Healthcare At Forefront Of 2026 Legislative Preview
From left, Rep. Christine Chandler, moderator Margo Batha, League of Women Voters of Los Alamos First Vice President Leslie Wallstrom and Sen. Leo Jaramillo participate in the 2026 Legislative Preview Thursday evening at Fuller Lodge. Photo by Kirsten Laskey/ladailypost.com
Los Alamos resident Morrie Pongratz asks legislators how best to address the state’s shortage of healthcare professionals during Thursday’s Legislative Preview in Fuller Lodge. Photo by Kirsten Laskey/ladailypost.com
By KIRSTEN LASKEY
Los Alamos Daily Post
kirsten@ladailypost.com
As the next 30-day New Mexico Read More
New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham Mourns Death Of Former Lt. Gov. Roberto Mondragón
Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham
From the Office of Gov. Lujan Grisham:
SANTA FE — Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham issued the following statement about the passing of former Lt. Gov. Roberto Mondragón:
“With the passing of Roberto Mondragón, New Mexico has lost a true champion for our seniors and a leader who understood that public service meant showing up — literally.
“Roberto spent decades building New Mexico’s aging network into what it is today. He fought relentlessly for elder rights, public health initiatives, and ensuring that our seniors had access to arts and culture. He didn’t just advocate Read More
Think New Mexico’s Kristina Fisher Lays Out Healthcare Reform Topics For Upcoming 30-Day Legislative Session
Associate Director Kristina Fisher of Think New Mexico speaks to the importance of healthcare reform during the legislative preview held Thursday evening at Fuller Lodge. Photo by Kirsten Laskey/ladailypost.com
By KIRSTEN LASKEY
Los Alamos Daily Post
kirsten@ladailypost.com
A lengthy to-do list for improving healthcare in New Mexico emerged during the legislative preview hosted by the League of Women Voters of Los Alamos (LWVLA) and American Association of University Women (AAUW) held Thursday evening in Fuller Lodge.
That list includes increasing the standard of proof in malpractice Read More
Los Alamos County Council To Hold Work Session Jan. 13
COUNTY News:
The Los Alamos County Council will host a work session Tuesday, Jan. 13 in Council Chambers at the Municipal Building at 1000 Central Ave.
This meeting is in person and open to the public; however, for convenience, the following Zoom meeting link and/or telephone call-in numbers may be used for public viewing and participation: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/85448619994
Or Telephone: Dial (for higher quality, dial a number based on your current location): +1 346 248 7799 or + 1 346 248 7799 or + +1 669 444 9171 US or + 1 719 359 4580 or +1 720 707 2699
Webinar ID: 854 4861 9994
The agenda Read More
United States Air Force Thunderbirds Arrive At Spaceport America To Prepare For 2026 Performance Season
The USAF Thunderbirds aircraft and personnel arrived at Spaceport America Thursday to begin their winter training session. Courtesy/Allan Turk II
SPACEPORT AMERICA News:
LAS CRUCES — For the fifth time in as many years, the United States Air Force (USAF) Air Demonstration Squadron Thunderbirds have touched down at Spaceport America.
There, the team members will engage in an extensive training period leading up to their 2026 performances.
Throughout much of January, the Thunderbirds, comprised of roughly 70 team members (12 of whom are officers) serving in dozens of Air Force job specialties, Read More
DEA Releases 2026 Aggregate Production Quotas
Cheri Oz
DEA Assist. Administrator of Diversion Control
DEA News:
WASHINGTON, D.C. — This week the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration released the established aggregate production quotas (APQ) for schedule I and II controlled substances and assessment of annual needs (AAN) for the list I chemicals ephedrine, pseudoephedrine, and phenylpropanolamine for 2026.
