NMDOH: New Online Tool Combats Alcohol Misuse
NMDOH News:
SANTA FE — State releases ePrevention, a new online screening and intervention tool to combat alcohol misuse in New Mexico.
ePrevention leverages the power of E-SBIRT (Electronic Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment), an evidence-based, public health approach that empowers individuals to assess their alcohol consumption, receive personalized feedback and access necessary support services.
“Alcohol misuse is a major contributor to injuries and deaths in New Mexico,” says Rebecca Neudecker, the Section Manager for the Office of Alcohol Read More
New Mexico Department Of Health’s $42.8 Million Budget Boost Targets Gaps In Services And Staffing
NMDOH News:
SANTA FE — The New Mexico Department of Health’s (NMDOH) has proposed a $243.9 million for fiscal year 2026 to address critical needs, rising costs and workforce challenges across the state.
The proposal represents a $42.8 million increase over the current $201.1 million budget and includes targeted funding to expand vital programs, sustain essential operations, and offer competitive salaries to attract and retain employees.
“Our proposed budget reflects our commitment to providing lifesaving care, addressing staffing challenges, and expanding behavioral health programs Read More
Thirteen Organizations Will Receive New Mexico Music Commission Grants To Promote, Preserve Musical Traditions Throughout State
Map of New Mexico Music Commission 2025 Awardees. Courtesy/NMMC
NMMC News:
SANTA FE – From an Afro-Latin music festival in Albuquerque to traditional New Mexican folk-dance performances for communities of the Manzano Mountains to street music and dance in downtown Artesia, 13 organizations across the state will receive funding from the New Mexico Music Commission (NMMC) to bring unique and engaging musical programs to their communities.
NMMC launched the Music in the Community Grants Program this year with a focus on rural, tribal, veteran, disability, and other underserved communities. Read More
New Mexico Higher Education FY-26 Budget Targets Adult Literacy, Tribal Education; Sustains Free-Tuition Programs
HED Secretary Stephanie M. Rodriguez
HED News:
SANTA FE – The New Mexico Higher Education Department (HED) agency budget recommendation for Fiscal Year 2026 both sustains the tuition-free college programs that have led to growth in college enrollment statewide and funds new programs like Tribal Education Technical Assistance Centers to boost Native American achievement in the state.
The budget proposal also addresses New Mexico’s status as one of the nation’s worst states for adult literacy by dramatically increasing funding for adult education and adult literacy programs.
“This year’s Read More
County Parks And Recreation Board To Meet Dec. 12
COUNTY News:
The Los Alamos County Parks and Recreation Board is scheduled to meet 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 12 in the Municipal Building at 1000 Central Ave.
The meeting is open to the public in person and via Zoom:
- https://us06web.zoom.us/j/88668084964
One tap mobile:
- +13462487799,,88668084964# US (Houston)
- +16694449171,,88668084964# US
Telephone:
- Dial (for higher quality, dial a number based on your current location):
- +1 346 248 7799 US (Houston)
- +1 669 444 9171 US
- +1 669 900 6833 US (San Jose)
Agenda:
Read MoreDenish: Presidential Pardons Through History Have Been Messy
By DIANE DENISH
Corner to Corner
© 2024 New Mexico News Services
Note to mainstream media, Republicans, Democrats, Independents, and sanctimonious opinion writers, TV pundits and elected officials: SPARE ME THE OUTRAGE ABOUT THE HUNTER BIDEN PARDON. Think about how you would protect your child from continued threatened prosecution or, put another way, how would you give your child a second chance for taking accountability and reversing course in a life that had unraveled?
It’s fair to be disappointed that President Biden changed his mind and decided to do something he said he wouldn’t do. Read More
State Investment Council Adopts New Vision And Mission Statements ‘To Become Best Managed And Diversified Sovereign Wealth Fund Globally’
NMSIC News:
SANTA FE – The New Mexico State Investment Council (NMSIC) attended a two-day retreat, which featured discussions regarding the adoption of new vision and mission statements, the NMSIC fund’s growth, and potential sources of risk, including political, economic, human resources, diversification, governance and operational risks.
