Legislative Roundup: 15 Days Remaining In Session
HB 137 Sponsor Rep. Susan Herrera, D-Embudo
The Santa Fe New Mexican Staff:
Water’s for agreeing: The formerly controversial Strategic Water Supply Act may be controversial no longer.
House Bill 137 sailed through the House of Representatives on a 57-4 vote Friday, with four Democrats opposed. The bill was amended last month to remove the most controversial provision allowing the treatment of fracking wastewater, leaving only provisions dealing with treating brackish water for other uses.
“By developing New Mexico’s brackish water resources, we’re charting a new course that balances Read More
LANL: Research Unravels Mysteries Of Lightning’s Origins
Scientists at Los Alamos National Laboratory are studying the origins of lightning. Courtesy/LANL
LANL News:
Researchers from Los Alamos National Laboratory have discovered that cosmic-ray showers seem to play a pivotal role in triggering lightning flashes; the research was published in the journal JGR Atmospheres.
“Scientists still don’t fully understand how lightning starts in thunderstorms,” said Xuan-Min Shao, of Los Alamos’ Electromagnetic Sciences and Cognitive Space Applications group and lead author of the new study. “Using our 3D radio frequency mapping and polarization Read More
Daily Postcard: Windy Scenes Around The Area
Daily Postcard: Windy scene Thursday around the area. Photo by VaLynn Purvis
Daily Postcard: Windy scene Thursday around the area. Photo by VaLynn Purvis
Daily Postcard: Windy scene Thursday around the area. Photo by VaLynn Purvis Read More
Bill To Battle Climate Change Sparks Divide In Senate
Senate President Pro Tempore Mimi Stewart, D-Albuquerque, debates on the floor of the state Senate Thursday, March 6, 2025. Photo by Michael G. Seamans/The New Mexican
Senate Minority Leader Bill Sharer, R-Farmington, takes a break from debating on the floor of the state Senate Thursday, March 6, 2025. Photo by Michael G. Seamans/The New Mexican
By Daniel J. Chacón
The Santa Fe New Mexican
Republicans rebuked a bill Thursday to fight climate change, describing it as an assault on the oil and gas industry that has provided a revenue boom for the state of New Mexico.
Senate Bill 83, which calls for Read More
Daily Postcard: Prairie Dog Surveys Wind At Valles Caldera
Daily Postcard: A furry little gopher surveys the fierce wind conditions blowing Thursday through Valles Caldera National Preserve. Photo by Kelly Dunbar Read More
LAHS EcoClub Seeking Old Clothes For Thrift Drive
EcoClub News:
Community members are invited to clean out their closets over spring break and donate their old clothes to the Los Alamos High School (LAHS) EcoClub Thrift Drive.
Old clothes may be dropped off in the Front Office at LAHS between Monday March 24 and Friday March 28.
The thrift drive will be held April 4-5 in the LAHS Speech Theater.
Any unsold clothes will be donated to a homeless shelter.
Read More
Sheep Shearing Day At Los Luceros April 6
Visitors watch as Kerry Mower hand-shears a Navajo-Churro sheep at Los Luceros Historic Site. Courtesy/Tira Howard Photography
Navajo-Churro sheep at Los Luceros Historic Site. Courtesy/Tira Howard Photography
NMDCA News:
ALCALDE — Sheep Shearing Day Sunday, April 6, is a great opportunity to see Los Luceros Historic Site’s flock of Navajo-Churro sheep up close and learn how their wool is removed, processed, and turned into fiber art.
“Navajo-Churro sheep are a threatened heirloom breed that is unique to the Southwest. This is a fantastic opportunity for people to learn about Read More
High Wind Precaution May Be Put In Place In Los Alamos
COUNTY News:
With high winds in the forecast for today, March 6 and Friday, March 7, the Public Service Company of New Mexico (PNM) has alerted Los Alamos County of the possibility for loading all power to Los Alamos onto one transmission line temporarily starting this afternoon.
PNM owns and manages two transmission lines that feed power to Los Alamos County. There are currently high wind and red flag (wildfire) warnings in place and this measure would be intended to reduce risk of wildfire.
Per Los Alamos Department of Public Utilities (DPU) officials, Los Alamos County electricity customers Read More
Daily Postcard: Flutter Of Butterflies A Sure Sign Of Spring
Daily Postcard: Spring was definitely in the air last weekend as 20 or more butterflies of 3 different species were seen along the reservoir road. This Mourning Cloak is a common springtime butterfly and often the first to emerge after winter. Photo by Michael Smith
Another butterfly spotted last weekend is this Milbert’s with its beautiful white stripe down the wing, shown here feeding on (and also pollinating) a willow. Photo by Michael Smith
This Hoary Comma is another common butterfly in the area, though this one is out a little early. Photo by Michael Smith Read More
East Park And North Mesa Court Renovations Start Today
COUNTY News:
The IFB25-36 East Park Basketball Court and North Mesa Tennis Courts Renovation Project is set to begin today March 5 as the first phase of this exciting upgrade.
LA Landscaping and More will lead the renovations at both sites, which include the demolition and construction of a new basketball court at East Park and the demolition and construction of tennis and pickleball courts at North Mesa Park, with an estimated completion date of Sept. 30, 2025.
