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Luján: House GOP Wants to Weaken Protections for Kids Fleeing Human Trafficking & Go After DREAMers

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U.S. Rep. Ben Ray Luján

CONGRESSIONAL News:

Congressman Ben Ray Luján of New Mexico’s Third District and first vice chair of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC) joined members of the House Democratic Leadership and CHC at a press conference in the Capitol. 

Luján discussed House Republicans’ attempts to weaken human trafficking laws and DREAMer protections as part of legislation addressing the humanitarian crisis at the border.  Below are his remarks. 

“Yesterday we saw a House Republican conference that was in disarray because Ted Cruz and a Read More

Taos Celebrates Smokey’s 70th Birthday

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Courtesy/CNF

STATE News:

Carson National Forest, Taos Bureau of Land Management and the Town of Taos are joining to host a birthday party 2:30-5 p.m. Saturday afternoon, Aug. 9 in honor of Smokey Bear’s 70th Birthday.

Smokey’s Birthday celebration will include a birthday cake, songs, games, a Smokey Bear poster exhibit and an opportunity for children to have their picture taken with Smokey.  Special guests at the birthday celebration will be surviving members of the Taos Pueblo firefighting crew, the Snowballs, who will recount the story of the discovery of Smokey Bear on a fire in the Read More

Free Workshop On Downs Syndrome Aug. 11

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Laurie Pachl. Courtesy photo

COMMUNITY News:

UPS, the United Parent Support Group, with the help of the Los Alamos Public Schools Foundation, Los Alamos National Bank and others invite the community to learn more about Down or Downs Syndrome at a free workshop, next week.

Patti McVay and Laurie Pachl will present the workshop at 4 p.m. Monday, Aug. 11, at the United Church of Los Alamos, 2525 Canyon Road.

McVay and Pachl were presenters at the National Down Syndrome Congress in Denver, where they were seen by Jorge and Sylvia Roman. The Romans, along with United Parent Support sought assistance Read More

Dedie Snow Delivers Annual Santa Fe Fiesta Lecture

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Artist’s concept of the Palace of the Governors in the early 17th century, by Scott G. Jaquith. Courtesy/newmexicoculture.org

STATE News:

Since 1609, the Palace of the Governors remains the nation’s oldest continuously occupied government building.

But before and especially after the 1680 Pueblo Revolt and 1693 Reconquest, one of the most common complaints found in early descriptions of it came down to four important words: “In need of repair.”

For the museum’s annual Santa Fe Fiesta Lecture, noted archaeologist Cordelia “Dedie” Thomas Snow pulls together the various descriptions Read More

Valencia County Elementary Schools Guaranteed Meal Funding For Underprivileged Kids

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Sen. Michael Sanchez

STATE News:

Sen. Michael S. Sanchez, D-Valencia, Bernalillo, announced that thanks to funding from a state appropriation, children enrolled in Belen and Los Lunas elementary schools will again be eligible to receive free or reduced price school meals. 

The much needed program, coordinated by New Mexico Appleseed, continues at a time when the state ranks first in the nation for the highest rate of childhood hunger.

“Child hunger has been directly related to poor performance in school. This program not only prevents students from being hungry during their school Read More

Heinrich Votes to Reform VA System

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Sen. Martin Heinrich

U.S. SENATE News:

U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich, D-N.M. released the following statement Thursday after voting to pass the Conference Report for the Veterans’ Access to Care through Choice, Accountability, and Transparency Act.

The proposal, cosponsored by Heinrich, will improve veterans’ access to health care services and address serious systemic problems facing the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). 

“I’m pleased we were able to work together and pass a bipartisan compromise that addresses the chronic mismanagement and systemic Read More

D.H. Lawerence Ranch Reopens To Public

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Image from the D.H. Lawerence Ranch. Courtesy/taoscf.org

TCF News:

The historic D.H. Lawrence Ranch in Taos County will now be open to the public, thanks to a cooperative agreement between the University of New Mexico (UNM), D.H. Lawrence Ranch Alliance and the Taos Community Foundation (TCF).

The ranch, which has been closed to the public since 2010, is accessible 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. each Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday through October.

The Taos Community Foundation established a grant to hire a UNM staff member who will provide public tours and information of the property. The Taos-based D.H. Read More

Heinrich: It’s Irresponsible To Believe Refugee Crisis Will Fix Itself

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Sen. Martin Heinrich

U.S. SENATE News:

 

 U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich, D-N.M., a leading voice in addressing the current Central American refugee crisis on the southern border and staunch advocate for comprehensive immigration reform, voted Thursday in favor of S.2648, the Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act.

 

The bill failed on a procedural vote that would have allowed it to get a final up or down vote. 

“Inaction is not a viable solution to this incredibly serious problem. It is absolutely irresponsible to believe that this humanitarian crisis will Read More

Funding Provided For Food Entrepreneurship Project

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Terry Brunner

STATE News:

USDA Rural Development State Director Terry Brunner presented Rio Grande Community Development Corporation a certificate of obligation last week, which will begin the funding for the establishment of a food manufacturing entrepreneurship project in southwest New Mexico. 

During the presentation Brunner said, “This project offers an exciting opportunity to build a food network of locally grown products which will provide our families and children with a healthier food supply. In the long run, this project will also create new income opportunities and Read More