James Webb Space Telescope & The Manhattan Project
Image of the ‘Cosmic Cliffs’ taken by the James Webb Space Telescope. Courtesy/Atomic Heritage Foundation
By CYNTHIA C. KELLY
President and Founder
Atomic Heritage Foundation
After 20 years and $10 billion, the unfolding of the 18 gold-coated beryllium hexagons of telescope’s sunflower-like mirror of the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) in early January 2022 went flawlessly.
Like a modern-day Manhattan Project, the project involved an interdisciplinary team of engineers, astronomers, mathematicians, technicians, and government officials.
The telescope will allow scientists Read More
U.S. Senators Heinrich And Smith Highlight Electrification Measures In Inflation Reduction Act
U.S. SENATE News:
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Electrification Caucus Senate Co-Chairs Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) and Tina Smith (D-Minn.) participated in an “Electric Explainer,” a virtual event hosted yesterday by Rewiring America to discuss the historic climate provisions included in the Inflation Reduction Act, their impacts on lowering costs for American households, and how this generational investment would transform America’s energy and climate trajectory.
WATCH: Heinrich, Smith Highlight Electrification Measures In Inflation Reduction Act
“The clean energy and electrification Read More
Thief Steals Herb Plants From Betty Ehart Senior Center
Volunteers at the Betty Ehart Senior Center have had 2 of their herb pots stolen in the past few weeks. The Senior center would like to remind the public that community members are invited to take a snip of the plants but taking of the entire pot is frowned upon. Courtesy/BESC
The sign posted on the gate behind the herb garden table at the Betty Ehart Senior Center asks the public to use scissors to snip a small amount off of the plants. Courtesy/BESC Read More
Burn Pit Bill Headed To President Biden For Signature
DVS News:
A bill that would expand healthcare benefits for millions of veterans exposed to toxic “burn pits” during their military service is heading toward President Joe Biden’s desk for signature into law.
The U.S. Senate, by an 86-11 vote, passed the Sergeant First Class Heath Robinson Honoring Our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics Act, more commonly known as the PACT Act, late Tuesday night. The bill had passed on a 342-88 vote in the House nearly three weeks earlier.
Once signed by the president, the new law will address and fund VA health care and research relating to veterans who were Read More
Daily Postcard: Sunrise Casts Brilliant Glow Across Sky
View of the early morning sunrise Thursday above White Rock. Photo by Jim Gourdoux
Another view of Thursday’s early morning sunrise above White Rock. Photo by Jim GourdouxGov. Michelle Lujan Grisham Secures Addition Of Los Alamos And Sandoval Counties To Federal Disaster Declaration For New Mexico
Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham
STATE News:
SANTA FE – Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham announced today that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has granted her request to add Los Alamos and Sandoval counties to New Mexico’s wildfire disaster declaration.
The amendment to the disaster declaration opens the FEMA Public Assistance Program for Los Alamos and Sandoval counties, which provides supplemental grants to state, tribal, territorial, and local governments, as well as certain types of private non-profits, to quickly respond to and recover from major disasters or emergencies. Read More
Los Alamos Mountaineers Going Strong 70 Years Later
Los Alamos Mountaineers make their way down Hall’s Creek in 2014, front to back, Chris Foster, Mary Thompson, Joy Green, Ray Green, Terry Morgan, Marilyn Yeamans and Jackie Little, on an exploration of the Utah Canyon Country. Courtesy/Los Alamos Mountaineers
By BILL PRIEDHORSKY
Los Alamos Daily Post
The Los Alamos Mountaineers will celebrate their 70th anniversary Sept. 17, with activities including hiking, mountain biking, canyoneering, orienteering, and a gear demo, followed by a celebratory potluck at Urban Park.
Those 70 years began with a small group that met in a house in Western
County Food Compost Plan Under Consideration
ESDManager Angelica Gurule
By KIRSTEN LASKEY
Los Alamos Daily Post
kirsten@ladailypost.com
Los Alamos County tosses out a lot of food. In fact, 20 percent of the local waste stream is made of food.
This is a problem. According to the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), in 2012 it published a report that revealed that up to 40 percent of food in the United States goes uneaten. This means that an annual estimated cost of $218 billion is lost in uneaten food, costing a household of four an average of $1,800 annually. Plus, resources are wasted including 21 percent of U.S. agricultural water usage Read More
Daily Postcard: Sunset Casts Golden Glow On Rio Grande
Daily Postcard: The sunset casts a golden glow on the Rio Grande viewed Tuesday near Overlook Park in White Rock. Photo by Jenn Bartram/ladailypost.com Read More
(VIDEO) Vandalism On The Rise In County Parks
Vandalism is on the rise in the County parks system and the Parks Division and Los Alamos Police Department (LAPD) ask the community to help spread awareness and report suspicious activity or concerns. If you see something, say something: Call LAPD at 505.662.8222.
