SANTA FE – The state of New Mexico will grant approximately $170M of federal aid to New Mexicans for rental and utility assistance to households experiencing financial hardship due to the COVID-19 outbreak. The Department of Finance and Administration will administer the Emergency Rental Assistance Program in partnership with the City of Albuquerque. New Mexicans can apply for assistance at RentHelpNM.org beginning April 5, 2021.

"Identifying New Mexicans in need of rental and utility assistance will take a collaborative effort, so in addition to our efforts, we hope to collaborate with nonprofits and other entities for community outreach, Donnie Quintana, Local Government Division...

SANTA FE – The state of New Mexico will grant approximately $170M of federal aid to New Mexicans for rental and utility assistance to households experiencing financial hardship due to the COVID-19 outbreak. The Department of Finance and Administration will administer the Emergency Rental Assistance Program in partnership with the City of Albuquerque. New Mexicans can apply for assistance at RentHelpNM.org beginning April 5, 2021.

"Identifying New Mexicans in need of rental and utility assistance will take a collaborative effort, so in addition to our efforts, we hope to collaborate with nonprofits and other entities for community outreach, Donnie Quintana, Local Government Division...

Tesla expected to get into the act

Hundreds of solar panels and a massive battery storage unit in northeast McKinley County received approval from the Board of Commissioners three years ago. Now the county is lessening the tax burden on Arroyo Solar and Energy, the company that’s behind the project, in order to stimulate economic growth.

On March 16, the board approved a resolution stating intent to adopt an ordinance issuing industrial revenue bonds in the amount of  $460 million — the price tag for the more than 700 solar panels and over 200 battery storage units to be installed by Arroyo Solar and Storage. The approval of that ordinance could come April 6.

“We are very...

McKinley County might see its first-ever ban on certain fireworks this Cinco De Mayo, depending on what the board of commissioners decides next month.

The panel of three members — Billy Moore, Genevieve Jackson and Robert Baca — heard from county fire chief Brian Archuleta, who recommended the board approve a resolution declaring the county is in a drought and ban the use of fireworks on Cinco De Mayo and Independence Day.

“I wanted to start this early and bring this to your attention and have a good discussion,” Archuleta said.

In a short presentation, he showed how New Mexico has experienced exceptional, extreme, and severe drought conditions over the last three weeks. Much...