Los Alamos Residents Gather At Campaign Event For New Mexico Land Commissioner Candidate Matthew McQueen
Los Alamos residents, from left, Ellen Mills, Karyl Ann Armbruster, and Rep. Christine Chandler are among many who gathered at a campaign event Sunday at a home on Barranca Mesa for Matthew McQueen, candidate for New Mexico Land Commissioner. Rep. McQueen serves in New Mexico House District 50, which encompasses areas of Santa Fe and Sandoval Counties. He was first elected to the New Mexico House of Representatives in the 2014 election. He assumed office on Jan. 20, 2015, and has served six terms over 11 years. He chairs the House Energy, Environment & Natural Resources Committee, is a member Read More
Forward New Mexico Confirmed As A Political Party
NMFWD News:
SANTA FE — Late afternoon on May 15, New Mexico Secretary of State Maggie Toulouse Oliver’s office confirmed that Forward New Mexico has met the requirements for Minor Party Status and will be listed on the ballot in the November elections.
Forward candidates Michael Vigil for State Auditor, Bob Perls for U.S. Senate, Dennis Dinge for Public Education Commission District 3, Curtis Clough for Public Education Commission District 6 and Karin Hendrickson for State House District 43 have already declared their intention to run. The party is continuing to recruit candidates through Read More
Peggy Dare Endorses Antonio Maggiore For Sheriff
By PEGGY DARE
Los Alamos
My vote is for Maggiore for Sheriff. Although his opponent has a respected history of service to Los Alamos, his opponent is running to eliminate the position of Sheriff totally. Taxpayers should not be funding him to pursue this.
Maggiore wants to do positive work for the community with the position.
The argument is made that the Sheriff in our unusual town no longer has a significant role. Well whose fault is that? We hear: “The police department does all the law enforcement duties.” But that cannot be.
What is “law enforcement”? Public employees in general work in law Read More
Heinrich, Luján Raise Concerns Of How USDA Restructuring Will Affect Farmers, Ranchers, & Rural Communities
U.S. SENATE News:
WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Sens. Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) and Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), a member of the U.S. Senate Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry Committee, sent a letter to U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Deputy Secretary Stephen Vaden raising concerns and demanding answers on how the restructuring of USDA’s Research, Education, and Economics (REE) mission area will affect scientific innovation and data that supports New Mexico farmers, ranchers, and rural communities.
“The REE reorganization and restructuring announced this April…could result Read More
Lodgers’ Tax Advisory Board To Meet At Noon Tuesday
COUNTY News:
The Los Alamos County Lodgers’ Tax Advisory Board is scheduled to meet from noon to 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, May 19, in Council Chambers at the Municipal Building at 1000 Central Ave., and via Zoom.
Members of the public are encouraged to attend the Lodgers’ Tax Advisory Board meetings and provide public comment either in person or over Zoom.
About the Lodgers’ Tax Advisory Board:
The Lodgers’ Tax Advisory Board is established to advise the County Manager and Council on the expenditure of funds authorized by NMSA 1978, § 3-38-22 for advertising, publicizing, and promoting Read More
Las Vegas Water Treatment Plant Project Design Unveiled
Rendering of new City of Las Vegas Water Treatment Plant. Courtesy/Burns & McDonnell Engineering
Rendering of new City of Las Vegas Water Treatment Plant. Courtesy/Burns & McDonnell Engineering
NMED News:
LAS VEGAS — The New Mexico Environment Department (NMED) and the City of Las Vegas this week unveiled design renderings for the community’s new Water Treatment Plant, marking a significant step toward a summer groundbreaking and the long-term restoration of reliable drinking water for a community still recovering from the 2022 Hermits Peak/Calf Canyon Fire.
The renderings, Read More
Distinguished UC Riverside Faculty Weighs In On Firings Of 22-Person Board Overseeing National Science Foundation
SCIENCE News:
Amidst the many attention-grabbing headlines of 2026, there is a recent one that may have flown under the radar but shouldn’t have. On April 24, the White House dismissed the entire 22-person board that oversees the National Science Foundation (NSF). The NSF is an independent federal agency that supports science and engineering in all 50 states and U.S. territories.
To discuss the impact of the NSF more broadly, its significance for university research, and the likely consequences of this move, UC Riverside News turns to a distinguished faculty member who has extensive experience Read More
Agenda Now Available For Council’s May 19 Regular Session
COUNTY News:
Due to technical difficulties with the online agenda and calendar system for all County meetings, the agenda for the May 19, 2026, County Council Regular Session is now available.
Please visit the County’s agenda and calendar system for the complete agenda packet.
For those wanting to attend the meeting in person, note that the meeting is being held at the White Rock Fire Station #3 due to early voting at the Municipal Building. The meeting starts at 6 p.m.
About Los Alamos County
Around 19,000 residents strong, we are two communities in one County—Los Alamos townsite and White Rock. Read More
New State Dashboard Tracks Progress On Water Security
An acequia flows through forest regrowth in the Hermit’s Peak-Calf Canyon burned area. Photo by Laura McCarthy
STATE News:
SANTA FE — New Mexico has launched a public dashboard tracking the state’s real-time progress toward securing its water future, showing significant advances in restoring the forests and watersheds that supply the bulk of the state’s surface water.
The 50-Year Water Action Plan Implementation Dashboard provides a real-time window to monitor the state’s progress in addressing projected water shortages driven by drought and climate change. The plan is based on three Read More
State Launches First-Ever Outdoor Equity Fund Grants Up To $100,000 For Large-Scale, High-Impact Youth Programs
Courtesy photo
STATE News:
SANTA FE — New Mexico is expanding its Outdoor Equity Fund with a new grant tier offering grants up to $100,000 to organizations delivering large-scale outdoor programs for youth statewide.
