Public Notice: Sept. 17 Council Work Session Canceled
COUNTY News:
Los Alamos County has issued a cancellation notice for the County Council – Work Session scheduled for Tuesday Sept. 17, 2024 at 6 p.m. in Council Chambers. The meeting is canceled because The work session is canceled because several officials will be on travel.
A cancellation notice has been published and is available online here. Read More
Social Services Division Provides Latest COVID-19 Guidance
COUNTY News:
Los Alamos County has seen an increase in COVID-19 transmission, according to recent data from BioBot’s wastewater surveillance program. This update arrives as BioBot has notified the County that it will cease providing this free service after Aug. 31.
In response, officials from the Los Alamos County Social Services Division are sharing the latest COVID-19 information from the New Mexico Department of Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) so that individuals can protect themselves.
Last week, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved updated Read More
Los Alamos County Council OKs Affordable Housing Plan
By KIRSTEN LASKEY
Los Alamos Daily Post
kirsten@ladailypost.com
Los Alamos makes headlines for its number of PhDs, its residents’ impressive salaries and for being an overall healthy community. There is another side to this sparkling image, however; those whose earnings fall below the median income and therefore cannot enjoy the advantages and privileges others receive. These unbalanced scales are spotted in a lot of areas including housing.
As Councilor Randall Ryti said, “There obviously is a lot of information in here (the plan) and it really is relating to how people are able to live Read More
New Online Tool Makes It Easier For New Mexico Families To Access Home Visiting Services
ECECD News:
SANTA FE — Families in New Mexico can now quickly connect to Home Visiting services through a simple and easy-to-use portal. The Early Childhood Education and Care Department (ECECD) has made it easier for families with young children to get the help they need within just a few days.
“ECECD is working to make life-changing early childhood programs like Home Visiting more accessible to New Mexico families,” ECECD Cabinet Secretary Elizabeth Groginsky said. “Whether it’s your first child or your fourth, home visitors are your trusted partners in parenting, helping you navigate Read More
Congressional Delegation On $16.6 Million To Support Safe, Orderly, Humane Asylum Process In New Mexico
Congressional News:
WASHINGTON, D.C. — New Mexico Congressional Delegation members U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, U.S. Sen. 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.) are welcoming $16.6 million from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) awarded to organizations in New Mexico helping U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) maintain order at the border by assisting asylum seekers lawfully processed into the United States.
The funding, Read More
Unemployment Insurance Ops Center Closed Labor Day
NMDWS News:
ALBUQUERQUE — All New Mexico Department of Workforce Solutions’ offices, including the Unemployment Insurance Operations Center, will be closed Monday, Sept. 2, in observance of Labor Day.
The Unemployment Insurance Tax & Claims System (www.jobs.state.nm.us) is available online 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Customer Service Agents in the Unemployment Insurance Operations Center will be available when business hours resume at 8 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 3. The business hours of the Unemployment Insurance (UI) Operations Center are 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. Read More
NM Supreme Court Issues Ruling On Newspaper’s Lawsuit And Legal Doctrine Creating Defense Against Civil Liability
New Mexico Supreme Court News:
SANTA FE – The New Mexico Supreme Court today restored a newspaper’s legal claims against New Mexico’s largest electric utility for suing to stop the news organization from publishing documents released by a regulatory agency.
In a unanimous opinion, the Court ruled that a district court wrongly dismissed counterclaims brought by The Santa Fe New Mexican against the Public Service Company of New Mexico (PNM) for what the newspaper contended was a groundless legal effort infringing on freedom of the press. The newspaper sought damages, attorney fees and expenses. Read More
County To Hold Presentation On Pedestrian Master Plan Update During Transportation Board Meeting Sept. 5
COUNTY News:
Los Alamos County announces the latest updates to its Pedestrian Master Plan, aimed at boosting safety, infrastructure and accessibility across the Los Alamos Townsite and White Rock Town Center.
The plan now integrates Vision Zero principles and the federal Safe Systems Approach to enhance the road network infrastructure for both communities.
The County encourages the public to attend a presentation at the upcoming Transportation Board meeting, where the public’s insights and feedback are essential for addressing the needs of the community.
Transportation Board Meeting Read More
Council Proclaims September National Recovery Month
Los Alamos County Council Vice Chair Theresa Cull, right, presents a proclamation from council declaring September National Recovery Month. From left, Los Alamos County Health Council member Morrie Pongratz, Social Services Health Care Specialist Jeramay Martinez, Los Alamos County Social Services Manager Jessica Strong and Cull. Courtesy/LAC Read More
NM Delegation On $191,000 To Protect Children From Lead In Drinking Water At New Mexico Schools & Childcare Facilities
Congressional News:
WASHINGTON, D.C. — New Mexico Congressional Delegation members U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, U.S. Sen. Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), and U.S. Representatives Teresa Leger Fernández (D-N.M.), Melanie Stansbury (D-N.M.) and Gabe Vasquez (D-N.M.) welcomed the announcement that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has awarded $191,000 in funding for New Mexico to protect children from lead in drinking water at schools and childcare facilities.
“Our kids need clean drinking water and healthy learning environments Read More
GEAR UP New Mexico Partners With NMDWS To Improve College And Career Advising For High School Students
NMHED News:
SANTA FE — Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness in Undergraduate Programs (GEAR UP) New Mexico has joined with the New Mexico Department of Workforce Solutions (NMDWS) to improve the comprehensive and individualized college and career advising provided to high school students.
