Udall Calls On Senate Leadership To Provide Financial Relief For Local Journalism & Media Outlets Amidst Pandemic
From the Office of U.S. Sen. Tom Udall:
“Without this support, communities across the country risk losing one of their key sources of accurate information about what citizens need to know and do in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.”
WASHINGTON– Today, U.S. Sen. Tom Udall (D-N.M.) joined 19 senators to call for financial relief for local journalism and media outlets, which are facing severe economic hardship, in any future COVID-19 relief package.
In a letter to Senate leadership, the senators warn that the widespread impact of the COVID-19 pandemic – including plummeting advertising revenue Read More
McClees: Response Exemplifies Public Servants’ Dedication
Trinity Urgent Care
Democrat Bernie Sanders Ends Campaign For President
Presidential candidate Bernie Sanders announced today he is ending his campaign. Courtesy/berniesanders.com
POLITICAL News:
Democrat Bernie Sanders ended his presidential campaign today and issued the following letter to his supporters:
I want to express to each of you my deep gratitude for helping to create an unprecedented grassroots political campaign that has had a profound impact in changing our nation.
I want to thank the hundreds of thousands of volunteers who knocked on millions of doors in the freezing winters of Iowa and New Hampshire and in the heat of Nevada and South Carolina Read More
New Mexico Superintendent Of Insurance And AG Warn Businesses, Consumers That Con Artists And Scammers Are Preying On Panic, Fear, Confusion Surrounding COVID-19
Superintendent of Insurance Russell Toal
STATE News:
SANTA FE – The New Mexico Office of Superintendent of Insurance and the New Mexico Office of the Attorney General are warning businesses and consumers that con artists and scammers are taking advantage of the panic, fear and confusion surrounding the COVID-19 (Novel Coronavirus) pandemic, and have intensified efforts to defraud and steal.
“Defrauding New Mexican families during the COVID-19 health emergency is unconscionable,” Attorney General Hector Balderas said. “Anyone who compromises our families’ access to health and security Read More
MVD Waives Late Fees During Closures Due To COVID-19
Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham
STATE News:
SANTA FE — Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham issued an order Monday waiving most late fees and other penalties assessed by the Motor Vehicle Division since March 11, when she first issued a state of emergency for New Mexico due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Executive Order 2020-016 requires the Motor Vehicle Division of the New Mexico Taxation and Revenue Department to temporarily waive fees and penalties incurred due to the social distancing recommendations that closed many MVD offices until further notice.
The waiver will continue through the period MVD field Read More
U.S. House Assistant Speaker Luján Pushes For $250 Billion In Aid For Local Governments Amidst COVID-19 Pandemic
Assistant Speaker Ben Ray Luján
CONGRESSIONAL News:
NAMBE — U.S. House Assistant Speaker Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), along with Congressmembers Joe Neguse (D-CO), Andy Levin (D-MI), and Tom Malinowski (D-NJ), Tuesday introduced the Coronavirus Community Relief Act – legislation to provide $250 billion in stabilization funds for local communities, towns, and cities across the United States that need relief amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act, signed into law March 27, provided stabilization funds for states and larger communities, but capped Read More
County Launches #FindHopeLosAlamos During COVID-19
COUNTY News:
Los Alamos County has launched a social media campaign on Facebook and Instagram using the hashtag #FindHopeLosAlamos to encourage members of the community to share inspiring and uplifting photos of life in Los Alamos during the “stay at home” executive order.
Photos of creative activities in or outside the home, while out on walks for physical exercise or enjoyment, or other relevant snapshots are encouraged.
If shared on Facebook, the post will need to be set to “Public” in order to be visible to Los Alamos County.
Chart 23: COVID-19 Daily Cases By County In New Mexico
Statewide counts. Shown are the cumulative numbers of tests, diagnoses, and deaths in New Mexico. Also shown is the number of active hospitalizations. Created by Eli Ben-Naim
Fraction of those recovered to date versus the complementary fraction of those who died. Created by Eli Ben-Naim
Diagnoses per 10,000 residents, broken by county. Created by Eli Ben-Naim Read More
New Mexico State Police To Enforce Non-Compliant Penalties On Public Health During COVID-19 Outbreak
NMSP News:
New Mexico State Police will enforce penalties on New Mexico Businesses and the public who refuse to comply with the Emergency Public Health Order.
New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham has extended the Public Order to April 30, 2020 which requires all non-essential businesses to stop operating.
New Mexico State Police, in conjunction with local law enforcement, will ensure that businesses adhere to its directives.
New Mexico State Police has been educating non-compliant establishments and has given them a reasonable opportunity to adapt. We have seen many businesses and people Read More
Los Alamos Fire Marshal Comments On Maximum Occupancy Requirements Under Amended Public Health Order
COUNTY News:
Effective this morning, Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham’s amended public health order restricting essential business operations, i.e. grocery stores, limits the number of individuals within retail space to 20 percent or less of maximum occupancy.
In addition, hotels, motels, and other places of lodging such as RV Parks shall operate at 25 percent of maximum occupancy.
This order requires business owners and store managers alike to police the number of occupants in their stores.
The Los Alamos Fire Marshal’s Office would like to remind owners and managers of certain restrictions Read More
State Shares Video: Creating Homemade Face Coverings
Click here, to watch a video on how to create a cloth, non-medical face covering. Courtesy/State
STATE News:
See and share the video titled “How to Make a Mask”, found online here, on making a cloth, non-medical face covering.
