A fallen aspen tree that downed a power line sparked New Mexico’s largest wildfire in state history in 2011, burning 156,000 acres in the Las Conchas Fire. Now, U.S. Rep. Teresa Leger Fernández wants to give utilities better tools to prevent the next power line disaster. Leger Fernández and three other U.S. House members introduced […]
Category: New Mexico
Posted inCannabis, New Mexico
New Mexico Supreme Court upholds warrantless vehicle searches during brief decriminalization era
New Mexico drivers stopped by police during the state’s brief marijuana decriminalization period could still have their vehicles searched without a warrant based on the smell of cannabis alone, the state Supreme Court ruled Thursday in a unanimous decision that clarifies police powers during a unique period in the state’s drug policy history. The ruling […]
Posted inCongress & Federal Gov., New Mexico
Democrats say 112,000 New Mexicans could lose health insurance under Trump bill
Nearly 112,000 New Mexicans could lose health insurance under President Donald Trump’s “One Big Beautiful Bill Act,” according to a new Democratic Party analysis that warns the federal law will disproportionately impact the state’s rural communities and low-income families. The Democratic National Committee launched a website (https://democrats.org/trump-tax/) on Tuesday highlighting state-by-state impacts of Trump’s budget […]
Posted inCongress & Federal Gov., New Mexico
Sen. Heinrich secures $6.5M for New Mexico crime fighting
U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich announced that nine New Mexico law enforcement agencies will receive federal funding totaling $6,521,000 for forensic equipment, crime scene processing tools and safety improvements through the bipartisan Senate Appropriations Committee’s passage of the Fiscal Year 2026 Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Appropriations Bill. The funding comes as New Mexico grapples […]
Posted inCongress & Federal Gov.
Sen. Luján secures nearly $190 Million for New Mexico public safety, military infrastructure
U.S. Senator Ben Ray Luján secured nearly $190 million in federal funding for New Mexico communities through two major appropriations bills passed by Senate committees, with the bulk targeting major construction projects at military bases alongside public safety improvements across the state. The funding comes as New Mexico grapples with persistent crime challenges, with Albuquerque […]
Posted inCongress & Federal Gov., New Mexico
Federal budget proposal could eliminate key Native American workforce programs
The Trump Administration’s proposed fiscal year 2026 federal budget has sparked fierce opposition from Native American advocacy groups, who warn that planned cuts could effectively eliminate critical workforce development programs serving Indigenous communities nationwide. At the center of the controversy is the proposed elimination of the Native American Employment and Training Program under the Workforce […]
Posted inCongress & Federal Gov.
Good Trouble Lives On: New Mexico communities join national civil rights protests
This report is supported by NM Political Report, a nonprofit newsroom working to increase New Mexicans’ engagement in politics and public policy. Reported by: Kevin Hendricks Photos by: Roberto Rosales This report is original reporting by a New Mexico-based independent journalist with support NMreports.org and its readers and sponsors. Communities across New Mexico took part […]
Posted inCourts, Justice & Safety
Supreme Court saves politico from recall over Rio Arriba Oñate statue dispute
This report is supported by NM Political Report, a nonprofit newsroom working to increase New Mexicans’ engagement in politics and public policy. Reported by: Connor Currier This report is original reporting by a New Mexico-based independent journalist with support NMreports.org and its readers and sponsors. New Mexico’s highest court has dismissed a petition attempting to […]
Posted inCongress & Federal Gov., New Mexico
Heinrich introduces bill to protect DACA recipients’ data amid Trump administration information sharing
U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich is leading a new push to protect the personal information of “Dreamers” in New Mexico and across the country, introducing legislation that would prevent the Trump administration from using their immigration applications against them as federal agencies increasingly share data for deportation efforts. Heinrich’s Protect DREAMer Confidentiality Act would prohibit the […]
Posted inCongress & Federal Gov., New Mexico
Senate votes to cut $1.1 billion in public broadcasting funding, threatening emergency services for rural New Mexico
This report is supported by NM Political Report, a nonprofit newsroom working to increase New Mexicans’ engagement in politics and public policy. Reported by: Kevin Hendricks This report is original reporting by a New Mexico-based independent journalist with support NMreports.org and its readers and sponsors. New Mexico’s rural and tribal communities could lose a critical […]