Columns

Ringside Seat: Public Bank And Legislative Applicant Deserve Scrutiny

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By MILAN SIMONICH
The Santa Fe New Mexican

Forget the fine print. Normal-size type is tough enough for Peter Smith, a self-described expert witness on the bill to create a state public bank.

Smith submitted a piece to The New Mexican scolding me for a column in which I said $110 million would be taken from the general fund to open the bank. A mere $50 million would be appropriated, Smith wrote.

His claim is false. Proof is in the bill he helped pitch during a legislative committee hearing.

The financial analysis states: “House Bill 130 creates the public bank of New Mexico and appropriates $110 million Read More

Robinson: Patients Sound Off On Medical Malpractice Costs

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By SHERRY ROBINSON
All She Wrote
© 2024 New Mexico News Services

This is how bad New Mexico’s medical malpractice problem is. Reader Carl Hester, of Hobbs, writes that when he went to a doctor in Lubbock, he had to sign a statement, apparently intended for New Mexicans, saying “any lawsuit or other dispute arising from or related to medical care I receive from (the provider) will be brought only in an appropriate court located in Lubbock.”

New Mexico’s reputation for doctor targeting, judge shopping and sky high awards has spread to Texas, where a great many people living on the East Side go for medical Read More

Dannemann: House Bill 66

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By MERILEE DANNEMANN
Triple Spaced Again

House Bill 66 should have been a simple little bill that could have passed with little effort and no controversy.

Instead, somebody threw in a zinger. The somebody was, no doubt, the trial lawyers. Actually there were two zingers but I will only talk about the bigger one (the other, concerning legal discovery, is more technical).

HB66, sponsored by Rep. Pamelya Herndon, D-Albuquerque, is a workers’ compensation bill but it’s also a trial lawyers’ bill.

Under New Mexico workers’ compensation, if a covered work-related injury results in Read More

Catch Of The Week: Facebook Rental Scams

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By BECKY RUTHERFORD
Los Alamos

In today’s housing market, it can be a challenge to find an affordable place to live, so what do you do if you see an offer that seems too good to be true?

What a deal, right? Looks like a gorgeous place (images included below), historic casita in the Santa Fe plaza, $800 a month, sign me up! But… your spidey sense should be tingling because something isn’t right here.

Aside from the ridiculously low rental price, what other signs are there that this is too good to be true?

Right off the bat, this is a rental listing, and it’s listed in a group for used vehicle sales, seems Read More

Weekly Fishing Report: Feb. 16, 2025 

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By GEORGE MORSE 
Sports and Outdoors 
Los Alamos Daily Post 

The snowpack in Northern New Mexico is 39-percent of normal. Last week saw some snow in the mountains and the snowpack increased. Locally  the snowpack at the Hopewell measuring station is 55-percent of normal with a snow depth of 24 inches. 

The snowpack in Southern Colorado, including the headwaters of the Rio Grande, is also below normal. Northern and Central Colorado received heavy snow last week, but the storm bypassed Southern Colorado. That has been the weather pattern for most of the winter. 

Temperatures can still plunge Read More

Fr. Glenn: As Trees By The River

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By Fr. Glenn Jones:

Oh, do we not love to focus on the positive of things? We love immediate gratification; after all, planning ahead and/or looking at inevitable consequences is sooooo not fun. And even Jesus said a kind of version of the same thing, didn’t He?! “Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Let the day’s own trouble be sufficient for the day.” (Matthew 6:34) Carpe diem!!

That’s the danger of taking scripture piecemeal—like Satan did in his tempting of Jesus, by the way—rather than looking at it as a whole. For just before the verse above, Read More

All Shall Be Well: Love Is Patient, Love Is Kind…Love Never Ends

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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 The Rev. Lynn M. Finnegan
Associate Rector
The Episcopal Church of the Holy Faith

Recently, I met with a couple planning to be married in the Spring. For their ceremony, they requested the most requested wedding scripture of all time: a passage from St. Paul’s First Letter to the Corinthians. It reads:

Love is patient; love is kind; love is not envious or boastful or arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable Read More

Equitable Disclosure Legislation: A Win-Win For New Mexico’s Economy And Business Community

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By NATHAN BROOKS
Albuquerque

New Mexico stands at a pivotal moment to redefine property tax assessments for commercial real estate with fairness and transparency. A groundbreaking new legislative proposal, developed in collaboration between the County Assessors Affiliate and the business community ensures that businesses can plan with confidence while the state secures reliable property tax revenues.

This legislation offers a balanced approach to one of the most critical issues facing commercial property owners today: the unpredictability of property tax increases. By introducing Read More

McQuiston: The Hidden Truth About Luxury Cars … What They Don’t Tell You

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By ALLEN MCQUISTON
Jemez Insurance Agency
Serving Los Alamos Since 1963

Owning a luxury car seems like the ultimate reward—sleek design, cutting-edge technology, and a driving experience unlike any other.

But before you commit, let’s take an honest look at what truly comes with the keys to that high-end vehicle.

The Price Tag is Just the Beginning

  • Most people fixate on the sticker price, but the real cost goes beyond that. From higher taxes to increased registration fees, luxury vehicles come with added expenses that don’t show up in flashy advertisements.

Insurance That Reflects the Brand

Read More

Krish: Roses Are Red, Violets Are Blue, Los Alamos Businesses Deserve Some Love And White Rock Too!

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By JANICE KRISH
Director
SBDC-Los Alamos

February is the month of love—so let’s share that love with our beloved businesses in downtown Los Alamos and White Rock. Make 2025 extra special by supporting the unique establishments that are truly the heartbeat of our community.

Supporting locals isn’t just about shopping, it’s about finding meaningful ways to uplift the businesses that make our town vibrant. Get to know a new business and why they choose Los Alamos!

Engage & Connect: Building a strong local economy starts with relationships. Stop by a store, chat with the owners, and let them Read More