The NMSIC is expected to achieve the goal of growing the fund to at least $100 billion in the next seven to 10 years. As a result of these discussions, NMSIC placed diversification of assets and investment management teams at the forefront of its new Read More
Los Alamos County Invites Community To Swearing-In Ceremony For Elected Officials Wednesday Dec. 18
COUNTY News:
Los Alamos County invites the community to attend a swearing-in ceremony for newly elected and returning elected officials at 5 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 18.
The event will take place in the Council Chambers at 1000 Central Ave. in downtown Los Alamos.
The following officials will be sworn in:
- Los Alamos County Councilors:
- Ryn Herrmann, Beverly Neal-Clinton and David W. Reagor.
- Los Alamos County Clerk:
- Michael D. Redondo.
Direct questions to the County Manager’s Office at 505.663.1750. Read More
New Mexico Economic Development Dept. To Ask Lawmakers To Support Initiatives In High Paying Jobs, Economic Security
Secretary-Designate Rob Black
EDD News:
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- Budget priorities focus on bi-partisan initiatives: technology, outdoor rec, food security
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SANTA FE — Secretary-Designate Rob Black said on Monday that the New Mexico Economic Development Department (EDD) is asking lawmakers to support proven initiatives that diversify New Mexico’s economy and offer high-paying jobs and a more skilled workforce.
Black is set to present the agency’s fiscal year 2026 budget and strategic priorities to members of the Legislative Finance Committee this afternoon, Dec. 9.
For the 12-month period ending in October, Read More
Dannemann: We May Improve Access To Health Care, Or Not
By MERILEE DANNEMANN
Triple Spaced Again
© 2024 New Mexico News Services
To review the obvious: Most of us could not afford the financial cost of serious illness or injury.
We never know who’s going to be the unlucky one to become ill or injured. Health insurance was developed to share the risk. When private health insurance was not enough, government joined in with Medicare and Medicaid. One principle underlying these policies is that when more of us have access to healthcare, we are all better off.
I find that principle persuasive. When more people have healthcare, fewer people spread infectious Read More
State Economic Development Department Launches New Mexico Quantum Technology Award Pilot Program
EDD Secretary-Designate Rob Black
STATE News:
SANTA FE — The New Mexico Economic Development Department (EDD) has launched the New Mexico Quantum Technologies Award Pilot Program, a new state grant focused on supporting the growth or relocation of quantum technology companies in or to New Mexico, EDD Secretary-Designate Rob Black announced Saturday.
The New Mexico Quantum Technologies Award (NMQTA) Pilot Program is a competitive state-funded grant that awards non-dilutive funds to early-stage companies working in quantum technologies that are located in New Mexico or establishing Read More
County Inclusivity Task Force Meets Wednesday Dec. 11
COUNTY News:
The Los Alamos County Inclusivity Task Force is scheduled to meet at 12:15 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 11 at the Municipal Building, 1000 Central Ave.
The meeting is open to the public.
The agenda packet has been published and is available online at:
https://losalamos.legistar.com/MeetingDetail.aspx?ID=1251798&GUID=E0FB9014-F22C-4EE0-875A-BB4D2D3F1832&Options=info%7C&Search=&Refresh=1 Read More
Los Alamos School Board To Meet Tuesday Dec. 10
LAPS News:
The Los Alamos Public Schools (LAPS) Board is scheduled to meet 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 10 in the LAPS Board Room at 2101 Trinity Drive, Suite V.
The meeting is open to the public in person and via Zoom.
