U.S. Senators Heinrich And Smith Highlight Electrification Measures In Inflation Reduction Act
U.S. SENATE News:
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Electrification Caucus Senate Co-Chairs Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) and Tina Smith (D-Minn.) participated in an “Electric Explainer,” a virtual event hosted yesterday by Rewiring America to discuss the historic climate provisions included in the Inflation Reduction Act, their impacts on lowering costs for American households, and how this generational investment would transform America’s energy and climate trajectory.
WATCH: Heinrich, Smith Highlight Electrification Measures In Inflation Reduction Act
“The clean energy and electrification Read More
Burn Pit Bill Headed To President Biden For Signature
DVS News:
A bill that would expand healthcare benefits for millions of veterans exposed to toxic “burn pits” during their military service is heading toward President Joe Biden’s desk for signature into law.
The U.S. Senate, by an 86-11 vote, passed the Sergeant First Class Heath Robinson Honoring Our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics Act, more commonly known as the PACT Act, late Tuesday night. The bill had passed on a 342-88 vote in the House nearly three weeks earlier.
Once signed by the president, the new law will address and fund VA health care and research relating to veterans who were Read More
Governor On Probable Racially Motivated Attacks In Albuquerque Including Española Planning Director Muhammad Afzaal Hussain
STATE News:Heinrich, Luján, Leger Fernández: $6.4 Million In American Rescue Plan Funding To Develop Health Care, Construction Workforce Training In Northern New Mexico
Congressional Delegation News:
WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) and Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) and Teresa Leger Fernández (D-N.M.) have announced a $6.4 million American Rescue Plan Good Jobs Challenge grant to North Central New Mexico Economic Development District in Santa Fe.
This funding will create the Northern New Mexico Workforce Integration Network (WIN), a health care, building and construction workforce training program.
This program will create pathways into high-paying jobs in health care and construction with a focus on Latino, Indigenous, and formerly Read More
Interior Department: Availability Of $725 Million From Bipartisan Infrastructure Law To Clean Up Legacy Pollution
DOI News:
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Department of the Interior (DOI) has announced that nearly $725 million from President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law is available to 22 states and the Navajo Nation to create good-paying union jobs and catalyze economic opportunity in coal communities by reclaiming abandoned mine lands (AML).
The Notice of Funding Opportunity opened today and follows the release of final guidance for how eligible states and Tribes can apply for the historic funding.
The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law allocates nearly a total of $11.3 billion in AML funding over Read More
U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich Applauds Final Passage Of Historic Veterans Health Care Bill
U.S. SENATE News:
WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), Chair of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies, spoke at a press conference after the Senate voted 86 to 11 on the final passage of the bipartisan SFC Heath Robinson Honoring Our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics (PACT) Act. The legislation now goes to President Biden’s desk to be signed into law.
WATCH: Heinrich Speaks At Honoring Our PACT Act Final Passage Press Conference
Heinrich thanked all of the veterans, families, and organizations who Read More
United Church Historic Chapel Open For MPNHP Lights For Peace Commemoration 6-8 PM Monday Aug. 8
Map showing how to get to The United Church during road construction on Canyon Road. Courtesy image
By GEORGIA STRICKFADEN
The United Church of Los Alamos
Monday, Aug. 8, the Manhattan Project National Historical Park (MPNHP), Los Alamos section, is fittingly sponsoring a Lights for Peace walk at Ashley Pond Park.
“The event is designed to be a quiet, introspective experience, focused on giving visitors the opportunity to walk the lighted path in silence and have their own reflective experience based on their personal reasons for participating,” the National Park Service said (link).
In Read More
Stradling: Allowed, Forbidden, Compelled?
By GARY STRADLING
Republican Candidate for County Council
White Rock
Allowed, forbidden, compelled?
As we were finalizing the negotiations on the Open Skies Treaty technical implementation protocols, the question was asked, “What about areas not specifically allowed by the Guidance Document?” The Russians immediately responded, “If it is not permitted by the agreement, it must be forbidden!” The Americans said, “If it is not explicitly forbidden, then it is permitted!” This was the third year I had been the Chairman of this 26-nation technical negotiating group, which met in Vienna Austria. Read More
Española Planning Director Killed In Albuquerque
Española Planning and Land Use Director Muhammad Afzaal Hussain was shot and killed Monday night in Albuquerque. Courtesy photo
By Mayor John Ramon Vigil
City of Española
I am deeply saddened to report that Monday night City of Española Planning and Land Use Director Muhammad Afzaal Hussain was shot and killed in Albuquerque. APD is investigating the shooting, but it appears Muhammad was randomly targeted in a senseless act of violence. His family has been notified of this tragic loss.
Muhammad joined Española’s staff last year. With both master’s and bachelor’s degrees in community and regional Read More
New Mexico’s Nationally Leading Oil And Gas Emissions Rule Becomes Law Aug. 5, 2022
Environment Department Secretary James Kenney
STATE News:
SANTA FE — A nationally leading rule over the oil and gas industry that will cut harmful air emissions by 260 million pounds is now state law – a fulfillment of one of Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham’s first commitments made in office.
The rule, which was developed with input from more than 520 stakeholders representing industry, environmental groups and the public, was published in the state register this week.
The rule will go into effect Aug. 5, 2022.
