State Sen. Crystal Brantley Seeks Attorney General Guidance After Court Halts Gun Waiting Period In New Mexico
Sen. Crystal Diamond Brantley
STATE News:
ELEPHANT BUTTE — State Sen. Crystal Diamond Brantley (R-Elephant Butte) has sent a formal letter to Attorney General Raúl Torrez requesting guidance on the enforcement of New Mexico’s seven-day firearm waiting period law following federal court action that has placed the statute on hold. A copy of the full letter is attached.
Brantley’s request follows recent decisions by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit blocking enforcement of the waiting period while litigation continues. Despite the ruling, firearm retailers across New Mexico Read More
Council Chair Cull Shares 2025 State Of County Letter
By THERESA CULL
Chair
Los Alamos County Council
The past year has been one of challenges and uncertainty due mostly to changes in the federal government. The County experienced higher costs, delays, and an as-yet unfulfilled FEMA funding commitment. Changes at our largest employer resulted in a significant decrease in gross receipts taxes. We also endured the longest government shutdown in history that resulted in federal employees being furloughed and activities at our local parks being closed or curtailed for over a month.
Despite these challenges, the County’s performance in 2025 Read More
Listening Session For North Mesa Picnic Grounds Renovations Jan. 14 At Fuller Lodge
COUNTY News:
The Next Phase of the North Mesa Picnic Grounds Master Plan is underway. Los Alamos County Community Services invites the community to a listening session 5:30-7 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 14, at Fuller Lodge, to gather input on proposed renovations to the North Mesa Picnic Grounds.
Community members may also participate via Zoom: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/87587269593.
The area’s facilities—including shelters, restrooms, and other park amenities—are outdated and have been highlighted in both the County’s Integrated Master Plan and ADA Transition Plan as needing upgrades Read More
New Documents Added To Los Alamos Legacy Cleanup Contract Electronic Public Reading Room
LANL News:
New documents have been added to the Los Alamos Legacy Cleanup Contract Electronic Public Reading Room.
All legacy cleanup documents required to be posted after April 30, 2018, are available on the site linked above.
For legacy cleanup documents that were posted prior to April 30, 2018, please visit the LANL electronic public reading room.
- Notification of Return to Original Permitted Location of Four Los Alamos National Laboratory Hazardous Waste Facility Permit Storage Sheds (144, 145, 146, and 177)
https://ext.em-la.doe.gov/GovFTPFiles/api/GetFiles/GetFile?fileName=EMID-704101_N3B-2025-0434_Notif_Return_of_4_Permit_Units_122225.pdf
Senior Day At New Mexico State Legislature Feb. 13
ALTSD News:
Senior Day has been rescheduled to Feb. 13, 2026. This replaces the previously announced date of Jan. 23, 2026.
The date change was made intentionally to allow increased access to legislators for Senior Day attendees. We understand how important it is for older adults, people with disabilities, and caregivers to connect directly with policymakers when discussing the future of aging and long-term care services in New Mexico. Holding Senior Day on this new date creates more opportunities for meaningful conversations and advocacy at the Roundhouse.
We are also honored to be sharing Read More
New Mexico Department Of Wildlife Announces 25 Percent Discount For SNAP Recipients
NMDW News:
SANTA FE — The New Mexico Department of Wildlife announced that residents who receive Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits are now eligible for a 25% discount on hunting and fishing licenses.
The initiative expands access to outdoor recreation and supports food security for New Mexicans.
“This discount will help make hunting and fishing more accessible to thousands of New Mexicans,” Department director Mike Sloane said. “With this discount, eligible participants will have increased accessibility to healthy, natural food sources.”
Between Read More
State Senate District 33 Is Vacant, And Governor Lujan Grisham Shows No Signs She Intends To Nominate Someone
RPNM News:
ALBUQUERQUE — With the resignation of State Senator Nicholas Paul, SD-33 is currently vacant as we are now just days away from the start of the 2026 legislative session.
