NHCC Employees Win Hard-Fought Union Rights
CWA News:
ALBUQUERQUE — Long misclassified as “temporary” workers at the National Hispanic Cultural Center (NHCC) will be allowed to join CWA Local 7076, with the same benefits and legal protections as other State employees.
Last year, after being denied sick leave and paid time off, workers at the NHCC unionized with Local 7076. Tuesday, May 5, the Public Employee Labor Relations Board (PELRB) ruled unanimously that the State must recognize their Union rights.
“The NHCC runs on the backs of these workers and the State has been illegally denying them benefits like healthcare, retirement, Read More
Family YMCA To Host Senior Appreciation Night May 23
LAHS seniors are invited to celebrate a night dedicated just for them at this year’s Senior Appreciation Night, taking place at 6 p.m., May 23, starting at Fuller Lodge. Courtesy/YMCA
YMCA Operations Director George Marsden. Courtesy/YMCA
YMCA News:
Los Alamos High School seniors are invited to celebrate a night dedicated just for them at this year’s Senior Appreciation Night, taking place at 6 p.m., May 23, starting at Fuller Lodge.
This special event is designed to honor graduating seniors with an evening full of fun, community, and celebration. Attendees can enjoy activities throughout Read More
Early Evening View Of Former Velarde Post Office
An early evening view on May 2 of the building that served as the Velarde Post Office for many years. Photo by Johnnie Martinez Read More
Utilities Department Announces Several Job Openings
DPU News:
Hey job seekers, the Los Alamos Department of Public Utilities (DPU) has openings:
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- Water & Energy Conservation Coordinator;
- Electrical Engineering Manager;
- Engineering Associate;
- Senior Engineer; and
- Gas, Water, & Sewer Trainee/Apprentice.
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For details, visit https://ladpu.com/jobs. Read More
Community Invited To David & Steve’s Campaign Party May 14
From David Izraelevitz:
Early voting has started this past Tuesday, and as the campaign season kicks into high gear, I am inviting you to a campaign picnic Steve Lynne and I are co-hosting. Steve is running for Los Alamos County Council, and I am proud to endorse him.
And, if you have received an invitation from both of us, then it is more of a reason to attend!
Here are the details:
- David and Steve’s Campaign Party and Benefit for LA Cares
- Los Alamos Sheriff’s Posse Lodge
- Thursday, May 14, 2026
- 5:30–7 p.m.
We will have some good food and give everyone the opportunity to visit with us. We look forward to Read More
Infectious Disease MDF: ‘Hantavirus Is Not The Next COVID—But It Is A Warning’
Tyler B. Evans, MD, MS, MPH, DTM&H, FIDSA
MEDICAL News:
The hantavirus outbreak aboard the expedition cruise ship MV Hondius has triggered alarming headlines and understandable anxiety. But according to Dr. Tyler Evans, infectious disease specialist, CEO of Wellness Equity Alliance, and former Chief Medical Officer for New York City’s COVID-19 response, hantavirus is most likely not the next pandemic, but it does expose how fragile and improvised global outbreak preparedness still is.
Dr. Evans says the Hondius outbreak should be understood as a stress test, not a panic event. Read More
Corrales Garden Tour 2026: Sustainable Growing In The Desert Southwest
COMMUNITY News:
CORRALES — The Corrales Garden Tour will be from 9 a.m.–3 p.m., May 16 and will feature five properties that offer helpful approaches to sustainable growing in the New Mexico challenging environment. Information on the various aspects of sustainable gardening at each property is provided by Sandoval Extension Master Gardeners serving as docents, and experts in sustainable growing will be on hand to give talks and answer questions. Each tour-goer will receive a color booklet containing helpful articles about sustainability as well as property descriptions.
