NMDOT Cabinet Secretary Ricky Serna To Resign
Secretary Ricky Serna
From the Office of the Governor:
SANTA FE – New Mexico Department of Transportation (NMDOT) Secretary Ricky Serna will resign his position effective Feb. 20 after three-and-a-half years in the role.
Before leading NMDOT, Serna served as acting secretary of the Department of Workforce Solutions and the acting director of the State Personnel Office.
“I thank the Governor for the confidence she put in me to serve my fellow New Mexicans,” Cabinet Secretary Serna said. “You have my commitment to a strong transition and my assurance that a capable and engaged team Read More
‘Magic Paintbrush: Painting Peace And Healing’ Show Ends Wednesday At Step Up Gallery In Mesa Public Library
Unveiling the Magic by Feather Redfox. Courtesy/Step Up Gallery
Step Up Gallery News:
There are only a few days left to see “Magic Paintbrush: Painting Peace and Healing” in Step Up Gallery at Mesa Public Library.
The last day to see this work is Wednesday.
Artist Feather Redfox has created more than 60 large, colorful acrylic paintings for this exhibit. The paintings are heartfelt and thought-provoking. With each painting she explores a topic, a question or a phrase that intrigues her. As she paints, Redfox looks for direction from her spirit guides.
She gave a gallery talk at the opening reception Read More
Update On 1,000 Acre Wildfire In Quay County
New Mexico Forestry Division News:
The New Mexico Forestry Division has issued an update on a wildfire that is requiring the attention of suppression resources in New Mexico.
The 352 Fire was discovered at 12:30 p.m. today, Feb. 9, near I-40, mile marker 352, north of San Jon in Quay County.
The fire is wind-driven from the southwest and moving through grass and brush. Structures are threatened, and smoke is visible from Interstate 40 and the surrounding areas.
State Road 469 is closed north of San Jon. Residents should take caution and avoid the area.
The fire is estimated Read More
Friends Of History Calling For Volunteers To Become Walking History Tour Docents—Register Now For Training
FOH News:
The Friends of History of the New Mexico History Museum invite you to become a docent for our Walking Tours of Historic Downtown Santa Fe. Our docents use their training and personality to engage visitors and locals for two hours with insights into the major events, real-life characters, important landmarks and diverse cultures that have shaped Santa Fe and New Mexico for more than 400 years. You’ll do this while walking the picturesque streets of historic downtown Santa Fe.
Friends of History is a volunteer nonprofit organization championing New Mexico since 2017. Our signature Read More
House Unanimously Passes Behavioral Health Compacts To Expand Access To Care
STATE News:
SANTA FE — Feb. 6, the House of Representatives unanimously passed House Bill 32: the Counseling Licensure Compact and House Bill 33: the Psychology Interjurisdictional Compact to expand access to behavioral and mental healthcare in New Mexico.
HB 32 and HB 33 round out the list of 10 compact bills introduced this session, all of which have unanimously passed the House, with two signed into law by the Governor this morning (SB 1, HB 50). These important pieces of legislation enter New Mexico into interstate compacts, which allow licensed, qualified healthcare providers in other Read More
Senate Approves $92 Million For State Fairgrounds Project
STATE News:
SANTA FE — The New Mexico Senate approved Senate Bill 48 on Feb. 6, which would authorize $92 million in bonds for the State Fairgrounds project and advance the next phase of redevelopment in Albuquerque’s International District.
The legislation, sponsored by Senate President Pro Tempore Mimi Stewart and Representative Janelle Anyanonu, now moves to the House of Representatives.
