New Mexico Senate Passes Universal Child Care
Bill Sponsor Sen. George Muñoz, D-Gallup
STATE News:
SANTA FE — The New Mexico Senate voted Thursday to pass legislation establishing universal child care while protecting the program’s accessibility for working families across the state.
Senate Bill 241, sponsored by Sen. George Muñoz (D-Gallup) and approved on a 25-15 vote, would provide child care to New Mexico families without mandatory co-pays except under specific economic conditions such as inflation or declining oil revenues. If economic triggers are met, co-pays would begin only for families earning above 600% of the Read More
Come On Community! Let’s ‘Shower’ Our Teachers At Los Alamos Public Schools With Love!
LAPS Foundation News:
Wish you could show a particular teacher a little extra love? Now you can.
The Los Alamos Public Schools Foundation is once again sponsoring a community-wide campaign to “Shower” LAPS teachers with much-needed classroom supplies and resources.
From Feb. 14 through March 17, community members are invited to visit https://showerlove26.givesmart.com to donate any amount toward a teacher’s wish list item.
Once a donation goal for an item is fulfilled, the LAPS Foundation will purchase the item directly for the teacher. It’s a simple, meaningful way to show appreciation Read More
Los Alamos Geological Society To Meet Tuesday
LAGS News:
The Los Alamos Geological Society (LAGS) will meet at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 17, at the Los Alamos Christian Church at 92 East Road.
The guest speaker will be Samuel Perry who will give a presentation summarizing new discoveries in the uranyl sulfate and uranyl carbonate mineral published in the past 15 years (approximately 55 minerals). He will also provide evidence for the existence of natural hollow-cage uranyl carbonate nanoclusters in water, determine the enthalpy of formation of five uranyl sulfate mineral phases and review the structural relationships of every uranyl sulfate Read More
Scenes From Julie Williams-Hill’s Retirement Event
Los Alamos County Manager Anne Laurent, left, reads the inscription on the Nambé plaque she is presenting to Julie Williams-Hill at her retirement event Thursday afternoon in Council Chambers, thanking her for 24 years of dedication to Los Alamos County. Williams-Hill served as public information officer for the Department of Public Utilities and the County. Photo by Carol A. Clarkladailypost.com/
Scene from the retirement event on Thursday afternoon in Council Chambers honoring Los Alamos County Public Information Officer Julie Williams-Hill and thanking her for 24 years of dedication Read More
New Mexico STABLE $25 Match Incentive Extended Throughout 2026
State Treasurer Laura M. Montoya
From the State Treasurer’s Office:
SANTA FE — The New Mexico State Treasurer’s Achieving a Better Life Experience (NM STABLE) program is announcing the extension of its $25 match incentive offer for new accountholders.
NM STABLE is an award-winning savings and investment vehicle designed to allow New Mexicans with disabilities to save for disability-related expenses without losing eligibility for public benefits such as Medicaid or Supplemental Security Income (SSI).
New NM STABLE accountholders who open any NM STABLE account and deposit at least $25 Read More
Vitalant Shares February Blood Drive Schedule
Three opportunities to donate blood with Vitalant in February. Sign up today at www.vitalant.org or call 877.258.4825. Photo by Bernadette Lauritzen
COMMUNITY News:
February is National Heart Health Awareness Month and Vitalant would like to bring much-needed awareness to the community about how important transfusions are to the critical aspect of managing cardiac surgery patients (link). An estimated 50% of cardiac surgery patients require a blood transfusion, and with this being the month of love, Vitalant is inviting the community to help.
To celebrate Valentine’s Day, Vitalant Read More
Obituary: Maryanne Frances Meyer Feb. 11, 1939–Feb. 9, 2026
MARYANNE FRANCES MEYER Feb. 11, 1939 – Feb. 9, 2026
With profound sadness and endless love, we announce the passing of our beautiful mother, Maryanne Frances Meyer, on Feb 9, 2026, surrounded by those who loved her dearly.
Maryanne was the heart of our family — a woman of grace, strength, and unwavering love. She lived her life with kindness and compassion, always placing others before herself. Her smile could light up a room, and her laughter was a comfort that made even the hardest days brighter.
Maryanne was a native New Yorker, born in Bay Shore, Long Island, New York to William and Beatrice Behounek. Read More
County Inclusivity Task Force Set To Meet Feb. 18
EDD Empowers Communities With Free Technical Assistance
NMEDD News:
SANTA FE — The New Mexico Economic Development Department will provide free professional technical assistance to four communities to strengthen their local economies through its New Mexico MainStreet program.
The Project-Based Initiatives program provides technical support for economic development projects in rural and urban communities for 12-24 months. Proposals are accepted on a rolling basis and must produce direct economic development outcomes in the form of business retention/creation, job creation and/or property investment.
“Local governments in New Mexico Read More
County Invites Public To Speed Engagement Sessions
COUNTY News:
Looking for a quick connection in these busy times? The Los Alamos Department of Public Utilities is hosting “Speed Engagement Sessions” in early March—a fast-paced opportunity to share your ideas about water and energy conservation and efficiency.
Think of it like speed dating, but instead of finding your soulmate, you’ll help DPU find its next conservation program.
