Kiwanis Guest Speaker: County Clerk Michael Redondo
Los Alamos County Clerk Michael Redondo speaking at the April 28 Kiwanis Club meeting. Courtesy/Kiwanis
By BROOKE DAVIS
Kiwanis Club of Los Alamos
The Kiwanis Club of Los Alamos heard an interesting and informative presentation by Los Alamos County Clerk Michael Redondo at its April 28 meeting. He covered the changes made in the primary elections, elements of the County Clerk’s responsibilities, and voting timelines.
For the first time, New Mexico will be holding semi-open primaries.
The voter requirements for this type of primary are:
- Registered Democrats and Republicans must vote their
Statewide Car Seat Clinics For Heatstroke Prevention Day ‘Stop. Look. Lock.’
NMDOT News:
SANTA FE – Free statewide car seat clinics will be held on Friday, May 1 as part of National Heatstroke Prevention Day to raise awareness about preventing child hot-car deaths, check for proper car seat installation, and provide practical tips to help prevent heat-related incidents.
In New Mexico, 12 children have died from pediatric vehicular heatstroke since 1998, including a death in May 2025. Vehicular heatstroke remains the leading cause of non-crash, vehicle-related deaths for children 14 and younger nationwide with 1,043 deaths since 1998.
The New Mexico Department Read More
Obituary: Dolores ‘Dee’ Jean Rightley Oct. 7, 1932 − April 5, 2026
DOLORES ‘DEE’ JEAN RIGHTLEY Oct. 7, 1932 − April 5, 2026
Dolores “Dee” Jean Rightley (nee Martin), age 93, passed away on April 5, 2026 in Albuquerque, NM. She is survived by eight children, Jean, Susan, Lisa, David, Todd, Jim, Michael, and Paul, numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and her sister Paula Martin. She was preceded in death by her loving husband Ed Rightley, infant child John, parents Herschel and Madeline Martin and her brother Bob Martin.
Dee was born in Denver, Colorado on October 7, 1932. She was a self-reliant young girl who would often ride the Denver trolley to the Read More
Luján Statement On Supreme Court Decision Weakening Landmark Voting Rights Law
U.S. SENATE News:
WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Sen. Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) issued the following statement after the Supreme Court ruled to weaken the landmark Voting Rights Act in Louisiana v. Callais:
“Just over 61 years ago, Bloody Sunday helped spur the passage of the landmark Voting Rights Act to root out racial discrimination in our elections. Americans marched, protested, and put their lives on the line to secure the promise of our democracy.
“Today’s decision is an attack on equal representation, with devastating and far-reaching consequences that extend well beyond congressional maps. Read More
YMCA Launches New NFL Flag Football League For Youth This Summer, Registration Open Through May 24
YMCA News:
The YMCA is excited to announce the launch of its all-new NFL Flag Football League, offering young athletes an engaging and inclusive way to stay active this summer.
The league will feature two age divisions: a coed division for ages 10–12 and a dedicated girls’ division for ages 12–17, creating opportunities for skill development, teamwork, and confidence-building in a fun, non-contact environment. The girls’ division will practice on Mondays and Wednesdays from 5:30–6:30 p.m. at either Urban or Rover, while the 10–12 coed division will practice on Tuesdays and Thursdays from Read More
PEEC Partners With Northern Rio Grande National Heritage Area To Support Los Luceros Day Camp, June 1–5
PEEC News:
The Pajarito Environmental Education Center (PEEC) is pleased to announce a new partnership with the Northern Rio Grande National Heritage Area (NRGNHA) to support this year’s Los Luceros Day Camp, taking place June 1 to 5, 2026 at Los Luceros Historic Site in Alcalde, NM.
Following recent staff changes at Los Luceros Historic Site, PEEC worked quickly to ensure that this beloved program could continue as planned. Eric Vasquez, Director of NRGNHA, and Gabriela Silva, NRGNHA’s Art Program Director, have enthusiastically stepped in to collaborate with PEEC for the 2026 session. Read More
Espinoza: Leadership Means Showing Up, Not Hiding Behind Spokespeople
By VALERIE ESPINOZA
Former Santa Fe County Clerk
Imagine a CEO of a publicly traded company delivering polished remarks on an earnings call and then refusing to take a single question. Investors would not call that discipline—they would call it a red flag. They would wonder what was being hidden and whether leadership could withstand real scrutiny.
