NMW: Thousands Of New Mexicans Support Removal Of Destructive Feral Cattle From Gila Wilderness
NMW News:
SILVER CITY – New Mexico Wild (NMW) has announced that the Wilderness Ranger District of the Gila National Forest closed public comment Monday on a proposal to remove unbranded, feral cattle from the Gila Wilderness.
During the 53-day public comment period, the Forest Service received more than 2,000 comments in support of the removal of feral cattle destroying fish and wildlife habitat, overgrazing native vegetation, trampling stream banks and polluting critical water sources.
The Gila is America’s first designated wilderness, and one of the most valuable public land resources Read More
BPU To Consider Nuclear-Powered Los Alamos
Courtesy/DPU
COUNTY News:
Energy generation comes in many shapes and sizes, some of which leave lasting carbon footprints and others that don’t. One type of future generation that aims to power cities fully without polluting the environment with carbon involves Small Modular Reactors (SMR)—or nuclear energy.
The public is invited to attend an informational workshop on the subject 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 11, during the Board of Public Utilities (BPU) monthly work session.
Los Alamos County is a partner in the Carbon Free Power Project (CFPP), spearheaded by the Utah Associated Municipal Read More
Legislators Propose Adding Green Amendment To New Mexico Constitution To Recognize Environmental Rights
Sen. Antoinette Sedillo Lopez
STATE News:
SANTA FE — A Joint Resolution to amend the New Mexico Constitution in order to add environmental rights was pre-filed by Senators Antoinette Sedillo Lopez and Rep. Joanne Ferrary; the Senate version was pre-filed Jan. 5 with the House version anticipated shortly.
Sen. Harold Pope, Jr., Sen. Shannon Pinto, Rep. Tara Lujan, Rep. Patricia Roybal Caballero, Sen. Carrie Hamblen, Sen. Bill Soules, Sen. Jeff Steinborn and Rep. Debbie Sariñana are among others supporting this amendment.
The pre-filed resolution proposes amending the State Constitution Read More
Luján To Join Las Cruces Fire Department To Highlight Mental & Behavioral Health Investments
U.S. Sen. Ben Ray Luján
U.S. SENATE News:
LAS CRUCES — U.S. Sen. Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) will meet with Las Cruces Fire Department officials 2-4 p.m. (EST) today, Jan. 10 to celebrate two Congressionally directed spending projects secured to improve mental and behavioral health care services to the Las Cruces community.
Totaling more than $1 million, these investments that Luján secured will support the crisis response unit that responds to crisis calls received on the 911 system, including welfare checks, intoxication, overdoses, suicide attempts, and behavioral issues.
This funding Read More
Five Kirtland Airmen To Receive Distinguished Flying Cross
KAFB News:
KAFB – Five Kirtland Air Force Base (KAFB) Airmen from the 58th Special Operations Wing will be awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross at a ceremony 8:30 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 11 at the base in Albuquerque.
The five Airmen are being honored for their participation in an Oct. 31, 2020, hostage rescue operation in Northern Nigeria to recover an American citizen held hostage by a group of armed men.
The mission was conducted by the Navy’s SEAL Team 6 who were flown to the region by Air Force special operations. The mission marked the longest successful hostage rescue mission in one period Read More
Military & Veterans Day At 2023 Legislature Is Feb. 20
DVS News:
SANTA FE – Military Veterans, National Guard/Reserve members and active service members will be honored at the State Capitol in Santa Fe on Military and Veterans Day at the 2023 Legislature Monday, Feb. 20.
This annual day during the legislative session is presented by the New Mexico Department of Veterans Services (DVS) and the New Mexico National Guard to honor active-duty service members and veterans for their sacrifice and service for our country.
The day will feature informational tables staffed by DVS, NMNG, the New Mexico VA Health Care System, VA’s Veterans Benefits Administration Read More
County Council To Discuss 2023 Strategic Priorities Tuesday
COUNTY News:
The Los Alamos County Council is holding a special session 6 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 10 in Council Chambers at 1000 Central Ave.
