FBI: Texas Man Pleads Guilty To COVID-19 Unemployment Fraud Scheme In New Mexico
FBI News:
ALBUQUERQUE — A Texas man pleaded guilty to federal charges after admitting he fraudulently filed unemployment insurance claims in New Mexico using stolen identities to obtain federally funded COVID-19 relief benefits.
According to court documents, from July 2020 through February 2021, Marc Long, 46, devised and carried out a scheme to defraud the United States and financial institutions by submitting fraudulent unemployment insurance claims funded by federal COVID 19 relief programs. While residing in Texas, Long used the names and personally identifiable information Read More
Home Country: The Fireplace
Home Country
By SLIM RANDLES
It’s natural to mumble nasty things about the cold weather. We all do it from time to time. But even the cold has its merits.
One big plus is that it makes fireplaces a reasonable addition to our lives. In cold weather, we can build a fire in our home with a clear conscience. This is something that doesn’t translate well to summer heat, but when it’s cold, here comes the fire.
Strange, isn’t it, our love affair with a fireplace? Makes absolutely no sense. Today, we can make houses so impervious to cold that every time we light a candle, the temperature goes up ten degrees. So what Read More
Sandra Salazar Brightens Spirits Of Seniors At Los Alamos Wellness & Rehab Through Adopt-A-Grandparent Program
Mary Kay Independent Consultant Sandra Salazar delivers gifts for residents at Los Alamos Wellness & Rehabilitation on Monday at 1011 Sombillo Court. She is shown here with the facility’s Activity Director Joshua Bloom. This is the 6th year that Salazar has shown this act of kindness to seniors under her ‘Adopt A Grandparent’ program.‘Many seniors don’t have anyone visiting during the holidays and may not receive a gift. This year, the Adopt A Grandparent stockings were filled with items sponsored or donated by customers and businesses, including Mary Kay Mint Bliss foot cream, hand Read More
Thank You Los Alamos For Supporting The Arts!
By The Los Alamos Arts Council Board of Directors
Melissa Mackey, President
Luke Eigelbach, Vice-President
Siân Parry-Jones, Secretary
David Hampton, Treasurer
Jason Rutledge, Member at Large
Michael Redondo, Member at Large
Thank you, Los Alamos County! Your support for our local arts community through the Los Alamos Arts Council (LAAC) is truly humbling.
We asked for help. You responded by donating over $30,000 directly to us for programming and events. You completed our $10,000 Seed Fund with the Los Alamos Community Foundation (LACF) allowing us to establish an Endowment for the Arts. Read More
Calling All Birders: Join Dept. Of Wildlife’s 2026 New Mexico Birding Big Year Contest
NMDGF News:
SANTA FE — The New Mexico Department of Game and Fish invites birders statewide to participate in the 2026 Birding Big Year Contest, a friendly competition to identify as many bird species as possible in New Mexico between Jan. 1 and Dec. 31.
“New Mexico has the fourth-highest bird diversity, in terms of overall species, in the nation,” Curt Coffman, Assistant Chief of Education, said of the contest. “Bird watching has become very popular and is a great way to introduce people to the incredible natural areas found throughout New Mexico. We hope to see a wide variety Read More
PAC 8 Community Media Center: Dec. 26-Jan. 1, 2025
PAC 8 News:
PAC 8 Community Media Center is available for recording events, transferring old media, shooting and editing, live streaming and drone photography and videography.
For information, call 505.662.7228 or visit pac8cmc.com.
PAC 8 Television schedule for Dec. 26-Jan. 1, 2025:
Friday, Dec. 26, 2025
- 6 a.m. — Democracy Now! – Live
- 10 a.m. — The Thom Hartmann Program
- 11 a.m. — County Council Replay 12-16–25
- 4 p.m. — Democracy Now!
- 5 p.m. — PAC PAGES – Los Alamos County News Updates
- 6 p.m. — Los Alamos Chamber of Commerce “New Mexico Gross Receipts Tax”
- 7 p.m. — PAC 8 Summer Media Classes
State Approves $1.7M In Training Funds For 67 Jobs
Headquartered in Los Alamos, UbiQD commercializes technology licensed from top research institutions — including Los Alamos National Laboratory, MIT, and leading universities. Courtesy photo
EDD News:
SANTA FE — Seven companies have been awarded funding to reimburse training costs for 67 New Mexicans through $1.7 million in Job Training Incentive Program grants awarded in December.
