Op-Ed: From Crisis To Recovery: The New Mexico Higher Education Dept.’s Role In Ensuring Fiscal Responsibility
By GERALD HOEHNE
Chief of Staff
New Mexico Higher Education Department
When an institution is in trouble, the problems can pile up quickly.
From the outside, the damage appears irreversible. It takes a significant, collective effort—sometimes the comprehensive work of an entire government agency—to not only stop the landslide but to begin the painstaking work of rebuilding.
The New Mexico Higher Education Department has been that agency, and I want to share a positive, but often unheard, story about two of our state’s institutions that are now on the path to recovery thanks to our dedicated, Read More
Disaster Unemployment Assistance Deadline Extended For Lincoln And Doña Ana County Residents
NMDWS News:
ALBUQUERQUE — Lincoln and Doña Ana county residents affected by the June 23, 2025, storms, flooding and landslides may now apply for federal disaster unemployment assistance after the application deadline was extended to Oct. 15, 2025.
Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) is available to individuals whose employment or self-employment was lost or interrupted as a direct result of the declared disaster in Lincoln and Doña Ana counties.
Individuals who lost work or employment due to the designated disaster must file DUA applications by established deadlines.
DUA is available Read More
Tales Of Our Times: Macadamias Have Proved To Be Hard Nuts To Crack
Tales Of Our Times
By JOHN BARTLIT
New Mexico Citizens
For Clean Air & Water
Macadamias Have Proved To Be Hard Nuts To Crack
History has reasons of its own, which steered the fortunes of macadamia nuts. Macadamia nut trees evolved in nature far from the world’s crossroads where trade began. Trade took new wings in the “Age of Exploration”, lasting from the 1400s through the 1600s, some say the 1700s. Europe’s seafarers sailed afar and went ashore on many a land, where they came upon new foodstuffs and spices. Ships returned with these prizes to the port cities that were expanding back home. Read More
New Mexico #1 In Family Income Growth, Top 3 Nationwide In Household Gains
EDD News:
SANTA FE — New Mexico families saw the fastest income growth in the nation last year, while overall household income growth ranked among the top three states, according to newly released data from the U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey (ACS).
In 2024, median family income in New Mexico grew faster than any other state — ranking #1 for both year-over-year growth (2023–2024) and long-term gains (2021–2024).
At the same time, median household income jumped by 8.9 percent, placing New Mexico third nationwide, behind only Alaska (10.4 percent) and Mississippi (9.1 percent). Read More
Grace Philips Elected To CRL Board Of Directors
Risk Management Director Grace Philips
New Mexico Counties
NMC News:
SANTA FE — At their Sept. 24 membership meeting, voting representatives of County Reinsurance, Ltd. (CRL) elected New Mexico Counties’ Risk Management Director Grace Philips to serve on the board of directors.
Philips manages the New Mexico County Insurance Authority (NMCIA) self- insurance risk pool that provides property, liability, and workers compensation coverage to New Mexico counties. NMCIA was one of five founding members of CRL when it was formed in 1997. Former Chaves County Assessor Ron Lethgo served as Read More
New Mexico ‘True Certified’ Reaches 500 Partner Milestone
NMTD News:
SANTA FE — After nearly 10 years since its inception, the New Mexico True Certified program reached a major milestone earlier this month when it welcomed its 500th partner to the program.
The New Mexico True Certified program was originally established in spring 2016 with a couple of dozen initial partners and has since grown into the New Mexico Tourism Department’s largest program by far in terms of number of partners.
This program was created in response to expressed interest from the local business community for the opportunity to share in the New Mexico True brand. Recognizing Read More
New Mexico Environment Department Warns Public Of Concerning Algae Bloom In Santa Cruz Lake
Harmful algae blooms spotted Sept. 22 in the water and on the shoreline of Santa Cruz Lake. Courtesy/NMED
NMED News:
SANTA FE — The New Mexico Environment Department (NMED) is advising visitors to Santa Cruz Lake near Española to exercise caution due to the presence of a potentially harmful algae bloom.
Recent samples collected from the lake indicate that harmful algae are present.
NMED is recommending that visitors follow specific safety precautions while at the lake:
- Do not drink untreated surface water;
- Avoid swimming in areas with algae blooms and keep pets out of the water;
- Stay clear of
Robinson: Self-Serving Senators Keep Medical Compacts Out Of Special Session
By SHERRY ROBINSON
All She Wrote
© 2025 New Mexico News Services
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What is it about healthcare that inspires so much gibberish? On the same day that the president was dispensing unfounded medical advice on Tylenol to pregnant women, state Senate Majority Leader Peter Wirth was spinning a wild yarn about why lawmakers shouldn’t take up medical compacts during the upcoming special session.
The interstate medical licensure compact is an agreement among states to recognize each others’ professional licenses. It allows healthcare workers licensed Read More
VA Awards $6 Million+ Grant To New Mexico For Fort Stanton And Angel Fire State Veterans Cemeteries
DVA News:
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Department of Veterans Affairs’ National Cemetery Administration (NCA) announced Friday it has awarded a grant of up to $1,325,135 to the State of New Mexico for the expansion of the Fort Stanton State Veterans Cemetery and a grant of up to $5,993,108 for the expansion of the Angel Fire State Veterans Cemetery.
The Fort Stanton cemetery serves more than 12,000 Veterans and their eligible family members in the region. The grant will fund 202 in-ground cremation gravesites, roadways, landscaping and irrigation.
