New Federal SNAP Rules Prompt State-Funded Food Assistance
HCA News:
SANTA FE — In response to new federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) eligibility rules that will cut food assistance for thousands of lawfully present immigrants, New Mexico is launching a temporary state-funded food assistance program to provide a one-time lump-sum payment to affected households.
Approximately 19,485 lawfully present immigrants in New Mexico are projected to lose federal SNAP eligibility over the course of the year as they come up for renewal.
To address the anticipated loss of benefits, and with the support of Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham, Read More
Katherine Porter: Works On Paper, LewAllen Galleries, Feb. 27 – March 7
Morocco Noon, 2000, oil on paper, 29.25 x 25 in. Courtesy photo
Untitled, 1979, mixed media on paper, 30 x 22.5 in. Courtesy photo
ART News:
SANTA FE — LewAllen Galleries is pleased to present Katherine Porter: Works on Paper, an exhibition of mixed media and oils on paper by the acclaimed artist Katherine Porter (1941–2024). Opening Friday, Feb. 27, 2026, the exhibition highlights Porter’s extraordinary ability to channel the complexities, discords, and dissonances of her times into powerful aesthetic statements.
As noted art scholar Irving Sandler once wrote that Jackson Pollock invented Read More
DEA And NFL Alumni Health Team Up On Football’s Biggest Stage To Tackle Fentanyl Crisis
DEA News:
WASHINGTON, D.C. — For a third consecutive year, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and NFL Alumni Health (NFLAH) are joining forces to raise awareness about the dangers of fentanyl and spreading a critical message: One Pill Can Kill.
Building on the success of the last two years, this collaboration supports DEA’s newest initiative, Fentanyl Free America, with the goal of reducing demand for fentanyl and protecting communities from its devastating impacts.
Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid that is often pressed into counterfeit pills designed to look like prescription medications Read More
Interstate Doctor, Social Worker Compacts Head To Governor’s Desk
By Margaret O’Hara
The Santa Fe New Mexican
A bill that would ease the process for out-of-state doctors to become licensed in the state, is headed to Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham’s desk after final passage in the House in less than 10 minutes Tuesday.
The governor has already signaled her support for New Mexico joining the interstate medical compact, and said in her State of the State speech that the passage of Senate Bill 1 was one of her top priorities.
“If a qualified doctor in Colorado or Texas wants to move to New Mexico and start treating patients, this bill cuts red tape and Read More
Longtime Los Alamos Resident Ruth Lier Turns 97!
Longtime Los Alamos resident Ruth Lier is celebrating her 97th birthday. Her daughter and son sent her the following message: ‘Happy 97 Mom! Love, Kari and Eric!’ Courtesy photoDPU Seeks Future Leaders And Change Makers
COUNTY News:
The Los Alamos Department of Public Utilities (DPU) is inviting local high school students to enter an essay contest that could lead to: 1) a spot at a weeklong summer leadership camp, and 2) a $500 college scholarship. The contest is part of a program organized by Utah Associated Municipal Power Systems (UAMPS), of which DPU is a member.
UAMPS will choose four students from its member communities to attend the Youth Rally, and each selected student will receive a $500 scholarship for college. Because DPU represents Los Alamos County in UAMPS, high school sophomores and juniors who Read More
Aquatic Center’s Olympic Pool Re-Plastering Project Closure Scheduled For Feb. 22
COUNTY News:
Since May 2025, Los Alamos County, in conjunction with contractor Lee-sure Pools, has been preparing for the Olympic Pool Re-plastering Project, and the time has finally come.
The Olympic Pool and Therapy Pool will close Sunday, Feb. 22, 2026, in preparation for work to begin March 2. The pools will remain closed until construction is completed – anticipated in October 2026.
Starting Monday, Feb. 23, the Aquatic Center main entrance will be relocated to the south patio (near the stairs leading to Canyon Road), where customers can continue to receive services and admission Read More
Jobs, Clean Air Clash In Emissions Debate
By Daniel J. Chacón
The Santa Fe New Mexican
A former oil worker and current medical student, Carter Bakarich stood before state senators Tuesday and implored them to take action for the health of his future patients.
“Pollution from carbon fuels brings devastating costs to our communities,” Bakarich told the Senate Conservation Committee during a marathon public hearing on a contentious proposal to put New Mexico’s existing pollution reduction goals into state statute.
The health of New Mexico residents and its economic prosperity collided during more than five hours of Read More
Bill Banning Local Government ICE Detention Deals Heads To Governor
State Sen. Jim Townsend, left, talks with House Republicans John Block and Stefani Lord before a contentious Senate debate Tuesday, Feb. 3, 2026, at the state Capitol on a bill that would ban local governments from entering contracts to operate federal immigration detention centers. Townsend said it would leave roughly 1,000 people without employment. The Senate passed the measure, sending it to the governor. Photo by Jim Weber/The New Mexican
By CLARA BATES
The Santa Fe New Mexican
Local governments in New Mexico will be banned from contracting with the federal government to operate immigration Read More
$387 Million Heinrich Secured For New Mexico In FY26 Funding Signed into Law, While Renewing Call For DHS Funding to Include Commonsense Reforms
U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich
From the Office of U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich:
WASHINGTON — U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), a member of the U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee and Ranking Member of the U.S. Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on the Legislative Branch, released the following statement announcing that $387 million he secured for New Mexico in Fiscal Year 2026 (FY26) appropriations funding is now law, including Congressionally Directed Spending for over 100 local projects.
