New Mexico
New Mexico loophole may allow record methane releases – NM Political Report
By Jerry Redfern, Capital & Main
In the first two months of the year, the pipeline company Targa Northern Delaware vented more climate-damaging natural gas from its operations in New Mexico than all other oil and gas producers in the state combined — 250% more, an amount equivalent to the carbon footprint of nearly 26,000 gasoline-powered cars driven for a year.
The state’s landmark 2021 Methane Rule banned routine venting and flaring of natural gas. But some 15 exceptions for pipeline operators allow such venting and flaring in certain circumstances, including when gas is so far out of pipeline specifications that it constitutes an “emergency,” which is what the company claimed 10 times in the first two months of the year, each time releasing millions of cubic feet of the potent greenhouse gas.
Those releases were enough to push the state’s January and February venting totals to their highest levels since the state began closely tracking venting and flaring in 2021 as part of the Methane Rule. That rule was put in place as part of New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham’s drive to rein in greenhouse gas emissions across the state, particularly in the oil and gas industry — the state’s biggest emitter. Natural gas is mostly methane, a highly potent greenhouse gas that is 80 times more capable of trapping heat in the atmosphere than carbon dioxide.
The January and February releases represent “the worst-case scenario,” said Jon Goldstein, senior director of regulatory and legislative affairs at the Environmental Defense Fund.
“One of the things that the rules do is state that, whenever possible, you ought to be flaring and not venting,” he said. In emergencies, flaring natural gas — burning it at its production site — is “a necessary evil” and one that has a far lower climate-warming effect than venting unburned gas into the atmosphere.
“Why wasn’t this massive amount of gas routed to a flare?” Goldstein asked. Doing so would have reduced the equivalent carbon dioxide emissions by 90%.
The 10 venting incidents account for nearly all of the gas released by Targa Northern Delaware in those months, including the largest reported single release — more than 65,000,000 cubic feet — since detailed record keeping began in June 2021. The reason given in all 10 cases was, “Gas was vented to atmosphere to purge the pipeline of off-spec residue gas.”
Pipelines have specifications for the composition of and contaminants in natural gas they accept from oil producers, and “Natural gas this out of spec can damage pipelines or pipeline components. This [is] why out of spec gas is one of the permissible emergency categories,” said Sidney Hill, public information officer with the Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department. In documents filed with the Oil Conservation Division, Targa Northern Delaware claims that the company repeatedly received impure gas from well operators, but it does not explain why the gas wasn’t then flared. “The OCD is further investigating the situation,” Hill said.
“With the data that it now can collect, EMNRD’s Oil Conservation Division has tools to ensure those claims are correct,” said Michael Coleman, communications director for Gov. Lujan Grisham. “If they prove not to be, we are confident EMNRD will take appropriate action.”
Oil Conservation Division records running from May of 2021, when the Methane Rule went into effect, to today show that Targa Northern Delaware has vented more natural gas in that time than any other company. It is a subsidiary of Targa Resources of Houston, a natural gas pipeline juggernaut that connects wells with major pipelines across New Mexico, Texas, Oklahoma, Louisiana and North Dakota. The company did not respond to requests for comment.
* * *
The biggest single natural gas vent in New Mexico’s recorded history happened in October, 2012, when Transwestern Pipeline Company depressurized an entire pipeline to replace a valve. More than 21 billion cubic feet of natural gas escaped into the atmosphere, equivalent to the emissions of 2.7 million gas-powered cars driven for a year. It is among the biggest single releases — if not the biggest — in U.S. history.
Though diminished over time, Transwestern Pipeline’s methane remains in the sky today, warming the planet and providing a real-time example of how the effects of methane venting — accidental or otherwise — linger for years.
Targa Northern Resources’ January and February emissions were orders of magnitude smaller, but they still warm the planet and will continue to do so for at least 20 years.
“Historically, midstream operators like Targa weren’t even on our regulatory radar because they had no reporting requirements,” Coleman said, because the Methane Rule had yet to be put in place. “It should also be noted that overall levels of venting, flaring and releases have not increased significantly in recent years, despite significant increases in total oil production.”
