Where Words Take Root—Inside UNM‑LA’s Writing Club
By JEF BATEMAN, M.A., GCDF
Sr. Student Success Specialist
UNM-Los Alamos
Our little writing club meets at 2 p.m., every Thursday, in room B-20, which is downstairs from the library. We have a different writing challenge every week, but we also find time to share selections from the longer projects we are working on.
The club does not have a formal membership process, and writers of all abilities are welcome. These are the projects of some of the most consistent participants:
Jim O’Donnell: Jim is a literary stylist with an ear for dialogue. His current project is a short novel about Juan and his nephew Read More
Los Alamos NJROTC Holds Change Of Command Ceremony, Sweeps 2026 New Mexico JROTC 4A State Champions
LAHS NJROTC 2026-27 Cadet Staff. Courtesy photo
Former NJROTC 2025-26 Cadre: C/CDRMaya Snowden, C/LCDR Matthew Haight, C/LT Noah Banks and C/MCPO Isabella Pearson holding mini lego versions of themselves gifted by Petty Officer Pratt as a farewell gift as they continue their journey out of NJROTC. Courtesy photo
By C/ENS ALICIA VALERIO
LAHS NJROTC
Public Affairs Officer
On April 10, Los Alamos High School’s NJROTC held its annual Change of Command ceremony at Duane Smith Auditorium, celebrating the achievements of the unit and the dedication of its cadets. This long-standing tradition Read More
New Mexico Treasurer Champions Financial Independence For Residents With Disabilities Through NM STABLE
NMSTO News:
SANTA FE — The New Mexico State Treasurer’s Office is recognizing #ABLEtoSave Month this April by promoting the state’s Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) program, the New Mexico State Treasurer’s Achieving a Better Life Experience (NM STABLE), and encouraging eligible New Mexicans with disabilities and their families to take advantage of its long-term financial benefits.
NM STABLE accounts allow individuals with qualifying disabilities to save and invest for disability-related expenses, including housing, education, transportation, and healthcare, without Read More
DEA Take Back Day Tomorrow—Find Nearest Location
DEA News:
Unused medications left at home can increase the risk of accidental poisoning and substance misuse. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Take Back Day offers you a safe way to get rid of these dangers.
DEA Take Back Day takes place tomorrow, April 25, starting at 10 a.m. Drop-off locations nationwide are available for you to safely dispose of any expired, unused, or unwanted prescription medications.
You can use DEA’s collection site locator to find your nearest location. Help protect your family and community by spreading the word about safe, responsible disposal. Read More
Off-Highway Vehicle 2026-2027 Grant Applications Available
NMDGF News:
SANTA FE — The New Mexico Department of Wildlife is now accepting applications for its 2026-2027 Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) grant program through May 8.
These grants support projects that promote safe and responsible OHV recreation across the state. Projects include trail building, clearing debris, providing safety gear for minors and public awareness campaigns, as well as dedicated law enforcement patrols to better enforce the state’s OHV act and keep paved roads safe.
Recently, grant money has been used for a signage project at Johnson’s (Gordy’s) Hill Read More
FBI-Albuquerque Is Partnering With FAA, Albuquerque Police Department, Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office, And U.S. DOJ To Encourage Community To Learn More About Drone Safety
FBI News:
Drone Safety Day is the FAA’s annual campaign dedicated to educating the drone community on the importance of safe and responsible drone operations. This nation-wide one-day event highlights how the FAA and the drone community work together to safely integrate drones into the National Airspace System, transforming the way we live and work.
The FAA launched the annual campaign in 2019 to bring attention to drone safety and best practices. Safety is a shared responsibility that requires the community and the FAA to work together.
Every day more people are using drones, which means Read More
Los Alamos Medical Center Announces New Obstetrics Model In Partnership With CHRISTUS Health And Presbyterian Health
LAMC News:
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Los Alamos Medical Center (LAMC) announced today a regional model for obstetric (OB) services with CHRISTUS St. Vincent in Santa Fe and Presbyterian Española Hospital. This collaboration, aimed at preserving access to safe, high-quality maternity care for patients in Los Alamos, enables the organizations to coordinate resources, strengthen cinical support, and ensure families receive the right level of care in the most appropriate setting.
As part of the new regional approach, LAMC will Read More
Semi-Open Primaries Debut This Election Year
Los Alamos County Clerk Michael Redondo certifies voting machines Tuesday at the Municipal Building in preparation for the June 2 Primary Election. This year’s primary election will be different from previous ones because the state legislature passed a bill allowing unaffiliated voters to participate in the primary without changing their voter registration. A third party observed the certification process, Carmen Lopez from Observe New Mexico Elections. Lopez explained that observing the certification process is important because it helps people learn how elections work and helps Read More
McQuiston: Northern New Mexico 2026 Fire Season Outlook
By ALLEN MCQUISTONJemez Insurance Agency
Serving Los Alamos Since 1963
Los Alamos Chorale Society Presents ‘From Ballads To Brahms’ May 2
Free Training Offered For Historical Society Volunteers
LAHS News:
The Los Alamos Historical Society (LAHS) and its History Museum are seeking new volunteers for a variety of positions. A training will be held for new volunteers from 10 a.m.–3 p.m., Saturday, May 16, 2026, in the Nambe Room on the second floor of Fuller Lodge. Lunch will be provided. Registration is required, and anyone high-school age and up is encouraged to attend. Please register by May 9 by emailing volunteer@losalamoshistory.org.
