State Readies Universal Child Care With Focus On Workforce, Quality
ECECD News:
SILVER CITY — New Mexico’s Early Childhood Education and Care Advisory Council on Wednesday outlined efforts to expand access, improve program quality and support its early childhood workforce as the state prepares to implement universal child care Nov. 1.
Council members discussed several initiatives aimed at strengthening New Mexico’s child care system and ensuring universal access, including a newly launched low-interest child care revolving loan. The fund will help providers expand, renovate or build facilities to meet the increasing child care demand.
“Universal Read More
Northern New Mexico College Interns Explore Career Opportunities In The Community
Sabrina Gonzales. Courtesy photo
NNMC News:
ESPAÑOLA — In Fall 2024, Northern New Mexico College’s (NNMC) Career Services Department launched a transformative internship program designed to provide career-ready opportunities for first-generation college students from underserved communities. The internships are designed to bridge the gap between classroom learning and workforce readiness. During the program’s first year, Career Services has placed 50 students in paid internships across a range of high-demand fields.
“Many of our students who come from underserved areas lack Read More
Pawlak: Pellucid Perspectives
By JOHN PAWLAK
White Rock
The trouble with numbers is that they can be hard to relate to. And the bigger the number, the harder it becomes. People tend to prefer small numbers. Well, not when talking about salaries though!
When teaching math, students would complain to me about having to learn concepts that were “totally useless, Mr. Pawlak!”. For example, they hated irrational numbers and imaginary numbers, stating that they would never have to deal with things that confusing in real life. I told them that in many ways, I agreed. With the average number of children under 18 per family now being 1.94, Read More
Op-Ed: From Crisis To Recovery: The New Mexico Higher Education Dept.’s Role In Ensuring Fiscal Responsibility
By GERALD HOEHNE
Chief of Staff
New Mexico Higher Education Department
When an institution is in trouble, the problems can pile up quickly.
From the outside, the damage appears irreversible. It takes a significant, collective effort—sometimes the comprehensive work of an entire government agency—to not only stop the landslide but to begin the painstaking work of rebuilding.
The New Mexico Higher Education Department has been that agency, and I want to share a positive, but often unheard, story about two of our state’s institutions that are now on the path to recovery thanks to our dedicated, Read More
Ranking Member Heinrich Celebrates National Public Lands Day With Advocates & U.S. House Natural Resources Committee
Sen. Martin Heinrich, Ranking Member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee and Rep. Jared Huffman (D-Calif.), Ranking Member of the House Natural Resources Committee, Tracy Stone-Manning, President of The Wilderness Society, Janessa Goldbeck, CEO of Vet Voice Foundation, and Ryan ‘Cal’ Callaghan, Board Chair of Backcountry Hunters and Anglers celebrate National Public Lands Day Sept. 24. Courtesy photo
From the Office of U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich:
ALBUQUERQUE — Ahead of National Public Lands Day, Sept. 27, U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), Ranking Member of the U.S. Read More
This Week In Sports: Oct. 2-4, 2025
SPORTS News:
This week, the Los Alamos High School Hilltoppers teams have some home and some away games for soccer, football, Cross Country, and volleyball.
The sports games and events are covered by the Los Alamos Daily Post sports team of John McHale, Mike Cote and Nate Limback.
This Week’s Hilltopper Sports Schedule:
Oct. 2 Thursday
- Boys Soccer vs St. Pius Away – 3 p.m.
Oct. 3 Friday
- Football vs Belen Home – 7 p.m.
- Volleyball vs St. Pius at ABQ Academy Invite
- Girls/Boys Cross Country at Pat Amato Invite Denver
Oct. 4 Saturday
- Boys Soccer vs ABQ Academy Home – 11 a.m.
- Girls Soccer vs ABQ Academy Home
LAHS & LAMS Riders Build Course They’ll Race On Oct. 4-5
Phoebe Reid, Hans Gardner and Zachary Bolin-Ryan working on the lower single-track section of the racecourse. Courtesy photo
Cullen McLean rake in hand and Adis Bock clearing the road section of the course. Courtesy photo
By PAULA KNEPPER
LAHS & LAMS Mountain Bike Team
While most classmates caught a few extra hours of sleep, Los Alamos High School (LAHS) and Los Alamos Middle School (LAMS) mountain bike team athletes were on the mountain at first light Saturday, tools in hand.
