Employment

Proposal To Pay Lawmakers Stalls In Key Senate Committee

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Sen. Natalie Figueroa

By CORMAC DODD
The Santa Fe New Mexican

Sen. George Muñoz said he opted to seek election to the Legislature years ago because he wanted to “serve”.

“Now we are going to have people running for a paycheck, and that’s going to be a completely different scenario,” Muñoz, who chairs the influential Senate Finance Committee, said at a meeting of the committee Tuesday afternoon.

The committee deadlocked in a 5-5 vote on an amendment to the New Mexico constitution that would provide salaries for legislators, a plan its supporters maintain would make it easier for a more diverse group Read More

Op-Ed: About Those Smith’s Marketplace Complaints…

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By TOBIAS HAAG
Los Alamos

I found this letter interesting for a variety of reasons. I have a few perspectives on why LA County decided to allow the only Smith’s Marketplace in New Mexico to operate in Los Alamos. It should be noted that I am not a Smith’s employee, and my comments do not represent the beliefs of the organization.

I have worked in retail and retail management for 17 years, split evenly between Los Alamos and surrounding areas. I am going to say some things that will undoubtedly irritate some of you readers, so please understand I am in no way a representative of Smith’s or Kroger.

My first Read More

Jemez Mountain Trail Runs: Race Director Laura Martinez

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Laura Martinez in the playground of the New Mexico Sangre de Cristo Mountains. Courtesy/JMTR

JMTR News:

Jemez Mountain Trail Runs (JMTR) introduces Laura (Musgrave) Martinez as the new JMTR Race Director (RD).

Martinez grew up in Los Alamos and has been a member of the JMTR organizing committee since 2019.  A competitive swimmer through college, she discovered trail running at the age of 29 when she moved back to Los Alamos at the end of 2016, after a decade spent living in California and NYC. The JMTR 15 mile in 2017 was her first trail race and first run over a half-marathon. From that point forward, Read More

Fiercely Contested Measure To Raise Minimum Wage To $17 Per Hour Advances

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By MIKE EASTERLING
The Santa Fe New Mexican

A controversial pitch to raise New Mexico’s minimum wage to $17 an hour and do away with the much lower rate employers are currently allowed to pay tipped workers has ignited fierce opposition from business advocates.

House Bill 246, which passed through the Labor, Veterans and Military Affairs Committee Thursday, calls for a $5 bump to the current $12 per hour minimum wage rate starting in 2026. It would also require employers to pay tipped workers $17 an hour as well, up from $3 per hour currently required in state law. The measure would also provide for Read More

On The Job In Los Alamos: Enhancing Beauty At Venusto

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On the job in Los Alamos Receptionist Ariana Hernandez is getting a touch up from Owner/Stylist Diana Rascon Friday afternoon at Venusto Salon in the 555 Oppenheimer Building. In 2013, Rascon founded Venusto Salon, which means to beautify, adorn and make lovely. She graduated from Los Alamos High School and attended Olympian University of Cosmetology in Albuquerque. She excels in colors and use of new and innovative products to give her clients the best in vibrant colors and styles. Hernandez has worked for Rascon since September 2024. Learn more about Venusto Salon at https://www.facebook.com/deevenustosalon/ Read More

Los Alamos County Council Unanimously Appoints Eric Martinez As New Public Works Director

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New Public Works Director Eric Martinez

COUNTY News:

The Los Alamos County Council unanimously affirmed the appointment of Eric Martinez as the new Los Alamos County Public Works Director during Tuesday’s Council meeting.

Martinez, who has served in various leadership roles within the County since 2015, brings extensive technical expertise and leadership to this important position.

The Public Works Department encompasses a wide range of County services, including the Airport, Engineering, Capital Projects and Facilities, Custodial, Environmental Services, Fleet, Traffic & Read More

Los Alamos National Laboratory’s Economic Impact FY24: Over $1B Spent With New Mexico Businesses

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Los Alamos National Laboratory. Courtesy/LANL

LANL News:

Los Alamos National Laboratory released its annual Economic Impact Report detailing spending during fiscal year 2024, which ended Sept. 30. With an annual budget of $5.24 billion, the Laboratory is a major economic driver in the state.

“Los Alamos National Laboratory plays a critical role in the economic viability of the surrounding New Mexico communities,” Laboratory Director Thom Mason said. “Each year, we grow as required by the demands of our national security mission and, in turn, the local economy grows with us.”

Statistics

Read More

Celebrate Engineers Week With Lecture By Pramod Khargonekar On AI And Engineering Feb. 19 At Fuller Lodge 

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Pramod Khargonekar

The community is invited to celebrate Engineers Week with a free public lecture by Pramod Khargonekar of the University of California, Irvine, 5:30-7 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 19 at Fuller Lodge.

Khargonekar, the vice chancellor for research and professor of electrical engineering and computer science, will present “Future of Work and Workers in the AI Era”. As automation, machine learning and artificial intelligence (AI) technologies continue their remarkably rapid development, it is expected that many facets of work and lives of workers will be impacted.

In this talk, Read More

LAPS Seeks Great High School Principal

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Los Alamos High School lobby. Courtesy/LAPS

LAPS News:

Los Alamos Public Schools (LAPS) is searching for a new principal to take the helm of one of the best high schools in the country. Los Alamos High School (LAHS) Principal Renee Dunwoody has announced that she will be stepping down at the end of this school year.

LAPS is looking for a high school principal to provide visionary leadership and embrace the district’s goal for student success in academic excellence, social-emotional wellbeing and civic responsibility. The principal will oversee all aspects of school operations, including Read More