Heinrich Statement on VA Secretary’s Resignation
Sen. Martin Heinrich
U.S. SENATE News:
WASHINGTON, D.C – Sen. Martin Heinrich, D-N.M. released the following statement after the resignation of U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Secretary Eric Shinseki:
“With more than 38 years of military service, two purple hearts, and an unwavering commitment to our veterans, General Shinseki has served our nation with honor and courage. But now is the time for new leadership at the VA that will make immediate reforms to aggressively tackle the mismanagement and systemic problems at its medical facilities nationwide. Read More
Crew From ‘505 and 575 Faces’ Stops in Los Alamos to Capture Local Personalities
The crew from 505 and 575 Faces in front of their RV parked in the Central Park Square lot at 15th and Central Avenue Thursday to interview and photograph local folks for an upcoming book and online series about New Mexico. Photo by Leland Lehman/ladailypost.com
Crew members interview local residents Thursday as part of their 505 and 575 Faces project. Photo by Leland Lehman/ladailypost.com
Staff Report
A crew of Albuquerque writers and photographers is using the 505 and 575 area codes for their project “505 and 575 Faces,” which involves touring around the state to “photograph Read More
VA Secretary Eric Shinseki Has Resigned
VA Secretary Eric Shinseki
NATIONAL News:
In the midst of growing outcry over reported failings in the VA system, especially the prevalence of wait lists for veterans needing medical care, today VA Secretary Eric Shinseki resigned.
Shinseki headed the VA, which operates the nation’s largest integrated health care system, with more than 1,700 hospitals, clinics, community living centers, domiciliaries, readjustment counseling centers, and other facilities. Stories have been emerging of veterans waiting fo months, some since 2012 for appointments, with some of those Read More
LANL: Desert Scientists Turn to Rainforest for Climate Answers
Heath-Powers: Los Alamos scientist Heath Powers, foreground, and on-site technician Vagner Castro work on field equipment for measuring carbon dioxide and water vapor near areas of human habitation in Brazil.Courtesy/LANL
LANL News:
- Work in Brazil’s Amazon Basin Should Improve Climate Prediction
Nearly a quarter of the way through their two-year project, a team of scientists deployed to Brazil’s Amazon Basin is unraveling the mysteries of how land and atmospheric processes affect tropical hydrology and climate. Their work will go far toward improving the climate-prediction computer Read More
DOE Issues Update On WIPP Repairs
WIPP personnel conduct visual inspections of the underground facilities at WIPP. Courtesy/DOEDOE News:
The Department of Energy Field Office in Carlsbad has announced that on May 28, WIPP workers entered the underground facility to adjust the ventilation system. While underground, they adjusted a regulator on a bulkhead door and closed and taped doors at another underground location to allow more air flow through Panel 7 and better ventilation control in preparation for the planned filter change.
Geotechnical experts also conducted underground inspections at several locations to Read More
Petitions Filed to Eliminate Jail and Reduce Penalty for Pot Possession in Santa Fe and Albuquerque
STATE News:
Voters in Santa Fe and Albuquerque filed petitions Thursday to give residents in two of New Mexico’s largest cities a vote on marijuana penalties.
Similar ballot language filed with the city clerks in both cities would eliminate incarceration and lower the penalty to a simple $25 fine under city code for persons possessing less than one ounce of marijuana and paraphernalia.
The city charters of each city permit voters to petition their government for changes to city ordinances, including those relating to marijuana.
“Momentum for more sensible marijuana Read More
Heinrich Calls for VA Secretary Shinseki To Resign
Sen. Martin HeinrichU.S. Senate News:
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Sen. Martin Heinrich, D-N.M. issued the following statement Thursday calling for U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Secretary Eric Shinseki to step down as head of the VA after a preliminary report released by the agency’s office of inspector general. The report found that at least 1,700 veterans waiting for health care services at the Phoenix VA medical facility were not included on the facility’s wait list, and patients there waited an average of 115 days for their first appointments.
The interim report also found Read More
Bridge Work Continues U.S. 84/285 & North Tesuque Interchange (Exit 172) May 30
NMDOT News:
SANTA FE – The New Mexico Department of Transportation (NMDOT) will continue bridge rehabilitation work on U.S. 84/285 and North Tesuque Interchange (Exit 172) north of Santa Fe near the Tesuque Village at mile post 171.6.
This work includes the removal and replacement of the bridge approach slabs, bridge sleeper slabs, transition slabs and roadway improvements at the interchange.
Starting at 7 p.m. Friday, May 30, the North Tesuque Interchange (Exit 172) will be CLOSED, and the U.S. 84/285 northbound and southbound lanes will be reduced to one lane and be Read More
Udall Calls on VA Secretary Shinseki to Resign
U.S. SENATE News:
ALBUQUERQUE – Sen. Tom Udall, D-N.M., issued the following statement today calling for VA Secretary Eric Shinseki to step down:
“Independent investigators at the VA are now confirming what I have been saying for weeks: that the problems at the VA are systemic and rooted in a culture that has rewarded cover-ups and cheating to the point of risking the health of our veterans. What I have heard from New Mexico veterans and read in the OIG report is a betrayal of the heroes who fought for our freedom. It’s clear to me that Secretary Shinseki must step down to Read More
Valles Caldera Board of Trustees Names New Executive Director
Jorge Silva-Bañuelos
VCNP News:
JEMEZ SPRINGS – The Valles Caldera Trust (Trust) today announced the appointment of Jorge Silva-Bañuelos to the position of executive director. Silva-Bañuelos was selected from a competitive field of 24 applicants to fill the position vacated when Dennis Trujillo retired in January.
“Jorge has extensive experience in natural resource policy, management and leadership of government agencies,” said Kent Salazar, chairman of the Valles Caldera Trust Board of Trustees. “His experience working with a broad citizen constituency on public Read More
