Only In New Mexico: Subordinate Hires The Boss
By MILAN SIMONICH
The Santa Fe New Mexican
Never should rich and powerful public employees get to select their own bosses. It happens all the time at New Mexico’s universities.
Presidents of universities handpick the people who serve as student regents. The governor technically makes the appointment, but presidents supply the names of the students they want as regents.
With all that leverage, presidents can lock up the loyalty of regents who are supposed to be looking out for fellow students. The results can be awful for the student body, faculty members and the public.
At Western New Mexico Read More
On The Job In Los Alamos: Crew Working At UNM-LA
On the job in Los Alamos a crew works on the steps near the Student Center on Feb. 2 at UNM-LA, as part of ongoing efforts underway to upgrade and beautify the campus. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com Read More
Obituary: Rene Marie Balagna May 22, 1953 – Dec. 1, 2025
RENE MARIE BALAGNA May 22, 1953 – Dec. 1, 2025
Rene Marie Balagna passed away quietly at her place of residence in Rio Rancho, NM on December 1, 2025. She was born in Los Alamos on May 22, 1953, to John & Jean Balagna. She was preceded in death by her parents and older sister, Lisa.
Rene attended all her years in school, grades K thru 12’th, in Los Alamos. She moved with her family to the new home John & Jean built in Pajarito Acres. She graduated in 1976 from the University of New Mexico with a major in History. She held a job in call service in Albuquerque for a number of years. She spent Read More
Daily Postcard: Sandhill Cranes Above White Rock
Daily Postcard: Sandhill cranes on Saturday flying over White Rock. Photo by Nancy Ann Hibbs
Sandhill cranes migrating north on Saturday over White Rock. Photo by Nancy Ann Hibbs
Another view of sandhill cranes on Saturday flying over White Rock. Photo by Nancy Ann Hibbs Read More
Glow Skate Event At Ice Rink Feb. 14
COUNTY News:
Glow skate is scheduled for 7-10 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 14 at Los Alamos County Ice Rink at 4475 West Road.
Glow skate is a stadium lights out event for all ages who want to experience a night of glowing ice disco lights, music, and black light-activated give-a-ways to wear on the ice. Read More
Kiwanis Hosts Little League President Joe Coulter
Los Alamos Little League President Joe Coulter discusses the history, programs, challenges, and goals of the organization during the Feb. 3 Kiwanis Club meeting at Trinity on the Hill. Courtesy/Kiwanis
By BROOKE DAVIS
Kiwanis Club of Los Alamos
Los Alamos Little League President Joe Coulter presented a talk on the history, programs, challenges, and goals of the organization to the Kiwanis Club of Los Alamos during its Feb. 3 meeting at Trinity on the Hill.
The local Little League was founded in 1952 and is the oldest league in New Mexico. In 2016, the league merged with the White Rock Little League Read More
Weekly Fishing Report: Feb. 8, 2026
By GEORGE MORSE
Sports and Outdoors
Los Alamos Daily Post
The frigid temperatures a week ago that got the ice-fishing season started gave way to warmer temperatures last week. Eagle Nest Lake State Park hosted its annual Ice-Fishing Derby Jan. 31, but the warmer temperatures have led to the lake being closed again to ice fishing.
Cash prizes were awarded after the Derby for the biggest rainbow trout, biggest northern pike and biggest yellow perch. The results of the Fishing Derby are available. Check out the Friends of Eagle Nest Lake and Cimarron Canyon State Parks website this week (link Read More
Posts From The Road: Water Wonders Large And Small
Colorado River: The setting sun illuminates the cliff formations of the Grand Mesa in Palisade, Colo., as the Colorado River twists and turns as it flows through the area. The last light of day creates a beautiful red color on the cliffs and reflects beautifully in the river. Palisade is known for its rich agriculture and fruit orchards, and more recently, vineyards. Photo by Gary Warren/ladailypost.com
City Park: This pond sits in a city park in Childress, Texas. The park offers many activities for all ages and even has accommodations for five RVs with hookups. We love finding these parks as they Read More
Fr. Glenn: Illumination
By Fr. Glenn Jones:
Well, last week in the Catholic Sunday Mass (Feb. 1) we heard Jesus open His Sermon on the Mount with the Beatitudes, describing the internal attitude and character of a true disciple—patience, kindness, sorrow for evil, peacemaking, fortitude, humility. And this weekend we’re back on the mountain with Jesus.
But today, Jesus shifts focus to outward mission and the fruits manifested by the true disciple’s internal character. He looks out at His audience of fishermen, laborers and common people and announces something very bold to these often downtrodden and minimized Read More
Imposing Bull Elk Visits Home This Morning On Nickel Street
An imposing bull elk visits a home this morning on Nickel Street in Los Alamos. Photo by Monique Beyerle Read More
NMHED To Unveil New Mexico State University Art Gallery Exhibition Monday Feb. 9
NMHED News:
SANTA FE – The New Mexico Higher Education Department (NMHED) invites the public and partners to a special opening reception unveiling the New Mexico State University Art Gallery exhibition hosted at the department’s state offices.
The exhibition will showcase a diverse collection of artwork created by NMSU students and alumni.
