Legislative Roundup: 13 Days Left In Session
Demonstrators cheer and hold up signs during a public lands rally on Friday, Feb. 6, 2026, outside of the state Capitol. Matt Dahlseid/The New Mexican
The Santa Fe New Mexican
Dawn the duck: The New Mexico Senate unanimously confirmed the appointment Friday of Dawn Walters to lead the state’s newly established Office of the Child Advocate.
The office will be responsible for providing third-party oversight of New Mexico’s troubled child welfare system.
“This role has been long awaited and is critical to the safety and success of New Mexico’s children and families,” Sen. Katy Duhigg, D-Albuquerque, Read More
NMDOT Awards Nearly $47 Million For 27 Local Transportation Projects
NMDOT News:
SANTA FE — The New Mexico Department of Transportation (NMDOT) awarded nearly $47 million to 27 projects through four federal funding programs, benefiting 15 agencies statewide, during the federal fiscal year 2026 call for projects.
Awarded projects range from supporting transit operation and infrastructure upgrades, to design and construction of urban and rural multiuse paths and trails, to supporting Safe Routes to School programs. A full list of projects is listed below.
“These programs are critical for Tribal and local public agencies, funding projects from planning Read More
Video: Councilor David Reagor Discusses Jan. 27 Meeting
Los Alamos County Councilor David Reagor discusses the Jan. 27 council meeting. Video by Kirsten Laskey/ladailypost.com Read More
FBI: Men Sentenced For Kidnapping, Human Smuggling Scheme
FBI News:
ALBUQUERQUE — Two Guatemalan nationals were sentenced to prison for orchestrating a ransom scheme in which they held 11 undocumented immigrants captive and extorted their families under threats of violence and cartel retaliation.
There is no parole in the federal system.
According to court records, the FBI received a kidnapping complaint on March 1, 2025, alleging that the family of an undocumented immigrant was being extorted for ransom under threats of violence and cartel involvement. Agents traced the ransom calls to a residence in southwest Albuquerque and executed a search Read More
Amateur Naturalist: The Big Flower Pot Next Door
Picture 1: A canyon can be thought of as an elongated flower pot set in the sun. Photo by Bob Dryja
By Bob Dryja
Los Alamos
Think of a ceramic flower pot that is made of baked clay and has a particular shape that can help plants in it grow. Also imagine that a person positions the flower pot to be in a particular location to receive the ideal amount of sunlight—not too much or too little. (See picture 1 above)
Now consider the canyon next to the PEEC Nature Center. It is called Acid canyon. It can be thought of as a huge flower pot with a variety of plants growing it. It is positioned so that one canyon wall faces Read More
Winter Storm Fern Victims Have Until Feb. 23 To Replace Lost SNAP Benefits
HCA News:
SANTA FE — Lincoln and Chaves County residents who lost food due to Winter Storm Fern have 18 days remaining to request emergency replacement of their Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits.
The deadline for reporting food losses is Monday, Feb. 23.
“We are committed to standing with the residents of Lincoln and Chaves County as they recover from this winter storm,” Niki Kozlowski, Income Support Division Director said. “We are helping families replace the food they lost so they can continue to have the nutrition they need during this time.”
The New Mexico Health Read More
Farmington’s Historic Downtown Earns State Arts & Cultural District Authorization
Art in the Heart Little Cowboy sculpture by Larry Starck. Courtesy/ Brad Ryan
Art in the Alley mural by Tommy A. Singer located behind the Totah Theater. Courtesy photo
EDD News:
SANTA FE — Historic Downtown Farmington has been granted state authorization as an Arts & Cultural District following the successful completion of the Arts & Cultural District start up benchmarks, becoming the 11th NM community to earn state authorization.
New Mexico’s Arts & Cultural Districts make a positive impact by working with artists, entrepreneurs, arts organizations/institutions and cultural/historic Read More
Enjoy Rockets And Rosé At New Mexico Museum Of Space History Feb. 12
NMMSH News:
Celebrate Valentine’s Day and set your heart aflame on a date night with your sweetie for Rockets and Rosé Thursday, Feb. 12, 2026, at New Mexico Museum of Space History in Alamogordo, NM.
Blast off with your partner, significant other, or friends who are over the age of 21 and build a rocket, then sip a glass of wine provided by Carino’s Italian Restaurant in Alamogordo. Click here to find out more: https://www.spacehalloffame.org/rockets-and-rose/
- 5-5:30 p.m. – Doors open for check‑in, ID verification, and welcome
- 5:45 p.m. – Program begins
- 8 p.m. – Rocket launch (weather, crowd
LAPS Foundation Announces Local Scholarship Applications Now Open For Graduating Seniors
LAPS Foundation News:
It’s time for graduating seniors to begin applying for local scholarships! Families, educators, and community members are encouraged to spread the word to students graduating this spring about the many scholarship opportunities available right here in our community.
Local organizations, families and individuals in the Los Alamos community offer a wide range of scholarships designed to support graduating seniors with diverse interests, backgrounds, and future plans. Scholarships are available Read More
Heinrich, Daines: Senate Passes Bipartisan Resolution Designating Week Of Feb. 2 As ‘National Tribal Colleges And Universities Week’
U.S. SENATE News:
WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senators Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) and Steve Daines (R-Mont.) announced that the U.S. Senate passed their bipartisan resolution they led to designate the week of Feb. 2, 2026, as “National Tribal Colleges and Universities Week.” This resolution seeks to uplift and celebrate the achievements of students pursuing postsecondary educational opportunities in Tribal Colleges and Universities.
