Dannemann: Where Are All The Government Employees?
By MERILEE DANNEMANN
Triple Spaced Again
DOGE, the so-called Department of Government Efficiency, has been disbanded as of late November. What a relief.
DOGE was supposed to reduce fraud, waste and abuse in government. It may have fired as many as 260,000 federal employees, although many were rehired because, as it turned out, their jobs were important and they were needed.
The DOGE fiasco points to a critical issue in the endless debate about why government agencies exist. Among some conservatives, there’s a basic disrespect for government agencies and the people who work in them – the notion Read More
Robinson: Policing Fraud In New Mexico’s SNAP Program
By SHERRY ROBINSON
All She Wrote
© 2025 New Mexico News Services
During the Dust Bowl of the 1930s, Texas and Oklahoma farmers who lost everything headed west. Before they joined the great exodus to California chronicled by John Steinbeck in “Grapes of Wrath”, they were hoping to find work picking cotton in New Mexico or harvesting beets in Colorado.
They were not welcomed. The Depression had brought hard times to everyone. Charities were tapped out, and locals didn’t want competition for the modest benefits of the government’s New Deal programs. Even so, people held deeply conflicting views. Read More
More Scenes From 32nd Annual Creche Show
Scene from the 2025 Creche Show. Approximately 400 creches were featured in this 32nd annual show hosted Friday and Saturday by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at 1967 18th St. The show was part of the 2025 WinterFest activities. Photo by Kirsten Laskey/ladailypost.com
Michael Roper’s creche from Uganda. Photo by Kirsten Laskey/ladailypost.com
Ronaele Freestone’s creche. Photo by Kirsten Laskey/ladailypost.com
Anita Williamson’s creche. Photo by Kirsten Laskey/ladailypost.com
Michael Roper’s creche from South Africa. Photo by Kirsten Laskey/ladailypost.com Read More
Posts From The Road: Traveling Through Tulsa Time…
Route 66 Rising: A large sculpture sits on the east side of Tulsa welcoming travelers as they enter the city. The city is proud of its history and involvement in Route 66 as the highway passes through Tulsa for many miles. There are numerous landmarks around town that commemorate the highway including the ‘Route 66 Rising’ sculpture in east Tulsa. Photo by Gary Warren/ladailypost.com
Meadow Gold: Meadow Gold Dairy has been around since 1901 serving a variety of dairy products. The Meadow Gold sign was constructed in 1934 as an advertisement for Meadow Gold, which was owned by Beatrice Foods Co. Read More
Scenes From 2025 Creche Show
Scene from the 32nd Annual Creche Show Saturday at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at 1967 18th St. Photo by VaLynn Purvis
Scene from the 32nd Annual Creche Show Saturday at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at 1967 18th St. Photo by VaLynn Purvis
Scene from the 32nd Annual Creche Show Saturday at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at 1967 18th St. Photo by VaLynn Purvis Read More
SALA Event Center To Host Screening Of ‘Mississippi Speed Record: An Epic Adventure’ Thursday Dec. 11
COMMUNITY News:
An ultra-endurance team called Mississippi Speed Record (MSR) made history and entered the Guinness World Record by traversing the entire length of the Mississippi River. Their achievement was documented in the film, “Mississippi Speed Record: An Epic Adventure”, which will be screened at 7 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 11 at SALA Event Center.
In addition to the screening, MSR canoeist Judson Steinback will be at SALA to introduce the movie, answer questions and sign autographs. Admission is $10. Tickets may be purchased at the door or online at sala.losalamos.com.
MSR paddled Read More
Treasurer Montoya Voices Concerns On SEC Rule Change
Treasurer Laura Montoya
STATE News:
SANTA FE — This week, New Mexico Treasurer Laura Montoya as part of a coalition of 17 state treasurers and finance officials, signed a letter addressed to Securities Exchange Commission (SEC) Chair Paul S. Atkins voicing concerns about a change to Exchange Act Rule 14a-8, which governs the submission of shareholder proposals to companies.
Under the change, Rule 14a-8 permits companies to exclude a shareholder proposal if it is considered “improper under state law”.
Signatories of the letter stressed that relying on untested interpretations of state Read More
SFCC Offers Free ‘English As A Second Language’ Classes
Recent SFCC ESL students celebrate their program completion. Courtesy/SFCC
SFCC News:
SANTA FE — Do you or someone you know want to learn English as a Second Language? Whether you speak no English at all, only know a little, or even if you know a lot of English, SFCC has classes for you.
Santa Fe Community College (SFCC) will offer a free 14-week English as a Second Language (ESL) session from Jan. 26 to May 7 to any adult who wants to learn English. New students must attend an orientation session to register for classes. The orientation session will include testing and placement as well as registration Read More
New Mexico Unemployment Rate 4.1% In September 2025
NMDWS News:
New Mexico Department of Workforce Solutions (NMDWS) has announced that New Mexico’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate in September 2025 was 4.1 percent, unchanged from August and down from 4.3 percent in the previous year.
The national unemployment rate in September was 4.4 percent, up from 4.3 percent in August and up from 4.1 percent in September 2024.
Data for total nonagricultural payroll employment will be released Thursday, Dec. 11.
U.S. Labor Force Estimates:
County Unemployment Rates:
EMNRD Secretary Melanie A. Kenderdine Resigns
EMNRD Secretary Melanie A. Kenderdine
EMNRD News:
SANTA FE — Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham announced Dec. 5 that Melanie A. Kenderdine, secretary of the New Mexico Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department (EMNRD), will resign for personal reasons effective immediately.
“Melanie brought national energy expertise to New Mexico, and I’m grateful for her contributions at EMNRD. I wish her well,” Lujan Grisham said.
Erin Taylor, deputy cabinet secretary, will serve as Acting Cabinet Secretary of EMNRD.
Kenderdine joined the administration in May 2024. Before her appointment, she Read More
