Two Sandia Researchers Win Nation’s Most Prestigious ‘Early Career’ Awards
Recipients of the PECASE. Courtesy/whitehouse.gov
SNL News:
Of eight DOE researchers selected to receive the Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers (PECASE), two were researchers at Sandia National Laboratories.
The awards, presented at a White House ceremony in mid-December, are the U.S. government’s most prestigious commendation for scientists and engineers at early stages in their career. PECASE winners — this year, there were 67 — receive up to five years of funding from their agency to advance their research.
Sandia researchers Wei Pan and Bert Debusschere Read More
Prescribed Fire Planned for Santa Fe National Forest
SFNF News:
Fire managers at Santa Fe National Forest are planning to conduct a pile prescribed fire Aug. 18 to Sept. 28 on the Jemez Ranger District.
The Los Griegos pile prescribed burn may be conducted only on favorable days as conditions allow. A total of 500 acres of piles may be treated in an area adjacent to the Sierra Los Pinos community, 17 miles southwest of Los Alamos. Small blocks of land may be treated each day to decrease the daily smoke volume.
Prescribed fires are one of the most effective tools available to resource managers for restoring fire dependent ecosystems. These fires Read More
Gov.: Child Support Bench Warrant Round Up
Gov. Susana Martinez
STATE News:
For the third year in a row, Gov. Susana Martinez announces a two-part crack-down on non-custodial parents who aren’t paying child support.
The child support bench warrant operation runs through the end of August.
Non-custodial parents with an outstanding bench warrant due to unpaid child support obligations may visit one of the 14 child support offices across the state, pay the full amount of the bond by Aug. 29, and get the warrant quashed or cancelled without fear of arrest.
During the final week of August, New Mexico State Police (NMSP) and local law enforcement Read More
Udall, Heinrich Voice Concerns Over Plan to Reduce Hours at U.S. Post Offices in New Mexico
STATE News:
U.S. Senators Tom Udall and Martin Heinrich sent a letter to U.S. Postal Service (USPS) Postmaster General Patrick R. Donahoe Wednesday to express their concerns about the Postal Service’s multi-year “Post Plan” to reduce costs and streamline operations, which may impact more than 140 post offices in New Mexico.
USPS announced the Post Plan in 2012 in response to financial challenges it was facing at the time, which included declining revenues and mail volume. The Post Plan cuts operating costs for smaller Post Offices by reducing hours, delivering Read More
Regional Coalition of LANL Communities Meets Aug. 15
RCLC News:
Regional Coalition of LANL Communities Regular Business Meeting is 9-11 a.m. Friday, Aug. 15 in the Santa Fe County Chambers, 102 Grant Ave., in Santa Fe.
The meeting will include up-to-date presentations on the WIPP situation.
If you are an individual with a disability who is in need of a reader, amplifier, qualified sign language interpreter, or any other form of auxiliary aid or service to attend or participate in the hearing of the meeting, contact the Coalition Office at 505.577.1347 at least one week prior to the meeting or as soon as possible.
Public documents including
Safety Enhancements Continue at WIPP
WIPP News:
The Accident Investigation Board report for the underground truck fire was issued in March and the Radiological Release (Phase I) report was issued in May.
Corrective Action Plans have been developed and are currently being reviewed, awaiting final approval from the U.S. Department of Energy. Although these plans are still undergoing formal reviews, a number of organizational and safety related actions have already been implemented.
The site developed an Executive Safety and Quality Review Board to ensure adequate oversight as changes and updates to all safety related programs Read More
Secretary of the Interior Visits Valle de Oro National Wildlife Refuge Aug. 8
Sally Jewell
STATE News:
Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell will visit the Valle de Oro National Wildlife Refuge Friday, Aug. 8 to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) and its positive impact on New Mexico.
Jewell and U.S. Senators Tom Udall and Martin Heinrich with U.S. Rep. Michelle Lujan Grisham will join U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Regional Director Benjamin Tuggle and local stakeholders to make an announcement about the Refuge and to highlight the importance of the LWCF for urban parks, clean water, outdoor recreation and healthy economies Read More
Johnson: On The Central American Refugee Crisis
By DUSTIN JOHNSONAn increasing flow of migrants from Central America, seeking a reprieve from violence in their home countries, has become an increasingly divisive political issue in the US.
At least 57,000 children alone have been detained after crossing the border since last fall (source). Americans from across the political spectrum have called for various measures to address the crisis. Aug. 1. the House voted, largely along party lines, to fund measures to deport hundreds of thousands of immigrants without due process and boost
A Measure of Worth?
By KELLEY BAER, IBCLC, RLC, LCCETrue confession. I fed my babies formula – at least for a little while.
There. It’s out in the open. And guess what? I feel no shame.
It’s World Breastfeeding Week and the New Mexico Breastfeeding Task Force, Los Alamos Chapter, is highlighting community support for breastfeeding. However, sometimes highlighting an issue can trigger strong emotions.
World Breastfeeding Week, including the Ban the Bags campaign, is meant to protect and promote breastfeeding as a healthy choice for mom and Read More
DOE Secretary Visits WIPP Aug. 12
Sec. Moniz. Courtesy/wikipedia.com
