Politics

State Rep. And Conservation Attorney Matthew McQueen Launches Bid For New Mexico Land Commissioner

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State Rep. Matthew McQueen 

STATE News:

GALISTEO — State Rep. and conservation attorney Matthew McQueen launched his bid today to run in the 2026 election for New Mexico Commissioner of Public Lands.

The six-term legislator cited the need for “strong, experienced leadership during these unprecedented times of attacks on our public lands and conservation efforts”.

“Our public lands and environmental and conservation rules are under attack,” McQueen said. “The job of Commissioner of Public Lands is an important and complex responsibility. This is a $2 billion+ annual revenue-generating Read More

Robinson: Let’s Have An Honest Debate On Public Lands

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By SHERRY ROBINSON
All She Wrote
© 2024 New Mexico News Services

During the Great Depression, western ranchers faced crashing commodity prices and the ravages of drought and Dust Bowl. But that wasn’t all. The federal government was creating new national parks and monuments and expanding earlier designated areas. In states like New Mexico many were pleased to have new attractions for their budding tourism trade, but others objected.

Unlike national forests, these new carve-outs didn’t allow grazing, mining, drilling or logging. I came across this information last week while I was researching Read More

Skolnik: Dr. Shin – Please See The Whole Truth, Not Part Of It

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By RICHARD SKOLNIK
White Rock

Healthcare providers have a special obligation to follow data, science, and evidence. Thus, I remain deeply disappointed at the content of Dr. Lisa Shin’s letters to the editor.

In her latest letter to the editor (link), Dr. Shin ignores the impact on the federal budget of the “Big Beautiful Bill Act.” The non-partisan Congressional Budget Office (CBO) has just estimated that the Senate Bill would add $3.9 trillion to the federal deficit from 2025 to 2034.

Dr. Shin should also note that the annual growth rate of GDP in the US since the late 1940s has been higher under Read More

State Boosts Small Business Health Insurance Savings

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NMHCA News:

SANTA FE — New Mexico Healthcare Authority (NMHCA) has announced that more than 36,000 New Mexicans employed by small businesses will see bigger savings on health insurance starting this summer, as the state expands premium discounts that are already helping more than 4,100 small businesses provide affordable coverage. 

Beginning July 1, New Mexico’s Small Business Premium Relief Initiative will offer 15 percent premium discounts for Gold and Platinum-level health plans, up from the current 10% discount. Bronze and Silver-level health insurance plans will continue to benefit Read More

U.S. Senators Luján, Fischer On Supreme Court Ruling On Universal Service Fund

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U.S. SENATE News:

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Ben Ray Luján (D-NM), Ranking Member of the Senate Telecommunications and Media Subcommittee, and Deb Fischer (R-NE), Chair of the Senate Telecommunications and Media Subcommittee, released the following statement Friday after the United States Supreme Court issued a ruling on the Universal Service Fund (USF):

“We’re encouraged by the Supreme Court’s ruling on the Universal Service Fund, and we look forward to working together to focus on long-term solutions for the USF, evaluate broadband programs, and help connect unserved and underserved Read More

Denish: After The Smoke Clears…Wildfires & Economic Fallout

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By DIANE DENISH
Corner To Corner
diane@dianedenish.com

No one has to tell us wildfire season is in full swing in New Mexico. The smell of smoke — even from hundreds of miles away — reminds us of what’s happening. If the wind doesn’t bring the scent, the haze across the western sky surely will.

New Mexico’s vast landscape — from the San Augustin Plains to the Gila Wilderness and the Bosque through Valencia and Bernalillo counties — has always been vulnerable to wildfires. Fires are a natural part of Western ecology.

But things are changing. Fire season now starts earlier and lasts longer as climate Read More

Fr. Glenn: The Necessity Of Conviction

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By Fr. Glenn Jones:

Lots of criticism over the strike on the nuclear weapon development facilities in Iran last weekend. Peace is always the ideal, but when someone declares daily: “Death to our neighbors!” and you see him stockpiling guns and ammo, should one simply ignore it? Seeking peace does not entail being naïve, and if history teaches us anything, it teaches that one of the tragic constants is the megalomaniacal desire of some for ever greater power over others. How to face that danger is always a matter of debate.

That’s a great thing about democracies and democratic republics like our Read More

Republican Party Of Los Alamos To Host Red, White & Blue Independence Day Picnic At Pinon Park Saturday July 5

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By LISA SHIN
Chair
Republican Party of Los Alamos

Dear Friends:  

Please join us for our annual Independence Day Picnic on Saturday, July 5, at Pinon Park in White Rock. Bring a side or dessert to share. RSVP to rpla.vicechair@gmail.com.

Also, be sure to look for our table at the 4th of July Spectacular celebration on Friday, July 4, at Ashley Pond Park. 

We heard from Eric Stromberg at our Central Committee meeting on June 19. Concerns about the recent 9% electric rate hike and 7% sewage rate hike were raised. Councilor (David) Reagor was the only NO vote for these ordinance changes. Forcing all citizens Read More

Tales Of Our Times: More Searching News Adds Context To ‘Democracy’

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Tales Of Our Times
By JOHN BARTLIT
Los Alamos

More Searching News Adds Context To ‘Democracy’

This year’s 4th of July will mark our nation’s 249th birthday. Across the nation, cheering parades will pass by with bands, marchers, and amblers of many stripes and ages. Stalwarts will trod along central streets to endorse a great range of causes from goodwill to politics.

I was born and raised in a small town south of Chicago. Many times, my dad led a four-man rifle team of American Legionnaires in the annual 4th of July parade. As the rifle team reached the town center in front of Oliver’s Drug Store, the Read More

Demolition Notification And TA-63 Transuranic Waste Report Added To LANL Public Electronic Reading Room

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LANL News:

Per regulatory requirements, this notifies the public that the following documents have been added to the Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) Public Electronic Reading Room.

The document(s) have been submitted to fulfill one or more requirements of the Los Alamos National Laboratory.

Documents:

Read More