Computer Error Causes 91,780 Inaccurate Renewal Notices; Customers Not Charged Additional Fees
Submitted by Carol A. Clark
on May 3, 2019
MVD News:
SANTA FE – New Mexico Department of Motor Vehicle Division customers who received vehicle registration renewal notices with inaccurate fee totals will not be charged the improper amount stated on the recently mailed notices, the division said Thursday.
A computer error caused an erroneous additional digit to be included in the amount due.
Customers who visit an MVD field office or mvd.newmexico.gov to renew their registrations are able to view and pay the correct amount due.
Those who wish to pay by mail may find the correct fee total by visiting mvd.newmexico.gov and clicking on Read More
GOP Women Host Monthly Meeting May 9
Submitted by Carol A. Clark
on May 3, 2019
LAFRW News:The Los Alamos Federated Republican Women (LAFRW) monthly general meeting is noon Thursday, May 9.
This meeting includes a casual lunch at Secret City Kitchen in Building 2 at UNM-LA, 4000 University Dr.
LAFRW and registered Republican woman are invited to attend.
Direct questions to LAFRW President Shona Neff at 505.672.1456.
Read More State Auditor Joins AG; NMSP In Special Probe Of Alleged Embezzlement By Torrance County Official
Submitted by Carol A. Clark
on May 3, 2019
STATE News:ALBUQUERQUE ― Thursday morning, State Auditor Colón joined Attorney General Balderas and State Police Chief Johnson concerning the criminal investigation into former Torrance County Sheriff and current elected Torrance County Magistrate Judge Heath White for embezzlement and corruption.
Auditor Colón issued the following statement regarding the Office of the State Auditor’s special investigation on the matter:
“On April 29, the Office of the State Auditor put Torrance County on notice that we intend to do a full review to ensure all checks and balances
Read More Udall Fights For Action To Help New Mexico Veterans Exposed To Burn Pits In Iraq And Afghanistan
Submitted by Carol A. Clark
on May 2, 2019
U.S. Sen. Tom Udall U.S. SENATE News:
WASHINGTON, D.C. ― At two events Tuesday on Capitol Hill, U.S. Sen. Tom Udall (D-N.M.) continued his push to improve care for veterans affected by exposure to toxic fumes from burn pits in Iraq and Afghanistan: during a hearing of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Military Construction, Veterans Affairs and Related Agencies, and at the 2019 Congressional Burn Pits Briefing.
During the hearing, Udall questioned Secretary of Veterans
U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich Leads Bipartisan Legislation To Establish Tech-Transfer Maturation Program
Submitted by Carol A. Clark
on May 2, 2019
U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich
From the Office of U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich:
The Energy Technology Maturation Program Act would help national laboratories work with the private sector to commercialize innovative energy technology
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today U.S. Senators Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), Cory Gardner (R-Colo.), Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Kamala Harris (D-Calif.), and Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) reintroduced legislation to authorize an Energy Technology Maturation Program at the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) to facilitate successful commercialization of laboratory-developed
American Federation of Teachers New Mexico Partners With Governor And Unions To Assist Migrants
Submitted by Carol A. Clark
on May 2, 2019
AFT-NM News:ALBUQUERQUE ― American Federation of Teachers New Mexico President Stephanie Ly released the following statement:
“Our partnership with Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham and the greater New Mexico Labor community is both deeply meaningful and a direct exercise of our values not only as educators, but also as New Mexicans.
“Donations of backpacks, books, crayons, hygiene supplies, and other items is just a small way to help ease what has surely been a difficult and dangerous journey for each migrant, their families, and especially children.
“Educators
Read More EM Assistant Secretary Anne White Tours WIPP, LANL Projects, Meets With Workers
Submitted by Carol A. Clark
on May 1, 2019
EM Assistant Secretary Anne White joins waste management staff from Newport News Nuclear BWXT-Los Alamos at Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) to mark the second shipment of transuranic waste from LANL’s Area G to the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant this year. Courtesy photo
EM Assistant Secretary Anne White meets with early career professionals during a visit to the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant last week. Courtesy photoWIPP News:
EM Assistant Secretary Anne White visited the cleanup program’s New Mexico sites last week.
