25th Annual Cowboy Days Ride Into Town March 7-8 At New Mexico Farm & Ranch Heritage Museum In Las Cruces
The 25th Annual Cowboy Days is March 7-8 at New Mexico Farm & Ranch Heritage Museum. Photo by Tira Howard for DCA
Department of Cultural Affairs News:
LAS CRUCES – The New Mexico Farm & Ranch Heritage Museum invites the community to its 25th Annual Cowboy Days event on March 8.
There will be several activities to celebrate New Mexico ranching traditions – including the popular “Parade of Breeds” with the Museum’s cowboys showcase cattle, trick roping and traditional Charreada demonstrations from the Castro Family, working dogs demonstration, and live music. Event goers will have Read More
Engineers Week Lecture On AI And Engineering Feb. 19
Pramod Khargonekar
NMC News:
Celebrate next week’s Engineers Week with a free public lecture by Pramod Khargonekar of the University of California, Irvine, from 5:30-7 p.m., Feb. 19 at Fuller Lodge in Los Alamos.
Khargonekar, the vice chancellor for research and professor of electrical engineering and computer science, will present “Future of Work and Workers in the AI Era.” As automation, machine learning and artificial intelligence technologies continue their remarkably rapid development, it is expected that many facets of work and lives of workers will be impacted. In this talk, Khargonekar Read More
NM State Bar Foundation’s Legal Resources For The Elderly Program Is Hosting A Free Virtual Legal Webinar Feb. 11
NMSB News:
ALBUQUERQUE — The New Mexico State Bar Foundation’s Legal Resources for the Elderly Program (LREP) will be hosting a free virtual legal webinar starting at 11 a.m. (MT), Feb. 11.
The webinar, which aims to equip the elderly or their caretakers with the tools and resources they need to plan for the future, will cover Powers of Attorney, Advance Health Care Directives, probate, non-probate transfers (including Transfer on Death Deeds) and Institutional Medicaid.
New Mexico residents can register for this free webinar online at https://bit.ly/LREP-Feb-11 or by calling 505.797.6005 Read More
Hilltalkers Place High In State & National Tournaments
The Los Alamos High School Hilltalkers recently competed at the Cave Classic Tournament hosted by La Cueva High School. Courtesy/LAPS
LAPS News:
The Los Alamos High School Hilltalkers Speech and Debate team had a successful tournament on Martin Luther King Jr. weekend hosted by La Cueva High School. The Cave Classic Tournament announced 15 members of the Hilltalkers as top five in their respective events during the award ceremony on Saturday night.
The team is proud to congratulate these individuals:
Dramatic Interpretation
Lucia Rudin – 1st Place
Duo Interpretation
Emily Xu and Read More
AG, Legislative Leaders Unveil Higher Education Reform Package In Wake Of WNMU Scandal
Attorney General Raúl Torrez answers questions from journalists following a news conference Monday at the state Capitol regarding proposals designed to enhance oversight and accountability of administrator contracts at public colleges and universities. Photo by Gabriela Campos/The New Mexican
By DANIEL J. CHACÓN
The Santa Fe New Mexican
Attorney General Raúl Torrez and leaders of both chambers of the New Mexico Legislature unveiled proposals Monday designed to enhance oversight and accountability of administrator contracts at public colleges and universities.
The push for more Read More
Judge Strikes Down Education Department’s 180-Day Rule
By MARGARET O’HARA
The Santa Fe New Mexican
A state judge on Monday axed the New Mexico Public Education Department’s controversial “180-day rule.”
Fifth Judicial District Judge Dustin Hunter struck down the agency’s requirement for all public districts and charter schools in the state to include 180 instructional days in their calendar each year, finding the rule “does not align with the Legislature’s clear intention.”
“The PED lacks the authority to implement a rule mandating a minimum number of instructional days for public Read More
Unleash Your Inner Scientist At Discover STEAM Day Feb. 22
A day of family fun at Discover STEAM Day at the National Museum of Nuclear Science & History. Courtesy/NMNHS
NMNSH News:
ALBUQUERQUE — The National Museum of Nuclear Science & History is thrilled to announce the return of its popular Discover STEAM Day! This exciting event offers a unique opportunity for families to explore the fascinating world of Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math (STEAM) through fun, hands-on activities led by local experts.
