2026 Northern New Mexico Royalty Court Crowned
The 2026 Northern New Mexico Fair & Rodeo Royalty Court Queen Jewel Jaramillo, Princess Annaka Preston, Sweetheart Jennifer Miera and Jr. Sweetheart Gaia Jakulewicz. Courtesy/LAC
Courtesy photo
COUNTY News:
Los Alamos County held the 4th Annual Northern New Mexico Fair & Rodeo Royalty Court Competition on May 16.
The competition had seven registrants: two for Jr. Sweetheart, one for Sweetheart, one for Princess, and three for Queen. Each contestant gave a formal speech before a panel of judges and spectators; each contestant had a personal interview with the judges and competed Read More
New Mexico Reports First Case Of Human Plague In 2026
NMDOH News:
SANTA FE — A Santa Fe County woman has died from plague—the first human case in New Mexico in 2026, the New Mexico Department of Health reports.
The New Mexico Department of Health (NMDOH) has reached out to close contacts of the woman and will conduct an environmental assessment to determine ongoing risk and confirm no other close contacts have symptoms consistent with plague.
“We extend our heartfelt condolences to the friends and family of the woman who passed away due to plague,” said Erin Phipps, state public health veterinarian for NMDOH. “This tragedy emphasizes the need for Read More
State Sells First $220 Million In Transportation Bonds
Nogal Canyon Bridge. Courtesy photo
Border Connector. Courtesy photo
NMDOT News:
SANTA FE — New Mexico’s historic $1.5 billion transportation bonding program is officially underway with the first $220 million bond sale closing June 30, launching major infrastructure investments across the state.
The 2026 Series A Bonds were sold June 9 and will deliver approximately $220 million to the New Mexico Department of Transportation (NMDOT) at the end of the month, marking the first allocation from the unprecedented bonding package signed by Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham during the 2026 legislative Read More
Home Country: Hotter Right Here
Home Country
By SLIM RANDLE
“Wonder what the count is today,” said Herb. “Sure is hot.”
We sipped simultaneously, as is our wont, and stared at our friend. “What count would that be?” asked Steve.
“The btu count, of course,” said Herb. “Those are British thermal units, you know. It’s how heat is measured.”
Leave it to Herb. There doesn’t appear to be any coffee-drinking topic that Herb can’t make completely obscure.
“I was just getting used to the difference between Fahrenheit and Celsius,” our cowboy, Steve, said.
“I always eat my Celsius with peanut butter on it,” said Doc.
“Doc made a joke!” came Read More
LAFSF: ‘Oppenheimer & The Science Of Hinduism’ June 17
Courtesy image/LAFSF
LAFSF News:
The Los Alamos Faith and Science Forum (LAFSF) 2026 Summer Series Presents ‘Oppenheimer and the Science of Hinduism’ by Dr. Victoria Erhart on Wednesday, June 17, at Trinity on the Hill Episcopal Church (TOTH), 3900 Trinity Drive.
A light meal will be served at 6 p.m. The presentation will begin at 6:30 p.m. and will be recorded and streamed on Zoom at https://losalamosfaithandscienceforum.org.
This presentation examines the relationship between faith and science, as well as religion and science from a variety of angles. It references primary source texts Read More
Interior Department Begins Nationwide Review Of Rock Climbing And Wilderness Study Area Management Policies
DOI News:
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Department of the Interior (DOI) has announced a 60-day public comment period on proposed recreational climbing guidance and potential updates to wilderness study area management policies for lands managed by the Bureau of Land Management, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and National Park Service.
The Department is seeking public input on two important efforts:
- First, establishing a consistent approach to recreational rock climbing management across designated wilderness areas; and
- Second, evaluating whether existing wilderness study areas and
Los Alamos County Council Honors Special Olympians
Los Alamos County Council recognized Special Olympians during its regular meeting Tuesday night for their participation in the May 9 Jemez Mountain Trail Runs. From left, Special Olympics New Mexico Board of Directors member Adam Trubow, Special Olympian Bella Sieberg, Special Olympian Ben Blewett, Jemez Mountain Trail Runs volunteer Laura Musgrave, Special Olympics New Mexico Board of Directors member Art Montoya and County Councilor Suzie. Photo by Kirsten Laskey/ladailypost.com
Obituary: David Bracken June 28, 1964 – June 8, 2026
DAVID BRACKEN June 28, 1964 – June 8, 2026
It is with heavy hearts that we announce the peaceful passing of David Bracken June 8, 2026, at his home, surrounded by the love that meant so much to him.
Born June 28, 1964, in Cohoes, NY, David Bracken lived a life defined by determination, integrity, and an unwavering commitment to doing what he believed was right.
A gifted nuclear physicist by profession, he dedicated his career to solving complex problems and advancing knowledge. Yet those who knew him best understood that his true passion was powerlifting. He approached the sport, and life itself, Read More
Daily Postcard: Wasp Gathers Nectar In White Rock
Daily Postcard: A thread-waisted wasp gathers nectar from a blossom recently in White Rock. These wasps are both pollinators and hunters of caterpillars. Photo by Richard Skolnik Read More
LAPS Shares Leadership Changes For 2026-27 School Year
LAPS News:
Los Alamos Public Schools announces several leadership changes for the 2026–2027 school year.
Los Alamos Middle School (LAMS) Principal Jill Gonzales will become principal at Los Alamos High School. LAMS Assistant Principal Alicia Cardiel will take the helm as principal at LAMS.
Caron Inglis has accepted the position of assistant principal at Los Alamos High School for the upcoming school year.
