Nation

Fifteen Firefighters Monitor Thompson Ridge Fire

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Photo by Kristen Honig/Valles Caldera Trust

Thompson Ridge Fire News:

Continued minimal fire behavior at the Thompson Ridge Fire has led to a reduction in the original 47 person Type IV team charged with monitoring the perimeter.

Since fire officials declared 100 percent containment Monday July 1, there has been neither new fire growth nor smoke within 500 feet of the perimeter.

Minimal fire behavior observed during the last week is expected to continue and will be monitored by a team of 15 firefighters until the fire is fully suppressed. Additional updates will be published as fire events dictate. Read More

IRS: Tax Tips for Newlyweds

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IRS News:

PHOENIX – Late spring and early summer are popular times for weddings. Whatever the season, a change in your marital status can affect your taxes.

Here are several tips from the IRS for newlyweds.

  •  It’s important that the names and Social Security numbers that you put on your tax return match your Social Security Administration records. If you’ve changed your name, report the change to the SSA. To do that, file Form SS-5, Application for a Social Security Card. You can get this form on their website at SSA.gov, by calling 800-772-1213 or by visiting your local SSA office.
  • If
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Bradbury Ranks No. 5 on Mensa Top Ten Museums List

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Mensa Top Ten: Bradbury Science Museum Ranks 5

The top 10 list of America’s best science museums selected by Mensa members:

1. National Air and Space Museum (Washington, D.C.)

2. Academy of Natural Science Museum of Drexel University (Philadelphia)

3.Museum of Science and Industry (Chicago)

4. California Academy of Sciences (San Francisco)

5. Bradbury Science Museum (Los Alamos, N.M.)

6. Arkansas Museum of Discovery (Little Rock, Ark.)

7. California Science Center (Los Angeles)

8. Exploratorium (San Francisco)

9. Museum of Science (Boston)

10. Center of Science and Industry (Columbus,

Read More

Happy Birthday America!

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The Liberty Bell: According to tradition, the Liberty Bell, which was used to mark important occasions, was rung on July 4, 1776, to summon the people of Philadelphia for a reading of the Declaration of Independence. Photo by Bob Krist/Corbis

Staff Report:

Variously known as the Fourth of July and Independence Day, July 4 has been a federal holiday in the United States since 1941, but the tradition of Independence Day celebrations goes back to the 18th century and the American Revolution (1775-83.)

In June 1776, representatives of the 13 colonies then fighting in the revolutionary struggle Read More

Tom Udall’s Statement on Cousin’s Death

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James “Randy” Udall
 
U.S. SENATE News:
 
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Sen. Tom Udall issued the following statement on the death of his cousin, James “Randy” Udall:
 
“My family and I are moved by the overwhelming support and condolences for my cousin Randy Udall. He was an extraordinary person who touched so many lives with his spirit, his intelligence and his example. His death is a tremendous loss, and we will miss him more than I can express. There was no one like him.
 
“Randy and I were especially close. We shared a love of the mountains
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Jake Trujillo Qualifies for Third National High School Finals Rodeo

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Jake Trujillo Qualifies for his third National High School Finals Rodeo. Courtesy photo

By JAKE TRUJILLO

I am a graduating senior from Los Alamos High School. This year, I ended up reserve state champion steer wrestler and qualified for my third consecutive National High School Finals Rodeo.

This year we will be traveling to Rock Springs, Wyo. to compete with more than 1,500 contestants from 41 U.S. states, five Canadian Provinces, and Australia. The National High School Finals is the world’s largest rodeo. In addition, I get the chance to compete for a part of the $200,000 total prize

Read More

Thompson Ridge Fire Declared 100 Percent Contained

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BAER Assessment Team sifts through ash from the Thompson Ridge Fire. Courtesy photo

Staff Report

The Thompson Ridge fire was officially declared 100 percent contained last night.

Mop-up and patrol will continue.

While many wildfires cause minimal damage to the land and pose few threats to the land or people downstream, some fires result in damage that requires special efforts to reduce impacts afterwards. Loss of vegetation exposes soil to erosion; water run-off may increase and cause flooding. Soil and rock may move downstream and damage property or fill reservoirs putting community water Read More

IRS Summertime Tax Tips Available Through August

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IRS News:

PHOENIX – Even though taxes may not be on your mind, the IRS wants to help you with your 2013 federal tax planning now.

Summer is a good time for you to learn ways to reduce your taxes.

Beginning July 1, the IRS will offer its annual Summertime Tax Tip series of useful information affecting millions of taxpayers. Tax Tip subscribers receive a new Tip via email three times a week during the summer.

IRS Tax Tips are plain language messages that are easy to understand. They often include links to helpful IRS.gov references, IRS YouTube videos and podcasts.

  • Sample Tax Tip topics this summer
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Hilltalkers Excel at National Tournament

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Members of the Los Alamos High School Hilltalkers. Photo by Margo Batha

Speech and debate awards announced. Photo by Margo Batha

LAPS News:

Seven Los Alamos High School speech and debate students traveled to the National Forensic League National Tournament June 16-21 in Birmingham, Ala.

The group consisted of Daniel Ahrens, Antonia Batha, Sam Baty, Ali Berl, Naftali Burakovsky, Katie Haynes and Jessie Zhao. Margo Batha and Janet Newton, who coach the speech and debate team, stated this was the Hilltalkers “most successful national tournament since 2003.”

Katie Haynes competed in six preliminary Read More

Luján Addresses Doubling of Student Loan Rates

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U.S. Rep. Ben Ray Luján

U.S. CONGRESSIONAL News:

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Rep. Ben Ray Luján of New Mexico’s Third District released the following statement today on the doubling of interest rates on federal student loans.

“As of today, the interest rates on all new federal student loans will double from 3.4 percent to 6.8 percent, adding thousands of dollars to the cost of a college education for millions of young adults. It is deeply disappointing that Congress has yet to find a solution to this problem that makes college more affordable and does not make it harder for New Mexico’s Read More