Features

Skolnik: Los Alamos County And Wastewater-Based Disease Surveillance – Major Gaps In Transparency, Ethics, And Technical Expertise

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By RICHARD SKOLNIK
White Rock

Los Alamos County has ended its wastewater-based disease surveillance system (WBS) for COVID, RSV, Influenza A, and Influenza B. The purpose of this article is to inform the community about the manner in which I believe Los Alamos County has mis-managed this program and to encourage the community to demand that the County continue WBS and manage it in a transparent, ethical, and technically competent manner.

The Importance of Wastewater-Based Disease Surveillance

Despite significant declines in the number of COVID cases and deaths, COVID in 2023 was still the Read More

New Mexico Environment Department Signs Consent Order With DOE For LANL Legacy Waste Clean-Up

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From the Office of the Governor:

SANTA FE — Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham’s administration and the U.S. Department of Energy have executed a Settlement Agreement to clean-up legacy radioactive wastes at Los Alamos National Laboratory, marking a historic moment in the fight to hold the federal government accountable for the toxic waste it left behind in the wake of nuclear weapons testing in New Mexico.

The Settlement Agreement, executed on Aug. 30, and associated Compliance Order on Consent supersedes the contested 2016 agreement that failed to deliver meaningful clean-up of legacy radioactive Read More

2024 JJAB Winter Clothing Drive To Help Kids Stay Warm

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Bags of clothes donated during the 2023 JJAB Winter Clothing Drive. Courtesy/JJAB

JJAB News:

Summer has flown by, and autumn will be here before we know it!  As in years past, JJAB is holding our annual Winter Clothing Drive to help youth in our community stay warm as the weather turns cold. 

JJAB is asking our community to make a financial donation to purchase winter clothing for students in all LAPS schools. JJAB Resource Specialists will work with our client families, school counselors, and community organizations to gather student needs. As finances allow, JJAB will purchase and provide Read More

New Mexico State Bar Foundation’s Legal Resources For Elderly Program Is Hosting Free Virtual Legal Webinar

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New Mexico State Bar Foundation News:

ALBUQUERQUE — The New Mexico State Bar Foundation’s Legal Resources for the Elderly Program (LREP) will be hosting a free virtual legal webinar starting at 11 a.m. (MT), Sept. 10.

The webinar, which aims to equip the elderly or their caretakers with the tools and resources they need to plan for the future, will cover Powers of Attorney, Advance Health Care Directives, probate, non-probate transfers (including Transfer on Death Deeds) and Institutional Medicaid.

New Mexico residents can register for this free webinar online at https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_G8FvNkmyTS-v320I6moODQ Read More

New Mexico Health Care Authority Announces 27 Events To Mark September As Recovery Awareness Month

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HCA News:

          • More than 27 recovery events planned across 17 counties

SANTA FE — The New Mexico Health Care Authority (HCA) announces a series of statewide events in September to mark Recovery Awareness Month and support everyone who is in recovery and all those who support them.

“Recovery Month is a powerful reminder that recovery is possible for everyone. It is a time to recognize the resilience of those in recovery and the dedication of those who support them,” HCA Cabinet Secretary Kari Armijo said. “Our goal is to ensure that every New Mexican knows that help is available, and recovery is within Read More

LAMC To Host Free Drive-Thru Flu Shot Clinic Saturday Oct. 5

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LAMC News:

Los Alamos Medical Center (LAMC) has announced it will once again host its annual free drive-thru community flu shot clinic, 8 a.m. to noon Saturday, Oct. 5 at the hospital at 3917 West Road.

The flu vaccine will be administered in a drive-thru configuration that will not require people to get out of their vehicle. This clinic is for ages 18 and older only; children will not be inoculated. High-dose vaccines will be available for those 65 and older, as supplies last.

Attendees are asked to follow the signage at the hospital and follow instructions to receive their free vaccination. While Read More

Española Pathways Shelter Invites Public To Forum Sept. 8

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From Española Pathways Shelter:

Homelessness is an issue with which our communities struggle. Perhaps you would like to learn more about how people from our region are dealing with this issue and finding solutions.

The public is invited to attend the Sunday Forum at the Unitarian Church of Los Alamos at 11:45 a.m. Sunday, Sept. 8 at 1738 North Sage St.

The Forum will feature two remarkable leaders from the Española Pathways Shelter, CEO Dena Moscola and COO Jake Stockwell. The subject of their presentation is “Homelessness in the Española Valley – Growth and Changes at Pathways Shelter”.

Moscola Read More

Mason: Acid Canyon Well Within Safe Exposure Ranges

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By THOM MASON
Director
Los Alamos National Laboratory

During the Manhattan Project, the nation’s urgency to develop a weapon that could win World War II led to environmental decisions that have had long-standing consequences. That is why the Department of Energy Environmental Management and its contractor N3B continue to work to clean up legacy waste in Los Alamos.

This important cleanup work will continue for many years, however, cleanup has also yielded many success stories, returning once-contaminated land to a condition that is safe for the community once again. Acid Canyon in the Los Read More

New Mexico Health Care Authority Announces Reinstatement Of Interview Requirement For SNAP & TANF Applications

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HCA News:

SANTA FE — The New Mexico Health Care Authority (HCA) is now requiring  all New Mexicans renewing their Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) or Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) benefits to complete an interview as part of the recertification process.  

This change follows the federal government’s decision to end the interview waiver that was established during the COVID-19 pandemic. The end of this flexibility means that New Mexicans receiving SNAP or cash assistance will have an interview with HCA staff as a part of their applications. The interview Read More

Neal-Clinton: Changes Coming To Insurance Coverage For Prescription Drugs

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By BEVERLY NEAL-CLINTON
Loreen and Lane Retirement Answer Agent
Los Alamos

Editor’s note: While this article is from Beverly Neal-Clinton in her capacity as a small business owner, she also understands the importance and agrees to mention she is a candidate for Los Alamos County Council.

Did you know 87% of participants are concerned and want their prescription drugs covered? Did you know 40 to 70% of the current participants are expected to change their plans in 2025?

Take a look at the changes below…

(1) $2,000 Out-of-Pocket Cap: Starting in 2025, Medicare Part D will introduce a cap Read More