State And Federal Partnership Invests In New Mexico’s Conservation Workforce
Group photo of pre-apprentices during onboarding with USDA Forest Service. Pictured far left: James D. Duran, Forest Supervisor, Carson National Forest, and New Mexico Department of Workforce Solutions Cabinet Secretary Sarita Nair. Courtesy photo
Pre-apprentices attending the onboarding week field visit to see active forest management and discuss all hands approach to improving the health of the forest. Courtesy photo
NMDWS News:
ALBUQUERQUE — Eighteen New Mexico college students began an innovative paid Pre-apprenticeship Opportunity Program in Rangeland Science and Natural Read More
Audit Exposes New Mexico’s SNAP Program Plagued By Errors, Weak Oversight
NMHR News:
RUIDOSO — A new Legislative Finance Committee evaluation found New Mexico’s SNAP program is operating with weak oversight, limited verification, and one of the highest payment error rates in the nation.
The state’s SNAP payment error rate has climbed to 16.6 percent, the fifth highest in the country. As a result, New Mexico could face up to $173 million annually in federal cost-sharing penalties.
The audit found that some of the largest sources of payment errors stem from information that is largely self-reported and often not independently verified. Despite having Read More
UNM-LA: Hideout Café Announces Temporary Closure
Courtesy photo
UNM-LA News:
The Hideout Café in the UNM-Los Alamos Lobo Center is temporarily closed and will reopen at the beginning of August. Café staff are currently working on equipment updates as well as menu enhancements.
The community is asked to be on the lookout for its reopening in the coming weeks. Read More
BLM Geothermal Lease Sale Nets Over $16.5 Million
BLM News:
SANTA FE — The Bureau of Land Management accepted winning bids on 47 parcels in New Mexico totaling 152,381.49 acres for $16,581,926 in total receipts for a geothermal lease sale. The BLM may issue leases once review and payment are complete. The combined bonus bids, rentals, and subsequent royalties from the leases will be distributed between the U.S. Treasury, the State of New Mexico and the counties where the leases are located.
Geothermal lease sales support domestic energy production and American energy independence, while contributing to the nation’s economic and military Read More
Heinrich, Kim, Senate Democrats Host Roundtable On Raising Gas Prices
U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), Ranking Member of the U.S. Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, and U.S. Senator Andy Kim (D-N.J.), host a roundtable on how Trump’s policies have driven up energy costs, June 16, 2026. Courtesy photo
U.S. SENATE News:
WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Sens. Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), Ranking Member of the U.S. Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, and Andy Kim (D-N.J.) hosted a roundtable to discuss how the Trump administration’s policies, including the war with Iran, have driven up energy costs for families, consumers, communities, and small Read More
FBI: New Mexico Man Facing Federal Hate Crime Charge Following Attacks At Synagogue, Jewish Community Center
FBI News:
An Albuquerque, New Mexico man is in custody on federal charges for allegedly damaging religious property during back-to-back attacks at two local Jewish facilities.
According to court documents, on June 2, Rex Crofton, 25, targeted two Jewish community facilities in Albuquerque, New Mexico, during a series of motivated attacks. At approximately 4:31 PM, Crofton arrived at Congregation Albert in a silver sedan. He exited the vehicle and used a tool to shatter the synagogue’s glass entry doors. After “flipping off” the building and shouting an indecipherable statement, he fled Read More
State Opens Trails+ Grant For Outdoor Recreation Projects
Cibola Trail Alliance is using Trails+ Grant funding to build new trails in Lobo Canyon near Grants, NM. Courtesy/EDNM
EDNM News:
SANTA FE — New Mexico will open applications on July 1 for the Trails+ Grant program, making $12 million available for community outdoor recreation projects that expand outdoor trail access, support local economies and preserve the state’s natural and cultural resources.
Demand for the Outdoor Recreation Trails+ Grant has surged, with a record-breaking $27 million in funding requests in FY26—a $2 million increase from FY25—underscoring the growing Read More
Graduation Announcement: Serena Birnbaum Defends Thesis In Polymer Engineering
Serena Birnbaum after defending her thesis. Courtesy photo
By EVA BIRNBAUM
Formerly of Los Alamos
Serena Birnbaum defended her PhD thesis in Polymer Engineering from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst in May 2026.
Serena graduated from LAHS in 2017, and from Case Western Reserve University with her Bachelor of Engineering in 2021. She is the daughter of Eva Birnbaum and Thomas Mark McCleskey, and granddaughter of Ed & Amy Birnbaum, Alice & Earl Scheelar, and Thomas McCleskey. She will be working at Exponent in Boston.
Her thesis title is “Extending Adhesive Functionality Read More
Robinson: Thanks To UNM’s Garnett Stokes For Eight Years Of Stability
By Sherry Robinson
All She Wrote
© 2026 New Mexico News Services
In 2006 I got an email from a savvy member of the business community. “Write an article about the UNM mess,” he wrote. “It is an ongoing story. After all, it’s our flagship research university.”
UNM had just gotten rid of Luis Caldera, a shouter, table pounder and top-down commander foisted on us by former Gov. Bill Richardson. I wrote: “Little in his professional background prepared him for university administration. He was personally aloof. He didn’t get New Mexico.”
Two more presidents followed. One provoked a vote of no confidence Read More
FBI: Dulce Man Charged After Allegedly Threatening Children With Firearm
FBI News:
ALBUQUERQUE — A Dulce man is facing federal child abuse charges after allegedly confronting an adult and two minors outside a residence with a pistol and attempting to force his way into the home while the victims barricaded the door with their bodies.
