Public Education Department Announces Nineteen New Mexico Schools Show Major Academic Improvement
NMPED News:
SANTA FE — Nineteen New Mexico schools have dramatically improved student achievement, with two reaching the state’s highest performance tier after previously ranking among the lowest-performing schools in the state.
The encouraging findings are contained in the New Mexico Public Education Department’s (NMPPED) new school designations for the 2024–25 school year, highlighting schools that have exited Comprehensive Support & Improvement (CSI) designation—the state’s category for schools identified as lowest-performing.
“These 19 schools prove that with Read More
Little Joe II Rocket Restoration Project Launches At New Mexico Museum Of Space History In Alamogodo
NMMSH News:
ALAMOGORDO — The New Mexico Museum of Space History (NMMSH) is refurbishing the shining star of its Rocket Park, Little Joe II. This restoration will bring it back to its original glory. During this time, the Rocket Park at New Mexico Museum of Space History at 3198 N.M. 200 in Alamogordo and the nearby playground will be temporarily closed to the public to ensure the safety of everyone. However, this also presents a unique opportunity for our visitors to witness the meticulous restoration process, a privilege not many get to experience.
Received by the museum in 1985, Little Joe II Read More
Republicans Implement Audit Of New Mexico SNAP Program, Make Recommendations To Eliminate Waste, Fraud & Abuse
Republican Legislators News:
SANTA FE — This week, Republican legislators were successful in their attempt to incorporate an in-depth audit of New Mexico’s administration of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits.
This was accomplished by amending House Bill 1 in the 2nd special legislative session to include the funding and directives to the Legislative Finance Committee (LFC) to investigate waste, fraud, and abuse of the program.
Furthermore, House and Senate Republican Leadership issued guidance and recommendations to strengthen LFC’s audit in the form of Read More
SFCC Announces New Student Orientation Dates: Dec. 10, Jan. 9, Jan. 13
A springtime view of the Santa Fe Community College Campus. Courtesy/SFCC
SFCC News:
SANTA FE — Santa Fe Community College announces New Student Orientation (NSO) dates for the Spring 2026 semester. New or prospective students should pre-register here.
The three NSO sessions are scheduled for:
- December
- 12-4 p.m., Wednesday, Dec. 10
- January
- 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Friday, Jan. 9
- 12-4 p.m., Wednesday, Jan. 13
“New Student Orientation is a great way for students to get comfortable on campus before classes start,” said Michelle Aragon, Welcome and Support Coordinator. “They get to meet other students, Read More
Obituary: Ward L. Hawkins May 1, 1951 – Nov. 8, 2025
WARD L. HAWKINS May 1, 1951 – Nov. 8, 2025
Ward L. Hawkins, 74, a native Nevadan of Los Alamos, New Mexico, passed away peacefully Nov. 8, 2025.
Ward was born May 1, 1951, in Reno, Nevada, to Ralston Oliver and Romietta Ward Hawkins. He grew up in Las Vegas, Nevada, alongside his three brothers. It was also in Las Vegas that he met his lovely wife, Karen Cooper, with whom he shared a lifetime of love and adventure.
Ward graduated from St. Anne Grade School, Bishop Gorman High School, and the University of Nevada, Reno, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in Geology.
His work took him and his family to Los Read More
United Church Celebrates Custodian Cesar Ojeda And Youth Pastor Keith Lewis On 20 Years Of Employment
Youth Pastor Keith Lewis and Custodian Cesar Ojeda at The United Church of Los Alamos. Courtesy photo
COMMUNITY News:
Twenty years ago, the United Church of Los Alamos hired custodian Cesar Ojeda to help take care of not just the buildings, but the entire 4-acre property of native woodland and lawn areas. Ojeda has more than fulfilled his duties of keeping the physical plant and grounds in beautiful shape. He, often assisted by his wife Ana Maria, can be found cleaning floors, helping to set up and clean up for the many events and programs at the church, as well as assisting in the Thrift Shop throughout Read More
Los Alamos County Council To Consider Ordinance For Up To $40 Million In GRT Revenue Bonds
County Administrative Services Director Helen Perraglio
COUNTY News:
The Los Alamos County Council will hold a public hearing on Ordinance No. 750 as part of its Council meeting on Tuesday, Nov. 18, at 6 p.m. in Council Chambers, 1000 Central Ave.
The ordinance, if adopted, would authorize the issuance of up to $40 million in Gross Receipts Tax (GRT) Improvement Revenue Bonds to help fund the Community Broadband Network and other public facility improvements.
The bonds would be repaid entirely from existing gross receipts tax revenues already distributed to the County. No new tax would be Read More
Daily Postcard: Northern Lights Color Star-Filled Sky
Daily Postcard: The Northern Lights color a star-filled sky Wednesday over Velarde. Photo by Johnnie MartinezMcQuiston: Why You’re In A Wildfire Area … Even If You Don’t Have A Single Tree On Your Property … A Common Misunderstanding
By ALLEN MCQUISTONJemez Insurance Agency
Serving Los Alamos Since 1963
When a wildfire burns—even miles away—it throws off burning embers that can travel up to
New Mexico Environment Department Announces That Chromium Plume From Los Alamos National Laboratory Migrates Onto Pueblo De San Ildefonso Land
NMED News:
A toxic chromium plume from Los Alamos National Laboratory has spread beyond lab boundaries onto Pueblo de San Ildefonso land for the first time, with contamination levels exceeding state groundwater standards, the New Mexico Environment Department (NMED) announced today.
