RPLA Announces Meeting On Aug. 21, 2025
By LISA SHIN
Chair, Republican Party of Los Alamos
July 30, 2025
Dear Friends:
RPLA will have a table at the County Fair on Friday, Aug. 1, and Saturday, Aug. 2. Please come by and say hello!
Mark your calendars for our next Central Committee meeting at 6 p.m., Aug. 21, at Open Door. All registered Republicans are invited to attend.
Two local issues:
- As a small business owner, I am aghast that our County blew $13 million on “economic development” with very little to show for it. We still have many empty storefronts and local businesses struggling to keep their doors open. Building a canyon rim trail,
Institute Of American Indian Arts’ Jason S. Ordaz Receives Santa Fe Mayor’s Award For Excellence In The Arts
IAIA News:
The Institute of American Indian Arts (IAIA) has announced that Jason S. Ordaz, IAIA’s Chief Communications Officer, has been selected to receive the 2025 Santa Fe Mayor’s Award for Excellence in the Arts in the category of Arts Education. This prestigious honor, presented by Mayor Alan Webber, the City of Santa Fe Arts Commission, and the Arts & Culture Department, recognizes Ordaz’s remarkable contributions as both an artist and educator, inspiring and empowering students through the visual arts and storytelling.
In selecting Ordaz for the award, the committee highlighted Read More
Governor Marks 60th Anniversary Of Medicare And Medicaid
STATE News:
SANTA FE — Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham today recognized the 60th anniversary of Medicare and Medicaid while condemning the GOP budget that threatens to strip health coverage from hundreds of thousands of New Mexicans.
“For six decades, Medicare and Medicaid have been lifelines for New Mexico families, ensuring our most vulnerable residents can access the health care they need and deserve,” Lujan Grisham said. “While we celebrate this milestone, we must also recognize that these programs are under unprecedented attack by Congressional Republicans.” Read More
State Supreme Courts Must Lead Innovation And Reform Of Legal Education And Admissions
NMSC News:
WILLIAMBURG, VA — The Conference of Chief Justices (CCJ) and Conference of State Court Administrators (COSCA) today released the findings of an 18-month effort to better understand the changing legal profession and why it is not meeting the needs of the American people. The study is based on 12 regional listening conferences across the country; more than 90 interviews and focus groups of a wide range of stakeholders; and surveys of over 4,000 judges, 4,400 practicing attorneys, and 600 law students.
The report is from CCJ and COSCA’s Committee on Legal Education and Admissions Reform Read More
Los Alamos County Fair Schedule Of Events Aug. 1–3
COUNTY News:
Los Alamos County Fair festivities will be kicking off Friday, Aug.1, at 2 p.m. See below for the full schedule of events.
Friday, Aug. 1
- 2–8 p.m., County Fair Exhibits, Mesa Public Library
- 6–9 p.m., Friday Night Summer Concert Series: Brandon Saiz, Ashley Pond Park
Saturday, Aug. 2
- 9 a.m.–3 p.m., Festival & Fair, Ashley Pond Park
- 10 a.m.–3 p.m., County Fair Exhibits, Mesa Public Library
- 10 a.m., County Fair Parade, Central Ave.
- Pie Baking Contest(PDF, 57KB), Ashley Pond Park
- Entry submission: 11 a.m.–12 p.m.
- Judging: 12–1 p.m.
- 2–5 p.m., County Rodeo, including watermelon
Senator Brantley Reacts To Governor’s Legislative Priority For Potential Special Session
NMSR News:
MESCALERO — During Wednesday’s Courts, Corrections, and Justice Committee (CCJ) hearing, a presentation from Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham’s Chief Counsel revealed the likelihood of a special legislative session this fall and what priorities the Governor wishes to accomplish. Among the topics discussed was the Governor’s intent to ban Immigration Detention Facilities in New Mexico.
Following Wednesday’s committee presentation, Sen. Crystal Brantley (R-Elephant Butte) issued the following reaction:
“New Mexico is under a clear and present danger from within our own state Read More
County Launches Los Alamos NOW App For Citizens
COUNTY News:
Los Alamos County has launched an app so that citizens can easily reach County staff and find County information with the app that is specific to this community and compatible with Android and IOS smart phones!