The new Tier 2 category, offered through the state’s Outdoor Recreation Division (ORD), under the Economic Development Department of New Mexico (EDNM), is designed for organizations with the capacity to deliver large-scale programming, expand outdoor access, and deepen community impact for New Mexico youth.
“This new funding tier reflects the growing demand for outdoor Read More
Luján, Leger Fernández, Davids, Bacon Lead Bipartisan Bill To Prevent Wrongful Detention Of Native Americans During ICE Enforcement
U.S. Sen. Ben Ray Luján
U.S. SENATE News:
WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Sen. Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), a member of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs, and U.S. Reps. Teresa Leger Fernández (D-NM-03), Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Indian and Insular Affairs, Sharice Davids (D-KS-03), and Don Bacon (R-NE-02) introduced the bipartisan Respect Tribal IDs Act to improve how Department of Homeland Security (DHS) personnel recognize and interact with Tribal identification documents during immigration enforcement. The legislation comes amid growing reports of Native Americans being questioned, Read More
Special Event In Los Alamos May 17 To Support New Mexico Land Commissioner Candidate Matthew McQueen
Rep. Chandler Endorses McQueen For Land Commissioner
Rep. CHRISTINE CHANDLER
District 43
Los Alamos, Sandoval & Santa Fe Counties
I write to express my unequivocal endorsement of Matthew McQueen as the Democratic nominee for Commissioner of Public Lands.
The New Mexico Constitution assigns to the office the important responsibility of providing a strong and reliable revenue stream to support our public schools, hospitals and other public institutions. It currently relies heavily on the mineral extraction sector, while at the same time striving to diversify its economic base to meet its constitutional obligations. The revenue generated Read More
New Mexico True Program Influences $2.3B Visitor Spending
STATE News:
SANTA FE — New Mexico’s flagship tourism marketing campaign delivered its highest return on investment since launching nearly 15 years ago, influencing $2.3 billion in visitor spending, according to an independent report.
The findings, from Strategic Marketing & Research, Inc., show that the New Mexico True campaign directly influenced nearly 1.2 million trips to the state in 2025, producing $169 million in state and local tax revenue—meaning that for every one dollar spent by the New Mexico Tourism Department on the New Mexico True campaign in 2025, New Mexico received Read More
LAFRW: 2026 Constitution Essay Contest Winners
By JENNIFER MCKERLEY
LAFRW
On April 25, members, friends and guests of the Los Alamos Federated Republican Women (LAFRW) filled Fuller Lodge for a Freedom Tea, which celebrated the 250th anniversary of the United States Declaration of Independence.
Attendees enjoyed tea, a variety of snacks and desserts, and competing in a silent auction. President Linda Bullock officiated the event, and after the prayer and pledge, Ramona Goolsby presented the keynote address.
Goolsby is the Republican candidate for New Mexico Secretary of State, the office that oversees
the state’s elections, campaign Read More
Scenes From Governor’s 2026 ‘Spring Fling’ Event
Los Alamos resident Prisca Tiasse and her family greet Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham during the Spring Fling event on May 9 at the Governor’s Mansion in Santa Fe. Courtesy photo
Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham playfully reacts to the oversized hat prop set out in the photo booth during the Spring Fling event on May 9 in Santa Fe. Courtesy photo
COMMUNITY News:
Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham’s final Spring Fling event took place Saturday, May 9, in Santa Fe. Her term in office comes to an end on Dec. 31, 2026.
All registered families from across the state were transported and welcomed to the Governor’s mansion Read More
FBI: Zuni Woman Pleads Guilty To Involuntary Manslaughter
FBI News:
ALBUQUERQUE — A Zuni woman pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter after her 2-month-old daughter died from asphyxiation.
According to court documents, on the night of Jan. 25, 2025, Miranda Cachini, 27, an enrolled member of the Zuni Pueblo, consumed alcoholic beverages and fell asleep while breastfeeding her 2-month-old daughter in bed. During the night, Cachini rolled over on top of the baby, causing her to pass away by asphyxiation.
Cachini pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter and faces up to eight years in prison at sentencing.
First Assistant U.S. Attorney Ryan Read More
Luján, Britt Unveil Bipartisan Advancing Water Reuse Act
U.S. Sen. Ben Ray Luján
U.S. SENATE News:
WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Sens. Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) and Katie Britt (R-Ala.) introduced the Advancing Water Reuse Act, bipartisan legislation that would provide a federal tax incentive for manufacturers and other industrial entities to invest in water reuse systems and infrastructure. As the nation’s aging water infrastructure struggles to meet growing public and private demands for freshwater, the Advancing Water Reuse Act will expand investments in water reuse to protect water, reduce demand on freshwater supplies, and spur business development Read More
Senate Unanimously Passes Bipartisan Luján, Barrasso Suicide Lifeline Bill
U.S. SENATE News:
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Sens. Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) and John Barrasso (R-Wyo.) applauded the U.S. Senate for unanimously passing their bipartisan legislation Monday night to increase the efficiency of the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline by assessing challenges to transmitting geolocation information.
“The 988 hotline is a critical resource for those facing mental health crises and has saved countless lives in New Mexico and across the country,” Sen. Luján said. “Senate passage of our bipartisan bill is an important step toward making the 988 hotline more reliable, efficient, Read More
