Laurent Outlines Priorities In State Of The County Address
Los Alamos County Manager Anne Laurent presents her annual State of the County report during the Chamber Business Breakfast Jan. 15 at SALA Event Center. Photo by Marlene Wilden/ladailypost.com
By MARLENE WILDEN
Los Alamos Daily Post
marlene@ladailypost.com
Los Alamos County Manager Anne Laurent presented her annual State of the County address Thursday during the monthly Chamber of Commerce breakfast, reviewing the past year and outlining priorities for 2026 while portraying a busy but financially cautious government.
She told business leaders the County is balancing multiple priorities, Read More
County: Get Involved On Local Boards And Commissions
COUNTY News:
Volunteer citizen boards provide an opportunity for community members to participate in local government.
Vacancies include:
- County Health Council;
- Environmental Sustainability Board;
- Historic Preservation Advisory Board;
- Parks and Recreation Board;
- Personnel Board; and
- Planning and Zoning Commission.
To get involved, call 505.663.3436 or apply online by clicking here. Read More
New Mexico Governor Bans Overnight Stays In Government Offices For Children In State Custody
From the Office of the Governor:
SANTA FE — Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham signed an executive order Monday banning the practice of children in state custody sleeping overnight in government offices, which has occurred when no appropriate foster or residential placements were available.
Starting March 1, no child may sleep in a Children, Youth and Families Department (CYFD) office under any circumstances, and the agency must ensure all youth are placed in appropriate care settings.
“Children who have experienced trauma deserve safety, stability and dignity — not sleeping in offices,” Lujan Read More
New Mexico Legislators Introduce ‘Inclusion In Healthcare Act’ To Address Provider Shortage And Expand Patient Access To Non-Pharmacological Pain Treatment
From New Mexico Senate Democrats:
SANTA FE – New Mexico State Senators Linda Trujillo and Peter Wirth today announced the introduction of the “Inclusion in Healthcare Act” legislation designed to address New Mexico’s critical healthcare provider shortage by expanding insurance coverage to include licensed naprapaths, chiropractors, and acupuncturists.
The proposed bill models language from the Affordable Care Act, which prohibits discrimination against licensed healthcare providers working within their scope of practice. The legislation would ensure that insurance Read More
Dannemann: It’s Time For The State To Act
By MERILEE DANNEMANN
Triple Spaced Again
© 2025 by Merilee Dannemann
The state of our Union is frightening. That is why we need New Mexicans to engage intensively at the state and local level. We are at a moment of unprecedented contradictions.
Yet again, as in Iraq in 2003, a Republican president has found alleged justification for using military force to remove the president of another nation. The contradiction is apparent.
Near-universal public opinion seems to be that Nicolas Maduro was an evil dictator and Venezuela is better off without him, but President Trump had no legal justification Read More
Heinrich Statement On Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
From Sen. Martin Heinrich:
WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) released the following statement in recognition of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, which falls on Monday, Jan. 19.
“When Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. accepted his Nobel Peace Prize in December 1964, he spoke about the imperative to protest injustice and remedy poverty. He told the group gathered that he did so ‘with an abiding faith in America and an audacious faith in the future of mankind’.
“It had been only months since three men were murdered for trying to register Black voters in Mississippi and less than Read More
2026 Higher Education Day At The Roundhouse Jan. 20
STATE News:
SANTA FE – The New Mexico Higher Education Department (NMHED) welcomes students, families, and members of the public to attend Higher Education Day at the State Capitol from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 20.
The event will recognize New Mexico GEAR UP students, as well as recipients of programs like the Opportunity Scholarship and loan-repayment-programs. Eastern New Mexico University Band will be in attendance for the day of events, including more than 24 New Mexico colleges, universities and other education partners will share information with visitors on degree and certificate Read More
Op-Ed: New Mexico Can’t Afford To Be Left Out Of Innovation & Opportunity
By DAVIN LOPEZ
NMIDEA President
New Mexico has always been a place of ingenuity. From agriculture and aerospace to energy and advanced manufacturing, we’ve built our economy by solving problems in tough environments. But too often, when the New Mexico Legislature talks about innovation, investment, and economic development, they forget about the importance of research and development (R&D). Passing the R&D tax credit bill is a chance to change that — and it’s a chance the Legislature should not miss.
The research and development tax credit is not a giveaway. It’s a proven tool used Read More
House Democrats Preview Priorities For 2026 Session
STATE News:
ALBUQUERQUE — New Mexico House Democrats shared a preview of an ambitious policy agenda centered around the needs of working families for the 30-day Legislative Session beginning Jan. 20. House Democrats are focused on making life better and more affordable across the state by expanding access to healthcare and housing, improving public safety, and investing in the well-being of New Mexico families and communities.
“While the Trump administration makes life harder and more expensive for your family, your House Democrats are focused on delivering real, pragmatic solutions Read More
Today Marks Martin Luther King, Jr. Day 2026
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Martin Luther King, Jr. Day 2026:
Today marks “The Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday, which celebrates the life and legacy of a man who brought hope and healing to America.”
About Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.:
During the less than 13 years of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s leadership of the modern American Civil Rights Movement, from December 1955 until April 4, 1968, African Americans achieved more genuine progress toward racial equality in America than the previous 350 years had produced. Dr. King is widely regarded as America’s pre-eminent advocate of nonviolence Read More
National State Of America’s Counties Address Highlights Cost And Administrative Shifts
NACo News:
WASHINGTON, D.C. — In an address Thursday at the National Association of Counties (NACo)-National Council of County Association Executives (NCCAE) State of America’s Counties Summit, NACo President and Wise County, Texas Judge J.D. Clark highlighted the role of counties as intergovernmental partners and the importance of that partnership in the year ahead.