Not increasing significantly is not the same as decreasing, however. Alex DeGolia, director of state legislative and regulatory affairs with the Environmental Defense Fund, said that New Mexico is not on track to meet the climate goal set out by Gov. Lujan Grisham at the start of her term to reduce the state’s greenhouse gas emissions by 45% below the state’s 2005 level by 2030. The Methane Rule is a key part of that policy, one that the governor regularly trumpets.
“With all existing federal and state policies in place, as of last summer, the state was only on track to reduce emissions by 13%, according to our estimates,” DeGolia said. Since then, the state has passed clean car and truck laws and funded solar power grants. But, “New Mexico needs to actually be making sure that it is implementing its important regulations on methane emissions in particular,” he said, if it hopes to even reach 13%.
The International Energy Agency has said, “Oil and gas methane emissions represent one of the best near-term opportunities for climate action because the pathways for reducing them are well known and cost-effective.” But that’s only if oil and gas companies take those pathways.
“The longer we wait, the harder it will become, until the practicality of achieving the goal diminishes substantially,” DeGolia said. And whatever greenhouse gas reductions are not made by the most lucrative industry in the country, he said, “would need to come from elsewhere.”
That would be the people of New Mexico, the third-most impoverished state in the country according to 2021 data from the U.S. Census Bureau.
* * *
In the end, Targa Northern Delaware’s venting may be legal under the state’s Methane Rule. In fact, it’s “likely,” said Tannis Fox, a senior attorney at the Western Environmental Law Center.
“The rule itself is a good rule,” she said, but “It’s not a panacea. It’s not a ‘no venting ever’ rule.”
Fox was involved in its drafting along with others from the environmental community, the oil and gas industry, public representatives and those in government. And when they were done, she remembers thinking, “‘Well, gosh, there’s a lot of exceptions.’
“It was being touted, really by everybody … as a prohibition against venting and flaring,” she said. “It’s like, ‘Yeah, but…’”
The Oil Conservation Division is not the only state institution looking at Targa Northern Delaware and its emissions.
Industrial facilities that produce and release hazardous chemicals into the environment need a permit from the New Mexico Environment Department (NMED) that lays out exactly how much of those chemicals they can release before triggering a violation.
According to Jorge Armando Estrada, public relations coordinator with NMED, Targa Northern Delaware exceeded its permits 163 times in January and February alone. In total so far this year, Estrada said the company reported exceeding its emissions limits 277 times, representing 39% of all reports filed with the department, which monitors 441 companies.
In addition, he said, “Over a 10-day period, Targa Northern Delaware reports it emitted 91,000 pounds of VOCs [volatile organic chemicals], which is larger than any other single event during this time.”
VOCs are the building blocks of ozone pollution, which contributes to lung diseases and other health threats. In the last week of April, the American Lung Association released its annual State of the Air report card, which grades the air in cities and counties across the country. Targa Northern Delaware has its facilities in Lea and Eddy counties, which received a D and an F, respectively, due to ozone pollution from the oil and gas industry.
The Frac Cat Compressor Station in Lea County, New Mexico, is part of Targa Northern Delaware’s natural gas gathering system that vented record amounts of natural gas in the first two months of this year. Targa Resources bought Lucid in 2022.
On April 29, NMED announced a $24.5 million settlement with oil and gas producer Ameredev II, of Austin Texas. Most of that money will go to the New Mexico general fund. James Kenney, NMED department secretary, said, “I don’t know that the state has ever had a civil penalty in excess of $20-plus million with one oil and gas company.”
He said, “Almost everything that they told us on paper [about their facilities] was significantly underrepresented to what they actually installed in the field.” He continued, “It wasn’t a tiny home, but a very large mansion that they built in the very southeast corner of the state.” And over a year and a half ending in 2020, the company flared billions of cubic feet of natural gas and released 7.6 million pounds of volatile organic compounds beyond their operating permit.
The flaring and releases ended four years ago, and in the time since, NMED wrangled with the company to reach the settlement. That kind of long-term legal fight between state agencies and oil and gas companies is not uncommon, and doesn’t always end in an immediate settlement.