Use the Los Alamos NOW App to:
- Report road issues
- Ask billing questions
- Find info on parks
- See traffic cameras
- Submit crime trips
- And more!
Los Alamos Local Business Coalition Invites Community To Summary And Action Planning Forum Today
LALBC News:
The Los Alamos Local Business Coalition (Coalition) invites all community members, business owners, and local leaders to attend Forum #5, Summary and Action Planning: Takeaways and Lessons Learned, at 5:30 p.m., Thursday, July 31, 2025, at SALA Event Center, with a live Zoom option for remote attendees.
This forum will include an update from Cities Work, an independent non-profit organization that studies communities and makes recommendations for improving local business environments, and a lessons learned report from the Coalition Steering Team.
“We are hoping for Read More
Laguna Fire Update: July 30, 2025
SFNF News:
Acres: 17,413
Start Date: 6/25/2025
Completion: 78 %
Location: Located in the Coyote Ranger District, 8 miles north of New Mexico State Road 96 and west of the Chama River Canyon Wilderness.
Personnel: 66 Resources: 1 crew, 2 helicopters, 4 engines, 1 water tender
Fuels: Oak brush, ponderosa pine, Piñon-juniper
Highlights: A local Type 4 team from the Santa Fe National Forest is now managing the fire. Yesterday’s increased humidity and lower temperatures reduced fire behavior to creeping and smoldering. This allowed firefighters to make good progress strengthening existing Read More
Pac 8 Community Media Center: Aug. 1–7, 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 Aug. 1–7, 2025:
Friday, Aug. 1, 2025
- 6 a.m. — Democracy Now! – Live
- 10 a.m. — The Thom Hartmann Program
- 11 a.m. — County Council Replay 7-29–25
- 4 p.m. — Democracy Now!
- 5 p.m.— PAC PAGES – Los Alamos County News Updates
- 6 p.m. — Coexisting With Cougars: Protecting Wildlife While Reducing Conflict
- 7 p.m. — Cerro Grande Fire –
Kiwanis 4th Of July Pancake Breakfast A Success
Crowd at Kiwanis Club’s 4th of July pancake breakfast this year. Courtesy photo
Kiwanis Club News:
The Kiwanis Club of Los Alamos would like to thank the community and all of the participants in our Fourth of July Pancake Breakfast. Thanks to all the hungry visitors who seemed to enjoy our pancakes almost as much as we enjoyed serving them up!
Special thanks to our sponsor Del Norte Credit Union, the Los Alamos YMCA for allowing us to be part of their festivities, and Laura Crucet of Sugar and Cream for the use of her facility.
We hope to see you all next year!
John, Rick, and Bob flip flapjacks at Read More
Supreme Court Of New Mexico Announce Conclusion Of Its 2024-2025 Term And Commencement Of 2025-2026 Term
NMSC News:
At its February 2024 administrative conference, the Supreme Court of New Mexico approved sitting in terms. The Court’s first term began in the Fall of 2024 and concluded on July 15, 2025, with the Court having resolved all 59 cases submitted since September 2024. In addition to resolving the 59 term cases, the Court also disposed of 39 non-term cases. In total, the Court filed dispositions in 98 cases from September 2024 to July 15, 2025.
The 2025-2026 Term will begin this fall, with oral arguments in the months of September, October, and December. Dispositions for all cases submitted Read More
Daily Postcard: A Handsome Raven Poses For Hikers
Daily Postcard: A handsome raven poses for hikers on the edge of the Canyon Rim Trail recently in White Rock. Photo by Richard Skolnik Read More
Los Alamos Faith And Science Forum 2025 Summer Lecture Series Presents ‘Ethics, Love And The Alignment Problem In Artificial Intelligence’ Aug. 5
Los Alamos Faith And Science Forum News:
Los Alamos Faith And Science Forum 2025 Summer Lecture Series Presents “Ethics, Love and the Alignment Problem in Artificial Intelligence” by Dr. James Carroll, Tuesday, Aug. 5 at the Los Alamos Unitarian Church. A light meal will be served at 6 p.m. with the lecture beginning at 6:30 p.m. The presentation will be recorded and streamed to the ZOOM site given at: https://losalamosfaithandscienceforum.org.
