This Week In Sports: Feb. 3-7, 2026
SPORTS News:
This week the Los Alamos High School Hilltoppers have girls and boys basketball, swimming/diving and wrestling games at home and away.
The Topper sports games are covered by the Los Alamos Daily Post sports team, which includes John McHale, Mike Cote and Nate Limback.
This Week’s Hilltopper Sports Schedule:
Feb. 3 Tuesday
- Boys Basketball vs Pojoaque Away – 6 p.m.
Feb. 4 Wednesday
- Girls/Boys Wrestling District Duals Española – 3 p.m.
- Girls Basketball vs Pojoaque Home – 5:30 p.m.
Feb. 6 Friday
- Girls/Boys Swimming/Diving District Championship Farmington – TBD
- Girls Wrestling Regionals
Jennifer Best Named 2026 Spirit Of The West Winner
Jennifer Best is the 2026 Spirit of the West winner at the 16th annual CommUNITY Asset Awards held this afternoon at the Betty Ehart Senior Center. Best attended the event with her husband, Jeremy, and took home the top award. It just happened to be her birthday, too. Catch all the details next week in the Los Alamos Daily Post. Photo by Chad Lauriten Read More
New Mexico House Passes Immigrant Safety Act
NMDP News:
SANTA FE — Jan. 30, the House passed the Immigrant Safety Act by a vote of 40-29. House Bill 9 would prevent New Mexico state and local governments from contracting with federal Immigration Customs Enforcement (ICE) to detain individuals for civil immigration violations.
The bill would also prohibit state and local governments from entering into agreements to deputize local officers or employees to perform immigration functions. It would not interfere with law enforcement’s authority to detain individuals for criminal charges or investigatory purposes.
“More than a thousand Read More
PEEC: Discovering Wildlife In Winter Field Program Feb. 7
Ann Hunkins identifying track. Courtesy/PEEC
PEEC News:
The Pajarito Environmental Education Center (PEEC) invites the community to step into the quiet beauty of winter and uncover the secrets written across the snow during Discovering Wildlife in Winter, a hands-on field program led by Certified Wildlife Tracker Ann Hunkins.
The program takes place 9 a.m. to noon, Saturday, Feb. 7.
Winter landscapes hold an entire world of clues: tracks, trails, patterns, and subtle signs that reveal how animals move, forage, rest, and survive. This immersive outing goes far beyond identifying footprints. Read More
Bill To Ban ICE Detention Contracts In New Mexico Passes House, Heads To Senate
By NATHAN BROWN
The Santa Fe New Mexican
A lengthy debate over a proposal to get rid of New Mexico’s immigration detention centers pitted rural conservatives who fear lost jobs and empty main streets against Democrats who view it as a moral imperative to stop aiding the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown.
“On principle and on the values of the state of New Mexico we no longer want to have this practice done in our state,” co-sponsor Rep. Andrea Romero, D-Santa Fe, said Friday afternoon on the House floor.
Romero condemned what she called “gross violations of human rights” Read More
Sen. David Gallegos Introduces Critical ‘Safe Haven Baby Box’ Legislation, Requests Message From Governor
Sen. David Gallegos with the Martinez Family and baby Michael, who was placed in a Safe Haven Baby Box in Belen in 2024 and adopted by the Martinez family in 2025. Courtesy photo
New Mexico Senate Republicans News:
SANTA FE — Senate Republican Caucus Chair David Gallegos (R-Eunice) introduced necessary legislation (SB 206) on Jan. 30 to ensure the protection of women who may elect to anonymously place their newborn child in a ‘Safe Haven Baby Box’.
If passed, this legislation would alleviate potential legal exposure that local communities throughout New Mexico have cited as the primary reason Read More
Review: The Game Is Afoot In LALT’s Bird In The Hand
By KIRSTEN LASKEY
Los Alamos Daily Post
kirsten@ladailypost.com
The game is afoot at Betty Ehart Senior Center. Los Alamos Little Theater set up the pieces like dominoes; they zig and zag through multiple floors and rooms in the senior center, and only when the game is completed, and all the dominoes have fallen, can the whole picture really be seen.
