Politics

Rose Endorses Melanee Hand’s Re-election To Council

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By EVAN ROSE
Los Alamos

My family moved to rural Santa Fe in 1986 so that I could work at LANL on a laser fusion project. I met Melanee Hand through a co-worker. At the time, they lived in Sierra Los Pinos. Our children were about the same age, and we would get together socially.

Eventually, both families moved to Los Alamos. Long commutes with children are difficult. Both families gained an appreciation for the high quality of Los Alamos schools and the ongoing difficulties of finding modern and affordable housing. Both families gained an appreciation for living in safe communities with constructive Read More

NM Counties Awards $325,000 For Wildfire Risk Reduction

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NM Counties News:

SANTA FE — New Mexico Counties awarded $325,000 to nine grant recipients for community wildfire protection plan updates, fuel reduction treatments, and education efforts through the 2026-2027 Wildfire Risk Reduction Grant Program.

The collaborative vetting process included the Bureau of Land Management, Forest Stewards Guild, NM Counties, NM Department of Game & Fish, NM Department of Homeland Security; Emergency Management, NM Forestry Division, NM State Land Office, and US Fish & Wildlife Service.

Grant recipients include:

  • Catron County (CWPP update
Read More

New Mexico Launches Statewide Energy Dashboard

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EMNRD News:

SANTA FE — New Mexico today launched a first-of-its kind energy dashboard, giving researchers, policymakers, businesses and the public a single source for data on the state’s energy production, emissions and infrastructure—and invites feedback to shape its development. 

The DETECT dashboard, which stands for Data for the Energy Transition, Economy, Climate Change and Technologies, was created by the New Mexico Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department and the New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology. Today’s release is a test version; New Mexicans are encouraged Read More

Leger Fernández Landmark Bill To Protect Historic Land Grant Communities And Traditional Uses On Federal Lands Advances In House

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Congresswoman Teresa Leger Fernández

U.S. CONGRESS News:

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Congresswoman Teresa Leger Fernández secured a major legislative hearing in the House Natural Resources Subcommittee on Federal Lands for her bill to strengthen the relationships between New Mexico land grant-mercedes and the federal government and protect their ability to practice centuries-old traditional uses on federal land. Rep. Leger Fernández and U.S. Sen. Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) introduced the New Mexico Land Grant-Mercedes Historical or Traditional Use Cooperation and Coordination Act (H.R. 2785) Read More

Unemployment Insurance Operations Center To Close Monday In Observance Of Memorial Day

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NMDWS News:

ALBUQUERQUE — All New Mexico Department of Workforce Solutions (NMDWS) offices, including the Unemployment Insurance Operations Center, will be closed Monday, May 25, in observance of Memorial Day.

The Unemployment Insurance Tax & Claims System (www.jobs.state.nm.us) is available online 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Customer Service Agents in the Unemployment Insurance Operations Center will be available when business hours resume at 8 a.m., Tuesday, May 26. The business hours of the Unemployment Insurance (UI) Operations Center are 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Read More

Hand: What Have I Done For You Lately?

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By MELANEE HAND
Candidate For Re-Election
Los Alamos County Councilor

As I seek the opportunity to continue serving Los Alamos County, I want to share how I have contributed behind the scenes over the past four-plus years. Anyone can see how I voted on hundreds of issues and initiatives in Council Sessions over the four plus years I have already served, and to mention only a few popular topics does not encompass the full scope of the job as a County Councilor.

The work of a County Councilor is often constrained by the Open Meetings Act and by the structure of our government, where no Councilor can direct Read More

Specter Endorses Steven Lynne For County Council

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By ELLEN SPECTER
Los Alamos

I wholeheartedly endorse Steven Lynne for County Council and urge you to join me in voting for him in the primary which is currently underway.

I have known Steven for over 25 years. When I served on the School Board 2017-2026, we worked together regularly to discuss and collaborate on joint LAPS-Los Alamos County projects and issues of common concern. 

Steven is the epitome of a servant leader who wants to continue to contribute to the wellbeing of our community. He embodies honesty, integrity and thoughtfulness. I admire Steven’s calm decision making process, which Read More

Luján, Leger Fernández, Hayes Reintroduce Legislation To Address Educator Shortages, Expand Federal Loan Forgiveness For Educators

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U.S. SENATE News: 

WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Sen. Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), U.S. Rep. Teresa Leger Fernández (D-N.M.), and U.S. Rep. Jahana Hayes (D-Conn.) reintroduced the Loan Forgiveness for Educators Act, legislation that would expand and modernize the federal loan forgiveness program for educators. This legislation would help address educator shortages and increase children’s access to a diverse and well-prepared educator workforce by strengthening the federal Teacher Loan Forgiveness (TLF) Program.

High college costs and student loan debt impact recruitment, retention, and Read More

Heinrich, Luján Introduce Legislation To Improve Access To Healthcare & Keep Rural Hospitals Open

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U.S. SENATE News:

WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Sens. Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) and Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) introduced the Rural Community Hospital Demonstration Reauthorization Act, bipartisan legislation to improve New Mexicans’ access to healthcare and keep rural hospitals open by extending the Rural Community Hospital Demonstration (RCHD) program for another five years.

Many small rural hospitals are too large to qualify for Critical Access Hospital status, but still struggle to stay open under Medicare’s current payment system. The Rural Community Hospital Demonstration program Read More

Governor Declares Statewide Drought And Severe Fire Conditions As New Mexico’s Snowpack Hits Historic Low

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From the Office of the Governor:

SANTA FE— Amid the worst drought conditions on record, New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham has declared drought and severe fire conditions statewide and directed state agencies to take coordinated action to ensure communities receive timely information, technical assistance and resources as needed.

New Mexico’s snowpack is at a historic low while spring temperatures have soared to record highs, a potentially dangerous combination that has resulted in record low runoff and below average river flows throughout the state.

“New Mexico is experiencing Read More