AFT: Welcome Back to School – We’re Here for You!
By WHITNEY HOLLAND
President
AFT New Mexico
The beginning of the school year can be an exciting time! New and returning students and their parents filling our halls, cafeterias, busses, and classrooms, and the entire community is abuzz with activity.
As an educator, this is always my favorite time of year, and as educators, seeing the faces on our students helps to remind each of us about the importance of our work and our love for this professional calling.
We also know that the beginning of the academic year can bring unexpected challenges – broken air conditioners, different bell schedules, Read More
Black Feather Fire Estimated At 1,500 Acres Burning 25 Miles North Of Los Alamos … Being Managed With Full Suppression Response
A smoke plume from the Black Feather Fire viewed early Sunday evening from Pajarito Acres in White Rock. Photo by Mary Arrowsmith
New Mexico Fire Information News:
Firefighters are responding to a wildfire about 44 miles northwest of Santa Fe in the San Pedro Parks Wilderness of the Coyote Ranger District. It’s called the Black Feather Fire and as of late Sunday night was estimated at 1,500 acres.
The lightning-caused fire started Saturday, Aug. 5, and is being managed with a full suppression response.
Numerous aircraft are assigned to the incident including five large air tankers (LATs), one Read More
Governor Announces Rural Health Care Delivery Fund Applications Open In New Mexico
STATE News:
SANTA FE — Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham has announced that providers may apply for the $80 million from the Rural Health Care Delivery Fund created earlier this year as part of the governor’s commitment to expanding health care in New Mexico.
“New Mexicans living in rural parts of our state should have the same access to high-quality and affordable health care, period,” Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham said. “This fund is a crucial part of our overarching strategy to strengthen our state’s rural health care systems, improve access to care, and advance health equity across New Mexico.” Read More
NMED: Public Comment Period Open For New Mexico’s Proposed State Implementation Plan Revision For 2015 Ozone NAAQS
NMED News:
The New Mexico Environment Department (“NMED”) announces an opportunity to comment and/or request a public hearing on a proposed revision to New Mexico’s federally approved State Implementation Plan (“SIP”).
The proposed revision is for the Sunland Park portion of the El Paso-Las Cruces TX/NM marginal ozone nonattainment area (“EP-LC TX/NM O3 NAA”), as applicable to the 2015 ozone National Ambient Air Quality Standard (“NAAQS”). NMED addresses Section 182(a)(3)(A) in respect to periodic emissions inventory requirements to fulfill New Mexico’s planning requirements Read More
U.S. Sen. Ben Ray Luján Fights To Extend Veteran’s Enrollment Deadline Under PACT Act For Health Care Coverage Treating Toxin-Exposure-Related Injuries
U.S. Sen. Ben Ray Luján
U.S. SENATE News:
WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Sen. Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) sent a letter to the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Friday urging an extension of the enrollment period deadline for veterans applying to retrieve retroactive benefits under the Sergeant First Class Heath Robinson Honoring Our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxins (PACT) Act.
Last year, the historic PACT Act was signed into law to provide 3.5 million veterans with health care coverage for treating toxin-exposure-related health injuries— marking the VA’s most expansive health care benefits Read More
Scenes From Trip To Alaska By White Rock Residents
Scene of Toby, a grizzly bear cooling of in water that White Rock residents Linda and Barbara Uher saw during their recent trip to Alaska. Toby weighs about 1,200 pounds and stands 6 feet tall at her shoulder. She learned how to sign for more food by putting her paws together in front of her chest. Toby has a brother Balloo, her brother Lucky died in 2017. Her mother died from ingesting plastic bags she found in a garbage can. Toby lives at Fortress of the Bear rescue center in Sitka, Alaska. Learn more at fortressofthebear.com. Photo by Linda Uher
Scene of Toby, a grizzly bear that White Rock residents Read More
Not Invisible Act Commission Concludes Public Hearings
DOI News:
WASHINGTON, D.C. — As part of the continued work by the Departments of the Interior and Justice to implement the Not Invisible Act and address the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Peoples (MMIP) and Human Trafficking crises, the Not Invisible Act Commission this week concluded its 8th and final public hearing.
The Commission held seven public hearings across the country, as well as a two-day national virtual hearing, to hear directly from the public in some of the communities most affected by these crises. These hearings provided a forum for the Commission’s subcommittees to hear Read More
NACo: Counties Encouraged By White House Action On Mental Health Parity
NACo Executive Director Matthew Chase
NACo News:
WASHINGTON, D.C. — County leaders across the nation Tuesday joined President Biden for the announcement of a new proposed role to reinforce elements of the 2008 Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act (MHPAEA).
Mental health parity is a cornerstone of the work of the National Association of Counties (NACo) Commission on Mental Health and Wellbeing.
“Counties are feeling the strain of the rising demand for mental health services and ensuring this crisis is addressed. To achieve our shared goals, a strong intergovernmental partnership Read More
Robinson: Outdoor Recreation Division Deserves Kudos, But Don’t Neglect State Parks
By SHERRY ROBINSON
All She Wrote
© 2023 New Mexico News Services
Carl Colonius, an outdoor recreation planner for the state Outdoor Recreation Division, sat down before the Legislative Finance Committee recently, prepared to talk about trails. He found that lawmakers want to know about more than hiking. They’re eager to learn about the full range of outdoor recreation enjoyed all over the state.
In the conversational silos of state budgeting, they weighed outdoor recreation only from the Outdoor Recreation Division’s perspective, which they support. Days later, another silo of state government Read More
New Mexico Higher Education Secretary Rodriguez Participates In National Summit In Washington, D.C.
NMHED News:
WASHINGTON D.C. — New Mexico Higher Education Secretary Stephanie M. Rodriguez joined U.S. Department of Education Secretary Miguel Cardona and senior Biden-Harris administration officials in Washington last Wednesday for the National Summit on Equal Opportunity in Higher Education.
The Summit marked a key next step in the Biden-Harris administration’s efforts to advance diversity and opportunity in higher education following the Supreme Court ruling on affirmative action.
“You are the higher education leaders this county needs to transform this moment from Read More