Heinrich Announces Nearly $7 Million To New Mexico For Wildfire Mitigation, Water Reliability
U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich
U.S. SENATE News:
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Jan. 8, U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, announced a $6.95 million investment from the Infrastructure Law he passed for two projects aimed at reducing the risk of severe wildfires by enhancing forest and watershed health, and supporting agricultural production while reducing water losses in New Mexico.
“Across the West, growers are feeling the undeniable strain of less predictable rainfall and extended droughts, while our communities are facing the Read More
Los Alamos County Council Elects Theresa Cull Chair; Suzie Havemann Vice Chair For 2025
2025 Council Chair Theresa Cull
Staff Report
As is the case each January, Los Alamos County Council elects its new leadership. Tuesday evening Council unanimously elected Theresa Cull to serve as chair for 2025.
Cull was elected to County Council in the November 2022 general election. She retired from Los Alamos National Laboratory in 2020 after 37 years in environment, safety, health, and facilities support and management. She holds a B.S. in Safety Engineering from Texas A&M University and a MBA from UNM’s Anderson School of Management.
Born in New York and raised in Pennsylvania and Read More
Flag At Half-Staff At Pond Honoring Former President Carter
The flag today at Ashley Pond Park at half-staff to honor former President Jimmy Carter who died Dec. 29, 2024, at the age of 100. New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham has also ordered flags on all state government buildings in New Mexico at half-staff until sunset Jan. 28, 2025. Thursday is a National Day of Mourning during which all Federal Buildings including Post Offices will be closed. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com Read More
President Biden Signs Executive Order To Close Federal Offices Jan. 9 In National Day Of Mourning For Former President Carter
FEMA News:
SANTA FE — The FEMA Hermit’s Peak/Calf Canyon Claims offices in Mora, Las Vegas and Santa Fe will be closed Thursday Jan. 9 for a National Day of Mourning to honor former President Jimmy Carter who died Dec. 29 in his home in Plains, Georgia.
President Joe Biden issued an executive order on Dec.30 calling for federal offices to close Jan. 9 to mark the passing of former President Carter,100, who served as the 39th president from 1977 to 1981. The federal closures will coincide with his funeral scheduled for Jan. 9.
April 1, 1979, President Carter established the Federal Emergency Management Read More
LWV Lunch With A Leader: Taraka Dale, Ph.D Jan. 16
Taraka Dale
LWV News:
The League of Women Voters (LWV) invites the community to its monthly Lunch with a Leader event, noon to 1 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 16, at the Unitarian Fellowship Hall on Sage Street. The leader will be Taraka Dale, PhD.
Dale grew up in northwestern Pennsylvania, in a rural area between Pittsburgh and Erie. In 1999, she received her B.S. in Biochemistry from Allegheny College, a nearby liberal arts school. Since then, apart from a few years in Chicago, she has spent the bulk of her adult and professional life in the mountain west, receiving her Ph.D in Biochemistry from the University Read More
2025 State Of The County Annual Report
By DENISE DERKACS
Outgoing County Council Chair
January 2025
Los Alamos County Council, with input from County staff and community members, reviewed and updated its strategic goals and priorities and adopted five goals and 22 priorities for 2024. The goals and priorities address issues that are important to the community and the governance of essential functions. They are tools to help maintain a focus on important and challenging issues.
Concrete actions for addressing each of the priorities were identified to help assure that, in the context of all ongoing County efforts, there was a connection Read More
Following Luján’s Urging, CFPB Announces Rules To Block Inclusion Of Medical Debt On Credit Reports
STATE News:
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Jan. 8, U.S. Sen. Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) applauded the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s (CFPB) decision to finalize a rule that will block the inclusion of medical debt on credit card reports.
The CFPB estimates that $49 billion in medical bills will be removed from credit reports of roughly 15 million Americans. Blocking medical debt on credit reports will reduce the burden of medical debt for Americans, ensure that patients are not denied access to credit, and prevent debt collectors from abusing the credit reporting system to coerce Americans to pay Read More
Governor Issues Statement On WNMU Board Resignations
Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham
STATE News:
SANTA FE — Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham issued the following statement after the resignations of the remaining members of the Western New Mexico Board of Regents Jan. 7:
“I have accepted the regents’ resignations and will appoint new leaders who understand their primary duty to the public trust. I want to thank members of the New Mexico Legislature who also voiced their urgent concerns about this matter.
The WNMU Board’s tone-deaf decision to approve a $1.9 million severance package for Dr. Shepard demonstrated an appalling disconnect Read More
NM Delegation Welcomes Over $137 Million In Federal Funding To Support Disaster Recovery
STATE News:
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Jan. 7, U.S. Sens. Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) and Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), and U.S. Reps. Teresa Leger Fernández (D-N.M.), Melanie Stansbury (D-N.M.), and Gabe Vasquez (D-N.M.) welcomed $137,178,000 in federal funding to support disaster recovery needs associated with the destructive floods in Roswell and Chaves County as well as the South Fork and Salt Fires in Lincoln and Otero Counties. This federal funding is allocated through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) grant funds. Read More
Open Letter To Community: Input For Successful East Downtown MRA Plan
From LALBC:
Dear Community,
The Los Alamos Local Business Coalition (LALBC) is comprised of 61 community members and local business owners committed to fostering a thriving business environment in Los Alamos and White Rock. Our mission is to advocate for policies, accountability, and structures that support local businesses. We appreciated the opportunity to provide feedback on the Metropolitan Redevelopment Area (MRA) initiative for East Downtown Los Alamos and we want to share the input we provided with the community at large.
