New Mexico Office Of Insurance Reviewing Its Legal Options Following District Court’s Ruling That State Farm Need Not Comply With Provision Of Amended Emergency Order
New Mexico Superintendent of Insurance Alice T. Kane
OSI News:
SANTA FE — The Santa Fe District Court ruled July 23 that it would not require State Farm and Casualty Company (“State Farm”) to comply with the provision of the New Mexico Superintendent of Insurance’s Amended Emergency Order that sought to require insurance companies to pay $5,000 in living expenses to policyholders forced to evacuate as a result of the South Fork and Salt Fires if the consumer’s insurance policy covered Additional Living Expenses (“ALE”).
New Mexico Superintendent of Insurance Alice T. Kane issued the following Read More
Video: County Council Chair Denise Derkacs Briefs Public On Tuesdays Work Session
Los Alamos County Council Chair Denise Derkacs briefs the public on Tuesday’s work session during an interview today at the Los Alamos Daily Post. Video by Kirsten Laskey/ladailypost.com Read More
Heinrich Agrees To Two Debates With Dominici This Fall
U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich
POLITICS News:
ALBUQUERQUE — U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich has accepted two separate invitations to participate in debates against his multimillionaire former hedge fund executive opponent, Nella Domenici.
Heinrich has agreed to two proposed debates—one sponsored by the Congregation Albert Brotherhood and the other jointly sponsored between KOAT, the Albuquerque Journal and NewsRadio KKOB—both scheduled to take place in October.
“I believe that open and honest debates are crucial for our democracy. With our fundamental rights and freedoms on the line this election, Read More
Op/Ed: A Bit Of History Behind ‘The Boys Of The Pajarito Plateau’
By LIZ MARTINEAU
Los Alamos
Dear Community,
This week the Art in Public Places Advisory Board is scheduled to discuss a piece of artwork called “The Boys of the Pajarito Plateau.” This community treasures Fuller Lodge, which is one reason I think this subject has generated such interest. (As someone who believes in historic preservation this warms my heart!) However, I want to provide some background information about the Los Alamos Ranch School students and dispel some inaccuracies that I have heard circulating in the community.
- The subject matter of this painting is a group of Los Alamos Ranch
Estela Hernandez Takes Helm At Emerge New Mexico
Emerge New Mexico Executive Director, Estela Hernandez
Emerge New Mexico News:
ALBUQUERQUE — Emerge New Mexico announced Monday the next stage of its evolution with new Executive Director Estela Hernandez.
“I am honored and excited to unite my passions, skills, and strengths to lead Emerge New Mexico and make a lasting impact on the representation of women and non-binary individuals in politics,” Hernandez said. “Recent events in our county highlight the urgency of addressing systemic inequalities and amplifying the voices of underrepresented communities. As a Latina who has lived Read More
PED Receives Grant Funds To Provide Free Digital Citizenship Training For New Mexicans Starting In Santa Fe
PED News:
SANTA FE — The New Mexico Public Education Department (PED) was recently awarded a $453,000 Google Kids Initiative grant as a result of a 2021 settlement agreement between the New Mexico Department of Justice and Google.
The PED will be using grant funds to provide digital citizenship training to New Mexico residents. Training sessions will provide instruction to educators, parents and community members on key topics such as screen time, social media, AI and Internet safety for children.
The first two trainings are scheduled for July 29 and 30 in Santa Fe. A training session in Taos Read More
New Mexico Legislative Council Selects Shawna Casebier As New Director For Legislative Council Service
STATE News:
SANTA FE — Last week, following a months-long national search, the bipartisan Legislative Council unanimously selected Shawna Casebier as the new Director of the New Mexico Legislative Council Service (LCS). Casebier currently serves as Assistant Director for Drafting Services for LCS and has been with the agency since 2015.
As head of the nonpartisan LCS, the Director oversees many of the permanent staff and year-round operations at the Capitol, including bill drafting and research, building and ground maintenance, IT, capital outlay, and legislative human resources. Read More
Following Reports Of Safety Concerns At OpenAI, Luján Joins Group Demanding Answers On Safety, Transparency, Whistleblower Protections
From the Office of U.S. Sen. Ben Ray Luján:
Washington, D.C. – Following reports made by employees on safety and security concerns, U.S. Sen. Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) joined U.S. Senators Brian Schatz (D-Hawai’i), Peter Welch (D-Vt.), Mark Warner (D-Va.), and Angus King (I-Maine) calling on OpenAI to honor its commitment to AI safety research and protect current and former employees who raise AI safety concerns.
“We write to you regarding recent reports about OpenAI’s safety and employment practices. OpenAI has announced a guiding commitment to the safe, secure, and responsible development Read More
Op/Ed: MRA And Tools In The Toolkit
By KEVIN HOLSAPPLELos Alamos
The current MRA discussion about adding another “tool” to the “toolkit” for encouraging development to satisfy community needs and desires and the call for citizen input prompted me to provide input to the County. Several friends encouraged me to share the input in an Op-Ed in our local media.
Three tools already in the County toolkit are the Local Economic Development Act (LEDA), the Los Alamos Creative District, and the White Rock MRA. All of these provide paths for the County to help projects that will help our community achieve our plans and goals without violation
Shin: Los Alamos Metropolitan Redevelopment Area Commission Necessary For An Open And Transparent Government
By LISA SHIN
Los Alamos Family Eyecare
On May 9, 2024, our County Council voted to approve the boundaries of a Metropolitan Redevelopment Area (MRA). Now, it is time for our Council to establish an MRA Commission which complies with the New Mexico Redevelopment Code. This Commission should not include County Councilors or County employees, but rather key members from the community with experience in commercial property development, affordable housing, finances/banking and environmental sustainability. Additionally, there should be representatives from the small business community Read More
NCRTD Blue Bus Awarded $9.2 Million In Federal And State Grants For Headquarters Expansion
Rendering of $10.5 million expansion design of Jim West Regional Transit Center in Española. Courtesy/NCRDT
NCRTD News:
The North Central Regional Transit District (NCRTD) Blue Bus this week announced it has been awarded a $7.5 million grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Grants for Bus and Bus Facilities program.
