Hurford: What Other States Can Learn From New Mexico’s Bet On Literacy
By DAVID P. HURFORD Ph.D.
Executive Director
Center for READing, Pittsburg State University
Pittsburg, Kansas
For too long, New Mexico’s students – especially Native American, Hispanic, and low-income kids – were denied foundational literacy skills that open doors to lifelong opportunity.
A sustained, science-based investment is starting to change that.
Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham and New Mexico education leaders have made literacy a statewide priority since her term began in 2019. Over the past six years, New Mexico has invested more than $250 million in literacy initiatives, Read More
Scenes Of Geese At Ashley Pond
Daily Postcard: Scene of visitors greeting geese Tuesday at Ashley Pond. Photo by Ken Hanson
Scene of geese Tuesday at Ashley Pond. Photo by Ken Hanson
Scene of geese Tuesday at Ashley Pond. Photo by Ken Hanson
Scene of a goose preening Tuesday at Ashley Pond. Photo by Ken Hanson Read More
Senate Majority Floor Leader Peter Wirth Announces He Will Not Run Again For Majority Leader And Will Not Seek Re-Election In 2028
STATE SENATE News:
SANTA FE — Senate Majority Floor Leader Peter Wirth (D-Santa Fe) announced today that he will not run for the position of Senate Majority Floor Leader prior to the start of the 2027 Legislative Session, and will not seek a sixth term in the state Senate in 2028. Wirth will complete his current Senate term in full, continuing to represent his Santa Fe constituents and serve alongside his colleagues through 2028.
These decisions reflect a conviction Sen. Wirth has held throughout his tenure in public life: that the measure of good leadership is not how long one holds a position, Read More
‘Space Futures’ Summer Lab @ SFCC June 22–25
STEM Lab News:
In a new partnership with Santa Fe Community College, curious minds ages 12-19 are invited to join an immersive “Space Futures” SciArt Summer Lab to collaborate with professional artists, technologists, scientists and philosophers to create original works that will be exhibited at the Los Alamos Science Festival in September and our exclusive World Space Week : New Mexico events in October.
Students will be mentored by exceptional STEMarts instructors from Los Alamos National Lab, NASA, UNM, and more to learn new tech tools and use AI for Good to imagine and help Read More
Community Invited To Transportation Board Meeting To Discuss Jersey Barrier Replacement At Ashley Pond Park
COUNTY News:
The Los Alamos County Transportation Board has scheduled a special meeting to discuss the replacement options for the Jersey barriers currently in place at Ashley Pond Park. The meeting will focus on reviewing alternatives, considering public safety and aesthetic factors, and determining recommended next steps for County Council.
The meeting will be held at 5:30 p.m., Monday, June 22, in Municipal Building Council Chambers.
If you are unable to attend the meeting in person, you may join via Zoom using this link.
Members of the public may also participate in the discussion by Read More
Smoke Visible From Fire West Of Española
Smoke from the Rio Fire. Photo by Delbert Romero/ladailypost.comCOUNTY News:
The Rio Fire, a lightning-strike fire that was first detected Tuesday evening, has burned about 5-10 acres in a previously burned area on the Santa Fe National Forest.
Smoke will be visible as the fire is burning in a remote area that is difficult to access.
There is no threat to Los Alamos from this fire.
Further details about the fire can be found on the New Mexico Fire Information interagency site: https://nmfireinfo.com/2026/06/17/firefighters-stop-forward-progression-on-pelada-fire/.
Denish: New Mexico’s Free Childcare In The Spotlight
By DIANE DENISH
Corner To Corner
diane@dianedenish.com
There is so much good news about Universal Free Child Care in New Mexico that I’m puzzled by the handful of people who seem determined to focus on why we can’t do it—whether through lawsuits or social media criticism.
