s a necessary next step in removing politics from New Mexico’s process.
Residential solar production increases across the Mountain West
181 Views  The Mountain West might not have the top solar-producing states, but residential solar saw a significant boost across the region last year, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration.
New Mexico’s CD3 candidates spar over wildfire response in their final televised debate
170 Views  The disaster that ripped through northern N.M. this summer consumed about a third of the final debate between the two people seeking to represent the region in Congress. The two candidates fighting to represent Congressional District 3 in New Mexico met for a televised debate Friday night in what’s likely to be the final chance […]