“Today’s Senate vote moves us one step closer to a historic revitalization of the International District and central Albuquerque,” Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham said. “This bonding authority Read More
New Mexico 2026 ProStart Invitational To Highlight Student Culinary Skills
NMRA News:
ALBUQUERQUE — The Hospitality Industry Education Foundation (HIEF) and New Mexico Restaurant Association (NMRA) will host the 23rd Annual New Mexico ProStart Invitational in Albuquerque, New Mexico on March 9, 2026, at the Albuquerque Convention Center. More than 90 top ProStart students from across the state will demonstrate their mastery of restaurant leadership skills in Culinary and Management in a fast-paced competition to win their share of generous post-secondary scholarships. The 1st place team in each category will be crowned the State Champions and represent New Read More
Rep. Vasquez Supports Funding to Protect Women & Kids From Abuse
Rep. Vasquez with Angelica Calderon, Executive Director of La Piñon Sexual Assault Recovery Services in Las Cruces. Photo courtesy of the Office of Rep. Vasquez
STATE News:
LAS CRUCES — Feb. 6, U.S. Rep. Gabe Vasquez (NM-02) visited La Piñon Sexual Assault Recovery Services in Las Cruces, where he met with the Executive Director, program directors, and other staff. During the visit, La Piñon staff reported that the Administration’s actions and current political climate have eroded community trust, causing a 50% drop in local residents seeking their services — particularly in southern Doña Read More
St. John’s College Seniors To Ring Bell In Annual Tradition
SJC News:
SANTA FE — The bell of St. John’s College’s Weigle Hall will ring Saturday night, as nearly 100 students continue an annual tradition that marks a senior rite of passage. Each of this year’s graduates will be allowed one celebratory peal, marking the completion of the senior essay that is due that evening. Seniors will ring the bell between 7 and 9 p.m. in Weigle Hall’s belltower as they turn in their essays on Saturday, Feb. 14, before heading to a reception at the president’s house.
“The senior essay is often thought of as the culmination of a student’s career at St. John’s,” says Dean of Read More
Girl Scouts Attend County Council Meeting To Advocate For More Accessible Playgrounds
Courtesy photo
By CORTNEY KRELLER
On Tuesday, Feb. 3, Girl Scouts attended the Los Alamos County Council meeting to advocate for their fellow Girl Scout, Emmy.
Emmy was born with Rett Syndrome, a rare genetic condition which impacts her physical abilities.
The public comment period started with a statement from Emmy’s troop leader, “We are here today as a troop to voice our concerns about the lack of inclusive public areas for children in Los Alamos County and would specifically like to request that the county install inclusive swings in all public playgrounds.”
Then, Girl Scouts read their Read More
Denish: Why Local Journalism Is Worth A Tax Credit
By DIANE D. DENISH
Corner To Corner
diane@dianedenish.com
As is usually the case in 30-day legislative sessions, far more bills are introduced than can realistically be read, debated in committee, and passed by two chambers. One estimate puts the combined total at roughly 600 bills between the House and Senate—excluding “dummy bills,” which are empty shells that can become substantive after the introduction deadline.
Relatively few of those bills will reach the governor’s desk, and some won’t even receive a committee hearing. That doesn’t mean they’re bad ideas; it simply means they aren’t Read More
Scenes From International Women’s Forum-New Mexico’s 2026 Legislative Luncheon
International Women’s Forum-New Mexico (IWF-NM) President Barbara Vigil, standing at left, welcomes legislators, members and guests to the IWF-NM 2026 Legislative Luncheon and first quarter membership meeting on Thursday at the New Mexico State Land Office in Santa Fe. To learn more about IWF-NM, click here. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com
At Thursday’s IWF-NM 2026 Legislative Luncheon, legislators briefed members and guests on key legislative activities and priorities, from left, Rep. Christina Parajón Dist. 25-Bernalillo, Rep. Meredeth Dixon Dist. 20-Bernalillo, House Read More
Obituary: Roger Chadwick Gartz Dec. 16, 1940 – Feb 5, 2026
ROGER CHADWICK GARTZ Dec. 16, 1940 – Feb 5, 2026
Dr. Roger Chadwick Gartz was a man of deep faith, tireless service, and good humor, who spent his life alongside his wife Connie helping others through faithful church service, missionary work, and dental humanitarian efforts in his community and around the world. He died at age 85 from lymphoma.
Roger was born on December 16, 1940, in Rochester, New York, to Edward and Edna Gartz. He was the second of seven children and enjoyed a childhood shaped by sports and steady work with his parents in the family doughnut shop and laying hardwood floors. Edward Read More
New Mexico Providers Struggle To Secure State Funding For Sex Assault, Domestic Violence Services
The Roundhouse in Santa Fe. Post file photo
By Margaret O’Hara
The Santa Fe New Mexican
To MaryEllen Garcia, executive director of the New Mexico Coalition Against Domestic Violence, serving survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault shouldn’t be a short-term initiative.
