Santa Fe National Forest Pile Burn Update
Ignitions on Tesuque Piles in the Espanola Ranger District. Courtesy/SFNF
SFNF News:
Recent winter weather created favorable conditions to implement pile burns across the forest. Santa Fe National Forest fire managers will continue hazardous fuels reduction work throughout the winter as weather conditions allow, pending all required approvals. Pile burning is meant to treat slash, like branches, piled by thinning crews with the aim of reducing flammable fuels. The decision to proceed with each pile burn will depend on multiple factors, including snowpack, air quality, ventilation, Read More
Daily Postcard: Crimson Sunrise Over North Community
Daily Postcard: A crimson sunrise viewed on Monday from North Community. Photo by Marc Bailey Read More
Op-Ed: Los Alamos Isn’t The Innovation Hub We Expect – But It Could Be…
By Dr. Prisca Tiasse
Founder and President
Los Alamos Makers
New Mexico Economic Development Department’s (NMEDD’s) recent publication (link) of its New Mexico Science & Technology Roadmap is creating a lot of buzz and excitement. The document highlights the state’s strong competitive advantages in key science and technology industries. It explicitly aims to translate high-priority science and technology into local high-paying jobs and calls for strengthening the innovation ecosystem.
For years, New Mexico’s economic development narrative has leaned on the assumption that Read More
Water Line Break Causes Los Alamos County Ice Rink Closure
COUNTY News:
The Los Alamos County Ice Rink is closed until further notice due to a broken water pipe, resulting in no water at the facility.
All programming and events are canceled during this closure.
Check back at ladailypost.com for updates.
Direct questions to Katherine Hudspeth at Katherine.hudspeth@losalamosnm.gov. Read More
SFNF Extends Camping Area Closure At Headquarters Well
SFNF News:
SANTA FE — The Santa Fe National Forest (SFNF) has extended a camping area closure order (03-10-06-25-17) for Headquarters Well in the Española Ranger District to prevent further resource damage caused by an increase in unauthorized long-term camping, vandalism, and trash dumping. While the closure order is in place the SFNF will conduct critical restoration and rehabilitation work to address resource damage and implement a long-term management plan for the area.
The order has been in place since June 21, 2024, and will extend through 8 a.m., Dec. 31, 2026, unless rescinded.
Prohibited Read More
County: When Is A Wild Animal’s Behavior Abnormal?
Courtesy photo
COUNTY News:
In Los Alamos County, occasionally we see wildlife acting in a way that raises alarm. What does it mean when we say there is an animal not behaving normally, and what can we do to remain safe?
A large predator is not behaving normally when it fails to show its natural avoidance of humans or exhibits bold, aggressive behavior. Normally, most large predators are wary of humans and will actively avoid contact, as they do not want to risk injury in a conflict. A predator is behaving abnormally if it displays the following behaviors:
Loss of Wariness Towards Humans
- Approaching
Daily Postcard: Wintery Scene At Bandelier Natl. Monument
Daily Postcard: Wintery scene at Bandelier National Monument. Bandelier is offering their annual winter solstice walks—a park ranger will lead you on a ½ mile guided walk to watch the sun rise above Tyuonyi Pueblo. Be sure to dress in plenty of layers, because early mornings in Frijoles Canyon can be quite chilly! Walks are scheduled for 7 a.m., Dec. 19–22, beginning at the Visitor’s Center. Photo/Bandelier National Monument Read More
Free Well Testing For Mora, San Miguel And Taos Counties
Environment Secretary James Kenney
NMED News:
MORA COUNTY — The New Mexico Environment Department (NMED) is offering free private well water testing to well owners in parts of Mora, San Miguel and Taos counties located within one mile of the Hermits Peak-Calf Canyon burn scar area.
This initiative responds to water quality testing conducted as part of a 2025 independent geological study, which showed the presence of heavy metals in some of the wells tested in the area. Well owners in this area can sign up for free well testing by completing NMED’s form at https://www.env.nm.gov/morasanmigueltaos-pws/mora-san-miguel-and-taos-county-private-well-sampling-form/ Read More
Daily Postcard: Pika Stays Active In Tunnels At VCNP
Daily Postcard: Pikas stay active in winter traveling in tunnels under rocks and snow. In fact, a deep blanket of snow is important for the pika’s survival. If the snow is deep enough it provides insulation for the pikas living below. Too little snow and the pikas risk freezing to death. The pikas stay alive during the long, cold winter by eating dried plants cached earlier in the year and may travel out to nearby vegetated areas to collect more plant materials. Photo by Sally King/NPS Read More
Posts From The Road: Ed Galloway Totem Pole Park
Giant Totem Pole: The giant totem pole is the centerpiece of the Ed Galloway Totem Pole Park. The 90-foot-tall structure is a piece of art from the ground to the top. Two hundred works of art adorn the exterior walls and many are bas-relief or raised from the surface of the structure creating a three dimensional effect. The turtle at the base is a natural outcropping of sandstone rock, which Galloway carved into the shape of a turtle. The bold paint colors accentuate the artwork and make each image stand out. Photo by Gary Warren/ladailypost.com
By GARY WARREN
Photographer
Formerly Of Los Alamos Read More
Latest Opening Day Update For Pajarito Mountain Ski Hill
Scene of the lifts on Pajarito Mountain Ski Hill. Courtesy photo
From Pajarito Mountain Ski Hill:
We know you’ve been waiting for Dec. 12, and we’re just as eager as you to get those lifts spinning. If we could make winter happen today, we absolutely would. Nobody wants to see you back on our slopes more than we do.
