Columns

Home Country: The Iditarod Trail

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Home Country
By SLIM RANDLES

They are getting ready now, wondering if the race will bring prize money, glory to their dogs, or just some quiet laughter from the other mushers.

The Iditarod Trail.

It has come to mean “The Trail” to dog mushers and kennel owners all over the state of Alaska and in a lot of other places.

There are other long distance dogsled races now. We know that. But the Iditarod started all that “long, cold camping trip” stuff. And I was lucky to be a part of that very first Iditarod in March of 1973.

Strangely enough, each musher has a list of life-saving equipment and food on that sled. Read More

Weekly Fishing Report: Feb. 10, 2025 

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By GEORGE MORSE 
Sports and Outdoors 
Los Alamos Daily Post 

The snowpack in Northern New Mexico  is 17-percent of normal. Last week saw record-breaking warm temperatures. The weather forecast for this coming week shows some chances of precipitation and average to above- average  temperatures. 

The Arctic Blast is over. Temperatures can still  plunge well-below zero in some of our high mountain valleys.

The Moreno Valley where Eagle Nest Lake is located is a prime example. Temperatures can still fall below zero even into March. Pease dress warmly and in layers. 

The record low temperature Read More

Robinson: A Bigger Conversation About Water

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

For the two sponsors of the Strategic Water Supply bill now before the Legislature, this is personal.

Rep. Susan Herrera, D-Española, said she gets asked frequently why she’s carrying the governor’s controversial bill. She explains that her district is rural and agricultural.

“Eighty percent of the people coming to me with problems have water problems,” she told the House Agriculture, Acequia and Water Resources Committee. “Climate change is real. I’ve seen things in the last five years I never thought were possible…

“This Read More

Denish: Remembering New Mexico First – RIP

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By DIANE DENISH
Corner To Corner
diane@dianedenish.com

In Mid-January, New Mexico First, the non-profit public policy organization, closed its doors after 38 years.

As a participant and observer of NM First from the beginning I have a historical view. I served as board chair early on, was at the first board meeting and recently at the last board meeting as a guest. (and dozens of board meetings in-between). Initially in 1986, I was co-chair of the task force brought together by U.S. Senators Pete Domenici (R-NM) and Jeff Bingaman.

As a task force, we visited Texas and Arizona, who had examples Read More

Paying Out-Of-Pocket: New Mexico’s Thorny Medical Malpractice System Explained

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By MARGARET O’HARA
The Santa Fe New Mexican

Dr. Debbie Vigil didn’t plan to retire in 2023.

Born and raised in Santa Fe, Vigil started practicing as an independent OB-GYN in the city in 1989, out of a desire to serve her home state.

“I was committed to the people of New Mexico,” she said. “I’m Hispanic. I speak the language. I know the culture. That was the whole reason I went into medicine.”

But Vigil said her choice to practice in New Mexico came at a cost, specifically the high cost of medical malpractice insurance in the state, which regularly runs OB-GYNs like Vigil more than $100,000 per year in Read More

Posts From The Road: Fort Griffin State Historic Site

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Administration Building: Ruins of the stone administration building stand in the center of the hill where Fort Griffin was constructed. The administration building housed offices including the office of the commanding officer of the fort. Photo by Gary Warren/ladailypost.com

Sutler’s Store: Windblown grassy fields in Fort Griffin with the remains of Sutler’s Store, a civilian owned business that furnished canned food and other general supplies to soldiers. Photo by Gary Warren/ladailypost.com

By GARY WARREN
Photographer
Formerly of Los Alamos

In post-Civil War years the U.S. Army Read More

Fr. Glenn: Convicted!

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By Fr. Glenn Jones:

Hardly a week goes by in the Catholic calendar in which there is not a memorial of a saint, and very often remembrance of one who endured great hardship or even martyrdom. We might think of St. Elizabeth of Hungary, royalty who gave away all her wealth. Or Damien of Molokai, who chose lifelong exile to minister the lepers. Or the thousands of missionaries who gave their lives to spread the Christian faith among unbelievers in hopes of leading them to eternal life and joy with God. Or the nuns who went singing to the guillotine. Or the many martyrs even of today in places like Nigeria Read More

Ringside Seat: Former Senator Turns Down Regent Seat

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By MILAN SIMONICH
The Santa Fe New Mexican

Bathed in scandal and soaked by greed, Western New Mexico University lost its chance to land an excellent administrator.

Former state Sen. Siah Correa Hemphill, D-Silver City, told me she turned down an offer from the governor to be a regent of WNMU. Litigation regarding irresponsible spending by the previous board shaped her decision.

“After a lot of thought about the reality of being on the board of regents, I declined. The attorney general said new board members will be the ones who most likely will be sued ‘in their capacity,’ so I’m sure it will be a Read More

All Shall Be Well: Sadly God Is Not Glorified And America Is Not Living Up To Her Promise

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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. Mary Ann Hill
Rector
Trinity on the Hill Episcopal Church

What a difference two decades makes! At the very beginning of his first term in office, President George W. Bush issued two executive orders aimed at faith-based and community organizations in order to improve the delivery of social services:

“Faith-based and community organizations (FBCOs) have a long tradition of helping Americans in need and together represent Read More

McQuiston: Hidden Costs Of High-Tech Features In Cars

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By ALLEN MCQUISTON
Jemez Insurance Agency
Serving Los Alamos Since 1963

New cars are packed with cutting-edge technology designed to enhance safety, convenience, and entertainment. From advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS) to massive touchscreen displays, today’s vehicles feel more like computers on wheels. But while these features add luxury and innovation, they also come with a hefty hidden cost—one that most buyers don’t fully consider until it’s too late.

The Price Tag of High-Tech Features

Car manufacturers are quick to advertise the benefits of their latest tech, but they

Read More