Now imagine a nominee for the United States Supreme Court submitting a flawless résumé and polished written statements, then refusing to appear for a confirmation hearing. No questions. No real-time examination. Just a request to be approved based Read More
Lakota Women’s Arts: Quillwork And Beadwork
MNMP News:
SANTA FE — The Museum of New Mexico Press is honored to announce its publication of Lakota Women’s Arts: Quillwork and Beadwork April 21, 2026, a comprehensive new volume that brings long‑overlooked women’s artistry to the forefront of Lakota cultural history.
The Museum of New Mexico Press, part of the New Mexico Department of Cultural Affairs, created this publication to expand public understanding of Indigenous art traditions and to increase visibility for Native artists whose work has shaped the cultural landscape of the Great Plains and the nation.
Authored by Dr. Marsha Read More
FBI: Albuquerque Man Charged With Drug Trafficking And Firearms Offenses
FBI News:
ALBUQUERQUE — An Albuquerque man has been charged with federal drug trafficking and firearms offenses after allegedly supplying nearly five pounds of methamphetamine to undercover officers and later being found in possession of fentanyl, firearms, and ammunition.
According to court documents, March 26, 2026, Lucas Maldonado, 44, allegedly supplied almost five pounds of methamphetamine to undercover officers from the Albuquerque Police Department. The transaction took place in a parking lot of a business in Albuquerque, New Mexico, where Maldonado arrived in a pickup truck Read More
Abiquiu Inn Announces 2026/2027 Sculpture Walk & Garden Featuring Over 200 Works By 61 Acclaimed Artists
ABIQUIU INN News:
Abiquiu Inn is proud to announce the opening of its highly anticipated 2026/2027 Sculpture Walk & Garden, an immersive outdoor exhibition showcasing over 200 sculptures by 61 acclaimed artists from across the region and across the United States.
Now in its 9th year, Abiquiu Inn Sculpture Walk & Garden has grown into a premier annual art event in Northern New Mexico, offering collectors, art lovers, and visitors a rare opportunity to engage with a compelling blend of traditional and contemporary sculpture in a variety of mediums, including metal, stone, bronze, Read More
DPLAC: Vote In The Democratic Primary This Year
DPLAC News:
The Democratic Party of Los Alamos County (DPLAC) is excited to invite all registered voters in Los Alamos County to vote in the Democratic Primary this year.
Thanks to New Mexico Senate Bill 16, passed in 2025, New Mexico now has what are called semi-open primaries. This means that Independent and Decline-to-State (DTS) voters can show up to any major party primaries and request the ballot of any major party they choose without changing their party affiliation.
Other major party voters (Republican) can vote in the Democratic Party Primary if they change their registration by May Read More
Topper Boys Volleyball Wins Both Sets Against Volcano Vista
The Volcano Vista Boys volleyball teams came to Los Alamos to play the Los Alamos boys volleyball team in matches played in Griffith Gym Tuesday afternoon. The Toppers played the VV JV in two sets and won both. Then the Toppers played two sets against the VV varsity and lost both, but not by much. All the action was very entertaining, and the Toppers held their own against the stronger seasoned team. Pictured: Ewan Arnold goes up for the block of the spike attempt by the VV player in the second set of the JV match. Photo by John McHale/ladailypost.com
Samuel Parda playing in the Libero position makes Read More
Governor Orders Health, Food Inspections To Resume
STATE News:
SANTA FE — Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham Wednesday directed the New Mexico Environment Department to immediately resume routine health and food safety inspections that were temporarily paused due to a funding shortfall in the agency’s Environmental Health Bureau.
“The Environment Department’s decision to halt inspections was premature,” Gov. Lujan Grisham said. “We will resolve the agency’s budget shortfall to ensure the crucial service of providing health and safety inspections is uninterrupted moving forward.”
