New $60M Workforce Training Program Boosts Workforce For New Mexico’s Highest-Demand Fields
NMHED News:
SANTA FE — A new state workforce training initiative exceeded expectations in its first year, with more than 6,200 New Mexicans completing career-focused programs in health care, transportation, construction and other high-demand fields.
The Government Results and Opportunity Trust (GRO) program achieved a 94 percent completion rate across 224 distinct workforce training programs at 19 higher education institutions statewide, backed by a $20 million investment in Fiscal Year 2025. The 6,249 enrolled students pursued training in pharmacy technology, welding, HVAC, Read More
$1.9M Available For Youth Outdoor Programs Through Outdoor Equity Fund
Tribal Adaptive Organization will provide 50 disabled Native American youth in San Juan County with access to adaptive equipment for weekly outdoor activities. Courtesy photo
NMORD News:
SANTA FE — New Mexico’s pioneering Outdoor Equity Fund program will open its final fiscal year 2026 application window Jan. 1-31, with $1.9 million available as demand for the grants continues to climb.
Since 2020, New Mexico’s Outdoor Recreation Division has gotten more than 106,000 young people from 23 different counties outdoors for education and career training through Outdoor Equity Fund grants. Read More
Heinrich Highlights Economic Benefits Of America’s National Parks, Condemns Recent Announcement To Remove Fee-Free Admission Of Juneteenth, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
Ranking Member Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) delivers opening remarks during a National Parks Subcommittee hearing, Dec. 9, 2025. Courtesy photo
U.S. SENATE News:
WASHINGTON, D.C. — During a U.S. Senate Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on National Parks hearing to consider 26 pending bills, U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), Ranking Member of the full committee, delivered opening remarks on the role national parks play in boosting our country’s economy and the importance of protecting public lands as the Trump Administration continues to divest from National Park Service sites. Read More
State Seeks To Hire Hundreds Of Child Welfare Workers, Expand Kids’ Mental Health Services
Valerie Sandoval
Acting Cabinet Secretary
CYFD News:
SANTA FE — New Mexico is seeking to hire hundreds of child welfare workers, expand substance abuse and infant mental health programs, and strengthen safety nets for vulnerable children and families under a proposed $422.3 million state budget.
The New Mexico Children, Youth and Families Department (CYFD) fiscal year 2027 budget represents a 4.7 percent increase and seeks $43.1 million of General Fund investments to replace expired federal health services grants, to add wrap-around services in communities and to broaden alternative Read More
New Mexico PED To Offer 3,000 Paid High School Internships
Public Education Secretary Mariana D. Padilla
PED News:
SANTA FE — New Mexico high school students will have access to as many as 3,000 paid summer internships next year, giving them hands-on work experience in careers ranging from health care to technology.
The New Mexico Public Education Department’s (PED) Summer Enrichment Internship Program, launched in 2021, is expanding through a new statewide coalition led by Education at Work. The eight-week internships will focus on high-demand industries identified by the Department of Workforce Solutions.
“Students from every corner of our Read More
At Broadband Summit, Lopez Highlights Strong Community Coordination To Prevent Los Alamos-Style Failures
Scott Lopez delivers opening remarks at the New Mexico Broadband Summit on Dec. 3 at UNM’s Continuing Education Center in Albuquerque. Courtesy photo
By MARLENE WILDEN
Los Alamos Daily Post
marlene@ladailypost.com
New Mexico policymakers and industry officials on Wednesday said stronger collaboration among state agencies, internet providers and utility crews is imperative to preventing the kind of service failures that repeatedly disrupted Los Alamos this year. Such coordination is essential to advancing practical, long-term improvements as the state prepares for a major expansion Read More
Los Alamos Public Schools Board Of Education Named 2025 New Mexico Large District School Board Of The Year!
Members of the Los Alamos Public Schools Board of Education from left, Melanie Colgan, president; Sondra Wyman, vice president; Lauren Coupland, secretary and members Ellen Specter and Ryan Adams. Courtesy/LAPS
LAPS News:
New Mexico School Boards Association (NMSBA) has selected the Los Alamos Public Schools Board of Education as the 2025 Large District School Board of the Year. Los Alamos was recognized for their exemplary governance, visionary leadership, and significant impact on student success across the district.
This statewide honor celebrates school boards that demonstrate Read More
Luján, Alsobrooks, Rosen Introduce Bill To Break Barriers In STEM And Strengthen America’s Future Workforce
U.S. SENATE News:
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Sens. Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), Angela Alsobrooks (D-Md.), and Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.) introduced the 21st Century STEM for Girls and Underrepresented Minorities Act, designed to close persistent equity gaps in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics and expand high-quality STEM education access for girls and students from underrepresented communities.
“New Mexico is at the forefront of science, technology, and innovation in the United States. That’s why I’m proud to introduce legislation that will help tap into more homegrown talent Read More
NM To Open Five More Behavioral Health Clinics In 2026
HCA News:
SANTA FE — New Mexico will add five new agencies as Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics in 2026 to expand access to mental health and substance use disorder services across six counties.
“For too many New Mexicans, getting behavioral health care has meant long waits or long drives,” Secretary Kari Armijo said. “This expansion is about meeting people where they are and making sure comprehensive care is available when and where it’s needed. By expanding Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics in six counties, we are bringing services closer to home and removing barriers Read More
New Mexico Goatheads Surpass 1K Season Ticket Deposits
SPORTS News:
RIO RANCHO — The New Mexico Goatheads hockey team announced that the organization has surpassed 1,000 season ticket deposits for the team’s inaugural 2026–27 ECHL season at the Rio Rancho Events Center. This milestone marks a significant step in the franchise’s launch and underscores the strong statewide enthusiasm for the return of professional hockey.
Since unveiling the Goatheads name and brand earlier this fall, the team has recorded substantial demand from fans across New Mexico. Early merchandise releases, community events, and growing corporate partnership interest Read More