“DEA is committed to ensuring that patients can access the prescription medications that they need to stay healthy,” DEA Assistant Administrator of Diversion Control Cheri Oz said. “DEA takes seriously its responsibility Read More
Daily Postcard: Handsome Buck Resting On Barranca Mesa
Daily Postcard: A handsome buck rests in the snow in the backyard of a residence Friday on Barranca Mesa. Photo by Ken Hanson Read More
Los Alamos County Council Unanimously Elects Randall Ryti Chair And Ryn Herrmann Vice Chair For 2026 Term
Newly elected 2026 Council Chair Randall Ryti
Staff Report
Each January Los Alamos County Council elects its new leadership from among its members. At Tuesday’s meeting, Council unanimously elected Randall Ryti to serve as chair and Ryn Hermann as vice chair for the 2026 term.
Voters first elected Ryti to serve on the County Council in the November 2018 General Election. He was re-elected to a second term in November 2022, which ends on Dec. 31, 2026.
Ryti has lived in Los Alamos since 1992. He came to start a small business, Neptune and Company, with four other scientists. In addition to helping Read More
New Year Message From UNM-LA Chancellor Mike Holtzclaw
UNM-Los Alamos Chancellor Mike Holtzclaw. Courtesy/UNM-LA
By MIKE HOLTZCLAW
Chancellor
UNM-Los Alamos
As we begin a new year, I want to extend my warmest wishes to everyone in our UNM-Los Alamos community. I hope your holiday season was restful and joyful, filled with meaningful time spent with family, friends and those who bring light into your life. The start of a new year always invites reflection, and I am grateful for the continued support for our local community college.
In December, many community members joined us in celebrating the 45th anniversary of UNM-LA — a milestone that honors Read More
Obituary: Sofia Y. Chavez May 14, 1972 – Jan. 4, 2026
SOFIA Y. CHAVEZ Sunrise May 14, 1972 – Sunset Jan. 4, 2026
Sofia, a current resident of Velarde, NM, went to rest on January 4, 2026. She was born in Española on Mother’s Day, May 14, 1972, to Arlene and Johnny Chavez. Raised on the west side of Española, Sofia graduated from Española Valley High School in 1990 and later attended New Mexico State University, where she became a proud, lifelong Aggie.
Sofia dedicated 27 years of her life to Los Alamos National Laboratory, where she was known for her strong work ethic, dedication, and the meaningful friendships she formed throughout her career. More Read More
It’s On! Pajarito Mountain Ski Area To Open MLK Weekend!
Pajarito Mountain Ski Area to open Jan.17-19 for MLK Weekend. Courtesy/PMSA
Pajarito Mountain Ski Area News:
Change of plans – and Pajarito Mountain Ski Area couldn’t be more excited! After watching the forecast and assessing conditions, they are thrilled to announce that Pajarito will be open Jan.17-19 for MLK Weekend.
Skiers and guests will be welcomed back with limited terrain on the Beginner area, featuring Lower Lumberyard and West Road. It’s the perfect setup for families, first-timers, and anyone ready to shake off the rust from this extended wait.
Ready to ski the little bird? Tickets Read More
Unearth Ancient Stories With Fresh Insights Into Ancient Mogollon-Mimbres Pottery At Brown Bag Lunch Jan. 14
NMDCA News:
SANTA FE — The New Mexico Department of Cultural Affairs (NMDCA) invites the community to dive into the rich history of the Mogollon-Mimbres Culture with a free lunchtime presentation by Archeologist Dean Wilson, titled “Some Ceramic Types from the Mogollon-Mimbres Country; Culture, Clay, Change, Connections, and Classification,” and look into the distinct pottery types that mark the long occupation of the Mogollon Highlands.
Characteristics of pottery of various native agriculture groups who lived in areas of the Mogollon Highlands in Southwestern New Mexico reflect Read More
New Los Alamos Fire Chief Erik Litzenberg Expresses Enthusiasm For LAFD And Community
Los Alamos Fire Chief Erik Litzenberg during an interview Tuesday afternoon at the Los Alamos Daily Post. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com
By KIRSTEN LASKEY
Los Alamos Daily Post
kirsten@ladailypost.com
Working for more than 20 years at the Santa Fe Fire Department, Erik Litzenberg said he was always aware of the Los Alamos Fire Department (LAFD), but it wasn’t until he had a discussion with former Fire Chief Troy Hughes that the idea to apply for the fire chief position was planted.
