New Mexico
Feds approve $675M to expand internet access in New Mexico
SANTA FE, N.M. — Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham announced Monday that New Mexico will get $675 million in federal grant funding to expand internet access.
The National Telecommunications and Information Administration greenlit the funding Monday. Now, the New Mexico Office of Broadband Access and Expansion can begin the grant application process. The OBAE is inviting local governments, tribal communities, nonprofits, internet service providers and electric cooperatives to apply and work together to expand access.
Officials hope to connect tens of thousands of New Mexico households to the internet for the first time.
“The Governor’s office and our team are elated and grateful for the NTIA’s approval,” said Drew Lovelace, the acting director of OBAE in a news release issued Monday. “In today’s world, high-speed internet is not a luxury but a necessity. Ensuring access to broadband in rural and hard-to-reach areas means New Mexicans will gain access to essential services like telehealth and distance learning. And communities will enjoy greater economic opportunities.”
The New Mexico state government must now submit a final proposal within a year. The proposal will then detail the chosen sub-grantees and funding strategies for delivering broadband to unserved and underserved areas. They define these locations as “lacking broadband speeds of at least 100Mbps download and 20Mbps upload.”
Once the NTIA signs off on the final proposal, then construction can begin on the broadband infrastructure.
Federal and state data estimates that 16% of New Mexico’s 873,797 locations are either unserved or underserved. Data shows around 70,609 locations are completely unserved and another 72,384 are underserved.
According to the OBAE, they’ve made gains with programs like the Connect NM Pilot Program. Officials say those initiatives are working to bring high-speed internet to over 45,000 locations across the state.
SANTA FE, N.M. (KFOX14/CBS4) – The New Mexico Department of Health says it will continue to recommend the full schedule of childhood vaccines.
State officials announced the move Tuesday, directly defying a new federal policy that scaled back routine immunization guidance.
The announcement comes after U.S. Health and Human Services (HHS), under Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., reduced the number of vaccines it recommends for all children.
The New Mexico Department of Health stated the federal changes were “not based on new scientific evidence or safety data.”
“New Mexico will not follow the federal government in walking away from decades of proven public health practice,” said Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham. “Our recommendations remain unchanged.”
State health officials sought to reassure parents, emphasizing that vaccines remain widely available and covered by insurance.
“We know this is confusing for parents, but the science is clear: vaccines are safe, effective, and save children’s lives,” said Dr. Miranda Durham, chief medical officer for NMDOH.
All childhood vaccinations will continue to be covered under programs like Medicaid and the federal Vaccines for Children Program.
The state encourages parents to consult their healthcare providers using the American Academy of Pediatrics’ immunization schedule.
RECOMMENDED: CDC cuts childhood vaccine list, sparking healthcare professionals’ concerns
Sign up to receive the top interesting stories from in and around our community once daily in your inbox.
SANTA FE, N.M. — Former New Mexico Public Regulation Commissioner Jim Ellison is running for governor as a Republican, he announced on social media Tuesday.
Ellison is running on affordability, opportunity and trust in government as the key points of his campaign. His experience includes serving on the NMPRC in 2023 and 2024.
“New Mexico deserves leadership that listens, acts, and delivers results. Our state has enormous potential, but too often that potential is held back by policies that don’t serve everyday New Mexicans,” he said on his website. “I’m running to bring practical solutions, honest accountability, and a renewed focus on the public interest.”
A Georgia native, Ellison has lived in New Mexico for 20 years and currently lives in the Albuquerque area with his wife and two children.
Ellison is aiming to get 5,000 signatures by Feb. 2, to appear on the primary ballot with at least three other Republicans who have announced their candidacy.
Ultra Health CEO Duke Rodriguez announced his campaign in December and recently confirmed to KOB 4 that he received enough signatures to appear on the primary ballot. Rio Rancho Mayor Gregg Hull and New Mexico State Sen. Steve Lanier are also running.
Three Democrats are running – Bernalillo County District Attorney Sam Bregman, Former Interior Secretary Deb Haaland and Former Las Cruces Mayor Ken Miyagishima.
New workout makes fitness more accessible for moms
Movie Review: A real-life ’70s hostage drama crackles in Gus Van Sant’s ‘Dead Man’s Wire’
Minneapolis on edge after fatal shooting of woman by ICE officer
Video: Minnesota Governor Condemns ICE Shooting
Video: Federal Agent Fatally Shoots Woman in Minneapolis
Florida High School Football Rankings: Top 25 teams – Oct. 21
Cleary's 21 help Le Moyne down Central Connecticut State 69-64 in OT
How old is Bo Nix? What to know about Oregon quarterback ahead of 2024 NFL Draft
99th annual Pony Swim held in Virginia
Video: ‘It Didn’t Have to Happen This Way:’ U.Va. Faculty Call for Review of Police Response to Protests
Video: Minnesota Governor Condemns ICE Shooting
Trump greenlights Russian sanctions bill, paving way for 500% tariff on countries supporting Moscow: Graham
Saudi-led coalition says STC’s al-Zubaidi fled to UAE via Somaliland
U.S. to exit 66 international organizations in further retreat from global cooperation
San Diego sues to stop border barrier construction
-
News1 week agoFor those who help the poor, 2025 goes down as a year of chaos
-
Detroit, MI4 days ago2 hospitalized after shooting on Lodge Freeway in Detroit
-
Georgia1 week agoBest in Georgia: 2025 AJC Varsity high school football all-state teams
-
Dallas, TX3 days agoDefensive coordinator candidates who could improve Cowboys’ brutal secondary in 2026
-
Detroit, MI1 week agoWith 46k outages around Michigan, Metro Detroit prepares for power loss
-
Southeast1 week agoMurder in small-town America: The crimes that tore quiet communities apart in 2025
-
Miami, FL1 week agoMiami-Dade sheriff’s deputy opens fire on vehicle after altercation during traffic stop, officials say
-
Midwest1 week agoMcDonald’s locks doors to keep out individuals who present ‘a risk’ in crime-ridden Minneapolis area