Post-Session Op-Ed From NM House Leadership
By New Mexico House Speaker Javier Martínez (D-Albuquerque), House Majority Floor Leader Reena Szczepanski (D-Santa Fe, House Majority Whip Day Hochman-Vigil (D-Albuquerque), and House Majority Caucus Chair Raymundo Lara (D-Chamber)
In January, House Democrats laid out plans to make life better and more affordable for New Mexico families by expanding access to healthcare, building a sustainable universal childcare system, and protecting our communities from harm.
Over the last several weeks, we have delivered on those promises and more, in a productive, fast-paced 30-day legislative Read More
Local Authors To Host Book Reading At Samizdat March 6
Local authors Kelly Dolejsi, left, and Tara Downing will read from their books Friday, March 6, at Samizdat. Courtesy photo
COMMUNITY News:
Ever wonder what the cows would think of a bull dancing in glitter? Or whether the small brown birds bobbing in the pines are actually cinnamon-feathered sonnets?
Find out this week, when Samizdat hosts local authors Tara Downing and Kelly Dolejsi for a reading at 6 p.m. Friday, March 6, at the bookstore, 174 Central Park Square. A book signing will follow the reading, which will include new material as well as excerpts from their published work. Books will Read More
NMSP Arrests Juvenile For Homicide In Buena Vista
NMSP News:
Feb. 20, 2026, at approximately 1:52 a.m., the New Mexico State Police (NMSP) Investigations Bureau investigated a homicide at 69 County Road C011 in Buena Vista, N.M.
Earlier that morning, at approximately 12:44 a.m., NMSP Dispatch received a call regarding 10 to 15 gunshots being heard in the area of 69 County Road C011, possibly coming from a white pickup truck.
Approximately 2 minutes later, Uniform Bureau officers were dispatched to 69 County Road C011 in reference to a male who had been shot. Officers arrived on scene and observed individuals performing CPR on the victim, later Read More
Republican Party Of New Mexico To Hold Candidate Debates At 2026 Pre-Primary Convention March 6-7
RPNM News:
ALBUQUERQUE — The Republican Party of New Mexico’s (RPNM) 2026 Pre-Primary Convention & Debate Night is scheduled for Friday, March 6 and Saturday, March 7.
DEBATE NIGHT:
- WHO: Candidates running for the following offices,
- Governor, Lieutenant Governor, and Congressional District 2 (NM-2)
- WHAT: 2026 Pre-Primary Convention Debate Night
- WHEN: Friday, March 6, at 5-8 p.m.
- WHERE: Ruidoso Convention Center: 111 Sierra Blanca Drive in Ruidoso
CONVENTION:
- WHO: Qualified Candidates for the Preprimary Convention Designation
- WHAT: 2026 Pre-Primary Convention
- WHEN:
County To Host Public Meeting On Denver Steels Phase III Improvements March 5 In Council Chambers
Map of the Denver Steels Phase III Improvements project area. Courtesy/LAC
COUNTY News:
Los Alamos County will host a public meeting on the Denver Steels Phase III Improvements project at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, March 5, in Council Chambers at the Municipal Building, 1000 Central Ave.
This effort is a joint initiative between Public Works and the Department of Public Utilities and involves reconstruction of Ridgeway Drive, Questa Drive and Pueblo Drive between 34th and 35th streets. It also includes the connector streets 34th and 35th between Pueblo Drive and Ridgeway Drive.
Board Of Public Utilities To Hold Work Session March 4
COUNTY News:
The Los Alamos County Board of Public Utilities will hold a work session at 5:30 p.m., Wednesday, March 4, in Council Chambers at the Municipal Building, 1000 Central Ave.
The meeting is open to the public.
Members of the public may view proceedings online or attend and provide public comment in person or via Zoom at https://us06web.zoom.us/j/87563449773.
The complete agenda packet is available online at https://losalamos.legistar.com/Calendar.aspx.