Take Duke Rodriguez, unsuccessful Republican candidate for governor in the 2026 primary. Rodriguez recently filed a lawsuit challenging the state’s implementation of Universal Free Child Care, arguing it was rolled out before being fully codified by the Legislature. It seemed like an odd political strategy, particularly Read More
NNMC Student Dawniel Hayward Scores 2nd In Screenwriters Conference 2026 Pitch Competition
Dawniel Hayward at the Screenwriters Conference 2026. Courtesy/NNMC
From left: Omar Paz Trujillo, 1st place winner of the Pitch Competition, 2nd place winner Dawniel
Hayward and DezBaa’, Northern alumna and adjunct faculty. Courtesy/NNMC
NNMC News:
ESPAÑOLA — Northern New Mexico College is proud to announce that film student Dawniel Hayward has won 2nd place in the Screenwriters Conference 2026 Pitch Competition on June 7, 2026. Hayward’s winning pitch earned a $350 cash prize and attracted the attention of a major film producer. The first-place winner, Omar Paz Trujillo, is also a filmmaker Read More
Living Treasures Of Los Alamos Announces 2026 Selection
By CRAIG MARTIN
Los Alamos
The board of Living Treasures of Los Alamos is pleased to announce the selection of three new Living Treasures for 2026. The selection comes after reviewing more than 100 nomination letters submitted by community members.
Linda Daly, well-known for her years of dedicated service to the Los Alamos Family YMCA, was selected for her continued service to the community through leadership in the Kiwanis Clug, the Los Alamos Medical Center Advisory Board, and the Los Alamos Community Foundation.
John Ruminer will receive the honor for his important contributions to the Read More
Celebrate 6th Annual Pride On The Patio At Pig & Fig Tonight
New patio, Heather & The Bad Breaks, and Pride flags. Courtesy photo
COMMUNITY News:
Public is invited to Pig & Fig’s annual celebration of love and support for the LGBTQ+ community from 6–8 p.m., this evening, Wednesday, June 17, on the Patio of Pig & Fig Cafe.
There will be music, drink specials, colorful food and live music on Pig & Fig’s new patio! Heather and the Bad Breaks will be on the stage to help celebrate an evening of love and pride at Pig & Fig.
Costumes encouraged, inclusiveness mandatory. Read More
Public Invited To Welcome New Los Alamos Police Officers At Swearing In Ceremony June 18
COUNTY News:
The Los Alamos Police Department invites members of the public to attend upcoming swearing-in ceremonies for three new officers who are joining the department.
Police Corporals Anthony Martinez and Keiffer Nymark will be sworn in at 11 a.m., Thursday, June 18, in the Los Alamos Magistrate Court Chambers.
Police Corporal Dustin Chavez will be sworn in at 11 a.m., Monday, June 29, in the Los Alamos Magistrate Court Chambers.
These ceremonies mark the beginning of each officer’s service to the Los Alamos community and provide an opportunity for family members, friends, and Read More
State And Federal Partnership Invests In New Mexico’s Conservation Workforce
Group photo of pre-apprentices during onboarding with USDA Forest Service. Pictured far left: James D. Duran, Forest Supervisor, Carson National Forest, and New Mexico Department of Workforce Solutions Cabinet Secretary Sarita Nair. Courtesy photo
Pre-apprentices attending the onboarding week field visit to see active forest management and discuss all hands approach to improving the health of the forest. Courtesy photo
NMDWS News:
ALBUQUERQUE — Eighteen New Mexico college students began an innovative paid Pre-apprenticeship Opportunity Program in Rangeland Science and Natural Read More
Audit Exposes New Mexico’s SNAP Program Plagued By Errors, Weak Oversight
NMHR News:
RUIDOSO — A new Legislative Finance Committee evaluation found New Mexico’s SNAP program is operating with weak oversight, limited verification, and one of the highest payment error rates in the nation.
The state’s SNAP payment error rate has climbed to 16.6 percent, the fifth highest in the country. As a result, New Mexico could face up to $173 million annually in federal cost-sharing penalties.