Goldstein, the senior director at the Environmental Defense Fund, noted that NMED and the Oil Conservation Division received funding bumps in the last few legislative sessions, “But they’re still, I think, underwater.”
Whether it’s Gov. Lujan Grisham or the New Mexico Legislature, “I think they all need to be reflective of the role that these agencies play, in terms of protecting the health of New Mexicans,” he said.
It can take years to push new penalties or penalty rates through New Mexico’s Legislature and agency governing boards. However, the Ameredev settlement includes what may be a new method of funding similar enforcement actions. “The Legislature has authorized us to issue permits, and we can charge for those permits,” Kenney said. “When you don’t comply with your permit, we can charge you our staff’s time to come into compliance with that permit.”
And with Ameredev, the New Mexico Environment Department assessed a new $413,000 fee that goes directly to NMED. Going forward, “We’re effectively charging staff time to return people to compliance,” Kenney said.
Copyright 2024 Capital & Main.
Photos by Jerry Redfern.
QUAY COUNTY, NM (KVII) — ABC 7 News has obtained a copy of the incident report from the Quay County Sheriff’s Office detailing the final movements of the Lightfoots before their deaths.
According to the report, Charles “Gary” Lightfoot, 82, and Linda Eppers Lightfoot, 81, left the Texas Panhandle around 3 p.m. on November 27, heading for their home in Lubbock. They never arrived.
At 6:20 p.m., a license plate reader captured their Toyota Camry traveling eastbound on I-40 in Amarillo.
About 35 minutes later, the vehicle was recorded again in Groom, Texas.
The next sighting came at 8:36 p.m. Mountain Time, when the Camry was seen westbound on I-40 near San Jon, New Mexico.
At 9:05 p.m., the Lightfoots made contact with the Santa Rosa Police Department.
The couple was officially reported missing on November 28, but investigators say by then it may have already been too late.
A license plate reader detected the Camry again at 1:02 a.m., still in Santa Rosa.
Between 3 a.m. and 11 a.m. Mountain Time, the vehicle’s cellular modem pinged off a tower west of Tucumcari.
A Silver Alert was issued on November 30.
Body-camera video shows Quay County deputies searching the area, including stopping at a convenience store during the investigation.
At approximately 10:30 a.m. on December 2, the Sheriff’s Office met with a man whose family owns a cattle ranch about nine miles west of the cell tower. An employee on the ranch discovered the Lightfoots’ Camry.
Photos from the scene show the car had driven off a three-foot embankment, with the trunk open.
The Lightfoots’ bodies were found behind the vehicle.
Investigators reported no signs of trauma, and no foul play is suspected.
During that time period, overnight temperatures ranged from 20 to 38 degrees.
The Sheriff’s Office noted the front driver-side tire was shredded, indicating the vehicle had likely been driven while flat. The battery was drained, and the gear shift was still in drive.
Inside the car, deputies found two bank envelopes containing $311, along with a fully loaded Smith & Wesson revolver in the center console.
The investigation remains ongoing, but authorities say there is no evidence of criminal activity.
New Mexico
What’s happening in New Mexico December 19-25? Nutcracker in the Land of Enchantment and more
NEW MEXICO (KRQE) – Check out community events around New Mexico from December 19 to 25.
Albuquerque
- December 19-21 Nutcracker in the Land of Enchantment – Festival Ballet Albuquerque presents this original production at the National Hispanic Cultural Center. The beloved holiday classic is transported to territorial New Mexico in the late 1800s, with added elements of the state’s heritage and traditions, including Spanish dancers with Flamenco, southwestern snakes, sheep and shepherdesses, a lively fandango, a storyteller doll with children, and lavish western Victorian-era costumes. Tickets range from $16 to $55, and a full list of showtimes is available online.
- December 19-21 12th Annual Rail Yards Holiday Market – Keep it local for the holidays and enjoy the best of local small businesses in person at the Rail Yards in Albuquerque. Vendors of made-from-scratch, delicious food and quality handmade crafts will convene to bring food, art, and music together for the holidays. Sample New Mexico’s finest cuisine, peruse all the local gifts, and give back to the community. On the 19th from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., enjoy an indoor winter extension of the Rail Yards Market. On the 20th and 21st from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., enjoy the full market in its second weekend. Attendance is free.