According to court documents from May 8, 2026, Andrew Fredrick Gunhammer, 26, an enrolled member of the Jicarilla Apache Nation, approached an adult and two minors outside a residence in Dulce, New Mexico, pulled a pistol from his backpack, and began to load it with a magazine. The adult and minors ran into the residence and used their bodies Read More
Advocates Condemn Mexican Gray Wolf Killings, Commend Law Enforcement Efforts
WildEarth News:
SANTA FE — The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service investigated the deaths of two Mexican wolves and served a federal search warrant in April of this year, according to a report in yesterday’s Albuquerque Journal. The wolves—a five-year-old father and a yearling son from the Sawtooth Packwere caught in private traps on private land in two separate incidents in the spring of 2025.
The article provides details about the extensive search conducted by federal agents at properties near Datil, New Mexico. While New Mexico law prohibits trapping on public lands, livestock producers Read More
Daily Postcard: Vibrant Lilium Hybrid Blooms In White Rock
Daily Postcard: A plant identifier app ‘Picture This’ has identified these as Lilium Hybrid. This gorgeous array was spotted blooming today on the outer circle of Aragon in White Rock. Photo by Shari Mills Read More
NMDOT On Rio Grande Gorge Rest Area Improvements
NMDOT News:
TAOS — The Rio Grande Gorge Rest Area will be closed on June 17 and June 18 to finish the parking lot preservation work.
The contractor will be striping the parking lot that was recently fog sealed.
The contractor is American Road Maintenance Inc.
The New Mexico Department of Transportation is committed to the safety of the traveling public and appreciates your cooperation during this work.
For the latest road information visit: The New Mexico Department of Transportation at www.nmroads.com or call 511. Read More
Rep. Gabe Vasquez Marks 14th Anniversary Of DACA, Reaffirms Commitment To Protecting Dreamers
U.S. HOUSE News:
WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Rep. Gabe Vasquez (NM-02) marked the 14th anniversary of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program by reaffirming his commitment to protecting Dreamers and pushing for a permanent pathway to citizenship.
“New Mexico is home to more than 4,000 DACA recipients who contribute millions in state and local taxes, support local businesses, and help power our state’s workforce. These folks are our neighbors, coworkers, business owners, and community leaders,” Vasquez said. “Most came to the United States through no choice of their Read More
State Receives 18,000 Elder Abuse Reports This Year
ALTSD News:
SANTA FE — New Mexico Adult Protective Services has received approximately 18,000 allegations of elder abuse, neglect and exploitation so far in 2026, state officials said, as the state marks Elder Abuse Awareness Month with a push to help New Mexicans recognize the warning signs and report suspected abuse.
Elder abuse can take many forms, including physical and emotional abuse, neglect, abandonment, financial exploitation and scams. This includes scams that often target older adults, including fraudulent phone calls, impersonation schemes, and romance scams. These Read More
Discover 100 Years Of Route 66, Travelers & Tribes June 28
NMDCA News:
Explore the rise of the automobile and how it transformed Tribal communities and reshaped the cultural landscape of New Mexico and the Southwest from 1–3 p.m., Sunday, June 28.
Join New Mexico History Museum for a lecture with Shawn Price (Diné) that looks at historic Route 66 and how it impacted Native people in New Mexico. After the talk inside the museum’s auditorium, Price and the Dine Tah’ Dancers will perform traditional dances in the Courtyard of the Palace of the Governors. The presentation is included with museum admission.
Shawn Price, Director of the Dine Tah’ Navajo Read More
Help NMDOT Name Advanced U-turns Opening On I-25
NMDOT News:
SANTA FE — We need your help coming up with a name for a New Mexico roadway feature, the Advanced U-turn.
As part of the ongoing improvements along the I-25 corridor at Comanche Road and Montgomery Boulevard, new Advanced U-Turns (AUTs) are being added to help improve traffic flow and reduce congestion at the interchanges.
These U-turns allow drivers to safely make a U-turn before reaching the main intersection, helping reduce delays, improve signal efficiency, and keep traffic moving more smoothly through the corridor.
The Advanced U-Turns will be located at both the Comanche Read More
Family YMCA, Kiwanis Invite Community To Free 4th Of July Celebration To Honor America’s 250th Birthday Party
COMMUNITY News:
You don’t have to run the Firecracker 5K to join the fun!
Following the morning race festivities, The Family YMCA and Kiwanis of Los Alamos invite the entire community to gather for a free Independence Day celebration honoring America’s 250th birthday.
Beginning at 10 a.m., families are encouraged to bring bicycles, wagons, strollers, furry friends, and plenty of patriotic spirit to The Family YMCA for a community decorating party. Participants can decorate themselves, their pets, and their rides before taking part in a festive parade celebration.
The morning Read More
LANL Foundation Awards $237,000 In Career Pathways, Graduate Scholarships
LANL Foundation News:
ESPAÑOLA — The LANL Foundation is excited to announce this year’s Career Pathways Scholarship recipients and the first-ever recipients of the National Security Workforce Graduate Scholarship, investing in a talented future workforce.
67 Northern New Mexico high school students, college students, and adult learners received a total of $152,000 to pursue an associate degree, certification, or professional trade credential. The Career Pathways Scholarship is supported by funding from Triad, the Los Alamos National Laboratory Employee Scholarship Fund (LAESF), Read More
Live Storytelling Event ‘The Spill’ At Samizdat June 22
COMMUNITY News:
Samizdat Bookstore and Teahouse and Jillian Rubio invite the community to The Spill, an evening of live storytelling, at 6 p.m., Monday, June 22. The Spill will feature a lineup of local residents sharing true stories drawn from their own lives, bringing together a diverse group of voices for a night of reflection, humor, and connection.
Presented alongside the bookstore’s popular Monday Supper Club (known to regulars as “Bean Night”) which takes place at 5 p.m., The Spill will feature a curated lineup of storytellers whose experiences span a wide range of backgrounds, Read More