Rep. Herndon Of Albuquerque Attends White House Convening Of State Legislative Leaders On Gun Violence Prevention
Rep. Pamelya Herndon
STATE News:
ALBUQUERQUE — Rep. Pamelya Herndon (D-Albuquerque) represented New Mexico Wednesday at the White House for a convening of state legislative leaders on gun violence prevention.
This event brought together lawmakers from across the country to discuss policies and strategies for improving community safety nationwide.
Earlier this year, Rep. Herndon successfully led the push for Bennie’s Law, a safe storage law to protect New Mexico children from violence. Bennie’s Law is named in honor of Bennie Hargrove, the Albuquerque middle school student fatally Read More
Video: Council Chair Derkacs Recaps Dec. 12 Meeting
Los Alamos County Council Chair Denise Derkacs offers highlights on Tuesday’s regular council meeting. Video by Kirsten Laskey/ladailypost.com Read More
Huang: Disappeared Geese And Ducks In Ashley Pond & Displaced Palestinian Children In Gaza Strip
1998: A Flock of geese and ducks in Ashley Pond. Photo by Zhen Huang
Displaced children. Ismael Mohamad/UPI / Courtesy/Zhen Huang
By ZHEN HUANG
Los Alamos
As a Los Alamos resident, I am probably among the few who have kept photos taken a quarter century ago with a note like this one, “1998: A Flock of Geese and Ducks in Ashley Pond”. But I believe many of us may still remember the incident when the aerator pump failed, the pond froze, some of these happy geese and ducks residing in Ashley Pond were rescued, and others disappeared.
During this Christmas Holiday, Los Alamos folks will celebrate the life Read More
Sen. Luján Applauds NHTSA’s Steps To End Drunk Driving
Deputy Secretary of Transportation Polly Trottenberg
U.S. SENATE News:
WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Sen. Ben Ray Luján (D-NM) joined Deputy Secretary of Transportation Polly Trottenberg and Acting Administrator Ann Carlson of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Tuesday to announce the Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (ANPRM) to install impaired driving prevention technology in all new passenger vehicles after 2026.
Tuesday’s announcement begins implementation of the HALT/RIDE Act, which Luján championed as part of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law’s Read More
U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich Highlights Postsecondary Student Success Grants At National College Completion Conference
U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich
U.S. SENATE News:
WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) provided video remarks to the attendees of Complete College America’s Annual Convening in Las Vegas, Nev.
VIDEO: Heinrich Highlights Postsecondary Student Success Grants at Complete College America Convening, Dec. 10, 2023.
During his remarks, Heinrich highlighted his work on the Senate Appropriations Committee to successfully establish and fund the Postsecondary Student Success Grants Program at the U.S. Department of Education.
This new grants program was based on legislation that Read More
Benson: Bethlehem Is Canceling Christmas
By JODY BENSON
Los Alamos
Christmas celebrates new birth that brings the hope of life renewed. Each of us is born to bring our own individual gifts to a world that, without every single us, is incomplete. In the Christian tradition, Jesus represents that helpless, marginalized infant whose survival depends on his family and the grace and generosity of a community of strangers. He is also the one who, for Christians, is the promised Prince of Peace, and thus the model for how God relates to us and how we should relate to everyone else.
Bethlehem, a Palestinian town in the occupied West Bank of Israel, Read More
Governor’s Public Health Order On Gun Violence Yielding Results … Arrests, Gun Seizures Up In New Mexico
Pictured are firearms seized from one suspect during a recent operation. Law enforcement partners have seized 219 guns since the implementation of the public health order, with a 275% increase from September to November.
From the Office of the Governor:
SANTA FE – Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham announced during a press conference Monday the significant results of crime-fighting efforts that have been made since declaring gun violence a public health emergency in September.
“The data tells us that the public health order is working, but we are not out of the woods yet. Until our families, businesses Read More
Christine Bernstein Finishes Term On LAPS School Board
Christine Bernstein
From LAPS:
Christine Bernstein will attend her last meeting as a School Board member this evening, after four years representing District 3.
Ms. Bernstein has served as Board Secretary for the past year. She has also served as vice president, and on several committees, including Budget, Finance and Audit, Los Alamos County/LAPS/UNM-LA Executive Leadership, Student Liaison Application Review, Facilities Master Plan Work Group, Project Steering Committee for North Mesa, Calendar, Superintendent Evaluation, and Strategic Plan.
“I hope I have had some impact on Read More
JEC Chairman Heinrich On November CPI Data
JEC News:
WASHINTON, D.C. — Sen. Martin Heinrich (D-NM), Chairman of the U.S. Congress Joint Economic Committee (JEC) released the following statement today after the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported that prices measured by the Consumer Price Index (CPI) increased 0.1 percent in November.
Data also show that annual prices grew only 3.1 percent over the last year.
“The economy is looking strong for American families this holiday season. Inflation was low last month, and is down more than 60 percent since its peak last year. Energy prices are falling, which not only helps people’s Read More
Council To Hold Special Session Dec. 15 For Discussion, Possible Appointment Of Anne Laurent As County Manager
Anne Laurent
COUNTY News:
The Los Alamos County Council will hold a special session 9 a.m. Friday, Dec. 15 in Council Chambers at 1000 Central Ave. for the discussion and possible action of the appointment of Anne Laurent for the position of County Manager and to approve the employment agreement.
On Dec. 7 and 8, the final candidates participated in a tour of Los Alamos County and its facilities and a public meet-and-greet event, followed by a round of interviews with panels consisting of community members, County senior management and County Council.
Friday’s special session is the last step Read More
Dannemann: Election Turnout Was Pretty Good
By MERILEE DANNEMANN
Triple Spaced Again
© 2023 New Mexico News Services
The recent New Mexico off-year election had an average voter turnout of about 20 percent. Some commentators said that’s a lousy turnout. I disagree. I think it’s pretty good considering the newness of this process.