- December 19-23 Trolley of Lights – Step aboard the Trolley of Lights, a magical holiday experience offered by ABQ Trolley Co. that illuminates the festive spirit of Albuquerque like never before. This enchanting evening tour begins at the Hotel Albuquerque and travels through the historic charm of Old Town and along the scenic Rio Grande Boulevard, surrounded by dazzling holiday lights and the warmth of New Mexico’s holiday traditions. Tours last approximately 75 to 90 minutes and are at 6 and 8 p.m. daily. Dress for 30-degree (F) weather. Tickets are $34.46, but lap-sitters under 5 years old are free.
- December 19-24 Winter of Enchantment – Come celebrate the 3rd Annual Winter of Enchantment with Big Jim Farms. This year, enjoy a festive lineup of workshops and classes that explore New Mexico’s winter traditions. Enjoy farm-to-table dinners, captivating storytellers, and even photos with Santa. It’s the perfect way to get into the holiday spirit. This free event recurs daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- December 19-28 Winter Wonderland NM – Step into pure holiday magic at Winter Wonderland, back at EXPO NM and bigger than ever. This year, enjoy even more spectacular attractions, live actors, interactive lights, and holiday cheer for the entire family. Each ticket unlocks an unforgettable drive-thru experience plus access to the ever-expanding Walking Tour, now featuring two vibrant sections: Villa Hispana and Indian Village. For the full schedule and tickets, visit winterwonderlandnm.com/events.
- December 19-30 River of Lights – Get into the holiday spirit and enjoy a stroll along the 1-mile path featuring over 700 one-of-a-kind hand-welded light displays, animated and 3D sculptures, and millions of twinkling lights at New Mexico’s largest and most beloved original walk-through holiday light show. This event takes place from 5 to 10 p.m. each day (closed on December 24 and 25) at the ABQ BioPark Botanic Garden, with a low-sensory night scheduled for January 2. Tickets are $21 for general admission and $12 for youth 3-12. A schedule of value nights is available online.
- December 19-31 Sawmill Winter Experience – This holiday season, Sawmill Market transforms into a magical, immersive holiday experience with twinkling lights, enchanting decor, and an atmosphere sure to surprise and delight. This wondrous festival of dining and seasonal refreshments will captivate the senses while a holiday-themed digital installation and mini moments of wonder enchant visitors of all ages. The free experience recurs daily from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.
- December 20 Holiday Party at WHEELS – Celebrate the holidays at the WHEELS Museum. Families can enjoy festive decorations, trains on display, kids’ crafts and cookies, and a special chance to meet Santa during the season. Admission is free, but donations are gladly accepted. This event is from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
- December 20 El Vado Holiday Market – Celebrate the season with El Vado ABQ for a festive afternoon of shopping, music, and community cheer. Shop handmade goods, art, gifts, and treats from Albuquerque’s favorite makers and small businesses with over 20 local vendors. Enjoy live music, food and drink, and photos with Santa. This free, family-friendly event is from noon to 4 p.m., and photos with Santa are from 1 to 3 p.m.
- December 24 36th Annual Arroyo Del Oso Christmas Eve Balloon Glow – The annual Arroyo Del Oso Christmas Eve Balloon Glow returns for its 36th year, inviting the community to celebrate the holiday spirit with a free evening of color, light, and cheer. Featuring 27 hot air balloons and six remote-control hot air balloons, this Albuquerque holiday tradition will illuminate the southern edge of the Arroyo Del Oso Golf Course, along Osuna Drive. Guests can enjoy the glow, grab a bite from local favorite food truck Shake It Up, and connect with balloon pilots. Balloons will inflate at 5 p.m. and will remain inflated until 6:30, weather permitting. Parking is available at the Arroyo Del Oso Golf Course Clubhouse (Osuna/Louisiana) and at the maintenance yard located on Osuna, near San Pedro.
