State Launches Campaign To ‘Do The Loving Thing’
NMHCA News:
SANTA FE — A new statewide public awareness campaign encourages parents to support their children by paying child support, with television and radio ads launching this month.
The Health Care Authority’s Child Support Services Division (CSSD) is airing “Do the Loving Thing” ads in English and Spanish beginning this December for 12 months through the New Mexico Broadcasters Association’s Public Education Program.
Last year, the Child Support program collected $119 million in collections with 65 percent of payments coming through wage withholding Read More
ALTSD Invites Public To Senior Day 2026 At The Roundhouse

ALTSD News:
Join Aging and Long-Term Services Department (ALTSD) on Friday, Jan. 23, 2026, at the Roundhouse as we come together to celebrate and advocate for older adults across New Mexico.
Here’s what the morning will look like:
- 8–9 a.m. — Visit resource tables and connect with organizations serving older adults, adults with disabilities, and caregivers in New Mexico.
- 9–11 a.m. — Participate in a guided tour and visit with legislators representing your community to discuss the importance of fully funding services for seniors and caregivers.
- 11 a.m.–12 p.m. — Formal presentation featuring
Free Well Testing For Mora, San Miguel And Taos Counties
Environment Secretary James Kenney
NMED News:
MORA COUNTY — The New Mexico Environment Department (NMED) is offering free private well water testing to well owners in parts of Mora, San Miguel and Taos counties located within one mile of the Hermits Peak-Calf Canyon burn scar area.
This initiative responds to water quality testing conducted as part of a 2025 independent geological study, which showed the presence of heavy metals in some of the wells tested in the area. Well owners in this area can sign up for free well testing by completing NMED’s form at https://www.env.nm.gov/morasanmigueltaos-pws/mora-san-miguel-and-taos-county-private-well-sampling-form/ Read More
New Mexico Governor Addresses ACA Tax Credits Block

Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham
From the Office of Gov. Lujan Grisham:
SANTA FE — New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham issued the following statement:
“On Thursday, Senate Republicans in Congress blocked a Democratic proposal to extend Affordable Care Act (ACA) tax credits for millions of Americans, which will cause healthcare premiums to skyrocket in January. It’s an appalling failure by a Republican Party that is more concerned with placating President Trump than protecting the constituents they were elected to represent.
“My administration saw this coming, which is why we worked with Read More
Epilepsy Foundation To Host Education Day January 2026
UNM News:
Epilepsy Foundation New Mexico is pleased to host Epilepsy Education Day on Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026, at the University of New Mexico (UNM) Center for Development and Disability.
Epilepsy Education Day is an educational conference for pediatric, teen, and adult patients and their families. Take advantage of this unique opportunity to learn from renowned epileptologists and epilepsy professionals.
Light lunch will be provided. Childcare will not be provided; this event is geared toward the patients and parents or caregivers.
Epilepsy Education Day New Mexico 2026 Agenda
- 9 a.m.
New Documents Added To Electronic Public Reading Room
LANL News:
The following documents have been added to the Los Alamos National Laboratory Electronic Reading Room.
The document(s) have been submitted to fulfill one or more requirements of the Los Alamos National Laboratory.
- LANL IBC Meeting Minutes, September 4. 2025
- 2020 Results for Avian Monitoring of Inorganic and Organic Element Concentrations in Passerine Eggs and Nestlings Collected from Technical Area 16 Burn Grounds, Technical Area 36 Minie, and Technical Area 39 Point 6 at Los Alamos National Laboratory: Revision 2
New Southwest Coalition For Life Leader To Head Multi-State Expansion Of Pro-Woman Birthing Centers
SOUTHWEST COALITION News:
LAS CRUCES — the new Chief Operating Officer of Southwest Coalition for Life, Mayra Rodiguez is advancing a new model for the future of serving pregnant mothers. After exposing Planned Parenthood’s deceit of women and achieving a landmark victory over the abortion giant in court, Rodriguez is now a champion for authentic women’s health.
“From the heart of Mexico City to the corridors of women’s healthcare in the United States, my journey has always been about serving women,” said Rodriguez, who once ran three Planned Parenthood centers and will now lead a network Read More
District 1199 New Mexico Endorses Sam Bregman For Governor, Citing Comprehensive Healthcare Plan
From the Sam Bregman for Governor Campaign:
ALBUQUERQUE — Democratic gubernatorial candidate Sam Bregman, announced the endorsement of District 1199 New Mexico, a leading union representing healthcare workers across the state.
District 1199 New Mexico’s leadership highlighted Bregman’s platform, which focuses on increasing access to care, ensuring adequate staffing levels, and improving working conditions for all healthcare professionals. The union specifically recognized Bregman’s commitment to protecting essential healthcare jobs and making critical investments Read More
ABC Hosts Suicide Prevention Training At Mesa Library Monday

