State, Nation & World - Los Alamos Daily Post

Proposed Los Alamos Bag Ban Bad For Environment And Freedom

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on May 20, 2015

By PAUL J. GESSING, President

Rio Grande Foundation

The Los Alamos County Council is considering banning plastic grocery bags. More than 200 municipalities in the United States, including two in New Mexico – Santa Fe and Silver City – have banned the distribution of lightweight plastic shopping bags.

Proponents of bag bans, specifically the Sierra Club, claim they will reduce litter and protect the marine environment, diminish our consumption of resources and emissions of greenhouse gases, reduce waste, and save taxpayers’ money.

Unfortunately, the supposed environmental benefits Read More

Public Comments Sought On STIP

Submitted by Chris Clark on May 20, 2015

NMDT News:

SANTA FE ― The public is invited to comment on the New Mexico Department of Transportation’s 9th amendment to the State Transportation Improvement Program (STIP).

The program will serve as a four year plan for the state’s federal aid highway program. The STIP contains proposed road and bridge projects and is required under the federal legislation. Projects on the list are on federal and state highways (roads with I, U.S. or NM designations).

The NMDOT has posted the 2014-2017 STIP amendment on the internet asking

Court Reverses Sabotage Verdict For Y-12 Protesters

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on May 20, 2015

Courtesy/Nuke Resister & Transform Now Plowshares

By ROGER SNODGRASS

Los Alamos Daily Post

By a 2-1 vote, a U.S. Court of Appeals in Knoxville, Tenn., overturned a sabotage conviction for three religious protesters on May 8.

The decision led to the release Saturday of Megan Rice, an 84-year-old nun, 59-year-old Greg Boertje-Obed and 66-year-old Michael Walli. They were arrested while infiltrating the Y-12 National Security Site near Oak Ridge National Laboratory on July 28, 2012.

Rice has been serving a 35-month sentence and the two men were working on a 65-month sentence each. Read More

Four Sham Cancer Charities Allegedly Bilk Over $187 Million From Consumers

Submitted by Chris Clark on May 20, 2015

Attorney General Hector Balderas

STATE News:

SANTA FE ― New Mexico Attorney General Hector Balderas joined with the U.S. Federal Trade Commission, all 50 States and the District of Columbia Tuesday in a complaint charging four sham cancer charities and their operators with bilking more than $187 million from consumers.

The defendants told donors their money would help cancer patients, including children and also women suffering from breast cancer, but the overwhelming majority of donations benefitted only the perpetrators, their families, friends, and fundraisers.

Luján Celebrates 50 Years Of Head Start Program

Submitted by Chris Clark on May 20, 2015

U.S. Rep. Ben Ray Luján

SENATE News:

Washington, D.C. ― U.S. Rep. Ben Ray Luján of New Mexico’s Third district marked the anniversary of “Project Head Start” Monday, launched 50 years ago by President Lyndon B. Johnson. Since its creation, Head Start has provided early childhood education to more than 30 million children from working and low-income families.

“Helping our children succeed begins by putting them on the right path at the earliest ages. For 50 years, Head Start has helped support hard-working families who are trying to get ahead

SFNF Offices Closed For Memorial Day

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on May 20, 2015

SFNF News:

SANTA FE – All Santa Fe National Forest offices will be closed Monday, May. 25, in observance of Memorial Day.

Forest offices will resume regular business hours Tuesday, May 26.

For additional information, contact your local Ranger District or the Forest Headquarters at 505.438.5300. Read More

North Taos County Bus Shelters To Feature Student Art

Submitted by Chris Clark on May 19, 2015

‘Luz es Vida – Light Is Life’ art banner created by local Toas students. Courtesy photo

Taos students stand by their art. Courtesy photo

RTD News:

On Thursday, May 14, banners by local students were installed in four RTD (Blue Bus) shelters along its Questa route in support of the students and the “Luz es Vida – Light is Life” youth education program in Questa and the surrounding area.

During March and April, more than 220 students from Alta Vista, Costilla Academy, and Roots and Wings Community Schools, as well as some

Director To Request $750,000 In Emergency Funding For Operations Of Magistrate Courts Through June

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on May 19, 2015

Scales of Justice. Courtesy image

COURT News:

Administrative Office of the Courts Director Artie Pepin will appear before the state Board of Finance Thursday to request emergency funding of $750,000 for operations of magistrate courts through June.

In April, the governor vetoed a $750,000 supplemental appropriation approved by the Legislature to address underfunding partly caused by a loss of revenues from vetoes in 2014.

Without the requested $750,000 emergency grant, according to Pepin, the AOC will not pay leases on court buildings for June and state insurance premiums. Those steps Read More

IRS Tax Information For Military Personnel, Families

Submitted by Chris Clark on May 19, 2015

IRS News:

PHOENIX ― May is National Military Appreciation Month and the Internal Revenue Service wants members of the military and their families to know about the many tax benefits available to them.

Each year, the IRS publishes Publication 3 (https:////www.irs.gov/uac/About-), Armed Forces Tax Guide, a free booklet packed with valuable information and tips designed to help service members and their families take advantage of all tax benefits allowed by law. This year’s edition, geared to the 2014 return, is posted on IRS.gov. Available tax benefits

National Defense University Students Tour Los Alamos

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on May 19, 2015

National Defense University students gather for lunch Monday at Fuller Lodge during their visit to Los Alamos. Photo by KayLinda Crawford/ladailypost.com

Staff Report

Students from the National Defense University in Washington, D.C., paid a visit to Los Alamos National Laboratory Monday as part of a two-week trip visiting various national security facilities around the country.

According to a staff member traveling with the students, 50 different countries are represented by this gathering and all are studying for a Masters Degree in National Security.

Before gathering for Read More

LOS ALAMOS

ladailypost.com website support locally by OviNuppi Systems