Details:
- Who: Higher Education Secretary Stephanie Rodriguez, Deputy Secretary Patricia Trujillo, Ph.D., NMHED staff, representatives from NMSU;
- When: 2-5 p.m., Monday, Feb. 9; and
- Where: New Mexico Higher Education Department, 2044 Galisteo
Toppers Win Home Game Against Moriarty Pintos 40-33
Javaya Davison takes a short jumper over Laura Stewart in the 3rd quarter to score 2 of her 11 points for the night. She was the Toppers high point player. Photo by John McHale/ladailypost.com
Camden Shunk dribbles the ball down court. She scored 7 points for the night. Photo by John McHale/ladailypost.com
Sports News:
The Los Alamos High School Hilltoppers Girls Basketball Team won the home conference game against the Moriarty Pintos 40-33 on Saturday in Griffith Gymnasium.
The Toppers were behind for the first three quarters but came to life in the 4th quarter and staged a come-from-behind Read More
Turnpike Troubadours To Perform At 2026 State Fair
NMSF News:
The New Mexico State Fair (NMSF) has announced that Turnpike Troubadours will kick off the 2026 New Mexico State Fair’s rodeo-concert series Friday, Sept. 11. Turnpike Troubadours’ performance will follow PRCA Xtreme Bulls.
Known for chart-topping hits like “Good Lord Lorrie”, “7&7” and “Diamonds and Gasoline”, Turnpike Troubadours have built a devoted following and earned widespread critical acclaim throughout their career.
Coming off the surprise release of their 2025 album The Price of Admission, Turnpike Troubadours have continued to cement their legacy as one Read More
Los Alamos National Laboratory Forms Quantum Computing-Focused Research Center
The Quantum Computing Center in downtown Los Alamos will bring together up to three dozen quantum researchers from across the Lab. Courtesy/LANL
LANL News:
Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) has formed the Center for Quantum Computing, which will bring together the Lab’s diverse quantum computing research capabilities. Headquartered in downtown Los Alamos, the Center for Quantum Computing will consolidate the Laboratory’s expertise in national security applications, quantum algorithms, quantum computer science and workforce development in a shared research space.
“This new Read More
Backers Say Child Care Copays For Rich Will Keep Universal Care Stable In New Mexico
SB Bill 241 Co-sponsor Sen. George Muñoz, D-Gallup
By ESTEBAN CANDELARIA
The Santa Fe New Mexican
Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham’s pledge to make state-subsidized child care free to all may come with an asterisk under a bill designed to implement a copayment structure for New Mexico’s wealthiest families.
Senate Bill 241, sponsored by Sen. George Muñoz, D-Gallup and other top Senate Democrats, would require a small percentage of families with incomes far above the federal poverty line to help cover the state’s expanded child care program during certain economic downturns.
By doing so, the measure Read More
LAAC Announces Community Events For February 2026
Courtesy/LAAC
LAAC News:
The Los Alamos Arts Council (LAAC) has a packed schedule for February. Below is a snapshot of what the arts organization has coming up; visit www.LosAlamosArtsCouncil.org/Events-2-1 for updates.
- After school art studios have returned: After School Art Studios are a fun, low-pressure way to get kids’ creative energy flowing. Supported by a grant from the Los Alamos Community Foundation and Anchorum Community Health, these studios let kids and teens explore their own interests with guidance from Studio Coordinator Hannah R. They can bring their own projects, use
New Mexico County Insurance Authority Board Of Directors Approves Addition Of Two Ex-Officio Positions
Santa Fe County Sheriff Adan Mendoza
NMCIA News:
SANTA FE — At their first regular Board meeting of the year Jan. 19, 2026, the New Mexico County Insurance Authority (NMCIA) Board of Directors approved the addition of two ex-officio, non-voting Directors on the Board, one to be nominated by the New Mexico Counties’ sheriff affiliate and one to be nominated by the detention administrator’s affiliate.
At their meetings in conjunction with the New Mexico Counties’ Legislative Conference Jan. 21-22, each affiliate nominated a member to serve on the NMCIA Board of Directors.
The NMCIA Board created Read More
Video: County Councilor Cull Discusses Tuesday’s Meeting
Los Alamos County Councilor Theresa Cull provides a briefing on Tuesday’s council meeting. Video by Kirsten Laskey/ladailypost.com Read More
All Shall Be Well: Lent Is Coming!
Clergy from left, Deacon Amy Schmuck, Deacon Cynthia Biddlecomb, retired, The Rev. Mary Ann Hill. Photo by Nate Limback/ladailypost.com
By The Rev. Mary Ann Hill
Rector
Trinity on the Hill
Lent is Coming!
Lent will be here before we know it. Ash Wednesday is Feb. 18. That means people are probably thinking about what they might give up or take on.
I still have to laugh when I think about something that happened in my last parish. There was a man who gave up meat for Lent every year, and he usually dropped a few pounds. Pretty soon, other parishioners decided that they wanted to do the same. But they didn’t Read More
Daily Postcard: Waning Moon Under Omega Bridge
Daily Postcard: The stylized view of the waning moon on Feb. 5, under the Omega Bridge. This photo combines two shots within 48 hours (due to the over-exposed moon on the first shooting session). The first shot was of the moon and the second was of the bridge and surroundings (there was still snow on the road). Processed in Affinity Photo. Photo by Steve Bublitz Read More