Following is her report on the trip:
Read More 
Haaland: State Land Commissioner’s Action Reinforces Efforts To Protect Chaco Canyon
Submitted by Carol A. Clark
on May 1, 2019
U.S. Rep. Deb HaalandCONGRESSIONAL News:
WASHINGTON, D.C. ― U.S. Rep. Deb Haaland (NM-01) released the following statement Tuesday after New Mexico Land Commissioner Stephanie Garcia Richard signed an executive order placing a moratorium on new oil and gas development on state trust land in a buffer zone around Chaco Canyon.
“Land Commissioner Garcia Richard’s move to protect heritage sites at Chaco is a great step that reinforces our efforts to protect Chaco on the federal level. I’m looking forward to continuing our partnership to protect sacred sites,”
Read More Lt. Gov Howie Morales Announces 505 Southwestern New Mexico True Scholar For 2019
Submitted by Carol A. Clark
on May 1, 2019
From left, Lt. Gov. Howie Morales, 2019 scholarship recipient Ty Wagley and Tourism Department Cabinet Secretary Jen Schroer. Courtesy photoSTATE News:
SANTA FE ― Lt. Gov. Howie Morales announced Monday the 2019 scholarship recipient of the 505 Southwestern New Mexico True Scholars program.
The scholarship aims to recognize passion for the future of agriculture in New Mexico, and was awarded to Animas High School senior Ty Wagley.
“Our youth are the leaders of tomorrow. Being able to present Ty with this $5,000 scholarship—to reach his dreams and goal
Read More League Of Women Voters Host Immigration Forum
Submitted by Carol A. Clark
on May 1, 2019
Several people from Los Alamos attended the League of Women Voters forum on immigration held Monday in Santa Fe. The audience of more than 200 people was educated on the law and what can and cannot be done. The Asylum law that was signed by the United States immediately after WWII lays out the procedural process for those fleeing their home country. Because of the transportation logistics in Santa Fe, immigrants will go to Albuquerque and Santa Fe will donate money and supplies to them. Courtesy photo Read More
State, City Of Albuquerque Open Facilities At Expo New Mexico To Assist Asylum-Seeking Families
Submitted by Carol A. Clark
on May 1, 2019
STATE News:ALBUQUERQUE ― Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham and Mayor Tim Keller Tuesday announced a partnership aimed at alleviating some of the pressure in New Mexico’s southern border communities, particularly Las Cruces, which has developed as a result of federal agents transporting an increasing number of asylum-seeking migrant families to the city.
Existing dormitories located at Expo New Mexico, a state facility, will be opened to provide temporary accommodations for some of these families. A network of faith-based and community partners will continue to provide food
Read More RSF: Labor Rights Journalists Feared To Be Victims Of Torture In China
Submitted by Carol A. Clark
on May 1, 2019
Two of three labour journalists detained earlier this year in Guangzhou were placed April 20 under a special detention system often associated with torture. Courtesy/RSFRSF News:
Wei Zhili and Ke Chengbing, both editors of labor rights news outlet iLabour.net who were arrested in March in the south-eastern Chinese city of Guangzhou, have been under “residential surveillance at a designated location” (RSDL) since Saturday, April 20, according to their families.
This detention system, that is supposed to handle individuals who pose a threat to national security,
Read More Land Commissioner SGR Signs Executive Order Placing Moratorium On New Oil And Gas Leasing On 72,776 Acres In Greater Chaco Region
Submitted by Carol A. Clark
on April 30, 2019
Courtesy photo
STATE News:
SANTA FE ― Commissioner of Public Lands Stephanie Garcia Richard has signed Land Office Executive Order 2019-002, (view here) placing a moratorium on new oil and gas development on state trust land in a buffer zone around Chaco Canyon.