The Job Training Incentive Program (JTIP) is a state program designed to boost economic development and job growth by offsetting training costs for new hires.
This year, JTIP awarded more than $19 million Read More
Governor Releases FY27 Executive Budget Recommendation
Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham
STATE News:
SANTA FE — Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham today released a fiscal year 2027 executive budget recommendation that deploys $11.3 billion to protect New Mexico against federal spending cuts and to fully invest in universal childcare while maintaining the state’s historically strong financial position.
The budget recommendation includes $11.33 billion in recurring spending—a 4.6% increase over current year spending. The recommendation keeps reserves strong at 30%, totaling $3.4 billion.
“This budget reflects seven years of disciplined investment Read More
Santa Fe Opera Names Apprentice Singers For 2026 Season
Apprentice Singer and soprano Malone Blaich perform in the Apprentice Scenes. Photo by Tira Howard for the Santa Fe Opera
SFO News:
SANTA FE — The Santa Fe Opera is pleased to announce the 45 members of the 2026 Apprentice Program for Singers.
The roster features promising international vocalists from the USA, Belarus, China, South Korea and Wales, highlighting the global relevance of the program. The class of 2026 was selected from a pool of more than 1,000 applicants by Program Director Chandler Johnson, Chief Artistic Advisor David Lomelí and Chorus Director Susanne Sheston through a competitive Read More
Deb Haaland Campaign Touts Community-Centered Solutions At Climate And Health Candidate Forum
Deb Haaland
From the Deb Haaland for Governor Campaign:
ALBUQUERQUE – On behalf of Deb Haaland, who is running for governor, Demis Foster, the Chief Executive Officer of Conservation Voters of New Mexico (CVNM), on Dec. 4, discussed Haaland’s plans for climate and public health at a community town hall in Albuquerque. The event, hosted by Healthy Climate New Mexico, focused on solutions that candidates would invest in if elected to office.
Haaland’s experience as a working mother, a member of Laguna Pueblo, former Member of Congress, and Secretary of the Department of the Interior has shaped Read More
PEEC Launches ‘Nature At Night’ Weekly Evening Series
PEEC News:
The Pajarito Environmental Education Center (PEEC) is excited to announce Nature at Night, a new weekly evening program inviting community members of all ages to explore the natural world after dark.
Beginning Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2026, the nature center will stay open late from 4 to 6 p.m. MT with themed activities, crafts, games, and outdoor exploration. Admission is free, and all are welcome.
Held at the Los Alamos Nature Center at 2600 Canyon Road, this new series offers families, individuals, and curious learners a chance to experience nature in a fresh way during the quieter winter Read More
Obituary: Melvena Bailey May 14, 1930 – Dec. 6, 2025
MELVENA BAILEY May 14, 1930 – Dec. 6, 2025
Melvena Bailey ended her journey on this earth at 9 a.m., Saturday, Dec. 6. She was 95 years young. Melvena was born and raised in Leesville, LA. She graduated from a nearby high school in 1947, where she participated in basketball and was well liked.
After graduation, she married her high school sweetheart, Milton Glenn Bailey, a US Marine sergeant, in July 1947. From that day on they took part in a 78-year adventure that included moving to Los Alamos, having children and working at LANL and LA County. After the birth of her children, Melvena worked as an accountant Read More
Daily Postcard: Elk Herd Crosses Valle Grande
Daily Postcard: A herd of elk crosses the Valle Grande on Sunday at Valles Caldera National Preserve. Registration is now open for a Wildlife Photography program on Sunday, Jan. 4 at VCNP. Learn the basics of wildlife photography and compositional recommendations. Participants need to bring their own camera for this program (Mirrorless, DSLR, SLR, or mobile). Hiking distance varies from 1 to 5 miles. Learn more and register at https://www.nps.gov/planyourvisit/event-details.htm…. Photo by Corey Lycopolus/NPS
Obituary: Joe Elfego Gonzales April 18, 1932 – Dec. 2, 2025
JOE ELFEGO GONZALES April 18, 1932 – Dec. 2, 2025
Beloved brother, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, uncle and friend, Joe Elfego Gonzales, passed from this world to be with our Lord after 93 years, on December 2, 2025, after a long and devoted life marked by love of family, friendship, faith, and service to his country.
