Nation

NM Congressional Delegation Calls For Increased Oversight of State’s Human Services Department; Greater Access To Behavioral Health Services

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U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Sylvia Burwell

STATE News:

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Sens. Tom Udall and Martin Heinrich and U.S. Reps. Ben Ray Luján and Michelle Lujan Grisham wrote a letter to U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Sylvia Burwell requesting increased oversight of New Mexico Human Services Department to ensure New Mexicans in greatest need of behavioral health services are able to access care. 

In 2013, HSD suspended Medicaid payments to 15 nonprofit behavioral health providers due to so-called “credible allegations of fraud.” This led Read More

American Actor/Comedian Robin Williams Has Died

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Robin Williams 1951-2014. Courtesy/robinwilliams.com

Staff Report:

Actor and comedian Robin Williams died Monday in an apparent suicide. He was 63 and according to authorities, had been battling severe depression for some time.

Williams rose to fame with his role as the alien Mork in the TV series Mork & Mindy. He went on to establish a successful career in both stand-up comedy and feature film acting and earned an Academy Award for Best Actor in a Supporting Role for Good Will Hunting.

Born: July 21, 1951, Chicago, IL

Died: Aug. 11, 2014, Tiburon, Calif.

Children: Zelda Rae Williams, Cody Read More

FDA Authorizes Use of Unapproved Ebola Virus Test

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2014 Ebola Outbreak in West Africa – Guinea, Liberia, Sierra Leone and Nigeria. Courtesy/CDC

HSNW News:

As Ebola continues to spread throughout West Africa, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has authorized the use of an unapproved Ebola virus test developed by the Department of Defense for use in individuals, including U.S. military personnel and responders, who may be at risk of infection because of their work with individuals who might have the virus.

“Specifically, the test is intended for use in individuals with signs and symptoms of infection with Ebola Zaire virus, who are Read More

DOE’s Lab Accreditation Program Assesses WIPP

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WIPP News:

The U.S. Department of Energy Laboratory Accreditation Program (DOELAP) recently conducted an assessment of the WIPP external dosimetry program.

The external dosimetry program is responsible for measuring and tracking external dose received from ionizing radiation. The purpose of the assessment was to assure routine practices comply with required criteria set forth by DOELAP. The three main kinds of ionizing radiation are alpha particles (internal hazard), beta particles and gamma rays.

The overall assessment resulted in no deficiencies, three concerns and four observations, Read More

Udall, Energy Secretary Discuss Technology Transfer and Economic Development Aug. 11

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U.S. SENATE News:

ALBUQUERQUE – Monday, Aug. 11, U.S. Sen. Tom Udall and U.S. Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz will visit HT Micro in Albuquerque, a business that exemplifies the successful transfer of technology from New Mexico’s national labs into the marketplace.
 
HT Micro is a leading manufacturer of ultra miniature switches, sensors and precision components. Udall and Moniz will tour the company’s facility, and meet with its founder, Vice President and Chief Technology Officer Todd Christenson to discuss the importance of technology transfer and economic
Read More

Two Sandia Researchers Win Nation’s Most Prestigious ‘Early Career’ Awards

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Recipients of the PECASE. Courtesy/whitehouse.gov

SNL News:

Of eight DOE researchers selected to receive the Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers (PECASE), two were researchers at Sandia National Laboratories.

The awards, presented at a White House ceremony in mid-December, are the U.S. government’s most prestigious commendation for scientists and engineers at early stages in their career. PECASE winners — this year, there were 67 — receive up to five years of funding from their agency to advance their research.

Sandia researchers Wei Pan and Bert Debusschere Read More

A Measure of Worth?

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By KELLEY BAER, IBCLC, RLC, LCCE
Pajarito Lactation  

True confession. I fed my babies formula – at least for a little while.

There. It’s out in the open. And guess what? I feel no shame. 

It’s World Breastfeeding Week and the New Mexico Breastfeeding Task Force, Los Alamos Chapter, is highlighting community support for breastfeeding. However, sometimes highlighting an issue can trigger strong emotions.  

World Breastfeeding Week, including the Ban the Bags campaign, is meant to protect and promote breastfeeding as a healthy choice for mom and Read More

DOE Secretary Visits WIPP Aug. 12

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Sec. Moniz. Courtesy/wikipedia.com
 
STATE News:
 
Energy Sec. Ernest Moniz will host several meetings on the Quadrennial Energy Review (QER) and visit the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant in Carlsbad this month.
 
Friday, Aug. 8, Moniz will join other federal and local officials, including Transportation Sec. Anthony Foxx for two public meetings to receive public input on the QER, an administration-wide effort to make recommendations regarding key infrastructure needed for transmission, storage and distribution of energy.
 
In Chicago, the discussion will focus
Read More

USDA Increasing Investment Opportunities In Rural America For Private Entities

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USDA News:

Recently the White House Rural Council, chaired by the United States Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack, announced the creation of a new U.S. Rural Infrastructure Opportunity Fund to allow private entities to invest in rural infrastructure projects across the nation. 

Ten billion dollars have been pledged to start the Fund and it expects to grow with additional funds. Co Bank, a national cooperative bank serving rural America, is the anchor investor and Capital Peak Asset Management will manage the new fund.

With assistance from the United States Department of Agriculture Read More

Luján: House GOP Wants to Weaken Protections for Kids Fleeing Human Trafficking & Go After DREAMers

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U.S. Rep. Ben Ray Luján

CONGRESSIONAL News:

Congressman Ben Ray Luján of New Mexico’s Third District and first vice chair of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC) joined members of the House Democratic Leadership and CHC at a press conference in the Capitol. 

Luján discussed House Republicans’ attempts to weaken human trafficking laws and DREAMer protections as part of legislation addressing the humanitarian crisis at the border.  Below are his remarks. 

“Yesterday we saw a House Republican conference that was in disarray because Ted Cruz and a Read More