Mark your calendars! Discover STEAM Day is from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 22, 2025, at the Museum at 601 Eubank Boulevard Read More
New Mexico Lawmakers Proposing Education Funding Overhaul, Base Teacher Pay Bumps Get Thumbs Up From House Panel
The Roundhouse in Santa Fe. Post file photo
By Margaret O’Hara
The Santa Fe New Mexican
In education, money matters.
New Mexico lawmakers are proposing big changes to how the state funds its public education system — which represents the single largest piece of the budgetary pie.
House Bill 63 would make major changes to the state’s per-student funding formula — giving an extra boost to middle schools and high schools — while House Bill 156 would bump the base teacher pay by $5,000 at all three tiers of the teacher licensing system.
Both proposals received unanimous — albeit initial — approval Read More
Anchorum Health Foundation Announces New Scholarship For Nurses Seeking Master’s Degrees
From Anchorum Health Foundation:
- Scholarship Seeks to Help Fill Workforce Regional Workforce Shortage
SANTA FE — Applications are now open for a new scholarship, offered by Anchorum Health Foundation, that helps nurses achieve Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degrees. Nurses with MSNs can help fill gaps in the northern New Mexico regional healthcare system, particularly in underserved and primary care settings.
“Scholarships like these are a win-win for our communities,” Anchorum President/CEO Jerry Jones said. “They empower nurses to advance their education without the burden Read More
Celebrate Your Valentine With Two Unique Events At PEEC
Nebula Heart. Courtesy/PEEC
PEEC News:
The Pajarito Environmental Education Center (PEEC) announces two upcoming events celebrating Valentine’s Day at the Los Alamos Nature Center. Whether in search of a fun night out with friends or a romantic experience under the stars, PEEC has something special in store.
Galentines Movie Night – The Devil Wears Prada
- When: 6 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 13
- Where: Los Alamos Nature Center Planetarium, 2600 Canyon Road
- Admission: $8 per person
Celebrate your gals and pals this Galentine’s Day with a special screening of The Devil Wears Prada! Enjoy a dessert bar Read More
YMCA Racquet Ball & Squash Leagues Feb. 17 – March 28
PAC 8 Community Media Center: Feb. 7-13, 2025
PAC 8 News:
PAC 8 Community Media Center is available for recording events, transferring of old media, shooting and editing, live streaming and drone photography and videography.
For information, email pac8@losalamos.com, call 505.662.7228 or visit pac8cmc.com.
PAC 8 Television schedule for Feb. 7-13, 2025:
Friday, Feb. 7, 2025
- 6 a.m. — Democracy Now! – Live
- 10 a.m. — The Thom Hartmann Program
- 11 a.m. — County Council Meeting Replay 2-04–25
- 3 p.m. — Democracy Now!
- 5 p.m. — PAC PAGES – Los Alamos County News Updates
- 6 p.m. — Chamber of Commerce Business Breakfast – Los Alamos County
History Behind The Duane Smith Auditorium
Former Los Alamos Public Schools Superintendent Duane ‘Smitty’ Smith. Courtesy/Kelly Meyers
By SHARON SNYDER
Los Alamos
How many times do drivers going north along Diamond Drive look toward the civic auditorium and wonder, “Who was Duane Smith and why is his name on the auditorium?”
For me, he was the principal at the high school who helped recover my lost class ring in 1965, but, of course he was so much more. Mike Katko, Los Alamos poet and author, remembers “Smitty” as a friend who always had a smile.
Before settling in Los Alamos, Smith had taught biology and was a head football coach, revered Read More
Land Commissioner Stephanie Garcia Richard Receives Luminaria Award For Bringing Land Office Into 21st Century
Commissioner Stephanie Garcia Richard
CVNM News:
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- “Commissioner Stephanie Garcia Richard has been a guiding light in bringing New Mexico’s trust lands into the 21st century.” –CVNM CEO Demis Foster
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SANTA FE – On Tuesday, Feb. 4, Conservation Voters New Mexico (CVNM) will present New Mexico’s Commissioner of Public Lands Stephanie Garcia Richards with its Luminaria Award. The annual award recognizes pro-conservation champions in New Mexico who lead the way to a better New Mexico for air, land, water, wildlife and communities.
