Source New Mexico

Study explores how ABQ, Santa Fe could make dent in housing shortage with ‘dorm-style’ units • Source New Mexico “This is not housing for people coming off the street, necessarily, but it would slow inflows into homelessness sharply," said Alex Horowitz of Pew Charitable Trusts.

While office space sits empty across Albuquerque, homelessness and rents are rising. A new study looks at how "dorm-style" living could fix that, plus increase the supply of affordable housing in the city, along with Santa Fe and other areas in New Mexico.

buff.ly/LhGg3jc

A judge reaffirms FEMA must pay NM fire victims for emotional damages. Will the agency appeal? • Source New Mexico The July 18 opinion could signal an end to the legal battle spanning two years in Browning’s courtroom, but it also could mean the beginning of a new one.

Despite the judge's ruling, FEMA told Source New Mexico on Friday that it is still deciding whether to appeal, potentially beginning another multi-year court battle. The agency until mid-September to decide.

buff.ly/eB0uvSW

The blaze is difficult to contain due to “extremely low fuel moistures” and low humidity.

buff.ly/W0zKNfD #nmfire

Changes to federal funding, social programs mean more uncertainty for NM public education • Source New Mexico K-12 education federal funding freezes caused interruptions to summer programming, state experts said, with more expected

Kids will go back to school soon, but NM state officials worry about how federal funding shortfalls will impact their services once they're there.

Anti-uranium exhibit opening Friday in Santa Fe seeks to decolonize maps • Source New Mexico Shayla Blatchford's 'Anti-uranium mapping project: Church Rock spill of 1979' opens Friday in Santa Fe and will be at CENTER in Santa Fe for the next month.

As President Donald Trump and multi-national corporations push to dig the first new uranium mines in New Mexico in more than 50 years, Shayla Blatchford’s exhibit opening today in Santa Fe seeks to equip people, particularly Indigenous people, with the tools to fight back.

buff.ly/4WMx5Cc

Corporation for Public Broadcasting to close its doors after loss of funding • Source New Mexico WASHINGTON — The Corporation for Public Broadcasting announced Friday that it will be shutting down. The announcement came just one day after a major Senate appropriations bill omitted funding for…

Boo.

NM Senators seek seed funding to expand habitat restoration programs • Source New Mexico New Mexico United States senators introduced federal legislation Friday to expand tree nursery capacity for forest restoration.

New Mexico United States senators introduced federal legislation Friday to expand tree nursery capacity for forest replanting and habitat restoration programs.

New Mexico environment leaders push back at EPA proposed climate change rollback • Source New Mexico New Mexico climate groups struck a defiant tone in the wake of the U.S. EPA's plan to dismantle federal authority to curb greenhouse gases.

New Mexico conservation groups and top environment officials said EPA's move to "deregulate" greenhouse gas emissions mean the state will need to prioritize it's own actions, and pointed to recent fires and floods as impetus to address climate change.

Vasquez visit unearths concerns at Otero ICE lockup amid push for more congressional oversight • Source New Mexico U.S. Rep. Gabe Vasquez visited the Otero County Processing Center on Wednesday, where U.S.Immigration and Customs Enforcement incarcerates the majority of its detainees in New Mexico. His visit…

While Vasquez was allowed access inside Wednesday, according to a news release from his office, he said he was not allowed to speak with ICE detainees despite his “lawful right to congressional oversight” and submitting privacy reports ahead of his visit.

buff.ly/tmhOpos

NM Public Education Department invites public input on Yazzie/Martinez equity plan • Source New Mexico New Mexico's Public Education Department will host meetings as part of its remedial Yazzie Martinez education plan

New Mexico's Public Education Department is taking its remedial action plan for equity on the road in August.

Even while the fire nears containment, it continues to draw controversy and criticism due to how it developed in the first place. Internal U.S. Forest Service documents Source reviewed reveal an attempt this week by the agency to disseminate talking points about the fire.

buff.ly/8tjIMlV #nmfire

Medicaid, ICE detention on agenda for forthcoming special legislative session • Source New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham will likely call lawmakers back to the Roundhouse in late August or September, her top lawyer said.

New Mexico's governor is likely to call the state Legislature into a special session in August or September in order to respond to President Donald Trump's new domestic spending law and consider banning ICE detention in the state.

Stewart won’t face discipline for calling staffer ‘stupid,’ subcommittee rules • Source New Mexico A prominent New Mexico senator will not face further discipline in harassment complaint for shouting at a staffer in February.

An ethics committee ruled that a prominent Democratic senator's actions were "inappropriate and unprofessional," but did not rise to the level of harassment.

New Mexico governor hosts Texas Democratic lawmakers amid redistricting fight • Source New Mexico A Texas lawmaker said New Mexico's governor committed to encouraging other governors to “stand in this fight with us.”

New Mexico's governor hosted Democratic lawmakers from the Texas House of Representatives on Tuesday afternoon amid a fight with their governor and President Donald Trump over Republicans' plans to redraw Texas' political maps.

WildEarth Guardians: Watchdog group reports NM 'spike' of oil and gas pollution • Source New Mexico New Mexico oil and gas operators polluted more heavily in spills in the past three months according to a recent report.

More than half of New Mexico oil and gas liquid spills occurred on federal public lands for the second quarter in a row, according to a report released Monday.

