Gessing: Medical Malpractice Success A Win, But More Needed
By PAUL J. GESSING
President
Rio Grande Foundation
The passage of medical malpractice reform is the most important public policy success in New Mexico in more than a decade. It took support from New Mexicans of every political stripe and a bi-partisan coalition in the Legislature to achieve this success, but at long last the State’s malpractice-driven doctor shortage may be over.
In addition to the medical malpractice bill, the Legislature entered New Mexico into the national doctor compact and enacted a $10K tax credit for physicians. Combined, this may be enough to start turning the tide. Read More
Daily Postcard: Early Morning View From Velarde
Daily Postcard: Early morning view on Feb. 16 from Velarde. Photo by Johnnie MartinezNew Mexicans Can Get Up To $14,000 For Home Energy Upgrades
EMNRD News:
SANTA FE — The New Mexico Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department is now accepting applications for rebates of up to $14,000 to help low-income households replace aging appliances and heating and cooling systems with energy-efficient alternatives, cutting monthly utility bills while promoting energy efficiency.
The rebates are available to New Mexico homeowners and renters who earn less than 80% of the median income for the area in which they live or participate in certain federal benefit programs.
Once EMNRD certifies their eligibility, applicants receive coupons Read More
Hilltopper Swim And Dive Team Goes To State
Hilltopper Swim/Dive State Team: Front row from left, Samantha Clayton, Michelle Lo, Deb Brug, Emilie Daligault. Second row from left, Grace Nowell, Madalyn Baily, Sonya Pakin, Alma Hurlocker, Emma Reide, Grace Evans, Catherine Price, Anna Kerstiens. Back row from left, Austin Theye, Sam Nowell, Thomas Daligault, Peter Maginot, Ammon Lee, Gus Marchand. Not pictured: Steven Yeamans. Courtesy photo
Hilltopper Seniors from left, Catherine Price, Emma Reide, Deb Brug, Sam Nowell and Austin Theye. Courtesy photo
SPORTS News:
The Hilltopper Swim/Dive Team set out for the NMAA State Swim/Dive Read More
Albuquerque Set To Welcome 2026 Lone Star Conference Indoor Track & Field Championships
VISIT ABQ News:
ALBUQUERQUE — Albuquerque will once again welcome top collegiate track and field athletes from across the region for the 2026 Lone Star Conference Indoor Track and Field Championships, taking place Feb. 27-28 at the Albuquerque Convention Center. The two-day men’s and women’s championships marks the second consecutive year the event will be hosted in Albuquerque, following a successful 2025 meet.
The event is expected to draw 400 student-athletes, coaches and supporters and generate an estimated $530,000 in positive economic impact for local hotels, restaurants and Read More
Driver Ends Up In Ditch Off Edge Of NM 4
A driver alone in their vehicle somehow drove off the edge of N.M. 4 on Tuesday afternoon. The tip of the vehicle is visible here to the right of the tow truck, at the base of the tree. Los Alamos police said the driver sustained minor injuries and was transported (by Los Alamos Fire Department EMTs) to Los Alamos Medical Center. No citations were issued by Los Alamos police, which handled the scene until the Santa Fe Sheriff’s Office arrived, because the location of the incident is in the SFSO jurisdiction. Photo by Bernadette Lauritzen
Traffic is backed up from Pajarito all the way past the Truck Read More
New Mexico Museum Of Natural History & Science To Reopen April 4 Following Major State-Funded Renovation
NMMNHS News:
ALBUQUERQUE — The New Mexico Department of Cultural Affairs today announced the reopening of the New Mexico Museum of Natural History & Science Saturday, April 4, following a major state-funded renovation that strengthens the museum’s infrastructure and enhances the visitor experience.
The New Mexico Museum of Natural History & Science (NMMNHS) serves as a key destination for New Mexicans and out-of-state visitors alike, drawing more than 175,000 ticketed visitors during FY 2025. The museum also served approximately 40,000 school children over that same period. Read More
Family’s Fate Forever Altered: Los Alamos Medical Center Saves Two Lives
Hannah and Rayne Bachman and their children, Max and new baby Violet. Courtesy/LAMC
Los Alamos Medical Center News:
Contractions began the night of her due date, signaling the on-schedule conclusion of a perfectly healthy pregnancy. Bags were packed, and a trip to Santa Fe was all planned to welcome the Bachman family’s second child into the world. But just hours later, Hannah Bachman found herself in a terrifying emergency fighting for two lives.