New Mexico
- December 19 Truth or Consequences Holiday Sing-A-Long – Join the T or C community for its 2nd Annual Holiday Sing-A-Long downtown at the Healing Waters Plaza. Gather round the firepits and join in on the singing of both traditional and modern holiday carols and classics. Songbooks will be provided, and local organizations are providing hot beverages and food. This free event is from 5 to 7 p.m.
- December 19-20 Santa Fe: Carols & Lullabies: Luminaria – Experience the popular holiday tradition of the Santa Fe Desert Chorale’s annual Winter Festival. This year’s concert combines the warm familiarity of beloved carols with the brilliance of new musical gems. Latin American seasonal folk tunes round out the program, illuminating the longest nights of the year with both festive and peaceful melodies. Join pianist Nathan Salazar and our twenty-four professional vocal artists from across the nation for this celebration of light, joy, and hope. Tickets start at $22, and the performance begins at 7 p.m. on both days.
- December 19-21 Ballet TAOS Presents A Retro Nutcracker – Ballet Taos continues a Taos holiday tradition with the 8th annual full-length Nutcracker production entitled ‘A Retro Nutcracker’, a classical ballet with a far-out 1950s twist. This whimsical interpretation of the beloved classic boasts sensational sets, elaborate costumes, and the magic of Tchaikovsky’s timeless score. The youth cast of local dancers joins professional guest artists gracing the stage of the Taos Community Auditorium for four shows. Tickets are available at www.ballettaos.com or at the door. Adults are $35, youth (17 and younger) are $20. Showtimes are 7 p.m. on Friday and both 2 and 7 p.m. on Saturday. For the special Sunday matinée at 2 p.m., youth are $5, and adults are $20.
- December 19-23 & 26-31 Santa Fe: La Luz de las Noches – Experience the sparkle of La Luz de las Noches at Santa Fe Botanical Garden. Dazzling holiday lights and farolitos lead to live music, festive drinks, light bites, and plenty of holiday cheer. Perfect for family gatherings, a night out with friends, or a cozy date under the stars, La Luz is a celebration of light, community, and nature. Santa and Mrs. Claus will make an appearance from the 20th to the 23rd. Complementary hot chocolate and cider will be available each night. Adults are $29.95, youth $9.95, adult members $25, youth members $8, and children 5 and under enter for free.
- December 20 Arenas Valley: Luminarias/Farolitos Lighting – Just before dark, help light the night with over 300 luminarias. Whether from northern or southern New Mexico, the tradition of lights is a beautiful one. Join Arenas Valley for the community lighting and walk through a labyrinth of luminarias. Enjoy caroling, mulled wine, pozole, and s’mores around the fire-pit at Whiskey Creek Zócalo. Tickets and more info are available at www.whiskeycreekzocalo.com.
- December 20-21 Red River: Christmas Market – From 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. both days, head over to the Red River Conference Center for a Christmas Market. Explore a treasure trove of handcrafted and one-of-a-kind gifts. It’s the perfect opportunity to support local artisans and find that special something for loved ones. On Saturday at 5:30 p.m., enjoy an enchanting Light Parade along Main Street. Everyone is invited to participate in this festive celebration by joining the parade. For more information on how to participate, please call the Red River Conference Center at 575-754-1708 or email visitorcenter@redriver.org
- December 24 Los Alamos: Luminaria Skate – Start a holiday tradition with family and friends by spending Christmas Eve at the Los Alamos County Ice Rink. Quiet holiday music, luminarias, and holiday lights will transform the rink. Admission includes coffee, cocoa, and skate rentals. This event is from 5 to 7 p.m. Ages 6+ are $6.50, and ages 5 and under are $2.50.
- December 24 Christmas Eve Torchlight Parade & Fireworks at Red River Ski Area – Red River Ski Area will offer a special Torchlight Parade at 7 p.m., complete with a grand fireworks display. There is no charge for this entertainment. Be sure to stop by the Grill at the Lift House for an appetizer, meal, and cocktail or beverage with simply the best views in Red River.
