Public Safety

Legislative Roundup: 8 Days Left In Session

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Jordan Garcia, alongside students from West Las Vegas, dance to La Bamba while practicing for their performance later in the day outside of the Capitol building on Thursday, Feb. 12, 2026. Gabriela Campos/The New Mexican

The Santa Fe New Mexican

Capital outlay bill: The Senate Finance Committee Thursday morning unanimously approved a bill to rein in the problem of billions of dollars going unspent in capital outlay. 

House Bill 247, sponsored by Derrick Lente, D-Sandia Pueblo, limits reauthorizations for capital projects.

A growing backlog of projects and unspent funds has been a concern Read More

New Mexico Environment Department Addresses Repeal Of EPA Endangerment Finding

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NMED Secretary James Kenney

NMED News:

SANTA FE — New Mexico Environment Department (NMED) Secretary James Kenney issued the following statement today regarding the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s repeal of its “endangerment finding” — a policy that has served as the bedrock for federal environment and health advancements for decades:

“Today, the federal government destroyed decades of established policies grounded in hard science recognized by the American and global scientific community. As a science-based organization working to help New Mexicans breathe cleaner air Read More

Los Alamos County Council Celebrates How Teamwork, Compassion And Unity Saves Man’s Life

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Los Alamos County Council gathers with Los Alamos Fire Department (LAFD) staff and residents Diane and Anthony Montoya, seated at center, to honor the Phoenix Award recipients during Tuesday’s work session. Back row from left, Deputy Fire Chief Tim Johnson, Firefighter Nicholas Lopez, Councilor David Reagor, Driver Engineer Michael Manzanares, Firefighter Jennifer Edmunds, Firefighter Paramedic Brian Thomas, Driver Engineer Paramedic Dustin Rogers, Council Chair Randall Ryti and EMS Division Chief Manuel Pacheco. Front row from left, Council Vice Chair Ryn Herrmann, Councilor Read More

Bill To Curb New Mexico License Plate Data Sharing Heads To Senate Floor

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State Police Chief Troy Weisler

By CLARA BATES
The Santa Fe New Mexican

An effort to restrict out-of-state agencies from using license plate camera data in New Mexico to enforce things like immigration laws or other states’ abortion bans is moving forward.

The “Driver Privacy and Safety Act” passed the state Senate Judiciary Committee Monday afternoon with unanimous support, despite some misgivings from a pair of Republicans on the committee. It will head next to the Senate floor for a vote.

“If we don’t put basic guardrails on, this is a really dangerous tool,” Senate Majority Leader Read More

Los Alamos Visiting Nurse Service Closing Its Doors But Other Options Are Available To Those In Need

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

The closure of Los Alamos Visiting Nurse Service (LAVNS) on Feb. 20 after more than 50 years of service marks the end of a significant chapter in Los Alamos.

However, it is not the end of the story; there are still options available to those who utilized LAVNS’ services.

LAVNS Clinical Manager Susan Edwards noted that there are several home health care and hospice options available.

Home Health Agencies:

  • La Vida Bella Home Health & Hospice
  • Presbyterian Home Health

Hospice:

  • Ambercare
  • Red Willow
  • Roadrunner Hospice
  • Del Corazon
Read More

Senate Panel Rejects Bid To Classify Nuclear As Renewable Energy In New Mexico

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Members of the Senate Conservation Committee meet Saturday, Feb. 8, 2026, at the Roundhouse in Santa Fe to discuss a bill that would classify nuclear energy as renewable under the state’s renewable portfolio standard; the committee later voted Tuesday to reject the bill with a ‘Do Not Pass’ recommendation. Courtesy image

By MARLENE WILDEN
Los Alamos Daily Post
marlene@ladailypost.com

SANTA FE – A proposal to classify nuclear power as a form of renewable energy in New Mexico was effectively killed Tuesday in the Senate Conservation Committee, where lawmakers voted 5-4 on a do-not-pass motion Read More

Senate Panel Approves Bills To Bar Feds From Sending Troops And ICE To Polls In New Mexico

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By LILY ALEXANDER
The Santa Fe New Mexican

Two bills aimed at shielding New Mexico’s elections from federal action — particularly the deployment of Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers to the polls — are making their way through the New Mexico Senate.

The measures, which cleared the Senate Rules Committee on party-line votes Wednesday morning, would make it a felony in New Mexico for federal troops to be deployed to polling places and ban the carrying of firearms at polling places in most cases, building on a ban on guns at polling places passed in 2024.

“The Constitution reserves to Read More

Increase In Daytime Bobcat Sightings In Los Alamos: What You Need To Know…

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A bobcat roots through a resident’s shed in February in Eastern Area. Photo by Jim Goforth

A bobcat hunts around the grounds at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church in February. Photo by Amanda Bucklin

A bobcat spruces up in February in downtown Los Alamos. Photo by  Kurt Steinhaus

COUNTY News:

Bobcats are found throughout Los Alamos County and have been spotted regularly in the downtown area in the past few weeks. Although elusive and difficult to observe, it is not unusual for the bobcat’s habitat to include a densely populated urban area.

These cats are much smaller than a mountain lion, weighing Read More

Catch Of The Week: No, Bernalillo County Is Not Texting You From Ohio About Traffic Fines

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By REBECCA RUTHERFORD
Los Alamos

If you received a dramatic text message this week claiming you owe unpaid traffic fines and must “pay immediately or appear in court”, congratulations.

You are the latest target in a statewide text scam. Not as exciting as winning the lottery, but what are you going to do?

The message looks official at first glance. It says “Notice of Default – Unpaid Traffic Fines.” It lists Bernalillo (Bennalillo ha!) County Metropolitan Court. It includes a real Albuquerque address on Lomas. It even throws in legal language about Title 66 of the New Mexico Code to make it sound Read More