OP/ED

Op-Ed: A Bike Park Is A Smart, Community-Inspired Investment In Los Alamos’s Future

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By JAMES WERNICKE 
Bike Park Working Group Member

Outdoor, all-ages, all-abilities recreation that fosters physical health and social connection is as much a part of Los Alamos’s identity as its scientific legacy.

We are a community that plans and deliberates carefully—perhaps to a fault—and consistently expresses that we value our natural assets, quality of life, fiscal responsibility, and operational excellence.

While some may view it as “excessive”, the proposed North Mesa Bike Park represents a fiscally prudent, environmentally responsible, and community-supported Read More

Op-Ed: No Kings Protest 2.0 Showcases Unity

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By KELLY DOLEJSI
Los Alamos

Saturday’s No Kings events across the U.S. likely included some Marxists and anti-fascists, but the overwhelming majority of those peacefully protesting were there because we don’t want one branch of government to rule unchecked by the other two. Such a government is unconstitutional and anti-American.

The protest included the expected Progressives and Democrats, but also Centrists and former Republicans, united in our strong disapproval of how the president insults, indicts, lies about, fires, or otherwise ruins those who publicly disagree with him.

We Read More

Op-Ed: Lessons From The Nuclear Age For Today’s ‘Race’ For Artificial Super-Intelligence

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By Mark A. MacInnes, Ph.D.
Los Alamos 

As a LANL retiree after 37 years of service, my career was focused on biological research and Nuclear Quality Assurance roles. I saw firsthand how competition between nations drove the world to make large investments in nuclear deterrence. Alarmingly, the arms race isn’t over, with more countries pursuing the ‘security’ of atomic weapons. 

Today, with the advancement of large-scale Artificial Intelligence (AI) computing, we are experiencing a déjà vu moment. We need to find an alternative approach to the winner-takes-all ‘arms race’ mentality to Read More

Op-Ed: New Mexico Is Leading The Way On Childcare – Now We Must Deliver

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By JACOB VIGIL
Chief Legislative Officer
NM Voices for Children

New Mexico has been on a mission to recognize early childhood education and care for what it is a public good that is essential to families, communities, and our economy.

In 2022, New Mexico voters overwhelmingly affirmed this mission by passing a constitutional amendment for early childhood funding. Now, we’re setting our sights even higher. Because of over a decade of advocacy from families, organizers, educators, and community leaders, with bold leadership from Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham and the state legislature, Read More

Op-Ed: One Is The Loneliest Number That You’ll Ever Do … An Open Letter To Bryan Fearey

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By KARYL ANN ARMBRUSTER
Los Alamos

Dear Bryan,

For a candidate who claims to be able to bring valuable experience to the UNM-LA Advisory Board, your campaign slogan/strategy of “VOTE for ONE” is a little puzzling, given that we need THREE new board members to be elected this year, and not just one, in order for the board to function adequately. So what do you mean “Vote for One”… which one were you referring to?

In a non-partisan election, how does this strategy benefit our community? How does it benefit UNM-LA? On the surface, it appears to only benefit you IF you are the ONE you are referring to??? But Read More

Appel: Legislators And Governor Should Fix New Mexico’s Road Crisis

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By PAUL APPEL
President
Asphalt Pavement Association of New Mexico
As often happens, a bill died in the last day of the 2025 session when time ran out and what died just might be our roads. But legislators and the governor have a chance to fix it, make our roads safer, and save thousands of jobs.
In average years, the legislators fund road construction and necessary road maintenance to the tune of $200 million. In this year’s session back earlier this year, there was only a $65 million allocation – for maintenance alone, leaving the state’s road construction and maintenance fund short by $135 million.
Read More

Op-Ed: The Shared Vision Of Jane Goodall And Pope Leo

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By TERRY HANSEN
Milwaukee, WI.

Conservationist Jane Goodall has passed away at age 91. As a United Nations Messenger of Peace, she urged: “You’re supposed to share the planet, and yet species are disappearing. Ecosystems are collapsing. That’s going to affect us.”

More recently, Pope Leo XIV implored: “We cannot love God, whom we cannot see, while despising his creatures. Nor can we call ourselves disciples of Jesus Christ without participating in his outlook on creation and his care for all that is fragile and wounded.”

Pope Leo and Goodall share deeply rooted values: reverence for life, Read More

Op Ed: Lessons From The Nuclear Age For Today’s ‘Race’ For Artificial Super-Intelligence

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MARK A. MACINNES, Ph.D.
Los Alamos

As a LANL retiree after 37 years of service, my career was focused on biological research and Nuclear Quality Assurance roles. I saw firsthand how competition between nations drove the world to make large investments in nuclear deterrence. Alarmingly, the arms race isn’t over, with more countries pursuing the ‘security’ of atomic weapons.

Today, with the advancement of large-scale Artificial Intelligence (AI) computing, we are experiencing a déjà vu moment. We need to find an alternative approach to the winner-takes-all ‘arms race’ mentality to develop Read More

Op-Ed: Conner Tharp UNM-LA Endorsement

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By Eric Vasquez
Executive Director
Northern Rio Grande National Heritage Area

I had the privilege of working with Conner Tharp during her time at the Northern Rio Grande National Heritage Area, where she showed tangible leadership in economic and workforce development.

Conner understands the unique needs of northern New Mexico and has a proven ability to create opportunities that strengthen our communities. Her vision and dedication will serve UNM–Los Alamos well, ensuring students are prepared for both higher education and the local workforce. I fully support her candidacy for the UNM–LA Read More

Op-Ed: New Electricity Rules Are At Odds With Climate Goals

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By NICHOLAS THOMPSON, Ph.D.
R&D Engineer
Los Alamos National Laboratory

Los Alamos County is implementing two changes to how electricity will be billed. Both of these changes are aimed at reducing the peak grid demand, which is an important goal given how electricity demands are increasing. However, these changes can also result in higher bills for consumers and one of these changes is at odds with the County’s Climate Action Plan.

The first change is known as “Time of Use” rates. The idea here is to reduce demand as much as possible during peak usage times. In general, electricity grids need Read More