Gessing: New Mexico’s ‘Free’ Childcare An Attempt To Cover For Failures
By PAUL GESSING
President
Rio Grande Foundation
Gov. Lujan Grisham recently announced a new plan for taxpayers to fund “free” childcare for all New Mexicans, regardless of income levels. The Gov. portrayed this as a big win for New Mexico families. What she hasn’t emphasized is that New Mexico has had taxpayer-funded “free” childcare in place since 2022. Until now that program has been limited to families with incomes up to 400% of the federal poverty
According to federal poverty guidelines 400% of the poverty level allows a family of three to earn up to $106,600 annually and be eligible for the Read More
BPU Chair Updates Kiwanis On Public Utilities
Board of Public Utilities Chair Robert Gibson presents an update on the County’s utilities activities to the Kiwanis Club of Los Alamos at its Oct. 7 meeting. Courtesy/Kiwanis
By BROOKE DAVIS
Kiwanis Club
Los Alamos County Board of Public Utilities Chair Robert Gibson presented an update on the County’s utilities activities to the Kiwanis Club of Los Alamos at its Oct. 7 meeting at Trinity on the Hill. He outlined the structure of the Department of Public Utilities and provided information on its accomplishments and future plans.
Los Alamos County owns and operates all four of its utilities: Read More
PAC 8 Community Media Center: Oct. 17-23, 2025
PAC 8 News:
PAC 8 Community Media Center is available for recording events, transferring of 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 Oct. 17-23, 2025:
Friday, Oct. 17, 2025
- 6 a.m. — Democracy Now! – Live
- 10 a.m. — The Thom Hartmann Program
- 11 a.m. — County Council Replay 10-07–25
- 4 p.m. — Democracy Now!
- 5 p.m. — PAC PAGES – Los Alamos County News Updates
- 6 p.m. — Los Alamos Chamber of Commerce “TikTok”
- 7 p.m. — PAC 8 Summer Media Classes
- 8 p.m. — Los Alamos
Los Amigos De Valles Caldera Bookstore Now Open At Volcano Discovery Center
Los Amigos Bookstore at the Volcano Discovery Center. Courtesy/Los Amigos de Valles Caldera
LAVC News:
The Los Amigos Bookstore is now open at the Volcano Discovery Center, in the historic cabin district, offering visitors a selection of Valles Caldera merchandise and educational items.
The Volcano Discovery Center is open for basic visitor services during regular park operating hours. The exhibit demonstration occurs on the half hour every hour between 9:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
Stop by to explore the new volcano exhibit, go for a hike, enjoy wildlife viewing during elk season and take home a Read More
Innovative Book Artist Shares Her Work At NMHM’s Palace Press Lecture Series
Julie Chen. Courtesy/NMHM
NMHM News:
The New Mexico History Museum is delighted to host visiting artist Julie Chen from 1–2:30 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 25, as the first speaker of the inaugural Palace Press Presents: Visiting Artist Lecture Series.
Internationally known book artist Julie Chen will discuss her contemporary letterpress and handmade books at the Palace Press Artist Lecture. Chen has been publishing limited edition artists’ books under the Flying Fish Press imprint for more than 36 years. Her books combine text and images with innovative book structures to create reading experiences Read More
Dates Announced For 20th Annual Winter Indian Market
©GabriellaMarks. Courtesy/SWAIA
SWAIA News:
The 20th annual Winter Indian Market will take place from 10 a.m.–6 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 29, and 9 a.m.–4 p.m., Sunday, Nov. 30, 2025, at the Santa Fe Convention Center. Tickets available at swaia.org.
The festive weekend of art, culture, and community features over 160 juried Native artists in a smaller indoor setting. Shop one-of-a-kind handmade artwork across SWAIA’s diverse art categories—from pottery and jewelry to textiles and paintings—just in time for the holiday season. Read More
Los Alamos Federation Of School Employees Announce Endorsements For LAPS Board Of Education Candidates
LAFSE News:
Los Alamos Federation of School Employees (LAFSE), AFT New Mexico Local #3902, released the following statement:
“LAFSE proudly endorses Margie Serrato for District 1 and Antonio R. Jaurigue for District 2 for Los Alamos Public Schools Board of Education.
