Life After 50: A Profound Graduation Gift
By BERNADETTE LAURTIZEN
The news isn’t so great recently, but wouldn’t it be great if we could perform a small act that would boost spirits at a tragic time?
Master Sgt. Nicole Amor was assigned to the 103rd Sustainment Command in Des Moines, Iowa. She was one of six soldiers killed in a drone strike in Kuwait in the early days of the war. Amor was within days of coming home.
When Nicole’s husband Joey was in high school, he was friends with Angela Grooms. Grooms asked Joey for permission to collect cards from their own high school classmates for his son. You see, Owen is a senior in high school and will be Read More
FBI: Former Ohkay Owingeh Police Officer Pleads Guilty To Obstruction Of Justice
FBI News:
ALBUQUERQUE — A former Ohkay Owingeh Police Department officer has pleaded guilty to using his position to disclose sensitive information about a federal investigation.
According to court documents, Feb. 26, 2020, Justin Aguino, 31, a former police officer with the Ohkay Owingeh Police Department, placed a phone call to an individual and disclosed that a person that individual was in contact with was cooperating with federal authorities. Aguino made these statements to alert the individual to the person’s status as an informant, knowing that such disclosure could interfere Read More
Economic Development Session Hosted By LLA Last Week
Scene from recent Economic Development session hosted by Leadership Los Alamos. Courtesy photo
Small group discussions at recent Economic Development session. Courtesy photo
By MARTHA KATKO
Leadership Los Alamos
Leadership Los Alamos held their Economic Development session on April 10 beginning the morning at the Research Park. Breakfast burritos from Hot Rocks were sponsored by Los Alamos Commerce and Development (LACDC). Following a short tour of the building, Dan Osborn, Los Alamos County Housing Program Coordinator, joined the class for a discussion on the housing challenges Read More
Beck: Fixing CYFD Should Be Incoming Governor’s #1 Issue
Maralyn Beck is a former volunteer foster parent, and the Founder and Executive Director of New Mexico Child First Network. She is an Aspen Institute Civil Society Fellow, and a member of the AEI Child Welfare Innovation Working Group.
Since the NMAG’s recent investigation into CYFD failures, the idea of removing CYFD from the governor’s authority has been gaining traction. I know in theory that “removing political influence” from CYFD sounds good—I caution you that this short-sighted, knee-jerk response could prove problematic.
If you seek to isolate CYFD away from “political influence” Read More
Update On State Police Turquoise Alert: Amaya Baysinger
Wildlife Department Announces Fish Art Contest Winners
NMDW News:
SANTA FE — Some of New Mexico’s most talented youth artists took part in the first-ever Art of Conservation New Mexico Fish Art Contest, with winners announced last week by the New Mexico Department of Wildlife.
The contest included divisions for grades K-3, 4-6, 7-9 and 10-12. The top-three finishers in each division will proceed to the National Fish Art Contest, sponsored by Wildlife Forever. Other categories included the Invader Crusader Award, for artwork featuring a native and invasive aquatic species found in the student’s local area; the Mighty Minnow Award, Read More
Heinrich Meets With White Sands Missile Range Leadership
U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich, 3rd from left, meets with White Sands Missile Range leadership for update on the range’s critical role in strengthening New Mexico jobs and advancing national security, April 10, 2026. Courtesy photo
U.S. SENATE News:
LAS CRUCES — U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), a member of the U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee, met with White Sands Missile Range Senior Commander Colonel Andrew R. Morgan, Command Sergeant Major Hermes F. Acevedo, U.S. Navy Commander Patrick D. Smith, Chief of Staff Patrick Curran, and U.S. Navy Detachment Site Director Abran Parra to receive Read More
New Mexico Approves First Air Quality Fee Increase In Decades
Environment Secretary James Kenney
NMED News:
“New Mexico has not raised any air quality permit fees since 2009, despite seeing an over 2,000 percent increase in oil and gas-related general construction permits and a 126 percent increase in total permitting actions since 2012.” –Environment Secretary James Kenney
SANTA FE — New Mexico’s Environmental Improvement Board — the state’s independent board that reviews and approves environmental rules — on Monday approved a proposal brought by the New Mexico Environment Department (NMED) to increase air quality permitting fees for the first Read More
Daily Postcard: First Black-Chinned Hummingbird Of Season
Daily Postcard: The first Black-chinned Hummingbird of the season is spotted sipping water from a feeder on Monday at a farm in the beautiful Española Valley. Photo by Liddie Martinez Read More
‘Understanding Homelessness’ April 16/SALA, April 28/WR
ICOH News:
“Understanding Homelessness” – an in-depth and honest look at the causes and effects of this major challenge – is an upcoming free program open to all. It will be offered at SALA at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, April 16, and at White Rock United Methodist Church at 6:30 p.m. on April 28.
Sponsored by the Interfaith Coalition on Homelessness (ICOH), it is a 90-minute presentation by two knowledgeable and compassionate local speakers – Glenn Weber and Maggie Meier, ThM. This program is an opportunity for community members to gain much deeper and broader ways of thinking about who is unhoused, Read More
SFI Community Lecture: Crossroads Democracy—A Panel Discussion April 14
Demonstration on October 17th, 1905. Ilya Repin. Oil, depicting the celebration of the Tsar’s Manifesto, which granted individual political rights to the people of Russia. 1907. Courtesy/Russian Museum
SFI News:
At the start of the 20th century, only about three percent of the world’s population was subject to democratic rule. By the year 2000, democracy had become the most common political system globally. Universal suffrage, fair elections, and civil liberties were then enjoyed by over half of the world’s people.
