Op-Ed: When The Power Goes Out, Natural Gas Still Works
By THOMAS TIERNEY
Los Alamos
Yesterday’s town-wide power outage reminded Los Alamos how completely modern life depends upon electricity. The lights went out, internet service stopped, electric stovetops went cold, garage doors froze shut, and many residents suddenly lost the ability to prepare a warm meal.
County leaders should keep that reality firmly in mind as they discuss restricting or eliminating natural gas appliances for residential cooking.
Los Alamos experiences recurring power outages. Wind, snow, wildfire mitigation efforts, equipment failures, and grid instability Read More
Heinrich, Leger Fernández Lead NM Delegation To Unveil New Legislation To Permanently Protect Caja Del Rio
U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), Ranking Member of the U.S. Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee and co-founder of the U.S. Senate Stewardship Caucus, unveils the Caja del Rio Protection Act at a press conference in front of La Cieneguilla Petroglyphs trailhead, May 8, 2026. Courtesy photo
STATE News:
SANTA FE — At a press conference in front of La Cieneguilla Petroglyphs, U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), Ranking Member of the U.S. Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee and co-founder of the U.S. Senate Stewardship Caucus, and U.S. Rep. Teresa Leger Fernández (D-N.M.), Read More
U.S. Senators Luján, Markey, Schumer And Cantwell Urge FCC To Stop First Amendment Attacks
U.S. SENATE News:
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Sen. Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Telecommunications and Media, U.S. Sen. Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), and Commerce Committee Ranking Member Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.) wrote to Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairman Brendan Carr urging it to rescind last week’s order requiring Disney to file early license renewals for its eight ABC broadcast stations.
The FCC order, at Chairman Carr’s directive, came just one day after President Donald Trump publicly demanded Read More
FBI: Pueblo Pintado Man Gets Seven Years For Murder
FBI News:
ALBUQUERQUE — A Pueblo Pintado man was sentenced to seven years in prison for fatally shooting another man after a night of heavy drinking and a physical altercation.
There is no parole in the federal system.
According to court records, on March 17, 2025, Thurman Curley, 36, an enrolled member of the Navajo Nation, shot and killed John Doe following a physical altercation after a night of heavy drinking.
Curley pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter and using, carrying and brandishing a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence. Upon his release from prison, Curley will Read More
Santa Fe Community College President Becky Rowley To Keynote Two Commencement Ceremonies May 16
Rebecca K. ‘Becky’ Rowley, Ph.D.
SFCC President
SFCC News:
SANTA FE — Santa Fe Community College (SFCC) announces SFCC President Becky Rowley, Ph.D., will keynote two commencement ceremonies on Saturday, May 16, in the William C. Witter Fitness Education Center at 6401 Richards Ave. The 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. ceremonies will honor students by their schools of study.
“SFCC is pleased to provide everyone with a more comfortable and meaningful experience with the updated format,” President Rowley said. “We’re proud of our students and excited to recognize this significant accomplishment in their Read More
Public Selects Floor Pieces At Oppenheimer House
Los Alamos Historical Society Executive Director Todd Nickols, left, assists visitors this morning in selecting pieces from the original flooring at the Oppenheimer House on Bathtub Row, which is undergoing renovations. Photo by John McHale/ladailypost.com Read More
Planning & Zoning Commission To Meet Wednesday May 13
COUNTY News:
Los Alamos County’s Planning and Zoning Commission is scheduled to meet at 5:30 p.m., Wednesday, May 13, in Room 110 at the Municipal Building at 1000 Central Ave.
The agenda has been published and can be found here.
Hard copies can be found in the Community Development Department lobby during regular business hours. Read More
Scenes From 2026 Los Alamos Arts And Crafts Fair
Scene from the 2026 Arts and Crafts Fair hosted by the Los Alamos Arts Council today on the lawn at Fuller Lodge. The event drew more than 100 vendors from across the region. Photo by John McHale/ladailypost.com
Young visitors Alexander Wong and Vincent Wong enjoy cotton candy at the 2026 Arts and Crafts Fair hosted by the Los Alamos Arts Council today on the lawn at Fuller Lodge. Vincent Wong is shown here offering the photographer a bit of his cotton candy. Photo by John McHale/ladailypost.com
Scene from the 2026 Arts and Crafts Fair hosted by the Los Alamos Arts Council today on the lawn at Fuller Read More
DPU Crews Repair Power Outage Affecting Entire Townsite
COUNTY News:
Following an overnight power outage on Friday, the Los Alamos County Department of Public Utilities (DPU) reported at 8 a.m. today, May 9, that power had been restored to all areas of the townsite.
DPU reported that as of 9:40 p.m. Friday, standby crews were called and dispatched to determine the extent of the power outage, which affected the entire townsite.
There were reports of a possible transformer blowing out in the area of Trinity Drive and Timber Ridge, and the DPU reported that crews headed there first.
The exact cause of the power outage has not yet been announced.