“Everything was going fine and normal,” recalled the Los Alamos resident of that moment just more than one month ago. “And then, in the morning, my Read More
SFIS & MIAC Form New Partnership
EDUCATION News:
AstroTour [AR]: Indigenous Cosmologies Through Code is a 6-week transdisciplinary youth workshop that fuses augmented reality, coding, and sky observation.
This powerful new collaboration brings together cultural perspectives, space science, and creative technology in partnership with the Museum of Indian Arts & Culture (MIAC) and the Santa Fe Indian School (SFIS).
Students from SFIS’s Advanced Computer Science class visited the Makowa exhibit at the museum for inspiration.
Bethany Rivera and the STEMarts team with Dr. Julia Blue Bird, Lakota Astrophysicist Read More
Enterprise Bank & Trust Continues Legacy Of Local Investment With $30,000 Commitment To United Way Northern New Mexico In 2026
United Way NNM Director of Corporate & Community Engagement Donna Milanovich, Enterprise Bank & Trust President, Los Alamos Region & Director of Community Engagement Liddie Martinez and United Way NNM Executive Director Cindy Padilla. Courtesy/UWNNM
United Way Northern New Mexico News:
When a bank chooses to invest locally, it does more than fund programs—it strengthens the fabric of the community itself.
In 2026, Enterprise Bank & Trust reaffirmed its commitment to Northern New Mexico with a $30,000 investment in United Way Northern New Mexico. This contribution Read More
SFCM Announced Grant Funding From Santa Fe Downtown Kiwanis Foundation
SFCM News:
SANTA FE — The Santa Fe Children’s Museum (SFCM) is excited to announce that it has received a $5,000 grant from the Santa Fe Downtown Kiwanis Foundation funded through the net proceeds of Will Shuster’s Annual Burning of Zozobra® event. This generous support expanded the Museum’s Access for All Initiative, increasing free access to hands-on learning experiences for families living in Southside Santa Fe.
Grant funds supported the creation of Zozo Passes—branded, one-time-use day passes that provide all-day Museum admission for up to six individuals. Each pass is valued at $60 Read More
Sweet Charity Exhibit At Village Arts Ends Feb. 28
Courtesy photo
Courtesy photo
ART News:
What do hats knitted by Melissa Alexander, a watercolor pencil portrait of Bubo the Great Horned Owl by Lydia Marshall, and abstracted collages by Jacci Gruninger have in common? Each of these artists care!
The common theme of the current exhibit at Village Arts follows the title “Sweet Charity”, where artists were invited to submit artwork that, if sold, would go to the charities of their choice. Nearly 2 dozen artists submitted over 40 pieces to the exhibition in the hopes of giving back to potentially over different 20 causes that are close to their Read More
PAC 8 Community Media Center: Feb. 27–March. 5, 2026
PAC 8 News:
PAC 8 Community Media Center is available for recording events, transferring old media, shooting and editing, live streaming and drone photography and videography.
For information, call 505.662.7228 or visit pac8cmc.com.
PAC 8 Television schedule for Feb. 27–March. 5, 2026:
Friday, Feb. 27, 2026
- 6 a.m. — Democracy Now! – Live
- 10 a.m. — The Thom Hartmann Program
- 11 a.m. — County Council Replay 2-17-26
- 4 p.m. — Democracy Now!
- 5 p.m. — PAC PAGES – Los Alamos County News Updates
- 6 p.m. — Los Alamos Chamber of Commerce “Los Alamos County Manager Update”
- 7 p.m. — PAC 8 Summer Media Classes
2026 Sonata Contest Results And Fuller Lodge Performance
Courtesy photo
By WENDY GE
LAMTA
On Feb. 21, the local music community celebrated a remarkable showcase of young talent as the annual Sonata Contest was jointly hosted by the Santa Fe Music Teachers Association (SFMTA) and the Los Alamos Music Teachers Association (LAMTA).
