Features

Gov. Lujan Grisham Convenes Special Legislative Session To Address New Mexico’s Urgent Public Safety Issues 

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From the Office of the Governor:

SANTA FE – Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham readout a proclamation Wednesday convening a special session of the New Mexico State Legislature today, July 18, 2024, to address critical public safety concerns affecting the state.

The governor’s call to action comes in the wake of ongoing crime and other public safety challenges that underscore the urgent need for legislative reform.

“Just this week, a violent felon, previously convicted of shooting a Portales police officer, struck again. This time, tragically, the victim didn’t escape with their life,” Gov. Lujan Read More

Douglas-fir Tussock Moth Outbreak At Black Canyon Campground In Española Ranger District

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SFNF News:

SANTA FE — If you see brownish-yellow or red discoloration of trees in and around Back Canyon Campground in the Santa Fe National Forest (SFNF), it may be the result of defoliation from the Douglas-fir tussock moth (DFTM).

Trees may appear to be dying, but those brown branches signal the outbreak of the Douglas-fir tussock moth, a native defoliator whose larvae (caterpillars) feed on the needles of a variety of fir tree species. The caterpillar’s appetite can result in partial or complete defoliation, resulting in tree mortality or vulnerability to bark beetles.

Currently in 2024, Read More

Anchorum Health Foundation Investing $25M In Community Foundations In Northern New Mexico Including Los Alamos

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Anchorum Health Foundation News:

SANTA FE — Anchorum Health Foundation has announced a $25 million investment over the next five years in five community foundations across northern New Mexico.

This investment acknowledges the vital role community foundations play in enhancing overall health outcomes and reflects Anchorum’s commitment to supporting partners who address health disparities and promote wellness. 

Furthermore, this investment extends Anchorum’s service area to thirteen northern New Mexico counties, as well as all of the state’s Pueblos and Tribal Nations.

“We are Read More

Gruninger: Join Us For Lunch

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By JACCI GRUNINGER
Executive Director
LARSO

Editor’s note: This article is the second in a series written by Executive Director Jacci Gruninger to introduce Los Alamos Retired and Senior Organization and our services to the community.

Last week I shared about the many services the Los Alamos Senior Activity Centers provide. This week I’d like to invite you to lunch!

Did you know you don’t have to be a member to join us for lunch? We offer delicious, nutritious meals daily for only $10. And if you are a 60-year-young member it is FREE (a $5 donation is always welcome)! There are no long lines and every Read More

Luján Presses CBO Director, Secures Commitment On RECA

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U.S. Sen. Ben Ray Luján

U.S. SENATE News:

WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Sen. Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), a member of the Senate Budget Committee, pressed Congressional Budget Office (CBO) Director Phillip Swagel to provide state-by-state cost estimates of the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act (RECA) program.

Luján has consistently raised issues over the CBO’s scoring method of the RECA program. During the hearing, Director Swagel committed to convening a meeting to further discuss the program’s cost.

Watch Luján Questions CBO Director on RECA.

Luján has introduced legislation to strengthen Read More

Heinrich Cosponsors Bill To Let Every American Choose Medicare, Lower Health Care Costs For Working Families

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U.S. SENATE News:

WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) cosponsored the Choose Medicare Act, legislation that gives every American who is not already eligible for Medicaid or Medicare the opportunity to enroll in Medicare.

The Choose Medicare Act opens up Medicare to all Americans with a new ‘Part E’ and builds on the Affordable Care Act. By allowing Medicare to compete with private health insurance, Medicare Part E puts consumers and businesses in the driver’s seat on the road to universal health care.

“New Mexico’s working families deserve affordable and accessible health Read More

Skolnik: Should COVID Still Be A Priority?

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By RICHARD SKOLNIK
White Rock

How much priority should public health put on COVID these days? Aren’t the risks of COVID so diminished that we don’t have to worry about it anymore?

In public health, as in other fields, there are well known principles for setting priorities, that largely have to do with:

          • The impact of the disease on illness, disabilities, and deaths.
          • The availability of cost-effective, doable, and sustainable approaches to addressing the problem.
          • Fairness/equity.

When it comes to the burden of COVID disease:

  • Provisional CDC data has COVID as the 10th leading cause of death in
Read More

In-Person Car Seat Inspection In Los Alamos Saturday

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First Born Program News:

The First Born Program of Los Alamos is hosting the New Mexico Department of Transportation Traffic Safety Division (NMDOT TSD) and Safer New Mexico Now for an in-person Car Seat Inspection Clinic.

The clinic is 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, July 13, at the Betty Ehart Senior Activity Center, 1101 Bathtub Row in the lower parking lot.

This free educational clinic provides parents and caregivers instruction on the proper selection, installation and use of their car seats from nationally certified Child Passenger Safety Technicians (CPSTs).

At the clinic, CPSTs will spend Read More