It’s really different to have a ballot with only local candidates and issues.
I myself, based on the district I live in, had no city council or school board race. The only candidates on my ballot were running for the board of a soil conservation district. Like most voters, I knew very little about that district. Read More
Benson: Recap On Why We Have Kroger And The Giant Parking Lot
By JODY BENSON
Los Alamos
Thank you, Jim Rickman, for your excellent article about choosing a County Manager (“A Reality Check on County Manager Hiring” link). We have two good candidates: Tracey Jerome from El Paso, possibly one of the “outsider(s) and vagabond interjector(s) to get us across the rough seas of change” and our own Anne Laurent, both of whom will do a fine job.
I need, however, to make a couple corrections about the (yes, it’s pretty horrible) Kroger takeover of the south side of Trinity. I think many of us have forgotten the Bush-era Iraq War, stock-market-speculation, deregulated Read More
Senators Heinrich & Colleagues Announce Amendment Requiring Use Of Supplemental Aid Comply With U.S., International And Armed Conflict Law
U.S. SENATE News:
WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senators Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) as well as Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Dick Durbin, (D-Ill.), Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Peter Welch (D-Vt.), Tina Smith (D-Minn.), Tom Carper (D-Del.), Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii), and Ed Markey (D-Mass.), announced Thursday that they are working on an amendment to require that the weapons received by any country under the proposed national security supplemental are used in accordance with Read More
Rickman: A Reality Check On County Manager Hiring
By JAMES RICKMAN
Los Alamos
I wish to echo recent sentiments regarding the importance of hiring the “right” County Manager. As such, it’s crucial that people understand the role of a County Manager in a Council-Manager form of government—the system used here in Los Alamos.
Under this system, it is the responsibility of the County Council to establish policy and the overall vision for the community. Creation of ordinances and budget priorities all play a critical role in the Council’s policymaking and vision implementation. On the other side of the equation, it is the County Manager’s job to Read More
RPLA Invites Community To Christmas Potluck On Dec. 14
By LISA SHIN
Chair
Republican Party of Los Alamos
Dear Friends:
It is hard to believe that 2023 is almost over! As I reflect upon my first year as RPLA Chair, I am incredibly grateful for our supporters, donors, and volunteers who have been generous and steadfast throughout the year. RPLA hosted two successful fundraising events, supported local candidates, and had a presence at every summer concert!
A special thanks to our Executive Committee members: Heather Muck, Charlene Hutchison, Gary Stradling, Ken Shelley, Dianne Coane, Bill McKerley, David Reagor, Joshua Muck, Tim Bullock, as well Read More
JEC Chairman Heinrich On November 2023 Jobs Report
JEC News:
WASHINGTON, D.C.— U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich (D-NM), Chairman of the U.S. Congress Joint Economic Committee (JEC), released the following statement today after the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported that nonfarm payroll employment increased by 199,000 in November and the unemployment rate fell slightly to 3.7 percent.
The unemployment rate was 5.8 percent for Black workers, 4.6 percent for Hispanic workers, 3.3 percent for white workers, 3.5 percent for Asian workers, and 6.1 percent (not seasonally adjusted) for American Indian and Alaska Native workers.
“We’re heading Read More
Peggy Flanagan Becomes First Native Woman To Serve As National Party Committee Chair
Minnesota Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan
DLGA News:
This week, news outlets have been reporting on Minnesota Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan’s election as Chair of the Democratic Lieutenant Governors Association, becoming the first Native woman to lead a national party committee.
As Minnesota Lieutenant Governor, Lt. Gov. Flanagan is the “highest-ranking Indigenous woman in statewide office.”
As the 19th reported, as Chair, Lt. Gov. Flanagan “will play an important role in fundraising, supporting candidates and reaching voters of color in swing states” during a critical election year. The DLGA has Read More
Heinrich, Luján, Colleagues Call On Interior For Plan To Support Water Security Throughout Rio Grande Basin
WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) led a delegation of Western senators, including U.S. Sens. Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), John Hickenlooper (D-Colo.), and Michael Bennet (D-Colo.), in calling on U.S. Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland to develop a robust and comprehensive funding plan to support drought mitigation and climate adaptation efforts in the Rio Grande Basin.
“In the face of widespread and historic drought, a long-term mitigation strategy is needed to safeguard the water resources of Reclamation states,” the lawmakers wrote. “Robust and coordinated investment Read More
LAPS School Board To Meet Tuesday Dec. 12, 2023
LAPS News:
The Los Alamos Public Schools (LAPS) Board of Education is scheduled to meet at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday Dec. 12 in the LAPS Boardroom at 2101 Trinity Dr., Suite V.
The meeting is open to the public and can be attended via Zoom.
To submit comments for items not on the agenda, see email address in item 6 below.
For comments during the meeting, please use: public.comments@laschools.net
Agenda
- Pledge of Allegiance
- Call to Order President Antonio Jaurigue will call the meeting to order and review the meeting protocols.
- Roll Call
- Routine Business/Approval of Agenda Approval of Agenda Action Item
Sen. Ben Ray Luján And Colleagues Introduce Legislation To Support Treatment Of Pregnant And Postpartum Women
U.S. SENATE News:
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Friday, U.S. Senators Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), Tim Scott (R-S.C.), Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), and Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) introduced the bipartisan Pregnant and Postpartum Women Treatment Reauthorization Act to reauthorize the grant residential treatment programs for pregnant and postpartum women (PPW) to receive residential treatment for substance use disorder.
This legislation will authorize funding to enhance comprehensive substance use disorder (SUD) treatments, prevention and recovery support, parenting Read More