“Los Alamos is so fortunate to have these amazing leaders to lead our schools,” LAPS Superintendent Jennifer Guy said. “They all bring a great deal of experience to their new roles. They Read More
Seeing Or Guessing? Los Alamos Method Helps Expose Hallucinations In Vision-language AI
The Prelim Attention Score tool helps detect whether a model’s output is grounded in the image or driven too strongly by its own generated text. Courtesy/LANL
LANL News:
- The Prelim Attention Score system enhances vision-language model safety and trustworthiness
Vision-language models are AI systems that combine image analysis with large-language models. These widely used AI systems have a persistent problem: hallucinations, or outputs that describe objects that are inconsistent with, or absent from, the input image.
Los Alamos National Laboratory researchers have developed the Read More
New Mexico Museum Of Art To Celebrate Opening Of ‘Continuum: Blindfall, First Strike’ Featuring Works Of Two Renowned Artists June 20
New Mexico Museum of Art News:
The community is invited to join the New Mexico Museum of Art Vladem Contemporary for the free public opening of Continuum: Blindfall, First Strike, 5-7 p.m. on Saturday, June 20. At 5:45 p.m. hear remarks by artists Virgil Ortiz and Eric F. Garcia. Lite refreshments will be served, and all are welcome. The exhibition will be on view June 20 through Oct. 18, 2026.
What: Public Opening for Continuum: Blindfall, First Strike
Who: Virgil Ortiz (American, Cochiti Pueblo, b. 1969) is one of the most influential contemporary Indigenous artists working today. Drawing Read More
Dragonfly Perches On Furled Flower In Ashley Pond Park
A colorful dragonfly perches on a furled flower Wednesday in Ashley Pond Park. Photo by Marcela Walker Read More
County Council Votes Down Proposed Gas Rate Increase
By KIRSTEN LASKEY
Los Alamos Daily Post
kirsten@ladailypost.com
Department of Public Utilities (DPU) customers will not see, at least for the time being, an increase in their gas rates.
The proposed rate increase, which the Board of Public Utilities (BPU) recommended, was voted down 4-3 during the regular Los Alamos County Council meeting Tuesday night. Councilor David Reagor, Councilor Melanee Hand, Vice Chair Ryn Herrman and Council Chair Randall Ryti voted against the new rate while Councilors Beverly Neal-Clinton, Theresa Cull and Suzie Havemann voted in favor.
According to agenda Read More
Ukrainian Graduate Student Visits Los Alamos To Experience Culture And Gain Work Experience
Ukrainian student Vitalii Yashchuk with his Los Alamos County business license and samples of books he is selling. He is in the U.S. through the Southwestern Advantage Summer Program for college students to earn money and gain work experience by selling educational materials. Photo by Kirsten Laskey/ladailypost.com
By KIRSTEN LASKEY
Los Alamos Daily Post
kirsten@ladailypost.com
Vitalii Yashchuk, a Ukrainian graduate student from the SGH Warsaw School of Economics in Poland, has limitless ambitions. In fact, he crossed half the globe and arrived in the small town of Los Alamos last week Read More
Applications For Veterinary Medicine Loan Repayment Program Now Open
NMHED News:
SANTA FE — New Mexico veterinarians who commit to serving rural, frontier and tribal communities can now apply for up to $80,000 in student loan repayment assistance through the state’s Veterinary Medicine Loan Repayment Program.
Administered by the New Mexico Higher Education Department, the program targets a persistent shortage in food animal veterinary care across the state’s rural and agricultural communities.
Recipients must commit to providing care for food-producing livestock, including cattle, sheep, goats and poultry, in New Mexico’s rural communities Read More
Heinrich Calls For Consideration Of Conservation Bills, Bipartisan Cooperation On ENR Legislation
U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) delivers opening remarks at a hearing to consider pending legislation before the U.S. Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, June 10, 2026. Courtesy photo
U.S. SENATE News:
WASHINGTON, D.C. — During a business meeting on the U.S. Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee to consider pending legislation, U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), Ranking Member of the Committee, criticized Chairman Mike Lee (R-Utah) for continuing to advance Republican priorities while leaving bipartisan and Democratic conservation, public lands, and Read More
Camp May Road Closed For Phase 3 Of Jemez Mountain Fire Protection Project
COUNTY News:
Beginning June 15, the entirety of Camp May Road, Camp May, and adjacent trails will be closed from Monday through Thursday, until the end of the Jemez Mountain Fire Protection Project, anticipated in December. The roadway will remain open Friday through Sunday for recreational access at the ski hill.
The road closure is necessary to allow the contractor Dub-L-EE, LLC the safety, the security and the space to complete the project on time.
Phase 3 includes the construction of four water booster stations and running cables for the new underground fiber and electric distribution Read More
Fort Stanton Receives Recognition For Ongoing Investment In Preserving New Mexico’s History
Fort Stanton Historic Site. Courtesy photo
NMDCA News:
FORT STANTON — Fort Stanton Historic Site, one of eight New Mexico Historic Sites, earned recognition with an Architectural Heritage Preservation Award for rehabilitating four significant historic structures on the site: the Visitor Center (1855), Laundress Quarters (1876), Hospital (1936), and Nurses’ Quarters (1941).
The award, presented by the New Mexico Cultural Properties Review Committee on May 29, 2026, in Albuquerque, recognizes major preservation work that protects and revitalizes significant historic buildings Read More
Sen. Luján Presses Agriculture Secretary Rollins On New World Screwworm At Senate Agriculture Hearing
U.S. Sen. Ben Ray Luján
U.S. SENATE News:
WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Sen. Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), a member of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, pressed Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins on the New World screwworm that has now been detected in Lea County, New Mexico. At a Senate Agriculture Committee hearing, Sen. Luján questioned Secretary Rollins on the impacts of staffing cuts on the response to the spread, the federal government’s response, and USDA’s commitment to prioritizing impacted states.
A full video of the exchange is available here.
Senator Luján’s Read More