Nation

DOE Releases Wind Report, Examines Industry Future

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DOE News:
 
WASHINGTON, D.C.―In support of the President’s all-of-the-above energy strategy to diversify the nation’s power supplies, the Energy Department just released a new report looking at the future of wind power through 2050 and the economic benefits that come with a robust wind industry.
 
The report, Wind Vision: A New Era for Wind Power in the United States, confirms that with technological advancements driving projected cost reductions, in combination with continued siting and transmission development, wind power can be economically deployed to provide
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VIDEO: Heinrich On Bipartisan Sportsmen’s Act

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SENATE News:

WASHINGTON, D.C.―U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich, D-N.M., a member of the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources and Congressional Sportsmen’s Caucus, delivered a speech on the Senate floor last week on the Bipartisan Sportsmen’s Act of 2015.

Heinrich introduced the bill with Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, to enhance opportunities for hunters, anglers, and outdoor recreation enthusiasts. The bill, which has growing bipartisan support, would reauthorize key conservation programs, improve access to public lands, and boost the outdoor recreation Read More

IRS Weekly Filing Statistics

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IRS News:
PHOENIX ― Americans have turned to IRS.gov nearly 200 million times so far this tax filing season where they can find answers on topics ranging from tax preparation to checking their refund status.
This is a 10 percent increase in comparison to the same time last year, according to IRS statistics released last week.
In addition to various interactive tools, IRS.gov is the gateway to many more resources and answers about many tax matters. Try Interactive Tax Assistant, Tax Topics, Tax Trails, Frequently Asked Questions, and the IRS Tax Map.
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Many Home-Based Businesses Can Use Simplified Method For Claiming Home Office Deduction

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IRS News:

PHOENIX – The Internal Revenue Service today reminded people with home-based businesses filling out their 2014 federal income tax returns that they can choose a simplified method for claiming the deduction for business use of a home.

This is the seventh in a series of 10 daily IRS tips called the Tax Time Guide. These tips are designed to help taxpayers navigate common tax issues as the April 15 deadline approaches.

In tax year 2012, the most recent year for which figures are available, nearly 3.4 million taxpayers claimed deductions of more than $10 billion for business use of Read More

Mapping Microscopic Surfaces Could Help Solve Crimes

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Example of a 3D image of firing pin impression showing microscopic surface features. Courtesy/NIST

NIST News:

Topographic maps that display surface features like mountains, valleys and coast lines, have long helped people navigate great distances.

Forensic science researchers are now looking to topographic maps of microscopic features, like ridges, bumps and roughness, to aid in solving crimes.

Forensic experts who specialize in ballistics matching could be among the first to use detailed surface maps of microscopic features on fired bullets and casings, but the technology also has Read More

IRS Seeks New Mexico Volunteers For Taxpayer Advocacy Panel

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IRS News:

PHOENIX – The Internal Revenue Service seeks civic-minded New Mexicans to serve on the Taxpayer Advocacy Panel (TAP), a federal advisory committee that listens to taxpayers, identifies major taxpayer concerns and makes recommendations for improving IRS service.

The TAP provides a forum for taxpayers to raise concerns about IRS service and offer suggestions for improvement. The TAP reports annually to the Secretary of the Treasury, IRS Commissioner and National Taxpayer Advocate. The Office of the Taxpayer Advocate is an independent organization within the IRS that Read More

DOE Opens EM Los Alamos Office

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DOE News:

The Department of Energy’s Office of Environmental Management has launched its Environmental Management Los Alamos (EM-LA) Office.

EM’s Associate Deputy Assistant Secretary for Waste Management Christine Gelles has been named acting manager.

“Christine has been engaged in the radioactive waste management challenges at Los Alamos and is actively involved in all aspects of transition planning,” EM’s Acting Assistant Secretary Mark Whitney said. “Christine’s significant managerial expertise in all aspects of the EM legacy cleanup mission will enable a smooth transition Read More

IRS: What You Should Know About Data Breaches

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IRS News:

PHOENIX — A data breach is the intentional or unintentional release or theft of secure information.

It can be the improper disposal of personally identifiable information in the trash or a sophisticated cyber-attack on corporate computers by criminals. It can affect companies large or small.

The one common link is the victim, the person whose identity, financial or personal information has been compromised.

Here’s what you should know about data breaches:

  • Not every data breach results in identity theft, and not every identity theft is tax-related identity theft. 
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Remembering César Chávez March 28

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Renowned American civil rights leader César Estrada Chávez. Courtesy/NCLR

NHCC News:

The 22nd Annual César Chávez Day will begin at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, March 28, with a march departing from the the National Hispanic Cultural Center and returning to the Center  for a noon to 3 p.m. free family festival  at the NHCC’s Plaza Mayor.

Albuquerque’s Recuerda a César Chávez Committee (RCCC), the organizer of the event, was founded in 1993 following the death of renowned American civil rights leader César Estrada Chávez. Founder of the National Farmworkers Association and subsequently Read More

Team NM U14 Hockey Heading To Nationals

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Front row from left, Zack Brown, John Charles, Sam Fisher and Carson Schramm. Middle row from left, Goalie Coach Tom Terrel, Ishmael Valle, Zachary Ganshaw, Jared Carnes, Markus Trujillo, Alex Furste, Saunders Jones and Head Coach Joey Carroll. Back row from left, Steven Bitzer, Lachlan Henderson, Gabe Valle, Damian Styrc, Dane Whittet, Alex Peters and Cade Schiefelbien. Courtesy photo

From left, Sam Fisher, Jared Carnes, Carson Schramm, John Charles, Zack Brown and Coach Joey Carroll. Courtesy photo
 
SPORTS News:

Team NM Hockey, U14, will be traveling at the end of March to

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