“Survivor safety, it’s not a pilot project. … It requires ongoing investment,” Garcia said.
But whether state lawmakers are willing to make that investment this year remains uncertain.
As lawmakers hash out the details of how New Mexico will spend its money in fiscal year 2027, Read More
House Passes Legislation To Support Educators, Expand Access To Higher Education
STATE News:
SANTA FE — Feb. 6, the House of Representatives passed three important pieces of legislation to support students and teachers and strengthen educational institutions across the state.
House Bill 8, which passed by a vote of 45-23, creates a first-of-its-kind dedicated funding source for higher education projects. This Higher Education Major Projects Fund would fully fund the UNM School of Medicine expansion, a mixed-use humanities building at NMSU, and student life and housing projects statewide.
“As higher education enrollment continues to climb in New Mexico and capital Read More
County Council To Meet In Closed & Work Sessions Feb. 10
COUNTY News:
Los Alamos County Council will meet in both closed and work sessions Feb. 10, 2026, in Council Chambers at 1000 Central Avenue.
The closed session will be held at 5 p.m. and the agenda can be found here.
The work session will be held at 6 p.m. and the agenda can be found here. Read More
Two New Mexico Elementary Schools Recognized As National Distinguished Schools
NMPED News:
SANTA FE — Two New Mexico elementary schools—Dennis Chavez Elementary in Belen and Loving Elementary in Loving—are among only 100 schools nationwide to be named 2025 National Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) Distinguished Schools.
The New Mexico Public Education Department (PED) announced today the recognition as part of a national program administered by the National Association of ESEA State Program Administrators, which has honored high-achieving Title I schools since 1996.
“I am incredibly proud of Dennis Chavez and Loving Elementary Schools Read More
Gold & Silver For LA Ski Racing Club At Arizona Snowbowl
Los Alamos Ski Racing Club celebrates a gold-and-silver finish at Arizona Snowbowl: Hiro Mertes (top center) captured 1st place, and Noah Bane (top left) earned 2nd place in the U18 men’s slalom race. Photo by Yoko Suzuki.
By KEVIN MERTES
Los Alamos Ski Racing Club
A thin winter didn’t slow the Los Alamos Ski Racing Club (LASRC) one bit! Six determined youth alpine racers—led by head coach Lisa Kimura and coach Kevin Mertes—headed south to Arizona Snowbowl for a pair of fast, technical slalom races Feb. 1–2 in the US Ski & Snowboard Rocky Mountain Southern Series (RMSS), hosted by the Flagstaff Read More
Duplicate Bridge In Los Alamos: Feb. 2, 2026
BRIDGE News:
The Feb. 4 team game was a great success. There were 7 teams in play, including two teams from Santa Fe. Local players Sig Lodwig, Jerry Morzinski, Jerry Fleming and Cliff Rudy were the overall winners.
The two games on Feb. 9 and 11 are Sectional Tournament at Clubs (STaC) games. Martin Cooper and Jerry Fleming were overall winners on Feb. 2. Bob and Laurie Walker were high in flight B.
Here’s another competitive hand. Both sides should get into the auction. When the high cards are reasonably evenly divided between the two pairs, it makes for in interesting challenge!
Board 10 from the Read More
Galaxy Nail & Spa Is Celebrating 10th Anniversary!
Galaxy Nail & Spa in Smith’s Marketplace Shopping Center is celebrating its 10th anniversary on Wednesday, Feb. 11, 2026. Co-owners John Hiep Dinh, shown here Saturday, and his wife Helen Huyen Nguyen express their gratitude to the community, saying, ‘Thank you Los Alamos for 10 great years in business here! Come visit us at Galaxy Nails and Spa!’ Courtesy photo
Galaxy Nail & Spa Co-owner John Hiep Dinh welcoming clients on Saturday in Smith’s Marketplace Shopping Center. Courtesy photo Read More