U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich Cosponsors Legislation To Expand SNAP Eligibility For Social Security Recipients
U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich
U.S. SENATE News:
WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) cosponsored the COLAs Don’t Count Act, legislation to exempt annual cost-of-living adjustments (COLA) from impacting the benefits of those who utilize the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) for food assistance.
This would help ensure participants of SNAP are not losing benefits to the added costs of inflation and allow families to keep food on the table.
“With costs on the rise, we should be making it easier, not more difficult, for New Mexicans receiving SNAP benefits to put Read More
County Details New Standards To Limit PFAS In Drinking Water
COUNTY News:
For the first time ever, national standards regarding forever chemicals in tap water are being rolled out by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
Collectively called PFAS, which stands for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, these chemicals have been used since the 1940s and are now found everywhere—in air, water, soil and blood. They are often called forever chemicals because it takes thousands of years for them to break down.
What is the source of these chemicals? PFAS are found in a wide variety of products, such as cookware, food packaging, contact lenses, clothing, Read More
Santa Fe Jewish Film Festival To Screen ‘Four Winters’ In Commemoration Of Holocaust Remembrance & Heroism Day
Santa Fe Jewish Film Festival News:
The Santa Fe Jewish Film Festival has announced its screening of Four Winters in commemoration of Holocaust Remembrance and Heroism Day. This award-winning documentary tells the remarkable story of the Jewish partisans, many who were barely in their teens, who fought back against the Nazis during WW II. The film will be shown 3 p.m. Sunday, May 5 at CCA in Santa Fe, and tickets are complimentary (although required).
Against extraordinary odds, more than 25,000 Jewish partisans courageously fought back against the Nazis and their collaborators from deep Read More
New Mexico College Enrollment, Retention And Completion Increased 4th Consecutive Semester Since Opportunity Scholarship Act Signed
NMHED News:
SANTA FE — The New Mexico Higher Education Department announced Wednesday that college enrollment across the state increased this spring for the fourth consecutive semester since the Opportunity Scholarship Act was signed in 2022, marking an average increase of nearly 4 percent statewide compared to last spring.
According to initial numbers collected for the spring semester from the state’s 29 public and tribal colleges and universities, the number of students enrolled in certificate and degree programs is up by over 3,500 students compared to spring 2023. The most notable Read More
Los Alamos National Laboratory Unveils Venado Supercomputer And Opens Door For AI Applications
From left, LANL Interim Deputy Director for Science, Technology and Engineering Mark Chadwick, DOE Secretary David Turk, NVIDIA CEO Jensen Huang, LANL Director Thom Mason, Hewlett Packard Enterprise CEO Antonio Neri and NNSA Los Alamos Field Office Manager Ted Wyka at the 2024 Venado ribbon cutting event held Monday at Los Alamos National Laboratory. Courtesy/LANL
National Security AI Office Director Jason Pruet, left, serves as the moderator for the panel discussion held during the unveiling of Los Alamos National Laboratory’s newest supercomputer, Venado, Monday at LANL. Read More
BLM Seeks Public Input On New Mountain Bike Trail
BLM News:
FARMINGTON — The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Farmington Field Office is considering the designation of a new mountain bike trail on public lands north of Kirtland.
San Juan County, in partnership with the BLM, is proposing a single-track recreational trail improvement project that will be designated for mountain bikes and Class I E-bikes. The BLM is considering the inclusion of Class I E-bikes to provide additional outdoor recreation opportunities for an emerging demographic that includes older or disabled riders.
The proposed project will utilize an existing social trail, Read More
LAFSE: Placing The Burden On The Backs Of Our Students And Staff
By TREY PEREYRA & STACY MARTENS
Co-Presidents
Los Alamos Federation of School Employees, AFT Local #3902
The Los Alamos Federation of School Employees (LAFSE) would like to address the District Administration, School Board, Los Alamos Public Schools (LAPS) staff, and LAPS students and parents regarding the school-year (SY) calendar for 2024-2025. In any year, it’s hard to create a calendar that meets state requirements and balances students’ holistic well-being, staff morale, and parents’ preferences. The circumstances surrounding the SY24/25 calendar were particularly challenging. Read More
Historical Society To Present Lecture April 29 On Nobel Laureates Of Los Alamos During Manhattan Project-Era
Historical Society News:
The Los Alamos Historical Society has announced its free upcoming lecture, scheduled 7-9 p.m. Monday, April 29 at Crossroads Bible Church.
This event marks the second to last lecture in the series and promises an entertaining and educational discussion on the Nobel Laureates of Los Alamos during the Manhattan Project-era.
Distinguished guests will bring their expertise and unique perspectives:
- Alan Carr, Senior Historian at LANL, brings years of experience and research into the history of the Manhattan Project and nuclear testing.
- Ellen McGehee, Historian
Leger Fernández On New HPCC Director Col. Jay Mitchell
Col. Jay Mitchell
From the Office of U.S. Rep. Teresa Leger Fernández:
Leger Fernández Recently Called on FEMA to Appoint a Director with Strong New Mexico Ties
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has named Col. Jay Mitchell as the Director of Operations, leading the day-to-day operations for both the Hermit’s Peak/Calf Canyon (HPCC) Claims Office (Claims Office) and Stafford Act wildfire disaster recovery operations based in Santa Fe. Mitchell is expected to begin in May and will be supported in his transition by leadership at FEMA.