GEAR UP New Mexico, a division of the New Mexico Higher Education Department, is a federally funded program that aims to increase college and career readiness for seventh- to 12th-grade students.
The inter-agency agreement allows GEAR UP New Mexico coordinators in school districts and within the New Read More
Los Alamos County Social Services Division Launches Referral System To Link Residents In Need With Resources
COUNTY News:
The Social Services Division of Los Alamos County has launched a new software referral system to assist the Division in better meeting client needs.
The Social Services Division will use Unite Us to quickly connect people to many more resources, through Unite Us’ closed network of local and regional resources. Unite Us is a national cross-sector collaboration platform that aims to address the unmet social services and healthcare needs throughout the community.
County Social Services Manager Jessica Strong highlights the platform’s ability to facilitate a smoother, Read More
Judge Orders City Of Las Cruces To Release Unlawfully Withheld Documents, Awards $94,945 In Fees And Penalties
NMFOG News:
LAS CRUCES — Complying with a ruling from Third Judicial District Court Judge James T. Martin, the City of Las Cruces has released unlawfully withheld public records and provided a written description of other withheld records and passages redacted.
The case was brought by Attorney Peter Goodman on behalf of Michael L. Hays when the City of Las Cruces failed to comply with a request from Hays to inspect records under the Inspection of Public Records Act (IPRA).
The lawsuit claimed the City unlawfully withheld records and redacted portions of records without proper explanation, Read More
Crews To Conduct Potholing On Rover Wednesday
Map depicting work area. Courtesy/LAC
COUNTY News:
Utility crews from the Los Alamos Department of Public Utilities (DPU) will close a lane on Rover Boulevard 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 28. Crews will be potholing to locate a water main.
The northbound lane and shoulder at Rover Boulevard and N.M. 4 will be closed and the usual left-turn lane will be used for all northbound traffic turning left, right and going straight.
Drivers are asked to drive slowly and cautiously along the work zone.
Anyone with questions about the work may contact the Los Alamos County Customer Care Center at CustomerCare@lacnm.us Read More
Stansbury Meets With Labor Unions, Trade Programs Reps.
Rep. Melanie Stansbury, center, with labor union representatives gathered recently for a roundtable discussion on the future of the classroom to career pipeline for trades jobs in New Mexico. Courtesy photo
STATE News:
ALBUQUERQUE — U,S, Rep. Melanie Stansbury (NM-01) hosted a roundtable with local labor unions and trade programs to discuss the future of the classroom to career pipeline for trades jobs in New Mexico.
“Unions keep our workforce strong and ensure workers are protected,” Rep. Stansbury said. “I am proud to be union strong. The conversation proved the future is bright for union Read More
County Council Seeks Letters Of Interest For Newly Chartered Los Alamos Inclusivity Task Force
Inclusivity image. Courtesy/LAC
COUNTY News:
The Los Alamos County Council is seeking Letters of Interest to fill the newly chartered Los Alamos Inclusivity Task Force.
Letters are to be submitted by 5 p.m. Friday, Sept. 20 and may be submitted by any County resident.
Adopted at the Aug. 6 County Council meeting, the charter for the Los Alamos Inclusivity Task Force directs appointed members to perform a scope of work that includes:
Determining an overall perspective of inclusivity within the community;
Identifying best practices that have already been developed by other municipalities, Read More
Heinrich, Bipartisan Lawmakers Press USDA To Urgently Address Tribal Food Delivery Delays Nationwide
U.S. SENATE News:
WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), Chairman of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration and Related Agencies, is pressing the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to immediately rectify mounting delays with the Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR) and address root causes of the situation.
Tribal families have been experiencing extreme disruptions in food deliveries, including receiving partial deliveries, deliveries of expired products, or no deliveries Read More
Gessing: Handing Governor Speaking Slot Disqualifying
By PAUL GESSING
President
Rio Grande Foundation
I refuse to join any club that would have me as a member. Groucho Marx.
Since President Biden left the presidential race his replacement Kamala Harris has been vague about her policy ideas. In a few areas (like abortion) we know her positions clearly. And in a few isolated cases she has made detailed statements ($25,000 payments to first-time home buyers and not taxing tips).
But, the best way to know someone is by the company she keeps. At the recently-completed Democratic National Convention, New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham was given a prime Read More
LAPS Notice Of Possible Quorum: Chamisa Open House
LAPS News:
Members of the Los Alamos Public Schools (LAPS) Board may attend the Chamisa Elementary School Open House at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 29 at 301 Meadow Lane in White Rock.
A quorum may be present; however no action will be taken. Read More
Denish: Conventions Provide Voters With Contrasts
By DIANE DENISH
Corner to Corner
© 2024 New Mexico News Services
The 2024 Democratic and Republican conventions are now part of the history books. Having attended four Democratic conventions, I know each has its own flavor and spirit. Conventions help show voters the contrast between parties and candidates.
For every convention, there is anticipation and media hype prior to the event. Candidates have completed the primary process, and it’s time to come together behind a candidate.
This year was historic.
The Republicans nominated a former president who has been convicted of 34 felonies and Read More
