Phill Casaus
One small business hopes it can be spared
Wanna hear what COVID-19 sounds like?
Building Santa Fe
The old-school ways of banking make a difference in development
Wayne Miller is the epitome of old-school savvy in the rare art of assessing speculative possibilities in high-risk, high-reward lending to local builders and developers. Sadly, he is retiring.
Commentary Morgan Smith
Eunice Herrera: Showing that dreams can come true
It’s hard to believe that more than a decade has passed since my first visit to La Casa de Amor Para Niños in Palomas, Mexico. That was the beginning of many years of …
Commentary Danielle Allen
In times of trouble, the nation learns civics
The last four years have been hard, and this past year hardest of all. But there is one thing for which we can be thankful: We have collectively experienced an intense…
Parents have enough happening — juggling work, serving as teachers for their children in virtual school and staying safe in a pandemic — to raise their stress to unpre…
Emily Post described etiquette as the sensitive awareness of others. After months of isolation during the pandemic, I’d stress a sensitive awareness of self is equally…
Growing Up Spanglish
Grampo’s pearls of wisdom ‘comienzan a hacer’ fade
Hacia de fin del summertime Canutito got un poco bored de no hacer nada. Después de pensar and weighing his options, he decided to write la historia de su familia. He …
Ringside Seat
Why not a wintertime presidential primary in New Mexico?
State Rep. Javier Martínez said he hopes to introduce a bill in the 60-day legislative session to switch New Mexico's primary to a date early in the year.
Commentary
Remember the reasons to give thanks
More than 256,000 Americans have died from a pandemic. We are in an economic recession that might worsen because one political party refuses to take the advice of the …
Ringside Seat
Lame-duck senator swipes at an old foe
Liberals for the last few years have wanted to oust Sanchez from the Senate. Planned Parenthood was one of the organizations trying to defeat him.
Commentary
Administration has honored Native cultures
When Trump took office in 2017, he prioritized issues important to Indian Country and sought to build strong partnerships with tribal leaders across our nation.
Commentary
Pandemic is taking a toll on bodies
The story of the pandemic is written on our bodies, from our eyes to our brains, on our teeth and our skin, all the way down to our feet. And that’s without actually e…
It’s time for associations to find a new value proposition. It’s time to resurrect the notion of continuing education credits for general contractors to keep their licenses.
Ringside Seat
Santa Fe rink manager files whistleblower complaint
Tom Miller, manager of Santa Fe's public rink, figures he's on thin ice with everything to lose.
Phill Casaus
Tilting at windmills, one session at a time
Think of state government like one of those old houses that’s survived generations, with a succession of add-ons through the years.
Growing Up Spanglish
‘El Mero-Mero’ was always ‘agasapándose’
Un día Canutito stopped by la estafeta to pick up the mail como hacía cada día after school. He opened up la mailbox de su grampo con los combination numbers que tenía…
New Mexico Republican Party Chairman Steve Pearce and state House Speaker Brian Egolf have nothing in common except a capacity for driving wedges between people in the worst of times.
She fell in love with the mare and admired the shelter, its staff and the health and welfare of its other 70 horses.
Commentary
Democrats must adjust strategy to reality
The American voters chose to give the Democrats the White House but denied them a mandate. Even if Democrats somehow squeak out wins in both Georgia Senate races, the …
Commentary Ileana Ros-Lehtinen and Ken Salazar
The moment is now for American Latino museum
The National Mall in Washington is where we inaugurate presidents, march for change and learn about America’s history at monuments and the Smithsonian Institution muse…
Commentary Kevin Rudd and Bill Hare
The U.S. can lead again on climate policy
President-elect Joe Biden has pledged to begin the process of rejoining the Paris Agreement with the stroke of a pen. As important as this will be, a more significant …
Ringside Seat
A clear choice and a painful one for top newsmakers
Deciding on Santa Fe's newsmaker of the year comes down to whose action — or inaction — changed the city most.
Magic Table
Holiday recipes with a side of memories
With the holidays around the corner, I wanted to share with you four of my favorite holiday sides. All of these recipes lean toward the skip-the-fuss-and-bring-loads-o…
Growing Up Spanglish
Canutito ‘no estaba’ hooked on phonics
La familia estaba sitting around the table después de su Sunday meal no más smacking their lips. Grama Cuca had just cooked una comida muy sabrosa de mashed potatoes c…
Commentary Thad Allen
Failure in transition puts country at risk
I belong to no political party. I abhor inefficiency and established my career in the Coast Guard by breaking through unnecessary bureaucratic barriers and challenging…
Commentary Paul Waldman
A shared purpose on COVID-19 evades us
There are sins of commission and sins of omission, and right now, when it comes to the coronavirus pandemic, Republicans are committing both.
Building Santa Fe
Luján has been there for New Mexico builders
When it comes to housing and energy efficiency issues, the congressman has been solid. It'll be interesting to watch what's next as he begins a new career in the Senate.
New Mexico’s last stand against the COVID-19 disaster begins Monday.
Commentary David Iglesias
Barr's approach to so-called fraud makes no sense
Attorney General William Barr has opened the door for federal prosecutors to launch criminal probes of election fraud even before states have finished the counting pro…
Ringside Seat
New Mexico has seen carping like this before
Rumors of fraud circulated when John F. Kennedy defeated Richard Nixon in 1960, though Nixon was tactful in his loss. Donald Trump prefers being his own point man.
Rescue Report
Wobbly pup finds a home
Pia has congenital malformations in her brain called porencephaly
Tales of tails
All the presidents' dogs
Many famous canines have helped steer the ship during troubling times.