Today, democracy is in retreat in many countries, and its future uncertain. Read More
Northern New Mexico College Foundation Exceeds $1M Goal In President’s Eagle Campaign
NNMC News:
ESPAÑOLA — The Northern New Mexico College (NNMC) Foundation proudly announces that the President’s Eagle Campaign has surpassed its ambitious $1,000,000 goal, marking a significant milestone in advancing student success and institutional growth.
Launched under the leadership of President Hector Balderas, the campaign brought together donors, community partners and supporters across the region who share a commitment to expanding educational opportunity in Northern New Mexico.
Funds raised through the President’s Eagle Campaign will directly support student scholarships, Read More
Renowned Trial Lawyer Advocate Kathy Love Honored With Prestigious Amicus Award
Kathy Love receives 2026 NMTLF Amicus Award. Courtesy photo
NMTLF News:
The New Mexico Trial Lawyers Foundation (NMTLF) is proud to announce that Kathy Love, partner at McGinn, Montoya, Love, Curry & Sievers, PA, has been named the recipient of the 2026 NMTLF Amicus Award. The honor was presented during the NMTLF Annual Amicus Gala held on Friday evening, April 10, at the Hyatt Regency Tamaya Resort.
The Amicus Award is one of the highest honors bestowed by the NMTLF, recognizing an individual whose commitment to the law and tireless work on behalf of the “little guy” and has made a profound Read More
League Of Women Voters Wins 100 Men Who Care March Giving Event
100MWC News:
Los Alamos 100 Men Who Care members selected League of Women Voters of Los Alamos as the recipient of their March 2026 giving award. The group meets quarterly for a 30-minute social with simple food and drink, and then to hear three pre-selected organizations make five-minute presentations. The group then votes on the organizations, and each member writes a check for $100 to the winner.
In addition to the LWV, the group heard from Self Help and Los Alamos Historical Society. Thirty members attended the event on March 12, which was held at the SALA event center and catered by China Palace. Read More
NHCC Becomes Fifth New Mexico Smithsonian Affiliate To Expand Opportunities, Outreach
Aerial shot of NHCC Campus. Courtesy/NMDCA
NMDCA News:
ALBUQUERQUE — The National Hispanic Cultural Center is growing its recent partnership with the Smithsonian Institution in order to better showcase its work on a national stage.
“As the nation’s only Hispanic cultural center with a nationwide focus, partnerships like this give us a foundation to continue developing our national footprint,” said National Hispanic Cultural Center (NHCC) Executive Director Zack Quintero. “This agreement will allow us to coordinate and collaborate with other museums and cultural centers across Read More
LANL Foundation Awards Over $1 Million In Scholarships To Northern New Mexico Students
LANL Foundation News:
ESPAÑOLA — The LANL Foundation is pleased to announce the 2026 recipients of its scholarship awards, recognizing the achievements of outstanding students across Northern New Mexico as they pursue higher education.
This year, 163 students have been awarded scholarships totaling nearly $1.2 million to pursue bachelor’s degrees.
Since 1999, the LANL Foundation has awarded nearly 2,900 scholarships, approaching $15 million in total funding. These scholarships are made possible through the generosity of the workforce of Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL), Read More
Duplicate Bridge In Los Alamos: April 8, 2026
BRIDGE News:
Steve Kemic and Jennifer Young were Monday winners in flight A. Alan Wadlinger and Allyn Pratt were 1st in Flight B.
Steve Kemic and Jennifer Young were 1st overall in Flight A on Wednesday. Spook Kellum and Allyn Pratt were high in Flight B.
Preemptive hands are among the most interesting when it comes to making bidding decisions. This was demonstrated in our last bridge column.
Here is another opportunity to deal with a preemptive opening bid.
This is Board #13. North is the dealer, and both sides are vulnerable.
After North passes, East will open with 4♥. After south passes, this Read More
Quemazon Community Childcare Receive Grant From LACF
Francine Martinez (Quemazon Montessori School Director), Kayci Miller (Business Manager), Lukas Zavorka (Quemazon Community Childcare Board Member), and students accept a grant from Liz Martineau (Los Alamos Community Foundation Executive Director) that will help the new nonprofit during this year of transition and growth as they apply for the New Mexico FOCUS exemplary rating. This is one of several grants made possible through the Enterprise Bank and Trust Community Endowment Fund held at the Community Foundation. Courtesy/LACF Read More
Obituary: Lois Coffin July 10, 1929 – March 16, 2026
LOIS COFFIN July 10, 1929 – March 16, 2026
Lois Coffin, born Lois Hamilton on July 10, 1929, in Jamison, Nebraska, passed away peacefully on March 16, 2026, in Los Alamos, NM. She was surrounded by loving family and caring staff at Los Alamos Assisted Living, where she lived with her devoted husband, Don Coffin. Lois and Don had recently celebrated 76 years of marriage, an inspiring testament of true love to all who knew them.
Lois had a miraculous and challenging beginning on this earth, as she was born six weeks premature at the home of a country doctor; she and her twin brother, Leo, weighed less than Read More
Get Growing: Build A Mini-Indoor Greenhouse At Los Luceros Workshop April 25
NMDCA News:
Northern Río Grande National Heritage Area (NRGNHA) offers a hands-on workshop held at Los Luceros Historic Site from 10 a.m.–3 p.m., Saturday, April 25, for building a mini-indoor greenhouse to grow plants for remedios, or remedies.
In this workshop, learn how to build a small indoor mini greenhouse designed specifically for growing traditional remedios, or remedies, herbs at home. Even without outdoor space or garden beds, families have long found ways to nurture healing plants year-round.
The workshop is $50 per person, and proceeds benefit Los Luceros Historic Site. Register Read More