Unitarian Church Of Los Alamos Selects Settled Minister
Unitarian Church congregants select Rev. Tina DeYoe to become their minister. Courtesy photo
By BILL PRIEDHORSKY
Unitarian Church
Sunday, May 3 was the milestone in the history of the Unitarian Church of Los Alamos. The congregation voted to invite Rev. Tina DeYoe, their minister pro tem since 2024, into fellowship with the congregation as their settled minister. Though the vote took just a few minutes, it was preceded by months of careful discernment, as the congregation considered who they were and what they wanted to become.
The discernment process revealed a church that was confident Read More
Inaugural Co-op Summer Showcase Kicks Off May 15
COMMUNITY News:
The Inaugural Co-op Summer Showcase opens at 6 p.m. Friday, May 15, with local rock band Baggage Claim. All concerts will be held at Co-op Park adjacent to the Los Alamos Schools Credit Union at 1010 Central Ave.
This free concert series offers music from local musicians at an outside venue as opening acts for the main Friday summer concert series.
This is a true community concert series that features only local musicians. The purpose of this series is to build community spirit and to raise awareness for a new non-profit organization that will bring local music events such as this Read More
Public Snaps Up Original Flooring At Oppenheimer House
A long line of people showed up this morning for a piece of history. The Oppenheimer House on Bathtub Row is undergoing renovations, and the Los Alamos Historical Society gave away pieces of the original flooring to the public. The event was scheduled to run from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. today; however, the flooring was gone by about 10:30 this morning. Courtesy photo Read More
Heinrich And Luján Request Answers About U.S. And Israeli Military’s Adherence To International Law In The Middle East
U.S. SENATE News:
U.S. Senators Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) and Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) joined U.S. Sen. Peter Welch (D-Vt.) and nine Senate Democrats in requesting answers from U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) regarding Israel’s practice of unilaterally declared mass evacuation orders in Lebanon and Iran, which likely contravene international law, in light of assertions from Israeli officials that American and Israeli forces are coordinating on military targeting actions in the current conflict in the Middle East.
The letter comes ahead of congressional testimony by CENTCOM Commander Read More
SALA Event Center Celebrates Business Recognition, Honors Key Team Member, Announces Beer & Wine Service
SALA received the 2026 ‘Small Service Business of the Year’ and a nomination for Family-Friendly Business of the Year from the Los Alamos Chamber of Commerce. Courtesy/SALA
SALA News:
SALA Los Alamos Event Center owner Allan Saenz welcomed community members to a special presentation on Wednesday evening at SALA, where he shared several important announcements celebrating SALA’s growth, team, and continued service to the Los Alamos community.
Saenz announced that SALA was recognized by the Los Alamos Chamber of Commerce as the 2026 “Small Service Business of the Year”. SALA was also nominated Read More
Amateur Naturalist: Understanding Trends In Bird Populations
By ROBERT DRYJA
Los Alamos
National new sources report that bird populations are decreasing. Steps therefore need to be taken to correct this trend. However a joke from statistics comes to mind. “If you have your foot in a bucket of ice water and your hand on a hot stove, you feel fine on the average.” There can be similar variations among bird species while the overall pattern is important. Data collected over 10 years at a bird feeder presents local patterns.
Forty five different species have come to a backyard bird feeder over the past 10 years. The great majority have made only occasional visits Read More
Local Equestrians Host Horse And Bicycle Safety Clinic
Scene from the bicycle and equestrian safety clinic held in the parking lot at Brewer Arena. Courtesy photo
Scene from the bicycle and equestrian safety clinic held in the parking lot at Brewer Arena. Courtesy photo
COMMUNITY News:
Cathy Miller, the equestrian liaison for the Los Alamos County Parks and Recreation Board’s bicycle working group, with Peggy Dare, recently hosted a safety clinic for the youngest members of the Tuff Riders bicycle group and their parents in the parking lot at the Brewer Arena.
The clinic promoted safety on the trails, particularly for bicyclists to know what a frightened Read More
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PAC 8 Summer Classes For 3rd-9th Graders Begin June 2
PAC 8’s summer video and drone classes for 3rd through 9th graders start June 2. Courtesy/PAC 8
Scene from a previous PAC 8 summer video class. Courtesy/PAC 8
PAC 8 News:
PAC 8’s summer video classes for 3rd through 9th graders start June 2. This year is an exciting one with drone flying and videography, 2-D and 3-D stop motion animation, GoPros, special effects, camera techniques, green screen, lighting, editing, music production and more.
The classes provide a creative outlet for kids and a fun way for them to express themselves. The classes provide students with technical and artistic skills Read More
Roadwork To Resume On I-40 East Of Gallup
NMDOT News:
GALLUP — The second phase of the $34.5 million roadway reconstruction project on I-40, east of Gallup, will resume on May 11.
The New Mexico Department of Transportation (NMDOT) District Six, along with FNF Construction, Inc. (Contractor) will be rebuilding two 12-foot driving lanes with 12-foot inside and outside shoulders on I-40 eastbound and westbound.
There will be two lanes open to traffic in each direction during the project and speed will be reduced to 65 miles per hour in the work zone. The work hours are 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday.
This second phase of construction Read More
Daily Postcard: Hiking Trail Along Stream At Valles Caldera
Daily Postcard: View of a hiking trail along a stream Friday at Valles Caldera National Preserve. Courtesy/VCNP Read More