LANL Foundation Provides Stipends To Grandparents & Kin Raising Children In Northern New Mexico
LANL FOUNDATION News:
ESPAÑOLA — This holiday season, the LANL Foundation’s Grandparents & Kin Raising Children Initiative has distributed 151 stipends of $250 to grandparents and kinship caregivers in Rio Arriba, Taos, and Los Alamos counties. The effort was made possible through generous support from the Delle Foundation.
Since 2021, the LANL Foundation has issued more than $130,000 in stipends thanks to the ongoing generosity of the Delle Foundation. Stipends have varied in amount and were primarily provided to families in Rio Arriba County and the Eight Northern Pueblos. This Read More
Pets of The Week: Oreo And Shilo
Oreo is the sweetest treat in town! This 5-year-old heeler mix is a double-layer delight—half playful adventurer, half snuggle expert. When it’s walk time, Oreo’s tail wags like a flag in the wind; he may tug a bit at first, but soon he’s trotting happily, soaking up every sniff and breeze by your side. This 5yo 66lb confection of perfection is ready to make you smile: he thrives on attention, gentle pets, and being by your side. Life with Oreo is like dunking a cookie in milk—simple, joyful, and utterly irresistible. If you’re craving a companion who’s sweet, loyal, and sprinkled with personality, Read More
New $60M Workforce Training Program Boosts Workforce For New Mexico’s Highest-Demand Fields
NMHED News:
SANTA FE — A new state workforce training initiative exceeded expectations in its first year, with more than 6,200 New Mexicans completing career-focused programs in health care, transportation, construction and other high-demand fields.
The Government Results and Opportunity Trust (GRO) program achieved a 94 percent completion rate across 224 distinct workforce training programs at 19 higher education institutions statewide, backed by a $20 million investment in Fiscal Year 2025. The 6,249 enrolled students pursued training in pharmacy technology, welding, HVAC, Read More
$1.9M Available For Youth Outdoor Programs Through Outdoor Equity Fund
Tribal Adaptive Organization will provide 50 disabled Native American youth in San Juan County with access to adaptive equipment for weekly outdoor activities. Courtesy photo
NMORD News:
SANTA FE — New Mexico’s pioneering Outdoor Equity Fund program will open its final fiscal year 2026 application window Jan. 1-31, with $1.9 million available as demand for the grants continues to climb.
Since 2020, New Mexico’s Outdoor Recreation Division has gotten more than 106,000 young people from 23 different counties outdoors for education and career training through Outdoor Equity Fund grants. Read More
Los Alamos Makers Announces Open House Dec. 13, Special 1-Month Trial Membership
LAM News:
Los Alamos Makers, the community makerspace, announces two December Open House events and the release of a special 1-Month Trial Membership, now packaged with a customizable laser-engraved membership coupon—a perfect holiday stocking stuffer for makers.
The public is invited to visit the makerspace during the next open house event from 10 a.m.–12 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 13
During both events, guests can tour the facility, and chat with members.
The trial membership gives people hands-on access to tools they would like to try, and the laser- engraved gift coupon makes it a memorable Read More
Heinrich Highlights Economic Benefits Of America’s National Parks, Condemns Recent Announcement To Remove Fee-Free Admission Of Juneteenth, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
Ranking Member Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) delivers opening remarks during a National Parks Subcommittee hearing, Dec. 9, 2025. Courtesy photo
U.S. SENATE News:
WASHINGTON, D.C. — During a U.S. Senate Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on National Parks hearing to consider 26 pending bills, U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), Ranking Member of the full committee, delivered opening remarks on the role national parks play in boosting our country’s economy and the importance of protecting public lands as the Trump Administration continues to divest from National Park Service sites. Read More
Home Country: No Squirrel Problems
Home Country
By SLIM RANDLES
When Steve and Dud got up to go get a paper, it left just Doc and Bert sitting at the philosophy counter of the Mule Barn truck stop. Bert turned his head and smirked a little, being careful not to let Doc see him. Doc also didn’t see Dud outside, punching in a number on his cell phone while Steve stood by as a cheerleader.