“I am here to say clearly: the state of America’s counties is strong,” Clark said. “Yet we are facing a complex intergovernmental landscape that is shaped and heavily influenced by the policy, funding and implementation Read More
USDA Announces New Presidential Appointee Travis L. Day To Serve Rural New Mexico
Travis L. Day
USDA News:
ALBUQUERQUE — U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins announced Travis L. Day is appointed by President Donald Trump to serve as the USDA Rural Development State Director for the state of New Mexico.
Director Day will implement President Trump’s America First agenda at USDA Rural Development, ensuring the needs of America’s farmers, ranchers, and producers remain a top priority.
“When America’s farming communities prosper, the entire nation thrives. This new group of USDA appointees will ensure President Trump’s America First agenda is a reality in rural Read More
Los Alamos Conducts Rocket Launch To Test New Concepts
The SpaceLoft-XL 18 rocket launches at Spaceport America. Courtesy/LANL
LANL News:
- Researchers work with multiple partners to reach new heights in high-cadence, low-cost experiments
Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) scientists are examining data from a recent successful suborbital rocket launch. On Nov. 19, the Laboratory, in conjunction with commercial partner UP Aerospace, conducted the launch at Spaceport America in southern New Mexico. The goal was to test the performance of a new vehicle featuring a deployable heat shield. The heat shield was developed in collaboration Read More
Donavan Price Participates With Sigma Gamma Rho Sisters In 2026 Martin Luther King Jr. Commemorative March
Donavan Price of Los Alamos, holding the banner at center, wearing sunglasses, participates with her Sigma Gamma Rho sisters in the 2026 Martin Luther King Jr. Commemorative March on Saturday morning in Albuquerque. The march began at the intersection of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue and University Boulevard and proceeded to Civic Plaza, where the program featured keynote speaker Aja N. Brooks, Esq. Sigma Gamma Rho is a national collegiate sorority incorporated in 1922 and notable for its drive to make society better through sisterhood and empowerment. To learn more, visit www.sgrho1922.orgNotice: New Mexico Environmental Improvement Board To Hold Rulemaking Hearing Expected To Last Approximately Three Days Beginning March 23
NMED News:
The New Mexico Environmental Improvement Board (“EIB”) will hold a public hearing beginning at 9 a.m., March 23, 2026, to consider EIB 25-77 (R) – In the Matter of Proposed Repeal and Replacement of 20.2.71 NMAC – Operating Permit Emissions Fees and 20.2.75 NMAC – Construction Permit Fees.
The hearing will last as long as required to hear all testimony, evidence, and public comment, and is expected to last approximately three days.
The EIB may deliberate and make a decision on the proposed regulatory changes at the conclusion of the hearing or may convene a meeting after the hearing Read More
New Mexico Aging And Long-Term Services Department To Present $109.7 Million Budget Focused On Expanding Senior Services And Supporting Caregivers To Legislature
ALTSD News:
SANTA FE — Next week, the New Mexico Aging and Long-Term Services Department (ALTSD) will ask lawmakers to approve a $109.7 million budget for fiscal year 2027, which focuses on expanding senior services and supporting caregivers.
“This budget reflects what we’re hearing from communities across New Mexico: older adults, adults with disabilities and caregivers need reliable services they can count on,” ALTSD Secretary Emily Kaltenbach said. “By investing in caregiving, meals and transportation services today, this will help us keep older New Mexicans safe, mobile and supported Read More
Democratic Party Of Los Alamos County 2026 To Hold Pre-Primary Convention Feb. 7
From the Democratic Party of Los Alamos County
Dear Democrats of Los Alamos County,
Do you want to be involved and ensure that Democrats are elected this midterm election season? Do you have statewide candidates that you support and want to see succeed?
The Pre-Primary local (Los Alamos) Convention is approaching, and we invite you to attend!
The Convention purpose is to elect and nominate delegates to go to the Statewide Pre-Party Convention, where they will do the following:
- Nominate Democratic candidates whose names will appear on the NM Primary ballot in June.
- Vote on whether to adopt the
Serve New Mexico Commission Announces AmeriCorps NM Programs Participating In 2026 MLK Jr. Day Of Service
Serve New Mexico Commission News:
ALBUQUERQUE — The Serve New Mexico Commission announces AmeriCorps New Mexico programs participating in the 2026 Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service, engaging AmeriCorps members and community volunteers in meaningful service projects throughout northern, central and southern New Mexico.
Observed each year on the third Monday in January, Martin Luther King, Jr., Day is a federal holiday designated as a National Day of Service to encourage individuals to volunteer their time, talent, and resources to improve their communities. AmeriCorps, a State Read More
NMOGA’s Nonprofit Arm Launches Website To Connect Students With Careers In Oil And Gas
NMOGA News:
SANTA FE — Energizing Our Future New Mexico, the nonprofit arm of the New Mexico Oil & Gas Association (NMOGA), today announced the launch of a new online resource designed to help students explore rewarding careers in the state’s energy sector.
The Student Success Pathways website, available at https://pathways.nmoga.org, provides tools, guidance, and connections for students interested in pursuing opportunities in oil and gas and related fields.
The platform offers:
- Career Pathways: Detailed information on roles within the energy industry, from engineering and
New Mexico Public Health Offices To Close For MLK Day
NMDOH News:
SANTA FE — State public health offices and administrative offices will be closed Monday, Jan. 19, in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
All New Mexico Department of Health (NMDOH) offices will reopen as regularly scheduled on Tuesday, Jan. 20.
The NMDOH Helpline, 1-833-SWNURSE (1.833.796.8773) will be available during regular business hours, 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday.
The Helpline is staffed by nurses for health questions, health care connections and provider support. Read More
