Video: Councilor Reagor Discusses Proposed GRT Increase
Los Alamos County Councilor David Reagor discusses the proposed GRT increase Wednesday at the Los Alamos Daily Post. Video by Kirsten Laskey/ladailypost.com Read More
Sen. Heinrich Joins Effort To Provide U.S. Service Members Access To Protected Leave For Abortion & Reproductive Health Care Services
U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich
U.S. SENATE News:
WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) is cosponsoring the Protecting Service Members and Military Families’ Access to Health Care Act.
This legislation, introduced by U.S. Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), is designed to codify the Department of Defense’s (DOD) Feb. 16, 2023 policy to ensure service members and their families can access non-covered reproductive health care, including abortion services, regardless of the state in which they are stationed.
An estimated 40 percent of active-duty servicewomen, who are stationed Read More
Heinrich Introduces Bipartisan Bill To Strengthen Childhood Cancer Research
U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich
U.S. SENATE News:
WASHINGTON, D.C. — During Brain Cancer Awareness Month, U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) is joining Senators Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Jerry Moran (R-Kan.), and Mark R. Warner (D-Va.) in introducing the Gabriella Miller Kids First Research Act 2.0.
This legislation would provide a new source of funding for the National Institutes of Health’s (NIH) Gabriella Miller Kids First Pediatric Research Program (Kids First) by redirecting penalties collected from pharmaceutical, cosmetic, supplement, and medical device companies that break the law to Read More
(VIDEO) Commissioner Garcia Richard Testifies On Proposed BLM Rule To Prioritize Health Of Public Lands To U.S. House Subcommittee
STATE News:
SANTA FE — New Mexico Commissioner of Public Lands Stephanie Garcia Richard testified today to the U.S. House of Representatives Natural Resources Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations regarding a rule proposed by the Bureau of Land Management to consider “conservation” a public land use and prioritize the health and ecosystems of those lands. Commissioner Garcia Richard’s testimony today focused on the fragmented nature of public lands in New Mexico, and how conservation leasing could be on par with the State Land Office’s approach to honor its mission to earn money Read More
U.S. Rep. Melanie Stansbury Outlines Prescription Drug Cost Savings From Inflation Reduction Act
From the Office of U.S. Rep. Melanie Stansbury:
WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Rep. Melanie Stansbury (N.M.-01), a member of the House Committee on Oversight and Accountability, Tuesday affirmed the need for the United States to adopt universal health insurance as Americans see cost savings from the recently-passed Inflation Reduction Act during a hearing on Prescription Benefit Management systems.
The Inflation Reduction Act lowers prescription drug prices by empowering Medicare to negotiate the price of prescription drugs, as well as rebates for higher costing drugs. The law also capped Read More
Denish: Books Can Help Kids – And Parents – Connect With Their Feelings
By DIANE DENISH
Corner to Corner
© 2023 New Mexico News Services
Recently, I went to see “Are You There God? It’s me, Margaret.” It’s a movie based on a novel of the same name written by Judy Blume.
Blume, now 85, is having a bit of a public resurgence as the movie opens. She had an interview on the PBS News Hour and a lengthy article in The Atlantic Monthly, as well as appearing in other publications.
If you aren’t familiar with Blume, she has long been a trusted guide for kids as their bodies are changing. She explores the impact of divorce, religion, friendships, death and, for heaven’s sake, sex on their Read More
Councilors To Chat With Public At Farmers Market May 25
COUNTY News:
Los Alamos County Council has announced that beginning Thursday, May 25, councilors will be available monthly to chat with constituents at the local Farmers Market at Ashley Pond Park.
This initiative aims to provide an informal and accessible platform for community members to engage with their elected representatives and discuss matters of local importance.
Constituents are encouraged to drop by and take advantage of this opportunity to meet with councilors face-to-face. The councilors will be available 9-11 a.m. on the last Thursday of each month through October. The Read More
Congressional Delegation Urges Biden Administration To Improve Native American Voting Access In New Mexico
Congressional Delegation News:
WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senators Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) and Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) and U.S. Representatives Teresa Leger Fernández (D-N.M.), Melanie Stansbury (D-N.M.) and Gabe Vasquez (D-N.M.) have urged President Biden and the Indian Health Service (IHS) to select a pilot voter registration site in New Mexico to increase American Indian and Alaskan Native (AI/AN) voter participation.