Watch BPU meetings at ladpu.com/BPULiveProceedings. Read More
LAPS Foundation: How To Impact A Classroom Today
A few of Esther Smidt’s students flip through their new Geronimo Stilton books received through the LAPS Foundation’s Shower with Love Campaign. Courtesy/LAPS Foundation
From the LAPS Foundation:
Mountain Elementary School teacher Esther Smidt heard about the LAPS Foundation’s Shower with Love fundraiser and quickly signed up for specific items she knew would enhance the learning in her classroom.
For Esther and her kindergarten students, that was new books for the classroom. A week later, her wish list items were fulfilled and her students were happily reading through their Geronimo Read More
This Week In Sports: March 2-7, 2025

SPORTS News:
This week the Los Alamos High School Hilltoppers have softball and baseball games at home and away and Track and Field in Albuquerque.
The Topper sports games are covered by the Los Alamos Daily Post sports team, which includes John McHale, Mike Cote and Nate Limback.
This Week’s Hilltopper Sports Schedule:
March 2 Monday
- Softball vs Belen Away – 6 p.m.
March 5 Thursday
- Baseball at SPX Arguello Invite St. Pius – TBD
- Softball vs Valencia Home – 4 p.m.
March 6 Friday
- Baseball at SPX Arguello Invite St. Pius – TBD
March 7 Saturday
- Girls/Boys Track and Field vs ABQ Academy Away – 3 p.m.
- Baseball
Community Invited To Presentation On Understanding Homelessness On Sunday March 15 At United Church
CYFD Ends Overnight Office Stays For Children
CYFD Acting Secretary Valerie Sandoval
STATE News:
SANTA FE — Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham announced Friday that the Children, Youth and Families Department (CYFD) has officially ended the practice of placing children overnight in CYFD offices, eliminating a burden on children in CYFD custody and the staff who have cared for them.
Children and youth previously staying in CYFD offices have been placed in safe and appropriate settings following CYFD’s creation of a new system to ensure safe placements for all children in its care now and into the future.
“Every child in New Mexico deserves a safe Read More
Daily Postcard: Strange Trio & Waxing Gibbous Moon
Daily Postcard: Strange Trio sculpture at Overlook Park in White Rock with a waxing gibbous moon shown at just the right angle. This astrophotography image was achieved with post-processing and blending in Affinity Photo 2. A waxing gibbous moon is visible between a first quarter moon and full moon. People often see a waxing gibbous moon in the afternoon, shortly after moonrise, while it is ascending in the east as the sun is descending in the west. The word gibbous comes from a root word that means hump-backed. Source: earthsky.org. Photo by Steve Bublitz Read More
Los Alamos Public School Students Encouraged To Participate In Summer Learning
LAPS News:
Los Alamos Public Schools (LAPS) is excited to participate in this year’s Literacy NM Summer Program. This program will provide small group specialized reading and math instruction for students who have completed kindergarten through 7th grade.
This program will take the place of the traditional summer school or camp that the district has provided in recent years.
All LAPS students who would like to improve their reading and math skills are invited to enroll on the state portal – NM Summer Reading Program website: (https://www.literacy.nm.gov/#). Families are encouraged Read More
Bathtub Row Brewing Co-op Selected To Pursue New Golf Course Hospitality Concept

Bathtub Row Brewing Co-op News:
Los Alamos Beer Cooperative, doing business as Bathtub Row Brewing Co-op (BRBC), has been selected by Los Alamos County to move forward with a proposal to operate a food-and-beverage concept at the Los Alamos Golf Course. Having reached an agreement in principle, final approval of the proposal remains subject to review and agreement by both the Los Alamos County Council and the LABC Board of Directors.
If approved, the proposed operation would be known as The 19th Hole Sports Pub and would expand Bathtub Row’s work into food service while complementing its existing Read More
McQuiston: Why Modern Headlights Are Blinding Everyone … And What That Means For Accidents
By ALLEN MCQUISTONJemez Insurance Agency
Serving Los Alamos Since 1963
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Brighter;
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Whiter (often slightly blue); and
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Designed to project farther.
