Weekly Fishing Report: Feb.19, 2026
By GEORGE MORSE
Sports and Outdoors
Los Alamos Daily Post
The warm winter weather has appears to have ended a brief ice-fishing season here in Northern New Mexico. Eagle Nest Lake was open for about a week, but deteriorating ice conditions led to its closure. Fenton Lake has yet to open for ice fishing, along with Lake Maloya and Lake Alice at Sugarite Canyon State Park have not opened for ice fishing.
There was very limited stocking activity in Northern New Mexico this past week. This week’s fishing report will be short.
Small streams at higher elevations are starting to ice up. The Rio Pueblo, Santa Read More
Girl Scout Cookie Booths Launch This Weekend Across NM
Courtesy photo
GSNMT News:
ALBUQUERQUE — Girl Scouts of New Mexico Trails invites cookie lovers across northern & central New Mexico to celebrate National Girl Scout Cookie Weekend, taking place Feb. 20–22.
This celebratory weekend also marks the official kickoff of community booth sales, as local troops begin setting up shop at storefronts and locations throughout the region. National Girl Scout Cookie Weekend is an annual event where Girl Scouts nationwide promote their sales and flex their entrepreneurial spirit through the iconic Girl Scout Cookie Program®. Every purchase makes Read More
Medigap Bill Passes House, Heads To Governor’s Desk
ALTSD News:
SANTA FE — A bill giving more than 70,000 New Mexicans who rely on Medicare supplement insurance to cover out-of-pocket health costs the freedom to change their coverage each year—without risking denial over pre-existing conditions – passed the House late Tuesday and heads to the governor’s desk.
Senate Bill 21, sponsored by Senators Wilson, Woods, Campos, Hickey, Stefanics and Representative Szczepanski, establishes a “birthday rule” for Medicare supplement insurance (Medigap) policyholders. The measure allows eligible enrollees to switch to a plan with equal or lesser Read More
Legislative Roundup: 1 Day Left In Session
Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham speaks to students, educators and professionals during STEM day in the rotunda at the state Capitol on Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2026. Nathan Burton/The New Mexican
The Santa Fe New Mexican Staff Report:
Health care loan repayment: House Bill 66, an expansion of the state’s student loan repayment program for doctors, passed the Senate unanimously with little discussion Wednesday afternoon.
It now heads to Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham’s desk.
The measure would allow a doctor to receive up to $75,000 per year over four years of service in New Mexico, for a total Read More
$1.25 Billion Capital Outlay Bill Nears The Finish Line
By LILY ALEXANDER
The Santa Fe New Mexican
The New Mexico Legislature is set allocate more than $1.255 billion for building projects throughout the state in the next fiscal year, including more than $175 million in pork barrel spending in the capital city and Santa Fe County.
Senate Bill 240, which soared through the Senate on Wednesday and was still waiting for a vote on the House floor before the session’s final hour, includes at least $7.3 million in capital outlay for city of Santa Fe projects and more than $8 million for the county government. A large portion of funding in the county—$95 Read More
Pets Of The Week: Meet Ellie And Pacquiao
Ellie is over halfway through her training in our Paws in the Pen training program at the Penitentiary of New Mexico. She is a black beauty with brindled socks, bat ears, and a cute kiss of sunshine on her cheeks. Ellie has soft eyes and a tender heart set permanently to ‘friend mode’. She greets the world with full-body wiggles, enjoys canine company, could share space with a cat, and is happiest splitting her time between adventures and couch-side devotion. Affection is her love language. Apply on the Española Humane website to schedule a meet and greet. Española Humane is open to walk-in adopters Read More
New Mexico Legislature Passes Senate Bill 29 To Strengthen Math Education Statewide
Public Education Secretary Mariana D. Padilla
NMPED News:
SANTA FE — The New Mexico Legislature has passed Senate Bill 29 (SB 29), bipartisan legislation designed to strengthen mathematics instruction and improve student outcomes in public schools across the state.
