Nation

Bandelier Hosting July 4 Naturalization Ceremony

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 Last year’s July 4 Naturalization Ceremony at Bandelier. Photo by Salvador Zapien/ladailypost.com 

BANDELIER News:

July 4th is traditionally the day when Americans celebrate our freedom and independence.

This year, building on the success of last year’s ceremony, Bandelier National Monument is proud to partner with the United States Citizenship and Naturalization Services to host a naturalization ceremony.

Fifteen candidates, after years of fulfilling their requirements, will be taking their oath and becoming the newest citizens of the United States. Read More

Udall Statement on Supreme Court Decision on Defense of Marriage Act

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SUPREME COURT News:
 
WASHINGTON – U.S. Sen. Tom Udall today issued the following statement the Supreme Court’s decision to strike down Section 3 of the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA):
 
“Today’s ruling by the Supreme Court reflects the growing progress made for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender individuals around the country. Striking down the Defense of Marriage Act is a victory for thousands of loving, committed families who have been denied equality under the law for too long and will now be rightly treated as the full and equal citizens they are.
 
Read More

Senate Appropriations Passes $148 Million for NM Military Construction Projects

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U.S. Sen. Tom Udall

U.S. SENATE News:

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Sen. Tom Udall announced Monday that the Senate Appropriations Committee has approved funding for essential military construction projects for New Mexico’s Air Force bases and provisions to improve veteran care.

“Our nation’s military readiness relies on the quality of our people, their equipment, and our facilities. This legislation makes important investments in the future of New Mexico’s military bases supporting the people and communities who work there,” Udall, a member of the Senate Military Read More

Thompson Ridge Fire Update

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Smoldering Areas of the Thompson Ridge Fire. Courtesy U.S. Forest Service

Thompson Ridge Fire

Acres: 23,937; Start date: May 31, 2013; Cause: Downed power line; Location: Valles Caldera National Preserve; Containment: 90 percent; Fuels: Mixed conifer and Ponderosa pine; Terrain: Steep, rugged; Resources: 3 crews, 6 engines, 5 water tenders, 1 dozer; Total personnel: 170 and Available air support: 3 helicopters.

Summary: Acreage on the Thompson Ridge Fire increased by 18 acres according to last night’s infra-red flight. The outside fire perimeter has not changed; the growth noted was Read More

Los Alamos Soldier Injured in Afghanistan

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Micah Jay Andersen of Los Alamos during a ceremony in Afghanistan in which he was promoted to 1st Lieutenant. Courtesy photo

COMMUNITY News:

On June 1, 2013, First Lieutenant Micah Jay Andersen formerly of Los Alamos was severely injured by an improvised explosive device (IED) while leading his platoon on a mission near Kandahar Afghanistan. 

Andersen lost both legs above the knees. One soldier was killed and six others injured in the attack that included multiple IEDs. Andersen was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 36th Infantry Regiment, 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division Read More

Thompson Ridge Fire: Today Marks Entire Week With No Perimeter Growth

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Photo by Kristen Honig/Valles Caldera Trust

Thompson Ridge Fire

Acres: 23,903; Start date: May 31, 2013; Cause: Downed power line; Location: Valles Caldera National Preserve; Containment: 90 percent; Fuels: Mixed conifer and Ponderosa pine; Terrain: Steep, rugged; Resources: 3 crews, 6 engines, 4 water tenders, 2 dozers; Total personnel: 174 and Available air support: 3 helicopters.

Summary: Today marks an entire week with no new perimeter growth in the fire. Most of the activity continues to be within the interior of the fire where unburned fuels continue to smolder and burn. Today crews Read More

Udall Pushes for Immigration Reform

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Senator Tom Udall

U.S. SENATE News:

WASHINGTON, D.C. – In a speech on the Senate floor Thursday, U.S. Sen. Tom highlighted the Senate’s imperative to pass a long term, comprehensive solution to fix our nation’s immigration system and improve New Mexico’s border security.

“Immigration reform has to be comprehensive, that is the reality of any long-term solution,” Udall said. “It is also a reality that such reform will not be perfect, will not satisfy everyone in every case. That’s what compromise means, that’s what bipartisan effort requires. But Read More

Today’s Weather May Create Smoke Plumes From Thompson Ridge Fire

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Smoke plume from the Thompson Ridge Fire June 8 looking west from Los Alamos toward the Jemez. Photo by Leland Lehman/ladailypost.com

Thompson Ridge Fire

Acres: 23,903; Start date: May 31, 2013; Cause: Downed power line; Location: Valles Caldera National Preserve; Containment: 90 percent; Fuels: Mixed conifer and Ponderosa pine; Terrain: Steep, rugged; Resources: 4 crews, 11 engines, 4 water tenders, 2 dozers; Total personnel: 235 and Available air support: 3 helicopters.

Summary: There has been no new perimeter growth in several days. Yesterday helicopter water drops were used throughout Read More