The audit found that some of the largest sources of payment errors stem from information that is largely self-reported and often not independently verified. Despite having Read More
UNM-LA: Hideout Café Announces Temporary Closure
Courtesy photo
UNM-LA News:
The Hideout Café in the UNM-Los Alamos Lobo Center is temporarily closed and will reopen at the beginning of August. Café staff are currently working on equipment updates as well as menu enhancements.
The community is asked to be on the lookout for its reopening in the coming weeks. Read More
BLM Geothermal Lease Sale Nets Over $16.5 Million
BLM News:
SANTA FE — The Bureau of Land Management accepted winning bids on 47 parcels in New Mexico totaling 152,381.49 acres for $16,581,926 in total receipts for a geothermal lease sale. The BLM may issue leases once review and payment are complete. The combined bonus bids, rentals, and subsequent royalties from the leases will be distributed between the U.S. Treasury, the State of New Mexico and the counties where the leases are located.
Geothermal lease sales support domestic energy production and American energy independence, while contributing to the nation’s economic and military Read More
Heinrich, Kim, Senate Democrats Host Roundtable On Raising Gas Prices
U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), Ranking Member of the U.S. Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, and U.S. Senator Andy Kim (D-N.J.), host a roundtable on how Trump’s policies have driven up energy costs, June 16, 2026. Courtesy photo
U.S. SENATE News:
WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Sens. Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), Ranking Member of the U.S. Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, and Andy Kim (D-N.J.) hosted a roundtable to discuss how the Trump administration’s policies, including the war with Iran, have driven up energy costs for families, consumers, communities, and small Read More
FBI: New Mexico Man Facing Federal Hate Crime Charge Following Attacks At Synagogue, Jewish Community Center
FBI News:
An Albuquerque, New Mexico man is in custody on federal charges for allegedly damaging religious property during back-to-back attacks at two local Jewish facilities.
According to court documents, on June 2, Rex Crofton, 25, targeted two Jewish community facilities in Albuquerque, New Mexico, during a series of motivated attacks. At approximately 4:31 PM, Crofton arrived at Congregation Albert in a silver sedan. He exited the vehicle and used a tool to shatter the synagogue’s glass entry doors. After “flipping off” the building and shouting an indecipherable statement, he fled Read More
State Opens Trails+ Grant For Outdoor Recreation Projects
Cibola Trail Alliance is using Trails+ Grant funding to build new trails in Lobo Canyon near Grants, NM. Courtesy/EDNM
EDNM News:
SANTA FE — New Mexico will open applications on July 1 for the Trails+ Grant program, making $12 million available for community outdoor recreation projects that expand outdoor trail access, support local economies and preserve the state’s natural and cultural resources.
Demand for the Outdoor Recreation Trails+ Grant has surged, with a record-breaking $27 million in funding requests in FY26—a $2 million increase from FY25—underscoring the growing Read More
Graduation Announcement: Serena Birnbaum Defends Thesis In Polymer Engineering
Serena Birnbaum after defending her thesis. Courtesy photo
By EVA BIRNBAUM
Formerly of Los Alamos
Serena Birnbaum defended her PhD thesis in Polymer Engineering from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst in May 2026.
Serena graduated from LAHS in 2017, and from Case Western Reserve University with her Bachelor of Engineering in 2021. She is the daughter of Eva Birnbaum and Thomas Mark McCleskey, and granddaughter of Ed & Amy Birnbaum, Alice & Earl Scheelar, and Thomas McCleskey. She will be working at Exponent in Boston.
Her thesis title is “Extending Adhesive Functionality Read More
Robinson: Thanks To UNM’s Garnett Stokes For Eight Years Of Stability
By Sherry Robinson
All She Wrote
© 2026 New Mexico News Services
In 2006 I got an email from a savvy member of the business community. “Write an article about the UNM mess,” he wrote. “It is an ongoing story. After all, it’s our flagship research university.”
UNM had just gotten rid of Luis Caldera, a shouter, table pounder and top-down commander foisted on us by former Gov. Bill Richardson. I wrote: “Little in his professional background prepared him for university administration. He was personally aloof. He didn’t get New Mexico.”
Two more presidents followed. One provoked a vote of no confidence Read More