State Offers Free Blood Tests For PFAS Around Cannon AFB
NMED News:
SANTA FE — New Mexico Environment Department (NMED) said New Mexico is stepping up to help residents and workers surrounding Cannon Air Force Base near Clovis by offering free blood tests for PFAS, a group of man-made chemicals that can affect your health.
These tests are available to anyone who has lived or worked in certain areas around the base, where PFAS contaminated the local water supply.
PFAS, or per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, are a group of synthetic chemicals used in a variety of products, including food packaging, nonstick cookware, and certain types of fire-fighting Read More
Health Care Authority Taps Three New Division Directors
HCA News:
SANTA FE — The New Mexico Health Care Authority (HCA) Monday announced a significant leadership overhaul with the appointment of three seasoned professionals as division directors.
Jennifer Rodriguez, Dan Lanari and Colin Baillio are tasked with driving improvements in health outcomes and services for New Mexicans.
“We are fortunate to have three experienced and capable directors to lead at the Health Care Authority,” said Kari Armijo, cabinet secretary for the New Mexico Health Care Authority. “Jennifer Rodriguez, Dan Lanari and Collin Baillio bring a wealth of knowledge Read More
NNSA Issues Update On US 84/285 Tractor-Trailer Rollover
NNSA Los Alamos Field Office News:
At 11 p.m. local time on Aug. 19, 2024, members of the National Nuclear Security Administration’s Radiological Assessment Program completed a survey of the incident site on U.S. 84/285 outside Santa Fe following that day’s truck accident. (The truck was carrying demolition debris from Los Alamos National Laboratory).
Based on swipes, air samples, and radiation detection tools, it was determined there was no radiological contamination at the scene. There was not and is no threat to the public.
The scene has been physically cleared and the highway has been Read More
Southern New Mexico Water Utility In Hot Water Again
NMELC News:
SUNLAND PARK — The New Mexico Environmental Law Center, on behalf of community members in Sunland Park and Santa Teresa, submitted a request to the New Mexico Department of Justice (DOJ) and the New Mexico Office of the State Auditor Friday, Aug. 2, to investigate the Camino Real Regional Utility Authority (CRRUA) for violations of environmental protection laws; consumer protection laws; waste, fraud, or abuse of state and federal funds; and violations of the New Mexico Open Meetings Act.
Read the 24-page official request here.
This community-informed request comes months after Read More
DEA: National Fentanyl Prevention & Awareness Day Aug. 21
DEA News:
On Wednesday, Aug. 21, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) will recognize National Fentanyl Prevention and Awareness Day by joining the many voices dedicated to educating the public on the serious dangers of fentanyl poisoning from fake pills and other illicit drugs.
Did you know that just 2mg of fentanyl, the amount on the tip of this pencil, can be enough to kill the average person? The 2024 DEA fentanyl seizures represent more than 216 million deadly doses.
Help DEA save lives by educating yourself and talking to others about the dangers of fentanyl. Join DEA in observance Read More
NNSA Addresses US 84/285 Tractor-Trailer Rollover
NNSA Los Alamos Field Office News:
At 11:18 a.m. Monday, Aug. 19, 2024, a flatbed tractor trailer truck carrying demolition debris from Los Alamos National Laboratory overturned on the southbound lanes on U.S. 84/285 north of Santa Fe. Our first concern is for the driver of the truck and the safety of the other drivers on the highway, and we are grateful for the response by emergency personnel. There is no danger to the public.
The truck, which is operated by a lab contractor, was traveling to Waste Control Specialists in Andrews, Texas, carrying four Super Sacks of demolition debris from the Laboratory’s Read More
Hampton: Support Vote For RECA On House Floor
By DAVID HAMPTON
Los Alamos
Downwinders are the residents of the Tularosa Basin, who have experienced, and continue to experience to this day, high levels of cancer, infant mortality, and other ailments, since the world’s first nuclear weapon was detonated near their homes in July 1945. These ailments appear to be associated with the effects of nuclear fallout and exposure to plutonium, and are similar to those experienced from the detonations at Hiroshima and Nagasaki, as well as sites associated with nuclear weapons production.
