New Mexico

New Mexico Game and Fish considers increasing license prices, changing department name

Published

1 year ago

November 27, 2024

New Mexico Game and Fish considers increasing license prices, changing department name

NEW MEXICO (KRQE) – The New Mexico Game and Fish Department (NMGAFD) could soon be going by a new name, and that’s not the only change lawmakers are proposing. They’re also looking to hike hunting and fishing fees.

“This is an evolution of past efforts. This is the second discussion draft we’ve worked on during the interim; this won’t be the final bill,” said Rep. Matthew McQueen (D-Santa Fe). The draft bill could mean a shakeup for New Mexico’s Department of Game and Fish, with three key parts.

“The first is an update and modernization of the department and the commission’s mission to be a broader wildlife agency,” McQueen explained. He said his goal is to give the department and the game commission the authority to handle any wildlife in New Mexico, not just game and fish, and this includes a name change to better reflect that mission.

“It [the bill] takes the current game commission and changes it to a wildlife commission; it changes the name of the department to the department of wildlife,” McQueen says.

The second part of the bill is reforming that commission, which governs hunting and fishing regulations and oversees the department. The bill overhauls how its members are nominated, who selects them, and how long they stay. It will still consist of seven members, but the bill clarifies who should hold the positions.

“It remains three at large positions; there are geographic and political party diversity requirements; and then it has four sort of position seats. Those include a rancher or farmer, a conservationist, a hunter or angler, and a scientist,” McQueen said

The third part has to do with financing, including figuring out state funding sources and raising the prices of hunting and fishing licenses; some by a few dollars, others by much more.

“I should note that they [the fees] haven’t been updated in 20 years. They’re set in statute, so they immediately, with inflation, they sort of get whittled away,” McQueen explained. The proposal also adds a provision for the fees to be adjusted with inflation going forward based on a calculation with the consumer price index (CPI).

The New Mexico Game and Fish Department says they’ve been working with the sponsors on the bill as it evolves. “There will be meetings and discussions between us and the sponsors of that bill as this process goes forward,” said Darren Vaughan, communications director for NMGAFD.

If the bill makes it through the Roundhouse, it could go into full effect by the end of 2026.

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New Mexico

Switchbacks face perfect test against New Mexico; Duke Lacroix to make club history at World Cup

Published

5 hours ago

May 16, 2026

Press Room

Switchbacks face perfect test against New Mexico; Duke Lacroix to make club history at World Cup

Juan Tejada said it best. “I think the group that we have, the depth of the squad, every game we take it as it’s going to be a win,” he said. “Even if we’re in the Open Cup, we’re in the Prinx Tires Cup or we’re in an additional cup, we’re going to fight and […]

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New Mexico

Two men arrested for deadly shooting outside Frontier Restaurant

Published

17 hours ago

May 15, 2026

Press Room

Two men arrested for deadly shooting outside Frontier Restaurant

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – Police arrested two young men on murder charges after a deadly shooting outside the Frontier Restaurant near the University of New Mexico.

Police said 19-year-old Junior Lewis and 20-year-old Evan Rogers are in custody and both face murder charges.

Police said both men are set to face a judge Saturday.

Investigators said they found both suspects inside Rogers’ dorm room at UNM.

The shooting happened in the early morning hours Thursday just south of Central between Cornell and Stanford.

Police said the man who was shot died at the scene.

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New Mexico

Find out how New Mexico hospitals rank for patient safety

Published

1 day ago

May 15, 2026

Press Room

Find out how New Mexico hospitals rank for patient safety

Leapfrog released its 2026 spring hospital safety grades.

Grades are assigned based on overall performance, including patient safety.

The Leapfrog Group’s goal is to publicly report patient safety and quality information for the benefit of consumers, purchasers, and referring physicians as they make decisions about where to seek care and where to direct patients,” the company stated on its website.

Here’s how your local hospitals performed.

MountainView Regional Medical Center – A

Leapfrog gave MountainView an “A.”

“Being the only hospital in Doña Ana County to earn an ‘A’ from The Leapfrog Group speaks to the high standards our team sets – and meets – every day,” said MountainView CEO Patrick Shannon. “This achievement reflects the dedication of our physicians, nurses, and employees to deliver the safest care possible for our community.”

“An ‘A’ Grade is a strong sign that MountainView is deeply committed to protecting patients from harm,” said Leah Binder, president and CEO of The Leapfrog Group. “We commend the leadership, Board, clinicians, staff and volunteers for the role each played in earning this distinction.”

The hospital performed better than average in several areas including low infection rates, addressing safety problems, and ICU care. The hospital received below average performances ratings in surgical site infections post colon surgery, communication about medicine and discharge, communication with doctors and nurses and nursing and bedside care for patients.

Memorial Medical Center – B

Memorial Medical Center received a “B” grade from Leapfrog.

The hospital performed well in effective leadership, reduction and prevention of infections and addressing safety problems.

The hospital received below average ratings for kidney injury after surgery, serious breathing problems, harmful events, communication about medicine and discharge, and communication with doctors and nurses.

Not rated by Leapfrog were Three Crosses Regional Hospital.