The LALBC supports the MRA initiative. This initiative Read More
Heinrich Issues Statement Concerning Breach Of Protocol And Precedent By Committee On Energy And Natural Resources Ahead Of Cabinet Nomination Hearing
From the Office of U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich:
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- Hearing notice issued Tuesday night by Chairman Lee fails to include minority consent, a breach of decades-long Senate protocol and precedent
- Committee has yet to receive essential information from nominees, including a completed financial disclosure form and FBI background check, to fulfill Senate’s advice and consent constitutional duties
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WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, issued the following statement after Chairman Lee issued a hearing notice Read More
Holsapple: Questionnaire For Local Businesses
By KEVIN HOLSAPPLE
Los Alamos
Dear Local Business,
I have recently been appointed as the “community-at-large” member of the Los Alamos County Lodger Tax Advisory Board (LTAB). The LTAB advises the County on matters relating to visitation and tourism.
I would appreciate it if you would take a few minutes to complete the online questionnaire at https://rb.gy/ib375a – the questionnaire will be open for responses until Jan. 19. Testers took less than five minutes to complete it.
I appreciate the assistance of Los Alamos Commerce and Development Corporation (LACDC), the Chamber of Commerce, Read More
County To Host Listening Session For Brewer Arena Jan. 16
COUNTY News:
The Los Alamos County Parks and Open Space Division is hosting a community listening session to gather feedback on the Brewer Arena Renovation Project.
The session 5:30-7:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 16 at Fuller Lodge and via Zoom https://us06web.zoom.us/j/85039845477.
This initiative aims to enhance safety, improve accessibility, and ensure compliance with ADA Title II requirements, as outlined in the Community Services Department’s Integrated Master Plan and ADA Audit and Transition Plan.
Representatives from Wilson & Company will be present to discuss proposed upgrades, Read More
Dannemann: A Donation-Free New Year
By MERILEE DANNEMANN
Triple Spaced Again
The anti-donation season has started in New Mexico. What a great way to start a new year!
Starting Jan. 1, leading up to the legislative session, New Mexico law prohibits legislators, several other public officials, candidates for those offices and anyone acting on their behalf from asking for contributions. Other officials covered by this law are the governor, lieutenant governor, attorney general, secretary of state, state treasurer, commissioner of public lands and state auditor, any candidate for any one of those offices and anyone acting on Read More
New Mexico Environment Department Reports Quarterly Accomplishments And Community Investments
NMED News:
SANTA FE — The New Mexico Environment Department (NMED) released its first quarter performance assessment report for fiscal year 2025 (FY25) that offers the public, stakeholders, and legislators the opportunity to track the department’s progress in protecting public health and the environment between July 1 and Sept. 30, 2024.
The beginning of the FY25 saw a diverse range of achievements for NMED, with innovative and essential PFAS initiatives taking center stage. The department also took decisive action against out-of-compliance drinking water systems throughout the Read More
Gabe Vasquez Sworn In To Second Term In Congress
U.S. Rep. Gabe Vasquez of New Mexico. Courtesy/RGV
From the Office of U.S. Rep. Gabe Vasquez:
WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Rep. Gabe Vasquez (N.M.-02) was sworn in Friday, Jan. 3, 2025, for his second term in the U.S. House of Representatives, pledging to keep his focus on serving the people of New Mexico and putting their needs first.
“I’m here to bring New Mexico values and traditions to Washington and work across the aisle with my colleagues to actually get things done, for New Mexico and for the American people,” Vasquez said. “Whether working to lower costs, create good-paying jobs or secure resources Read More
County Announces Los Alamos NOW App
Courtesy/LAC
COUNTY News:
The Los Alamos NOW App provides a direct connection to Los Alamos County allowing residents to easily reach staff, report issues and find County information and services right from their fingertips:
- Report road issues;
- Ask billing questions;
- Make a payment;
- Find information on parks;
- View traffic webcams;
- Submit crime tips; and
- more.
The app is available in the Apple App and Google Play stores and on the web here. Read More
Notice Of Possible Quorum: LAPS Board May Attend 2025 Legislative Preview Jan. 6 At Fuller Lodge
LAPS News:
Members of the Los Alamos School Board may attend the 2025 Legislative Preview hosted by the League of Women Voters of Los Alamos (LWV) and the American Association of University Women (AAUW), 6:30-9 p.m. Monday, Jan. 6, at Fuller Lodge.
A Quorum may be present; however no action will be taken. Read More
Teresa Leger Fernández Sworn To 3rd Term In Congress
Rep. Teresa Leger Fernández of New Mexico on Jan. 3 was sworn in to her 3rd term in Congress. Courtesy/TLF
Rep. Teresa Leger Fernández among the crowd sworn on Jan. 3 to their terms in Congress. Courtesy/TLF
From the Office of U.S. Rep. Teresa Leger Fernández:
WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Rep. Teresa Leger Fernández was sworn into the 119th Congress Jan. 3 to begin her 3rd term serving the people of New Mexico’s 3rd Congressional district.
“Standing on the House floor of the People’s House for my third term, the responsibility of service is as real as the first day I took the oath of office to represent the Read More
County Council To Meet In Regular Session Tuesday Jan. 7
