Employment

Thanks To Community Support, The Future Of Our Local Independent Bookstore May Be Bright

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Samizdat Bookstore and Teahouse at 174 Central Park Square. Courtesy photo

By LACDC Executive Director Lauren McDaniel
Los Alamos MainStreet & Creative District’s Jacquelyn Connolly
Los Alamos Chamber of Commerce’s Sandy Jones

The Los Alamos community has shown an outpouring of support for Samizdat Bookstore and Teahouse over the last week since owner Jill Lang’s letter earlier this month about her probable closure. This support, not only through words of encouragement but also through active consumer spending, hasn’t gone unnoticed by the owner. Please, keep this momentum going Read More

Healthcare At Forefront Of 2026 Legislative Preview

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From left, Rep. Christine Chandler, moderator Margo Batha, League of Women Voters of Los Alamos First Vice President Leslie Wallstrom and Sen. Leo Jaramillo participate in the 2026 Legislative Preview Thursday evening at Fuller Lodge. Photo by Kirsten Laskey/ladailypost.com

Los Alamos resident Morrie Pongratz asks legislators how best to address the state’s shortage of healthcare professionals during Thursday’s Legislative Preview in Fuller Lodge. Photo by Kirsten Laskey/ladailypost.com

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

As the next 30-day New Mexico Read More

New Los Alamos Fire Chief Erik Litzenberg Expresses Enthusiasm For LAFD And Community

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Los Alamos Fire Chief Erik Litzenberg during an interview Tuesday afternoon at the Los Alamos Daily Post. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com

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

Working for more than 20 years at the Santa Fe Fire Department, Erik Litzenberg said he was always aware of the Los Alamos Fire Department (LAFD), but it wasn’t until he had a discussion with former Fire Chief Troy Hughes that the idea to apply for the fire chief position was planted.

Litzenberg said he talked with Hughes before he retired from LAFD about who Hughes thought could step into Read More

Los Alamos Public School Facilities Department Receives Ben Lujan Maintenance Team Award

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Members of the Los Alamos Public Schools Facilities Department gather after receiving the 2025 Ben Lujan Maintenance Team Award. Courtesy/LAPS 

LAPS Director of Facilities/Operations Tommy Castillo, center, with Facilities Secretary Amber Miera and Custodial Supervisor Herman Salazar with their Facilities Master Certificate from CES/PSFA. Courtesy/LAPS

LAPS News:

Los Alamos Public Schools (LAPS) announces that the LAPS maintenance team has been honored with the Ben Lujan Maintenance Team Award for 2025.

“We are honored to receive this award recognizing our department’s dedication, Read More

Meet & Greet Los Alamos Fire Chief Erik Litzenberg Jan. 7

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Los Alamos County Fire Chief Erik Litzenberg

COUNTY News:

The community is invited to attend a meet and greet with newly appointed Los Alamos County Fire Chief Erik Litzenberg, 5-6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2026, at Fuller Lodge, 2132 Central Ave.

The Los Alamos County Council unanimously affirmed the appointment of Litzenberg as the new fire chief during its regular session on Dec. 16, 2025, following a nationwide search that began in fall 2025. He brings more than 28 years of experience, technical expertise, and leadership to the position, including many years of service in the local region. Read More

Wednesday Jan. 7 Is Last Chance To See County Employees Art Showcase In Step Up Gallery At Mesa Public Library

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Sr. Librarian-Digital Services Rashal McElderry with her torn paper collage and a painting by Library Associate Rachel Pearson. Courtesy/Step Up Gallery

A carved cottonwood bowl by Los Alamos Fire Capt. Raul Manzanares. Courtesy/Step Up Gallery

STEP UP GALLERY News:

The second biennial exhibit, Los Alamos County Employee Art Showcase, comes to a close next week Thursday, Jan. 7. Current and retired County employees share their artistic talent with the community and have been rewarded with high attendance and great comments from viewers.

Much of the art in the show is available for purchase. Read More

LANL Co-Design Summer School Trains Next Generation Of Interdisciplinary Scientists

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Julien Loiseau designed the logo for the school himself, including a prickly pear and symbols for each of the main disciplines. Courtesy/LANL

LANL News:

            • Built as both a training ground and talent pipeline, program prepares students for breadth of computing work

For graduate students interested in high-performance computing, few problems today can be solved in isolation. Modern scientific challenges demand collaboration across disciplines — researchers working together to design software and algorithms that run efficiently on the world’s most powerful machines.

That philosophy Read More

NMDWS: Texas Man Pleads Guilty To Stealing $160,000 In New Mexico Pandemic Benefits

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NMDWS News:

ALBUQUERQUE — A Texas man pleaded guilty last week to stealing more than $160,000 in federal unemployment relief funds issued by New Mexico during the pandemic.

The U.S. Department of Justice announced the guilty plea by Marc Long — the result of continued work by the New Mexico Department of Workforce Solutions (NMDWS) to prosecute pandemic-era fraud.

The case underscores the NMDWS’ continued commitment to identifying, investigating, and prosecuting fraud involving unemployment benefit programs.

“The guilty plea in the Marc Long case sends a clear message: New Mexico has Read More

New Immigration Law Workforce Training Program Expands Immigration Legal Services Statewide

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NMDWS News:

ALBUQUERQUE — A new immigration law workforce training program will expand access to legal services for New Mexico’s nearly 131,000 foreign-born workers, with community advocates now serving residents from Bernalillo and Doña Ana to San Juan and Lea counties.

“This innovative partnership is helping the department train new professionals for in-demand legal careers in our state,” NMDWS Cabinet Secretary Sarita Nair said. “When we expand access to immigration legal services, we expand opportunity and this training helps make that possible for workers, families, and communities Read More

New Mexico History Museum Names Maria Sanchez-Tucker Deputy Director

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Maria Sanchez-Tucker

NMHM News:

SANTA FE — The New Mexico History Museum (NMHM) has named Maria Sanchez-Tucker deputy director, bringing more than 20 years of leadership experience in museums, libraries and public service organizations to the institution.

Sanchez-Tucker most recently served as director of the City of Santa Fe’s Community Services Department, where she oversaw public libraries, senior services, recreation and youth programs. The department includes three library branches, multiple recreational facilities, senior centers and youth programs, with more than 300 Read More