A total of 36 dedicated piano students participated in the event, each performing rigorous sonata movements that tested both their technical precision and artistic expression. This year’s competition featured two distinguished adjudicators, Tatyana Bayliyeva and Sergio Rodriguez. Both judges brought a wealth of Read More
Discover Los Alamos Announces Spring Tourism Kickoff Meeting March 11
LACDC News:
Ready for a lively tourist season? Discover Los Alamos, part of Los Alamos Commerce and Development Corporation (LACDC), will host its annual Spring Tourism Kickoff from 9-10:30 a.m., Wednesday, March 11 in the Pajarito Room of Fuller Lodge. The event is free and open to the public and will appeal to tourism professionals, including docents, volunteers, and Ambassadors. Coffee and breakfast items will be served.
Speakers from local attractions, businesses, and nonprofits will share upcoming events, this season’s tourism themes, and ideas around how to attract and engage with Read More
Los Alamos History Museum Announces New Exhibit And Accompanying Lecture: Secrets Of Shangri-la: Enlisted Women At Project Y
LAHM News:
The Los Alamos History Museum is proud to announce the opening of a new special exhibit, Secrets of Shangri-la: Enlisted Women at Project Y, which explores the often-overlooked contributions of enlisted women who served in Los Alamos during World War II as part of the Manhattan Project.
Please join us on March 10, 2026, for a special lecture featuring staff from the Los Alamos Historical Society Archives and Collections, who will share insights about the exhibit and the remarkable women it highlights. The lecture will begin at 7 p.m. in Fuller Lodge, and the exhibit will be open for Read More
County: Atomic Fiber Internet Service Providers Selected
COUNTY News:
Los Alamos County is pleased to announce that four Internet Service Providers (ISPs) have signed contracts to provide service on Atomic Fiber once the county-owned community broadband network has been built.
The four ISPs are XMission, Anthem Broadband, Intellipop, and LANet. Residents and businesses can choose whether to switch to an ISP using the new open access network once it becomes available in their area.
Network construction is anticipated to begin this spring. Service is expected to be available in initial locations Fall 2026, with the full network and service available Read More
Homewise Preserves Cultural Heritage With Purchase, Renovation And Sale Of Historic B. Ruppe Drugstore To Solamente Holistic Health
Courtesy photo
Courtesy photo
HOMEWISE News:
ALBUQUERQUE — Homewise is pleased to announce the successful acquisition, thoughtful renovation, and sale of the historic B. Ruppe Drugstore building in the Barelas neighborhood to Solamente Holistic Health. This project honors the legacy of one of Albuquerque’s culturally important community spaces while supporting local entrepreneurship and wellbeing.
Founded in 1883, B. Ruppe Drugs was the longest continuously operating drugstore in Albuquerque, serving the community for over a century before closing in 2017. In the 1980s, Maclovia Read More
Robinson: Medical Malpractice Bill Exposed Willful Ignorance And Conflicts Of Interest
By SHERRY ROBINSON
All She Wrote
© 2026 New Mexico News Services
Sen. Joe Cervantes was litigating House Bill 99, the medical malpractice reform bill, on the Senate floor, and he had plenty to say.
Two days earlier, Cervantes, a trial lawyer, had defanged HB 99 with amendments in the Senate Judiciary Committee, which he chairs. Now, in a floor fight, he was grilling Sen. Crystal Brantley, R-Elephant Butte, who was trying to strip the Cervantes amendments and restore HB 99 to its original language. Cervantes droned on about legal points in what Brantley characterized as “a back-and-forth, condescending Read More
LAHS Students Celebrate American Indian Day At State Capitol
Students from the Los Alamos High School Native American Cultural Club visited the State Capitol as part of the American Indian Day celebration. Photo by Sal Zapien/LAPS
LAHS students pose for a photo with Sen. Leo Jaramillo D-Los Alamos. Photo by Sal Zapien/LAPS
LAPS News:
Twenty-two students from the Los Alamos High School Native American Cultural Club were part of the celebration of American Indian Day at the State Capitol.
The visit included a ceremony in the rotunda which began with an invocation by Governor Benny Lujan, Pueblo of Ohkay Owingeh, followed by the posting of Colors by the Jicarilla Read More