“I am relieved FEMA Read More
New Mexico House Democratic Leaders Respond To Governor’s Announcement Calling For Special Session
STATE News:
SANTA FE – Today, Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham announced that she will call the legislature into special session this summer beginning July 18 to address issues related to public safety and behavioral healthcare.
The special session is expected to last several days.
New Mexico House Speaker Javier Martínez (D-Albuquerque), Majority Floor Leader Gail Chasey (D-Albuquerque), Majority Whip Reena Szczepanski (D-Santa Fe), and Majority Caucus Chair Ray Lara (D-Chamberino) issued the following statement:
“We anticipated this announcement and we share the Governor’s commitment Read More
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Los Alamos County Comprehensive Health Plan Update Identifies Challenges And Offers Short-Term Solutions
By KIRSTEN LASKEY
Los Alamos Daily Post
kirsten@ladailypost.com
There’s a lot to celebrate in Los Alamos, but as Los Alamos County Council discovered during its March 26 meeting, there also is no shortage of challenges.
County Social Services Division Manager Jessica Strong, in her update on the development of the Comprehensive Health Plan to council, listed some of the challenges the Los Alamos Health Council identified after conducting 200 interviews with various community members as well as some of the immediate actions that can be taken to address these challenges.
These challenges Read More
NMRLD New Mexico Cannabis Control Division Reminds Public To Consume Safely Ahead Of Springtime Events
NMRLD News:
Santa Fe – The weather is warming up and the New Mexico Regulation and Licensing Department’s (NMRLD) Cannabis Control Division is urging cannabis consumers to follow the laws and practice safe consumption this spring.
“Springtime is when we start seeing more outdoor events and an uptick in public consumption,” Cannabis Control Division Director Todd Stevens said. “We want to remind the public and our licensees that it is illegal to consume cannabis in public spaces like festivals, expos, and even at a licensed dispensary that doesn’t have an official consumption lounge license.” Read More
New Mexico Department Of Workforce Solutions Releases Part One Of Broadband Workforce Sector Strategy
Cabinet Secretary Sarita Nair
NMDWS News:
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- New Mexico Is Investing Nearly $2 Billion To Provide Statewide Universal Broadband Access
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ALBUQUERQUE – The New Mexico Department of Workforce Solutions (NMDWS) has released Part One of New Mexico’s Broadband Sector Strategy.
Prepared in partnership with the Office of Broadband Access and Expansion (OBAE) and industry stakeholders, the report is the first step in bring together industry, educators, and communities to ensure we have a strong workforce to build universal broadband access with the support of the New Mexico legislature, Read More
U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich Cosponsors Legislation To Fast-Track Veterans Access To Health Care Benefits
U.S. SENATE News:
WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) cosponsored the Combat Veterans Pre-Enrollment Act, legislation to give combat veterans the option to enroll in their health care benefits program before officially transitioning out of active duty.
The bill would create an opt-in program to allow transitioning servicemembers to access Veterans Affairs (VA) health care services their first day as a civilian. Currently, transitioning service members must wait until they have left service and received their official separation paperwork to apply for Veterans Health Read More
Robinson: A Better Way To Run A Railroad
By SHERRY ROBINSON
All She Wrote
© 2024 New Mexico News Services
There’s nothing like a road trip to make you appreciate another mode of transportation – trains. They keep motorists company along many a New Mexico highway. Before we left the federal Department of Transportation unveiled a new railroad rule, so I was paying more attention to trains.
On April 2 DOT’s Federal Railroad Administration began requiring trains to have at least two crew members. The feds cited “troubling trends that point toward a need for heightened caution and awareness in railroad safety”.
The number of human-caused Read More
Canceled: Today’s Lodgers’ Tax Advisory Board Meeting
COUNTY News:
The Los Alamos County Lodgers’ Tax Advisory Board meeting scheduled for noon today, April 16, in the Municipal Building has been canceled due to lack of quorum. Read More
County Environmental Sustainability Board To Meet April 18
Q&A With Council Candidate James Wernicke
Council Candidate James Wernicke
ELECTION News:
Libertarian James Wernicke is running for a seat on the Los Alamos County Council. He recently answered questions from the Los Alamos Daily Post about the local election.
This is part of a series of Q&As with political candidates that the Post will publish ahead of the June 4 Primary.
Post: How long have you lived in Los Alamos?
Wernicke: I’ve lived in Los Alamos permanently since 2013.
Post: Where do you work?
Wernicke: I’ve worked at the lab since 2013.
Post: Why are you running for County Council?
Wernicke: I believe there’s room for Read More
Hampton: April 4 Transportation Board Meeting Update
By DAVID HAMPTON
Chair
Los Alamos Transportation Board
At our last Transportation Board meeting, April 4, 2024, we received a presentation from Member Karen Edwards on the inclusion of blind and low-vision customers in public transportation. She challenged us to consider special transportation difficulties these individuals may experience and to take them into consideration in planning and operating our public transit system.
May 16 will be the annual Bike-to-Work Day (note the date change). If you are interested in helping with this event, including planning, please email Louise Romero Read More
