State Rep. And Conservation Attorney Matthew McQueen Launches Bid For New Mexico Land Commissioner
State Rep. Matthew McQueen
STATE News:
GALISTEO — State Rep. and conservation attorney Matthew McQueen launched his bid today to run in the 2026 election for New Mexico Commissioner of Public Lands.
The six-term legislator cited the need for “strong, experienced leadership during these unprecedented times of attacks on our public lands and conservation efforts”.
“Our public lands and environmental and conservation rules are under attack,” McQueen said. “The job of Commissioner of Public Lands is an important and complex responsibility. This is a $2 billion+ annual revenue-generating Read More
Robinson: Let’s Have An Honest Debate On Public Lands
By SHERRY ROBINSON
All She Wrote
© 2024 New Mexico News Services
During the Great Depression, western ranchers faced crashing commodity prices and the ravages of drought and Dust Bowl. But that wasn’t all. The federal government was creating new national parks and monuments and expanding earlier designated areas. In states like New Mexico many were pleased to have new attractions for their budding tourism trade, but others objected.
Unlike national forests, these new carve-outs didn’t allow grazing, mining, drilling or logging. I came across this information last week while I was researching Read More
Skolnik: Dr. Shin – Please See The Whole Truth, Not Part Of It
By RICHARD SKOLNIK
White Rock
Healthcare providers have a special obligation to follow data, science, and evidence. Thus, I remain deeply disappointed at the content of Dr. Lisa Shin’s letters to the editor.
In her latest letter to the editor (link), Dr. Shin ignores the impact on the federal budget of the “Big Beautiful Bill Act.” The non-partisan Congressional Budget Office (CBO) has just estimated that the Senate Bill would add $3.9 trillion to the federal deficit from 2025 to 2034.
Dr. Shin should also note that the annual growth rate of GDP in the US since the late 1940s has been higher under Read More
State Boosts Small Business Health Insurance Savings
NMHCA News:
SANTA FE — New Mexico Healthcare Authority (NMHCA) has announced that more than 36,000 New Mexicans employed by small businesses will see bigger savings on health insurance starting this summer, as the state expands premium discounts that are already helping more than 4,100 small businesses provide affordable coverage.
Beginning July 1, New Mexico’s Small Business Premium Relief Initiative will offer 15 percent premium discounts for Gold and Platinum-level health plans, up from the current 10% discount. Bronze and Silver-level health insurance plans will continue to benefit Read More
U.S. Senators Luján, Fischer On Supreme Court Ruling On Universal Service Fund
U.S. SENATE News:
Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Ben Ray Luján (D-NM), Ranking Member of the Senate Telecommunications and Media Subcommittee, and Deb Fischer (R-NE), Chair of the Senate Telecommunications and Media Subcommittee, released the following statement Friday after the United States Supreme Court issued a ruling on the Universal Service Fund (USF):
“We’re encouraged by the Supreme Court’s ruling on the Universal Service Fund, and we look forward to working together to focus on long-term solutions for the USF, evaluate broadband programs, and help connect unserved and underserved Read More
Denish: After The Smoke Clears…Wildfires & Economic Fallout
By DIANE DENISH
Corner To Corner
diane@dianedenish.com
No one has to tell us wildfire season is in full swing in New Mexico. The smell of smoke — even from hundreds of miles away — reminds us of what’s happening. If the wind doesn’t bring the scent, the haze across the western sky surely will.
New Mexico’s vast landscape — from the San Augustin Plains to the Gila Wilderness and the Bosque through Valencia and Bernalillo counties — has always been vulnerable to wildfires. Fires are a natural part of Western ecology.
But things are changing. Fire season now starts earlier and lasts longer as climate Read More
Fr. Glenn: The Necessity Of Conviction
By Fr. Glenn Jones:
Lots of criticism over the strike on the nuclear weapon development facilities in Iran last weekend. Peace is always the ideal, but when someone declares daily: “Death to our neighbors!” and you see him stockpiling guns and ammo, should one simply ignore it? Seeking peace does not entail being naïve, and if history teaches us anything, it teaches that one of the tragic constants is the megalomaniacal desire of some for ever greater power over others. How to face that danger is always a matter of debate.
That’s a great thing about democracies and democratic republics like our Read More
Republican Party Of Los Alamos To Host Red, White & Blue Independence Day Picnic At Pinon Park Saturday July 5
By LISA SHIN
Chair
Republican Party of Los Alamos
Dear Friends:
Please join us for our annual Independence Day Picnic on Saturday, July 5, at Pinon Park in White Rock. Bring a side or dessert to share. RSVP to rpla.vicechair@gmail.com.
Also, be sure to look for our table at the 4th of July Spectacular celebration on Friday, July 4, at Ashley Pond Park.
We heard from Eric Stromberg at our Central Committee meeting on June 19. Concerns about the recent 9% electric rate hike and 7% sewage rate hike were raised. Councilor (David) Reagor was the only NO vote for these ordinance changes. Forcing all citizens Read More
Tales Of Our Times: More Searching News Adds Context To ‘Democracy’
Tales Of Our Times
By JOHN BARTLIT
Los Alamos
More Searching News Adds Context To ‘Democracy’
This year’s 4th of July will mark our nation’s 249th birthday. Across the nation, cheering parades will pass by with bands, marchers, and amblers of many stripes and ages. Stalwarts will trod along central streets to endorse a great range of causes from goodwill to politics.