In announcing the Award, CVNM CEO Demis Foster shared the following Read More
Dannemann: A Harder Line On Teenage Criminals
By MERILEE DANNEMANN
Triple Spaced Again
We remember the murder of a five-year-old girl in 2023, shot in a drive-by incident that was motivated by a dispute between the shooter and another teenager. It still breaks our hearts. That is partly because the little girl, Galilea Samaniego, was an innocent child who was victimized by accident. But it also would have also been tragic if the shooter had murdered the teenage boy who was his intended target.
Another heartbreaking story – last year a gang of young men, older than teenage, murdered Froyland Villegas, age 11, who was on his way home from a ball Read More
Schools, Teachers, Students Weigh In On Phone Lock Bill
Whitney Holland, president of New Mexico’s teachers union, gives testimony in support of Senate Bill 11 during a hearing at the state Capitol on Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2025. Photo by Michael G. Seamans/The New Mexican
Sen. Crystal Brantley, R-Elephant Butte, presents Senate Bill 11, which discourages cellphones in classrooms, during a committee meeting at the Capitol on Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2025. Photo by Michael G. Seamans/The New Mexican
By ANDRÉ SALKIN
The Santa Fe New Mexican
The education community, which has been grappling for years with the detriments of disruptive classroom phone use, Read More
NJROTC Heading To Arizona For Regional Competition!
Cadets showing off their awards at the qualifier drill meet in Albuquerque. Courtesy/NJROTC
By Chief Aron Ayers, USN (Ret)
Senior Naval Science Instructor
Los Alamos High School
Los Alamos NJROTC is one step closer to nationals after a stellar performance at the Area 20 East Qualifier Drill Meet in November. The cadets gave their all in every event at Highland High School. Topper Company demonstrated their strength across multiple categories, earning 1st place in Physical Fitness and several 3rd place finishes, ultimately securing 3rd place overall.
This impressive result earned them Read More
LAPS Shares 2025 Los Alamos County Science Fair Results
Tate Plohr, Lilia Viteva and Alyssa Sun represented Los Alamos High School in the Senior Division at the Los Alamos County Science Fair. Courtesy/LAPS
The Best of Show for Junior Division in Life Science was awarded to Daniel Yampolsky and Zachary White, both 6th graders at Barranca Mesa Elementary School. Courtesy/LAPS
LAPS News:
Budding scientists from across the district converged on Barranca Mesa Elementary School for the 2025 Los Alamos County Science Fair., competing for top honors in the elementary, junior and senior divisions.
Thirty-six students qualified for the 2025 Northeastern Read More
Los Alamos County Staff Successfully Complete 21st Century Leadership Pilot Program
December 2024 pilot program graduates include Casey Aumack, Justin Lujan and Gary Trujillo from the Department of Public Utilities; Teresina Berg from the Police Department; Terrance Gray, Karen Henderson, Louise Romero, Sobia Sayeda and Anthony Strain from Public Works; Angelica Gurule from the County Manager’s Office and Norma Valdez from the Fire Department. Courtesy/LAC
COUNTY News:
Los Alamos County staff have successfully completed the pilot program in December 2024 of a new 21st Century Leadership development class, designed to round out a variety of vigorous leadership development Read More
Legislative Roundup: 50 Days Remaining In Session
By Santa Fe New Mexican staff
Committee OKs anti-hazing bill: A bill to curb the practice of hazing in New Mexico schools cleared its first hurdle Friday.
Senate Bill 10, sponsored by Sen. Harold Pope, D-Albuquerque, and Rep. Pamelya Herndon, D-Albuquerque, would make hazing and a school employee’s failure to report incidents of it misdemeanor offenses. The bill would also implement several hazing prevention measures in colleges and universities.
The bill faced a brief stall after first being heard in the Senate Education Committee on Wednesday, with opponents and lawmakers making the Read More