The Maupin Group’s Isaiah Garcia Partners With LA Cares Volunteers To Bring Joy To Community
Isaiah Garcia of The Maupin Group at RE/MAX First, left, and LA Cares volunteers partnered to create something joyful for the community. Courtesy/The Maupin Group
By RYAN MAUPIN
The Maupin Group
RE/MAX First
A new community tradition was lighting up Los Alamos and White Rock this past holiday season. The Los Alamos Christmas Lights Map was alive, inviting families to experience the simple joy of driving through town, admiring all the holiday displays.
The idea for the Los Alamos Christmas Lights Map began with Isaiah Garcia of The Maupin Group at RE/MAX First, who partnered with LA Cares, a Read More
Ricky Serna Appointed NM Deputy State Treasurer
Newly appointed Deputy State Treasurer Ricky Serna
From the Office of the State Treasurer:
SANTA FE – The New Mexico State Treasurer’s Office (STO) has announced the appointment of Ricky Serna as Deputy State Treasurer. Treasurer Laura Montoya appointed Serna to succeed Deputy Janice Y. Barela who is retiring after 25 years of service.
Serna brings a wealth of experience from his previous roles as Acting Cabinet Secretary for the Department of Workforce Solutions, Acting Director for the State Personnel Office, and co-leadership for the Higher Education Department during the COVID-19 Read More
Community Advocates Applaud Cleanup Of Abandoned Mining Materials On The Gila National Forest
The Gila National Forest Challenge Venture Mill Site. Courtesy/USDA Forest Service
WILDEARTH GUARDIANS News:
SILVER CITY — The U.S. Forest Service announced on Thursday that it will begin the cleanup of mining materials at the abandoned Challenge Venture Mill near Mogollon, approximately eight miles northeast of Glenwood, N.M.
Conservation and community advocates applauded the cleanup, which is a result of years of advocacy from local community members and WildEarth Guardians. The Challenge Venture mill site, a 40-plus-year-old mining facility that was shut down by the EPA in 1985, Read More
Martinez: Protecting Financial Well-Being Of Our Small Businesses Is Essential To Sustaining Strong Community Ties And Economic Stability Of Los Alamos
By LIDDIE MARTINEZ
President, Los Alamos Region
Enterprise Bank & Trust, Member FDIC
As we settle into 2026, I encourage all of our small business owners to take a moment to review their fraud prevention plans. Since many local businesses don’t have large security departments, planning ahead is an important step we can take to protect ourselves.
The world of fraud is changing rapidly, driven more recently by artificial intelligence (AI). This means scams are faster, more convincing and much harder to recognize. Those old red flags, like awkward emails or clunky visuals, are disappearing, Read More
Mountain To Celebrate 75 Years With Afternoon Tea

Mountain News:
Mountain Elementary School will host an afternoon tea,1-4 p.m. Saturday, March 7, in the gymnasium at Mountain, to celebrate 75 years.
There will be finger foods, music, and school tours for alumni. There will be live music. Current students must be accompanied by a family member.
To RSVP, click here: RSVP 3/7 Tea or email m.lee@laschools.net, also there is information on a drive to send photos, at https://photos.app.goo.gl/CJhhXRgRAVuxi5Vd6.
Anyone with Mountain School memorabilia is asked to drop it off at the office, and please include their name. Thank you!
Commemorative Read More
Cowboy Breakfast At Sheriff’s Posse Lodge Sunday
Sheriff’s Posse News:
The Los Alamos County Sheriff’s Posse is hosting its monthly Cowboy Breakfast this Sunday, March 1.
The breakfast is served 7-11 a.m. at the Sheriff’s Posse Lodge at 650 North Mesa Road, near the North Mesa Stables.
The all-you-can-eat breakfast includes:
- Pancakes – Banana, Blueberry, Chocolate Chip and Plain;
- Scrambled eggs;
- Sausage;
- Bacon; and
- Coffee, Tea and Orange Juice.
The price is $10 for adults, $5 for children 4-10 years of age, and free for those 0-3.
Proceeds this month go to benefit LA Band Boosters, a 501(c)(3) non-profit. Read More
