LAHS Jazz Band Selected As State Honor Jazz Band
LAPS News:
Los Alamos Public Schools is pleased to announce that the Los Alamos High School Jazz I has been selected as the 2026 New Mexico Music Educators Association (NMMEA) State Honor Jazz Band. The band will perform at the 2026 All-State Music Conference Jan. 14, 2026, in Popejoy Hall.
The LAHS jazz band is one of six honor ensembles selected. The other ensembles represent band, choir, general music, orchestra and percussion.
“It is a great achievement for our students and the music program in Los Alamos,” Band Director Steve Iliff said. “Our students would not have accomplished this honor Read More
Youth-Adult Partnership To Elevate Youth Voices In New Mexico’s Public Health
NMDOH News:
SANTA FE — The New Mexico Department of Health is launching the Youth-Adult Partnership, a new initiative bringing together youth and adults from across the state to help shape public health programs
The Youth-Adult Partnership (YAP) will culminate in a Youth Empowerment Action (YEA) Summit, early in 2026, is designed to elevate youth voices and support public health strategies that reflect the needs and experiences of young people in New Mexico.
“YAP is a paradigm shift in how we lead change,” Tessa-Medina-Lucero said, adolescent health coordinator with the Read More
Balloon Fiesta Announces ‘Globito Glow In The Village’ Oct. 6
STATE News:
ALBUQUERQUE — Balloon Fiesta Gets its Kicks on Old 66 with the announcement of its first official event held outside of Balloon Fiesta Park. The event—a nod to the upcoming centennial of historic Route 66 and the 66th anniversary of the Village of Los Ranchos—will take place on the Monday of Balloon Fiesta week and will include the unveiling of the 2026 Balloon Fiesta theme.
Globito Glow in the Village marks the first time an event will focus solely on remote-controlled hot air balloons, known as Globitos. The free event will take place on New Mexico Day, adding an additional session Read More
Lower Rio Grande Groundwater Conservation Program Enrollment Closes Aug. 29
OSE News:
LAS CRUCES —The deadline to enroll in the 2026 Lower Rio Grande Groundwater Conservation Program is Aug. 29.
Participation in the program will help ensure that New Mexico maintains a sustainable groundwater supply in the Lower Rio Grande region for present and future generations of New Mexicans. Applications are available online or can be picked up at the Office of the State Engineer/Interstate Stream Commission District 4 Office.
“We have about 6,200 acres currently enrolled, and we’ve received nearly 50 applications for the new enrollment period,” Ryan Serrano said, ISC Lower Read More
Gov. Lujan Grisham Statement On Court Ruling Against 7-Day Waiting Period For Gun Purchases
STATE News:
SANTA FE — Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham issued the following statement in response to a Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals decision to strike down New Mexico’s seven day waiting period for gun purchases:
Today’s decision by the Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals is deeply disappointing, plainly wrong and likely to cost lives in New Mexico. New Mexico’s waiting period law was carefully crafted to minimize gun violence while respecting Second Amendment rights. The dissenting opinion in today’s ruling even notes that New Mexico’s law “is likely to save approximately thirty-seven Read More
NMED Upgrades City Of Las Vegas’ Drinking Water And Wastewater Systems
NMED News:
SANTA FE — The New Mexico Environment Department has worked alongside the City of Las Vegas to upgrade multiple areas of the City’s drinking water and wastewater systems to support recovery from the Calf Canyon/Hermits Peak Fire.
These upgrades include new water transmission lines, drinking water filter systems, and drinking water system monitoring technology to improve reliability and safety of the drinking water provided to residents.
“Las Vegas residents are the beneficiaries of the Environment Department’s collaboration with the City of Las Vegas,” Environment Secretary Read More
Albuquerque Veterans Affairs Medical Center To Receive Infrastructure Improvements
DVA News:
ALBUQUERQUE — The Department of Veterans Affairs will realign an additional $800 million this fiscal year as part of the Veterans Health Administration’s Non-Recurring Maintenance program, which makes infrastructure improvements to health care facilities to ensure safe and effective patient care.
The extra funding means more resources to repair and update aging VA facilities and technology. The additional funds will come from savings gleaned from various VHA reform efforts. The additions will bring total NRM program spending for fiscal year 2025 to $2.8 billion — a nearly Read More
N.M. State Land Office Earns Over A Quarter Of A Billion Dollars In Single Oil And Gas Lease Sale With 25% Royalty Rate Championed By Commissioner Garcia Richard
New Mexico Land Commissioner Stephanie Garcia Richard in her office in Santa Fe, shortly after her statewide election in 2018, to her first term in office. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com
STATE News:
SANTA FE — For the second month in a row, the State Land Office has smashed the record for revenue earned from an oil and gas lease sale, bringing in $256 million in bonus payments at a public auction, New Mexico Commissioner of Public Lands Stephanie Garcia Richard announced today. It is the second auction the State Land Office has held since a new, 25% royalty rate for premium oil and gas leases Read More
Stephon L. Scott, Ed.D., MPA, Appointed Director Of NMDVR
Dr. Stephon L. Scott
NMDVR News:
SANTA FE — Dr. Stephon L. Scott has been appointed by Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham to serve as the director of the New Mexico Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (NMDVR), effective Aug. 18, 2025.
“It is truly an honor to be a part of NMDVR,” Dr. Scott said. “I am deeply committed to serving our great state by ensuring that eligible individuals with disabilities have equitable, robust, and timely vocational rehabilitation services, so they may secure gainful employment consistent with their skill, will, and passion. NMDVR is a significant part of the solution. Read More
New Mexico’s Unemployment Rate Was 4.2% In July 2025
NMDWS News:
New Mexico’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 4.2 percent in July, unchanged from the rate in June and down from 4.3 percent in the previous year. The national unemployment rate in July was 4.2 percent, up from 4.1 percent in June and unchanged from the rate in July 2024.
Total nonagricultural payroll employment grew by 26,400 jobs, or 3.0 percent, between July 2024 and July 2025. The majority of gains came from the private sector. The private sector was up 22,700 jobs, or 3.3 percent, while the public sector was up 3,700 jobs, or 2.1 percent. Within the private sector, the private Read More
