disaster declaration

For years, ranchers have butted heads with conservationists and the federal government – claiming that the endangered Mexican gray wolf is a serious threat to their local economies and public safety.

State and federal officials held a virtual town hall Tuesday night to update victims of the South Fork and Salt Fires and subsequent flooding on available disaster assistance. Residents were encouraged to apply broadly and persevere through red tape as recovery gets underway.

New Mexico’s Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management is late paying out millions in federal disaster relief money it owes local…