Features

New Mexico Department Of Finance And Administration Files Response To Judicial Employee Leave Policy Lawsuit

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DFA Secretary Wayne Propst

DFA News:

SANTA FE — The New Mexico Department of Finance and Administration (DFA) filed a response to the Administrative Office of the Courts’ (AOC) lawsuit against the agency. DFA’s response aims to protect the Legislature’s exclusive power over the expenditure of public funds and the constitutional authority of checks and balances, while respectfully requesting a fair tribunal.

The lawsuit stems from DFA’s declining paid time off (PTO) payouts on the grounds that the policy violates legislative restrictions on the expenditure of public funds. The decision Read More

Skolnik: New Mexico’s Healthcare Workforce – Clever Ads Are Not Healthcare Policy

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By RICHARD SKOLNIK
White Rock

In September 2023, the Albuquerque Journal published an article I wrote called Dear Red State Physicians, Please Move to New Mexico (link).

Thus, I was pleased to see the Governor launch in August 2024 an advertising campaign along the lines of my article.

My article was written in a somewhat humorous style, since I understand there are a number of critical policy constraints that discourage physicians from wanting to practice in New Mexico. Unhappiness over a physician’s ability to practice in Texas or elsewhere according to the standards of care of her field will Read More

Los Alamos Public Schools Joins Nationwide Celebration Of Unity Day … Key For National Bullying Prevention Month

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LAPS News:

On Oct. 16, Los Alamos Public Schools (LAPS) will join schools nationwide in celebrating Unity Day, a key event during National Bullying Prevention Month.

Unity Day sends a clear, powerful message: by wearing orange, we stand together in kindness, acceptance and inclusion, helping to create a safer, more supportive environment for every student.

Unity Day also reaffirms our school district’s strategic goal to ensure 100% of students develop the skills and values necessary to be productive, responsible citizens. By uniting against bullying, we are building a culture where students Read More

St. John’s College Santa Fe Awarded Suicide Program Funds

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St. John’s College News:

SANTA FE – St. John’s College has been awarded a three-year $306,000 grant from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) to strengthen the college’s behavior health infrastructure especially for suicide prevention efforts on its Santa Fe campus.

The program will support a comprehensive public health and evidence-based approach to behavioral health, including suicide, depression, serious mental illness and substance abuse.

“We know that increasing mental health challenges, including risk of suicide, and, more generally, increased Read More

National Bullying Awareness Month: 5 Crucial Facts To Know

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From ‘Stand for the Silent’:

Oklahoma City – October is National Bullying Prevention Month, making it an ideal time to examine some of the crucial factors surrounding this hot-button issue. Bullying touches families from coast to coast and in all demographic areas. The more we can shed light on it and learn to understand it, the better equipped we will be as a nation to help prevent it from happening.

“Bullying is an issue that most of us have had to deal with at some point, in one way or another,” says Kirk Smalley, co-founder of Stand for the Silent. “We need to learn more about it and do what we can to Read More

Robinson: How Do We Attract Doctors And Healthcare Workers? Think Tank Has A Plan

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By SHERRY ROBINSON
All She Wrote
©2024 New Mexico News Services

How long does it take you to get an appointment with your doctor? If your answer is weeks or months, or “What doctor?” Think New Mexico has you in mind.

The nonpartisan think tank recently published a plan to solve New Mexico’s healthcare worker shortage. The group has done its usual thorough work of defining the problem and presenting a potentially do-able solution.

Most riveting, I thought, is the part about reforming the state’s medical malpractice act. This 48-year-old law, its changes and loopholes are a giveaway to malpractice Read More

Catch Of The Week: UMC Ransomware Attack

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By REBECCA RUTHERFORD
Los Alamos
For the Los Alamos Daily Post

Nobody likes going to the hospital, but what if you became seriously ill or injured and the hospital had to turn you away at the door?

That’s exactly what happened at University Medical System (UMC) in Lubbock, Texas after they recently suffered a ransomware attack and had to divert incoming patients to other hospitals.

What is ransomware?

Ransomware is a malicious software designed to block access to computer systems until a sum of money is paid. The first documented ransomware attack occurred in 1989 when attendees of the World Health Read More

Denish: Abortion, A Personal Story

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By DIANE DENISH
Corner to Corner
© 2024 New Mexico News Services

On August 8 in a press conference, Donald Trump said he believed abortion has become “much less of an issue” and that it would be a “very small issue” in the general election. He is wrong.

Just a reminder: Donald Trump appointed justices committed to ending a woman’s right to make her own healthcare decisions. He is proud of getting Roe v. Wade overturned. As a result, almost half the states now either ban or severely restrict women’s right to abortion and reproductive care.

Trump has forgotten about the women of my generation who were Read More

Scenes From LAMC’s Free Drive-Thru Flu Shot Clinic

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Los Alamos Medical Center (LAMC) Nurse Karen administers a free flu vaccine this morning as Vickie Martinez prepares a Band-Aid to apply afterward during LAMC’s Free Drive-Thru Flu Shot Clinic underway until noon today. Photo by John McHale/ladailypost.com

Vehicles line up this morning at LAMC’s Free Drive-Thru Flu Shot Clinic underway until noon today. Photo by John McHale/ladailypost.com

RN Nurse James administrators a flu shot this morning during LAMC’s Free Drive-Thru Flu Shot Clinic underway until noon today. Photo by John McHale/ladailypost.com

Welcoming drivers this morning Read More