Nation

Tales Of Our Times: Fans Of Either Party Are Threats To Our Democracy

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Tales Of Our Times
By JOHN BARTLIT
Los Alamos

Fans Of Either Party Are Threats To Our Democracy

A funny thing happened on the way to the news forum. I started out to write a column about the National Environmental Policy Act of 1970 (NEPA). Before I was too far along, I got tangled up in the political linguistics of our time. Such problems catch many of us unawares, and often, I suspect.

When Americans hear the term “pillars of democracy”, a big bunch of them might think of Democrats; another large bunch might think of Republicans. Democracy itself benefits most from more awareness of free speech and Read More

Terrance C. Cole Sworn In As Administrator To Lead DEA

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Terrance C. ‘Terry’ Cole

DEA News:

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Terrance C. “Terry” Cole was sworn in July 23, 2025, as administrator of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), following his confirmation by the U.S. Senate.

Cole is a distinguished public servant who has spent more than 31 years in law enforcement, 22 of which were at DEA fighting the drug cartels and transnational criminal organizations.

Since 2023, Cole has served as Virginia’s Secretary of Public Safety and Homeland Security in Gov. Youngkin’s cabinet, overseeing 11 state public safety agencies, comprising more than 19,000 Read More

U.S. Senators Martin Heinrich & Tim Sheehy Introduce Legislation To Study Cost Of Wildfires On Homeowners

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U.S. SENATE News:

WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senators Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) and Tim Sheehy (R-Mont.) introduced the Wildfire Insurance Coverage Study Act, legislation to better understand the cost of increasingly destructive wildfires on homeowners’ insurance coverage and identify possible measures to alleviate the financial risk of wildfires.

“I’m hearing from more and more New Mexicans who’ve seen their insurance premiums skyrocket, lost coverage entirely, or been priced out of protecting their homes. That is completely unacceptable,” Sen. Heinrich said. “Families deserve Read More

Heinrich Announces Committee Passage Of Over $69 Million For New Mexico

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U.S. SENATE News:

WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) announced the bipartisan Senate Appropriations Committee passage of the Fiscal Year 2026 (FY26) Interior, Environment and Related Agencies; and Transportation, Housing, and Urban Development, and Related Agencies (THUD) Appropriations Bills. With Committee approval of these bills, Heinrich secured support for over $65 million for New Mexico, including $52 million in Congressionally Directed Spending for 39 local projects between these bills and their House-companions. 

“While these Appropriations bills Read More

New Mexicans Can Now Apply For Possible FEMA Assistance After Severe Storms, Flooding & Landslides

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STATE News:

SANTA FE — FEMA is supporting state and local recovery efforts for New Mexicans in Lincoln County who sustained damage from the severe storms, flooding and landslides that began June 23, 2025, and continuing.

Financial assistance is available to eligible homeowners and renters in Lincoln County. FEMA may be able to help with serious needs, displacement, basic home repair costs, personal property loss or other disaster-caused needs.

Residents with homeowners, renters or flood insurance should file a claim first. By law, FEMA cannot duplicate benefits for losses covered by insurance. Read More

Goldman: About Benson’s Response To Rabbi Shlachter

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By TERRY GOLDMAN
Los Alamos

I write to appreciate Jody Benson’s civilized response (link) to Rabbi Shlachter’s post (link).

Of course, I have some quibbles with language. Bret Stephens’ NYT opinion piece (link) covers better than I can, the misuse of the word “genocide”. Benson degrades the meaning and power of that word just as those who call someone a Nazi for their bad (not even evil) behavior. We should all be more careful in our use of language.

My other objection is to the use of the term “ethnic cleansing”. As a member of a very large family of people repeatedly subjected to ethnic cleansing Read More

Luján Fights For National Lab Science Funding 

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From the Office of U.S. Sen. Ben Ray Luján:

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Sen. Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), Co-Chair of the Senate National Labs Caucus, today called on President Trump to reverse course on proposed reductions in the Fiscal Year 2026 federal budget to research and development programs within the Department of Energy (DOE), including cuts to programs at National Laboratories.

In the letter to President Trump, Sen. Luján highlights the successful economic impacts by these DOE research and development programs, including our National Laboratories’ critical role in driving global scientific Read More

N.M. Delegation Announces President’s Approval Of Major Disaster Declaration For Lincoln County, Maintains Push For Inclusion Of Chaves, Otero, & Valencia Counties

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U.S. SENATE News:

WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Sens. Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) and Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) and U.S. Reps. Teresa Leger Fernández (D-N.M.), Melanie Stansbury (D-N.M.), and Gabe Vasquez (D-N.M.) released the following joint statement, welcoming President Donald Trump’s granting of a Major Disaster Declaration for Lincoln County, while renewing their call for President Trump to grant a Major Disaster Declaration for Chaves, Otero, and Valencia Counties and authorize Public Assistance Categories C-G in the wake of severe flooding that took the lives of three people and damaged Read More

Heinrich, Bennet, Hickenlooper Introduce Legislation To Expand, Improve Access To Clean Water For Tribal Families

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U.S. SENATE News:

WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), along with U.S. Sens. Michael Bennet (D-Colo.) and John Hickenlooper (D-Colo.), introduced the Tribal Access to Clean Water Act to dramatically expand access to clean water for Tribal families by investing in water infrastructure. This bill would increase funding through the Indian Health Service, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), and the Bureau of Reclamation to support water infrastructure projects in Tribal communities and help provide clean water to Native American households that currently lack Read More

U.S. Rep. Teresa Leger Fernández Seeks Answers From U.S. Forest Service On Laguna Wildfire Mismanagement

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U.S. Rep. Teresa Leger Fernández

From the Office of U.S. Rep. Teresa Leger Fernández:

          • Leger Fernández: “This incident indicates the Forest Service is failing.”

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Rep. Teresa Leger Fernández (NM-03) sent a letter to U.S. Forest Service Chief Tom Schultz demanding answers about the agency’s decision-making and response to the devastating Laguna Wildfire that continues to burn across Rio Arriba County.

In the letter, Leger Fernández makes clear that this fire is not just about acres burned. It’s about trust burned. It’s about the lives and legacies of the people of Rio Read More