Features

State Offers Free Blood Tests For PFAS Around Cannon AFB

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NMED News:

SANTA FE — New Mexico Environment Department (NMED) said New Mexico is stepping up to help residents and workers surrounding Cannon Air Force Base near Clovis by offering free blood tests for PFAS, a group of man-made chemicals that can affect your health. 

These tests are available to anyone who has lived or worked in certain areas around the base, where PFAS contaminated the local water supply.  

PFAS, or per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, are a group of synthetic chemicals used in a variety of products, including food packaging, nonstick cookware, and certain types of fire-fighting Read More

Health Care Authority Taps Three New Division Directors

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HCA News:

SANTA FE — The New Mexico Health Care Authority (HCA) Monday announced a significant leadership overhaul with the appointment of three seasoned professionals as division directors. 

Jennifer Rodriguez, Dan Lanari and Colin Baillio are tasked with driving improvements in health outcomes and services for New Mexicans.

“We are fortunate to have three experienced and capable directors to lead at the Health Care Authority,” said Kari Armijo, cabinet secretary for the New Mexico Health Care Authority. “Jennifer Rodriguez, Dan Lanari and Collin Baillio bring a wealth of knowledge Read More

NNSA Issues Update On US 84/285 Tractor-Trailer Rollover

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NNSA Los Alamos Field Office News:

At 11 p.m. local time on Aug. 19, 2024, members of the National Nuclear Security Administration’s Radiological Assessment Program completed a survey of the incident site on U.S. 84/285 outside Santa Fe following that day’s truck accident. (The truck was carrying demolition debris from Los Alamos National Laboratory).

Based on swipes, air samples, and radiation detection tools, it was determined there was no radiological contamination at the scene. There was not and is no threat to the public.

The scene has been physically cleared and the highway has been Read More

Southern New Mexico Water Utility In Hot Water Again

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NMELC News:

SUNLAND PARK — The New Mexico Environmental Law Center, on behalf of community members in Sunland Park and Santa Teresa, submitted a request to the New Mexico Department of Justice (DOJ) and the New Mexico Office of the State Auditor Friday, Aug. 2, to investigate the Camino Real Regional Utility Authority (CRRUA) for violations of environmental protection laws; consumer protection laws; waste, fraud, or abuse of state and federal funds; and violations of the New Mexico Open Meetings Act.

Read the 24-page official request here.

This community-informed request comes months after Read More

DEA: National Fentanyl Prevention & Awareness Day Aug. 21

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DEA News:

On Wednesday, Aug. 21, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) will recognize National Fentanyl Prevention and Awareness Day by joining the many voices dedicated to educating the public on the serious dangers of fentanyl poisoning from fake pills and other illicit drugs.

Did you know that just 2mg of fentanyl, the amount on the tip of this pencil, can be enough to kill the average person? The 2024 DEA fentanyl seizures represent more than 216 million deadly doses.

Help DEA save lives by educating yourself and talking to others about the dangers of fentanyl. Join DEA in observance Read More

NNSA Addresses US 84/285 Tractor-Trailer Rollover

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NNSA Los Alamos Field Office News:

At 11:18 a.m. Monday, Aug. 19, 2024, a flatbed tractor trailer truck carrying demolition debris from Los Alamos National Laboratory overturned on the southbound lanes on U.S. 84/285 north of Santa Fe. Our first concern is for the driver of the truck and the safety of the other drivers on the highway, and we are grateful for the response by emergency personnel. There is no danger to the public.

The truck, which is operated by a lab contractor, was traveling to Waste Control Specialists in Andrews, Texas, carrying four Super Sacks of demolition debris from the Laboratory’s Read More

Hampton: Support Vote For RECA On House Floor

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By DAVID HAMPTON
Los Alamos

Downwinders are the residents of the Tularosa Basin, who have experienced, and continue to experience to this day, high levels of cancer, infant mortality, and other ailments, since the world’s first nuclear weapon was detonated near their homes in July 1945. These ailments appear to be associated with the effects of nuclear fallout and exposure to plutonium, and are similar to those experienced from the detonations at Hiroshima and Nagasaki, as well as sites associated with nuclear weapons production.

In spite of their suffering, they were initially excluded Read More

Notice Of Completion Of Off-Site Waste Shipment For Final Disposal Added To LANL Electronic Public Reading Room

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LANL News:

Per regulatory requirements, this email is to notify you that new documents have been added to the Los Alamos Legacy Cleanup Contract Electronic Public Reading Room.

All legacy cleanup documents required to be posted after April 30, 2018, are available on the site linked above.

For legacy cleanup documents that were posted prior to April 30, 2018, please visit the LANL electronic public reading room.

Notice of Completion of Off-Site Waste Shipment for Final Disposal, Compliance Plan Activity 4.0, Site Treatment Plan, Federal Facility Compliance Order, Los Alamos National Laboratory Read More

Stansbury On Lower Prescription Drug Costs For Seniors

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U.S. Rep. Melanie Stansbury

TATE News:

WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Rep. Melanie Stansbury (NM-01) released the following statement Aug. 15 after the Biden-Harris Administration announced they would be lowering prescription drug costs for 10 of the most popular medications for America’s seniors:

“In New Mexico, we take care of our elders – full stop. That is why the continued fight by President Biden to take on Big Pharma and to lower the costs of life-saving medication has been so important, and I’m grateful for his work,” Rep. Stansbury said. “The more than 46,000 New Mexicans on Medicare will Read More

Martz: Regarding Detection Of Plutonium Contamination In Soils Around Los Alamos

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By JOSEPH MARTZ
Los Alamos

Recent new stories regarding detection of plutonium contamination in soils around Los Alamos have received considerable attention. I have a quite personal interest, as I spent nearly 50 years in Los Alamos, and grew up playing in these canyons. The studies report only the levels measured and leave the most important question unanswered: are these levels a hazard? 

As I could find no reporting discussing the actual hazard of this level of contamination, I took the liberty of using the provided data to see if these levels are something I should be concerned about. A bit Read More