This meeting is in person and open to the public. However, for convenience, the following Zoom meeting link and/or telephone call-in numbers may be used for public viewing and participation:
- Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82683176848
- Telephone: Dial(for higher quality, dial a number based on your current location):
US: +1 253 215 8782 or +1 346 248 7799 or +1 669 900 6833 or +1 301 715 8592
or +1 312 626 6799 or +1 929 205 6099 - Webinar ID: 826 8317 6848
The purpose Read More
LAPS Board Meeting Notice: Tuesday Jan. 10
LAPS News:
The Los Alamos Public Schools is inviting the community to a scheduled school board meeting via Zoom 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, Jan 10 at the Administration Offices, School Board Room, 2101 Trinity Drive, Suite V.
Join Zoom Meeting:
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/5056632222?pwd=ODd1d3h0Z1dGd1ByT0lVNGU3T2dFQT09
Meeting ID: 505 663 2222
Passcode: j45K8H
One tap mobile
+12532050468,,5056632222#,,,,*656843# US
+12532158782,,5056632222#,,,,*656843# US (Tacoma)
Meeting ID: 505 663 2222
Passcode: 656843
To submit comments for items not on the agenda, see email address in item 6. Read More
Lauritzen: An Open Letter To New Mexico
By BERNADETTE LAURITZEN
Executive Director
Los Alamos Retired and Senior Organization
My name is Bernadette Lauritzen and I am the Executive Director of the Los Alamos Retired and Senior Organization. This month we will celebrate 25 years, providing services to the Betty Ehart and White Rock Senior Centers.
While I certainly don’t speak for all senior centers, I implore the residents of New Mexico who know, use or value their senior centers to call or email your legislators and ask them to support during this session all senior centers.
Senior centers have been assisting our community elders Read More
Stansbury Sworn To Second Term To Serve New Mexicans
Gathered together following the swearing in ceremony early this morning in Washington, D.C., from left, U.S. Representatives Melanie Stansbury, Pramila Jayapal, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Teresa Leger Fernandez. Courtesy photo
From the Office of U.S. Rep. Melanie Stansbury:
WASHINGTON, D.C.—This morning, U.S. Rep. Melanie Stansbury (N.M.-01) took her oath of office to serve New Mexico’s First Congressional District. She was sworn in following 15 rounds of votes for Speaker of the House, the fifth-longest Speaker election in U.S. history.
Rep. Stansbury represents the newly Read More
UNM-LA Advisory Board Meets Monday In Wallace Hall
UNM-LA News:
The UNM-Los Alamos (UNM-LA) Advisory Board will meet 5:30 p.m. Monday, Jan. 9 in Wallace Hall, in Building 5, on the campus at 1000 University Drive.
Agenda items include a presentation about UNM-LA fees and tuition, as well as administrative reports from each member of the Executive Team.
Direct questions to Sarah Jimenez at 505.662.0334 or sarahjimenez@unm.edu.
Congress & President Enact Landmark Legislation Ensuring Long Term Stability For Northern Rio Grande National Heritage Area
NRGNHA News:
ESPAÑOLA —Thursday, Jan. 5, 2023, President Joe Biden signed into law the National Heritage Area Act (S. 1942) effectively reauthorizing New Mexico’s Northern Rio Grande National Heritage Area (NRGNHA) for 15 years.
This action followed the House of Representatives overwhelmingly approving the bill on a bi-partisan vote of 326-95 on Dec. 22, 2022, and the previous unusual vote of “unanimous consent” by the Senate requiring no objections from any of the 100 Senators.
With the passing of this legislation, the NRGNHA was reauthorized through September 2037, whose original sunset Read More
Op-Ed: Fund Strategic Water Reserve For New Mexico
By ANJALI BEAN
Coalition for the Strategic Water Reserve
“Agua es Vida” – Water is Life. We read it and hear it and say it all across New Mexico, all the time. But our life is draining away as New Mexico faces unprecedented challenges to our water resources. To address these challenges, we need a wide range of water management tools, including a fully funded Strategic Water Reserve.
