U.S. Sen. Ben Ray Luján Convenes More Than 55 Experts To Create Roadmap For Native Maternal Health Solutions
U.S. Sen. Ben Ray Luján
From the Office of U.S. Sen. Ben Ray Luján:
WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Sen. Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), a member of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs, convened more than 55 American Indian, Alaska Native (AI/AN), and Native Hawaiian (NH) maternal health experts and organizations to create a landmark set of five reports outlining the current state of Native maternal health.
The five reports synthesize national findings on maternal mortality, workforce equity, access to health care services, data sovereignty, and funding inequities.
AI/AN people face pregnancy-related Read More
Inspired By Creating Community Through Youth Advocacy
CASA First’s Grace Korthuis and a child play with blocks. Courtesy/CASA First
By GRACE KORTHUIS
CASA First
As a 24-year-old living in Northern New Mexico, it can be difficult to create community. Working at the nonprofit CASA First, I’m inspired by the compassionate community I’m now part of. It includes my colleagues who uplift vulnerable children, and volunteers who inspire me with their care and steadfastness. I feel especially connected to the families and kids whom I get to see grow and heal over time.
Working within the child welfare system is often devastating, especially here in New
McQuiston: How Insurance Companies Actually Determine Auto Rates
By ALLEN MCQUISTONJemez Insurance Agency
Serving Los Alamos Since 1963
Los Alamos Public Schools Hosts Ribbon Skirt & Shirt Workshop For Native American Heritage Month
More than 45 students and families attended the first LAPS Ribbon Skirt & Shirt Workshop last month in the Speech Theater at Los Alamos High School. Courtesy/LAPS
LAPS News:
Over 45 students participated in the first Los Alamos Public Schools (LAPS) Ribbon Skirt & Shirt Workshop held last month in celebration of Native American Heritage Month.
Students created their own unique and personalized ribbon skirt or ribbon shirt.
Students watch as ribbon pieces for a shirt are sewn together during the first Ribbon Skirt & Shirt Workshop hosted by Los Alamos Public Schools in celebration Read More
School For Advanced Research: National Museum Leaders Share Indigenous Collections Care Knowledge In New Series
SAR News:
The School for Advanced Research in Santa Fe and the Gilcrease Museum in Tulsa have announced the launch of a free 2026 virtual speaker series for museum professionals and the public.
In this series, national museum leaders from Indigenous and non-Indigenous institutions will share how they are redefining collections care by centering Indigenous knowledge, authority, and lived experience.
The series precedes the national release of an Indigenous Collections Care Guide and features leading voices reshaping museum practice across the U.S.
Read full details here.
All sessions Read More
Los Alamos Public Schools Winter Break Dec. 22-Jan. 2
LAPS News:
Los Alamos Public Schools (LAPS) will be on Winter Break beginning Monday, Dec. 22 through Friday, Jan. 2, 2026.
Teachers and staff will return to school sites on Monday, Jan. 5, which will be a work/planning day. All students will return to school on Tuesday, Jan. 6, for the start of the spring semester
The district office will be closed Monday, Dec. 22, through Friday, Dec. 26, and on Thursday, Jan. 1, 2026.
LAPS wishes everyone a safe and happy winter break. Read More
LAPS Superintendent Addresses Off-Campus Incident
From Superintendent Jennifer Guy
Los Alamos Public Schools
Los Alamos Public Schools Superintendent Jennifer Guy addresses an off-campus incident involving a high school student that occurred on Dec. 10, in a message she issued earlier today to Parents and Guardians:
I am sad to write to you about an incident that occurred off campus recently that involved some of our students and a LAPS visitor on campus. We were notified by the police department of an investigation and subsequent arrest of a 26-year-old male who was charged with assaulting one of our female students off campus on December Read More
Six Los Alamos Students Attend 2025 American Indian Senior Day At University Of New Mexico
LAHS students from left, James Gurule, River Sheppard, Graeme Martinez, Hannah Waldschmidt, Alessandra Valencia, and Haily Duran attended American Indian Senior Day on Oct. 29 at UNM, which included guided tours, a panel discussion with UNM Native American students, an informational fair, and an overview of UNM’s application process and financial aid opportunities. Courtesy/LAPS
LAHS Native American students traveled to Albuquerque to attend the 2025 American Indian Senior Day on Oct. 29 at UNM. Courtesy/LAPS
LAPS News:
Six Los Alamos High School (LAHS) students attended the 2025 Read More
Los Alamos High School DECA Students Collect 1,238 Pairs Of Socks For Homeless Shelters
LAHS DECA President Jasmine Heft with sock donations. This year’s DECA Sock Drive resulted in 1,238 pairs of socks collected and donated to homeless shelters in Santa Fe and Española. Courtesy/LAPS
LAPS News:
Los Alamos High School (LAHS) DECA students wrapped up their annual sock drive for area homeless shelters with a final count of 1,238 pairs of socks collected.
The annual service project coordinated by LAHS DECA began in early November and ended Dec. 10. The donations were taken to two shelters in Santa Fe and a shelter in Española.
Collection boxes for the sock drive were placed at Los Alamos Read More
NMSA 6th Department: Film & Cinematic Storytelling
NMSA News:
SANTA FE— New Mexico School for the Arts (NMSA) announces the launch of its innovative Film & Cinematic Storytelling department.
This is a comprehensive four-year high school curriculum designed to prepare New Mexico’s young people to become the next generation of filmmakers, creators, designers, and digital storytellers. The new program complements five art departments already in existence at the school: Creative Writing & Literature, Dance, Music, Theater, and Visual Arts.