The team spent the morning at Pajarito Mountain Ski Area carving in the racecourse for the Oct. 4-5 New Mexico Interscholastic Read More
Scenes From Lucky Ducky Day 2025 At Ashley Pond Park
Family Strengths Network held its popular Lucky Ducky Day 2025 today at Ashley Pond Park. The event drew a large crowd of kids and adults eager to try out the many activities offered at the event. Photo by John McHale/ladailypost.com
The Ducky race was a very popular event. Photo by John McHale/ladailypost.com
Scene from today’s Lucky Ducky Day at Ashley Pond Park. Photo by John McHale/ladailypost.com
Face painting was a popular activity offered at Lucky Ducky Day today at Ashley Pond Park. Photo by John McHale/ladailypost.com
Jump houses delivered lots of fun today at Lucky Ducky Day. Photo Read More
Tharp: Statement Of Candidacy For UNM-LA Advisory Board
By CONNER TIFFANI THARP
Candidate
UNM-LA Advisory Board
Los Alamos County,
My name is Conner Tiffani Tharp and I am announcing my candidacy for the University of New Mexico-Los Alamos Advisory Board. Earlier this year, I was appointed to fill a vacancy on the board, and I am honored to now seek election to continue serving our community.
Serving on this board is important to me because UNM-LA plays a vital role in providing accessible education and career pathways in northern New Mexico. I want to continue to ensure that students of all ages, especially our non-traditional students, have the support Read More
The Y Kicks Off Smart Start Program For Teens
The Family YMCA News:
Ready to become stronger, faster, and more injury-resistant? The Family YMCA’s Teen Strength Training class is designed to help athletes (and future athletes!) build powerful muscles, protect joints, and prevent injuries—giving them the edge on the field, court, or track.
Whether seeking to enhance performance or simply get fitter, this program is the perfect way to level up one’s game.
Sign up today and start training smarter, not harder! Read More
Los Alamos County Launches Video Podcast ‘Fusion’
COUNTY News:
- First episode features LAPD Cmdr. Chris Ross and road safety
Los Alamos County has released the first episode of Fusion, a new video podcast designed to connect the community with information about county programs, services, and issues that impact daily life.
Hosted by the County’s Communications and Public Relations (CPR) team, Fusion will feature conversations with staff on a variety of topics.
The inaugural episode features Los Alamos Police Department Cmdr. Christopher Ross and CPR’s Rachel Freeman. They discuss “Operation Just Drive”, a road safety initiative focused Read More
Experience Celestial Photography At Planetarium Oct. 3
A spectacular view of the night sky. Courtesy/Kevin Sheridan
PEEC News:
Ever marveled at breathtaking photographs of the night sky and wondered how they were created? The Pajarito Environmental Education Center (PEEC) invites the community to find out at the opening of Imaging the Universe, a new exhibit by talented local astrophotographers.
This special event is 7-8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 3, in the planetarium at 2600 Canyon Road.
On this opening night, guests will enjoy an exclusive presentation as the photographers showcase their images on the planetarium’s full dome and share the stories Read More
LAPS To Accept Nominations For 2026 Athletic Hall Of Fame
LAPS News:
Los Alamos Public Schools will begin accepting nominations for the 2026 Athletic Hall of Fame beginning Wednesday, Oct. 1.
All submissions are due no later than Thursday, Jan. 1, 2026.
Since its inception in 2014, the Los Alamos High School Hall of Fame has inducted 60 members.
Nominees may be former student-athletes who attended Los Alamos High School and graduated from Los Alamos High School, former coaches or any individual who has made an outstanding contribution to or has had a significant impact on the LAPS athletic program.
LAHS Grad Jonathon Ebanks Opens Digital Media Company
LAHS 2003 graduate Jonathon Ebanks, the owner of Invisible Hand Entertainment, LLC. Courtesy photo
By KIRSTEN LASKEY
Los Alamos Daily Post
kirsten@ladailypost.com
It was during the pandemic in 2020 that Jonathon Ebanks got an idea for a business. With everyone homebound, he said he wanted to help companies with their online presence. As a result, Invisible Hand Entertainment, LLC was born.