These endorsements were issued following a questionnaire and interview process where candidates for Los Alamos Public Schools Board of Education were invited to share their vision for our District and what talents and experiences they are able to utilize to best serve the students, parents, and educational staff of Los Alamos Read More
New Documents Added To LANL’s Public Reading Room
LANL News:
Per regulatory requirements, this email is to notify you that 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.
- Review, Request for Certificate of Completion for Area of Concern 00-027 in the Middle Los Alamos Canyon Aggregate Area
https://ext.em-la.doe.gov/GovFTPFiles/api/GetFiles/GetFile?fileName=EMID-703915_NMED_Review_COC_Req_Middle_LACyn_093025.pdf
Department Of Health Launches Health Literacy Initiative
NMDOH News:
SANTA FE — The New Mexico Department of Health is launching a statewide health literacy initiative to make health information clearer and easier to understand.
The department has hired a health literacy specialist to support this work. The specialist will identify needs and current successes, design a process to review written and digital communication, and oversee the creation of e-learning to train New Mexico Department of Health (NMDOH) staff. The work will be accomplished by partnering across the organization and with several state health councils.
“Health literacy is Read More
Annual Pajarito Pickleball Club Meeting Oct. 22
COMMUNITY News:
The Pajarito Pickleball Club is celebrating two years of promoting the sport and welcoming players of all ages and abilities in Los Alamos County. The annual meeting will include club updates, membership and treasurer reports, information about opportunities to volunteer, and board elections. All are welcome to attend.
This past year the club hosted clinics for beginner, intermediate, and advanced players; expanded indoor and open play opportunities; continued weekly summer competitive events; and added drill sessions for all levels of play. One of the most popular Read More
Pets Of The Week: Hocus And Blueberry
By the power of the moon and mysterious mischief… we summon … HOCUS! This three-month-old tuxedo kitten will enchant you as the next love in your life! With her little black coat, dashing white bib, eyes that sparkle with magic, and that cackling grin, she’s ready to cast a spell on your heart.
Hocus is looking for a cozy home where she can practice her charms, nap in sunny spots, and transform every ordinary moment into a little bit of magic. We are open to walk-in adopters Monday-Saturday 11am-4:30pm and Hocus goes home spayed, up to date on vaccines, and microchipped for an adoption fee of $25. Española
New Mexico Public Defender Commission Welcomes Two New Members—Attorneys Cook And Gallegos-Schobel
LOPD News:
ALBUQUERQUE — Attorney Zach Cook of Ruidoso and community advocate Yvonne Gallegos-Schobel of Albuquerque took their seats Friday on the New Mexico Public Defender Commission, which provides guidance on the administration of the New Mexico Law Offices of the Public Defender and selects the state’s chief public defender.
The LOPD employs more than 400 New Mexicans in the service of providing legal representation to indigent people charged with a crime in the state’s courts. The independent state agency most recently received an $82.1 million budget to operate 13 offices across Read More
Travel: Tour A Unique Subterranean Realm At California’s Lake Shasta Caverns
Colorful light show shines on the formations. Photo by Debbie Stone
Welcome to Shasta Caverns. Photo by Debbie Stone
By DEBBIE STONE
Santa Fe
For the Los Alamos Daily Post
Cave tours are high on my list of fun and fascinating adventures. And I’ve taken many of them over the years, from Mammoth Caves and Wind Cave to Kartchner Caverns and Carlsbad Caverns. Wherever I travel, I always seek them out, as I never tire of exploring nature’s underground wildernesses.
My latest tour was of Lake Shasta Caverns in California. Located 25 miles north of Redding, in the foothills of Mt. Shasta, these caves are Read More
State Awarded $1.2M Federal Grant To Expand Respite Care
ALTSD News:
SANTA FE — New Mexico has been selected to receive a competitive $1.2 million national Lifespan Respite Grant from the Administration for Community Living.