Here’s where things stand: we had some snow recently, but not nearly enough to build the solid base we need. These warmer conditions mean we’re all waiting together for colder temperatures and substantial natural snowfall to kick off the season.
Our team is watching the weather nonstop, Read More
Doves Dine With Ravens In This Season Of Sharing
‘Tis the season to share … as seen by the peaceful gathering of white-winged doves and ravens dining on seeds in the yard of a residence Saturday in White Rock. Photo by Nancy Ann Hibbs Read More
Daily Postcard: Christmas Scene Illuminates Pinon Trails
Daily Postcard: A beautiful Christmas scene illuminates the Pinon Trails neighborhood early Saturday night in White Rock. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com Read More
New Mexico Game & Fish Captures Naturally Dispersing Colorado Wolf, Causing Outcry From Conservation Groups
CONSERVATION News:
SANTA FE — A gray wolf entered New Mexico from Colorado and was immediately captured and returned to Colorado—not for conflict, but because of an agreement that treats naturally occurring wolf movement as a problem.
On Dec. 11, a lone gray wolf was released back in Colorado after New Mexico Game and Fish (NMDGF) captured him roughly 10 miles southwest of Tres Piedras, more than 200 miles south of his last known location.
The wolf, referred to as 2403 in reference to the year he was collared (2024) and originally from Colorado’s Copper Creek pack, had dispersed from his pack’s Read More
Enabling Precise Predictions With Proton Radiography
Members of the Proton Radiography high explosives use a crane to install an explosive experiment assembly into the confinement vessel. Courtesy/LANL
By LEVI NEUKIRCH
Scientist at the Proton Radiography facility
Los Alamos National Laboratory
Being able to see inside an object is essential to understanding how it works. X-rays revolutionized medicine by giving doctors a noninvasive way to look beneath the skin — to spot broken bones, identify problems in vital organs and detect diseases such as cancer. Now, scientists are pushing diagnostic imaging to new levels of precision with a technique Read More
New Documents Added To Electronic Public Reading Room
LANL News:
The following documents have been added to the Los Alamos National Laboratory Electronic Reading Room.
The document(s) have been submitted to fulfill one or more requirements of the Los Alamos National Laboratory.
- LANL IBC Meeting Minutes, September 4. 2025
- 2020 Results for Avian Monitoring of Inorganic and Organic Element Concentrations in Passerine Eggs and Nestlings Collected from Technical Area 16 Burn Grounds, Technical Area 36 Minie, and Technical Area 39 Point 6 at Los Alamos National Laboratory: Revision 2
Daily Postcard: Sunset Begins To Fall Over Velarde
Daily Postcard: Sunset begins to fall on Saturday, Dec. 6 over Velarde. Photo by Johnnie Martinez Read More
Walsh Welcomes Energy Secretary Chris Wright To Hanford
Secretary of Energy Chris Wright tours the Waste Treatment Plant at Hanford with the Assistant Secretary for the Office of Environmental Management Tim Walsh. Courtesy/DOE
Assistant Secretary for the Office of Environmental Management Tim Walsh speaks with the Hanford workforce. Courtesy/DOE
DOE News:
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Assistant Secretary Tim Walsh welcomed U.S. Secretary of Energy Chris Wright to the Hanford Site last week.
“I was honored to show U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright the tremendous progress on full display at Hanford,” Assistant Secretary Walsh said. “I congratulate Read More
DFA: $50 Million In Recreation Grants For Communities
DFA News:
SANTA FE — The New Mexico Department of Finance and Administration (DFA) announced $50 million in grants to support the development and expansion of recreational facilities, trails and parks across New Mexico.
“From splash pads in Hatch to walking paths in Carlsbad to rodeo arena improvements— these investments give New Mexicans more places to gather, play, and stay active,” Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham said.
With this grant cycle, DFA has funded 128 projects, representing a $142.5 million investment as part of the state’s ongoing commitment to improving quality of life, strengthening Read More
Los Alamos National Laboratory’s New Plutonium Science Laboratory Serves Critical National Security Missions
Deputy Director for Science, Technology, and Engineering Pat Fitch cuts the ribbon at a recent celebration of the PluS Lab, which was completed ahead of schedule and under budget. Courtesy/LANL
LANL News:
- New center prepares for 2026 operations
Los Alamos National Laboratory’s (LANL) Plutonium Science Laboratory (PluS Lab) has received its first plutonium shipment and is poised to begin operations, marking a pivotal milestone in the Laboratory’s fundamental plutonium science capabilities. The achievement reflects years of planning, investment and mission-focused program development. Read More