Following President Biden’s “Executive Order on Promoting Access to Voting,” this letter urges the Administration to continue their voter rights expansion efforts Read More
DPLA Honors Eric Vasquez With Prestigious 2023 JFK Award
Secretary of State Maggie Toulouse Oliver presents Eric Vasquez with the 2023 JFK Award on behalf of the DPLA at the JFK Dinner Saturday evening at Pig+Fig Café in White Rock. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com
2023 JFK Award recipient Eric Vasquez celebrates his award with his wife, New Mexico Commissioner of Public Lands Stephanie Garcia Richard Saturday evening at Pig+Fig Café in White Rock. Courtesy photo
Gathered to honor 2023 JFK Award recipient Eric Vasquez, from left, DPLA Chair Andrea Determan, Vasquez, Secretary of State Maggie Toulouse Oliver, Land Commissioner Stephanie Read More
Dannemann: Stopping The Shooter
By MERILEE DANNEMANN
Triple Spaced Again
© 2023 New Mexico News Services
If teenager Beau Wilson – now forever labeled the Farmington mass murderer – had been behaving erratically, and a relative or friend had noticed and had sought help from law enforcement, what might law enforcement have done?
If a friend or family member had been concerned about the houseful of firearms he had access to, or the assault weapon he purchased several months ago, or the three magazines for that weapon he purchased a few days before his murderous rampage, and had asked for help, what might law enforcement have done? Read More
Elks Lodge Invites Community To Flag Day Event June 14
Elks Lodge Flag Day celebration is 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, June 14 at 1601 Trinity Dr. Courtesy photo
Community News:
The community is invited to attend the Elks Lodge #2083 celebration of Flag Day at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, June 14 with its traditional ceremony at the Lodge at 1601 Trinity Dr.
The Elks honor the flags of the U.S. by giving the history through several readings.
Patriotism has characterized the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks of the United States of America since the early days of the organization. Allegiance to the flag of our country is a requirement of every member.
In 1907, Read More
Luján, Sinema, Cornyn Introduce Bipartisan Bill To Protect Endangered Wolves, Support Southwest Ranchers
U.S. Sen. Ben Ray Luján
U.S. SENATE News:
WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senators Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), Kyrsten Sinema (I-Ariz.), and John Cornyn (R-Texas) introduced the Wolf and Livestock Fairness (WOLF) Act to provide full reimbursement to ranchers for livestock harmed by endangered Mexican gray wolves.
Once common throughout parts of the Southwestern United States, the Mexican wolf was all but eliminated from the wild due to conflicts with livestock. In 1998, the U.S Fish and Wildlife Service began recovery efforts in Arizona and New Mexico. However, livestock production—mostly cattle Read More
Heinrich Announces ‘Kids To Parks Day’ Resolution
U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich
U.S. SENATE News:
WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), a member of the National Parks Subcommittee of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, joined U.S. Senators Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.), Steve Daines (R-Mont.), Shelly Moore Capito (R-W. Va.), Susan Collins (R-Maine), Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii), Cory Booker, (D-N.J.) to announce their bipartisan resolution that encourages children to get outdoors and promote healthy outdoor recreation by designating May 20, 2023 National Kids to Parks Day.
First celebrated Read More
Los Alamos County Council Proclaims May 21-27 EMS Week
Los Alamos County Councilor Melanee Hand presents LAFS EMS Division Chief Chris Bartlett with a proclamation designating May 21-27 Emergency Medical Services Week during Tuesday’s work session. Courtesy/LAC
COUNTY News:
Los Alamos County proclaimed May 21-27 as Emergency Medical Services during its work session Tuesday night.
