SANTA FE — Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham appointed Brig. Gen. Jamison Herrera as Cabinet Secretary of the New Mexico Department of Veterans’ Services on Feb. 6. Herrera has served as the Acting Secretary of the department since September, while concurrently holding the position of Deputy Adjutant General for the New Mexico National Guard.

“Secretary-designate Herrera has already proven his dedication to military service throughout his more than 34 years in the New Mexico National Guard,” Lujan Grisham said. “With his extensive military experience, he is well-positioned to advocate for and address the challenges faced by veterans and their families and make sure they receive the...

SANTA FE — The New Mexico Senate unanimously confirmed Josett Monette as the Cabinet Secretary for the New Mexico Indian Affairs Department on Feb. 5.

“Secretary Monette’s extensive background in serving Indigenous people uniquely positions her to address the challenges facing our tribal communities and realize the opportunities,” Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham said. “I thank the New Mexico Senate for their unanimous support in confirming Secretary Monette, reflecting the widespread recognition of her qualifications and leadership.”

Monette is a member of the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Indians. Prior to joining the state, Monette was the New Mexico Legal Aid Native...

A new senior center has been on the Gallup City Council’s priority list for a while now, but things are finally moving in the right direction.

At the Jan. 16 and 30 city council meetings, the council accepted large amounts of funding from the State of New Mexico Aging and Long-Term Services Department.

Both amounts came from a Capital Appropriation Project Grant, with the first amount coming out to just over $4.5 million. The council approved that on Jan. 16, and another grant that totaled almost $7.5 million on Jan. 30.

During the meetings the city’s Planning and Development Manager C.B. Strain said that the money is meant to help plan, design, construct, equip, and furnish the...

The road back to financial and operational health for Rehoboth McKinley Christian Hospital is long and filed with challenges, but management is taking steps on a path of incremental change that will affect staffing, vendor contracts and eventually management.

Interim CEO Bill Patten is excited about measures the hospital’s board approved in its Jan. 31 meeting.  Adding those to his ongoing efforts to reduce supply and service costs – which he has so far done to the tune of $38,000 a month – he hopes to get the hospital operating at break even on a day-to-day basis by May or June.

The hospital will begin a search for a Chief Operations Officer, a new position. The search...