Some Bills Focused On New Mexico’s Housing Crisis Still Stand A Chance In This Session
The Roundhouse in Santa Fe. Post file photo
By MIKE EASTERLING
The Santa Fe New Mexican
With the end of New Mexico’s 2026 legislative session just days away, homebuilders and affordable housing advocates are still waiting for legislation aimed at tackling the state’s housing crisis to make it across the finish line.
Lawmakers have introduced proposals ranging from homebuyer assistance to local zoning process reforms to tax changes that benefit builders. So far, none has passed both chambers.
Still, Miles Conway, CEO of the New Mexico Home Builders Association, is optimistic. He sees Read More
Happy Valentine’s Day From Stan To Amy!
Stan Kosiewicz and Amy Anderson
To My Dearest Valentine
By Stan Kosiewicz
Amy, my lovely miss
All I ask is one sweet kiss
We met at a dance
That led to romance
I always love to hear you sing
What a pleasure your voice does bring
I used to run fast
But those days are past
Simply put, I love you still
And forever always will
–Your formerly tall, formerly dark, but still handsome man, Stan Read More
Daily Postcard: Bluebirds Chat Near Treatment Plant
Daily Postcard: Bluebirds spotted chatting near the Wastewater Treatment Plant. Photo by Richard Skolnik Read More
Bill lifting Statute Of Limitations For Some Child Sex Crimes Passes New Mexico Senate
Bill Sponsor Sen. Angel Charley, D-Acoma
By NATHAN BROWN
The Santa Fe New Mexican
A bill that would remove the statute of limitations for some of the most serious acts of child sex abuse passed the state Senate overwhelmingly Friday, with some recent events providing fodder for supporters’ arguments.
“The last time we looked at this law, we didn’t know what was happening at Zorro Ranch,” said Sen. Angel Charley, D-Acoma, who sponsored the bill, referring to the southern Santa Fe County property once owned by Jeffrey Epstein. “The last time we looked at this law, we didn’t know what we know now.” Read More
Legislative Roundup: 7 Days Left In Session
Rep. Cristina Parajón, D-Albuquerque, center, speaks with Rep. Mark Duncan, R-Farmington, left, and House Speaker Javier Martínez, D-Albuquerque, during the House floor session on Friday, Feb. 13, 2026. Matt Dahlseid/The New Mexican
The Santa Fe New Mexican Staff Report
Budget battle: The Senate Finance Committee is scheduled to take up New Mexico’s $11.1 billion spending plan Saturday.
Sen. George Muñoz, a Gallup Democrat who chairs the committee, said the panel made some 356 changes to the version of House Bill 2 passed by the House.
The revised spending plan proposes a 2.65% increase Read More
New Mexico Senate Passes Universal Child Care
Bill Sponsor Sen. George Muñoz, D-Gallup
STATE News:
SANTA FE — The New Mexico Senate voted Thursday to pass legislation establishing universal child care while protecting the program’s accessibility for working families across the state.
Senate Bill 241, sponsored by Sen. George Muñoz (D-Gallup) and approved on a 25-15 vote, would provide child care to New Mexico families without mandatory co-pays except under specific economic conditions such as inflation or declining oil revenues. If economic triggers are met, co-pays would begin only for families earning above 600% of the Read More
Come On Community! Let’s ‘Shower’ Our Teachers At Los Alamos Public Schools With Love!
LAPS Foundation News:
Wish you could show a particular teacher a little extra love? Now you can.
The Los Alamos Public Schools Foundation is once again sponsoring a community-wide campaign to “Shower” LAPS teachers with much-needed classroom supplies and resources.
From Feb. 14 through March 17, community members are invited to visit https://showerlove26.givesmart.com to donate any amount toward a teacher’s wish list item.
Once a donation goal for an item is fulfilled, the LAPS Foundation will purchase the item directly for the teacher. It’s a simple, meaningful way to show appreciation Read More
Los Alamos Geological Society To Meet Tuesday
LAGS News:
The Los Alamos Geological Society (LAGS) will meet at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 17, at the Los Alamos Christian Church at 92 East Road.
The guest speaker will be Samuel Perry who will give a presentation summarizing new discoveries in the uranyl sulfate and uranyl carbonate mineral published in the past 15 years (approximately 55 minerals). He will also provide evidence for the existence of natural hollow-cage uranyl carbonate nanoclusters in water, determine the enthalpy of formation of five uranyl sulfate mineral phases and review the structural relationships of every uranyl sulfate Read More
Scenes From Julie Williams-Hill’s Retirement Event
Los Alamos County Manager Anne Laurent, left, reads the inscription on the Nambé plaque she is presenting to Julie Williams-Hill at her retirement event Thursday afternoon in Council Chambers, thanking her for 24 years of dedication to Los Alamos County. Williams-Hill served as public information officer for the Department of Public Utilities and the County. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com
Scene from the retirement event on Thursday afternoon in Council Chambers honoring Los Alamos County Public Information Officer Julie Williams-Hill and thanking her for 24 years of dedication Read More
New Mexico STABLE $25 Match Incentive Extended Throughout 2026
State Treasurer Laura M. Montoya
From the State Treasurer’s Office:
SANTA FE — The New Mexico State Treasurer’s Achieving a Better Life Experience (NM STABLE) program is announcing the extension of its $25 match incentive offer for new accountholders.