“Look me in the eyes,” the doctor ordered, staring at me from behind her plastic face guard. Her eyes were blue, almost as blue as her hospital mask. Yet, after a mome…
Ringside Seat
Independent's day brought no fireworks to New Mexico
Rep.-elect Brittney Barreras of Albuquerque says she will switch her registration from independent to Democrat before the 60-day session begins in January.
Here are the two pies I make each year on Thanksgiving for my family.
Commentary Renae Moch
North Dakota's journey to COVID-19 nightmare
As COVID-19 surges across the country, one state stands out. In North Dakota, infections are, alarmingly, occurring at more than six times the national rate. How is th…
For the Birds
The tiny bushtit flocks in New Mexico all year
They almost always travel in flocks of up to several dozen, constantly flitting and chattering through the foliage of shrubs and trees.
Commentary
Time to turn off the reality show
If the mark of a successful finale is whether it delivers clarity and satisfaction, Nov. 3 was a bust. Election Day ended on a messy, anxious note rather than a confid…
Commentary
Will America become a failed state?
As I write this, it seems extremely likely that Joe Biden has won the presidency. And he clearly received millions more votes than his opponent. He can and should clai…
Growing Up Spanglish
Grampo Caralampio has to go ‘resongar’
Grampo Caralampio estaba bien bored! Era un día caliente in the summertime and the entire church en ese domingo was boiling hot. Even con las ventanas abiertas, the mo…
Building Santa Fe
Put bond to feed housing fund on next ballot
Albuquerque asks voters every two years if they would approve a general obligation bond for its housing trust. The voters have never said no.
Phill Casaus
Prepare for redistricting — it's bound to get messy
Goulash.
One of my favorite places to run is a greenbelt off the Santa Fe Rail Trail near my house. To me, it looks like the grassland in the African Serengeti that I have only…
Whole Hearted Parenting
Keys for success with virtual school
Making the switch from in-person classrooms to virtual education is challenging for students, teachers and parents. Here are some ideas to create the greatest success …
Ringside Seat
Reckless talk of fraud in latest battle of Chaparral
Republican Ricky Little, of Chaparral, knows only a few votes, if any, change in most recounts of state legislative races. His focus is on conspiracies instead of history.
Rescue Report
Dog adopted after bad behavior changed
Tsuki was heartworm positive and had some behavioral issues included growling, showing teeth and lunging at people.
Magic table
Feeling stressed? Pizza night calls
One of my favorite lessons I have learned over the past year is a simple one. We need fun. We need to find it and make it whenever we can. When life is feeling stressf…
Holy Trinity of Finance
Well-regulated society leads to prosperity
On this Election Day, it might be helpful to remember that a crucial role of government is to provide public goods and services that no one can afford to pay for on th…
Phill Casaus
If the state GOP craters, all roads lead to the boss
For a moment, let’s assume President Donald Trump is voted out of office, Xochitl Torres Small wins New Mexico’s 2nd Congressional District race, and Democrats collect…
Commentary
Here's why Christians should abandon Trump
The most startling statistic to come out of the 2016 presidential election was that 81 percent of white evangelicals cast their votes for Donald Trump, who will never …
Building Santa Fe
There’s a road that needs to be built — now
Paseo del Sol in Tierra Contenta needs to be extended. It has been on the eligible list for a decade but gets passed over every time the city spends its money.
My View Alexander Cotoia
Barrett confirmation a victory for rule of law
The confirmation of Amy Coney Barrett to the Supreme Court is a victory — for both the rule of law and the principle of separation of powers. …
My View Miguel Escoto
Climate change is a human issue
On the struggle for farmworker labor rights, community organizer César Chávez said: “The fight is never about grapes or lettuce. It is always …
My View Bob Walsh
Current U.S. immigration policy is shameful
Restricting immigration is bad policy. Our Declaration of Independence submitted many facts as evidence against the king of England. One was r…
My View Tom Johnson
Data huggers harm New Mexico's taxpayers
Many, even most, decisions made today are driven by data.
My View Troy and Diane Harrison
Convenience stores shouldn't have to close overnight
Before the coronavirus pandemic, convenience stores served a vital role in our communities, providing gas, food, drinks, access to ATMs, and a…
My View Shloka Bhakta
School calendars need a shift for cultural diversity
With the holiday season impending and coronavirus cases exceeding 13 million, it’s clear things won’t be the same for many years to come. As a…
My View Francisco Diaz
Consider a new spirit for Christmas this year
COVID-19 will change our Christmas spirit this year, but it is up to us to decide whether our spirit will turn weaker or stronger. As the holi…
My View Jim Klukkert
A wealth of possibilities for Department of the Interior
African American, Latinx, Native American, Asian American and Pacific Islander votes powered the Biden-Harris ticket to victory. In coming ele…
My View Karen Foss
My tree has fallen, but its example inspires
I first saw “my tree” perhaps 10 years ago. It’s not really my tree, of course. I don’t own it. But I’ve been loving it and learning from it f…
My View Jeff M. Witte
Shop local this holiday season
The giving season is an opportunity for everyone to share part of what makes New Mexico special.
“The doctor says there’s a spot on my lung,” my mother said to me in a November phone call from New Mexico to Arizona many years ago. It began…
Pecos Valley continues to be targeted for exploratory mining operations and existing toxic mine pollution continues to threaten wildlife habitats, our waterways and cultural sacred sites. We need to make a unified stand now.
When you’re close to another person, say at Thanksgiving dinner or in church, you may also be closer than you wish to many people that this pe…
My View Erin Wade
View from the dining room: Save lives and save jobs
Last week, Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham reinstated a two-week stay-at-home order that, among other things, restricted restaurants like mine to …
My View Judith Gabriele
Public employees are unsung heroes of the pandemic
Until this fall, New Mexico was doing an exceptional job of containing the coronavirus — so much so that our state received national attention.
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