Martinez: Challenges Of Grandparents, Kin Raising Children
Jeramay Martinez
By JERAMAY MARTINEZ
Health Care Specialist
Los Alamos County
Most of us know how the adoption and foster care system works, but kinship care is somewhere in the middle. It’s when grandparents, extended family members or even family friends take in, become legal guardians, and care for the children when their parents can’t. Kinship care is more common than you may think in New Mexico. A recent report from the Los Alamos National Laboratory Foundation found that 8 percent of all kids in New Mexico are in some type of kinship care arrangement. That is more than double the national Read More
Algae Bloom Advisory Lifted At Santa Cruz & Clayton Lakes
NMED News:
SANTA FE — The New Mexico Environment Department (NMED) is lifting a harmful algae bloom advisory that was issued in late September for Santa Cruz Lake in Santa Fe County and Clayton Lake in Union County following updated monitoring data showing improved conditions.
Harmful algae blooms (HABs) occur when certain algae rapidly grow in surface waters, creating potential health risks for people and animals. These blooms can appear blue, bright green, brown, or red and may look like scum or floating grass clippings. Some HABs can produce toxins that are dangerous to both humans and animals. Read More
State Seeks To Hire Hundreds Of Child Welfare Workers, Expand Kids’ Mental Health Services
Valerie Sandoval
Acting Cabinet Secretary
CYFD News:
SANTA FE — New Mexico is seeking to hire hundreds of child welfare workers, expand substance abuse and infant mental health programs, and strengthen safety nets for vulnerable children and families under a proposed $422.3 million state budget.
The New Mexico Children, Youth and Families Department (CYFD) fiscal year 2027 budget represents a 4.7 percent increase and seeks $43.1 million of General Fund investments to replace expired federal health services grants, to add wrap-around services in communities and to broaden alternative Read More
NM To Open Five More Behavioral Health Clinics In 2026
HCA News:
SANTA FE — New Mexico will add five new agencies as Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics in 2026 to expand access to mental health and substance use disorder services across six counties.
“For too many New Mexicans, getting behavioral health care has meant long waits or long drives,” Secretary Kari Armijo said. “This expansion is about meeting people where they are and making sure comprehensive care is available when and where it’s needed. By expanding Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics in six counties, we are bringing services closer to home and removing barriers Read More
Public Safety Moment: Slow Down Especially In Ice & Snow!
COUNTY News:
Despite Thursday morning’s weather and hazardous road conditions, Los Alamos Police Department (LAPD) officers conducted 20 traffic stops and issued nearly 30 citations, most of them for speeding.
Several drivers were cited for traveling more than 26 miles per hour – or more – over the posted speed limit.
Excessive speeding on wet or icy roads is extremely dangerous. LAPD reminds all drivers to slow down and exercise caution during their commutes—no matter the weather or road conditions.
Also, when seeing emergency vehicle lights and hearing sirens, pull over!
Emergency crews Read More
Blood Donors Vital To Help Patients Through Holiday Season
VITALANT News:
SANTA FE — This December, nonprofit Vitalant asks all those eligible, to schedule a blood donation appointment and help save lives.
Busy schedules and travel during the December holiday weeks typically lead to the lowest donor turnout of the year, but the need for lifesaving blood remains constant and critical for patients.
Jenn Dobson started 2025 with a cancer scare that turned out instead to be severe endometriosis, a painful condition. She endured surgeries and a stint in the ICU, where her heart stopped and it took 25 minutes to revive her. She also needed several units of Read More
LAMC Brings Back Shining Rooftop Christmas Tree!
Since at least 1980, Los Alamos Medical Center (LAMC) has celebrated the holiday season in a special way — by placing a Christmas tree on the top roof. Over the years, that tree became more than just decoration; it became a symbol of hope and comfort for the entire community. This year, LAMC is proud to announce that the tradition is back! The tree is once again shining from the rooftop, bringing warmth and joy to our community, patients, team members, and neighbors. The hospital hopes this simple gesture rekindles the spirit of togetherness and comfort that has always defined our community. Here’s Read More
NMDOH: Rabid Coyote Bites Hiker In Southwest New Mexico
NMDOH News:
SANTA FE — A coyote that bit a hiker in the Gila National Forest near Silver City has tested positive for rabies.
The hiker did not require hospitalization but is receiving routine treatment to prevent rabies infection. Testing by the New Mexico Department of Health (NMDOH) Scientific Laboratory Division confirmed the diagnosis. This is the fourth rabid animal identified in southwest New Mexico this year, following a bobcat in Sierra County, a coyote in Catron County, and a dog in Grant County.
“Rabies is preventable, but only if we take it seriously,” said Dr. Erin Phipps, state Read More
LAVNS Appoints Ruben Vasquez As Its Executive Director
LAVNS Executive Director Ruben Vasquez
LAVNS News:
Los Alamos Visiting Nurse Service, Inc. (LAVNS), “the community’s trusted not-for-profit partner in home health and hospice care since 1973”, has announced the appointment of Ruben A. Vasquez as executive director.
This leadership transition marks the beginning of a revitalized strategic chapter for LAVNS as it heads into 2026, focused on strengthening its workforce, modernizing operations, and reaffirming its commitment to the community it has served for more than five decades.
A New Chapter for a Historic Institution
As the healthcare Read More
MANNM Announces New Nurse Practitioner Roberto Pardo
Roberto Pardo, AGNP-C
MANNM News:
Medical Associates of Northern New Mexico (MANNM) announces that Roberto Pardo, AGNP-C has joined its provider team.
Pardo is an Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner with experience in gastroenterology and urology, bringing a thoughtful and patient-centered approach to adult and senior care. He is committed to helping patients feel comfortable, informed, and supported at every step of their health journey.
With a background in specialty care, Pardo can assist patients with a wide range of concerns, while also focusing on preventive care and long-term Read More
County Library System Brings Back ‘De-Stress December’
COUNTY News:
The Los Alamos County Library System invites the community to unwind this holiday season with the return of De-Stress December, a series of programs designed to promote relaxation, creativity, and connection.
As part of the WinterFest celebration, Mesa Public Library will host a variety of events for all ages, including crafting sessions, mindfulness workshops, Tabletop Game Day, and a popular puzzle competition.
Program highlights include:
- Forest Bathing: An Introduction for Teens and Adults
- Saturday, Dec. 6, 1-3 p.m., Mesa Public Library
Led by Kristine Coblentz, this
- Saturday, Dec. 6, 1-3 p.m., Mesa Public Library