Here’s the premise: A scientist has created an encryption and a decryption system that are hotly desired by the U.S. and Russia. A CIA-like organization has launched an operation to get it. However, it quickly becomes apparent that there is much more Read More
New Mexico House Panel Passes Medical Malpractice Bill–Without Protections For Corporate Hospitals
Rep. Elaine Sena Cortez, R-Hobbs, right, gets emotional while discussing her mother’s battle with cancer during a House Health and Human Services Committee hearing Friday on amendments to House Bill 99 at the state Capitol. HB 99 calls for caps on punitive damages in medical malpractice cases in New Mexico. Photo by Matt Dahlseid/The New Mexican
By CLARA BATES
The Santa Fe New Mexican
The day before Valarie Gee’s son underwent a routine cardiac procedure, he was “jumping in the swimming pool” and running around, she said.
The next day, she added, the procedure left him paralyzed.
“When medical Read More
Cowboy Breakfast At Sheriff’s Posse Lodge Sunday
Sheriff’s Posse News:
The Los Alamos County Sheriff’s Posse is hosting its monthly Cowboy Breakfast this Sunday, Feb. 1.
The breakfast is served 7-11 a.m. at the Sheriff’s Posse Lodge at 650 North Mesa Road, near the North Mesa Stables.
The all-you-can-eat breakfast includes:
- Pancakes – Banana, Blueberry, Chocolate Chip and Plain;
- Scrambled eggs;
- Sausage;
- Bacon; and
- Coffee, Tea and Orange Juice.
The price for adults is $10, children 4-10 years of age $5 and those 0-3 are free.
Proceeds this month go to benefit the Los Alamos Sheriff’s Posse, a 501(c)(3) non-profit. Read More
Scenes From Recent Visit To Costa Rica
Richard and Sophia Skolnik of White Rock recently returned from an 8-day visit with Natural Habitat Adventures to three eco-lodges in Costa Rica. A small sample of the many photos taken during the visit includes this red-headed barbet. Photo by Richard Skolnik
A howler monkey and its baby are spotted in a tree during a recent visit to Costa Rica. Howler monkeys are the loudest of all monkeys, according to National Geographic. Photo by Richard Skolnik
A red-eyed tree frog on a leaf viewed during a recent visit to Costa Rica. Photo by Richard Skolnik
A volcano hummingbird is photographed during Read More
New Mexico’s $1.5 Billion Road Bonding Bill Passes House
From the Office of the Governor:
SANTA FE — Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham’s $1.5 billion transportation bonding package cleared the New Mexico House of Representatives on Friday, sending the measure to the governor’s desk and positioning the state to tackle a massive backlog of road and bridge projects.
The bonding package creates a stable, predictable funding source for state road construction for years to come and frees up general fund money to support local road construction and maintenance. The package also positions the state to better match federal infrastructure funding, which can Read More
LAPS Announces 2026 District Spelling Bee Results
2026 LAPS District Spelling Bee winners from left, Hannah Li, 1st place; Fynn Johnson, 2nd place; and Oliver Truong, 3rd place. Li and Johnson will represent LAPS at the New Mexico State Qualifying Spelling Bee at the end of February. Courtesy/LAPS
Volunteers for this year’s District Spelling Bee include, front row from left, judges Debbie Grothaus, Morrie Pongratz and Sondra Wymanback, and back row from left, Jeff Favorite, pronouncer; Jonathan Richardson, coordinator; Nancy Brugh, emcee/recordkeeper and Tammy Hinckley, timekeeper. Courtesy/LAPS
LAPS News:
For the third year in a Read More
Unsafe Ice Conditions Close Monastery Lake To Fishing
NMDGF News:
PECOS — The New Mexico Department of Game and Fish (NMDGF) announces that Monastery Lake has been closed to fishing until further notice due to unsafe ice conditions.
Ice fishing is not allowed at Monastery Lake. The lake, which is leased through the Department’s Open Gate program, is located at the Benedictine Monastery just north of Pecos. A layer of ice has formed on the lake, prompting the closure.
The closure will be lifted when there are sufficient open areas of water available to allow fishing from the bank.