The grant, to be distributed over three years, is sponsored through the federal government and will be overseen by the Long-Term Care Division of the Aging and Long-Term Services Department (ALTSD).
Respite care offers temporary relief to primary caregivers, allowing them time to rest and recharge.
“With this grant, we’ll be able to expand access to respite services and strengthen the network of support for caregivers Read More
Celebrate The Many Cultures Of New Mexico At Coronado Historic Site’s Fiesta Of Cultures
NMDCA News:
The annual Fiesta of Cultures will be held from 10 a.m.–4 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 18, and is a family-friendly event celebrating New Mexico’s enchanting diversity of cultures.
Fiesta of Cultures, presented by New Mexico Historic Sites and The Friends of Coronado and Jemez Historic Sites, is a family-friendly day filled with unique cultural performances, live animals, a science circus, horno baking, kiva tours, and food and art vendors.
The event includes cultural performances by The Wilde Bunch Square Dancers, an LGBTQ+ square dance group from Albuquerque, Jemez Pueblo Dancers, Read More
State Auditor Joseph Maestas Launches Re-Election Campaign: Delivering Results, Protecting Taxpayers, Modernizing Oversight
STATE News:
SANTA FE — State Auditor Joseph Maestas has formally announced his campaign for re-election, pledging to continue his fight for accountability, transparency, and innovation in New Mexico’s public entities and officials.
“In my time as State Auditor, we’ve uncovered millions in waste, strengthened fiscal oversight, and made government more transparent than ever,” Maestas said. “But the work is far from over. New Mexico needs urgent, impactful action—and I am more committed than ever to delivering results that matter to every taxpayer.”
Proven Leadership. Tangible Results. Read More
Restored 1929 Harvey Car Rolls Into Lobby Of New Mexico History Museum
Historic 1929 brown Cadillac with white convertible top parked on a street with a view of a canyon behind it. Courtesy/Xanterra Travel Collection.
NMHM News:
SANTA FE — A beautifully restored 1929 Cadillac 341-B, one of the original cars from the Harvey Company, rolls into the lobby of the New Mexico History Museum for a pop-up exhibit Oct. 25 – Nov. 9, 2025, in honor of the Fred Harvey History Weekend in November.
The Harvey Car, on loan from Xanterra Travel, is one of the originals from Major Hunter Clarkson and Fred Harvey’s legendary “Indian Detours,” a tour operation that ran from Read More
Sam Bregman Raises Nearly $2.6 Million For New Mexico Governor’s Race, 80% From In-State Donors
SUNNY 505 News:
ALBUQUERQUE — New Mexico gubernatorial candidate Sam Bregman announced today that his campaign has raised nearly $2.6 million for the upcoming Democratic primary, with 80% of contributions from New Mexico.
“This campaign is powered by New Mexicans who want a candidate with a real common-sense plan for the future.” Bregman said. “As the outsider in this race, nobody expected us to raise this kind of money. But I’ve never been one to shy away from hard work. This incredible show of support proves folks are ready for something new.”
Bregman credited the campaign’s success to a grassroots Read More
Daily Post: Cloudy Sky As Night Falls At Overlook Park
Daily Post: Cloudy sky as night falls Tuesday at Overlook Park in White Rock. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com Read More
Public Education Department Announces New Mexico Reading Scores Jump 10 Points In Three Years
Secretary Mariana D. Padilla
PED News:
SANTA FE — Nearly half of New Mexico elementary and middle school students now read at grade level, up from just over one-third three years ago, according to statewide assessment results released today.
Reading proficiency in grades 3-8 has climbed 10 percentage points since 2022, reaching 44% in 2025. Students in grades 3, 6, and 8 posted the highest one-year gains ever recorded on the New Mexico Measures of Student Success and Achievement.
“These results confirm that the state’s investments in early literacy and the science of reading are working,” Read More
