Uniting The West: A Public Lands Dialogue Sept. 23
STATE News:
Public lands in the American West are central to our culture, economy, and identity—but they’re increasingly impacted by development pressures, changing weather patterns, and deferred maintenance and investment. In response to these growing challenges, Reps. Gabe Vasquez (D-NM-02), Ryan Zinke (R-MT-01) and Juan Ciscomani (R-AZ-06), and others, have formed the Bipartisan Public Lands Caucus, a new initiative focused on conserving America’s public lands and expanding access for all Americans.
This program offers participants a unique opportunity to hear directly from Read More
DPNM Launches Plan To Build Relationships With Newly Registered Voters To Celebrate Voter Registration Day
DPNM News:
ALBUQUERQUE — On National Voter Registration Day, Sept. 16, DPNM highlights the Democratic successes of enacting groundbreaking online and automatic voter registration reforms that put our state at the national forefront of secure and convenient voter registration. Thanks to Democrats, registering to vote is easier and more secure than ever in New Mexico.
While registering to vote at a Motor Vehicle Division (MVD) branch has been optional for years, as of July 2025, all eligible New Mexicans who interact with the MVD or other state agencies will automatically be registered Read More
Luján Statement And Background On Chaco Canyon
From the desk of Senator Lujan:
“Chaco Canyon is one of the world’s greatest treasures and it is vital that it is protected for our future generations,” Sen. Luján said. “As one of only a handful of World Heritage Sites in the United States, Chaco Canyon holds deep spiritual and cultural significance for our Tribes and Pueblos. That’s why I am proud to have introduced legislation earlier this year that would permanently protect Chaco Canyon and the Greater Chaco Region. With so many Pueblo leaders in D.C. this week, it is clear that protecting Chaco Canyon and the Greater Chaco Region is a top priority, Read More
Dannemann: Get Ready For Local Elections
By MERILEE DANNEMANN
Triple Spaced Again
© 2025 New Mexico News Services
New Mexicans, it’s time to focus attention on your own local community. Statewide local elections are coming in a few weeks: November 4, the first Tuesday in November.
Local elections are usually more important than most of us realize, especially now as conflicting national priorities may show up in local governments. Many local elections get little or no news coverage.
Do you know who’s running for what in your district? Do you know which districts you live in? Districts overlap – city council districts, school districts, Read More
Op-Ed By NNSA Field Office Manager Ted Wyka: Plan To Depressurize Waste Containers Is Safe And Rigorously Vetted By Independent Experts
By TED WYKA
Manager
NNSA Los Alamos Field Office
The success of Los Alamos National Laboratory’s vital national security mission is only possible if operations are conducted safely, with a clear understanding of risk, and a proven plan to mitigate that risk. This applies to everything the lab does, from how it conducts cutting-edge scientific experiments to how it produces plutonium pits. This approach is essential to the safety of our workforce of over 18,000, for our neighbors who surround the site and for the environment. It’s also why the federal agency that governs the lab, the National Read More
Fr. Glenn: Death Of A Salesman
By Fr. Glenn Jones:
Well … a sad week. As has been said many times over the last few days, it’s tragic when someone who exercises calm, rational free speech is murdered simply because his beliefs differ from some others. Christians, of course, are historically well acquainted with persecution: from the beginnings even to the present day. And, no, in many nations (like ours, gracias a Dios) we don’t generally have to be overly concerned about being killed for Christian faith, but other types of persecution exist. It’s now known that in the previous administration, ardent Christians were scrutinized Read More
County Board Of Public Utilities To Meet Wednesday Sept. 17
COUNTY News:
The Los Alamos County Board of Public Utilities will hold a regular meeting at 5:30 p.m., Wednesday, Sept. 17, in Council Chambers at the Municipal Building, 1000 Central Ave.
Members of the public may view proceedings online or attend and provide public comment in person or via Zoom – https://us06web.zoom.us/j/85828927209.
The agenda and the complete packet is available online – https://losalamos.legistar.com/Calendar.aspx.
