Healthcare

Inspired By Creating Community Through Youth Advocacy

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CASA First’s Grace Korthuis and a child play with blocks. Courtesy/CASA First

By GRACE KORTHUIS
CASA First

As a 24-year-old living in Northern New Mexico, it can be difficult to create community. Working at the nonprofit CASA First, I’m inspired by the compassionate community I’m now part of. It includes my colleagues who uplift vulnerable children, and volunteers who inspire me with their care and steadfastness. I feel especially connected to the families and kids whom I get to see grow and heal over time.

Working within the child welfare system is often devastating, especially here in New

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Dannemann: Lawyer-Legislator Interferes With Health Care Access

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By MERILEE DANNEMANN
Triple Spaced Again
© 2025 by Merilee Dannemann

Katy Duhigg blew up the interstate compacts discussion. Again.

This was a few weeks ago, and the latest news reports indicate that the discussion is back on track. But one critical question is, who put Duhigg on the committee?

The interstate compacts I’m referring to are related to access to healthcare for New Mexicans. Medical professionals, including physicians, can legally practice their profession only in a state where they are licensed. For a doctor licensed in another state to do anything professional in New Mexico, Read More

EM-LA Updates Los Alamos County Council On Efforts To Resolve Chromium Plume

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Images of EM-LA’s various meetings with stakeholders regarding the hexavalent chromium plume. Courtesy/LAC

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

For more than 20 years, the Department of Energy (DOE) has been attempting to successfully eradicate the hexavalent chromium plume in the aquifer 1,000 feet below Mortandad and Sandia canyons.

Los Alamos County Council learned about DOE’s Environmental Management-Los Alamos Field Office’s (EM-LA) progress on resolving this long-term issue during its Tuesday night meeting.

EM-LA Manager Jessica Kunkle emphasized Read More

New Federal Rules May Affect SNAP Food Benefit Eligibility

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NMHCA News:

SANTA FE — About 55,750 New Mexicans will need to work, volunteer or attend training for 80 hours a month to keep receiving SNAP food benefits under the new federal law taking effect Jan. 1, 2026. 

These federal mandates, passed by Congress in July, expand work requirements for able-bodied adults to include those ages 55-64, add an exception for Native Americans, and remove exceptions for veterans, people experiencing homelessness and former foster youth. 

The new law will only begin affecting SNAP eligibility when someone first applies for benefits or renews their case on or after Read More

Los Alamos Community Foundation Provides ABC Suicide Prevention Training To Los Alamos Commerce And Development Corporation Staff

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Attending the ABC Suicide Prevention Training session on Nov. 5, from left, Trainer Dawnmarie Shipley, Discover Los Alamos staff Paul Grubel, Ambassador Program Manager Jennifer Armstrong, LACDC Executive Director Lauren McDaniel, Building Manager Clarice Rodriguez, Discover Los Alamos Director Melanie Pena, Discover Los Alamos staff Annie Kuiper. Not pictured Program Manager and Anchorum Fellow for the LACF Brandi Weiss. Photo by Brandi Weiss

LACF News:

The Los Alamos Community Foundation (LACF) organized and facilitated an ABC Suicide Prevention Training session on Nov. 5,

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Public Health Offices Closed Christmas And New Year’s Day

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NMDOH News:

SANTA FE — State public health offices and administrative offices will close at 12 p.m. noon, Wednesday, Dec. 24 and be closed Thursday, Dec. 25 in observance of Christmas and again the following Thursday, Jan. 1 in observance of New Year’s Day.

All New Mexico Department of Health (NMDOH) offices will reopen as regularly scheduled the following Fridays of Dec. 26 and Jan. 2. 

New Mexicans can call the NMDOH Helpline, 1.833.SWNURSE (1.833.796.8773) or text the Helpline at 66364 (NMDOH) during regular business hours throughout the holiday season, including both Christmas and New Read More

State Launches Campaign To ‘Do The Loving Thing’

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NMHCA News:

SANTA FE — A new statewide public awareness campaign encourages parents to support their children by paying child support, with television and radio ads launching this month.

The Health Care Authority’s Child Support Services Division (CSSD) is airing “Do the Loving Thing” ads in English and Spanish beginning this December for 12 months through the New Mexico Broadcasters Association’s Public Education Program.

Last year, the Child Support program collected $119 million in collections with 65 percent of payments coming through wage withholding Read More

ALTSD Invites Public To Senior Day 2026 At The Roundhouse

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ALTSD News:

Join Aging and Long-Term Services Department (ALTSD) on Friday, Jan. 23, 2026, at the Roundhouse as we come together to celebrate and advocate for older adults across New Mexico.

Here’s what the morning will look like:

  • 8–9 a.m. — Visit resource tables and connect with organizations serving older adults, adults with disabilities, and caregivers in New Mexico.
  • 9–11 a.m. — Participate in a guided tour and visit with legislators representing your community to discuss the importance of fully funding services for seniors and caregivers.
  • 11 a.m.–12 p.m. — Formal presentation featuring
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Free Well Testing For Mora, San Miguel And Taos Counties

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Environment Secretary James Kenney

NMED News:

MORA COUNTY — The New Mexico Environment Department (NMED) is offering free private well water testing to well owners in parts of Mora, San Miguel and Taos counties located within one mile of the Hermits Peak-Calf Canyon burn scar area.

This initiative responds to water quality testing conducted as part of a 2025 independent geological study, which showed the presence of heavy metals in some of the wells tested in the area. Well owners in this area can sign up for free well testing by completing NMED’s form at https://www.env.nm.gov/morasanmigueltaos-pws/mora-san-miguel-and-taos-county-private-well-sampling-form/ Read More