County Board Of Public Utilities To Meet Wednesday Dec. 4
COUNTY News:
The Los Alamos County Board of Public Utilities will hold a regular meeting 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 4 in Council Chambers at the Municipal Building, 1000 Central Ave.
The meeting is open to the public in person and may be viewed via Zoom at https://us06web.zoo m.us/j/88515885437.
BPU meetings are also available to view online at ladpu.com/BPULiveProceedings.
The complete agenda packet is available online at https://losalamos.legistar.com/Calendar.aspx.
U.S. Sen. Ben Ray Luján, Colleagues Reintroduce Bill To Offer Relief To Americans Facing Medical Bankruptcy
From the Office of U.S. Sen. Ben Ray Luján:
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Peter Welch (D-VT) and Tammy Baldwin (D-Wisc.) reintroduced legislation designed to ease the burden on Americans forced into bankruptcy because of unforeseen medical expenses.
The Medical Bankruptcy Fairness Act of 2024 reforms the bankruptcy process to alleviate the strain on debtors and make the bankruptcy court system work better for Americans.
“Far too many families face crippling medical Read More
New Mexico Health Care Authority Provides Emergency Food Assistance For SNAP Customers Impacted By Flooding
HCA News:
SANTA FE — In light of the recent severe flooding in Chaves County and other affected areas, the New Mexico Health Care Authority (HCA) is providing emergency support to Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) customers. This assistance includes replacing lost food benefits, reissuing EBT cards and temporarily allowing hot food purchases.
SNAP customers in Chaves County who experienced food loss due to the storm and flooding have until today, Nov. 25 to report their loss and request replacement benefits. Replacement benefits are available for households in the following Read More
New Mexico House Speaker Javier Martínez Mourns Death Of U.S. Sen. Fred Harris
Sen. Fred Harris at the LBJ Presidential Library in 2018. Photo by Jay Godwin
From the Office of Speaker Javier Martínez:
SANTA FE – Following the news that former U.S. Sen. Fred Harris (D-Oklahoma) had passed away Saturday, New Mexico House Speaker Javier Martínez (D-Albuquerque) issued the following statement:
“Throughout his long, distinguished career, Sen. Fred Harris was guided by a strong moral compass. In the United States Senate, he was a fearless champion of civil rights, tribal sovereignty, and working people. Later, as a political science professor at the University of New Read More
New Mexico Delegation On Biden’s Request For $1.5B To Boost Hermit’s Peak/Calf Canyon Fire Disaster Recovery
Congressional News:
WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Rep. Teresa Leger Fernández (D-N.M.) and U.S. Senators Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) and Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) announced Monday that President Biden’s disaster supplemental request includes $1.5 billion to help New Mexicans recover from the Hermit’s Peak/Calf Canyon Fire.
If President Biden’s disaster supplemental request is approved by Congress, Luján, Leger Fernández and the New Mexico Congressional Delegation will have secured $5.45 billion to help New Mexicans recover and rebuild since the Hermit’s Peak/Calf Canyon Fire in April 2022. Read More
Tales Of Our Times: Can Congress Again Use Truths That Cut Close To The Bone?
Tales Of Our Times
By JOHN BARTLIT
New Mexico Citizens for Clean Air & Water
Can Congress Again Use Truths That Cut Close To The Bone?
Now and then a broadside of humor gets the point across better than crude acrimony.
Bureau babble has been a butt of public ridicule for ages. A classic case affected clean air, as you will see. The sharpest players in the affair are the former U. S. senator from New Mexico, the Honorable Clinton P. Anderson, and the master skewerer, Mark Twain.
The story begins in earnest, April 1970. I began writing to the U.S. Department of the Interior, the agency then overseeing Read More
Saenz: Fiber Optics And Transparency – A Need For Los Alamos (Part 3)
By ALLAN SAENZ
Co-founder, Los Alamos Local Business Coalition
Owner, Los Alamos Network
Owner, SALA Event Center
Last Tuesday, two significant items on the County Council’s agenda caught the community’s attention: the Community Broadband Project and the proposed purchase of properties on Diamond Drive. While both seemed ready for rubber-stamp approval, the community showed up—both in person and online—to have their voices heard. The result was a mix of progress and constructive delay.