The new rule embraces innovation and is more protective of public health and the environment Read More
RPNM: ‘Lincoln-Reagan Dinner’ In Albuquerque Aug. 27
The Republican Party of New Mexico ‘Lincoln-Reagan Dinner’ begins with a cocktail hour at 5 p.m. and dinner with special guest speaker, former U.S. Rep. Jason Chaffetz at 6 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 27 at the Hotel Albuquerque. Courtesy/RPNM
RPNM News:
The Republican Party of New Mexico (RPNM) invites the public to the 2022 “Lincoln-Reagan Dinner”.
This year’s big annual fundraiser is Saturday, Aug. 27 at the Hotel Albuquerque at Old Town and will feature special speaker, former U.S. Rep. Jason Chaffetz of Utah’s 3rd Congressional District. Chaffetz is a best-selling author and national television Read More
Luján On Final Senate Passage Of PACT Act For Veterans
U.S. Sen. Ben Ray Luján
U.S. SENATE News:
WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Sen. Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) issued the following statement Tuesday on final passage of the PACT Act, a vital piece of legislation that will provide 3.5 million veterans health care coverage for treating toxin-exposure related health injuries.
After signed into law, the PACT Act will fund health care and specialized medical treatments for veterans who’ve been exposed to toxic chemicals from burn-pits during their time of service.
“Today, America witnessed the sheer determination and payoff of our veterans and Senate Democrats’ Read More
Senate Kills VA Plan To Close CBOCs Nationwide
Courtesy/DVS
DVS News:
New Mexico Department of Veterans Services (DVS) Cabinet Secretary Sonya Smith is praising the bipartisan decision of 12 U.S. Senators to not support a plan by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to close more than 30 VA medical centers, and 172 clinics across the country—including five here in New Mexico.
The formal voice of non-support June 27 has effectively killed the plan by halting confirmation hearings, before they even started, for nominees to serve on VA’s nine-member Asset and Infrastructure Review (AIR) Commission.
The commission, formed by Read More
Congressional Delegation Urges Biden Administration To Support New Mexico As Hub Of Semiconductor Innovation
New Mexico Congressional Delegation News:
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Tuesday, U.S. Senators Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) and Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) and U.S. Representatives Teresa Leger Fernández (D-N.M.) and Melanie Stansbury (D-N.M.) wrote to U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo and U.S. Secretary of Energy Jennifer Granholm to express strong support for New Mexico as a potential site for the National Semiconductor Technology Centers (NSTC) and National Advanced Packaging Manufacturing Program (NAPMP).
“New Mexico has long been at the cutting edge of the semiconductor industry, and with Read More
Jewish Perspectives On Termination Of Pregnancy
Rabbi Jack Shlachter
Los Alamos Jewish Center News:
Over the course of two recent consecutive Monday evenings, the Los Alamos Jewish Center hosted an adult education mini-series entitled “Jewish Perspectives on Termination of Pregnancy”.
The presenter, Rabbi Jack Shlachter, shared relevant Jewish source text passages with the in-person and Zoom audience.
Rabbi Jack, who returned to Los Alamos this spring following a few years in New York, explained that the Jewish perspectives are heavily nuanced; some situations require that a pregnancy be terminated, others permit termination, Read More
Heinrich Introduces Legislation To Address Mental Health Care Provider Shortages And Improve Access To Services At Community Health Centers
U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich
U.S. SENATE News:
WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) introduced the Mental Health Workforce and Language Access Act, legislation to address the severe mental health care provider shortages and improve access to affordable services at community health centers.
The bill would provide new incentives to help bolster the mental health workforce, and establish a new program that would provide federal grants to community health centers to help them recruit, hire, and employ qualified mental health professionals who are fluent in a language other Read More
New Mexico Ethics Watch: Oil & Gas Money Continues To Be Primary Source Of Campaign Contributions
NMEW News:
While record-breaking heat continues to bake much of the U.S. and other parts of the world this summer – an uncomfortable reminder of the worsening effects of petroleum-fueled climate change — oil and gas interests continue to pour vast amounts of cash into New Mexico political campaigns to advance and protect their interests.
The oil and gas industry contributed more than $2.5 million to New Mexico candidates and political committees during the recent primary election season, which covers contributions from October 2021 until early July (nearly a month after the primary Read More
New Mexico To Participate In Federal Program To Connect More Households To Solar Energy, Lower Electricity Bills
PRC News:
SANTA FE — New Mexico is one of five states and the District of Columbia that have signed up to pilot the Community Solar Subscription Platform to connect more households to solar energy and lower electricity bills through the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) and other assistance programs, according to a joint announcement yesterday by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).
The DOE said it has prioritized working with states such as New Mexico that have set up programs supporting low-income community solar Read More
Council Recesses Appeals Hearing On Worms And Wildflowers Daycare Until 10:30 AM Friday
Staff Report
The Los Alamos County Council held a special session at 1 p.m. today in Council Chambers to hear an appeal of the Planning and Zoning Commission’s revised Final Order approving Denise Matthews’ request for a Special Use Permit to open Worms and Wildflowers Daycare facility.
Worms and Wildflowers Daycare would provide care, services and supervision for a maximum of 12 children at Matthews’ residence at 113 B La Senda Road in White Rock.
Council went into Closed Session from approximately 2-4:30 p.m. today, after which Council recessed the special session until 10:30 a.m. Friday. Read More
Los Alamos COVID Impact: 50 New Cases For Week Ending Aug. 1, 2022
Los Alamos COVID-19 Impact:
COVID-19 statistics for the week ending Aug. 1, 2022 impacting Los Alamos County:
-
364 tests
- 50 diagnoses (41 in Los Alamos, 9 in White Rock)
- 1 death
Source: New Mexico Department of Health. By Eli Ben-Naim.