It has now been over two months since Governor Lujan Grisham has had candidates to fill this vacancy. As it currently stands, whoever is nominated to fill this vacancy will be completely disadvantaged in their efforts to represent their constituents in southern New Mexico. This nomination, if the governor even makes it, will be just days, or hours, before legislative session begins which is completely unacceptable, Read More
Ohkay Owingeh Endorses Sam Bregman For Governor
Sam Bregman
From the Sam Bregman For Governor Campaign:
ALBUQUERQUE — Democratic gubernatorial candidate Sam Bregman has announced the endorsement of the Ohkay Owingeh Tribal Council and its Tribal Get Out the Vote Committee, marking a significant show of support from one of New Mexico’s most influential pueblos.
Ohkay Owingeh—the first Capitol of New Mexico, headquarters of the Eight Northern Indian Pueblos Council and one of the largest Tewa-speaking pueblos—represents a powerful voice in a state home to 19 pueblos and two tribal nations. The endorsement underscores growing momentum Read More
State Invests $463,000 To Support Creative Ecosystem In New Mexico Including Los Alamos Makers
STATE News:
SANTA FE — The New Mexico Creative Industries Division of the New Mexico Economic Development Department (EDD) is investing $463,577 in its creative economy, awarding grants to nine organizations that help entrepreneurs grow and sustain creative businesses statewide.
The awards will support access to business services, technical assistance, and professional development for creative entrepreneurs across the state.
In this inaugural round of applications, the state’s Creative Industries Division received more than 100 applications for the Creative Support Organization Read More
Jim Ellison Enters Race For Governor Of New Mexico
Jim Ellison, Jr.
ALBUQUERQUE – James “Jim” F. Ellison, Jr., a former Commissioner of the New Mexico Public Regulation Commission (NMPRC), announced this morning his campaign for Governor of New Mexico.
In a statement announcing his candidacy, Ellison highlighted that policies under current Democratic leadership have set the stage for a dramatic increase in electric rates, and articulated his vision for a New Mexico that prioritizes affordability for its citizens and moves the economy forward.
“Over the next 10 years, electric rates will double or triple if our state continues Read More
Effective Citizen Advocacy Workshop At Legislature Jan. 10
LWV News:
Effective Citizen Advocacy workshop at the Legislature from 10 a.m. to noon, Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026.
Learn tips from legislators and an experienced lobbyist about how to interact with legislators, speak at hearings and advocate for your cause.
Speakers:
Senator Natalie Figueroa (D-Bernalillo) – Senate Education, Senate Tax, Business & Transportation
Representative Rebecca Dow (R-Doña Ana, Sierra & Socorro) — House Appropriations & Finance, House Transportation, Public Works & Capital Improvements, House Printing & Supplies
Linda Siegle Read More
State HCA Announces $1 Million In Grant Funding Available To Strengthen New Mexico’s Primary Care Workforce
HCA News:
SANTA FE — New Mexico’s primary care providers are encouraged to apply for grant funding to establish or expand residency programs and support primary care provider workforce.
The Health Care Authority (HCA) will award $1 million in funding beginning July 1, 2026. Allocations will depend upon the number of applications received, funding requested and availability of funds.
This Graduate Medical Education (GME) grant funding was allocated by the 2025 New Mexico Legislature in House Bill 480.
Grant applications open at 8 a.m., Jan. 2, 2026, and will be posted on the HCA GME Grant Read More
RPLA Announces Pre-primary Convention For Jan. 24, 2026
By LISA SHIN
Chair
Republican Party of Los Alamos
Dear Friends:
Please mark your calendars for our Pre-Primary Convention at 9 a.m. Jan. 24, 2026, at Fuller Lodge. We will elect nine delegates from Los Alamos to participate in the Republican Party of New Mexico’s State Preprimary Convention. This will be held on March 7, 2026 in Ruidoso, and our delegates will have an opportunity to hear from and vote on statewide candidates for this year’s election.