Fiber Optics: A Step Forward
After a detailed presentation and public input, the Council unanimously Read More
Video: Councilor David Reagor Discusses Nov. 19 Meeting
Los Alamos County Councilor David Reagor discusses the Nov. 19 council meeting. Video by Kirsten Laskey/ladailypost.com Read More
Somos Un Pueblo Unido & Immigrants’ Rights Groups Unveil Policy To Defend, Protect Families, Workers In New Mexico
Somos Un Pueblo Unido News:
SANTA FE — Several immigrant-based and immigrant-serving organizations came together Friday at the Roundhouse to promote critical measures in 2025 aimed at defending immigrant workers and families.
Immigrant workers, entrepreneurs, and consumers are essential to the state’s economy. The proposed initiatives focus on preventing the misuse of public resources for detention, deportation and advocating for the economic well-being of mixed-status families.
In New Mexico, immigrants represent 11% of the workforce and play a dominant role in key sectors such Read More
Los Alamos Daily Post Publisher Carol A. Clark Elected First Vice President Of New Mexico Press Association
Post Publisher Carol A. Clark
Staff Report
ALBUQUERQUE—The New Mexico Press Association (NMPA) has elected Los Alamos Daily Post Publisher/Owner Carol A. Clark to the position of First Vice President of its Board of Directors. Clark was first elected to serve on the state press association board in 2022. At that time she was also appointed to serve on the NMPA legal committee with Past President Nick Seibel of the Silver City Daily Press and Deming Headlight and Donn Friedman of the Albuquerque Journal. Her new term as first vice president began immediately upon election last month.
The newly Read More
Workforce Solutions Marks National Apprenticeship Week
NMDWS News:
ALBUQUERQUE — To mark the 10th anniversary of National Apprenticeship Week, the New Mexico Department of Workforce Solutions (NMDWS) and the State Apprenticeship Office are joining forces to host a series of events and initiatives designed to highlight the value of apprenticeships and drive the growth of a skilled workforce across New Mexico.
Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham issued a proclamation recognizing Nov. 17-23, 2024, as National Apprenticeship Week (NAW), celebrating apprenticeships as a proven, industry-driven training model that plays a critical role in developing Read More
New Mexico DPS Seeks $16.6 Million For Safety Overhaul
DPS News:
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- Emphasis on staffing, cybersecurity, and emergency systems
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SANTA FE – The New Mexico Department of Public Safety (DPS) is requesting $234.1 million for Fiscal Year 2026. The proposed budget allocates $16.6 million to enhance safety in New Mexico through increased staffing, advanced technology, and modernized emergency infrastructure.
“This budget ensures our officers and staff have the tools they need to safeguard communities and respond decisively to emergencies,” Secretary Jason R. Bowie said.
Key funding priorities include:
- Staffing, recruitment and salary alignment:
Council Moves Forward On Broadband And Tables Purchase Of Diamond Drive Properties To Tuesday Dec. 3 Meeting
Los Alamos County Council members from left, Council Vice Chair Theresa Cull, Council Chair Denise Derkacs, Keith Lepsch, Melanee Hand, Randall Ryti, Suzie Havemann and David Reagor. Courtesy/LAC
By KIRSTEN LASKEY
Los Alamos Daily Post
kirsten@ladailypost.com
There were two items with big price tags on Tuesday’s Los Alamos County Council meeting agenda. After five-and-a-half hours, one was approved and the decision for the second postponed until the next council meeting.
The first item in question was the $35 million contract to design and construct the community broadband network Read More
Los Alamos County Council Approves Climate Action Plan
By KIRSTEN LASKEY
Los Alamos Daily Post
kirsten@ladailypost.com
The world is getting hotter, the weather angrier and the fresh water scarcer. How to respond to this is daunting. Where to even begin? Locally, Los Alamos County Council decided its first step would be to adopt a plan.
