Sophomore Lawmaker Files Bill Proposing Dramatic Rewrite Of New Mexico Inspection Of Public Records Act
Rep. Kathleen Cate
By PHAEDRA HAYWOOD
The Santa Fe New Mexican
A sophomore lawmaker has filed a bill proposing a dramatic rewrite of New Mexico’s public records law that critics warn would have an alarming effect on government transparency and accountability.
The measure would create dozens of new exemptions to the Inspection of Public Records Act, giving state and local government agencies broader authority to refuse to provide requested records.
Rep. Kathleen Cate, D-Rio Rancho, said she doesn’t expect the measure to become law but wanted to start a discussion.
“IPRA is not broken, but Read More
U.S. Senators Martin Heinrich And Tim Sheehy Introduce Bipartisan Aerial Firefighting Enhancement Act
From the Office of U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich:
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) and Tim Sheehy (R-Mont.) introduced the bipartisan Aerial Firefighting Enhancement Act of 2025 to strengthen the aerial wildfire suppression fleet and better combat the year-round threat of catastrophic wildfire.
“I have worked for years to expand the operations of Very Large Air Tankers that have proven absolutely essential to firefighters battling large wildfires in New Mexico, Los Angeles, and across the West. This includes securing more than $15 million to upgrade the Cibola National Read More
BLM & USDA Forest Service Announce 2025 Grazing Fees
BLM News:
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The federal grazing fee for 2025 remains $1.35 per animal unit month for public lands administered by the Bureau of Land Management and $1.35 per head month for lands managed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service.
An animal unit month or head month — treated as equivalent measures for fee purposes — is the use of public lands by one cow and her calf, one horse, or five sheep or goats for a month. The newly calculated grazing fee takes effect March 1, 2025. The fee will apply to nearly 18,000 grazing permits and leases administered by BLM and nearly 6,250 permits Read More
Travel: Relax At The Spa At Sec-He In Palm Springs
Enter a haven of healing at The Spa at Séc-He in Palm Springs, one of the most luxurious hot mineral spring spa destinations in the country. Photo by Debbie Stone
Salt cave at The Spa at Séc-He. Photo by Debbie Stone
By DEBBIE STONE
Santa Fe
For the Los Alamos Daily Post
Palm Springs is a desert oasis, known for its hot springs, amenity-rich resorts, top-notch golf courses, eclectic boutiques, vibrant food scene, and easy access to nature. It’s also a wellness mecca, offering numerous spas where you can soak and get pampered to your heart’s content.
Only one of these spas, however, has a natural, mineral Read More
New Mexico Tech’s NMBGMR Awards State Forester Laura McCarthy 2025 Earth Science Achievement Award
State Forester Laura McCarthy
NMT News:
SOCORRO — The New Mexico Bureau of Geology and Mineral Resources (NMBGMR) at New Mexico Tech (NMT) will present the 2025 Earth Science Achievement Award for Public Service and Public Policy to New Mexico State Forester Laura McCarthy.
A public servant who has advanced the role of earth science in public policy, McCarthy will receive the award at noon Feb. 17 during a ceremony in the rotunda at the New Mexico State Capitol in conjunction with Earth Science/New Mexico Tech Day.
As State Forester, McCarthy is responsible for forest management on 43 million Read More
Legislative Roundup: 50 Days Remaining In Session
By Santa Fe New Mexican staff
Committee OKs anti-hazing bill: A bill to curb the practice of hazing in New Mexico schools cleared its first hurdle Friday.
Senate Bill 10, sponsored by Sen. Harold Pope, D-Albuquerque, and Rep. Pamelya Herndon, D-Albuquerque, would make hazing and a school employee’s failure to report incidents of it misdemeanor offenses. The bill would also implement several hazing prevention measures in colleges and universities.
The bill faced a brief stall after first being heard in the Senate Education Committee on Wednesday, with opponents and lawmakers making the Read More
New Mexico House Bill That Aims To Keep Children Away From Internet Porn Raises Privacy Concerns
Republican State Rep. John Block
By CORMAC DODD
The Santa Fe New Mexican
A bill that purports to protect children from accessing online pornography drew some criticism Friday from lawmakers and others who contend it could block adults from such material and might put personal data at risk by requiring website users to provide identification or credit card information.
Republican state Rep. John Block of Alamogordo introduced House Bill 44, dubbed the “Protection of Minors from Distribution of Harmful Materials Act,” before the House Commerce and Economic Development Committee.
“It’s Read More
New Mexico Senate Republicans Set Up Immigration Tip Line To Report Undocumented Violent Criminals
The Roundhouse in Santa Fe. Post file photo
By DANIEL J. CHACÓN
The Santa Fe New Mexican
Senate Republicans have set up an email tip line that allows New Mexicans to snitch on violent undocumented immigrants hiding from the law in their communities.
“We’re looking at the safety and welfare of everybody in the state, and that would include getting rid of the violent cartels — and I think on a federal level, that’s what we’re focused on,” Senate Minority Leader Bill Sharer said Friday on the Senate floor while announcing the new tip line.
The announcement raised some concerns for a Senate Democrat, Read More
State Police To Conduct Checkpoints And Saturation Patrols In Counties Across New Mexico In February 2025
NMSP News:
Statewide – New Mexico State Police (NMSP) will be conducting sobriety checkpoints, saturation patrols; and registration, insurance, and driver’s license checkpoints in all New Mexico counties during February 2025.
NMSP is bringing awareness to these events to reduce impaired driving-related fatalities through continued media attention and intensive advertising.
These checkpoints are helping to change society’s attitude about driving while under the influence of intoxicating liquor or drugs.
Hundreds of lives could be saved each year if every driver had the courage Read More
LARSO Could Be Effected By Freeze In Federal Funding
Staff Report
Any recipient of federal grants and loans – nationwide – is feeling the impact of the Trump Administration’s freeze on federal funds that was issued Monday. It’s a bit unclear whether the freeze is still in place but if it is, recipients include numerous nonprofits such as local Senior Activity Centers.
Los Alamos Retired and Senior Organization (LARSO) receives federal funding from the Older Americans Act (OAA).
Funding includes:
- Day out: $7,426.64;
- Congregate Meals: $13,737.23; and
- Home Delivered Meals: $9,017.23.
- Total: $30,181.10
LARSO Executive Director Jacci Gruninger Read More