The Executive Order, signed at the Navajo Nation Counselor Chapter House on Saturday, will protect 72,776 acres near the renowned World Heritage site. In addition to placing a moratorium on new leasing, the Order also creates the Chaco Canyon Land Office Working Group. The first meeting of the Group took
Read More NMFL: Workers Memorial Day Ceremony Honors Employees Who Lost Their Lives While On The Job
Submitted by Carol A. Clark
on April 30, 2019
NMFL News:ALBUQUERQUE ― Working families, elected officials, labor leaders, and community members gathered at Workers Memorial Park Sunday for a Workers Memorial Day Ceremony to commemorate workers who have died or suffered illness or injuries while on the job.
They also spoke out against the Trump administration’s aggressive actions against workplace safety, calling them a dangerous slap in the face to working people.
The most recent data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics shows that over 5,000 workers were killed on the job in 2017, and many more suffered from occupational
Read More Los Alamos GOP Meeting At UNM-LA Thursday
Submitted by Carol A. Clark
on April 30, 2019
GOP News:
The Republican Party of Los Alamos County will hold its monthly meeting Thursday, May 2 in Room 631, Building 6 at UNM-LA (NOTE LOCATION CHANGE).
At 6 p.m., all registered Republicans are invited to attend the Central Committee meeting.
Katherine Werner will speak on “Powerful Voices, Powerful Change: Anti-Socialism.”
After a break for refreshments, at 7 p.m., the public is invited to attend a special presentation by Robin Reed, former secretary to Sen. Bill Burt of Alamogordo. She will share her experiences working in the State Legislature and discuss this past legislative Read More
NM Dream Team, Councilor Davis Introduce Resolution To Allocate Funds To Assist Asylum Seekers In ABQ
Submitted by Carol A. Clark
on April 29, 2019
NMDT News:ALBUQUERQUE ― Albuquerque City Councilor Pat Davis has introduced resolution R-19-143, co-drafted with the New Mexico Dream Team, asking to add $250,000 in emergency funding to the city’s budget to help fund humanitarian efforts as the city welcomes immigrants and refugees from the southern border.
Funds allocated by the resolution would temporarily fund shelter, food, water, emergency transportation, toiletries, and feminine hygiene products and would also create a position to coordinate these efforts.
Mayor Tim Keller recently mentioned the need
Read More RSF: 2019 World Press Freedom Index: Asia-Pacific Press Freedom Impacted By Political Change
Submitted by Carol A. Clark
on April 29, 2019
RSF News:What with totalitarian propaganda, censorship, intimidation, physical violence and cyber-harassment, a lot of courage is needed nowadays to work independently as a journalist in the Asia-Pacific countries, where democracies are struggling to resist various forms of disinformation.
Two significant rises in the Index – both of 22 places – highlighted the degree to which a country’s political ecosystem impacts the freedom to inform. In Malaysia, the ruling coalition was ousted in an election for the first time in the country’s 62 years of independence. This blew
Read More Governor Makes Pair Of Judicial Appointments
Submitted by Carol A. Clark
on April 28, 2019
Gov. Michelle Lujan GrishamSTATE News:
SANTA FE ― New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham Thursday announced appointments for judicial vacancies in the Fifth and Eighth Judicial Districts.
- Thomas E. Lilley: Fifth Judicial District Court; and
- Melissa A. Kennelly: Eighth Judicial District Court.
Thomas Lilley has over three decades of experience in private practice, primarily representing personal injury cases in Roswell since 1986. He has been a member of the Chaves County Bar Association since 1983 and is an active youth sports coach in his community. Lilley earned
Read More Ingle Bids Farewell To U.S. Rep. Manuel Lujan, Jr.
Submitted by Carol A. Clark
on April 27, 2019
Manuel Lujan, Jr.STATE News:
New Mexico Senate Minority Leader Stuart Ingle commented Friday on the death of former Secretary and former U.S. Rep. Manuel Lujan, Jr., R-NM.
“It has always been a source of pride for us here in New Mexico that the high and important office of the U.S. Secretary of the Interior was held by a New Mexican under the George H.W. Bush administration,” Ingle said. “As we reflect on the tremendous public service of the late congressman and secretary of the Interior, Manuel Lujan, Jr., I believe we can honor him in a very fine and respectable way by trying
Read More 
