OP/ED

Sam LeDoux: A Low Ranking Is Not Our Destiny

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Sam LeDoux

By SAM LEDOUX
Española

It seems almost like clockwork: each year, firms release analyses ranking quality of life across the country, and once again, our beloved New Mexico finds itself at the bottom. A report released by WalletHub hit particularly close to home, ranking New Mexico as the worst place in the United States to raise a child. As someone who was recently married and hopes to start a family, the concerns raised in this report weigh heavily on me as my wife and I consider this major life decision.

Naturally, as a proud New Mexican, my first instinct is to defend my state. New Mexico Read More

Tribute To Former LAHS Teacher Mary Lou Williams: Senator Hayne Was Right About States’ Rights In 1830

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By JOCK MILLS
Former LAHS Student
Portland Oregon

When I look back on the 20 years of my formal education, one high school teacher – Mary Louise Williams – stands out in shaping my life. Although I certainly didn’t call her by her first name, “Mary Lou” was a force to behold in E-wing where she presided over many activities and taught social studies. In 1971, I was in her sophomore American history class.

It was not so much the subject – it was the energy she created. She didn’t just spark my interest in politics and public policy – she ignited a flame in me that launched a career that took me to Washington, Read More

Gubernatorial Candidate Bregman On Legislative Session

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Sam Bregman

By SAM BREGMAN
Gubernatorial Candidate
New Mexico

As the Governor and Legislature prepare for New Mexico’s annual legislative session, their two priorities should be clear: protecting New Mexicans from the consequences of the Trump Administration’s policies and safeguarding the health, education, and public safety of every child and family in our state.

The Governor and Legislature took important action by passing emergency funding to address federal healthcare cuts enacted by Trump and the GOP. They also passed free universal child care, easing financial pressure on thousands

Read More

From Athens To Artificial Intelligence (AI): Thinking Revolutions Are Still Blooming In Education

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By Mark MacInnes
Los Alamos

By Socrates, in the fifth century BC, engaged Athens’ young intellectuals in the agora, the public square, with provocative ‘little questions’ like: ‘What is truth?’ When questioned in this manner, some influential critics, including city leaders, were distressed by the rhetoric, which ultimately led to Socrates’s trial and execution. He died defending the principle of free inquiry into any idea, regardless of how sacred it may seem.

Plato, one of Socrates’ students, preserved some of Socrates’ dialogues not because they reached conclusions Read More

Op-Ed: Present Scale Of Electrification Unprecedented

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By RICK NEBEL
Los Alamos

This letter is a comment on two of the op-ed pieces that appeared in last week’s Los Alamos Daily Post: Robert Gibson’s article (link) and Paul Gessing’s article (link). Mr. Gibson pointed out that electrification is nothing new. However, the present scale of it is unprecedented. Mr. Gessing pointed this out in his article. He congratulated the governor for getting commitments to bring 3 new AI data centers to New Mexico.

The interesting part is that just 1 of those data centers consumes about 7 GW. I don’t have firm numbers on this, but the present total consumption Read More

New Year Message From UNM-LA Chancellor Mike Holtzclaw

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UNM-Los Alamos Chancellor Mike Holtzclaw. Courtesy/UNM-LA

By MIKE HOLTZCLAW
Chancellor
UNM-Los Alamos

As we begin a new year, I want to extend my warmest wishes to everyone in our UNM-Los Alamos community. I hope your holiday season was restful and joyful, filled with meaningful time spent with family, friends and those who bring light into your life. The start of a new year always invites reflection, and I am grateful for the continued support for our local community college.

In December, many community members joined us in celebrating the 45th anniversary of UNM-LA — a milestone that honors Read More

Gibson: Electrification Is Not New

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BY ROBERT GIBSON
Chair
Los Alamos County Board of Public Utilities

Electrification is the conversion to electric power of devices or processes that previously used other forms of energy. Today, the term commonly refers to conversions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from burning hydrocarbon fuels. That is not the only motivation. It may not even be the biggest.

Americans have been electrifying since Edison’s first “grid” in the early 1880s. Electric lights replaced oil lamps and candles. Electric motors replaced muscle power. Electric refrigerators replaced ice boxes. The list is endless. Read More

Op-Ed: Legislature Should Pass All 10 Health Care Worker Compacts In 2026

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By KRISTINA FISHER
Associate Director
Think New Mexico

The most immediate way that New Mexico lawmakers can expand access to health care is by joining all the interstate compacts for health care workers, which would make it easier for health care professionals who are licensed in other states to care for patients here in New Mexico, including via telehealth.

States that join the doctor compact experience an increase of 10-15 percent in the number of doctors licensed every year.

This probably explains why states keep joining compacts and no state that has joined a compact has ever left. Forty-two Read More

Op-Ed: Los Alamos Isn’t The Innovation Hub We Expect – But It Could Be…

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By Dr. Prisca Tiasse
Founder and President
Los Alamos Makers

New Mexico Economic Development Department’s (NMEDD’s) recent publication (link) of its New Mexico Science & Technology Roadmap is creating a lot of buzz and excitement. The document highlights the state’s strong competitive advantages in key science and technology industries. It explicitly aims to translate high-priority science and technology into local high-paying jobs and calls for strengthening the innovation ecosystem.

For years, New Mexico’s economic development narrative has leaned on the assumption that Read More

Op-Ed: Response To Wallace Piece On Nuclear Weapons Testing

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By CHICK KELLER
Los Alamos

In response to Terry Wallace’s recent article about previous underground testing of nuclear weapons (link),  I’d like to first support his complete opposition to any atmospheric testing. I suspect President Trump isn’t serious, but is merely trying to scare other countries into cessation of any nuclear testing.

I recall the disaster of the Baneberry underground test that broke through and emitted radioactive material to the atmosphere.

I was a junior scientist working on determining how to contain the very first moments of underground tests. Soon after that Read More