- December 24-26 Cloudcroft Christmas 2025 – The Cloudcroft Christmas Tour offers a festive and scenic getaway, filled with holiday cheer and stunning New Mexico landscapes. Over the course of three days and two nights, explore the beautiful desert surroundings, starting with a stop at the Heart of the Desert and a visit to White Sands National Park. Enjoy a delicious Christmas Dinner Buffet at The Lodge, complete with a cozy atmosphere and festive meals, and indulge in a country buffet breakfast the next day. The tour also includes a visit to Spaceport America and a relaxing lunch in Truth or Consequences before visiting Albuquerque. This holiday experience combines relaxation, scenic views, and the spirit of Christmas in a charming mountain retreat. More information and pricing are available online.
- December 25 Bernalillo: Santa’s Coming to Town Hall – Santa Claus is teaming up with the Bernalillo Fire and Rescue Department to hand out goodie bags to kids. This free, Christmas day event is at Town Hall from noon to 2 p.m.
Albuquerque Notices
🔶Albuquerque Fire Rescue sees record enrollment into UNM’s paramedic program – Albuquerque Fire Rescue is celebrating a major milestone. AFR has 24 students enrolled in the University of New Mexico’s EMSA paramedic program. It’s the largest number of paramedic candidates they have ever seen.
🔶Albuquerque Police Chief Harold Medina announces retirement from department – The Albuquerque Police Department confirmed on Wednesday morning that their police chief, Harold Medina, will be retiring from APD on Dec. 31, 2025. Medina has spent the last five years as APD’s police chief.
🔶$67 million approved to redevelop section of Expo New Mexico – The state has set aside $67 million to redevelop a section of Expo New Mexico. On Tuesday, the New Mexico Board of Finance approved a bond package to complete the purchase of the land in the southwest corner of the Expo New Mexico property.
🔶KANW offering radio broadcasting class for APS high school and NMHU students – Albuquerque Public Schools’ high school students and New Mexico Highlands University students looking to get into radio broadcasting will get a chance next month. KANW will host a free four-week online course that will explore the techniques behind voice performance, audio equipment, and other skills.
🔶New Mexico National Guard to end deployment in Albuquerque next week – The New Mexico National Guard deployment in Albuquerque will be coming to an end this week. An Albuquerque Police Department spokesperson confirmed Tuesday afternoon that the New Mexico National Guard is winding down its mission dubbed Operation Zia Shield.
🔶‘All science begins with curiosity’: Tiguex Park offers interactive, outdoor learning – In partnership with Explora, the City of Albuquerque recently dedicated a new installation at a local park designed to engage kids of all ages with natural sciences. Tiguex Park, which connects the Albuquerque Museum, Explora, and the Museum of Natural History and Science, has become an outdoor classroom for kids and adults alike.
🔶Former Senator Dede Feldman honored for public health advocacy in Albuquerque – As part of Albuquerque’s “Stories of Us” project, Former Senator Dede Feldman was recognized on Tuesday with a plaque and building dedication at the new Dede Feldman Health and Social Services Center.
🔶Range Cafe to close downtown Albuquerque location – The Range Cafe announced Tuesday that it will be closing its restaurant in downtown Albuquerque this month after serving the community there for nearly two decades.
🔶Winter break camps for K-6 students at the Nuclear Science Museum – The National Museum of Nuclear Science and History offers its ‘Science is Everywhere’ camps for students K-6th grade. Winter break for students is coming up and the camps align with Albuquerque Public School breaks.
🔶Two Bosque Brewing locations in Albuquerque close their doors – Two Bosque Brewing locations in Albuquerque are closing their doors, the company confirmed in a Facebook post on Tuesday morning. The announcement comes after the brewery recently closed its Santa Fe locations. This makes for a total of four closures since the establishment filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy back in October.
New Mexico Notices
🔶Sinkhole reported on trail in Santa Fe – A sinkhole caused by a failed culvert has been reported on the Arroyo de los Chamisos urban trail in Santa Fe on Wednesday.
🔶Santa Fe fire officials allow exception for farolito, luminaria burning on Christmas Eve – Fire officials in Santa Fe are letting locals partake in farolito and luminaria burning starting sundown on Christmas Eve through dawn of Christmas day. The exception was announced on Wednesday, Dec. 17. Typically, open burning without a permit is prohibited under Santa Fe’s fire code.
