Politics

Governor Marks 90th Anniversary Of Social Security

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From the Office of the Governor:

SANTA FE — Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham today celebrated 90 years of one of the most iconic, successful programs in American history, recognizing Social Security as a system that has lifted millions out of poverty, treated people with dignity, and provided security in their retirement years.  

The governor emphasized that Social Security represents earned income for retirees and disabled workers—while calling out Congress for failing to address the real financial pressures facing the program. 

“While Congress refuses to deal with inflation and the real-life Read More

Rule Of Law Advances A Civil And Engaged Democracy

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New Mexico Supreme Court Chief Justice David K. Thomson, Courtesy/NMSC

By Chief Justice David K. Thomson
New Mexico Supreme Court

I am pleased to announce the New Mexico Supreme Court’s fifth annual “Rule of Law” program. The goal of the program is to educate middle school, high school, and college students on the judiciary’s role in our democracy and how the rule of law secures a just and civil society. This year we will hold oral argument at the Henderson Fine Arts Center at San Juan College in Farmington on Aug. 28, at 1 p.m.

Normally, I write an op-ed in advance of the program to discuss the importance Read More

County Considering New Plan For 20th Street Property

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A rendering of what RBMM developers are proposing to do on County’s land on 20th Street. Courtesy/LAC

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

So many plans have been proposed for the 3 acres of Los Alamos County-owned land on 20th Street. It was going to feature an extended-stay hotel; then sub-dividing and selling parcels to bring in businesses was considered; now a new plan is being proposed.

Los Alamos County Council first heard about this newest proposal during its July 29 meeting. An ordinance to sell the property to RBMM developers to bring a mix of housing and retail Read More

New Mexico Delegation To Host Virtual Military Service Academy Nominations Event Sept. 4

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NM DELEGATION News:

WASHINGTON, D.C. — At 6 p.m. MT on Thursday, Sept. 4, the offices of U.S. Sens. Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) and Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), and U.S. Reps. Melanie Stansbury (D-N.M.), Teresa Leger Fernández (D-N.M.), and Gabe Vasquez (D-N.M.) will bring together representatives from the U.S. Military Service Academies for a virtual Q&A session.

The conversation is an opportunity for high school students and recent graduates to ask questions about the nomination process and attending U.S. Military Service Academies. The New Mexico Congressional Delegation will be accepting Read More

Magistrate Judge Catherine Taylor To Speak At League Of Women Voters’ Lunch With A Leader Aug. 21

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LWV News:

The League of Women Voters’ next Lunch with a Leader will be from 11:45 a.m.–1 p.m., Aug. 21, at the Unitarian Fellowship Hall on Sage. The speaker will be Magistrate Judge Catherine (Katy)Taylor.  

Judge Taylor was born and raised along with four brothers on California’s Central Coast, the 5th generation of a farming family. After earning her bachelor’s degree in Political Science from Santa Clara University, Catherine interned with the California Governor’s Office and subsequently went to work on behalf of the banking industry. 

Intending to broaden her career in banking Read More

Luján Announces Guidance From DOJ For Claimants Following Recent Extension And Expansion Of RECA

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U.S. SENATE News:

ALBUQUERQUE — U.S. Sen. Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) has secured guidance from the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) for claimants seeking compensation through the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act (RECA) program. This follows a bipartisan push led by Sen. Luján to ensure that claimants can access the program. With the recent extension and expansion of RECA, the DOJ has now opened applications for new claims and for expanded eligible populations.

Application instructions from DOJ are available here.

Claim forms for claimants are available here and below:

  1. Downwinder Claim
Read More

New Mexico Senate Republicans Praise Lesser Prairie Chicken District Court Ruling

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STATE News:

SANTA FE — Wednesday, the United States District Court for the Western District of Texas vacated the listing of the lesser prairie chicken as an endangered species under the Endangered Species Act.

The Court granted the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s voluntary motion to vacate the listing decision and remand the case, while denying untimely motions from environmental litigation groups seeking to intervene.

This decision, finalized on Aug. 11, 2025, marks a significant win for New Mexico’s agricultural and oil and gas industries, reinforcing a return to commonsense policy. Read More

Governor Declares A State Of Emergency In Rio Arriba County, Española, And Area Pueblos Due To Crime 

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From the Office of the Governor:

SANTA FE – Today, New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham declared a state of emergency in Rio Arriba County, the city of Española, and area Pueblos at the request of those governments in response to a significant surge in violent crime, drug trafficking, and public safety threats that have overwhelmed local resources. 

 The emergency declaration comes as police calls in Española and surrounding areas have more than doubled in the past two years. Police dispatches to businesses in the area have quadrupled in the same period. Rio Arriba County currently has the Read More

Heinrich Tours AV Manufacturing Facility, Receives BADGER Satellite Communications System Demonstration

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U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) speaking at the AV space operations manufacturing facility, Aug. 8, 2025. Courtesy photo

U.S. SENATE News:

ALBUQUERQUE — U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, toured AV’s space operations manufacturing facility and received a demonstration of their next generation BADGER satellite communications system, which will expand and modernize the nation’s satellite operations capability, strengthen national security, and further solidify New Mexico’s role as a global hub for defense and space innovation. Read More

U.S. Representatives Leger Fernández, Bonamici, Hayes Lead Letter To Protect Immigrant Access To Head Start

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U.S. Rep. Teresa Leger Fernández

Congressional News:

WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Representatives Teresa Leger Fernández (D-NM), Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR), and Jahana Hayes (D-CT) led 34 Members of Congress in calling for the Department of Health and Human Services to protect immigrant access to Head Start.

The Representatives sent the letter after the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) published a notice in the Federal Register on July 15 that changes how the department interprets “federal public benefit” under the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Read More