Additionally, Heinrich announced that a package of health care legislation and his repeal of the Read More
New Documents Added To Legacy Contract Reading Room
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.
- Monthly Notification of Groundwater Data Reviewed in January 2026
https://ext.em-la.doe.gov/GovFTPFiles/api/GetFiles/GetFile?fileName=EMID-704166_EMLA-26-BF086-2-1_Jan+26_Mnthly_GW_013026.pdf - Submittal of the 2025 Annual
LAPD Sgt. Benjamin Irving To Present Most Common Fraud Scams In New Mexico At Sunday Forum Feb. 8
Sgt. Benjamin Irving
COMMUNITY News:
Have you ever been scammed? If so, you are not alone; everyone is at risk. In 2024, reports filed with the Federal Trade Commission identified 2.6 million fraud reports and 1.1 million reports of identity theft.
Since not all incidents are reported, the actual numbers are higher and the threat is larger. Consumers reported losing more than $12 billion in 2024. The advent of AI will make the peril of internet fraud more potent.
Sgt. Benjamin Irving of the Los Alamos Police Department will present a Forum on The Most Common Fraud Scams in New Mexico. Sgt. Irving Read More
Daily Postcard: Snow Moon Rising Over Valley Seen From Barranca Mesa
Daily Postcard: View of the Snow Moon rising over the valley Sunday, as seen from Barranca Mesa. Photo by Peggi Edwards Read More
Legislative Roundup: 16 Days Left In Session
Jessica Leija tears up a little as she talks about her son, Enrique Leija, who was murdered in 2021, during a Remembrance Memorial for Homicide Survivors hosted by New Mexico Crusaders for Justice in the Capitol Rotunda on Tuesday, Feb. 3, 2026. Leija was one of many who attended the memorial to speak of their deceased loved ones and try to persuade policymakers to pass tougher laws against violent offenders. Jim Weber/The New Mexican
The Santa Fe New Mexican:
Getting cheesy: Senators spent 20 minutes on the floor Tuesday afternoon discussing their connections to Southwest Cheese — a Clovis Read More
Reasonable Malpractice Reform Benefits Every New Mexican
By DAYMON ELY
Attorney
Former New Mexico Representative
At its heart, the debate over medical malpractice reform is not about trial lawyers or corporate profits – it is about our most basic values. Every New Mexican deserves access to quality health care. And every New Mexican deserves justice when that care falls tragically short.
Medical malpractice is rare. Fewer than 1% of medical providers are responsible for the vast majority of malpractice claims, but when tragedy strikes and a patient is harmed or killed, that patient or their family needs to know that they can get justice in a Read More
Gubernatorial Candidate Deb Haaland Officially On Ballot
Democratic Gubernatorial Candidate Deb Haaland turning in ballot petitions this morning, signed by thousands of grassroots supporters across New Mexico, making her officially on the ballot in her quest to be the state’s next governor. ‘I’m in this fight because we need the right leader who can help move our state toward a future where everyone can thrive,’ she said. Courtesy photo Read More
Op-Ed: New Mexico Education Is Improving—Despite What the Rankings Say
By Sen. Bill Soules, D-Doña Ana
New Mexico District 37
For too long, the state of education in New Mexico has been judged by a single metric: proficiency. This metric is only a snapshot of literacy rates, and direct comparison of proficiency between states can be misleading. A new white paper on New Mexico student literacy demonstrates that our students are making real, measurable reading gains over time, often matching or exceeding national growth rates.
The white paper, commissioned by New Mexico Coalition of Educational Leaders and conducted by Evress analytics, uses Read More
Barbershop Quartet Singing Valentines Available From Lads And Lasses Of Enchantment
Odd Man Out. Lisa Rothrock, David Daniel, Matt Michnovicz and Dick Heaton are one of several quartets ready to sing for your valentine next week. Photo by Bernadette Lauritzen
LALOE News:
Los Alamos Lasses and Lads of Enchantment songster Joe D’Anna believes the best part of delivering singing valentines is, “the reaction of the receiver.”
D’Anna is one of three quartets that will be out to deliver the gift of song on Friday and Saturday to celebrate St. Valentine’s Day. The groups will provide an opportunity to receive a very special and incredibly novel gift.
The LALOE is a small non-profit organization, Read More
A Year Of Impact: DEA Recognizes Success In Combatting Drug Cartels And Saving Lives
DEA News:
WASHINGTON, D.C. — 2025 was a year of historic achievements for the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration highlighted by significant drug seizures, the capture of high-profile targets, and the confirmation of DEA Administrator Terrance C. Cole.
Appointed by President Donald Trump on Feb. 11, 2025, and sworn in on July 23, 2025, Administrator Cole became only the third Senate-confirmed DEA Special Agent to lead the agency. Administrator Cole is a career law enforcement officer who spent 22 years with DEA fighting the drug cartels and dismantling transnational criminal organizations. Read More
Los Alamos Ambassador Program Manager Presents Training At County’s Tourism Debrief Jan. 30
Jennifer Armstrong, who manages the Los Alamos Ambassador Program, presents at Los Alamos County’s Tourism Debrief on Jan. 30, 2026. The free training, which operates through Discover Los Alamos, offers communication and customer-service skills as well as information about our community. To learn more about the program or to schedule a training session, please contact Jennifer at ambassador@losalamos.org. Read More