Born on April 18, 1932, to Sabino and Maria Gonzales in Glorieta, NM. He married Enriqueta “Queta” Chavez, and they enjoyed a loving marriage for 59 years before Queta’s passing in 2015.
A proud veteran, Joe served honorably in the United States Army and was stationed at Fort Read More
Update On Oppenheimer House For Dec. 22, 2025
Dec. 1, 2025, a 20-inch crawl space in the living room of the Oppenheimer House is completed. Courtesy/LAHS
Dec. 3, 2025, dirt from the crawl space in the Oppenheimer House being taken off site. Courtesy/LAHS
LAHS News:
With the completion of the first section of demolition, the creation of a 20-inch crawl space in the living room, and the Holidays, the Oppenheimer House renovation project has entered into a brief pause.
During this time, the Los Alamos Historical Society’s (LAHS) team of experts has carefully evaluated the newly exposed conditions and developed a detailed plan for the next Read More
Interfaith Coalition On Homelessness Announces Creation Of New Fund To Support Local Efforts In Española Valley
ICOH News:
The Interfaith Coalition on Homelessness (ICOH) announces a new tax-deductible fund, which will financially support local efforts to address homelessness in Española.
Just created by the Unitarian Church of Los Alamos, the “Española Valley Homelessness Fund” supports a long-term mission of the church. The fund’s stated purpose is to “reduce homelessness in the Española Valley, and to address in impactful ways the many factors that contribute to that problem.”
ICOH is an all-volunteer organization with participants from 14 local congregations.
Donations to the new fund will Read More
LANL: Helping Small Businesses Connect With Lab & Thrive
The Partners in Progress event included a panel discussion with LANL small business suppliers. Courtesy/LANL
LANL News:
The Regional Development Corporation (RDC) and Los Alamos National Laboratory hosted the “Partners in Progress: Doing Business with LANL” event earlier this year, showcasing the Lab’s commitment to supporting and collaborating with local small businesses.
Held at the Santa Claran Event Center in Española, the event provided a range of information on how small businesses can secure contracts to supply goods and services to the Laboratory. The event also included Read More
Governor Awards $20 Million To Expand Rural Primary Care
STATE News:
SANTA FE — Thirty-two rural health care organizations will share $20 million in Rural Health Care Delivery Fund awards to expand primary care services across New Mexico.
The fiscal year 2026 awards support projects that strengthen local health care capacity and improve access to coordinated, person-centered care in underserved areas—from tribal communities in Cibola County to frontier clinics in Catron County.
“We created this fund because rural health care providers were struggling to keep their doors open, let alone expand,” Lujan Grisham said. “These awards will help Read More
The Experience & Story Of LAPD Cpl. Joseph Robinson
Cpl. Joseph Robinson with students in LAHS Teacher Lori Thompson’s Sports Lit class. Courtesy/LAPS
By Emmitt Tibbitts
Los Alamos High School
Sports Lit Class Student
As part of my Sports Literature class, my group and I walked to the courthouse and interviewed Los Alamos Police Department (LAPD) Cpl. Joseph Robinson. Fittingly, we found out that one of his favorite things about being a police officer is getting to interact with the public.
Before becoming a police officer (right out of high school), Robinson worked as a mechanic for some time. Later, he moved to Los Angeles for about six years Read More
NMDOT Shares Holiday Travel Safety Reminders
NMDOT News:
MILAN — As holiday travel ramps up, the New Mexico Department of Transportation (NMDOT) urges motorists to take steps to ensure safe and uninterrupted trips.
Buckling up, exercising patience and using extra caution during heavy traffic or winter weather can help reduce crashes and delays.
Before departing, drivers should inspect their vehicles, including tires, fluids, lights, brakes and batteries, to help prevent breakdowns. Motorists are also encouraged to carry emergency supplies such as a first-aid kit, medications, blankets, snacks and water in case of unexpected Read More