Watch BPU meetings at ladpu.com/BPULiveProceedings. Read More
County Council To Hold Work Session Sept. 16 In White Rock
COUNTY News:
The Los Alamos County Council will hold a work session at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 16 in Fire Station No. 3
at 129 N.M. 4 in White Rock.
This meeting is open to the public in person and remotely.
This Zoom meeting link and/or call-in numbers may be used for public viewing and participation:
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/85448619994
or telephone:
Dial (for higher quality, dial a number based on your current location):
+1 346 248 7799 or + 1 346 248 7799 or + +1 669 444 9171 US or + 1 719 359 4580 or +1 720 707 2699
Webinar ID: 854 4861 9994
The complete agenda packet for this work session has been published Read More
Bureau Of Land Management Advances Environmental Assessments For Challenged Oil And Gas Leases
BLM News:
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Bureau of Land Management is moving forward with supplemental environmental assessments for litigated oil and gas leases in seven states.
These analyses will satisfy court orders and settlement agreements stemming from legal challenges brought by WildEarth Guardians and other plaintiffs between 2016-2021 to oil and gas leases in Colorado, Montana, New Mexico, North Dakota, South Dakota, Utah, and Wyoming.
The BLM published draft supplemental environmental assessments for Colorado, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, and New Mexico today at BLM’s Read More
Places & Spaces Seeks Community Memories For Black Hole Oral History Project
Black Hole owner Ed Grothus. Courtesy/Places & Spaces
COMMUNITY News:
Places & Spaces Los Alamos is seeking community participation in the Black Hole Oral History Project. The project aims to collect oral histories capturing stories, anecdotes, memories, and statements about the Black Hole and its owner, Ed Grothus. Conversations, legends, experiences, and interesting purchases – all of these are great topics.
“The Black Hole was more than just a surplus store; it was a cultural hub and a source of countless stories,” said Kevin Holsapple of Places & Spaces. “This project Read More
‘The Black Hole: A Unique Slice Of Los Alamos’ Heritage’ Films, Panel, Q&A Sept. 18 At SALA
COMMUNITY News:
Places & Spaces Los Alamos invites the public to a community forum titled “The Black Hole: A Unique Slice of Los Alamos’ Heritage”, at 6 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 18, at the SALA Event Center.
The event, part of SALA’s Parallel Cinema Series, will provide a unique opportunity for the public to engage with the history of one of Los Alamos’ legendary landmarks and citizens and learn about an initiative to preserve that history.
This event is free and open to the community.
Films and Discussion Panel
- The evening will begin with a brief video about the Places & Spaces Black Hole Museum
League Of Women Voters September Meeting To Feature Los Alamos Medical Center CEO Tracie Stratton
Tracie Stratton
COMMUNITY News:
This month’s League of Women Voters’ community event, Lunch with a Leader’, will feature Los Alamos Medical Center CEO Tracie Stratton. The meeting begins at noon on Sept. 18, at the Unitarian Church and is open to the public.
Stratton graduated from Casper College in Wyoming with an Associate’s degree in nursing. She completed her Master’s degree in Nursing Administration while working as the Chief Nursing Officer at Mountain View Hospital in Casper.
In 2012, Stratton and her family moved to Los Alamos, where she started her career with LifePoint Health as Read More
Chamber: Meet & Greet With CDD Director Elias Isaacson
Elias Isaacson
CHAMBER News:
The Los Alamos County Chamber of Commerce will host a special Meet & Greet event to introduce the community to new County Community Development Director Elias Isaacson.
The event is 4-6 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 25, at the Los Alamos Commerce & Development Corporation Offices at 190 Central Park Square, behind the downtown post office.
This informal gathering will provide an excellent opportunity for local business owners and residents to meet Isaacson, learn about his vision for the future of Los Alamos, and ask questions.
“We are excited to welcome Eli to Read More
State Of New Mexico Seeks New Prescription Drug Vendors To Lower Costs For 168,000 Public Employees
NMHCA News:
SANTA FE — The New Mexico Health Care Authority (NMHCA) has issued a request for proposals (RFPs) for pharmaceutical benefits management services that could lower prescription drug costs for more than 168,000 public employees and their families statewide, with proposals due Nov. 3.