Councilor Melanee Hand read the proclamation, which states:
WHEREAS, emergency medical services is a vital public service; and
WHEREAS, the members of emergency medical services teams are ready to provide lifesaving care to those in need 24 hours a day, seven Read More
State Auditor Joseph M. Maestas Announces Selection Of Two Key Leadership Positions
State Auditor Joseph M. Maestas
From the Office of the State Auditor:
SANTA FE — New Mexico State Auditor Joseph M. Maestas announced today the appointment of two individuals to fill key positions on his leadership team.
“I’m truly excited to have these individuals as part of my leadership team. As a candidate for NM State Auditor, I pledged to hire the best and brightest as a part of my leadership team to ensure accountability and transparency in the management of public funding throughout New Mexico,” Auditor Maestas said. “I believe I’ve accomplished that through these and other leadership Read More
Unitarian Church Of Los Alamos Presents Sunday Forum: ‘Why We’re Polarized’ May 21
Unitarian Church News:
The Unitarian Church of Los Alamos Sunday Forum will feature: “Why We’re Polarized” presented by Tyler Taylor at 11:45 a.m. May 21 in the church at 1738 North Sage Loop.
Have you been struggling, maybe for years, to wrap your mind around how and why Americans have become so bitterly divided?
The social and political issues often seem to have such deep roots, but the disagreements regularly now go in confusing or alarming directions. More fire accelerants seem to appear some weeks than there are sensible firefighters.
Clarity is needed about what is under the surface and Read More
Rep. Gabe Vasquez Holds U.S. Forest Service Accountable
U.S. Rep. Gabe Vasquez
STATE News:
WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Rep. Gabe Vasquez (NM-02), questioned U.S. Forest Service Chief Randy Moore in a House Agriculture Forestry Subcommittee hearing Tuesday on confronting the wildfire crises.
Earlier this year, Vasquez sent a letter to the U.S. Forest Service to demand an updated action plan for prescribed burns to ensure New Mexicans’ safety.
After two months of no response, Vasquez pressed Chief Moore for an update on U.S. Forest Service’s methods.
WATCH: Vasquez Holds U.S. Forest Service Accountable
“We are already seeing fires across our state, Read More
Navajo Nation Council And City Of Gallup Address Fraudulent Reports Of Navajo People Being Targeted By Fraudulent Rehab And Treatment Centers
The 25th Navajo Nation Council members, City of Gallup Mayor Louis Bonaguidi and Gallup Police Chief Erin Toadlena-Pablo during a press conference May 17, 2023 at the Gallup City Council Chambers. Courtesy/NNC
NNC News:
GALLUP — Members of the 25th Navajo Nation Council including Speaker Crystalyne Curley and Council Delegates Seth Damon, Amber Kanazbah Crotty, Dr. Andy Nez and Vince James participated in a press conference Wednesday with City of Gallup Mayor Louis Bonaguidi and Gallup Police Chief Erin Toadlena-Pablo, to offer information about reports of Native Americans being targeted Read More
U.S. Rep. Stansbury Introduces Medicare For All Act
U.S. Rep. Melanie Stansbury
STATE News:
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Wednesday, U.S. Rep. Melanie Stansbury (N.M.-01) joined Rep. Pramila Jayapal (Wash.-07) and dozens of Members of Congress to introduce the Medicare for All Act.
The Medicare for All Act expands on Medicare to cover every American. This expansion includes not just primary care, but vision and dental, prescription costs, mental health and substance abuse treatment, reproductive care, long-term care, and more.
“Health care is a human right,” Rep. Stansbury said. “It is time Congress finally passes the Medicare for All Act and gives Read More
Legislature’s 529 Expansion A Positive Step For New Mexico
By PAUL J. GESSING
President
Rio Grande Foundation
The 2023 New Mexico legislative session was generally disappointing for New Mexicans who wish to see much-needed K-12 education reform. However, it was not a total loss. In fact, one bill did pass that could help thousands of New Mexico families pay for educational options that work best for them. Without a single “no” vote during the 2023 session, HB 342 will soon be the “law of the land.”
The bipartisan bill was sponsored in the House by Republican Minority Leader Ryan Lane and by Democrat Majority Leader Peter Wirth in the Senate. It was signed Read More