Tour-goers Read More
Op-Ed: When Democracy Stops Talking, New Mexico’s Quiet Failure
PATRICIO M. SERNA
Former Chief Justice, Retired
New Mexico Supreme Court
Democracy does not fail all at once. It erodes quietly, not with the crash of broken laws, but with the silence of unasked questions. In New Mexico, one of the most troubling signs of that erosion is the growing normalization of elections without meaningful public debates.
Debates are not political theater. They are a civic obligation. They are the one moment in an election cycle where candidates are required to defend their ideas in real time, before the people who grant them power. When debates disappear, democracy Read More
LAHS Girls Golf Heads Back To State For 2nd Straight Year; Ella Trujillo Makes 3rd Trip
The 2026 LAHS Girls Golf Team, headed to the New Mexico Class 4A State Championship May 11 and 12. Pictured left to right: Hailee Sarellano, Ella Trujillo, Sophia Saunders, Felicity Trujillo, Fiona Smith. Courtesy Photo
SPORTS News:
The Los Alamos High School (LAHS) Girls Golf Team has qualified for the New Mexico Class 4A State Championship for the second straight year. The Hilltoppers will tee off May 11 and 12, 2026, at the New Mexico Tech Golf Course in Socorro, NM, ranked 7th in the state and seeded 8th.
The 2026 squad heads to State with two regular-season tournament wins in hand and a deeper, Read More
Hacienda Home Center Celebrates Grand Reopening Of Espanola Location May 9
BUSINESS News:
Hacienda Home Center Celebrates the Grand Reopening of Its Espanola Location Hacienda Home Center invites the community to celebrate the grand reopening of its Espanola location with a two-day event featuring special promotions, vendor demonstrations, prize drawings, and a live radio broadcast. Founded in 1975 in Espanola, New Mexico by the Sanchez brothers, the locally owned business has grown into a trusted resource for hardware, building materials, and contractor supplies, serving Northern New Mexico for more than 50 years while maintaining a strong commitment to Read More
Barranca Mesa Elementary Bobcat Bonanza May 15
COMMUNITY News:
It’s that time of year again for our annual event, The Bobcat Bonanza! This is a fun event for the whole family. It’s not only for Barranca Elementary students, but also for the whole community of Los Alamos.
There will be bounce houses, a dunk tank, a cake walk, and food- including cotton candy. A $25.00 wristband gets kids full access to ALL games and bouncy houses (food sold separately). Buy your tickets for games and food ahead of time or at the door.
Click here for more information and to buy tickets: https://www.barrancapto.org/bobcatbonanza
Link to volunteer: Read More
Lunch With A Leader: Somos Un Pueblo Unido Director Marcela Diaz May 21
LWV News:
The speaker for the community event, Lunch with a Leader by the League of Women Voters will be, Marcela Diaz, on Thursday May 21 at the Unitarian Fellowship Hall on Sage Loop. Marcela Diaz, is the founding executive director of Somos Un Pueblo Unido, a statewide immigrant-based organization that works to promote racial and worker justice.
With an active membership of close to 3,000 people in eight counties, including Santa Fe, Somos: offers community education about rights and remedies; forges leadership opportunities for immigrants and low-wage workers; provides legal services Read More
RPLA Announces May 2026 Events Including Councilor David Reagor’s Townhall Meeting At UNM-LA
By LISA SHIN
Chair
Republican Party of Los Alamos
Dear Friends:
Our Los Alamos Federated Republican Women (LAFRW) Freedom Tea proved to be another delightful event with a fantastic turnout and fundraising effort.
I want to personally thank Bill Enloe for drawing more readership than ever to my April 2026 newsletter. He rightly says that: “I don’t believe the government should or can successfully subsidize private businesses. Which ones do they pick to support? How long will the government continue to support the businesses?”
He may be unaware that our County has established the Local Economic Read More
PAC 8 Community Media Center: May 8-14, 2026
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 May 8-14, 2026:
May 8, 2026
- 6 a.m. — Democracy Now! – Live
- 10 a.m. — The Thom Hartmann Program
- 11 a.m. — County Council Replay 5-05–26
- 4 p.m. — Democracy Now!