“Doc,” said Loretta, from the cash register, “phone call for you, Hon.”
“Here? Okay…” Doc walked over and picked up the phone.
“This here Doc?” said the caller. “The Doc what lost his squirrel?”
“Uh …” Doc looked around for help. There was none. “Yes. Yes it is.” Read More
Road Closure Scheduled For North Road Today!
Courtesy/LAC
COUNTY News:
The south lane of North Road will be closed between Quemazon Place and Diamond Drive from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., today, Dec. 10, to repair a sewer main. The north lane of North Road will remain open for access to the Quemazon Neighborhood.
Drivers will need to detour to the north to exit the Quemazon Neighborhood.
Detour and road-closed signs will be placed throughout the area to alert of the closure. Please use caution when driving in this neighborhood. Read More
State Seeks To Hire Hundreds Of Child Welfare Workers, Expand Kids’ Mental Health Services
Valerie Sandoval
Acting Cabinet Secretary
CYFD News:
SANTA FE — New Mexico is seeking to hire hundreds of child welfare workers, expand substance abuse and infant mental health programs, and strengthen safety nets for vulnerable children and families under a proposed $422.3 million state budget.
The New Mexico Children, Youth and Families Department (CYFD) fiscal year 2027 budget represents a 4.7 percent increase and seeks $43.1 million of General Fund investments to replace expired federal health services grants, to add wrap-around services in communities and to broaden alternative Read More
Daily Postcard: Early Morning Beauty Of Pajarito Mountain Ski Area
Daily Postcard: The early morning beauty of Pajarito Mountain Ski Area at 397 Camp May Road. Opening day is tentatively set for Dec. 12 and season passes are on sale now. Also, registration is now open for Pajarito’s popular multiweek lessons, including: Camp Bluebird, the four-week, Saturday only lessons for kids ages 7-12; Master the Mountain, the four-week, Sunday only lessons for all ages 7 & up; Women’s Clinics every Thursday; and Senior Clinics every Thursday. Visit https://www.pajarito.ski/. Courtesy/PMSA Read More
New Mexico PED To Offer 3,000 Paid High School Internships
Public Education Secretary Mariana D. Padilla
PED News:
SANTA FE — New Mexico high school students will have access to as many as 3,000 paid summer internships next year, giving them hands-on work experience in careers ranging from health care to technology.
The New Mexico Public Education Department’s (PED) Summer Enrichment Internship Program, launched in 2021, is expanding through a new statewide coalition led by Education at Work. The eight-week internships will focus on high-demand industries identified by the Department of Workforce Solutions.
“Students from every corner of our Read More
At Broadband Summit, Lopez Highlights Strong Community Coordination To Prevent Los Alamos-Style Failures
Scott Lopez delivers opening remarks at the New Mexico Broadband Summit on Dec. 3 at UNM’s Continuing Education Center in Albuquerque. Courtesy photo
By MARLENE WILDEN
Los Alamos Daily Post
marlene@ladailypost.com
New Mexico policymakers and industry officials on Wednesday said stronger collaboration among state agencies, internet providers and utility crews is imperative to preventing the kind of service failures that repeatedly disrupted Los Alamos this year. Such coordination is essential to advancing practical, long-term improvements as the state prepares for a major expansion Read More
Los Alamos Public Schools Board Of Education Named 2025 New Mexico Large District School Board Of The Year!
Members of the Los Alamos Public Schools Board of Education from left, Melanie Colgan, president; Sondra Wyman, vice president; Lauren Coupland, secretary and members Ellen Specter and Ryan Adams. Courtesy/LAPS
LAPS News:
New Mexico School Boards Association (NMSBA) has selected the Los Alamos Public Schools Board of Education as the 2025 Large District School Board of the Year. Los Alamos was recognized for their exemplary governance, visionary leadership, and significant impact on student success across the district.
This statewide honor celebrates school boards that demonstrate Read More
Metropolitan Redevelopment Area Application Information And Handbook Now Available On County Website
COUNTY News:
The Metropolitan Redevelopment Area (MRA) application and program handbook are now available on the County website.