NM STABLE is an award-winning savings and investment vehicle designed to allow New Mexicans with disabilities to save for disability-related expenses without losing eligibility for public benefits such as Medicaid or Supplemental Security Income (SSI).
New NM STABLE accountholders who open any NM STABLE account and deposit at least $25 Read More
Vitalant Shares February Blood Drive Schedule
Three opportunities to donate blood with Vitalant in February. Sign up today at www.vitalant.org or call 877.258.4825. Photo by Bernadette Lauritzen
COMMUNITY News:
February is National Heart Health Awareness Month and Vitalant would like to bring much-needed awareness to the community about how important transfusions are to the critical aspect of managing cardiac surgery patients (link). An estimated 50% of cardiac surgery patients require a blood transfusion, and with this being the month of love, Vitalant is inviting the community to help.
To celebrate Valentine’s Day, Vitalant Read More
Obituary: Maryanne Frances Meyer Feb. 11, 1939–Feb. 9, 2026
MARYANNE FRANCES MEYER Feb. 11, 1939 – Feb. 9, 2026
With profound sadness and endless love, we announce the passing of our beautiful mother, Maryanne Frances Meyer, on Feb 9, 2026, surrounded by those who loved her dearly.
Maryanne was the heart of our family — a woman of grace, strength, and unwavering love. She lived her life with kindness and compassion, always placing others before herself. Her smile could light up a room, and her laughter was a comfort that made even the hardest days brighter.
Maryanne was a native New Yorker, born in Bay Shore, Long Island, New York to William and Beatrice Behounek. Read More
County Inclusivity Task Force Set To Meet Feb. 18
EDD Empowers Communities With Free Technical Assistance
NMEDD News:
SANTA FE — The New Mexico Economic Development Department will provide free professional technical assistance to four communities to strengthen their local economies through its New Mexico MainStreet program.
The Project-Based Initiatives program provides technical support for economic development projects in rural and urban communities for 12-24 months. Proposals are accepted on a rolling basis and must produce direct economic development outcomes in the form of business retention/creation, job creation and/or property investment.
“Local governments in New Mexico Read More
County Invites Public To Speed Engagement Sessions
COUNTY News:
Looking for a quick connection in these busy times? The Los Alamos Department of Public Utilities is hosting “Speed Engagement Sessions” in early March—a fast-paced opportunity to share your ideas about water and energy conservation and efficiency.
Think of it like speed dating, but instead of finding your soulmate, you’ll help DPU find its next conservation program.
As your public utility provider, DPU needs and values your input. These sessions are part of updating our Water and Energy Conservation Plan (WECP), a required document outlining conservation efforts within Read More
CRRUA To Pay Nearly $200K For Drinking Water Violations
NMED News:
SANTA FE — The New Mexico Environment Department today announced a settlement with the Camino Real Regional Utility Authority of five violations committed by the utility since 2023.
The settlement includes a penalty of $189,000, including a “bad faith” enhancement due to CRRUA’s repeated lack of accountability during the enforcement process. The funds will be deposited into the State’s Water Conservation Fund, which supports required water quality sampling and operator training assistance for public water systems statewide.
“The Environment Department has for years worked Read More
State Broadband Officials Tout Investments, Push For Affordability Program
Jeff Lopez, director of the New Mexico Office of Broadband Access, reviews his notes in between presenters during Broadband Day at the state Capitol on Thursday, Feb. 12, 2026. Gabriela Campos/The New Mexican
By MARGARET O’HARA
The Santa Fe New Mexican
Ramah has just a handful of restaurants and few paved roads.
But it’s also home to some 240 miles of fiber internet cables—with plans to add 175 more miles of the connective cables soon, said Margaret Merrill, owner of Oso Internet Solutions, a broadband company that serves Ramah in Western New Mexico and surrounding communities. Read More
New Documents Added To Los Alamos Legacy Cleanup Electronic Public Reading Room On Behalf Of EM-LA
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.
- Review, Notice of Completion of Off-Site Waste Shipments for Final Disposal, Activity 4.0, Compliance Plan, Site Treatment Plan, Federal Facility Compliance Order, Los Alamos National Laboratory [November 5, 6, 13 shipments]
https://ext.em-la.doe.gov/GovFTPFiles/api/GetFiles/GetFile?fileName=EMID-704177_NMED_Review_STP_Shipment_Nov+5%2C+6%2C+13_020926.pdf
U16 Girls FC Rogue Show Strong Start To Spring Season
U16 girls Los Alamos FC Rogue opened the spring club soccer season at the Desert Classic Tournament in Phoenix, Arizona Feb. 7-8, building momentum, scoring 4 goals, and strengthening team chemistry for the season ahead. Courtesy photo Read More
New Mexico Senate Passes Initiative To Address Critical Shortage Of Healthcare Professionals
STATE News:
SANTA FE — New Mexico Senate Democrats marked the passage Feb. 11 of Senate Bill 14 on the Senate Floor, a piece of legislation aimed to significantly expand the state’s Health Professional Loan Repayment Program to attract and retain healthcare providers in underserved communities across New Mexico.
Sponsored by Senators Martin Hickey (D – Albuquerque) and Natalie Figueroa (D – Albuquerque), SB 14 has received strong bipartisan support throughout the legislative process, passing unanimously through both the Senate Health and Public Affairs Committee (10-0) and the Read More