As of today, we have one candidate for Congressional District 3, NM House Representative Martin Zamora, on our agenda for Jan. 24. All candidates Read More
Gessing: Understanding New Mexico’s Data Center Boom
By PAUL J. GESSING
President
Rio Grande Foundation
After years of failure to land a “big fish” business for New Mexico’s economy (or effectively use the oil and gas revenues to grow the economy) Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham with the help of her Economic Development Secretary Rob Black have lured no fewer than three large data centers to New Mexico. These data centers are being built to serve the booming world of Artificial Intelligence (AI), and they will have profound impacts on New Mexico.
It is our view that having these data centers locate in New Mexico is better than having them locate elsewhere. Read More
LWV & AAUW To Present 2026 Legislative Preview Thursday Jan. 8 In Fuller Lodge
By Becky (Rebecca) Shankland
Communications Director
League of Women Voters of Los Alamos
The League of Women Voters of Los Alamos (LWV) and the American Association of University Women (AAUW) invite the community to the 2026 Legislative Preview 7-9 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 8 in Fuller Lodge. Join us ahead of the preview at 6:30 p.m. for snacks and conversation.
Our legislators—Representative Christine Chandler and Senators Leo Jaramillo and Roberto Gonzales—will share their views on the upcoming session. In addition, Kristina Fisher, Associate Director at Think New Mexico, will discuss Read More
Fr. Glenn: Overlap
By Fr. Glenn Jones:
Well … it’s been quite the “interesting” start to the new year, hasn’t it?
New York City has its first Muslim socialist mayor; that will definitely be “interesting” in the financial capital of the world. I, like many, find it hard to believe that, with the tragic history of socialism throughout the world, people are still swayed by its siren song. “Equity” sounds good, but that necessarily presumes equity in effort, ability, etc., which does not happen in practice. If I work harder to produce/earn more, it’s taken from me to give to someone who does not. So why work hard, or at all? Read More
Dannemann: Affordable Housing
By MERILEE DANNEMANN
Triple Spaced Again
© 2025 by Merilee Dannemann
Everybody wants affordable housing.
At a recent legislative town hall, several legislators present named affordable housing as a top priority. There was not much specificity as to how housing should be made affordable or how to get it done.
Meanwhile, the people who actually build the houses (more precisely, the people who speak for the people who build the houses) are trying to tell us why new laws and regulations are making it less affordable to build anything.
In a letter to me, Melanie Lawton, government affairs director Read More
Republican Party Of New Mexico Chairwoman Amy Barela On Capture Of Venezuela President Nicolás Maduro
RPNM News:
ALBUQUERQUE – Republican Party Of New Mexico (RPNM) Chairwoman Amy Barela’s statement on the unprecedented capture of Nicolás Maduro:
“No other military in the world could have successfully pulled this mission off. Not one. Right now, celebrations are underway in Venezuela and Venezuelan communities across South Florida and the rest of America. It is abundantly clear that, because of President Trump’s actions, the world is a much safer place with the capture of illegitimate President Nicolás Maduro. Democrats like Gabe Vasquez and Melanie Stansbury who are criticizing President Read More
Meet & Greet Los Alamos Fire Chief Erik Litzenberg Jan. 7
Los Alamos County Fire Chief Erik Litzenberg
COUNTY News:
The community is invited to attend a meet and greet with newly appointed Los Alamos County Fire Chief Erik Litzenberg, 5-6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2026, at Fuller Lodge, 2132 Central Ave.
The Los Alamos County Council unanimously affirmed the appointment of Litzenberg as the new fire chief during its regular session on Dec. 16, 2025, following a nationwide search that began in fall 2025. He brings more than 28 years of experience, technical expertise, and leadership to the position, including many years of service in the local region. Read More
County Historic Preservation Advisory Board To Meet Jan. 7
COUNTY News:
The Los Alamos County Historic Preservation Advisory Board is scheduled to meet at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 7 in Room 110 at the Municipal Building, 1000 Central Ave.
This meeting is open to the public, however, for convenience, the following Zoom meeting link and/or telephone call-in numbers may be used for public viewing and participation:
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/84905750399
+13462487799,,81357060773# US
Dial by your location
+1 669 444 9171 US
Meeting ID: 849 0575 0399
- ADMINISTRATIVE ACTIONS
- Call to Order/Introductions
This section of the agenda Read More