The best way to avoid getting or spreading the new coronavirus continues to be staying home. However, the Centers for Disease Control issued new guidelines recommending that people wear cloth face coverings in public settings like grocery stores and pharmacies where it could be difficult to maintain social distancing.
Wearing a non-medical mask is an additional and Read More
Burgess Reports On County Efforts To Address COVID-19
County Manager Harry Burgess
By KIRSTEN LASKEY
Los Alamos Daily Post
kirsten@ladailypost.com
Los Alamos County continues to implement changes as the COVID-19 pandemic evolves, County Manager Harry Burgess reported during the regular County Council meeting March 31.
Two weeks ago, he said, the County initiated new policies regarding the COVID-19 outbreak. This resulted in department heads sending as many employees as possible home. He said employees could telework and emergency leave was given to non-essential jobs.
The original policy was effective through April 6 but then U.S. President Read More
Changes In Council Meeting Due To COVID-19
COUNTY News:
The Los Alamos County Council meeting scheduled in Council Chambers at 6 p.m. today, April 7 will continue using a format that complies with the recent New Mexico Department of Health’s public health emergency order governing mass gatherings because of COVID-19.
The format was initially used for the March 31 Council meeting and that process is noted again for public reference below:
Public in-person attendance Tuesday evening will not be allowed. Minimal County staff will be in attendance to present items and most Councilors will be participating by phone. The agenda has been Read More
Heinrich Launches ‘Hometown Heroes’ Initiative To Highlight New Mexicans Stepping Up During COVID-19 Pandemic
U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich
U.S. SENATE News:
WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) announced Monday the launch of the “Hometown Heroes” initiative to shine a spotlight on some of the local heroes stepping up to serve their fellow New Mexicans during the coronavirus pandemic.
“The coronavirus pandemic has brought upon some of the most challenging times many of us will ever face. But it has also shown us how dependent we are on one another for support. So many New Mexicans are showing up in moving ways to demonstrate our state’s trademark creative tenacity and incredible ingenuity Read More
New Mexico Governor Officially Extends Emergency Order To April 30 … Essential Businesses Further Restricted To Limit Gatherings; New Mexicans Must Stay Home…
STATE News:
SANTA FE – With COVID-19 cases still rising in New Mexico, Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham on Monday extended her public health emergency order and announced the extension of related public health orders to encourage social distancing and preserve safety equipment for health care workers.
Per the order, all guidance and advisories issued by the governor and secretary of health are in effect through at least April 30.
The amended public health order, which is attached to this news release, further restricts business operations as a means of combating continued congregating in spaces Read More
New Mexico COVID-19 Cases Now At 686
STATE News:
SANTA FE – New Mexico state health officials today announced 62 additional positive tests for COVID-19.
Los Alamos County remain at 2 confirmed case.
Per the New Mexico Department of Health, the most recent cases are:
- 16 new cases in Bernalillo County
- 1 new case in Chaves County
- 1 new case in Doña Ana County
- 2 new cases in Grant County
- 4 new cases in McKinley County
- 25 new cases in San Juan County
- 11 new cases in Sandoval County
- 2 new cases in Santa Fe County
Today’s announced cases include additional positive tests from the La Vida Llena long-term care facility in Albuquerque, where Read More
Closures Of County Facilities Continue Because Of COVID-19
COUNTY News:
Los Alamos County Manager Harry Burgess announced today the following facilities will remain closed until April 30 due to the recent order issued by Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham:
- Both public libraries;
- Aquatic Center;
- Fuller Lodge;
- History Museum;
- Teen Center;
- Both Youth Activity Centers;
- Nature Center;
- Golf Course Pro Shop; and
- Fuller Lodge Art Center.
All programs, classes and activities in those facilities are canceled. The two senior centers also will continue to be closed with all programs cancelled but home meal deliveries will continue.
Additionally, the closure Read More
Udall, Heinrich Call For Social Security Recipients To Get CARES Act Direct Cash Assistance Without Having To File Tax Return
U.S. SENATE News:
WASHINGTON, D.C. — While the CARES Act that the president signed into law last week ensured that the Treasury Department had the authority to send automatic direct cash assistance to Social Security beneficiaries regardless of whether they file taxes or not, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) released contradictory guidance earlier this week stating that Social Security beneficiaries would need to file tax returns in order to receive direct payments.
New Mexico U.S. Senators Tom Udall and Martin Heinrich joined a group of 41 senators in expressing alarm over this guidance Read More
U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich Addresses Firing Of Intelligence Community Inspector General Michael Atkinson
U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich
From the Office of U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich:
WASHINGTON (April 5, 2020) – U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), a member of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, issued the following statement on President Trump firing the intelligence community inspector general, Michael Atkinson:
“The president prioritizing retaliation against his perceived rivals during this global health and economic crisis is infuriating. His fixation on tearing down and politicizing the nation’s Intelligence Community is especially dangerous now, when our country most needs Read More
Wiemann: CARES ACT – Retirement Plans, Distributions And Contributions
By Shelly Wiemann, CFP®
Founder, Wiemann Wealth Strategies, LLC
Financial Advisor, Raymond James
Passed on March 27, 2020, the CARES Act provides an estimated $2 trillion in fiscal stimulus to combat the economic impact of COVID-19 and provides the healthcare industry the financial support, equipment and protection it needs to combat the virus.
Below, review some of the major provisions in the CARES Act related to retirement plans, distributions and contributions.
Penalty-free distributions
A coronavirus-related distribution of up to $100,000 can be made from IRAs, employer-sponsored Read More
