Nation

Rep. Gabe Vasquez Speaks Out Against Cuts To USFS

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Rep. Gabe Vasquez speaks to the House of Representatives, April 21. Courtesy photo

U.S. HOUSE News:

WASHINGTON, D.C. — On April 21, 2026, U.S. Rep. Gabe Vasquez (NM-02) delivered a speech on the House floor condemning the Administration’s decision to gut the U.S. Forest Service (USFS), citing concerns about increased wildfire risks and threats to public lands just ahead of Earth Day. 

“I’m a hunter, I’m an angler, and someone who spends a lot of time in my national forests. I know my supervisors, my district rangers, and even the volunteer crews. And as the co-founder of the bipartisan Public Read More

Luján, Warren, Van Hollen, Colleagues Open New Investigation Into Secretary Of Defense’s Role In Dismantling Military’s Civilian Harm Prevention Guard Rails

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U.S. SENATE News:

Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senators Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), and eight colleagues opened a new investigation into Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth’s role in weakening civilian harm prevention programs and the catastrophic civilian impacts of President Trump’s war in Iran.

“The high human toll of this war reflects the administration’s broader disregard for the strategic, legal, and moral imperative to minimize civilian harm,” wrote the lawmakers. “We call on the administration to immediately end the war in Iran Read More

Los Alamos Public Library Invites Community To Celebrate National Library Week April 19-25

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LIBRARY News:

What brings you joy? Whether it’s diving into a new book, learning a skill, connecting with neighbors, or discovering something unexpected, Los Alamos Public Library invites the community to find their joy during National Library Week, April 19-25.

National Library Week celebrates the vital role libraries play in bringing people together, sparking imagination and supporting lifelong learning. From books and digital resources to job assistance and creative programs, libraries remain essential to building strong, thriving communities.

Mesa Public Library and the White Read More

U.S. Poet Laureate Arthur Sze Appointed To Second Term

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Arthur Sze

Library of Congress News:

This National Poetry Month, the Library of Congress has appointed Arthur Sze to serve a second term as the nation’s 25th Poet Laureate Consultant in Poetry for 2026-2027, the Library announced today.

Sze, who lives in Santa Fe, New Mexico, was named poet laureate in September 2025 and began working to expand appreciation of poetry through his focus on translating poetry originally written in languages other than English. His newest book, “Transient Worlds: On Translating Poetry,” features translations from 13 languages and provides a personal guide Read More

Three Los Alamos High School Thespians Nominated For 2026 Enchantment Awards

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EDUCATION News:

The 2026 Enchantment Awards nominees have been announced and include three Los Alamos High School (LAHS) students who performed in this year’s production of Mean Girls.

2026 Enchantment Awards nominees from LAHS:

  • Best actress nominee: Maici E. Guise;
  • Best supporting actor nominee: Zachary Sestric; and
  • Best supporting actress nominee: Aubrey Ruston.

The complete announcement of all nominees is at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G9AOapdwpO4. 

The 2026 Enchantment Awards production is 7 p.m. Sunday, May 3, at Popejoy Hall on the University of New Mexico campus in Albuquerque. Read More

Luján, Cantwell, Colleagues Reintroduce Legislation To Restore FTC Authority To Return Billions To Consumers

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U.S. SENATE News:

WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Sens. Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), a member of the Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.) Ranking Member of the Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Edward Markey (D-Mass.), Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) and Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) reintroduced legislation to restore the Federal Trade Commission’s (FTC) authority to return money to consumers victimized by illegal scams, fraud and other unfair practices.

In April 2021, the Supreme Court slashed the FTC’s “Section 13(b)” Read More

U.S. Sen. Ben Ray Luján Introduces Legislative Package To Strengthen Accountability In Federal Law Enforcement

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U.S. Sen. Ben Ray Luján

U.S. SENATE News:

WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Sen. Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) introduced a legislative package of three bills aimed at restoring oversight, enforcement standards, and ensuring consequences for misconduct across President Trump’s Department of Justice (DOJ).

The introduction of these bills follows growing concerns regarding weakened hiring standards, reduced training, and a concerning lack of accountability within federal law enforcement.

“Within federal law enforcement, strong hiring standards, proper oversight, and real accountability are vital—and Read More

Sierra Club Opposes Feds Seizing NM Lands For Border Wall

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SIERRA CLUB News:

SANTA FE — The Sierra Club Rio Grande Chapter stands with State Land Commissioner Stephanie Garcia Richard in opposing the Trump regime’s plan to seize seven acres of New Mexico lands for Border Patrol facilities.

“The Trump administration’s move, after New Mexico was clear that NO state lands would be sold for border wall construction, is a violation of our laws and rights as a state. This is an assault on our precious ecology, waters, and diverse wildlife through the corrupt militarization of our border communities,” said Sierra Club Southern New Mexico Organizer Read More

Rep. Gabe Vasquez Calls On Regulator To Close Sports Gambling Loophole

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Rep. Gabe Vasquez during House Agriculture Committee meeting. Courtesy photo

U.S. HOUSE News:

WASHINGTON, D.C. — On April 16, 2026, U.S. Rep. Gabe Vasquez (NM-02) pressed Commodity Futures Trading Commission Chairman Michael S. Selig during a House Agriculture Committee hearing, calling out prediction markets as functionally indistinguishable from sports betting and urging the CFTC to focus on its core mission. 

“Let’s make this clear: the CFTC was not created or intended to regulate sports gambling. States and Tribes have systems for licensing, integrity monitoring, responsible Read More

Luján Statement On Voting To Block Arms Sales To Israel

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U.S. SENATE News:

WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Sen. Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) issued the following statement after voting for two resolutions, introduced by Senator Bernie Sanders, blocking arms sales to Israel:

“Equipping the Netanyahu government with hundreds of millions of dollars in additional weapons will only enable the destruction of communities, undermine the prospects for a peaceful two-state solution, and further escalate the illegal war with Iran. 

“The Netanyahu government has repeatedly rejected pathways to peace and continues to drive deepening humanitarian suffering in the Read More