Non-Local News Releases

SANTA FE – The New Mexico Department of Health (NMDOH) confirmed today that a 65-year-old woman from Santa Fe County has died of Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome (HPS), marking the first reported case in New Mexico this year.

Hantavirus is a severe respiratory illness caused by the Sin Nombre virus, which is transmitted through contact with infected rodents, or their urine, droppings, or saliva. The virus can become airborne when disturbed, posing risk of inhalation. There is no evidence of human-to-human transmission in New Mexico.

ALBUQUERQUE, MARCH 6—Today, the New Mexico Supreme Court issued a 3-2 split decision in Amdor v. Grisham, upholding most of Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham's sweeping public health emergency orders from 2023 while striking down the suspension of the Juvenile Detention Alternatives Initiative (JDAI).

The Republican Party of New Mexico (RPNM), alongside Republican legislators and gun rights advocates, filed this lawsuit in September 2023 to challenge the Governor's unconstitutional overreach, including her attempt to ban the legal carrying of firearms in public spaces under the guise of a "public health emergency." While the orders have expired, this ruling sets a dangerous precedent, particularly as it comes just as the state legislature is debating new gun rights legislation.

LAS CRUCES, N.M. (March 6, 2025) – In preparation for another packed performance schedule in 2025, the United States Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron "Thunderbirds" once again spent the better part of January honing their collective skills at Spaceport America.

For nearly three weeks in January, the Thunderbirds, comprised of 12 officers and over 130 enlisted personnel serving in 31 Air Force job specialties utilized the spaceport to log dozens of hours of training.

"This is now the fourth time the USAF Thunderbirds have been on site to train since January 2022, and we continue to be honored to serve as their hosts," said New Mexico Spaceport Authority (NMSA) Executive Director Scott McLaughlin. "We are happy they understand the unique benefits that Spaceport America has to offer for the aerospace community," McLaughlin added.

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) and Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), and U.S. Representatives Teresa Leger Fernández (D-N.M.), Melanie Stansbury (D-N.M.), and Gabe Vasquez (D-N.M.) sent a letter to President Donald Trump and Department of Defense (DoD) Secretary Pete Hegseth opposing the Trump administration's reported plans to use military installations, including Kirtland Air Force Base (KAFB) and Fort Bliss, to create a nationwide network of military detention facilities.

"Using our military installations for these purposes threatens to divert DoD's resources away from unit readiness and our national security enterprise," which the lawmakers noted, "is a direct contradiction to [the Trump] administration's statement earlier this year that one of [its] top priorities is to 'have a ready, able, and lethal military.'"

In all construction zones, motorists are asked to reduce speed, obey posted signs, and use extreme caution, as well as continue to be cautious of heavy equipment and construction personnel in the area. PLEASE NOTE: Conditions are subject to change without notice. Double fines for speeding in work zones may be in effect.

White Sands Missile Range Notification
For information regarding closures, you may call WSMR at 678-1178 or 678-2222 for updates.

ALBUQUERQUE, MARCH 6—Today, the New Mexico Supreme Court issued a 3-2 split decision in Amdor v. Grisham, upholding most of Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham's sweeping public health emergency orders from 2023 while striking down the suspension of the Juvenile Detention Alternatives Initiative (JDAI).

The Republican Party of New Mexico (RPNM), alongside Republican legislators and gun rights advocates, filed this lawsuit in September 2023 to challenge the Governor's unconstitutional overreach, including her attempt to ban the legal carrying of firearms in public spaces under the guise of a "public health emergency." While the orders have expired, this ruling sets a dangerous precedent, particularly as it comes just as the state legislature is debating new gun rights legislation.

The Republican Party of New Mexico extends our heartfelt wishes for a blessed Ash Wednesday to all New Mexicans observing today. As we enter the season of Lent, we honor the rich Catholic and Hispanic traditions rooted in faith that form the foundation of our great state. May these forty days of reflection and sacrifice strengthen your faith and bring you peace as we journey toward the celebration of Christ's resurrection.

LAGUNA LATERAL; UNIVERSITY AVENUE TO REMAIN CLOSED THROUGH MID- TO LATE APRIL

NM 101 Will Remain Closed from Avenida de Mesilla to South Main Street Through Mid- to Late April; Traffic can use West Union, Avenida de Mesilla and South Main Street as Detour Routes
The closure of NM 101 at the Laguna Lateral has been extended through mid- to late April 2025 due to delays in relocating several electrical poles that we in conflict with construction.
That work has now been done, so crews are working to catch up.