In spite of their suffering, they were initially excluded Read More
Notice Of Completion Of Off-Site Waste Shipment For Final Disposal Added To LANL Electronic Public Reading Room
LANL News:
Per regulatory requirements, this email is to notify you that new documents have been added to the Los Alamos Legacy Cleanup Contract Electronic Public Reading Room.
All legacy cleanup documents required to be posted after April 30, 2018, are available on the site linked above.
For legacy cleanup documents that were posted prior to April 30, 2018, please visit the LANL electronic public reading room.
Notice of Completion of Off-Site Waste Shipment for Final Disposal, Compliance Plan Activity 4.0, Site Treatment Plan, Federal Facility Compliance Order, Los Alamos National Laboratory Read More
Stansbury On Lower Prescription Drug Costs For Seniors
U.S. Rep. Melanie Stansbury
TATE News:
WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Rep. Melanie Stansbury (NM-01) released the following statement Aug. 15 after the Biden-Harris Administration announced they would be lowering prescription drug costs for 10 of the most popular medications for America’s seniors:
“In New Mexico, we take care of our elders – full stop. That is why the continued fight by President Biden to take on Big Pharma and to lower the costs of life-saving medication has been so important, and I’m grateful for his work,” Rep. Stansbury said. “The more than 46,000 New Mexicans on Medicare will Read More
Martz: Regarding Detection Of Plutonium Contamination In Soils Around Los Alamos
By JOSEPH MARTZ
Los Alamos
Recent new stories regarding detection of plutonium contamination in soils around Los Alamos have received considerable attention. I have a quite personal interest, as I spent nearly 50 years in Los Alamos, and grew up playing in these canyons. The studies report only the levels measured and leave the most important question unanswered: are these levels a hazard?
As I could find no reporting discussing the actual hazard of this level of contamination, I took the liberty of using the provided data to see if these levels are something I should be concerned about. A bit Read More
Nuclear Watch NM On Plutonium Levels In Acid Canyon
Acid Canyon study area from Dr. Michael E. Ketterer/LANL study Aug. 13, 2024. Courtesy/NukeWatch NM
By CAROL A. CLARK
Los Alamos Daily Post
caclark@ladailypost.com
SANTA FE – Nuclear Watch New Mexico issued the following press release Thursday regarding plutonium contamination based on collected water, soil and plant samples from Acid Canyon in the Los Alamos Town Site:
Today, (Thursday) Dr. Michael Ketterer, Professor Emeritus of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Northern Arizona University, is releasing alarmingly high results from samples taken from a popular walking trail in the Read More
Los Alamos Medical Center Opens New Sleep Lab!
Gathered for the Ribbon Cutting ceremony Monday at the new Sleep Lab are from left, Los Alamos Chamber of Commerce incoming Director Sandy Jones, LAMC CEO Tracie Stratton, Dr. Michael Lucia and Chamber Director Ryn Herrmann who retired Wednesday. Pictured in the background are County Council Vice Chair Theresa Cull, Sleep Technician Francis Bourget and County Economic Development Program Manager Janice Krish, Photo by John McHale/ladailypost.com
Dr. Carolyn Linnebur stopped by the ribbon cutting and open house for the new Sleep Lab held Monday at LAMC. Here she looks over one of two private Read More
Los Alamos Among 10 Healthiest Communities In America
This four-bedroom in Los Alamos is priced at $948,000. Realtor.comWhere you live might be just as important as how you live when it comes to longevity.
Many people might equate wellness with coastal California breezes or Florida sunshine, but the healthiest counties in America actually dominate the Midwest, according to the U.S. News and World Report‘s 2024 ranking of the healthiest communities in the U.S.