Recent groundwater sampling conducted by the New Mexico Environment Department (NMED) and Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) found hexavalent chromium, a toxic and carcinogenic substance, at levels ranging from 53 to 72.9 micrograms per liter (ug/l), depending on the depth sampled. The ground water Read More
NM Higher Education Dept.: Student Debt Relief Granted To Nearly 400 Teachers Working In New Mexico Classrooms
New Mexico Higher Education Department News:
SANTA FE – Nearly 400 teachers will be receiving student loan forgiveness this year through the state’s Teacher Loan Repayment Program, part of New Mexico’s ongoing effort to build and strengthen the teacher pipeline.
The agency awarded funding to 387 new teachers, adding to the 529 teachers who were already receiving benefits through the loan forgiveness program. The program launched in 2013 as an effort to draw more teachers to New Mexico’s classrooms.
The program offers licensed New Mexico teachers up to $6,000 a year in student loan repayment Read More
NM Junior Foodie’s Review: Beef & Leaf Cafe
Anasazi bean chili and fried artichokes appetizer. Courtesy/NM Junior Foodie
Chef Laura Crucet and NM Junior Foodie. Courtesy/NM Junior Foodie
By BECKY RUTHERFORD
On behalf of NM Junior Foodie
Have you been to Beef and Leaf Cafe lately? They have an all-new menu for fall, and also a great fundraiser going on right now. Menus can be viewed here.
My foodie son and I decided to split some dishes. We started with the Anasazi Bean Chili; slow- cooked anasazi beans, braised beef short rib, in a rich, savory red chile garlic broth. This was a really great chili, classic but with a nice twist from the richness Read More
New Documents Added To Electronic Public Reading Room
LANL News:
Per regulatory requirements, this email is to notify you that 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 the Third Quarter of Fiscal Year 2025 for Los Alamos National Laboratory, as required by the Federal Facility Compliance
CrossFit Los Alamos To Host 5th Annual Thanksgiving Day Team Row Event
COMMUNITY News:
CrossFit Los Alamos is hosting its 5th annual team marathon row event 6-10 a.m., on Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 28.
Limited spots are available, so reserve a space now by calling 575.650.8531.
Competitors in a previous Thanksgiving Day rowing event. Courtesy/CrossFit Los Alamos
Competitors in a previous Thanksgiving Day rowing event. Courtesy/CrossFit Los Alamos
Competitors in a previous Thanksgiving Day rowing event. Courtesy/CrossFit Los Alamos
Competitors in a previous Thanksgiving Day rowing event. Courtesy/CrossFit Los Alamos
Competitors in a previous Thanksgiving Read More
LANL Foundation: New Mexico Native American Workforce Partners Chosen For Sustainable Job Creation Grant
LANL Foundation News:
ESPAÑOLA — Native Workforce Partners (NWP) has been selected to receive funding via the Families and Workers Fund to expand career pathways in sustainable industries.
Supported by the LANL Foundation and sponsored by New Mexico Community Trust, NWP is dedicated to creating opportunities for Native Americans in the workforce. The two-year $550,000 Powering Climate & Infrastructure Careers Initiative grant will help NWP hire its first full-time staff, expand workforce training and technical assistance, and support tribal nations in preparing for climate Read More
Senator Heinrich Secures Over $207 Million For New Mexico
NATIONAL News:
WASHINGTON — U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), Ranking Member of the U.S. Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on the Legislative Branch, announced that the Fiscal Year 2026 (FY26) Military Construction, Veterans Affairs (VA), Legislative Branch, Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and Related Agencies Appropriations Bills passed into law include $207.5 million Heinrich secured for New Mexico, including Congressionally Directed Spending for 19 local projects.
“I’ve spent months fighting to secure funding for critical investments Read More
County Library Board Special Meeting Nov. 19
COUNTY News:
Los Alamos County Library Board will hold a special November meeting at 5:30 p.m., Wednesday, Nov. 19 at the Mesa Public Library Administrative offices or via Zoom.
Click here to find the meeting. Read More
Colliers Announces Major Redevelopment Of Historic Property In Downtown Los Alamos
Rendering of the proposed redevelopment of the former CB Fox building. Courtesy/Studio Southwest Architects
Rendering of the proposed rooftop bar of the former CB Fox building. Courtesy/Studio Southwest Architects
From Colliers New Mexico:
- Transformational Redevelopment Project Seen As Key To Re-energizing Los Alamos’ Main Central Avenue Corridor and Downtown
Colliers New Mexico-El Paso veteran broker, Jyl DeHaven, Vice President of Northern New Mexico, has been selected to handle the leasing for an exciting transformational redevelopment of a historic property in Los Alamos. Read More
Get Tickets For Quarterfinals State Tournament Game: Toppers Host Gadsden Saturday
TOPPER News:
Come out to cheer as the #3 ranked Los Alamos High School Football team hosts #6 Gadsden High School in the quarterfinals of the NMAA State Football Tournament Saturday, Nov. 15, at Sullivan Field. Gates will open at 11 a.m., game time is noon.
All tickets should be purchased in advance through GoFan. Go to https://gofan.co/event/5335165?schoolId=NM13898 to purchase tickets, or search for Los Alamos High School on the GoFan app. Tickets will not be sold at the gate.
No regular season passes (including student and staff passes) will be accepted for this game. Tickets are $12 for adults, Read More
Support Self Help, Inc. & Ring In The Season At Smith’s
Todd Urbatsch dressed to the nines to ring bells. Courtesy photo
COMMUNITY News:
Bells will ring again at Smith’s in Los Alamos and White Rock during the holiday season as Self Help, Inc. partners with the Salvation Army to launch the annual Red Kettle campaign. Funds collected via volunteer bell ringers and community donations in red kettles help Los Alamos County residents with rent or utility bill payments—every donation counts.
Can you spare just two hours? Boost your immune system this season by ringing bells! Join our cheerful and caring bell-ringing team and sign up for a two-hour shift Read More