I was born and raised in a small town south of Chicago. Many times, my dad led a four-man rifle team of American Legionnaires in the annual 4th of July parade. As the rifle team reached the town center in front of Oliver’s Drug Store, the Read More
Demolition Notification And TA-63 Transuranic Waste Report Added To LANL Public Electronic Reading Room
LANL News:
Per regulatory requirements, this notifies the public that the following documents have been added to the Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) Public Electronic Reading Room.
The document(s) have been submitted to fulfill one or more requirements of the Los Alamos National Laboratory.
Documents:
- Demolition Notification for Quarter Ending September 30, 2025, and List of Buildings and Attachment of Hazardous Materials Descriptions
- Technical Area 63 Transuranic Waste Facility Soil Vapor Monitoring System Report, Calendar Year 2025, Quarter 2
Video: Council Chair Theresa Cull Shares Meeting Highlights
Republican Lawmakers Call Foul Over LFC Report On NM Orphaned Oil Well Program
NMSR News:
TAOS — Yesterday, the members of the Legislative Finance Committee (LFC) received a spotlight report about orphaned oil & gas wells in New Mexico. However, this report was subsequently flagged by lawmakers as being biased against our state’s extractive industries. Concerns around the report arose from data reported by the Oil Conservation Division of the Energy, Minerals, and Natural Resources Department that lacked input from industry partners and experts. Though the publication was intended to provide policy options to legislators, it failed to acknowledge the compliance Read More
DPU Releases FY2025 Third Quarter Performance Report
DPU News:
The Los Alamos County Department of Public Utilities (DPU) has released its Quarterly Performance Report for the third quarter of FY2025.
The report is available to read here: https://ladpu.com/FY25Q3. Read More
State Rep. Christine Chandler And U.S. Rep. Teresa Leger Fernández Host Los Alamos Townhall
Far left, N.M. Rep. Christine Chandler, left, and U.S. Rep. Teresa Leger Fernández at the podium during their town hall meeting Friday afternoon at Fuller Lodge. Photo by Kirsten Laskey/ladailypost.com
By KIRSTEN LASKEY
Los Alamos Daily Post
kirsten@ladailypost.com
Immigration, the U.S. possibly entering Israel’s war with Iran and the sale of public lands were among the top concerns voiced during a town hall hosted by U.S. Rep. Teresa Leger Fernández and N.M. Rep. Christine Chandler.
Friday afternoon at Fuller Lodge, a crowd of people filled the room to express their concerns and questions Read More
Elias Isaacson Takes Helm At Community Development
New Los Alamos County Community Development Department Director Elias Isaacson stopped by the Los Alamos Daily Post newsroom Wednesday afternoon for a visit. Photo by Kirsten Laskey/ladailypost.com
BY KIRSTEN LASKEY
Los Alamos Daily Post
kirsten@ladailypost.com
When Elias Isaacson stepped into his new role as Los Alamos County Community Development Department Director in May, he said it was apparent what his main focuses are: housing and economic development.
Looking at what has been done thus far in these two areas, Isaacson said he feels optimistic about achieving the County Manager’s Read More
Public Invited To Shape Kinship Caregiver Pilot Program
ALTSD Cabinet Secretary Emily Kaltenbach
ALTSD News:
SANTA FE – The Aging and Long-Term Services Department (ALTSD) is inviting the public to weigh in on the rule for the new Kinship Caregiver Pilot Program.
Created through House Bill 252 during the 2025 Legislative session, the Kinship Caregiver Pilot Program is designed to assist those who are raising children outside of the traditional foster care system by helping them access services, legal resources, and financial support.
“Whether it’s grandparents stepping in, an aunt or uncle opening their home, or an older sibling keeping the Read More
CYFD’s Failures Continue, Letter Seeking Investigation Sent To Attorney General
NMSR News:
TAOS — Today, members of the Child Welfare & Early Childhood Subcommittee were presented with a quarterly agency report card for the Children, Youth, and Families Department (CYFD). This Legislative Finance Committee (LFC) report card reflects a continuation of poor performance and outcomes for youth. Furthermore, CYFD has again failed to meet the requirements for additional federal funding for evidence-based prevention programs because the department does not have an approved Family First Prevention Services Act plan. Additionally, members of the Child Welfare & Read More
Los Alamos Public Schools Board Work Session June 26
DPLAC Releases July 2025 Meeting Schedule
DPLAC News:
Notice of Democratic Party of Los Alamos County (DPLAC) Meetings in July:
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- 6:30 p.m., July 7, 2025. County Central Committee (CCC) meeting by Zoom only. Please contact the Chair or Vice-Chair if you haven’t received the link! This is a CCC members only meeting.
- 6:30–7:30 p.m., July 21, 2025. The Democratic Party of Los Alamos County (DPLAC) will hold its regular monthly General Meeting in person or by Zoom (Note deviation from regular schedule) at ProjectY co-workspace at 150 Central Park Square. Registered Democrats are invited to attend this hybrid meeting held in person and via
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Commissioner Garcia Richard On Legislative Finance Committee Report Highlighting Need To Plug Thousands Of Inactive Oil & Gas Wells
From the New Mexico State Land Office:
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- State Land Office leading efforts by securing 700 oil & gas wells plugged under its Accountability and Enforcement Program at industry’s expenses; saving taxpayers at least $114 million
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SANTA FE – The New Mexico State Land Office’s efforts to hold oil and gas operators accountable have resulted in the plugging of 700 abandoned oil and gas wells on New Mexico state lands as of this moment, Commissioner of Public Lands Stephanie Garcia Richard announced today. Meanwhile, a new report released today by the New Mexico Legislative Finance Committee (LFC) Read More
