in the news

U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich weighed in on an ongoing and complicated dispute between the state Game Commission and environmental groups about accessing streams in New Mexico. Heinrich told NM Political Report that New Mexico’s leadership needs to step up efforts to protect stream access rights.  At issue is a rule adopted by the...

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M.- Lawmakers in Washington passed another relief package Thursday, which includes more money for small businesses that have been affected by COVID-19. The bill includes $380 billion for small businesses, $75 billion for hospitals and $25 billion for COVID-19 testing. The bill pours more money into the Paycheck Protection Program,...

When the new coronavirus outbreak began, Sandia National Laboratories called on its scientists and engineers to pitch ideas on how they could help. “They asked the whole lab — just as an open call — ‘Who’s got ideas on how we can help?’ ” said Ryan Haggerty, who oversees engineering programs at...

Members of New Mexico’s congressional delegation and state officials are calling for the Trump administration to halt construction on the wall at the border with Mexico because of concerns workers may spread the coronavirus. They also feel resources are needed elsewhere. U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich, D-N.M., is among lawmakers who wrote a letter...

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M.—Thousands of undocumented families in New Mexico don't qualify for the most recent federal stimulus checks that were given out to families this week during the coronavirus pandemic, despite many being essential workers. Because of this the New Mexico Dream team decided to take matters into their own hands by creating a...

U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich will be part of a bipartisan task force to advise the White House on reopening the American economy in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. “This public health crisis is like nothing any of us have ever experienced. As elected leaders and policymakers, we will rightly be measured by how we responded,” Heinrich said...

The 90-day comment period on the draft revised Gila National Forest management plan will end Thursday, despite requests from citizens and congressional leaders that Gila National Forest Supervisor Adam Mendonca extend the deadline in light of the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly the effect that closures of places like local libraries — where...

New Mexico’s small towns could be getting federal relief funding as communities wrangle with the impact of the coronavirus outbreak, leading to closure of local businesses and increased need for medical supplies to treat the virus and track its spread. U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich (D-NM) announced on Monday that he planned to introduce the...

CHAPARRAL, New Mexico -- Members of New Mexico's congressional delegation called Friday for the acting head of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement to review the circumstances surrounding two coronavirus cases at the agency's facility in Chaparral. "We are deeply troubled that an employee and migrant have both contracted Covid-19 at the Otero...

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M.- Sen. Martin Heinrich said Thursday that the next two weeks will be critical for New Mexico-- as the state battles a COVID-19 outbreak. “I’m going to put it real simply and very bluntly: The behavior of all of us today will determine how many people will die tomorrow. That is literally what we are facing," Heinrich...

COLUMBUS, N.M. - Some residents of the tiny border village of Columbus raised concerns this week about 10 trailers that recently arrived in the historic town center to house workers building 72 miles of the southern border wall.  The trailers are on Jesus Carreon Avenue, immediately behind the village library. Each trailer, one of...

SANTA FE - As nationwide demand for health protection equipment surges, New Mexico's health care system has a limited statewide stock of about 44,000 snug-fitting N95 face masks that protect medical workers from the coronavirus by filtering out small airborne particles, state officials said. New Mexico also has about 2.4 million exam gloves, 70,500...

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M.- U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich wants rural and tribal communities in New Mexico to be prepared for the eventual spread of COVID-19. Heinrich is calling on the federal government to focus on underserved communities. "It can feel like the news you're seeing in cities like New York or even Albuquerque won't hit home where you are,"...

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. —Tribal communities are being hit hard by the coronavirus pandemic, and the U.S. federal government is bound by treaties to help them. "We're the first citizens of the United States of America, but yet we haven't seen one penny come to the Navajo Nation," President Jonathan Nez, of the Navajo Nation, said. "Army Corps of...

As the New Mexico death toll from COVID-19 reached seven Thursday, the state reported a limited supply of medical equipment meant to keep frontline health workers safe during an anticipated surge in cases. According to the New Mexico Human Services Department, the state has a stockpile of 43,873 N95 face masks used to protect medical workers from...

Nuclear waste repository the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant gradually reduced the amount of nuclear waste received and emplaced for disposal in its underground salt deposit during the last three months as the COVID-19 pandemic continued to spread throughout the country and world leading to the disruption of operations at government facilities. As of...

Detainees in a federal facility near Grants say more than 20 people are being held in one room with no social distancing, little access to hygiene products and scant information about the new coronavirus, even as the global health crisis continues to spread. In an interview with The New Mexican, Yulian Llerena, a Cuban man being held in U.S....

More than $1.25 billion to help cover state and local government expenses tied to the COVID-19 outbreak will be coming to New Mexico from the $2 trillion congressional coronavirus response package, U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich said last week. Details have yet to be released on how some of the funding will be distributed, the senator said in a...

New Mexico is one step closer to seeing its share of a massive $2.2 trillion economic stimulus package unanimously approved by the U.S. Senate Wednesday night. U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich, D-N.M., told reporters on a call Thursday morning he’s fighting for the aid money to arrive in the state as soon as possible to help residents stay afloat as...

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M.- The two U.S. senators from New Mexico say help is on the way.  Senators Martin Heinrich and Tom Udall voted to pass the COVID-19 relief package Wednesday night. Udall says part of the $2 trillion will go to helping New Mexicans including small business owners. The bill also gives Americans, who make less than $75,000 a...