The Environmental Health Bureau oversees routine Read More
Daily Postcard: Camouflaged Coyote On North Mesa
Daily Postcard: Camouflaged coyote on North Mesa. Photo by Katie Freyer
Invisible coyote lets out a howl. Photo by Katie Freyer Read More
Elizabeth Meek Selected New Principal At Chamisa Elementary School
Elizabeth Meek
LAPS News:
Los Alamos Public Schools announced that Elizabeth Meek has been selected as the new principal at Chamisa Elementary School. She will be taking over for Craig Washnok who is retiring at the end of the school year.
Meek has been the assistant principal at Chamisa Elementary for the past two years. Prior to coming to Chamisa, she worked as the LAPS assistant director of Student Services.
“I am excited to become the new principal,” she said. “I have enjoyed the last two years as the assistant principal of Chamisa and appreciate the spirit of community that is evident through Read More
Heinrich, Young, Rounds, Booker Reintroduce Bipartisan Legislation To Expand AI Research Access
U.S. SENATE News:
WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), Founder and Co-Chair of the Senate Artificial Intelligence (AI) Caucus, and Sens. Todd Young (R-Ind.), Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), and Cory Booker (D-N.J.) introduced the CREATE AI Act, legislation to establish the National Artificial Intelligence Research Resource (NAIRR) as shared national research infrastructure that provides AI researchers and students with greater access to the resources, data, and tools needed to develop safe and trustworthy AI.
“The CREATE AI Act will help us develop and deploy AI responsibly, Read More
Pets Of The Week: Gage And Olive
Gage the golden go-getter is soon to be ‘paw-roled’! This 1.5-year-old charmer is crate, potty and leash trained and cue-savvy thanks to the Paws in the Pen 8-week 24/7 training program at the Penitentiary of New Mexico. He’s playful, people loving, dog friendly, and bursting with love. Gage goes home neutered, vaccinated, microchipped and with six months of heartworm prevention plus follow-up training support is included—set up for success from day one. Smart, spirited, and seriously sweet—Gage is ready to go home and glow! Apply on the Española Humane website to meet Gage. Española Humane Read More
Obituary: James Bohanon June 14, 1941 – April 12, 2026
JAMES BOHANON June 14, 1941 – April 12, 2026
The greatest dad in the world has left us. James (Jim, Jimbo, Bobo) Bohanon passed away in Norman, Oklahoma on April 12, 2026.
Jim was born June 14, 1941 in Ventura, California to his mom, the marvelous Eva Mehringer. They moved to Perry, Oklahoma when he was in junior high, along with his little sister Shirley after his mom and her friend threw a dart at a map to determine where to open a business. He graduated from Perry High School where he loved sports and was a star basketball player for the Perry Maroons.
Jim received his Bachelor’s degree from Oklahoma Read More
Registration Open For Los Alamos Elks Lodge Annual Charity Golf Tournament June 12
Elks Lodge News:
Registration for the annual Los Alamos Elks Lodge #2083 Charity Golf Tournament is now open. This year’s tournament will be held on Friday, June 12 at the Los Alamos Golf Course. Golf will start at 9 a.m. followed by a luncheon and other festivities at the Elks Lodge, 1601 Trinity Drive.
Player registration is $130/player or $520/team and includes entry into golf scramble, greens fees, golf cart and lunch. To register, visit www.bpoe2083.org or click the QR code.
Proceeds will fund a local child’s wish through Make-A-Wish Foundation of New Mexico, with any additional funds going Read More
Independent Government Watchdog Launches Investigation Into DOJ Handling Of Epstein Files
U.S. SENATE News:
WASHINGTON, D.C. — In response to a request from U.S. Sen. Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) and bipartisan Senators, the nonpartisan, independent Government Accountability Office (GAO) opened an investigation into the Department of Justice’s (DOJ) practices in redacting information from the public release of the Epstein Files.
“The American people deserve accountability, transparency, and a process they can trust. But under this Department of Justice, the Trump administration has failed to release the Epstein files as required by law. This audit is a necessary step toward transparency Read More