Although the business was created in 2020, it stagnated for a few years due to Ebanks working at Los Alamos National Laboratory’s IT department. This year, however, he decided to start the digital media Read More
Safos Dance Theatre’s ‘Stories From Home’ Brings Southwest Soul To Duane Smith Auditorium
Scene from ‘Tecolote’ with performers Esteban Rosales, Ruby Morales, Zarina Orduño Mendoza and Lauren Jimenez, choreographed and narrated by Yvonne Montoya. Photo by Dominic Arizona Bonuccelli
By MARLENE WILDEN
Los Alamos Daily Post
marlene@ladailypost.com
Los Alamos audiences will witness a rare convergence of personal history, regional memory and evocative dance in Safos Dance Theatre’s evening-length work, Stories from Home, premiering Friday, Oct. 3 at Duane Smith Auditorium.
Directed by founder and choreographer Yvonne Montoya, the Tucson-based company presents a layered Read More
Pages Of Our History: Charles ‘Rip’ Ripley
Charles ‘Rip’ Ripley Oct. 20, 1919 – Oct. 8, 2014
By SHARON SNYDER
Los Alamos
Charles “Rip” Ripley was born in October 1919 in Chicago, IL. When he was of age, he spent most of four years at the Los Alamos Ranch School as a student and at times on the staff.
He had attended New Trier High School in Winnetka, Ill., before coming to LARS.
From his time in New Mexico, he became a member of the Class of 1942 at Yale University, but soon found himself a captain in the US Army Medical Corps in World War II.
After the war, Rip married, and he and Betsy settled in Downey, Calif., with two daughters. Rip had learned engineering Read More
Luján, Tillis, Gillibrand, Mullin Reintroduce Bipartisan Bill For Schools Serving Students In Military, Tribal Communities
U.S. Sen. Ben Ray Luján
U.S. SENATE News:
WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senators Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), and Markwayne Mullin (R-Okla.) reintroduced the Advancing Toward Impact Aid Full Funding Act.
This bipartisan legislation is to advance Impact Aid programs closer to full funding and increase funding for public school districts on federal land, which are tax-exempt and therefore have significantly less tax revenue to meet their schools’ and students’ needs.
The Advancing Toward Impact Aid Full Funding Act introduces a five-year plan to Read More
County Council To Hold Public Hearing On Proposed Ordinance That Would Prohibit Feeding Wild Animals Sept. 30
Community encouraged to attend public hearing Tuesday, Sept. 30, on a proposed ordinance that would prohibit feeding wild animals within County limits. Courtesy/LAC
COUNTY News:
Los Alamos County Council will hold a public hearing at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 30, on a proposed ordinance that would prohibit feeding wild animals within County limits (with an exception for songbirds and pollinators).
While feeding wildlife may feel helpful, it can actually cause problems—like attracting animals into neighborhoods, spreading disease, damaging property, and making wildlife lose their Read More
SFCC: SNA To Host Blood Drive With Vitalant Nov. 4
SFCC News:
Santa Fe Community College’s Student Nurses Association Club will host a Vitalant Blood Drive 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 4.
The event will be in the William C. Witter Fitness Education Center parking lot at 6401 Richards Ave.
Please bring photo ID to participate.
To schedule a blood donation, visit https://vit.la/78y54w. For information, call 505.428.1000. Read More
United Way Of Northern New Mexico Awarded $25K Blue ImpactSM Grant To Fuel Youth Leadership And Increase Nonprofit Capacity
Local nonprofit leaders and residents gather for a community event at United Way’s Youth Pathfinder Casita at McCurdy Family Resource Campus in Española Valley. Courtesy/UWNNM
UWNNM News:
Los Alamos/Española—United Way Northern New Mexico (UWNNM) has received a $25,000 Blue Impact grant from Blue Cross and Blue Shield of New Mexico. The grant will support UWNNM’s Collective Impact program, which connects and convenes Northern New Mexico nonprofits and empowers youth to discover their potential and succeed in meaningful careers.
“This Blue Impact grant is a powerful investment in the Read More
