Nation

Momentum Builds For Heinrich’s Bill to Improve Hunting and Fishing Access on Public Lands

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Sen. Martin Heinrich

 

U.S. SENATE News:

U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich’s, D-N.M., bill to improve hunting and fishing access on public lands received a key hearing Wednesday in the Public Lands, Forests and Mining Subcommittee.

The Hunt Unrestricted on National Treasures (HUNT) Act, introduced by Heinrich last September, would unlock countless public lands in New Mexico and grow the outdoor recreation economy. Hunters and anglers alone spend more than $465 million per year in New Mexico, and outdoor recreation as a whole contributes $6.1 billion to the state’s economy. Read More

Heinrich Statement on New VA Secretary

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VA Secretary Robert McDonald. Courtesy/Wikipedia

U.S. SENATE News:

 

U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich, D-N.M., released the following statement July 29 after voting to confirm Robert McDonald as the next U.S. Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA):

“Robert McDonald’s military and private sector experience will help him provide the leadership and management needed at the VA. I am confident he will contribute to restoring accountability and transparency at the Department of Veterans Affairs and also hire a well-qualified permanent director at the New Mexico VA Medical Center. Read More

‘Comb on a Chip’ Powers New NIST/Caltech Atomic Clock Design

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NIST physicists Scott Diddams, left, and Scott Papp with a prototype atomic clock based on a chip-scale frequency comb. Courtesy/ NIST

NIST News:

Researchers from the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and California Institute of Technology (Caltech) have demonstrated a new design for an atomic clock that is based on a chip-scale frequency comb, or a microcomb.

The microcomb clock, featured on the cover of the inaugural issue of the new journal Optica, is the first demonstration of all-optical control of the microcomb, and its accurate conversion of optical frequencies Read More

MSHA Issues 52 Citations At WIPP

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WIPP News:

The Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) recently inspected the WIPP facility. Since underground access was not available at the time of the visit, inspectors focused on the surface facilities.

Following their inspection, MSHA issued 52 citations for various conditions including general workplace tidiness, exposed electrical wiring and missing safety guards on equipment.

Currently, 49 of the citations have been addressed and corrective actions completed. A list of citations and dispositions can be found at here.

The three outstanding citations are related to missing Read More

Baldrige Foundation Accepting Leadership Award Nominations

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Courtesy/BF

BALDRIGE News:

The Baldrige Foundation is now accepting nominations for the 2015 Harry S. Hertz Leadership Award. The award is presented annually at the Quest for Excellence conference.

In 2013, Sister Mary Jean Ryan, board chair of SSM Health Care, received the Harry S. Hertz Leadership Award. As former president and CEO of SSM Health Care, Sister Mary Jean led the St. Louis-based organization to become the first health care organization to receive a Baldrige Award in 2002.

Baldrige Foundation Board Chair George Benson said that the leadership award—named for the director emeritus Read More

Chikungunya Virus Reaches United States

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Countries and territories where chikungunya cases have been reported. Courtesy/CDC

Chikungunya virus disease cases reported by state or territory – United States, 2014 (as of July 22, 2014). Courtesy/CDC

CDC News:

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has been closely following reports of the mosquito-borne chikungunya (chik-un-GUHN-ya) virus, which is transmitted to people by mosquitoes.

The most common symptoms of chikungunya virus infection are fever and joint pain. Other symptoms may include headache, muscle pain, joint swelling or rash.

In late 2013, the chikungunya Read More

Udall, Heinrich, Pearce to Host DOE Secretary in Carlsbad Regarding Recovery at WIPP

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Courtesy/WIPP
 
NM DELEGATION News:
 
WASHINGTON, D.C.–U.S. Senators Tom Udall and Martin Heinrich and U.S. Rep. Steve Pearce have announced that U.S. Department of Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz will visit Carlsbad Aug. 12 for a discussion about the ongoing recovery at the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP).
 
Last month, the lawmakers invited Moniz to visit to get an update on cleanup efforts and to talk with workers and local officials about WIPP’s importance to the community and to our national defense, as the only deep geologic repository for Cold War transuranic waste.
Read More

Luján On Human Trafficking And Humanitarian Crisis At Border

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U.S. Rep Ben Ray Luján

CONGRESSIONAL News:

U.S. Rep. Ben Ray Luján of New Mexico’s Third District spoke on the House floor Thursday evening during the debate on a number of bills aimed at combating human and sex trafficking.

Luján highlighted the importance of protecting children from violence and the need to do the same for children who are fleeing extreme violence in Central America.

Click here to watch his speech. Read More

Luján Amendment to Examine New Broadcasting Markets Passes House

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Rep. Ben Ray Luján

CONGRESSIONAL News:

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Rep. Ben Ray Luján, D-NM, highlighted the passage of legislation July 23 that included an amendment he offered as part of the Satellite Television Extension and Localism Act (STELA) reauthorization. 

Luján’s amendment explores how new broadcasting markets could be created if they are based upon the potential of current and future technologies instead of the limitations of aging broadcasting antennas.  The STELA bill reauthorizes the nation’s satellite television law, ensuring that 1.5 million subscribers Read More

Udall On Report That U.S. Military’s Burn Pits May Have Broken Federal Law

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Open-Air Burn Pit, Feb. 14, 2014, at Shindand Airbase, with unused Afghan-operated incinerators in background. Courtesy/SIGAR

U.S. SENATE News:

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Sen. Tom Udall responded to a new report that the U.S. military’s use of open-air burn pits at Shindand Air Base in Afghanistan may have violated federal law.

According to the report by the Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction (SIGAR), made public today, most of the solid waste at Shindand Air Base was disposed of for years in open burn pits rather than incinerators. Despite the potential health

Read More