As your public utility provider, DPU needs and values your input. These sessions are part of updating our Water and Energy Conservation Plan (WECP), a required document outlining conservation efforts Read More
CRRUA To Pay Nearly $200K For Drinking Water Violations
NMED News:
SANTA FE — The New Mexico Environment Department today announced a settlement with the Camino Real Regional Utility Authority of five violations committed by the utility since 2023.
The settlement includes a penalty of $189,000, including a “bad faith” enhancement due to CRRUA’s repeated lack of accountability during the enforcement process. The funds will be deposited into the State’s Water Conservation Fund, which supports required water quality sampling and operator training assistance for public water systems statewide.
“The Environment Department has for years worked Read More
State Broadband Officials Tout Investments, Push For Affordability Program
Jeff Lopez, director of the New Mexico Office of Broadband Access, reviews his notes in between presenters during Broadband Day at the state Capitol on Thursday, Feb. 12, 2026. Gabriela Campos/The New Mexican
By MARGARET O’HARA
The Santa Fe New Mexican
Ramah has just a handful of restaurants and few paved roads.
But it’s also home to some 240 miles of fiber internet cables—with plans to add 175 more miles of the connective cables soon, said Margaret Merrill, owner of Oso Internet Solutions, a broadband company that serves Ramah in Western New Mexico and surrounding communities. Read More
New Documents Added To Los Alamos Legacy Cleanup Electronic Public Reading Room On Behalf Of EM-LA
LANL News:
New documents have been added to the Los Alamos Legacy Cleanup Contract Electronic Public Reading Room.
All legacy cleanup documents required to be posted after April 30, 2018, are available on the site linked above.
For legacy cleanup documents that were posted prior to April 30, 2018, please visit the LANL electronic public reading room.
- Review, Notice of Completion of Off-Site Waste Shipments for Final Disposal, Activity 4.0, Compliance Plan, Site Treatment Plan, Federal Facility Compliance Order, Los Alamos National Laboratory [November 5, 6, 13 shipments]
https://ext.em-la.doe.gov/GovFTPFiles/api/GetFiles/GetFile?fileName=EMID-704177_NMED_Review_STP_Shipment_Nov+5%2C+6%2C+13_020926.pdf
U16 Girls FC Rogue Show Strong Start To Spring Season
U16 girls Los Alamos FC Rogue opened the spring club soccer season at the Desert Classic Tournament in Phoenix, Arizona Feb. 7-8, building momentum, scoring 4 goals, and strengthening team chemistry for the season ahead. Courtesy photo Read More
New Mexico Senate Passes Initiative To Address Critical Shortage Of Healthcare Professionals
STATE News:
SANTA FE — New Mexico Senate Democrats marked the passage Feb. 11 of Senate Bill 14 on the Senate Floor, a piece of legislation aimed to significantly expand the state’s Health Professional Loan Repayment Program to attract and retain healthcare providers in underserved communities across New Mexico.
Sponsored by Senators Martin Hickey (D – Albuquerque) and Natalie Figueroa (D – Albuquerque), SB 14 has received strong bipartisan support throughout the legislative process, passing unanimously through both the Senate Health and Public Affairs Committee (10-0) and the Read More
Hit The Slopes For Valentine’s Day—Pajarito Open Friday Through Monday With Snow In Forecast
Courtesy/Pajarito
PAJARITO News:
President’s Day weekend is here and we’re stretching it out — Pajarito is open Friday through Monday, so you’ve got four full days to get on the mountain. AND there’s snow in the forecast!
Skip the dinner reservations and treat your Valentine to something better: snow, groomer laps, and hot cocoa on the deck.
Whether you’re carving turns with your favorite person or sneaking in some solo runs, there’s no better way to spend the long weekend. Grab your tickets online for the best price—plus $10 in Bird Bucks to spend on Read More
PAC 8 Community Media Center: Feb. 13-19, 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. 13-19, 2026
Friday, Feb. 13, 2026
- 6 a.m. — Democracy Now! – Live
- 10 a.m. — The Thom Hartmann Program
- 11 a.m. — County Council Replay 2-10-26
- 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
- 8
Family Strengths Network Offers New Monthly Support Group For Divorced Women
FSN News:
Family Strengths Network (FSN) has a new support group they would like the community to know about. The Next Chapter is a safe, compassionate space for women* connected with Los Alamos who are experiencing divorce or separation—whether it’s recent, ongoing, or years in the rearview mirror.
This group will provide opportunities for connection, shared experience, and support. Meetings may include guest speakers, helpful resources, and community connections focused on healing, personal growth, and navigating life transitions. The group is not about fixing or rushing the process, Read More
Obituary: Rhonda Lou Vigil Feb. 12, 1950 – Jan. 21, 2026
RHONDA LOU VIGIL Feb. 12, 1950 – Jan. 21, 2026
Rhonda Lou Vigil passed away peacefully at home in Albuquerque, NM, on Wednesday morning, January 21, 2026.
Rhonda Lou Adams was born February 12, 1950, in Albuquerque, NM. Many of her family’s stories and her childhood memories were in the home where she was born.
Rhonda was the youngest of five daughters born to Aline Adams, and the only daughter of Isaac Adams.
Rhonda met her husband, Robert L. Vigil, at Del Norte High School when they were both 15 years old. They were married on June 1, 1968. They had a son, Robert, in 1969. Robert was born in Albuquerque.