“New Mexico has always been a place of powerful stories, but too often our young people haven’t Read More
Chamisa K-Kids Donate To Los Alamos Animal Shelter
The Kiwanis Club of Los Alamos K-Kids of Chamisa Elementary School gather on Thursday, with Animal Shelter Manager Paul Sena and Chamisa Art Teacher/K-Kids Sponsor Andrea Lynch to celebrate their successful campaign of collecting items to donate to the Animal Shelter. Photo by John McHale/ladailypost.com
COMMUNITY News:
The Kiwanis Club of Los Alamos K-Kids of Chamisa Elementary School in White Rock placed a donation box in the lobby of the school for parents, students, teachers, and visitors to place items to be donated to the Los Alamos County Animal Shelter.
Animal Shelter Manager Paul Read More
Northern New Mexico College Selects ‘Ellucian Student’ To Modernize Technology, Transform The Student Experience
NNMC News:
ESPAÑOLA and RESTON —Ellucian, the leading higher education technology solutions provider, has announced that Northern New Mexico College (NNMC) has selected Ellucian Student powered by Banner to modernize institutional operations and transform the student experience.
Ellucian Student is an AI-powered, SaaS-native Student Information System (SIS) designed to support the end-to-end student lifecycle — from recruitment and enrollment to degree planning and lifelong learning.
Transitioning from a legacy provider, NNMC will implement the solution to strengthen services, Read More
LASCU Invites Community To Enjoy Holiday Fun With Santa!
What AI Can Do — And What It Can’t: Share Your Thoughts!
Los Alamos Daily Post News:
Is AI actually helpful? Scroll to see…
• What generative AI does well
• When it can meaningfully support your work
• When it’s the wrong tool to rely on
AI is most effective when it amplifies human expertise—not when it tries to replace it.
Did this help you feel more informed? Take our short survey and share your perspective. Read More
Pac 8 To Offer Two Classes During Winter Break
Courtesy/PAC 8
PAC 8 News:
PAC 8 is offering two sessions of classes over winter break. Both of these classes help students learn about teamwork and provide a creative outlet for them. They also help students to develop their technical skills plus they are a lot of fun!
Session 1 — Dec. 22 and Dec. 23 from 9 a.m.–4 p.m. and will be a stop motion animation class. Students will learn the basics of 2-D and 3-D animation. These classes teach skills like storyboarding, character and set design, and how to use animation software and equipment to create stop motion films using materials like clay, LEGOs and Read More
Legislative Education Study Committee To Meet Dec. 17-19
LESC News:
SANTA FE — The Legislative Education Study Committee (LESC) will meet Wednesday, Dec. 17; Thursday, Dec. 18; and Friday, Dec. 19 in Room 322 at the New Mexico State Capitol.
The three-day meeting will convene lawmakers and state education officials to discuss ongoing public education initiatives and legislative priorities.
Schedule:
- Day 1, Dec. 17 — LESC will begin its December hearings with a report on results from the state’s school climate survey, along with recommendations to strengthen the behavioral health workforce in New Mexico’s schools. The committee will also hear
Los Alamos Community Foundation Provides ABC Suicide Prevention Training To Los Alamos Commerce And Development Corporation Staff
Attending the ABC Suicide Prevention Training session on Nov. 5, from left, Trainer Dawnmarie Shipley, Discover Los Alamos staff Paul Grubel, Ambassador Program Manager Jennifer Armstrong, LACDC Executive Director Lauren McDaniel, Building Manager Clarice Rodriguez, Discover Los Alamos Director Melanie Pena, Discover Los Alamos staff Annie Kuiper. Not pictured Program Manager and Anchorum Fellow for the LACF Brandi Weiss. Photo by Brandi Weiss
LACF News:
The Los Alamos Community Foundation (LACF) organized and facilitated an ABC Suicide Prevention Training session on Nov. 5,
UNM-Los Alamos Registration Open For 2026 Semester
Courtesy photo
UNM-LA News:
UNM-Los Alamos (UNM-LA) is now accepting registrations for Spring 2026 classes! Secure your spot early—classes begin Jan. 20, and registration remains open through Jan. 30.
Financial aid options may be available. Students can make an appointment with Jenny Duran, financial aid officer, by reaching her at 505.662.0341 or jenduran@unm.edu to discuss potential options.
For information about registering for classes, call 505.662.5919 or visit student services in Building 1 on the UNM-LA campus. To view the spring schedule, visit losalamos.unm.edu and navigate Read More
Epilepsy Foundation To Host Education Day January 2026
UNM News:
Epilepsy Foundation New Mexico is pleased to host Epilepsy Education Day on Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026, at the University of New Mexico (UNM) Center for Development and Disability.
Epilepsy Education Day is an educational conference for pediatric, teen, and adult patients and their families. Take advantage of this unique opportunity to learn from renowned epileptologists and epilepsy professionals.
Light lunch will be provided. Childcare will not be provided; this event is geared toward the patients and parents or caregivers.
Epilepsy Education Day New Mexico 2026 Agenda
- 9 a.m.
Life After 50: Only You Know Why And DEI
By BERNADETTE LAURITZEN
Executive Director
Champions of Youth Ambitions
This column is to encourage those who have yet to take advantage of two FREE programs to do so before it is too late.
The first is our annual Community Asset Awards. You can nominate anyone who lives, works or goes to school in our community to be recognized for doing great things. It takes about 5 minutes and can be done online. If you can’t do it online, then call us and we’ll take your information over the phone.
You must know a great person, organization or business you could brag about from some point in 2025? We ask that you not Read More