Join Zoom Meeting:
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/5056632222?pwd=ODd1d3h0Z1dGd1ByT0lVNGU3T2dFQT09&omn=88243842768
Meeting ID:
- 505 663 2222
Passcode:
- j45K8H
One tap mobile
- +12532050468,,5056632222#,,,,*656843# US
- +12532158782,,5056632222#,,,,*656843# US (Tacoma)
LAPS Finance Committee To Meet Dec. 10
LAPS News:
The Los Alamos Public Schools Finance Committee is scheduled to meet 4:15-5:15 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 10 in the LAPS Board Room at 2101 Trinity Drive, Suite V.
The meeting is open to the public in person and via Zoom.
Join Zoom Meeting:
- https://us06web.zoom.us/j/5056632222?pwd=9ya3XaLGT3DQAVJyauGbYKcsPQ4QW
g.1&omn=87288756446 - Meeting ID: 505 663 2222
- Passcode: j45K8H
Note: If you are an individual with a disability who is in need of a reader, qualified sign language interpreter, or any other form of auxiliary aid or service to attend or participate in the hearing or meeting, Read More
FOG Taps Christine Barber For Executive Director
Christine Barber
ALBUQUERQUE – The Board of Directors of the New Mexico Foundation for Open Government (FOG) has named Christine Barber as the new executive director of the organization.
Barber’s past employment includes work as executive director of two non-profit organizations focused on providing services to marginalized individuals and work as a journalist at the Gallup Independent, Santa Fe New Mexican and Albuquerque Journal. She is also a published and award-winning author.
“Transparency and the public’s right to know are coming under attack from numerous fronts,” FOG President Read More
Historic Preservation Advisory Board To Meet Dec. 11
COUNTY News:
The Los Alamos County Historic Preservation Advisory Board ( HPAB) is scheduled to meet in special session at 4:30 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 11 on Zoom.
The Agenda will include only “Approval of the agenda” and two action items: “Approval of the 2025 HPAB Work Plan” and “Approval of the 2025 HPAB Meeting Schedule”.
The meeting is open to the public.
Zoom link: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/88245866041?pwd=S3bv4qynMF03WsavH07aIIbJLmWGSM.1
Meeting ID: 882 4586 6041
Passcode: 805548
Or Dial by your location
• +1 719 359 4580 US
• +1 253 205 0468 US
• +1 669 444 9171 US Read More
Denish: Post-Election Rumination Finds Silver Linings
By DIANE DENISH
Corner to Corner
© 2024 New Mexico News Services
Now that the election is over I see some silver linings, and have some observations a bit outside of the daily drumming of announcements and alarm bells. I recognize readers may disagree or have a different point of view.
Silver lining: From the moment he is sworn in Trump is a lame duck. The term “lame duck” means not being able to keep up with the rest of the flock and becoming subject to predators. The term “lame duck” in politics means someone who is an outgoing officeholder. That is Trump. He has four years to do good for the country or damage Read More
Council & BPU To Hold Joint Closed Session Dec. 10
COUNTY News:
Los Alamos County Council and the Board of Public Utilities (BPU) will hold a Joint Closed Session at 5 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 10 in the Municipal Building at 1000 Central Ave.
The purpose of the joint closed session is to discuss the “Purchase, Acquisition or Disposal of Real Property” and to discuss “Threatened or Pending Litigation”.
The complete agenda packet is available at https://losalamos.legistar.com/Calendar.aspx.
New Mexico Supreme Court Rejects Challenge To Regulator’s Energy Planning Requirements For Electric Utilities
New Mexico Supreme Court News:
SANTA FE – The state Supreme Court today upheld the validity of a regulatory rule expanding the plans that electric utilities must prepare for meeting the current and future energy needs of their customers.
In a unanimous decision, the Court rejected a challenge by three utilities – El Paso Electric Company, the Public Service Co. of New Mexico and Southwestern Public Service Company – to rules that revised requirements for Integrated Resource Plans (IRP), which must be submitted to the state Public Regulation Commission (PRC). The amended regulations were Read More
Canceled: Planning & Zoning Commission Dec. 11 Meeting
COUNTY News:
