Education

‘Light To Online Learning’: Funding Crisis Prompts Focus On Virtual Education

by

Third Grader Titus Van Wyk attends a virtual math class at the New Mexico Destinations Career Academy from his family’s kitchen table on Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2026. Virtual schools have been a flashpoint this legislative session, as legislators debate tightening regulation for the first time in nearly two decades. Jim Weber/The New Mexican

By ANDRÉ SALKIN
The Santa Fe New Mexican

GLORIETA — The van Wyk kids’ virtual avatars scuttled across a wintry digital landscape, weaving among those of nearly 100 other cyber students from around the state—some shown in virtual wheelchairs—during Read More

New Mexico Legislature Passes Senate Bill 29 To Strengthen Math Education Statewide

by

Public Education Secretary Mariana D. Padilla

NMPED News:

SANTA FE — The New Mexico Legislature has passed Senate Bill 29 (SB 29), bipartisan legislation designed to strengthen mathematics instruction and improve student outcomes in public schools across the state. 

SB 29 establishes a comprehensive framework to enhance math teaching and learning, including stronger preparation requirements for educators, expanded professional development and early identification of students who may need additional support in mathematics. 

Beginning in the 2027–2028 school year, schools will Read More

LAFD: Preparedness Is Great Tool Against Wildfires

by

An example of defensible zones for a residence. Courtesy/LAC 

By KIRSTEN LASKEY
Los Alamos Daily Post
kirsten@ladailypost.com

It is only February and there are already fires igniting in New Mexico.

During the Los Alamos County Council work session Feb. 10, Wildland Division Chief Van Leimer reported that this month there are two wildfires in the eastern part of the state. One is about 4,000 acres and the second is approximately 3,500 acres, he said. Luckily, they are grass fires and as of Feb. 10, Leimer said both were 70 percent contained.

It isn’t looking good for the rest of the country, either. Read More

House Advances Tax Package With 1% Raise For New Mexico Workers, State Budget

by

By DANIEL J. CHACÓN
The Santa Fe New Mexican

Proposed 1% raises for state government employees that were stripped from New Mexico’s spending plan in House Bill 2 to fund other priorities found a lifeline Wednesday in an unlikely place: an omnibus tax package.

“When … our people are left out in the cold with their pockets not as full as they could be, we have to do something to make it right,” Rep. Derrick Lente, D-Sandia Pueblo, said before the House passed the tax package, Senate Bill 151, on a 43-19 vote.

The tax package has an estimated total capacity of $110 million, generated by “decoupling” Read More

National History Day Showcase Featuring Local Students’ Projects Presented By Los Alamos Historical Society

by

Historical Society News:

The Los Alamos Historical Society invites the community to a National History Day Showcase from 6:30-8 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 24 at Fuller Lodge.

Community members are invited to stop by, explore student projects, including exhibit displays, websites, and documentaries, and wish participants well before they advance to the regional competition in Santa Fe.

The 2026 theme for projects is Revolution, Reaction, Reform in History.

National History Day is a nationwide academic program for students in grades 6-12 that promotes in-depth historical research, critical Read More

Deadline For NMSBA Excellence In Student Achievement Award Nominations Is Feb. 20

by

LAPS News:

The deadline for nominations for this year’s New Mexico School Board Association’s (NMSBA) Excellence in Student Achievement Award is fast approaching. 

Los Alamos Public Schools is accepting nominations through this Friday, Feb. 20.

This award recognizes school leaders, staff and other individuals who have played an important role in improving student achievement. 

Submit nominations using the form that may be found at https://forms.gle/c9WXNyT2Uu2Eu1DW9. Read More

Bill To Fund New Mexico Universal Child Care Moves Ahead With Significant Cuts

by

By ESTEBAN CANDELARIA
The Santa Fe New Mexican

A bill to fund New Mexico’s lofty goal of extending free child care to all families appears to be on the fast track to the governor’s desk after the House amended and signed off on the bill.

The chamber passed Senate Bill 241 on a 37-19 vote Tuesday evening after the key House Appropriations and Finance Committee voted overnight to cut the amount the state could pull in coming years from the roughly $11 billion early child trust fund to $700 million from an originally proposed $1 billion. That move was lauded by supporters as a way of ensuring the permanent Read More

The Ribbon Is Cut On Hideout Café At UNM-LA!

by

Celebrating the ribbon cutting at the Hideout Café this morning in the Student Center at UNM-Los Alamos, from left, Abiel Diaz, Chamber Director Sandy Jones, Hideout Café Owner Victor Castillo, UNM-LA Chancellor Mike Holtzcaw, Assistant Chamber Director Alison Watkins, Christine O’Brien, Gillian Sutton and Jennifer Armstrong. Photo by John McHale/ladailypost.com

Scene from the ribbon cutting ceremony this morning at the Hideout Café in the Student Center at UNM-LA. Photo by John McHale/ladailypost.com

Scene from the ribbon cutting ceremony this morning at the Hideout Café in the Read More

Los Alamos Federated Republican Women Seeks Entries From Students For 2026 U.S. Constitution Essay Contest

by

LAFRW News:

The Los Alamos Federated Republican Women (LAFRW) is seeking entries from students for its 2026 U.S. Constitution Essay Contest.

Since 2015, local students have been winning cash for their essays. The U.S. Constitution Essay Contest is designed to challenge students to learn more about the U.S. Constitution and to express original, thoughtful ideas in essay writing. Essays are judged on how completely and clearly the ideas are stated and supported. Grammar, spelling and punctuation are also considered. The judging is blind.

Students in grades 4-12 who reside in or attend school Read More

Houck: Your Real Estate Contracts … The Purchase Agreement – Part 3 Of 3

by

By DAVID HOUCK
Qualifying Broker
Atomic Realty, LLC

Generally, there are three primary contracts used in a real estate transaction:

          • Listing Agreement
          • Buyer’s Brokerage Agreement
          • Purchase Agreement – This contract establishes the agreed-upon price and terms of sale between the Buyer and the Seller. 

All terms in these contracts are negotiable, and both buyers and sellers should carefully review and negotiate them before signing.

The Purchase Agreement

The purchase agreement is a legally binding contract between the Buyer and the Seller. It begins as an offer and becomes a fully executed Read More