The Climate Action Plan was approved 5-2 with Councilors Melanee Hand and David Reagor opposed, during the regular meeting Nov. 12.
Work on the plan started in the summer of 2023 with the objective of providing a roadmap for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and increasing climate resilience. However, the community Read More
Op-Ed: The Best Way To Predict The Future Is To Shape It
By SUZIE HAVEMANN
Los Alamos County Councilor
My friend Sharon Stover, who is a former and esteemed County Councilor, used to say, “There is always more to the story”. And I used to add “There are almost always two sides to every story”.
I thought about these sentiments during Tuesday night’s Council meeting as we heard presentations, questions, public comment, and staff’s answers on two important topics: community wide broadband and the purchase of real property on Diamond Drive, across from the high school. The former ultimately passed on a 6-0 vote and while we must do better in giving reasonable Read More
U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich Issues Statement On Senate Vote To Block Select Offensive Weapons Transfers To Israel
From the Office of U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich:
WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), a member of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, released the following statement Wednesday night after voting to block the transfers of mortars, tank rounds and Joint Direct Attack Munitions (JDAMs) to Israel.
“To finally put an end to the bloodshed and achieve lasting peace for both Israelis and Palestinians, we must prioritize de-escalating this conflict. That cannot happen if we look the other way when it comes to how specific weapons are used and their extraordinary toll.
“I strongly Read More
Council Proclaims Nov. 30 ‘Small Business Saturday’
At Tuesday’s meeting Los Alamos County Councilor Suzie Havemann, far right, presents a Small Business Saturday proclamation to, from left, Mesa Top Games and Toys/LA Bootery owner Carolyn Cowan, Los Alamos Family Eye Care owner Lisa Shin, Los Alamos MainStreet & Creative District Executive Director Jacquelyn Connolly and Los Alamos Chamber of Commerce Director Sandy Jones. Courtesy/LACNew Mexico Secretary Of Health Patrick Allen Steps Down
Patrick M. Allen
STATE News:
SANTA FE — Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham announced Wednesday that Patrick M. Allen, secretary of the New Mexico Department of Health would step down from his position at the end of the day. Allen has served in the administration for approximately two years.
“Pat has been a dedicated public servant, and I’m grateful for his contributions as secretary for the Department of Health. I wish him well in his next endeavor,” Lujan Grisham said
Gina DeBlassie, the governor’s health policy advisor, will serve as interim cabinet secretary of the New Mexico Department of Health. Read More
Luján Speaks At MADD Candlelight Vigil, Urges NHTSA To Implement Life-Saving Traffic Safety Provisions
U.S. Sen. Ben Ray Luján joined Mothers Against Drunk Driving for a candlelight vigil Tuesday on the National Mall to honor the lives of victims of drunk driving. Courtesy photo
From the Office of U.S. Sen. Ben Ray Luján:
WASHINGTON, D.C. – On Tuesday, U.S. Sen. Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), a member of the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee, joined Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) for a candlelight vigil on the National Mall to honor the lives of victims of drunk driving.
Luján, who survived a head-on collision with a drunk driver 30 years ago, gave remarks at the vigil to reaffirm Read More
Office Of State Engineer And Interstate Stream Commission Call On Lawmakers To Approve $114 Million Budget To Secure New Mexico’s Water Future
STATE News:
SANTA FE – The Office of the State Engineer and Interstate Stream Commission are calling on lawmakers to approve their $114 million budget request to fund operations and special appropriations for Fiscal Year 2026.
This funding will support the agency’s efforts to implement Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham’s 50-Year Water Action Plan and efficiently manage New Mexico’s water resources, proactively responding to predictions that New Mexico’s water supplies are expected to decrease by 25 percent as a result of climate change over the next 50 years.
“This budget request is centered Read More
