Rule Of Law Advances A Civil And Engaged Democracy
New Mexico Supreme Court Chief Justice David K. Thomson, Courtesy/NMSC
By Chief Justice David K. Thomson
New Mexico Supreme Court
I am pleased to announce the New Mexico Supreme Court’s fifth annual “Rule of Law” program. The goal of the program is to educate middle school, high school, and college students on the judiciary’s role in our democracy and how the rule of law secures a just and civil society. This year we will hold oral argument at the Henderson Fine Arts Center at San Juan College in Farmington on Aug. 28, at 1 p.m.
Normally, I write an op-ed in advance of the program to discuss the importance Read More
Preserving History ‘Behind-The-Fence’ … Archaeologist, Historic Buildings Team Restoring Manhattan Project Relics
Battleship Bunker in Pajarito Canyon, where important implosion tests preceded the Trinity Test. Courtesy/LANL
By MARLENE WILDEN
Los Alamos Daily Post
marlene@ladailypost.com
At Los Alamos’s Pajarito Site, also known as Technical Area 18 (TA-18), a quiet but profound restoration effort is unfolding. Led by archaeologists, historians and architects from Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL), this work goes beyond stabilizing concrete bunkers and experimental facilities from World War II. It’s part of a deeper mission to honor the full legacy of Manhattan Project National Historical Read More
NMED, NMDOH Study Shows Military ‘Forever Chemicals’ Found In Blood Of Curry County New Mexico Residents
STATE News:
SANTA FE — A first-of-its-kind blood testing study in New Mexico found that 99.7% participants living or working near Cannon Air Force Base had one or more per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), or “forever chemicals,” in their blood, with residents near the base’s contamination plume three times more likely to have elevated levels.
The New Mexico Environment Department (NMED) and New Mexico Department of Health (NMDOH) released the results today from the $1.2 million PFAS blood testing project, funded entirely by NMED, for 628 people in rural Curry County near Cannon Read More
History Of Genízaros Lecture At Los Luceros Aug. 24
NMDCA News:
Los Luceros Historic Site together with the Amigos (Friends) de Los Luceros, host a special presentation with former state historian Robert J. Torrez, “What a Price a Human: Indian Captives in New Mexico.”
From 2–4 p.m., Sunday, Aug. 24, Robert J. Torrez will present the history of slavery in New Mexico, with a special focus on the Genízaro, or detribalized Indigenous people in colonial New Mexico. He will share his knowledge about the practice of incorporating Indian captives into Hispano households in Spanish, Mexican, and Territorial-era New Mexico.
He will also discuss how Read More
New Mexico Delegation To Host Virtual Military Service Academy Nominations Event Sept. 4
NM DELEGATION News:
WASHINGTON, D.C. — At 6 p.m. MT on Thursday, Sept. 4, the offices of U.S. Sens. Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) and Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), and U.S. Reps. Melanie Stansbury (D-N.M.), Teresa Leger Fernández (D-N.M.), and Gabe Vasquez (D-N.M.) will bring together representatives from the U.S. Military Service Academies for a virtual Q&A session.
The conversation is an opportunity for high school students and recent graduates to ask questions about the nomination process and attending U.S. Military Service Academies. The New Mexico Congressional Delegation will be accepting Read More
Safe Surrender Event To Clear Outstanding Bench Warrants In Carlsbad Aug. 22 & 23
COURT News:
CARLSBAD — People with outstanding bench warrants from any magistrate court in New Mexico have an opportunity to clear them at the Eddy County Magistrate Court in Carlsbad, New Mexico from 1–7 p.m., Friday, Aug. 22, and from 8 a.m.–5 p.m., Saturday. The courthouse address is 1949 South Canal Street.
The safe surrender event provides anyone with outstanding warrants an opportunity to avoid jail and other consequences by appearing before a judge. At the time of surrender, a person who appears voluntarily will receive favorable consideration when requesting a new court date, payment Read More
BLM: Public Access To Achenbach Canyon In Organ Mountains Wilderness Protected
View from the Organ Mountains Wilderness. Courtesy/BLM
BLM News:
In southern New Mexico, the Organ Mountains Wilderness covers just shy of 20,000 acres of varied habitat, from the lower elevation Chihuahuan Desert to the rugged Organ Mountains, named for their rock spires resembling organ pipes.
Located just miles from Las Cruces, New Mexico’s second largest city, the wilderness area and surrounding Organ Mountains Desert Peaks National Monument provide varied recreation opportunities for residents along with diverse wildlife habitat.
In 2021 The Wilderness Land Trust purchased Read More
FBI: Doña Ana Man Sentenced To 96 Months In Prison For Fentanyl Trafficking And Illegal Firearm Possession
FBI News:
ALBUQUERQUE — A previously convicted felon was sentenced to 96 months in prison after agents recovered fentanyl and a stolen firearm during an attempted arrest in Las Cruces.
According to court records, on May 21, 2024, FBI task force officers and Las Cruces/Dona Ana County Metro Narcotics agents attempted to stop a vehicle associated with an ongoing investigation into fentanyl trafficking. The driver, later identified as Jaime Lopez, 35, fled at a high rate of speed, and officers did not pursue due to public safety concerns. Agents later determined the vehicle had recently been Read More
NM History Museum Seeking Volunteers For Docent Tour
Courtesy/NMHM
NMHM News:
Join the New Mexico History Museum’s (NMHM) docent training program and become part of a dynamic team sharing the many stories about the state’s past.
Participants will attend training sessions 10 a.m. to noon, Tuesdays and Thursdays, Sept. 9 through Nov. 20, to develop inclusive, engaging interpretation skills rooted in the museum’s Framework for the Future.
Museum docents help visitors connect history to the present while building their knowledge and confidence as a public-facing educator.
To register for the volunteer training program, visit https://forms.gle/2NAXzvTgrh6idkQS7 Read More
Luján Announces Guidance From DOJ For Claimants Following Recent Extension And Expansion Of RECA
U.S. SENATE News:
ALBUQUERQUE — U.S. Sen. Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) has secured guidance from the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) for claimants seeking compensation through the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act (RECA) program. This follows a bipartisan push led by Sen. Luján to ensure that claimants can access the program. With the recent extension and expansion of RECA, the DOJ has now opened applications for new claims and for expanded eligible populations.
Application instructions from DOJ are available here.
Claim forms for claimants are available here and below:
Read More