Community members, including individuals, property owners, and local businesses in the MRA districts, are encouraged to review these materials to learn more about redevelopment opportunities within the County’s MRAs.
Although the materials can be accessed now, applications will not be accepted until Jan. 5, 2026.
If anyone has any questions about applying for the program or needs help filling out the application, they are encouraged to contact the Community Read More
Local Love Holiday Contest Announces First Weekly Winner; Keep Snapping, Tagging, And Sharing
Image of the first winning entry in the Local Love Holiday ‘Snap, Tag, and Share’ contest, submitted by Karen Anslinger Holmes, for which she has won the Week 1 $100 Local Love Gift Card for showing her Local Love at Boomerang Consignment and Gaia Gifts. Courtesy/Places & Spaces Los Alamos
From Places & Spaces Los Alamos:
Places & Spaces Los Alamos has announced the first winner of the Local Love Holiday “Snap, Tag, and Share” contest. Congratulations to Karen Anslinger Holmes, who has won the Week 1 $100 Local Love Gift Card for showing her Local Love at Boomerang Consignment and Gaia Read More
Jeremy Herrera Joins Champions Of Youth Ambitions Board
Jeremy Herrera
C’YA News:
Champions of Youth Ambitions (C’YA) announces its newest Board Member, Jeremy Herrera. Herrera works at Los Alamos National Laboratory and has volunteered with C’YA for the last two years.
“He’s another bright light in the world who cares for others,” C’YA Executive Director Bernadette Lauritzen said. “He’ll make an excellent Board member.”
When asked why he wanted to be a part of the team, Herrera said, “I want to be involved in helping better the community where we all live and work and C’YA does that.”
C’YA in the middle of its CommUNITY Asset Awards nomination process. Read More
Luján, Alsobrooks, Rosen Introduce Bill To Break Barriers In STEM And Strengthen America’s Future Workforce
U.S. SENATE News:
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Sens. Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), Angela Alsobrooks (D-Md.), and Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.) introduced the 21st Century STEM for Girls and Underrepresented Minorities Act, designed to close persistent equity gaps in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics and expand high-quality STEM education access for girls and students from underrepresented communities.
“New Mexico is at the forefront of science, technology, and innovation in the United States. That’s why I’m proud to introduce legislation that will help tap into more homegrown talent Read More
NM To Open Five More Behavioral Health Clinics In 2026
HCA News:
SANTA FE — New Mexico will add five new agencies as Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics in 2026 to expand access to mental health and substance use disorder services across six counties.
“For too many New Mexicans, getting behavioral health care has meant long waits or long drives,” Secretary Kari Armijo said. “This expansion is about meeting people where they are and making sure comprehensive care is available when and where it’s needed. By expanding Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics in six counties, we are bringing services closer to home and removing barriers Read More
Family YMCA Kicked Off WinterFest With Annual Winter Vendor’s Market
Jenise Brown Jewelry selling at The Family YMCA. Courtesy photo
YMCA News:
The Family YMCA kicked off a joyful WinterFest weekend with its annual Winter Vendor Market, welcoming more than 30 local vendors and close to 700 visitors. The atmosphere inside the gym at 1450 Iris Street was buzzing with excitement, warm conversations, and festive spirit.
This year’s market featured an incredible range of vendors, from young creators selling their first handmade items to established local artists showcasing jewelry, pottery, fiber art, baked goods, holiday crafts, and more. Families, friends, Read More
New Mexico Goatheads Surpass 1K Season Ticket Deposits
SPORTS News:
RIO RANCHO — The New Mexico Goatheads hockey team announced that the organization has surpassed 1,000 season ticket deposits for the team’s inaugural 2026–27 ECHL season at the Rio Rancho Events Center. This milestone marks a significant step in the franchise’s launch and underscores the strong statewide enthusiasm for the return of professional hockey.
Since unveiling the Goatheads name and brand earlier this fall, the team has recorded substantial demand from fans across New Mexico. Early merchandise releases, community events, and growing corporate partnership interest Read More
