Nation

Today Is Flag Day 2026: So What’s It All About?

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Today marks Flag Day 2026. Courtesy photo

From The Old Farmer’s Almanac:

Flag Day is today, Sunday, June 14, 2026. What is Flag Day all about? Who really designed the first flag, and what do the red, white, and blue colors symbolize? See how much you know about U.S. flag history and meaning, plus find five fun trivia questions to test your knowledge.

What is Flag Day?

Flag Day is a celebration of the American flag that occurs each year on June 14, the anniversary of the flag’s official adoption. 

What we know fondly as the “Stars and Stripes” was adopted by the Continental Congress as the official Read More

New Mexico Historic Sites Selected For Prestigious Award Of Excellence For Impact Of Taylor-Mesilla

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The Taylor-Mesilla Historic Site embodies the rich history and heritage of the Southwest borderlands and offers tours, lectures, and interactive programming for the public. The property of two storefronts and a large residence is on the historic Old Mesilla Plaza, listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Courtesy/NMDCA

NMDCA News:

MESILLA — New Mexico Historic Sites was selected as a 2026 Award of Excellence winner for the opening of Taylor-Mesilla Historic Site by the American Association for State and Local History (AASLH) Leadership in History awards committee.

“The staff Read More

Vasquez Seeks Answers About Diverted National Park Fees

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U.S. Rep. Gabe Vasquez

From the Office of U.S. Rep. Gabe Vasquez:

WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Rep. Gabe Vasquez (NM-02) sent a letter on June 12, 2026, to Department of the Interior Secretary Doug Burgum raising concerns that approximately $90 million in National Park Service entrance fee revenues have been redirected from park maintenance and repairs to fund cosmetic “beautification” projects in Washington, D.C.

The Rep. Gabe Vasquez noted repairs and maintenance are being deprioritized at places like Carlsbad Caverns and White Sands National Park to pay for wasteful, ornamental projects Read More

Los Alamos County Government Offices To Close June 19 In Observance Of Juneteenth

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COUNTY News:

In observance of Juneteenth, Los Alamos County government offices will join other federal, state, and local governments and close on Friday, June 19.

Juneteenth, also known as Emancipation Day, commemorates the emancipation of enslaved people in the United States. Recognizing and observing this holiday provides an important opportunity for all to reflect on and celebrate the accomplishments and contributions of African Americans throughout history.

While the County’s administrative offices, Atomic City Transit fixed bus routes, and the Environmental Services division Read More

Luján, Heinrich, Klobuchar, Slotkin, Colleagues Urge USDA To Address New World Screwworm Outbreak

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U.S. SENATE News:

WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Sens. Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), a member of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, and Elissa Slotkin (D-MI) led 17 of their colleagues in calling on the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to take further immediate action to contain and respond to the outbreak of New World Screwworm (NWS) in the United States. 

“We write with great concern regarding the current outbreak of New World Screwworm (NWS) Read More

Interior Department Begins Nationwide Review Of Rock Climbing And Wilderness Study Area Management Policies

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DOI News:

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Department of the Interior (DOI) has announced a 60-day public comment period on proposed recreational climbing guidance and potential updates to wilderness study area management policies for lands managed by the Bureau of Land Management, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and National Park Service.   

The Department is seeking public input on two important efforts:

  • First, establishing a consistent approach to recreational rock climbing management across designated wilderness areas; and
  • Second, evaluating whether existing wilderness study areas and
Read More

Heinrich Calls For Consideration Of Conservation Bills, Bipartisan Cooperation On ENR Legislation

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U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) delivers opening remarks at a hearing to consider pending legislation before the U.S. Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, June 10, 2026. Courtesy photo

U.S. SENATE News:

WASHINGTON, D.C. — During a business meeting on the U.S. Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee to consider pending legislation, U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), Ranking Member of the Committee, criticized Chairman Mike Lee (R-Utah) for continuing to advance Republican priorities while leaving bipartisan and Democratic conservation, public lands, and Read More

Sen. Luján Presses Agriculture Secretary Rollins On New World Screwworm At Senate Agriculture Hearing

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U.S. Sen. Ben Ray Luján

U.S. SENATE News: 

WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Sen. Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), a member of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, pressed Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins on the New World screwworm that has now been detected in Lea County, New Mexico. At a Senate Agriculture Committee hearing, Sen. Luján questioned Secretary Rollins on the impacts of staffing cuts on the response to the spread, the federal government’s response, and USDA’s commitment to prioritizing impacted states.

A full video of the exchange is available here.

Senator Luján’s Read More

Heinrich, Luján Introduce Legislation To Help New Mexico Farmers & Ranchers Access Virtual Fencing

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U.S. SENATE News:

WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) led the introduction of the Fencing Eligibility for New Conservation Equipment (FENCE) Act, legislation cosponsored by U.S. Sen. Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), to allow farmers and ranchers to access U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Emergency Conservation Program (ECP) funding for virtual fencing.

Virtual fencing technology allows for the controlled movement and grazing of livestock through GPS-enabled collars that deliver audio cues and electrical pulses; replacing physical infrastructure that often interferes Read More

Luján, Heinrich Introduce Legislation To Boost Funding For Indian Water Rights Settlements

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U.S. SENATE News:

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Wednesday, U.S. Sen. Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), a member of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs, and U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) introduced the Protecting Indian Water Rights Settlements Act of 2026, legislation to ensure the federal government fulfills its trust responsibilities by providing dedicated, mandatory funding for Indian water rights settlements through the Bureau of Indian Affairs’ Indian Water Rights Settlement Completion Fund, first authorized in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.

As of May 2026, there are 39 enacted Indian Read More