skip to main content
skip to newscasts

Friday, February 21, 2025

Public News Service Logo
facebook instagram linkedin reddit youtube twitter
view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

Trump loyalist Kash Patel is confirmed as FBI director by the Senate despite deep Democratic doubts; TX leads nation in methane mitigation; NM's anti-hunger advocates make case for funding at Roundhouse; Judge denies unions' request to block mass firing of probationary employees, buyout offer; NC farmer's market, hike mark Black History Month.

view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

Trump wants to eliminate local governance in Washington, D.C., election denier Kash Patel is confirmed as FBI director, and federal cuts to the World Trade Center Health Program hurt ailing first responders.

view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

The Taos County Sheriff says he won't conduct raids or round ups of immigrants, New Hampshire worries a dearth of charging stations will force tourists driving EVs to pick another vacation destination, and Southern states improve education with workarounds.

NM's largest-ever female legislature seeks traction on bills, advocacy

play audio
Play

Wednesday, January 29, 2025   

A long-time New Mexico community organizer is one of several women who have put the state on the map this year for having the largest percentage of women serving as lawmakers.

State Rep. Sarah Silva, a Democrat who represents Doña Ana County and a portion of Otero County, wants lawmakers to address infrastructure in Chaparral, the state's largest unincorporated community, where she said there are long waits for an ambulance, limited fire fighting capabilities and no animal control agency.

"It has anywhere between 20,000 and 26,000 people, it's been growing significantly since 2020 and there's no local government," she said. "So, I've been working with local officials to try and secure $10 million for a public safety facility."

Chaparral is officially part of the Las Cruces metro area, but the 60-square mile region is primarily a bedroom community for the neighboring city of El Paso, Texas.

During President Donald Trump's first term, Silva said, he expressed an appetite for going after immigrants - and she thinks he now has more tools to make that happen. She said she thinks New Mexico's advocacy groups are doing a good job of educating immigrants about their rights, but added that more people need to resist what she called "obeying in advance."

"We need more school administrators, we need more sheriffs, we need more neighbors, we need more churches and congregations standing up for the immigrant community," she said. "Many, many more of us need to start caring and then putting that care into action."

Silva also wants lawmakers to update New Mexico's shield law that protects news reporters - which she said hasn't been revised since 1978.

"So, the definition of a journalist is very outdated," she said, "as is the definition of mediums of communication - that doesn't include anything involving the internet or electronic communication."


get more stories like this via email

more stories
According to a 2024 report, 74% of Montana families who received one form of income-based public assistance between 2016 and 2022 were single, aging or disabled adults with kids. (Adobe Stock)

Social Issues

play sound

Today is National Caregivers Day, recognizing those who help friends or family members who are living with an illness, injury or disability. A 2024 …


Health and Wellness

play sound

The Alabama Senate has passed a bill which would give gun owners struggling with mental health challenges the option to voluntarily surrender their fi…

Health and Wellness

play sound

As the temperatures drop, some Georgians are feeling more than just the winter chill. Nearly 40% of Americans experience the seasonal mood changes …


Researchers are developing inductive charging technology that could allow EVs to charge without plugging in, using embedded road or parking pad systems. (Kalyakan/Adobe Stock)

play sound

Earlier this month, the Federal Highway Administration stopped new funding for electric vehicle charging stations under the National Electric Vehicle …

Social Issues

play sound

Antihunger advocates and relief organizations are gathering at New Mexico's State Capitol today as part of "Hunger Action Day." Advocates will urge l…

Nationwide, about 146 million American citizens do not have passports. About 153 million Americans cast a ballot in the 2024 presidential election, according to the Center for American Progress. (Adobe Stock)

Social Issues

play sound

Legislation now in Congress could further complicate how Arizonans cast their ballots. The Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act would require a …

Environment

play sound

One researcher at the University of Nevada-Reno has developed what she called revolutionary sorghum varieties for dairy cow feed and gluten-free human…

Environment

play sound

If Minnesota wants a strong network of up-and-coming farmers, including those who want to farm on healthier land, the state can help them become …

 

Phone: 303.448.9105 Toll Free: 888.891.9416 Fax: 208.247.1830 Your trusted member- and audience-supported news source since 1996 Copyright © 2021