Video showing various acts of vandalism throughout the County parks system. Courtesy/LAC
COUNTY News:
Los Alamos County has seen an increase in vandalism in the County parks system over the past few months.
The Parks Division and Los Alamos Police Department (LAPD) ask the community to help spread awareness and report any Read More
Tree Trimming On North Mesa & Barranca Mesa Thursday
COUNTY News:
Tree trimming coordinated by the Los Alamos County Department of Public Utilities (DPU) is set to start up again Thursday.
Residents on North Mesa and Barranca Mesa may see Southwest Fire Defense & Tree Services professionals mitigating hazards and power outages by trimming tree branches growing around power lines.
Southwest Fire Defense & Tree Services is under contract with the Electric Distribution Division of the DPU. Department staff are responsible for identifying branches that need attention and will attempt to give residents advance notice via informational
Bandelier National Monument To Waive Entrance Fees Thursday To Celebrate 2nd Anniversary Of Great American Outdoors Act
Bandelier is celebrating the 2nd anniversary of the Great American Outdoors Act (GAOA) Thursday, Aug. 4, with an entrance fee-free day. Courtesy/NPS
BANDLELIER News:
Bandelier and the National Park Service will be celebrating the 2nd anniversary of the Great American Outdoors Act (GAOA) Thursday, Aug. 4, with an entrance fee-free day!
Visitors will not be charged entrance fees to enter National Park Service areas that normally charge entrance fees, including Bandelier, in honor of this anniversary.
Passed in 2020, the Great American Outdoors Act (GAOA) is a significant investment Read More
New Mexico’s Nationally Leading Oil And Gas Emissions Rule Becomes Law Aug. 5, 2022
Environment Department Secretary James Kenney
STATE News:
SANTA FE — A nationally leading rule over the oil and gas industry that will cut harmful air emissions by 260 million pounds is now state law – a fulfillment of one of Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham’s first commitments made in office.
The rule, which was developed with input from more than 520 stakeholders representing industry, environmental groups and the public, was published in the state register this week.
The rule will go into effect Aug. 5, 2022.
The new rule embraces innovation and is more protective of public health and the environment Read More
New Documents On Los Alamos County Airport Landfill Cover System Replacement Added To LANL Electronic Public Reading Room
LANL News:
Per regulatory requirements, Los Alamos National Laboratory announces 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 posted prior to April 30, 2018, visit LANL electronic public reading room:
- Submittal of the 2021–2022 Annual Long-Term Monitoring Status Report (July 2021 through June 2022) for the Los Alamos County Airport Landfill Cover System Replacement, Solid Waste Management
Daily Postcard: Fireweed Blooms On Pajarito Mountain
North Mesa Stable Cat Jellybean Licks Blades Of Grass
Sweet stable cat Jellybean is spotted recently licking blades of grass growing around the North Mesa Stables. Photo by Jenn Bartram/ladailypost.com Read More
Cornell Lab Of Ornithology: New Course Helps Awaken Curiosity About Nature
Bird Academy, the e-learning arm of the Cornell Lab of Ornithology now offers a new course to help kids awaken their curiosity about nature. Courtesy/Cornell Lab of Ornithology
Cornell Lab of Ornithology News:
ITHACA, N.Y. — Adults who want to connect kids with nature now have some expert guidance, thanks to a new online course from Bird Academy, the e-learning arm of the Cornell Lab of Ornithology.
“Let’s Go Outside: How to Connect Kids with Birds and Nature,” contains six lessons with dozens of field-tested activities to reduce screen time for kids and boost their curiosity about the natural Read More
Daily Postcard: Red Squirrel Sits In Tree Enjoying Snack
Daily Postcard: A red squirrel is spotted during a recent hike sitting in a tree enjoying a snack in the Jemez. Photo by Marc Bailey Read More
Western Sky Turns Orange This Evening As Earth Turns Away From Sun
New Mexico To Participate In Federal Program To Connect More Households To Solar Energy, Lower Electricity Bills
PRC News:
SANTA FE — New Mexico is one of five states and the District of Columbia that have signed up to pilot the Community Solar Subscription Platform to connect more households to solar energy and lower electricity bills through the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) and other assistance programs, according to a joint announcement yesterday by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).
The DOE said it has prioritized working with states such as New Mexico that have set up programs supporting low-income community solar Read More