Litzenberg said he talked with Hughes before he retired from LAFD about who Hughes thought could step into Read More
Gibson: Electrification Is Not New
BY ROBERT GIBSON
Chair
Los Alamos County Board of Public Utilities
Electrification is the conversion to electric power of devices or processes that previously used other forms of energy. Today, the term commonly refers to conversions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from burning hydrocarbon fuels. That is not the only motivation. It may not even be the biggest.
Americans have been electrifying since Edison’s first “grid” in the early 1880s. Electric lights replaced oil lamps and candles. Electric motors replaced muscle power. Electric refrigerators replaced ice boxes. The list is endless. Read More
Alas! Snow Has Arrived!
Alas! Snow has arrived! Scene of dog surveying snowy landscape today in Eastern Area. Photo by Ron Roybal Read More
Deb Haaland Issues Statement On Protecting New Mexicans From Potential ICE Violence, Ensuring Local Law Enforcement Can Focus On Protecting Against Violent Crime
Deb Haaland
From the Deb Haaland for Governor Campaign:
ALBUQUERQUE – Deb Haaland released the following statement to protect New Mexicans following ICE shooting an unarmed civilian in Minnesota:
“The violence over the last few days due to ICE only adds to the fear that communities have experienced since President Trump entered the White House. A woman is dead, a 6-year-old and his siblings are without a mom on top of the thousands of children who have lost their parents during these dark days in our country. This overreach isn’t isolated – it happened in Portland just yesterday and in black and Read More
Los Alamos Public School Facilities Department Receives Ben Lujan Maintenance Team Award
Members of the Los Alamos Public Schools Facilities Department gather after receiving the 2025 Ben Lujan Maintenance Team Award. Courtesy/LAPS
LAPS Director of Facilities/Operations Tommy Castillo, center, with Facilities Secretary Amber Miera and Custodial Supervisor Herman Salazar with their Facilities Master Certificate from CES/PSFA. Courtesy/LAPS
LAPS News:
Los Alamos Public Schools (LAPS) announces that the LAPS maintenance team has been honored with the Ben Lujan Maintenance Team Award for 2025.
“We are honored to receive this award recognizing our department’s dedication, Read More
GreenPower Motor Company Chooses New Mexico For Advanced EV Manufacturing Facility
EDD News:
SANTA FE — Electric vehicle manufacturer GreenPower Motor Company (NASDAQ: GP) announced they have reached an agreement with the New Mexico Economic Development Department (EDD) to establish operations in Santa Teresa, NM.
Internationally headquartered in Vancouver, Canada, with current operational facilities in southern California and West Virginia, GreenPower is a leading manufacturer and distributor of all-electric, purpose-built, zero-emission medium and heavy-duty vehicles serving the cargo and delivery market, shuttle and transit space, and school bus sector. Read More
Snow Enhances Beauty Of Nativity Scene In White Rock
Snow clings to a nativity scene, enhancing its beauty this morning in front of a home on Aster Street in White Rock. Photo by VaLynn Purvis Read More
Public Meeting On Annual Planning Process For 2016 Compliance Order On Consent Jan. 14
LANL News:
New documents have been added to the Los Alamos Legacy Cleanup Contract Electronic Public Reading Room.
All legacy cleanup documents required to be posted after April 30, 2018, are available on the site linked above.
For legacy cleanup documents that were posted prior to April 30, 2018, please visit the LANL electronic public reading room.
- NMED and EM-LA to Conduct Public Meeting on Annual Planning Process for 2016 Compliance Order on Consent (as Modified September 2024) Jan. 14, 2026
https://ext.em-la.doe.gov/GovFTPFiles/api/GetFiles/GetFile?fileName=EMID-704114_NMED_EM-LA_2026_Public_Meeting_Email+Invite_010826.pdf