But the Mid-Atlantic enclave of Falls Church, VA, took
Los Alamos Medical Center Awarded Laboratory Accreditation From The Joint Commission
LAMC at 3917 West Road has earned The Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval® for Laboratory Accreditation by demonstrating continuous compliance with performance standards. Courtesy/LAMC
LAMC News:
Los Alamos Medical Center (LAMC) has announced it has earned The Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval® for Laboratory Accreditation by demonstrating continuous compliance with its performance standards. The Gold Seal is a symbol of quality that reflects a healthcare organization’s commitment to providing safe and quality patient care.
LAMC underwent a rigorous, unannounced Read More
Catch Of The Week: Arkansas College Ransomware Attack
By REBECCA RUTHERFORD
Los Alamos
For the Los Alamos Daily Post
Ransomware attacks are pretty indiscriminate, attackers know they can get a big payout even from smaller targets like community colleges. NWACC (Northwest Arkansas Community College) is the latest college to fall victim to a ransomware attack. NWACC is a community college in Bentonville, AR, with an enrollment of about 8,000 in 2018. The attack occurred July 30.
School officials realized they had been attacked after networked printers began printing out ransom demands across the campus. College officials did not disclose the Read More
Robinson: All’s Fair In Healthcare Worker Recruiting
By SHERRY ROBINSON
All She Wrote
© 2024 New Mexico News Services
Around Houston Medical Center are six billboards inviting its employees to come to New Mexico, where they will be “Free to Provide”. The message is repeated in full page ads in the Sunday editions of dailies in San Antonio, Austin, Dallas, Fort Worth and Houston.
New Mexico’s governor and state Health Department are taking advantage of turmoil in the Texas medical community caused by changes in abortion laws to recruit healthcare workers.
Our shortage of practitioners is well known; some rural hospitals have closed their obstetrics Read More
Catch Of The Week: Blood Donation Service Ransomware Attack
By REBECCA RUTHERFORD
Los Alamos
For the Los Alamos Daily Post
In a move proving that they are literally worse than blood sucking leeches, cyber criminals sunk to a new low and caught non-profit OneBlood in a ransomware attack. OneBlood is a non-profit blood center that provides blood to over 300 hospital partners. OneBlood serves the Southern US in Florida, Georgia and the Carolinas. They operate more than 90 donor centers and have a fleet of over 350 donation buses.
OneBlood is still operational, but operating under limited capacity. They have issued a critical call for donors, and the hospitals Read More
UNM-Los Alamos Campus Closed Due To Gas Leak
The UNM-Los Alamos campus at 1000 University Drive is closed until further notice due to a gas leak. Post file photo
UNM-LA News:
Due to a gas leak, the UNM-Los Alamos (UNM-LA) campus is closed until further notice.
All campus events will either be made remote or postponed. Check the UNM-LA website or social media channels for updates.
About UNM-LA
UNM-Los Alamos is an innovative, rigorous and affordable comprehensive branch community college that provides foundations for transfer, leading-edge career programs and lifelong learning opportunities.
More information about UNM-Los Alamos Read More
Self Help, Inc. And Los Alamos Police Department Partner To Aid Community Members In Need
Self Help Inc. News:
Self Help, Inc., one of the most critical safety net providers in northern New Mexico, recently renewed its collaborative agreement with the Los Alamos County Police Department (LAPD) to bolster the “LAPD Emergency Basic Needs Program”.
The LAPD Emergency Basic Needs Program originated from the Los Alamos County Health Council in 2015. The council recommended that the police have access to a designated fund to assist community members during off-hour emergencies. Generous community members raised $10,000 to establish this program, which Self Help has managed since Read More
Bandelier Confirms Dead Bat Tests Positive For Rabies
Bat with rabies. Courtesy/cdc.gov
BANDELIER News:
Bandelier National Monument has confirmed that a bat found dead in the park has tested positive for rabies.
This is the first confirmed rabies case of the year for northern New Mexico.
The dead bat was found July 7 in the Cottonwood Picnic Area.
No known human contact with the bat has been reported, but we advise anyone who touched or had contact with any bat near the Cottonwood Picnic Area in early July to contact their healthcare provider or New Mexico Department of Health promptly.
Rabies is a fatal disease that can affect any mammal, including Read More