One of the largest unsolved problems in artificial intelligence is the so-called “alignment problem”, that is, the problem of creating an AI that Read More
Los Alamos County Fair & Rodeo Weekend Kicks Off With Friday Night Summer Concert & The Brandon Saiz Band
By PABLO IRLANDO-WILDMAN
CEO
SANCRE Productions
Exit Advantage Realty, Title Guaranty, and Bell Bank Mortgage have teamed up to bring us the 10th show of the 2025 Los Alamos Summer Concert Series featuring The Brandon Saiz Band. This Friday, Aug. 1, come out to the free event from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. and enjoy a multitude of food vendors, kids’ activities, information booths, non-profit row, and most importantly, great music!
This event officially kicks off the annual Los Alamos County Fair and Rodeo weekend festivities. The evening begins at 6 p.m. with our fantastic opening talent act, the students Read More
LAPS Names Stan Maschal Assistant Principal Of LAHS
Stan Maschal
LAPS News:
Los Alamos Public Schools has announced that Stan Maschal has accepted the position of Assistant Principal at Los Alamos High School. He joins Principal Eric Ziegler, Assistant Principal Ryan Finn, Assistant Principal Suzanne Montoya and Athletic Director Guy Meyer as a member of the LAHS Administration team.
“We are excited to have Stan join Los Alamos High School,” LAPS Superintendent Jennifer Guy said. “He brings a wealth of experience to the administrative team and love for students.”
Maschal is a passionate and experienced educator with 16 years in public education. Read More
EEOC Sues Scalo Restaurant In Albuquerque For Managers Harassing And Retaliating Against Female Workers
EEOC News:
ALBUQUERQUE – Scalo Restaurant, an Albuquerque restaurant located in the city’s Nob Hill neighborhood, violated federal civil rights laws when its male managers sexually harassed female employees and then retaliated against those female workers who spoke out against the abusive conduct, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) charged in a lawsuit announced today.
According to the EEOC’s lawsuit, two male managers subjected female employees to relentless sexual harassment, including: vulgar comments about female customers and employees; physically Read More
Neal-Clinton: 2025 Annual Enrollment Update On Humana, UnitedHealthcare & Aetna
By BEVERLY NEAL-CLINTON
The Retirement Answer Team
Editor’s note: Beverly Neal-Clinton is sharing this information in her role with The Retirement Answer Team and not as a Los Alamos County Councilor.
Los Alamos County is announcing its 2025 health benefit annual enrollment period, set for Oct. 15 to Dec. 7. This year’s enrollment is accompanied by major industry changes, including Humana’s withdrawal from the Los Alamos area, and multiple lawsuits against Humana, UnitedHealthcare, and Aetna involving federal investigations, “steering” practices, Medicare Advantage ratings, and Read More
Luján, Markey, Peters, Carter Unveil Bicameral Legislation To Modernize Gas Pipeline Safety Standards, Cut Methane Leaks
U.S. SENATE News:
WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Sens. Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) and Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), along with U.S. Reps. Scott Peters (D-Calif.) and Troy A. Carter, Sr. (D-La.) introduced the Gas Pipeline Leak Detection and Repair Act of 2025 to modernize decades-old gas pipeline leak detection and repair requirements. The bill would codify a Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) rule that enhances the safety of natural gas pipelines by reducing methane emissions.
“In New Mexico and across the country, stronger gas leak detection and repair standards are critical Read More
Co+op Market Thanks Community For Feedback & Support
By THOMAS SALAZAR
General Manager
Los Alamos Cooperative Market
Dear Community,
Last spring, in 2024, when we announced the possibility of shutting our doors, the response was powerful. Sales increased. Member energy surged. That collective support gave us the momentum to keep going through the summer and early fall.
In response to your feedback last year, we made a number of improvements aimed at increasing accessibility, community connection, and revenue.
These improvements include:
- Opening the store earlier in the morning to better serve commuters and early shoppers;
- Expanding our
