Public Safety

County Council Directs Staff To Probe Four-Way Stop At Urban Street And North Road

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Los Alamos County Council unanimously approved directing the County to investigate and research the possibility of installing a four-way stop at the intersection of North Road and Urban Street during its regular meeting Tuesday night. Photo by John McHale/ladailypost.com

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

Over the years, a wide range of people have spurred Los Alamos County Council to act on various issues. During the regular council meeting Tuesday night, council was again moved to act due to a citizen’s petition.

Council voted 7-0 to direct staff and/or Read More

DEA To Host 30th National Prescription Drug Take Back Day

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DEA News:

EL PASO, Texas — The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration will host the 30th National Prescription Drug Take Back Day, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Saturday, April 25, at nearly 4,200 locations nationwide.

Twice a year, DEA joins forces with local law enforcement and community groups to host DEA’s National Prescription Drug Take Back Day, giving the public a safe and anonymous way to dispose of expired and unused prescription medications.

By getting rid of unnecessary medications in the home, families can help prevent prescription drug misuse and reduce the potential for accidental poisonings. Read More

Justice Vargas Takes Oath Of Office As Chief Justice

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Chief Justice Julie J. Vargas takes the oath of office from Justice David K. Thomson, her predecessor as Chief Justice. Courtesy/Administrative Office of the Courts

Chief Justice Julie J. Vargas, NM. Courtesy/Supreme Court)

NMSC News:

SANTA FE — April 8, Justice Julie J. Vargas became Chief Justice of the New Mexico Supreme Court.

Chief Justice Vargas was sworn into office after being elected by her colleagues on the Court to a two-year term. She is the 44th person to serve as Chief Justice of the state’s highest court. She succeeds Justice David K. Thomson, who had been Chief Justice since 2024.  Read More

CYFD Responds To Department Of Justice Report

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CYFD News:

SANTA FE — The Children, Youth and Families Department issued the following statement in response to a state Department of Justice report on CYFD released Wednesday:

We are still reviewing the attorney general’s report, but it’s clear that it underplays or ignores significant, measurable progress the department has made in the last seven months — progress acknowledged by outside partners, the plaintiffs and co-neutrals in the Kevin S. settlement and sister agencies.

The death of any child is a tragedy. We grieve the loss of every life and share in the heartbreak endured by family Read More

Commissioner Stephanie Garcia Richard Proposes Stronger Financial Protections For State Lands

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Commissioner Stephanie Garcia Richard

New Mexico State Land Office News:

SANTA FE — New Mexico Land Commissioner Stephanie Garcia Richard announced Wednesday the opening of the public comment process and a public hearing on a proposed new rule to strengthen bonding requirements for oil and gas development on state lands.

Currently, oil and gas lessees are required to have a $10,000 bond on file to cover expenses for plugging abandoned wells and remediating other damage to state lands – a figure that has long been woefully inadequate considering plugging a single abandoned well with no other Read More

Heinrich, Risch Lead Legislation To Ensure Long-Term Funding For Community Infrastructure Projects In New Mexico Surrounding WIPP

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U.S. SENATE News:

WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), Ranking Member of the U.S. Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee and a member of the U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee, and U.S. Sen. James Risch (R-Idaho) introduced the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP) Economic Assistance Assurance Act, legislation to amend the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP) Land Withdrawal Act.

 The Economic Assistance Assurance Act will ensure sustained, inflation-adjusted funding for New Mexico communities to maintain vital infrastructure projects, such as road maintenance Read More

Health Department Urges Caution After Reports Of Aggressive Wildlife Behavior

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NMDOH News: 

SANTA FE — The New Mexico Department of Wildlife urges outdoor recreationists to remain cautious following two separate incidents involving unusually aggressive wildlife behavior in Catron County.

In different incidents, a bobcat and a fox approached and engaged with hikers and campers within the Gila Wilderness. Though nobody was bitten, these reports raise suspicion of rabies infection, and come after a bobcat tested positive for rabies in Sierra County in March.

Rabies has been diagnosed in both bobcats and foxes in New Mexico. Rabid animals may be aggressive and unafraid Read More

New Mexico Judiciary Develops Interdisciplinary Educational Program For Judges

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Chief Justice David K. Thomson speaking to employees of the Administrative Office of the Courts in 2025. Courtesy/AOC 
COURT News:

SANTA FE — Judges can explore the law and its origins in more depth through a new judicial educational program that brings together three leading research and academic institutions.

The program, called “To the Roots,” was developed by New Mexico’s Court Education Institute and Chief Justice David K. Thomson.

“This is an advanced program for judges that blends scientific methods from Los Alamos National Laboratory, seminar-based studies at St. John’s College, Read More

Op-Ed: Anti-Predatory Lending Law Working As Intended, But Threats Are Looming

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By KATIE GUTIERREZ
Tax, Budget, and Economic Reform Director
Think New Mexico

Despite the success of the anti-predatory lending law in keeping credit accessible to low-income New Mexicans at dramatically lower interest rates, threats to the law are looming.

In 2022, Think New Mexico worked with Representative Susan Herrera, Senator Bill Soules, and members of the Fair Lending Coalition to win passage of legislation reducing the maximum annual interest rates of small loans from 175% to 36%. The law is worded to prevent charges over 36% for any small loans made in the state—including interest Read More

LAFD Wildland Division Chief To Present Wildfire Preparedness Program At White Rock Library April 16

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LAFD Wildland Division Chief Van Leimer

COUNTY News:

The White Rock Branch Library will host “Discover! Wildfire Preparedness 101,” a free program for adults, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday, April 16, 2026, in the branch library’s multipurpose room.

The event is part of the library’s adult Discover! program series and will provide an overview of wildfire risk in Los Alamos County, along with practical steps residents can take to safeguard their homes and families.

The presentation incorporates principles such as defensible space, ignition-resistant construction, and community-level Read More