“Our resolution affirms the important role that Tribal Colleges and Universities play in preparing Native and non-Native students for careers they can build Read More
State Fair Announces Ian Munsick To Perform At 2026 Fair
NMSF News:
ALBUQUERQUE — Rising country star Ian Munsick will bring his high-energy, Western-inspired sound to the 2026 New Mexico State Fair, adding a must-see concert to this year’s fair lineup. Ian Munsick will take the stage following PRCA Xtreme Bulls Saturday, Sept. 12.
Known for blending modern country with the spirit of the American West, Munsick has quickly made a name for himself with fan-favorite hits, powerful live performances and a style that honors his Wyoming roots. His appearance at the New Mexico State Fair promises an unforgettable night of music for country fans of all ages. Read More
RCAA To Host Four Community Listening Sessions On Lower Rio Chama Watershed Project
RCAA News:
The Lower Rio Chama Watershed Project, led by the Rio de Chama Acequia Association (RCAA), is an acequia- and community-led effort to improve watershed health and resilience in the lower Rio Chama region, from below Abiquiú Dam to El Guache.
Guided by community priorities, this effort aims to bring together acequias and neighbors from across the region to co-develop a shared plan and vision for a healthy watershed – from the uplands through the arroyos and down to the acequias along the Rio Chama. A key focus is on slowing and spreading destructive flood waters from arroyos to mitigate Read More
100+ Women Who Care Charitable Event Feb. 12 At UNM-LA
COMMUNITY News:
Volunteer organizers of the 100+ Women Who Care-Los Alamos quarterly philanthropic dinners have announced that their next event is 5:30-7 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 12, in the Student Center, Building 2 on the UNM-LA Campus at 4000 University Drive.
Enterprise Bank & Trust is sponsoring this first-quarter charitable event.
The event is a call for local women (all are allowed; however, there is also a separate men’s quarterly event) to donate $100 to a local nonprofit organization. At the dinner, three local nonprofits that have applied and been randomly drawn present Read More
Head Slapping No Longer Allowed In High School Football
SPORTS News:
INDIANAPOLIS, IN — In an ongoing focus on minimizing risk of injury in high school sports, the NFHS Football Rules Committee strengthened a rule related to illegal personal contact. Both revisions recommended by the committee were subsequently approved by the NFHS Board of Directors.
The Football Rules Committee is composed of one member from each NFHS member state association that uses NFHS playing rules, along with representatives from the NFHS Coaches Association and NFHS Officials Association.
Previously, Rule 9-4-7 stated that defensive players could not use the Read More
UNM-LA Students Awarded New Mexico All-State Academic Team Scholarship
SANTA FE — UNM-Los Alamos (UNM-LA) students Grace Johnson, Alegandra Pizano Mendez and Mateo Torres were awarded the New Mexico All-State Academic Team Scholarship Jan. 28 at the New Mexico State Capitol.
The recognition is presented to high-achieving college students who demonstrate academic excellence and intellectual rigor, along with leadership and service Read More
New Mexico Supreme Court Data Dashboard Now Online
NMSC News:
SANTA FE — The New Mexico Supreme Court has published a new data dashboard for the public to get information about the Court’s performance measures that focus on case management.
“The Judiciary dashboard identifies what the Supreme Court has been doing throughout the year and demonstrates a transparent way to show our accountability to New Mexicans,” Chief Justice David K. Thomson said.
The dashboard provides information about the number and types of cases opened, the number of cases closed, and the average number of days to resolve cases from the time they were initially filed. Read More
‘We’re Willing To Do What It Takes’: New Mexico Health Councils Push For State Funding
By Margaret O’Hara
The Santa Fe New Mexican
In Santo Domingo Pueblo, Anthony Yepa serves as a health care explainer.
As an adviser for the pueblo’s Hopa Health Council — named for a Keres word meaning “the people” — Yepa helps members of his community understand complex state and federal health care policy.
People ask: What’s in New Mexico’s more than $11 billion budget? What’s a managed care organization? How might federal health care cuts affect Santo Domingo Pueblo residents?
Yepa answers.
“That’s what health councils do — from the Roundhouse Read More
FBI: Farmington Man Charged For Fentanyl Distribution, Firearms Offenses
FBI News:
ALBUQUERQUE — A Farmington man is facing federal charges for suspected federal drug trafficking and firearms violations stemming from a traffic stop.
According to court documents, Jan. 26, 2026, Stevie Anthony Lovato, 39, was stopped while driving on U.S. Highway 550 with two other individuals in the vehicle and arrested on an active felony warrant. During the arrest, officers recovered a 9mm hollow point round, approximately 1.34 grams of methamphetamine, and two cellphones from his person. A subsequent search of the vehicle, conducted pursuant to a warrant, resulted in the Read More
Hilltoppers Swim And Dive Team Shines In Santa Fe
Hilltopper Swim-Dive team. Courtesy photo
SPORTS News:
After a missed opportunity to compete because of bad weather last week at Academy, the Hilltopper Swim-Dive team showed up strong Jan. 30-31 at the Griffin Invitational in Santa Fe. This was the Toppers largest meet of the season with over 350 athletes. The girls won first place (500 pts), ahead of Academy (410 pts) and Farmington (214 pts). The boys placed seventh (150 pts) in the field of 18 teams.
For the first time this season, the meet followed a format that held preliminary rounds on Friday, followed by finals on Saturday. Points were Read More
Microgrid Oversight Act Receives Message From Governor
STATE News:
SANTA FE — The New Mexico Senate received a message from Gov. Lujan Grisham to permit legislative consideration of an updated version of Sen. Jeff Steinborn’s (D-Las Cruces) legislation, the Microgrid Oversight Act.
The new bill, Senate Bill 235 would:
- Require the Public Regulation Commission to begin rule making by July 1, 2027, to establish a “renewable energy portfolio” standard of required renewable energy usage for microgrids, to be increased over time and be carbon emission free by 2045.
- Prohibit utilities from increasing customers’ electricity