NM AG, activists issue alert about RECA scams • Source New Mexico New Mexico Attorney General and downwinder activists issue a warning about new scams popping up in response to RECA.

That didn't take long.

Luján calls on Trump to fund Navajo-Gallup water pipeline, as Gallup warns it’s running dry • Source New Mexico "Without the necessary funding, it risks becoming the first Indian Water Rights Settlement to fail," Sen. Ben Ray Luján said in a statement to Source.

Without $175 million this fiscal year, the Navajo-Gallup Water Supply Project could become the "first Indian Water Rights Settlement to fail," said U.S. Sen. Ben Ray Luján on Tuesday.

More here: buff.ly/xcMqpsn

New Mexico's AI future • Source New Mexico An expert on algorithms will talk to New Mexico lawmakers about crafting responsible AI policy for the state

We talked to one of the AI experts advising lawmakers this morning on how the state can ensure its use of artificial intelligence/algorithms is fair and transparent.

Public still in dark on Stewart’s ethics hearing outcome • Source New Mexico A carveout in New Mexico’s transparency law leaves the accused, the alleged victim and the public in the dark about the committee’s findings.

A carveout in New Mexico's transparency law allows an ethics panel to keep its findings secret, including any decision whether a high-ranking senator's behavior amounted to harassment.

Their decision will be published when it is finalized, the head of the Legislative Council Service said.

Heinrich co-sponsors bill to study wildfire impacts on home insurance • Source New Mexico Democratic U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich and a Republican colleague are seeking a clearer picture of how wildfires affect homeowners’ access to insurance, as insurers in New Mexico and across the country…

“We need a clearer picture of how worsening wildfires and climate risks are impacting insurance companies’ decisions to raise insurance premiums," said U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich (D-NM)

buff.ly/8SxOeA1

Ethics subcommittee considers harassment allegation against Sen. Mimi Stewart • Source New Mexico Lawmakers deliberated Friday afternoon about whether to discipline a high-ranking New Mexico senator for alleged harassment of a staffer.

A legislative ethics panel on Friday reached a decision whether to punish a high-ranking state senator for alleged harassment of a Roundhouse staffer, however, it was unclear when their recommendation would become public.

Doña Ana County declares disaster after Vado flooding, seeks state aid • Source New Mexico The Doña Ana Board of County Commissioners voted unanimously Thursday evening to request state disaster aid after flash flooding in Vado.

Doña Ana County Commissioners declared a disaster from the Vado and Del Cerro flooding earlier this week, hearing from county staff that the big threat right now is the standing floodwaters still left behind.

Advocates resume push to reform NM redistricting • Source New Mexico A group of state lawmakers and voting rights advocates will meet three times over the next two months to prepare for the next time the Legislature redraws the state’s political maps at the end of…

A group of state lawmakers and voting rights advocates will start meeting next month to prepare for the next time the Legislature redraws the state’s political maps at the end of this decade — a process known as redistricting.

Doña Ana County Commission considers disaster declaration after Vado flooding • Source New Mexico Flash floods from heavy rains Tuesday evening in Vado required the rescue of at least 20 people, while power outages impacted 600 homes.

Doña Ana County Commissioners are slated to consider a disaster declaration at an emergency meeting this afternoon after flash floods in Vado earlier this week hit at least 110 homes, knocked out power for hundreds more and required the rescue of 20 people.

NM lawmakers mull new limits on local infrastructure spending • Source New Mexico Analysts identified a lack of sufficient funds for capital outlay requests, piecemeal funding and inadequate eligibility requirements.

At the interim legislative Capital Outlay Subcommittee’s first meeting since the most recent session, two state analysts offered lawmakers ways to address the shortcomings in the state’s capital outlay process leading to billions in unspent funds.

Legislative analysts: Medication treatment for opioid, alcohol addiction not reaching New Mexicans • Source New Mexico Despite more MAT, state health officials only treated about 4% of the New Mexicans with opioid use disorders in public health offices.

Legislative analysts released a report yesterday finding that despite recent expansion, only several hundred people sought treatment in public health offices.

Legislative analysts: Medication treatment for opioid, alcohol addiction not reaching New Mexicans • Source New Mexico Despite more MAT, state health officials only treated about 4% of the New Mexicans with opioid use disorders in public health offices.

The Secretary for the New Mexico Department of Health committed to lawmakers to better promote medication-assisted addiction treatment after a report released today finding that despite recent expansion, only several hundred people sought treatment in public health offices. buff.ly/whm7saK

Trump approves major disaster, more aid for flooded Lincoln County • Source New Mexico President Donald Trump on Wednesday morning approved a major disaster declaration for New Mexico flood victims.

President Donald Trump approved more federal aid in the aftermath of deadly flooding earlier this month in Ruidoso, but future cuts to federal response in the aftermath of extreme weather raises uncertainty for state emergency management.

New Mexico’s largest city affirms ‘immigrant-friendly’ status • Source New Mexico The mayor of New Mexico’s largest city signed an executive order this week reaffirming Albuquerque’s status as an “immigrant-friendly city.”

The mayor of New Mexico’s largest city signed an executive order this week reaffirming Albuquerque’s position as an “immigrant-friendly city,” as some members of the city council said they would push further protections in city ordinances later this year. buff.ly/6d1TQV1