Opinion

Altherr: Thank You All For All You Do And All You Have Done!

The coloration of the Gila trout has been likened to a New Mexico sunset. Courtesy/Michael Altherr

By MICHAEL ALTHERR
Los Alamos

On this Earth Day, I want to pay tribute to the Federal employees and all those who insured the successes of the environmental movement of the 1960’s and 1970’s. In spite of the Vietnam War, and the sins of the Nixon administration, that period of time gave rise to The Clean Air Act (63’); The Wilderness Act (64’); The Wild and Scenic Rivers Act (68’); The Endangered Species Act (74’); The Clean Water Act (77’) and others. It seems nostalgic to remember a time when  politicians Read More

Mason: Unified Focus On Traffic Safety Is Essential

By Director Thom Mason
Los Alamos National Laboratory

Los Alamos National Laboratory supports Los Alamos County’s recent efforts to control speeding and enforce traffic safety through an ordinance approved last week to install automated speed cameras in various locations around the county. The ordinance complements efforts taken by the Laboratory in recent months to further promote safer driving on and around Lab property. The Laboratory has installed mobile speed cameras around the site, utilized GPS systems in government vehicles that track speed, seatbelt usage, and location of Read More

Libby Nolen: Thank You Los Alamos!

By LIBBY NOLEN
Los Alamos

I wrote a letter to the editor a few weeks ago talking about the struggles that teenagers face in Los Alamos (link). I did not expect the response that I got. I truly thought that it would be another one of those Op/Eds of a person complaining about something that no one listened to. However, I was proven wrong. Los Alamos, you listened. And I really appreciate that.

The response to my letter has been mostly positive, and to those people, I say thank you for sharing your past experiences with me. It really makes me feel seen to know that my generation is not the only one struggling Read More

Robinson: Your Word Of The Day—Uncertainty

By SHERRY ROBINSON
All She Wrote

© 2024 New Mexico News Services

Tax season was extra painful this year. Because I did well in the stock market last year, I 558`ikhad to pay extra for capital gains, but those gains have evaporated and then some in Wall Street’s downward skid. Now, like millions of others with dwindling retirement accounts, I’m wondering what to do.

As a journalist, I’ve never made a lot of money, so it’s remarkable that somebody like me even has a stock portfolio. I credit that to workplace 401Ks, some smart brokers and the penny pinching I learned from my mother.

More than half of Americans Read More

Op-Ed: About Diabetes Risk Check

By BILL HEINMILLER
Los Alamos

Regarding the Diabetes risk check published on March 28 (link), it is understood T2D is very common, and it is managed, not cured. The linked quiz requires less than a minute. It asks 8 questions (9 if a woman) regarding age, sex, family, blood pressure, exercise, race and BMI to determine your overall risk to T2D. 

There is no zero risk response. One caution is if one gets a low risk response, they should not conclude low risk means no risk and nothing more need be done. Similarly, one who gets a high risk response should not choose to do nothing because they are not experiencing Read More

Danneman: Cooling Down The Rhetoric

By MERILEE DANNEMANN
© 2025 Triple Spaced

“We are going to back off extremist political rhetoric, encourage our supporters to follow our example, and ask the opposing party to do the same,” said nobody, after the March 31 fire at New Mexico Republican state party headquarters. In a front-page headline, the Albuquerque Journal said GOP leaders were asking for a “cool down” after the fire, but the article below that headline, quoting reactions to the fire, suggested they only wanted Democrats to cool down. Based on the quoted comments, it appears Republican leaders were ready to blame Democratic Read More

Dewart: Another Serious Traffic Accident … Let’s Ask DOE To Take More Aggressive Actions!

By JEAN DEWART
Los Alamos

Fellow citizens,

Another serious traffic accident on N.M. 502/Main Hill Road on Tuesday, April 8, 2025. The cause: too many vehicles traveling at too high speed.

There is one more day to comment on the DOE draft Sitewide Environmental Impact Statement for LANL. The draft EIS covers transportation as an impact of LANL operations.

You can comment on the draft EIS though 5 p.m. April 10, 2025, and ask DOE to take more aggressive actions to reduce the number of vehicles on our roads and to reduce the speeds of these vehicles. 

The full EIS can be found at https://www.energy.gov/nepa/articles/doeeis-0552-draft-environmental-impact-statement Read More

Op-Ed: Defunding Science, Is At Our Peril

By MARTIN LAWLER
Santa Fe

Modern medicine saved my life, what about yours? From polio to COVID vaccines to surgery at a famous medical center to our local New Mexico hospital, I owe my life to medical researchers and doctors.

Europe used to be the genesis of modern medicine: Louis Pasteur invented pasteurization and vaccines, Marie Curie discovered x-rays. Then American scientist took over. Under the leadership of President Roosevelt, the National Institute of Health (NIH) and National Science Foundation were created. Our government has funded important cancer, heart, and HIV research. Read More

Op-Ed: As Budget Cuts Loom – Programs For Rural Libraries, Historical Societies, Tribal Organizations, Museums, Teachers, Students, Veterans And Elders Face Devastating Cuts

By MIRIAM LANGER
Board Chair
New Mexico Humanities Council

Over the past 50 years, the New Mexico Humanities Council (NMHC) has supported rural libraries, historical societies, tribal organizations, local museums, teachers, students, veterans, and elders. Our programs have helped preserve endangered traditions and supported intergenerational programs that connect us through storytelling, reflection, and understanding across differences. These aren’t luxuries—they’re lifelines. In communities where there isn’t a museum or college nearby, these programs may be the only provider Read More

Annibelle Preston Issues Letter Of Apology To Community

By ANNIBELLE PRESTON
Los Alamos

My name is Annibelle ‘Lilly’ Preston, Case No. M-33-MR-2024-00018

In October 2024, I damaged and tore down a political sign within the County of Los Alamos. I humbly apologize to the court and the citizens of Los Alamos for my actions. I regret breaking the law, I understand it cost the owner money to replace the sign, I apologize for any inconvenience I caused.

I was acting impulsively due to stress, and I took it out on the sign. I would walk away if I were in a similar situation.

I have felt anxious and depressed over my actions, this incident has affected my personal Read More