This project scope will involve the demolition of the existing courts, fencing, and related structures, followed by the installation Read More
Daily Postcard: Windy Weather Creates Spectacular Sunset
Daily Postcard: Monday night’s wild and windy weather created a spectacular scene in the sky as sunset fell over Velarde. Photo by Johnnie Martinez Read More
Bill To Increase Top Oil And Gas Royalty Rate Offered On New Mexico State Lands Passes House Committee
Land Commissioner Stephanie Garcia Richard
State Land Office News:
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- Offering market rate for premium tracts would generate over a billion dollars in additional value for public schools, universities and hospitals
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SANTA FE – Legislation pushed by New Mexico Commissioner of Public Lands Stephanie Garcia Richard to increase the top royalty rate offered for new oil and gas development on the best state lands passed the House Energy, Environment & Natural Resources Committee today.
Senate Bill 23, sponsored by Sen. George Muñoz and co-sponsored by Speaker of the House Javier Martinez, Read More
County Utility Work Underway On Central Avenue Today
Courtesy/Los Alamos County
COUNTY News:
Water Production crews from the Los Alamos Department of Public Utilities (DPU) will be working along Central Avenue throughout the day. A short section of the south sidewalk will be closed, bike lanes will be closed, and a traffic lane will be shifted throughout the business day starting at 8:30 a.m.
The work zone will be on the eastbound side of Central by the Los Alamos Demonstration Garden that is situated between the Los Alamos Justice Center and Central Avenue. It will continue to the west end of Ashley Pond Park. East-bound traffic on Central will Read More
Pancho Villa State Park Host Camp Furlong Day March 8
U.S. Troops loading a cannon and Pancho villa’s troops during the battle. Courtesy photo
Pancho Villa State Park’s exhibit hall captures the story of the Pancho Villa raid and Camp Furlong through various artifacts, including military equipment left behind. Courtesy photo
NMSP News:
COLUMBUS — Pancho Villa State Park will host Camp Furlong Day from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., March 8 as part of the Cabalgata Fiesta de Amistad in Columbus, New Mexico.
“Cabalgata Fiesta de Amistad” translates to “Horseback Riding Festival of Friendship” in English. It honors the March 6, 1916, Read More
Daily Postcard: Spring Is In The Air At Valles Caldera
Daily Postcard: Spring is in the air Monday at Valles Caldera National Preserve. Photo by Kelly Dunbar Read More
LASA: Nominate An Environmental Hero For Recognition!
LASA News:
Know someone who leans toward environmental sustainability? Saves their food scraps for the compost bin? Installs solar panels or adds insulation to make their homes more energy efficient? Practices frugality and creativity by reusing items rather than tossing them into the trashcan? Perhaps they do all three. Maybe they do more.
Los Alamos Sustainability Alliance (LASA) wants to honor and distribute awards these ‘green’ heroes by shining a spotlight on them and their work in the local media. To do so, LASA needs the community’s help by nominating individuals who perform acts Read More
Daily Postcard: Ring-tailed Cat Perches On Branch In Tall Tree
Daily Postcard: A ring-tailed cat perched in a juniper tree Saturday in White Rock. Photo by Jim Gourdoux Read More
Learn To Make Paint And Dye With Bugs, Veggies And Plants Saturday March 15 At Los Luceros Historic Site
NRGNHA News:
Northern Rio Grande National Heritage Area (NRGNHA) will teach the art and science of transforming natural materials into vibrant pigments and use them to create stunning watercolor artwork in a hands-on workshop.
The workshop is 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, March 15 and a unique opportunity to connect with nature and explore sustainable art practices. The workshop is open to both seasoned artists and curious beginners for $50 per person, which helps support the work at Los Luceros Historic Site.
Register online at https://app.aplos.com/aws/give/NorthernRioGrandeNationalHeritageArea/Paints&Dyes Read More
County: Are You Prepared For Fire Season?
COUNTY News:
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- Wildland Fire Preparedness virtual meeting March 5
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Los Alamos Fire Department’s Wildland Fire Division in collaboration with the Los Alamos County Office of Emergency Management will provide a Wildland Fire Preparedness presentation, hosted by the Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC).
Local businesses and residents are encouraged to attend the virtual meeting 9-10 a.m. Wednesday, March 5. Experts will discuss tools and knowledge community members can utilize to help reduce wildfire risk to protect individuals and property.
Nationwide Recovery Of Radioactive Devices By Los Alamos National Laboratory Hits Major Milestone … 100th Shipment
Last October, the Lab’s Mobile Loading Source Recovery Team and Off-Site Source Recovery Program managed the removal and shipment of a high-activity radioactive device, from Philadelphia, pictured above. The truck departed the facility at 1:18 a.m. to minimize impacts to city roadways. Courtesy/LANL
LANL News:
- Partnership helps mitigate risk of terrorist attacks using a “dirty bomb”
Two Los Alamos National Laboratory teams that travel nationwide recovering potentially harmful radioactive material from devices at hospitals, universities, and research facilities completed a momentous Read More
