in the news

As 1,200 miles of road inside the Gila National Forest will inevitably be closed in July as the Gila National Forest Travel Management Plan takes effect, Democratic U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich is pushing legislation at the national level to allow public lands to be more “public” and accessible to the average person. Heinrich traveled to...

In the past 55 years, the U.S. has spent more than $6 billion researching how to apply “focused energy technologies” — which include lasers, microwaves and electromagnetic radiation — for use in military weapons, an enterprise that has been growing in New Mexico. Last month, programs to develop directed-energy weapons at...

ALBUQUERQUE (KRQE) – Most travelers KRQE News 13 spoke with say they feel safe at the Sunport but they also feel a terrorist attack – like the one in Brussels – could easily happen here. That’s why senator Martin Heinrich is backing Democratic legislation that would enhance security in the non-secure areas of the airport...

In the Southwest, water is the lifeblood of our economy and culture. Access to adequate clean and affordable water means that our cities can bustle with activity, our farmers can grow local food, and our rivers can sustain the cottonwoods and wildlife we all know and love.   In exchange for developing water downstream in the Colorado River...

Laws often resemble the proverbial barn door, which is shut after the horses have run away or been stolen. Many statutes address a crisis that is already over. Even so, it’s important to prevent repeat mistakes, which is the intent of a federal bill supported by all of the Democrats in New Mexico’s congressional delegation. They want to...

Renewable energy, economic development, water issues and veterans’ needs are a few of the discussions state and local officials held Thursday with U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich during his visit to Tucumcari. Heinrich started Thursday’s visit by climbing to the top of the North American Wind Research and Training Center’s 1.5-megawatt...

Earlier this week was World Water Day. All of us in New Mexico recognize the vital importance of water. Access to adequate clean and affordable water means that cities in eastern New Mexico can bustle with activity, our farmers and ranchers can grow local food, and Cannon Air Force Base can continue to play a vital role in protecting our national...

Earlier this week was World Water Day. All of us in New Mexico recognize the vital importance of water. Access to adequate clean and affordable water means that cities in eastern New Mexico can bustle with activity, our farmers and ranchers can grow local food, and Cannon Air Force Base can continue to play a vital role in protecting our national...

As preparations were being made last week for the annual Bataan Memorial Death March at White Sands Missile Range, two announcements were made looking toward the future of the range. On Thursday, Army Brig. Gen. Eric L. Sanchez, a 1987 distinguished military graduate of New Mexico State University and native of Santa Fe, was named as the next...

The people of New Mexico elected me to the Senate to uphold and defend the Constitution. And that is both an oath and a responsibility I take very seriously. A basic part of my constitutional duty is to consider and vote on presidential nominees. Article II, Section 2, Clause 2 of the Constitution states that the president, “shall nominate,...

GALLUP — The city of Gallup has extended its contract with Na’Nizhoozhi Center Inc. for operation of the detox center through the end of the fiscal year. NCI’s contract ran from Oct. 2 to Feb. 29, and the new four-month extension will keep doors open until June 30. City Attorney George Kozeliski said the city will put out a...

In the wake of companies like Google, Sprint, and Caterpillar announcing layoffs in recent months, one would think it would be welcome news to learn of a company eager to invest $1.6 billion in New Mexico’s economy, create tens of thousands of private sector jobs, modernize our electric grid and allow us to export clean energy to hungry...

The 16,000-acre Sabinoso Wilderness, a remote area east of Las Vegas, N.M., that’s marked with mesas, woodlands and deep, cliff-lined canyons, has been nearly untouched by the public since its designation in 2009 as a federal wilderness area. Landlocked by private properties and lacking a legal public access point, the rugged acreage one...

SANTA FE, N.M. — Public access to New Mexico’s 16,000-acre Sabinoso Wilderness – entirely “landlocked” by private land – moved closer to reality today on news the nonprofit Wilderness Land Trust bought adjacent property that could soon allow hikers, hunters, backpackers and others access to it. The purchase of...

American Indian college students Lydia Doza, Inupiaq/Tsimshian/Haida, and Carielle Bahe, Navajo, have at least two other important things in common. Both women are committed to improving education for American Indian and Alaska Native youth, and, probably not coincidentally, both were invited to attend President Barack Obama’s final State of...

The Milky Way sets over the Cosmic Campground, New Mexico, with the lights of Morenci, Arizona, on the horizon in the distance. Photo by David Thornburg. IDA is pleased to announce the designation of the Cosmic Campground as an International Dark Sky Sanctuary. It is the first such designation in the U.S., and the first IDA International Dark...

(Photo: Jett Loe / Sun-News) LAS CRUCES — The conversation was rich at a breakfast early Saturday morning in a small conference room at Hotel Encanto. Sen. Martin Heinrich, wearing a camouflage vest and blue jeans, addressed a dozen sportsmen — hardcore hunters and anglers from as far away as Oregon to learn about Organ...

Sen. Martin Heinrich traveled to Southern New Mexico this weekend to tour the Health and Human Services' facility at Holloman Air Force Base as well as meet with military officials. "I think getting both squadrons with F-16's here was a big success story and they're doing well," Heinrich said. "There was concern about one of the squadrons...

U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich, D-N.M., is one of three recipients of awards given this year by the Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership, the group announced Thursday. The organization operates under Roosevelt’s belief that conservation should be at the forefront of American interests, and it aims to ensure the country has access to...

FARMINGTON — A University of New Mexico student from Crownpoint will witness President Barack Obama deliver his final State of the Union address on Tuesday evening in Washington, D.C. Carielle Bahe will watch the president's speech from the House chamber gallery, which overlooks the chamber floor. Bahe, the only...