Together with a $1.8 million matching grant from the State of New Mexico, a total of $9.2 million is now available for the District to implement the second and final phase of its plan to improve its Jim West Regional Transit Center headquarters and operations facility Read More
Española Mayor: Strength In Unity
By JOHN RAMON VIGIL
Mayor of Española
There is an old saying, “there is strength in unity, and in unity there is progress…” Nothing can be stated that is more similar to the truth when discussing this in the aspects of our federal, state and local government systems. Most importantly these words should be valued even more so at the local government level where our citizens expect that of our local bodies of jurisdiction.
During my first two years serving as Mayor of Española, the Española City Council was evenly divided and it prevented the adoption of much needed ordinances and general consensus Read More
County Parks And Open Space Division Invites Community To Second Listening Session For BMX Track Project Via Zoom July 31
COUNTY News:
The Los Alamos County Parks and Open Space Division is still seeking feedback from the community as the planning process continues for the proposed BMX park on North Mesa.
The upcoming Listening Session, hosted by Action Sports Design will collect community input to assist Parks in understanding key community issues, priorities and goals related to the project.
This meeting will be similar to the in-person meeting held June 20, 2024.
The Listening Session will be held via Zoom 6-7:30 p.m., July 31, 2024.
Zoom Meeting Information:
Read MoreNew Mexico Secretary Of State Explains General Election Ballot Process After President Biden Withdraws From Race
Secretary of State Maggie Toulouse Oliver
From the Office of the New MexicoSecretary of State:
SANTA FE – Secretary of State Maggie Toulouse Oliver released the following statement and FAQs today following President Biden’s announcement over the weekend that he will withdraw from the presidential race.
Following President Biden’s announcement, misinformation began circulating online that mischaracterized the process for how the Democratic nominee will appear on the General Election ballot in November.
“The Secretary of State’s Office is committed to providing New Mexicans with Read More
U.S. Rep. Gabe Vasquez Brings Ranking Member Of Veterans’ Affairs Committee To Roundtable Discussion With New Mexico Veterans
U.S. Rep. Gabe Vasquez
From the Office of U.S. Rep. Gabe Vasquez:
ALBUQUERQUE – On Friday, July 19, 2024, U.S. Rep. Gabe Vasquez (N.M.-02), alongside House Veterans’ Affairs Committee Ranking Member Rep. Mark Takano (Calif.-39), hosted a roundtable discussion with local veterans to ensure their voices are heard in Washington.
Participants voiced their concerns regarding health care costs, Veterans Affairs (VA) accessibility and the PACT Act that supports veterans affected by toxic exposures while serving overseas.
“Veterans are always deserving of our support and attention, which Read More
Los Alamos County Council To Consider Gas Rate Increase
COUNTY News:
With approval from the Los Alamos Board of Public Utilities (BPU), the Los Alamos County Council will now consider a gas rate increase during a public hearing at the Council meeting at 6 p.m. Tuesday, July 30.
The meeting will be conducted in person in Council Chambers at the Los Alamos Municipal Building and remotely via Zoom. Both meetings are open to the public. Anyone wishing to attend via Zoom may join using the following link: https://ladpu.com/ratehearing.
Utility rate changes must be adopted by the County Council before they can be put into place. If approved, this one will Read More
Heinrich, Peters Lead Dozens Of Lawmakers In Urging DOT To Reduce Methane Emissions, Finalize Strong Gas Pipeline Leak Rule
From the Office of U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich:
WASHINGTON, D.C. — This week, U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), a member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, and U.S. Representative Scott Peters (D-Calif.), a member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, led 40 lawmakers in a bicameral letter to Secretary Pete Buttigieg calling for the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) to swiftly finalize a strong Gas Pipeline Leak Detection and Repair Rule.
The rule, which PHMSA is required to establish under the Read More
Robinson: End Of Biden Drama Gives State’s Democrats A Second Wind
By SHERRY ROBINSON
All She Wrote
© 2024 New Mexico News Services
Before U.S. Rep. Gabe Vasquez joined Sen. Martin Heinrich in asking President Joe Biden to give up his run for a second term, Vasquez had distanced himself from Biden.
Last August, Vasquez was conspicuously absent from a Biden rally in New Mexico featuring a constellation of Democrats. Vasquez said he needed to spend time with his father, the Albuquerque Journal reported. He might as well have said he needed to wash his hair. It was clear he was already thinking ahead to this year’s race and didn’t want to give Republicans any ammunition, Read More
Dannemann: Monitoring The Invasion Of Private Equity Into Healthcare
By MERILEE DANNEMANN
Triple Spaced Again
© 2024 New Mexico News Services
Healthcare companies should never have profit as their primary mission, don’t you think?
There’s a genuine conflict between the profit motive and what healthcare is supposed to accomplish: providing a service that heals people’s illnesses or helps them stay healthy. For a healthcare institution to be successful, profit has to be tempered with giving priority to the wellbeing of patients.
America has been struggling with this conflict for decades, because so much of our healthcare is provided by for-profit entities. Read More