SB 29 establishes a comprehensive framework to enhance math teaching and learning, including stronger preparation requirements for educators, expanded professional development and early identification of students who may need additional support in mathematics.
Beginning in the 2027–2028 school year, schools will Read More
LAFD: Preparedness Is Great Tool Against Wildfires
An example of defensible zones for a residence. Courtesy/LAC
By KIRSTEN LASKEY
Los Alamos Daily Post
kirsten@ladailypost.com
It is only February and there are already fires igniting in New Mexico.
During the Los Alamos County Council work session Feb. 10, Wildland Division Chief Van Leimer reported that this month there are two wildfires in the eastern part of the state. One is about 4,000 acres and the second is approximately 3,500 acres, he said. Luckily, they are grass fires and as of Feb. 10, Leimer said both were 70 percent contained.
It isn’t looking good for the rest of the country, either. Read More
New Mexico Legislature Passes Senate Bill 64 To Strengthen Support For Students With Disabilities
NMPED News:
SANTA FE — The New Mexico Legislature has passed Senate Bill 64 (SB 64), landmark legislation to improve and modernize special education services for students with disabilities across the state.
SB 64 creates the Special Education Act within the New Mexico Public School Code and codifies the Office of Special Education (OSE) within the New Mexico Public Education Department. The bill establishes the role of deputy secretary for special education, who will report directly to the public education secretary and lead efforts to ensure students with disabilities receive high-quality, Read More
David Krueger Discusses Role As Los Alamos County’s New Public Information Officer
Los Alamos County Public Information Officer Dave Krueger stops by the Los Alamos Daily Post newsroom. Photo by Kirsten Laskey/ladailypost.com
By KIRSTEN LASKEY
Los Alamos Daily Post
kirsten@ladailypost.com
For about 26 years, Dave Krueger’s office was essentially the great outdoors.
He worked for the National Park Service in North Carolina, Yellowstone National Park, and most recently Valles Caldera National Preserve. Then, the opportunity to serve the public as the Los Alamos County Public Information Officer appeared so Krueger decided to move his work inside.
Krueger officially Read More
Jury Finds Angel Fire Mayor Knowingly Violated Procurement Code In State Ethics Commission Enforcement Action
New Mexico State Ethics Commission News:
ALBUQUERQUE – A Colfax County jury returned a verdict in favor of the New Mexico State Ethics Commission in State Ethics Commission ex rel. Village of Angel Fire v. Lindsey, et al., finding that Angel Fire Mayor Barry Lindsey knowingly violated the New Mexico Procurement Code in connection with a $1 million contract awarded to Carristo Creative Consulting LLC.
The verdict was returned on Feb. 17, 2026, following a jury trial in the Eighth Judicial District Court in Raton, N.M., before the Honorable Steven Romero. The jury found that Mayor Lindsey knowingly Read More
Spaceport America Hosts Student Rocket Launches
New Mexico State University students pose with their rockets ahead of a series of NAR certification flights at Spaceport America on Saturday, Feb. 14, 2026. Courtesy/William Gutman
An NMSU student rocket takes off from Spaceport America’s Horizontal Launch Area on Saturday, Feb. 14, 2026. Courtesy/William Gutman
Students and supervisors from the Albuquerque Civil Air Patrol pose with their rocket ahead of a series of test flights at Spaceport America on Saturday, Feb. 14, 2026. Courtesy/William Gutman
SPACEPORT AMERICA News:
LAS CRUCES — Students from New Mexico State University Read More
House Advances Tax Package With 1% Raise For New Mexico Workers, State Budget
By DANIEL J. CHACÓN
The Santa Fe New Mexican
Proposed 1% raises for state government employees that were stripped from New Mexico’s spending plan in House Bill 2 to fund other priorities found a lifeline Wednesday in an unlikely place: an omnibus tax package.
“When … our people are left out in the cold with their pockets not as full as they could be, we have to do something to make it right,” Rep. Derrick Lente, D-Sandia Pueblo, said before the House passed the tax package, Senate Bill 151, on a 43-19 vote.