Every year across the Land of Enchantment, farmers are having to make do with less water, cities and towns are working to find new ways of conserving and reducing demand, and imperiled species are being pushed closer to Read More
PED Receives $300K Grant To Benefit Social Studies & Art
PED Secretary Kurt Steinhaus
PED News:
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SANTA FE – A $300,000 grant from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation will make it possible for the New Mexico Public Education Department to partner with educators to expand culturally and linguistically responsive instruction in social studies and art classrooms around the state.
“We are excited about this opportunity for education leaders to help ‘move the needle’ on learning activities that directly relate to a child’s background and culture,” PED Secretary Kurt Steinhaus said.
The grant award fits nicely Read More
Council Action Taken Jan. 3, 2023
Los Alamos County Council immediate past Council Chair Randall Ryti stands with newly elected Vice Chair Theresa Cull, left, and Chair Denise Derkacs. Courtesy/LAC
By KIRSTEN LASKEY
Los Alamos Daily Post
kirsten@ladailypost.com
The first order of business for the first Los Alamos County Council meeting of 2023, held Tuesday, was to elect a new chair and vice chair. Vice chair Denise Derkacs was elected chair while newly elected Councilor Theresa Cull was elected vice chair.
Derkacs and Cull said they were grateful to receive the positions.
“I am honored to have been elected as chair of county Read More
Siegfried Hecker To Lecture In Duane Smith Auditorium
Siegfried Hecker. Courtesy/Minesh Bacrania
LAHS News:
“How did North Korea, one of the poorest and most isolated countries in the world, in the crosshairs of every U.S. administration during the past 30 years, progress from no nuclear weapons in 2001 to a threatening arsenal of 30 to 60 weapons today?”
Former Los Alamos National Laboratory Director Siegfried Hecker will address that question and others when he speaks about his forthcoming book written with Elliot Serbin, Hinge Points: An Inside Look at North Korea’s Nuclear Program, at 7 p.m. Jan. 10 in Duane Smith Auditorium .
Dr. Hecker’s Read More
Los Alamos Democrats Hold First Meeting Of 2023 Monday
DPLA News:
The Democratic Party of Los Alamos invites the community to join them on Zoom for their first meeting of 2013.
The meeting ist 6:30 p.m. Monday, Jan. 9 and includes a discussion of the timeline for upcoming Ward elections.
Login information has been sent to the mailing list and is available on DPLA website. Read More
Governor Taps Daniel Schlegel For Chief Of Staff
Daniel Schlegel
From the Office of the Governor:
SANTA FE – The Office of Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham announced today that Daniel Schlegel will serve as the governor’s chief of staff. Interim Chief of Staff Courtney Kerster will return to her role as senior advisor to the governor and director of federal affairs.
“Dan has been a trusted and integral member of my team throughout my tenure as governor,” Gov. Lujan Grisham said. “His leadership of the Economic Recovery Council throughout the worst of the COVID-19 pandemic was instrumental in our state’s economic rebound and continued growth. His Read More
New Mexico Congressional Delegation Urges FEMA To Update Wildfire Claims Process
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-Elect Teresa Leger Fernández (D-N.M.), Melanie Stansbury (D-N.M.) and Gabe Vasquez (D-N.M.) filed a public comment letter to Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Administrator Deanne Criswell and the Hermit’s Peak Claims Office Director Angela Gladwell raising their concerns with components of the Interim Final Rule (IFR) that implements the Hermit’s Peak/Calf Canyon Fire Assistance Act.
In their letter, the lawmakers recommended Read More
NNSA Announces Funding Opportunity For Community And Junior College Trade Occupation Program
NNSA News:
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Department of Energy’s National Nuclear Security Administration’s Minority Serving Institution Partnership Program (MSIPP) issued a Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) titled “Community and Junior College Trade Occupation Program” Dec. 16, 2022.
The FOA encourages grant applications from tribal and minority serving community and junior colleges that diversify student and faculty populations, enhance training programs in trade and skilled labors, and increase the capacity of the Nuclear Security Enterprise workforce.
Eligible tribal and Read More