- 5 p.m. — PAC PAGES – Los Alamos County News Updates
- 6 p.m. — Los Alamos Chamber of Commerce “Los Alamos County Manager Update”
- 7 p.m. — PAC 8 Summer Media Classes
- 8 p.m. — League
Prevent Sparking Disaster: Practice Proper Vehicle Maintenance During Wildfire Awareness Month
OSI News:
SANTA FE — As part of its Wildfire Awareness Month news release series throughout May, the Office of the Superintendent of Insurance (OSI) is reminding New Mexico residents to stay vigilant of activities that can unintentionally spark wildfire if proper precautions are not taken.
As dry conditions persist across the state, OSI is urging motorists to practice proper vehicle maintenance, as many human-caused fire hazards can stem from mechanical car failures or improper towing. These are leading causes of roadside fires, where a single spark or a hot exhaust system can ignite a catastrophic Read More
Daily Postcard: Mule Deer Pauses On Longview Drive
Daily Postcard: Caught between curiosity and caution, a mule deer pauses on Longview Drive on Wednesday in White Rock. Photo by Richard Skolnik Read More
Obituary: Paula Kleczka Sept. 17, 1978 – April 24, 2026
PAULA KLECZKA Sept. 17, 1978 – April 24, 2026
Paula Kleczka went to be with her eternal Lord and Savior on Friday, April 24, 2026, after a courageous battle with stage four cancer. She was born on September 17, 1978. Although she was taken much too young, she was blessed in her final moments to be surrounded by her devoted boyfriend and loving family.
Paula grew up in a loving and welcoming home in White Rock, New Mexico, as the youngest of six children. She attended Los Alamos High School, where she developed her strength of will competing in track competitions. Following her graduation in 1997, she Read More
UNM-LA Collaborates With UNM To Offer Early Assurance Program To Pre-Professional Health Students
From left, UNM-LA student Cruz Estrada, UNM-LA Science Dept. Lecturer II Derek Martinez and UNM-LA student Brittini Suazo in biology class. UNM-LA has partnered with UNM in Albuquerque to offer an Early Assurance Program for pre-professional health students interested in pursuing a doctorate in pharmacy. Courtesy/UNM-LA
BY KIRSTEN LASKEY
Los Alamos Daily Post
kirsten@ladailypost.com
University of New Mexico (UNM) College of Pharmacy Dean Donald Godwin recently reached out to University of New Mexico-Los Alamos (UNM-LA) Chancellor Mike Holtzclaw and Dean of Instruction Brent Pickett Read More
LAPD: Investigators Recover Stolen/Suspected Stolen Property Leading To 70-Plus Charges In Los Alamos County, Sandoval County, National Parks & Forest Lands
LAPD News:
On May 4, 2026, the First Judicial District Attorney’s Office re-filed an Amended Criminal Complaint in Los Alamos Magistrate Court against Nehemiah Hillhouse and Gunner Stacy following a multi-agency investigation into numerous burglaries and breaking-and-entering cases.
During the investigation, Det. Cindy Garcia executed three search warrants involving a vehicle and two residences. As a result, investigators recovered more than $50,000 worth of stolen and suspected stolen property connected to cases that led to over 70 charges total in Los Alamos County, Sandoval Read More
Joaquin Valdez Seeks To Continue Enhancing Assessors Office
Rio Arriba County Assessor Joaquin Valdez at an interview on Monday at the Los Alamos Daily Post. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com
By CAROL A. CLARK
Los Alamos Daily Post
caclark@ladailypost.com
What drives a person to dedicate more than three decades to public service, lead the Los Alamos County Assessor’s Office, retire, and then step up to transform the Rio Arriba County Assessor’s Office? For Joaquin Valdez, it is a deep-rooted, compassionate commitment to Northern New Mexico.
“I love serving my community,” Valdez said during an interview Monday at the Los Alamos Daily Post. “It’s Read More