Anglers can find good winter trout fishing in the Albuquerque area drains, Read More
Toppers Fall To Sundevils 46-68 In Conference Game
Ben Brousseau gets a shot off over Española Sundevils defender Aaron Quintina in the first quarter. Photo by John McHale/ladailypost.com
Lan Frazier is challenged by Sundevils defender Zach Archuleta in the 2nd quarter. Photo by John McHale/ladailypost.com
SPORTS News:
The Los Alamos High School Hilltoppers Varsity Boys Basketball team traveled to Española Thursday night to play against the Española Valley Sundevils in a conference game in the Edward Medina Gymnasium.
The game did not go well for the Toppers. They were unable to overcome the relentless offense and defense of the Sundevils, Read More
New Mexico Medical Society Addresses HB 99
From the New Mexico Medical Society:
SANTA FE — The New Mexico Medical Society (NMMS) is encouraged that HB 99 has advanced out of the House Health & Human Services Committee, reflecting bipartisan recognition that New Mexico must act to stabilize access to healthcare and address the growing physician shortage.
At the same time, the Medical Society is deeply concerned about an amendment adopted in committee that leaves a considerable number of healthcare organizations exposed to uncapped punitive damages.
Protecting access to care requires a coherent and consistent medical liability Read More
Daily Postcard: Elephant Head Sculpture In Barranca Canyon
Daily Postcard: The natural sculpture of an elephant head viewed recently on the cliff in Barranca Canyon. Photo by Selvi Viswanathan Read More
Scenes From ICE Protest By Students At Ashley Pond Park
Local student co-organizerAbel Sayre speaks to the crowd of students gathered this afternoon to protest ICE. Photo by John McHale/ladailypost.com
Co-organizerAbel Sayre speaks to students gathered this afternoon to protest ICE. Photo by John McHale/ladailypost.com
Scene from the ICE protest held today by students at Ashley Pond Park. Photo by John McHale/ladailypost.com
Scene from the ICE protest held today by students at Ashley Pond Park. Photo by John McHale/ladailypost.com
Scene from the ICE protest held today by students at Ashley Pond Park. Photo by John McHale/ladailypost.com Read More
New Mexico House Republicans Unveil Tax Plan To Protect Paychecks, Support Families, And Help Seniors Keep More Of What They Earn
From New Mexico House Republican:
SANTA FE — House Republicans are rolling out a comprehensive Tax Relief Plan focused on one simple goal: letting New Mexicans keep more of their own money.
Families across our state are working harder, paying more, and getting less in return. Our tax plan takes a different approach. Instead of growing government, we are cutting taxes on work, supporting family choice, and protecting retirement income.
Protecting Paychecks and Rewarding Work
Work should be rewarded, not penalized. Our tax plan includes HB 264, a major piece of legislation that updates New Read More
Los Alamos High School Senior Alyssa Sun Named A Coca-Cola Scholar Regional Finalist
Los Alamos High School (LAHS) senior Alyssa Sun has been named a Regional Finalist for the 2026 class of the Coca-Cola Scholars Program. Courtesy/LAPS
LAPS News:
Los Alamos High School (LAHS) senior Alyssa Sun has been named a Regional Finalist for the 2026 class of the Coca-Cola Scholars Program, moving to the next round of the selection process to become a Coca-Cola Scholar and receive a $20,000 college scholarship.
A joint effort of Coca-Cola bottlers across the country and The Coca-Cola Company, the Coca-Cola Scholars Program is the largest corporate-sponsored, achievement-based scholarship Read More
Santa Fe World Affairs Forum To Present ‘Trillion Dollar War Machine: Rethinking Security At Home & Abroad’
William D Hartung
SFWAF News:
Santa Fe World Affairs Forum (SFWAF) invites the community to a SFWAF lunch program discussion with Senior Researcher William D Hartung of The Quincy Institute on the “Trillion Dollar War Machine: Rethinking Security at Home & Abroad”.
The event is 12-2 p.m., Friday, Feb. 20, in the Board Room (Rm #223), at Santa Fe Community College.
Hartung focuses on the arms industry and the US military budget. He was previously director of the Arms and Security Program at the Center for International Policy and the co-director of the Center’s Sustainable Defense Task Force. Read More
