Columns

Robinson: Big Beautiful Bill Has Hidden Costs

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By SHERRY ROBINSON
All She Wrote

During recent debates over the president’s big beautiful budget bill, I wanted to know how the safety net would work. After all, New Mexico has the nation’s highest per-capita rate of Medicaid coverage with 840,000 people enrolled, more than 40% of the state’s population. 

Nationally, Medicaid covers more than 71 million poor, elderly and disabled people. The big beautiful bill would cut the program by nearly $700 billion over 10 years and take health coverage away from more than 10 million people.

The big numbers and potential impacts generated endless debate Read More

Pawlak: Buying Bridges Is So Passé

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By JOHN PAWLAK
Los Alamos

In days past, saying that someone was willing to buy the Brooklyn Bridge was a nice way of calling them a gullible person who would buy anything. Now, having seen the Brooklyn Bridge myself, I can tell you that at any price, it would be a lousy purchase!

But that was before the internet and online stores made it easy to buy things with the click of a button. The frantic buyer, eager to find anything to buy, can now find anything that can be imagined.

You don’t need six million dollars and a passion for duct-taped bananas to join the parade of mindless spending. Let’s start with something Read More

Dannemann: Medicaid Budget Cuts Will Make It Cost More

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By MERILEE DANNEMANN
Triple Spaced Again
© 2025 by Merilee Dannemann

The American system of paying for healthcare is absurd. It’s complex, it’s confusing, it wastes enormous resources on administration, and it doesn’t necessarily get patients the services they need. But it can be made worse. Republicans in Congress are trying.

The bill that just passed the US House of Representatives proposes to save money on Medicaid. The Republicans have resurrected old ideas that have already been proven not to work by claiming they are bold new solutions.

This is what the so-called work requirement sounds Read More

Posts From The Road: Sabino Canyon Recreation Area

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Sabino Creek: Sabino Creek flows from higher in the Santa Catalina Mountains and becomes the focal point of Sabino Canyon Recreation Area. Water from winter snowfall and the summer rains keeps the small creek flowing throughout the year. The cottonwoods and other trees were just beginning to show off the spring green when we visited the area in March. Photo by Gary Warren/ladailypost.com

Saguaros: Views are abundant through Sabino Canyon, both in the canyon and the surrounding mountainsides. Shown are Saguaro cacti as they decorate this hillside along with rock formations and a variety of Read More

Fr. Glenn: Following The Path

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By Fr. Glenn Jones:

Well, ‘tis Memorial Day weekend—a time to remember our honored dead who died in war and other service to our nation and its people … those who offered and gave all that they had to give. And whether one does or does not agree with the public policies that led to them being in harm’s way, it does not diminish the selflessness of these men and women’s service. One need only walk the gardens of stone of any national cemetery, imagining the heart-rending cry of surviving comrades and families whose tears water the grounds in which lay their brothers and sisters in arms and their loved ones. Read More

Tales Of Our Times: No Mammoth Brand Routinely Provides The Whole Truth

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Tales Of Our Times
By JOHN BARTLIT
Los Alamos

No Mammoth Brand Routinely Provides The Whole Truth

Political parties fib to their fans; other fibs start among fans. Fibs do not equate to lies. Fibs simply encourage misunderstanding by omitting key facts. In this same way, commercial ads reliably skip facts that brand owners hope will be forgotten. Currently, fans of either team have fibs going around about “due process”.

Some portion of Trump fans worries that their team could be bypassing due process in some actions taken. Trump foes use protests and the media to mount endless claims that Trump Read More

All Shall Be Well: Grab Life’s Marrow

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Clergy from left, Deacon Amy Schmuck, Deacon Cynthia Biddlecomb, retired, The Rev. Mary Ann Hill and The Rev. Lynn Finnegan. Photo by Nate Limback/ladailypost.com

By Deacon Amy Schmuck
Bethlehem Evangelical Lutheran Church

A few short weeks ago, my grandfather Ken went outside to take care of his annual task of prepping and displaying his large pots of red geraniums outside his home in Sabetha, KS. At his age, (99 ½) he was pushing boundaries of his energy and strength, and he didn’t “bounce back” after exerting himself with this beloved gardening activity as he usually would in a day or so.

Grandpa Read More

Message From LAPS Superintendent To Graduates … Best Of Luck, Class Of 2025 … You’ve Got This!

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LAPS Superintendent Jennifer Guy

To the Class of 2025,

Congratulations! You’ve made it!

This moment marks the culmination of years of hard work, persistence, and growth. You’ve earned it. You should be proud of the work that you have done and the person you’ve become along the way.

I’ve had the privilege of watching many of you grow since elementary school. I have seen you learn new things, build friendships, try new things, overcome challenges, explore your interests, and grow into leaders. Every phase of your journey mattered. Along the way, you’ve helped shape our schools and made our community Read More

Message From LAHS Principal To 2025 Graduates … You Are Ready To Spread Your Wings And Soar!

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LAHS Principal Renee Dunwoody

Dear Class of 2025,

I must tell you that you hold a special place in my heart. I’ve known many of you since you were little kids—some even since before you were born! It has been my privilege to watch all of you mature into the remarkable young adults you are today, and your growth fills me with immense pride. It seems like just yesterday you were wide-eyed freshmen, a little unsure but ready to take on high school. These four years truly went by in a flash, and it’s difficult to believe that graduation is now upon us.

This journey has been long, but your perseverance Read More

McQuiston: Can Parking Or Speeding Tickets Affect Your Car Insurance Rates?

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By ALLEN MCQUISTON
Jemez Insurance Agency
Serving Los Alamos Since 1963

What Drivers Should Know Before Paying That Fine

Almost every driver has been there — a surprise ticket under the wiper or a fine arriving in the mail. The question that follows:

Will this affect my insurance rates?

Here’s what you need to know.

Parking Tickets: Annoying, but Insurance-Neutral

Good news first: Parking tickets do not impact your insurance rates.

Parking violations aren’t considered moving violations, and insurance companies don’t factor them into your premium calculations. As long as you pay them promptly 

Read More