The cemetery at Angel Fire serves more than 18,000 Read More
Tharp: Statement Of Candidacy For UNM-LA Advisory Board
By CONNER TIFFANI THARP
Candidate
UNM-LA Advisory Board
Los Alamos County,
My name is Conner Tiffani Tharp and I am announcing my candidacy for the University of New Mexico-Los Alamos Advisory Board. Earlier this year, I was appointed to fill a vacancy on the board, and I am honored to now seek election to continue serving our community.
Serving on this board is important to me because UNM-LA plays a vital role in providing accessible education and career pathways in northern New Mexico. I want to continue to ensure that students of all ages, especially our non-traditional students, have the support Read More
Scenes From Chamber Business After Hours Meet & Greet Featuring County Community Development Director Director Eli Isaacson At LACDC Offices
The Los Alamos Chamber of Commerce hosted a Business After Hours Meet & Greet event on Thursday at the Los Alamos Commerce & Development Corporation offices inside the Small Business Center behind the downtown post office. The Meet & Greet featured Los Alamos County Community Development Director (CDD) Eli Isaacson, shown here chatting with Discover Los Alamos Director Melanie Peña. Isaacson, who stepped into his role at the County four months ago, said he feels things are going well. ‘I’m really pleased with the work we have been able to accomplish at this time (the new Retail Read More
Los Alamos County Launches Video Podcast ‘Fusion’
COUNTY News:
- First episode features LAPD Cmdr. Chris Ross and road safety
Los Alamos County has released the first episode of Fusion, a new video podcast designed to connect the community with information about county programs, services, and issues that impact daily life.
Hosted by the County’s Communications and Public Relations (CPR) team, Fusion will feature conversations with staff on a variety of topics.
The inaugural episode features Los Alamos Police Department Cmdr. Christopher Ross and CPR’s Rachel Freeman. They discuss “Operation Just Drive”, a road safety initiative focused Read More
Canceled: Oct. 8 Planning & Zoning Commission Meeting
COUNTY News:
The Oct. 8 meeting of the Los Alamos County Planning and Zoning Commission has been canceled due to the lack of applications.
The Oct. 22 meeting will be held as scheduled with three variance applications on the agenda.
Meet & Greet With CDD Director Eli Isaacson 4 PM Today
Fuselier: Who Is It That We Hate? Part 2
By BOB FUSELIER
Los Alamos
Last week I ended my column with the suggestion that it would be foolish to ignore when science and faith come to a similar conclusion. Below is one such example.
I begin with what might be called a bit of faith, a couple of teachings attributed to Jesus, a historical figure seen by some as a son of God, others as a prophet, and others as a wise teacher who lived a couple of thousand years ago. The two teachings come from what is commonly known as his Sermon on the Mount.
“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, love your enemies, Read More
Limited Seats Left For Trinity Site Tour On Oct. 18
COMMUNITY News:
Seats are nearly sold out for the Trinity Site Tour on Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025. This rare annual tour takes attendees to the site of the first atomic bomb detonation on July 16, 1945.
Walk around Ground Zero, where it detonated, and visit the McDonald Ranch House, where the plutonium core was assembled.
The tour departs from Alamogordo on comfortable motor coaches, where you will learn the fascinating history from expert guides along the way.
Guests will enjoy breakfast snacks, a boxed lunch, bottled water, and same-day admission to the New Mexico Museum of Space History.
When Read More
New Mexico State Treasurer Laura M. Montoya Unanimously Elected To Prestigious NAST Leadership Role
New Mexico State Treasurer Laura M. Montoya, 9th from left, with members of the National Association of State Treasurers at the 2025 annual conference Sept. 14-17 in Denver, Colo. Courtesy photo
STATE News:
SANTA FE — New Mexico State Treasurer Laura M. Montoya was unanimously elected last week to serve as the Western Region Vice President of the National Association of State Treasurers (NAST) at the 2025 NAST Conference during its 50th Anniversary, Sept. 14-17 in Denver, Colo.
Treasurer Montoya will succeed Colorado State Treasurer Dave Young, who chose not to seek reelection as he pursues Read More
Luján, Tillis, Gillibrand, Mullin Reintroduce Bipartisan Bill For Schools Serving Students In Military, Tribal Communities
U.S. Sen. Ben Ray Luján
U.S. SENATE News:
WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senators Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), and Markwayne Mullin (R-Okla.) reintroduced the Advancing Toward Impact Aid Full Funding Act.
This bipartisan legislation is to advance Impact Aid programs closer to full funding and increase funding for public school districts on federal land, which are tax-exempt and therefore have significantly less tax revenue to meet their schools’ and students’ needs.
The Advancing Toward Impact Aid Full Funding Act introduces a five-year plan to Read More
County Council To Hold Public Hearing On Proposed Ordinance That Would Prohibit Feeding Wild Animals Sept. 30
Community encouraged to attend public hearing Tuesday, Sept. 30, on a proposed ordinance that would prohibit feeding wild animals within County limits. Courtesy/LAC
COUNTY News:
Los Alamos County Council will hold a public hearing at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 30, on a proposed ordinance that would prohibit feeding wild animals within County limits (with an exception for songbirds and pollinators).
While feeding wildlife may feel helpful, it can actually cause problems—like attracting animals into neighborhoods, spreading disease, damaging property, and making wildlife lose their Read More
LALBC Steering Team Shares Open Letter To Community
Los Alamos Local Business Coalition
Dear Members of the County Council, Coalition members, members of the public, business owners, and friends:
In November of 2024, the Los Alamos Local Business Coalition (LALBC) was formed by a group of volunteers to address the challenges facing local businesses. Since then, we have held six public forums and spent countless hours meeting with County staff, Councilors, local stakeholders, business owners, and members of the public to advocate for local businesses. We have written reports and solicited public input. We have written