🔶New Mexico HCA issues reminder about upcoming SNAP benefit requirement changes – The New Mexico Health Care Authority issued a reminder about an upcoming SNAP benefit requirement change that will take effect next year.
🔶Park renamed after family of kids who died during Ruidoso flooding – For the first time, KRQE News 13 is hearing from the parents of the young children killed in the historic flooding in Ruidoso this summer. One city is honoring the little ones with a park named after them.
🔶YouthWorks in Santa Fe looks to expand culinary program to help more at-risk youth – YouthWorks is a program in Santa Fe that helps at-risk youth ages 16-24 get on-the-job training in three different branches: culinary, construction, and retail. The culinary branch has had so much success, they’re expanding to a larger kitchen so they can double the amount of youth they help.
🔶Year in Review: What was filmed in New Mexico in 2025? – There were 35 productions that called New Mexico home this year, according to the New Mexico Film Office. From documentaries to short films, TV series, and feature films, these projects leveraged the numerous tax credits the Land of Enchantment has to offer and employed thousands of New Mexicans. Filming spanned the entire state, from Farmington to Las Cruces.
🔶City of Farmington opens new bridge over Animas River to better connect the region – Decades and millions of dollars in the making, one of northern New Mexico’s largest cities is finally seeing the opening of a new crossing over the Animas River, cutting drive time for a growing area.
🔶Farmington city manager set to retire next June – Farmington City Manager Robert Mayes is retiring next June after decades of service to the Four Corners region. Mayes said it was a privilege working to serve mayors, city councilors, department heads, and most importantly, the city of Farmington.
🔶Applications now open for 2026 Santa Fe Indian Market – Applications for the 2026 Santa Fe Indian Market by the Southwestern Association for Indian Arts (SWAIA) have opened on Tuesday. According to SWAIA, this is one of the most respected Native art markets in the world, with only one application cycle offered each year.
🔶What were New Mexico’s top baby names in 2025? – The New Mexico Department of Health released its list of the top ten baby names in the state for 2025. The top girl’s name was Olivia, and the top boy’s name was Noah. What other names made the list?
NEW MEXICO (KRQE) — They are community pillars in some of New Mexico’s towns. However, for dozens of the state’s rural libraries to survive, advocates are now hoping state lawmakers can pitch in with a crucial life-line.
“It’s critical for our success to have this space available to us,” said Placitas Community Library Patron, Geeta.
Geeta and her book club meet every month inside the Placitas Community Library. For them, it’s convenient and comfortable.
“Being in an environment with all of these books just feels right,” said Jody, who is also involved in the book club.
However, the rural library east of Bernalillo, said they offer much more than just books.
“Everyone comes here when they need anything. When they need internet, when they need books, when they need faxing, we really are the heart of the community,” said Board Chair at the Placitas Community Library Lynnette Fields.
While serving the community, the Placitas Community Library is among dozens across New Mexico that see no municipal funding.
“We don’t have any tax dollars. We get our funding from the New Mexico state library, from county bonds, and mostly from donations from our patrons,” said Fields.
The library is part of the New Mexico Rural Library Initiative which helps 60 remote libraries statewide in towns from Clayton to Abiquiu.
“We support rural libraries with hands-on help. Things like grant writing, helping them with programming, and questions about bylaws,” said Executive Director of the New Mexico Rural Library Initiative Shel Neymark.
Normally in towns without any other public services, rural libraries often host education programs and other resource connections. The initiative is asking lawmakers for nearly $30 million next legislative session to double the size of their endowment.
“The disbursements from the endowment would give each library approximately $45 thousand dollars a year,” said Neymark.
The organization said each of the 60 libraries received more than $20,000 this year. The Placitas Community Library said the critical funding keeps the doors open, helps grow their collection and a lot more.
“We are also going to get a sound booth which will allow our patrons to come in and have meetings in a private space,” said Library Director of the Placitas Community Library Lynne Hynes. “When that funding comes in, it allows us to provide the furniture, the spaces, the things that we need.”
The initiative is also a key player in opening new libraries. They are working now to see possible new openings in Pecos and La Cienega.
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