Training will involve a guided walking tour of the historic district, information from Archives and Collections, and specific training on visitor Read More
LAHS Varsity Boys Golf Battle 5A Schools
Lincoln Hoffer ready to tee off. Photo by Jason Romero
Mikey Velasquez-Saiz watching his putt. Photo by Jason Romero
By JASON ROMERO
Assistant Coach
The LAHS boys Varsity golf team traveled to Twin Warriors Golf Course on Tuesday, April 21, to compete at the Rio Rancho High School Invite.
The toppers struggled on the front 9 and found themselves behind the pack on the turn. They found their groove on the back 9 with Lincoln Hoffer (So) holding it down at +1 and in the lead going to the final holes. The young Hoffer remained consistent securing a +3 (75) and tied for second place.
5A schools Volcano Read More
State Police Investigates OIS Involving U.S. Marshals Service
NMSP News:
DEMING – On April 23, 2026, the New Mexico State Police Investigations Bureau was requested to investigate an officer-involved shooting involving the United States Marshals Service (USMS).
On Thursday, April 23, 2026, members of the United States Marshals Service (USMS) were involved in an officer involved shooting incident while attempting to apprehend fugitives who were wanted on various child sex crimes. The fugitives, identified as Joseph McDowell (44), and Cassondra Sauber (42) were wanted on nationwide extradition warrants.
McDowell was wanted on the following: Read More
DALA To Host Annual Spring Gala Event Ahead Of ‘Neverland’ Ballet Premier April 25
Scene from dress rehearsal ahead of Saturday’s performance. Courtesy/DALA
Courtesy/DALA
DALA News:
Dance Arts Los Alamos presents Neverland, a new two-act ballet at 7 p.m., April 25, and 2 p.m., April 26, at Duane Smith Auditorium. This original full-length production re-imagines the beloved characters of Peter Pan, Tinkerbell, Wendy, Captain Hook, and many more in an all-new adventure story inspired by J.M. Barrie’s classic tales, promising a thrilling theatrical experience suitable for all ages.
The performance will feature the advanced levels of DALA’s ballet program, showcasing Read More
Alzheimer’s Association Offers Live Webinars At No Charge
HEALTHCARE News:
For Alzheimer’s family caregivers, or those who have not yet experienced the disease in your family but want to learn more, the Alzheimer’s Association is offering an informative series of free, online webinars.
Seven upcoming webinars will cover a broad range of topics from healthy habits for preserving our brain health to managing finances to deal with this potentially costly disease.
The upcoming online webinars (all times listed are Mountain Time) are:
- ALZ Talks: Scam-Safety for Those Living with Alzheimer’s—noon–1 p.m., Thursday, April 30
- Managing
Consumer Drones Are Keeping Firefighters Grounded
While unauthorized drones in restricted airspace can halt firefighting air operations, the Forest Service is increasingly incorporating uncrewed aerial systems in wildfire operations. From 2019 to 2025 the Forest Service has increased drone flights by 2,483% on active incidents. Forest Service photo by Dirk Giles
USFS News:
Drones, also referred to as uncrewed aerial systems or UAS, have been increasingly complicating airspace around wildfires since the first consumer models came to market in 2013.
These mechanical critters of the sky are a nuisance to wildland firefighting when they Read More
Free Documentary Series Kicks Off With ‘First We Bombed New Mexico’ At NHCC May 3
NMDCA News:
Head to the National Hispanic Cultural Center (NHCC) for a series of documentaries about environmental hardships across the Southwestern United States and Latin America, inspired by the NHCC Art Museum’s new exhibition Nuclear Past, Present, and Future: Art in Action. The series kicks off with a screening of First We Bombed New Mexico (2023) on Sunday, May 3.
The documentary First We Bombed New Mexico tells the story of Tina Cordova, who leads the fight for justice for majority Indigenous and Latino Nuevomexicano communities in New Mexico, which have suffered for decades from Read More
Topper Baseball Defeats Española Sundevils 17-3
The Los Alamos High School Hilltoppers traveled to Española Thursday afternoon to play the Sundevils in a conference game on Martinez Field. The Sundevils jumped out to an early lead but faded, and the Toppers ran the score up to 17-3 for the win. This brings the Toppers’ record to 6-1 in district play and 9-10 overall. The Toppers’ next game is 3 p.m. Friday against the Pojoaque Elks at Bomber Field in White Rock. Pictured above is pitcher Boaz Martinez. Photo by John McHale/ladailypost.com
Third baseman Adrian Oshel waits for the ball as Aero Quintina tags up safe. Photo by John McHale/ladailypost.com Read More
Governor Establishes Energy Affordability And Grid Reliability Council
STATE News:
SANTA FE — Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham signed an executive order establishing the New Mexico Energy Affordability and Grid Reliability Council to address the rising cost of electricity in a rapidly changing energy landscape.
The Council will convene state agency leaders, utility executives and experts in rural cooperative utilities, tribal energy, consumer advocacy, and energy policy and infrastructure to develop strategies for keeping energy affordable while ensuring the grid can meet the demands of a growing, modernizing New Mexico economy.
“At a time of dramatically Read More
Senator Luján Addresses Push To Fund ICE & CBP
U.S. SENATE News:
WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Sen. Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), a member of the Senate Budget Committee, issued the following statement after Senate Republicans passed a partisan budget resolution that pours up to $140 billion into ICE and Border Patrol without any accountability while doing nothing to lower costs for American families:
“At a time when high prices squeeze New Mexicans at every turn, my Republican colleagues should focus on lowering costs for American families. Instead, they are advancing a partisan bill that hands up to $140 billion to ICE and CBP with no reforms, accountability, Read More