The tax package has an estimated total capacity of $110 million, generated by “decoupling” Read More
Daily Postcard: Beautiful Sunrise Over Velarde
Daily Postcard: A beautiful sunrise viewed early Wednesday from Velarde. Photo by Johnnie Martinez Read More
Catch Of The Week: Substack Data Breach
By REBECCA RUTHERFORD
Los Alamos
For the Los Alamos Daily Post
Substack is one of those platforms that feels personal. You subscribe to newsletters you actually want, you hear directly from the writers you like, and most of the time you don’t expect to get hit with the digital equivalent of finding someone rifled through your junk drawer. But that is exactly what happened with a recent data breach.
Security researchers have confirmed that a data breach exposed email addresses and phone numbers for many Substack users. That means if you have ever signed up for Substack, your contact info might be Read More
Last-Ditch Proposal Would Aid New Mexico Communities Set To Lose ICE Revenue
The Roundhouse in Santa Fe. Post file photo
By CLARA BATES
The Santa Fe New Mexican
Editor’s note: If the House takes action on this bill tonight there may be an updated version.
Local governments in New Mexico affected by the state’s decision to ban contracts with the federal government to hold immigration detainees could receive “bridge funding” under legislation the Senate passed unanimously Wednesday.
The Senate’s vote to pass Senate Bill 273 came with only around 24 hours before the end of this year’s regular legislative session. The bill, which also cleared two Senate committees with Read More
Robinson: One-sided Clear Horizons Act Failed In Senate
By SHERRY ROBINSON
All She Wrote
© 2026 New Mexico News Services
The Clear Horizons Act was another of those bills we’ve seen so often in New Mexico that balances the environment against the economy. In a floor vote, the Senate chose the economy.
Senate Bill 18 was one of those marquee bills that got a lot of attention before and during the session. Senate President Mimi Stewart, D-Albuquerque, revamped the bill she carried last year. It would help reduce natural disasters driven by climate change if legislators could cement greenhouse gas reductions in state law, supporters believed.
I’m not Read More
SFO: Opera Makes Sense – Family Concerts!
SFO News:
The thrill of opera isn’t exclusively reserved for adults! Opera Makes Sense was created for children ages 3 to 5 to explore the world of opera through music and family-friendly storytelling.
The talented Young Voices of the Santa Fe Opera will present an exciting learning environment through opera performances and book readings.
Schedule:
Saturday, Feb. 28 at 1 p.m.
Santa Fe Public Library – Main
145 Washington Ave, Santa Fe, NM 87501
Sunday, March 1 at 2 p.m.
Placitas Community Library
453 Hwy 165, Placitas, NM 87043
Saturday, March 21 at 1 p.m.
Santa Fe Public Library – Read More
Atomic Fiber Chosen Community Broadband Network Name
COUNTY News:
Los Alamos County has announced the results of the community broadband network naming survey.
Thanks to enthusiastic participation, “Atomic Fiber” won in a landslide, taking more than two-thirds of the votes.
Atomic Fiber will be a publicly owned infrastructure just like a road or sewer line. As an open-access network, multiple Internet Service Providers (ISPs) will use the same fiber to offer service, allowing for greater competition, more choice, and potentially lower costs for consumers if they choose to use the network.
Visit the Atomic Fiber: Community Broadband Network Read More
Dr. Lee Lui: Happy Chinese New Year!
Artist Xu Beihong’s famous brush painting of a horse. Courtesy photoBy Dr. LEE LUI
Los Alamos
Dear Los Alamos and New Mexico,
Happy Chinese New Year, the Year of the Horse!
Horse presence, power and freedom, look at those who are running in the open field in the west.
Horse presence, passion and wisdom, their joy and love for life, and to live honestly in the present,
Horse presence, transformation and moving forward, to change from a passenger to the driver of your own destiny.
So many heartfelt stories filled with those intelligent animals. We