Comments Sought on State Rail Plan
NMDOT News:
SANTA FE – The public is invited to provide final comment on the New Mexico State Rail Plan that will serve as a five year plan for the railroad program.
The Rail Plan, which is a federal requirement, sets forth state policy regarding passenger and freight rail transportation. It identifies current and future passenger and freight rail facilities, services, needs, issues and opportunities. The plan also evaluates the benefits, costs and efficiency of potential new projects and services and prioritizes these after considering funding availability and other factors affecting Read More
NNSA Directs Labs to Begin Preparing for Possible Closure
Director Charlie McMillan
LANL News:
In an email to employees at Los Alamos National Laboratory today, Director Charlie McMillan explained that because of the ongoing lapse in federal appropriations, the NNSA has directed all labs and sites to start preparing for the orderly closure of all operations except for those required to maintain minimum safety.
Without a resolution to the budget impasse, Los Alamos will complete the transition to closure as of the end of business on Friday, Oct. 18, McMillan said in his email message.
LANL will continue to conserve available funding through reductions Read More
N.M. Delegation Working to Protect Federal and Lab Workers Hurt by Shutdown
STATE News:- Urges DOE to compensate national lab employees for back pay if furloughed because of shutdown
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Tom Udall and Martin Heinrich and U.S. Reps. Ben Ray Luján and Michelle Lujan Grisham are working to ensure that federal workers in New Mexico are not financially hurt in the long-term by the federal government shutdown.
New Mexico is home to roughly 27,000 federal workers, and Sandia National Laboratories (SNL) and Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) employ an additional 18,000 New Mexicans.
All four lawmakers are strong supporters of the Federal Employee Read More
NMDOT Holding Outdoor Advertising Hearings
NMDOT NEWS:
SANTA FE – The New Mexico Department of Transportation (NMDOT) will hold public hearings this month to receive oral and written public comment on Rule Number 18.21.5 NMAC, New Mexico Department of Transportation Outdoor Advertising Requirements.
The purpose of the proposed rule change is to establish procedures and standards for all off-premises outdoor advertising in New Mexico including the use of changeable electronic variable message signs, to amend the current fee structure, to update and clarify the rule where necessary including definitions and permit-related Read More
First Lieutenant Micah Andersen Continues Recovery
Photos from the visit of the New Mexico American Legion Riders to First Lieutenant Micah Jay Andersen and the other New Mexico military members currently at Brooke Army Medical Center. Courtesy photosStaff Report:
First Lieutenant Micah Jay Andersen received the Purple Heart Aug. 13 from four-star General Daniel B. Allyn, Commanding General U.S. Army Forces Command.
The Los Alamos High School graduate was serving as an Armor Officer in Afghanistan June 1 and suffered severe combat injuries when an improvised explosive device detonated while he was conducting a combined dismounted patrol. Read More
PRObE Provides Access to Large Scale Supercomputers
Computer & Information Systems Manager Andree Jacobson of the New Mexico Consortium discussed the PROBE project during Tuesday’s taping of ‘Behind the White Coat’ at the PAC 8 Studio in downtown Los Alamos. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com
Los Alamos High School student interns assist in assembling, testing and installing hundreds of computers at the PROBE Center in the Los Alamos Research Park. Courtesy photo
Scenes From Balloon Fiesta 2013
The 42nd Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta kick off Saturday with more than 500 hot air balloons representing 20 countries. The fiesta runs through Oct. 13 at Balloon Fiesta Park. The hot air balloon competitive flying starts today with pilots competing to win cash prizes. Competitive flying will continue throughout the week, taking a break on Wednesday for the Flight of the Nations. The Flight of the Nations will honor the 20 countries participating in the 42nd event, as each flies their nation’s flag from their balloon. For details on events, schedule, entertainment and photographs, Read More
Luján Wants LANL Employees Compensated if Furloughed Due to Government Shutdown
U.S. Rep. Ben Ray Luján
U.S. CONGRESSIONAL News:
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Rep. Ben Ray Luján of New Mexico’s Third District spoke today on the House floor in support of H.R. 3223, legislation that ensures furloughed federal employees retroactively receive their pay.
During his remarks, Luján highlighted that it is the intent of Congress to also support contract employees at the national laboratories.
In addition, he submitted into the Congressional Record a letter he is sending Department of Energy Secretary Earnest Moniz to emphasize that fact. Below are Luján’s remarks as Read More
Luján: It’s Time House Republicans End Political Games, Allow Vote to End Shutdown
U.S. Rep. Ben Ray Luján
U.S. CONGRESSIONAL News:
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Rep. Ben Ray Luján of New Mexico’s Third District released the following statement on the government shutdown and House Republicans’ refusal to allow a vote on the Senate-passed Continuing Resolution:
“Enough is enough. New Mexico families are hurting as workers have been off the job for days and critical services have been delayed. It is long past time for Congress to act to end the government shutdown and make sure that the employees who have been furloughed through no fault of their own are made whole. It is long past time Read More
Heinrich on Thursday’s Capitol Hill Incident
Sen. Martin Heinrich
U.S. SENATE News:
