Nation

Great American Backyard Campout Saturday at Bandelier

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Juniper Campground at Bandelier National Monument. Courtesy/NPS

BANDELIER News:

Thousands of people around the nation will gather to take part in a one-night event called the “Great American Backyard Campout” Saturday, June 22. 

Join the staff at Bandelier National Monument for food and fun activities 6-9 p.m. at Juniper Campground. Visitors are encouraged to camp in Juniper Campground or arrive just to participate in the event. 

Activities include:

  • 6-7 p.m. – Did you say free food? Hot dogs, chips and beverages will be grilled by monument staff and offered free
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No Perimeter Growth on Thompson Ridge Fire Overnight

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Photo by Kristen Honig/Valles Caldera

Thompson Ridge Fire News:

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: 6 crews, 11 engines, 5 water tenders, 2 dozers; Total personnel: 276 and Available air support: 3 helicopters.

Summary: There was no new perimeter growth yesterday as unburned fuels within the interior continued to smolder and burn. Today crews will continue mop up, patrol and rehab on all divisions of the fire. Read More

Udall Introduces Constitutional Amendment on Campaign Finance Reform

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U.S. SENATE News:
 
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Sen. Tom Udall today introduced a constitutional amendment that would restore authority back to Congress, individual states and the American people to regulate campaign finance.
 
The constitutional amendment would reverse dangerous Supreme Court decisions like Buckley v. Valeo and Citizens United and rein in the unprecedented flood of secret money in the campaign finance system. It would allow Congress to regulate the raising and spending of money, including so-called “Super PAC” independent expenditures, while giving states
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Thompson Ridge Fire 90 Percent Contained as 41 Miles of Hose Reeled In

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Valles Caldera National Preserve. Courtesy photo

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: 2 crews, 5 engines, 6 water tenders, 2 dozers; Total personnel: 339 and Available air support: 3 helicopters.

Summary: Today at 6 a.m., the Arizona Central West Zone Incident Management Team completed a seamless transition of the fire to the Albuquerque Zone Type III Incident Management Team.

Central West Read More

USDA Celebrates National Small Business Week

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USDA Celebrates National Small Business Week

  • Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announces $4.7 million in additional investment for rural small businesses

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today kicked off National Small Business Week by highlighting USDA’s actions to help rural small businesses create jobs, get access to capital and spur economic growth.

He also announced the selection of recipients for USDA’s Rural Business Enterprise Grants. USDA remains focused on carrying out its mission, despite a time of significant budget uncertainty.

“Small businesses Read More

Udall on Syria: Intervening in Another Middle Eastern Civil War Not in U.S. Interests

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Sen. Tom Udall
 
U.S. SENATE News:
 
WASHINGTON, D.C. – In a speech on the Senate floor, U.S. Sen. Tom Udall, D-N.M., a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Monday urged those pushing for military intervention to answer three basic questions before rushing into a Middle Eastern civil war in Syria.
 
To watch video of Udall’s speech, click here.
 
Below are Udall’s remarks as prepared for delivery:
 
Like many others, I am deeply disturbed by the current situation in Syria. The appalling atrocities. The tragic loss of human life. The reported use of chemical
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Thompson Ridge Fire: Minimal Activity Expected Today as Crews Continue Rehab, Mop Up, Perimeter Patrol

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Photo by Kristen Honig/Valles Caldera Trust

Thompson Ridge Fire

Acres: 23,903; Start date: May 31, 2013; Cause: Downed powerline: Location: Valles Caldera National Preserve; Containment: 80 percent; Fuels: Mixed conifer and Ponderosa pine; Terrain: Steep, rugged; Resources: 7 crews, 12 engines, 12 water tenders, 2 dozers; Total personnel: 526 and Available air support: 3 helicopters.

Summary: For the third consecutive day, fire activity was restricted to unburned fuels within the interior where a total of four acres have burned since Friday. Minimal fire activity is expected today Read More

NM Delegation Introduces Bill to Improve Tribal Education

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CONGRESSIONAL News:

WASHINGTON– Friday, June 14, U.S. Senators Tom Udall and Martin Heinrich, along with Reps. Ben Ray Luján, Michelle Lujan Grisham, and Steve Pearce announced they have introduced legislation to improve tribal education and preserve Native American language in schools.

Graduation rates for American Indians and Alaska Natives are less than 50 percent – lower than the graduation rates for all other ethnic groups in the United States. The Building Upon Unique Indian Learning and Development (BUILD) Act would remove barriers that tribal leaders often encounter in teaching Read More

Isolated Thunderstorms Shower Thompson Ridge Fire Overnight – Now 80 Percent Contained – Allowing Some Crews To Return Home

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Smoldering from the Thompson Ridge Fire remains visible on the Valles Caldera National Preserve. Photo by Kristen Honig/Valles Caldera Trust

Thompson Ridge Fire

Acres: 23,903; Start date: May 31, 2013; Cause: Downed powerline; Location: Valles Caldera National Preserve; Containment: 80 percent; Fuels: Mixed conifer and Ponderosa pine; Terrain: Steep, rugged; Resources: 8 crews, 22 engines, 17 water tenders, 2 dozers; Total personnel: 602 and Available air support: 3 helicopters.

Summary: Last night interior fuel continued to burn but no new growth or interior runs were observed. Read More

No New Growth On Thompson Ridge Fire Overnight

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The sun sets Friday looking west from the Summer Concert at Ashley Pond toward the direction of the Thompson Ridge Fire. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com

Thompson Ridge Fire

Acres: 24,032; Start date: May 31, 2013; Cause: Downed powerline; Location: Valles Caldera National Preserve; Containment: 75 percent; Fuels: Mixed conifer and Ponderosa pine; Terrain: Steep, rugged; Resources: 13 crews, 29 engines, 29 water tenders, 3 dozers; Total personnel: 763 and Available air support: 5 helicopters.

Summary: Last night fire activity was minimal, and there was no new growth on the fire. Read More