“By joining with our IBAC partners, the State of New Mexico is leveraging its purchasing power to deliver pharmacy benefits that are transparent, affordable, and member-centered,” NMHCA Deputy Cabinet Secretary Alex Castillo Smith said. “Together, we are negotiating from a position of strength Read More
Luján, Mullin, McCollum, Cole Reintroduce Legislation To Responsibly Fund Critical Public Services For Tribal Nations
U.S. SENATE News:
WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Sens. Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) and Markwayne Mullin (R-Okla.), members of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs, and Reps. Betty McCollum (D-Minn.), Co-Chair Emeritus of the Congressional Native American Caucus, and Tom Cole (R-Okla.), House Appropriations Committee Chairman, reintroduced the bipartisan, bicameral Indian Programs Advance Appropriations Act (IPAAA) to authorize advance appropriations in order to avoid lapses in funding for the Indian Health Service (IHS), Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA), and the Bureau of Indian Education Read More
Op-Ed: Caja del Rio Power Line Project
By DEIRDRE MONROE
Santa Fe
Author of Caja trails map
An article in the Santa Fe New Mexican (Aug. 13, 2025) described a USFS “finding of no impact” for a proposed power line that would cross the northern Caja Plateau, linking Los Alamos with an existing electrical substation just off Buckman Road. Since then, I have read several strong statements of opposition. While there certainly is opposition to the project, there is also support. I’d like to provide some food for thought.
The Caja is lovely—beautiful and rugged—but it is a 100,000-acre, working landscape. In my 25 years of exploring this area Read More
Luján, Cantwell Bill To Strengthen Federal Wildfire Forecasting And Firefighting Tools Unanimously Passes Senate
U.S. Sen. Ben Ray Luján
From the Office of U.S. Sen. Ben Ray Luján:
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The U.S. Senate unanimously passed on Wednesday the Fire Ready Nation Act, bipartisan legislation introduced by U.S. Senators Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), a member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, and Ranking Member Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.).
The legislation strengthens the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) ability to help forecast, prevent, and fight wildfires. The Fire Ready Nation Act will formally establish a permanent Fire Weather Services program Read More
Luján, Heinrich Announce Bipartisan Bill To Enhance 9-1-1 Emergency Response System Passes Senate
U.S. SENATE News:
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- The legislation would improve Americans’ ability to reach help when dialing 9-1-1, including during natural disasters, and make important updates to the classification of 9-1-1 dispatchers.
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Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) and Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) announced that their bipartisan Enhancing First Response Act – introduced with Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) and Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) – has passed the Senate.
This legislation would make important updates to the nation’s 9-1-1 emergency reporting system to improve Americans’ ability Read More
Four Decades And Seven Governors—David Abbey Shares Memoir At New Mexico History Museum Book Talk
David Abbey
NMDCA News:
The community is invited to join David Abbey, former head of the New Mexico Legislative Finance Committee, at 1 p.m., Sunday, Sept. 1, at the New Mexico History Museum for an author event and book signing for his new memoir, “Forty Years in the New Mexico Roundhouse”.
In Abbey’s new book, “Forty Years in the New Mexico Roundhouse,” he shares stories about his time as a finance and budget expert at the state capitol during the administrations of seven New Mexico governors, from Toney Anaya in 1983 to Michelle Lujan Grisham. He was known for his broad knowledge of New Mexico history Read More
This Day In History: Attack On America Sept. 11, 2001
History.com published this photo by Getty Images NA on Nov. 24, 2009. Courtesy/history.com
Sept. 11 News:
At approximately 8:46 a.m. on a clear Tuesday morning of Sept. 8, 2001, an American Airlines Boeing 767 loaded with 20,000 gallons of jet fuel crashed into the north tower of the World Trade Center in New York City. The impact left a gaping, burning hole near the 80th floor of the 110-story skyscraper, instantly killing hundreds of people and trapping hundreds more on higher floors.
As the evacuation of the tower and its twin got underway, television cameras broadcast live images of what Read More
