Public Safety

Campaign Finance Records Show Big Spending In New Mexico Malpractice Fight

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By NATHAN BROWN
The Santa Fe New Mexican

There’s a lot of money at stake when it comes to New Mexico’s medical malpractice laws.

Perhaps it’s not surprising advocates on both sides of the issue contribute a lot to lawmakers’ campaigns.

From the 2020 primary election cycle through 2026, the Committee on Individual Responsibility — the political action committee associated with the New Mexico Trial Lawyers Association — has made $937,000 in donations to individual politicians or their PACs and $442,200 to broader PACs such as those associated with House and Senate Democrats and the state House Read More

U.S. House Of Representatives Passes Heinrich, Kelly Legislation To Repeal Cash Grabs For Senators

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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 Appropriations Subcommittee on the Legislative Branch, and U.S. Sen. Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.) released the following statements applauding House passage of legislation that mirrors Senate legislation they authored to repeal the ‘Arctic Frost’ provision, which allows Republican senators to collect $500,000 for every phone record that was previously, lawfully obtained.

“I’m pleased the House unanimously passed this legislation to repeal a last-minute provision that lets a few Republican Read More

Kristin Kosiewicz Scholarship Strives To Bring Awareness To Substance Abuse While Helping Young People

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Los Alamos resident Stan Kosiewicz and his wife, Amy Anderson, center, stand with the 2025 recipients of the Kristin Kosiewicz Substance Abuse Awareness Scholarship, from left, Samuel Carmer, Malaika Philip, Sophie Bathrick-Price and JoyMei Lincoln. Kosiewicz established the scholarship in memory of his daughter, Kristin, who died in 2021 from an accidental fentanyl overdose. Photo by Jessica Booton

1993 Los Alamos High School graduate Kristin Kosiewicz. Courtesy photo

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

Kristin Kosiewicz, a 1993 Los Alamos High School Read More

U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich Cosponsors Legislation To Lower Grocery Costs For New Mexico Families

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From the Office of U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich: 

WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) cosponsored the No Tariffs on Groceries Act, legislation to prevent President Trump from enacting tariffs that raise grocery costs for New Mexico families.

The No Tariffs on Groceries Act will require congressional approval for any tariff levied on food or agricultural products. While Republicans blocked passage of the No Tariffs on Groceries Act earlier this month, Heinrich remains committed to lowering grocery costs and getting this legislation passed into law.

“Trump’s tariffs are Read More

LA Cares Commends ‘Amazing’ Los Alamos Community

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From LA Cares, the food pantry for Los Alamos County:

To the generous citizens of Los Alamos,

You are amazing! Especially this fall, when the need has been far greater, you have stepped up … big time!! We have many new donors, as well as returning contributors.  Many are recurring monthly givers, which we greatly appreciate.  We have been able to increase our food offerings each month, and to help more families with their rent or utility payments.

Your generous donations in 2025 are important to our mission of “preventing homelessness in Los Alamos County”. With the food, rent and/or utility assistance, Read More

NM Oks $24.4M For Behavioral Health Services Statewide 

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Cabinet Secretary Kari Armijo 

STATE News:

SANTA FE — New Mexico has approved $24.4 million in early access funding to expand behavioral health services statewide, allowing communities to address gaps in care while longer-term regional plans are developed.  

The funding, to be administered by the New Mexico Health Care Authority, totals $24,473,462 and will support immediate investments to improve access to behavioral health across the regions. 

“This funding puts decisions closer to the communities delivering care,” said Kari Armijo, cabinet secretary at New Mexico Health Care Authority. Read More

NMSP Investigates Officer-Involved Shooting In Artesia

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NMSP News:

ARTESIA — Jan. 21, 2026, the New Mexico State Police (NMSP) Investigations Bureau was requested by the Chaves County Metro Narcotics Task Force to investigate an officer-involved shooting (OIS) involving one of their detectives.

Investigations Bureau agents learned earlier that day, the United States Marshals Service requested assistance from the Chaves County Metro Narcotics Task Force, in apprehending Aaron Cane Vasquez (27). Vasquez was wanted on a no-bond probation violation warrant with nationwide extradition. Vasquez was also identified as a person of interest in Read More

Pile Burning Planned In Jemez Ranger District Jan. 26

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SFNF News:

SANTA FE — Santa Fe National Forest is planning prescribed fire operations as early as Monday Jan. 26 in the Jemez Ranger District, pending all required approvals. The 239-acre Horseshoe Piles Project is located adjacent to the Horseshoe Springs community near La Cueva and north of the village of Jemez Springs, N.M. Ignitions are planned for one to four days.

Pile burning is meant to treat slash, like branches, piled by thinning crews with the aim of reducing flammable fuels. The decision to proceed with each pile burn will depend on multiple factors, including snowpack, air quality, Read More

Rep. Gabe Vasquez On Lack Of Reform And Accountability In Department Of Homeland Security Appropriations Bill

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U.S. Rep. Gabe Vasquez

From the Office of U.S. Rep. Gabe Vasquez:

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Rep. Gabe Vasquez (NM-02) released the following statement today ahead of his vote opposing the FY26 Department of Homeland Security (DHS) appropriations bill. In July 2025, DHS received a $150 billion “blank check” under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which is now being used to fund ICE with no guardrails or oversight.

“As long as Secretary Noem continues to run DHS as a rogue agency that directs masked agents to create chaos in our communities and detain our citizens with impunity and no regard for our rights Read More

FBI: Dulce Man Pleads Guilty To Assault

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FBI News:

ALBUQUERQUE — A Dulce man pleaded guilty to charges stemming from an incident in which he discharged a handgun in a vehicle, striking the victim.

According to court documents, July 21, 2025, Leandrew Cody Velarde, 22, an enrolled member of the Jicarilla Apache Nation, became intoxicated in a park. The victim and another individual offered to drive him home, and he got into their vehicle. During an argument in the car, Velarde handled a handgun he had with him, and the firearm discharged, striking the victim. The victim required airlift transport to a hospital but survived the injury. Read More