Politics

Air Force Announces Nuclear Missile Contract Awards

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AFNWC News:
 
The Air Force is on track to replace the aging AGM-86B Air Launched Cruise Missile with modernized weapon capabilities designed for its nuclear bomber fleet, to include the B-21.
 
Thursday, the Air Force awarded contracts to Lockheed Martin Corporation and Raytheon Company to mature design concepts and prove developmental technologies for the new Long Range Standoff weapon.
 
“This weapon will modernize the air-based leg of the nuclear triad,” Secretary of the Air Force Heather Wilson said. “Deterrence works if our adversaries know that we can
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Governor Appoints Christopher Ruszkowski Cabinet Secretary For Public Education Department

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Education Secretary Christopher Ruszkowski

STATE EDUCATION News:

SANTA FE – Today, Gov. Susana Martinez announced the appointment of Christopher Ruszkowski as cabinet secretary of the Public Education Department.

Ruszkowski previously served as deputy cabinet secretary for the Department. He is a former middle school social studies teacher and served for nearly six years at the Delaware Department of Education under former Democratic Gov. Jack Markell.

“I’m confident that Christopher will bring the energy, enthusiasm and leadership needed to help New Mexico’s students succeed Read More

Udall Staff To Host Information Session For Students Interested In Attending A Military Service Academy

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U.S. SENATE News:
 
U.S. Sen. Tom Udal staff are hosting an information session 6-8 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 29 at University of New Mexico Student Union Building – Ballroom C, for high school students and recent graduates interested in applying to the U.S. military service academies.
 
Representatives from Udall’s office, the New Mexico congressional delegation and the military service academies will be available to field questions from prospective applicants and parents. Udall is accepting applications for nominations to enter an academy in the fall of 2018.
   
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Heinrich Announces $17 Mil For Directed Energy Development In NM, Tours UNM Directed Energy Lab

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U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich
 
U.S. SENATE News:
 
ALBUQUERQUE ― During a visit to Boeing in Albuquerque yesterday, U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee and founder of the Congressional Directed Energy Caucus, announced a $17 million investment for the Department of Defense to acquire directed energy systems that support jobs and boost New Mexico as a center of excellence in this increasingly important space for our military.
 
Following the announcement, Heinrich toured a directed energy lab facility at
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Regional Coalition Discusses Future Of LANL Cleanup With DOE Officials

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Deputy Assistant Secretary of DOE-EM Jim Owendoff

RCLC News:

SANTA FE — The Regional Coalition of LANL Communities (RCLC) and Environmental Management Los Alamos Field Office (EM-LA) met with several Department of Energy Environmental Management (DOE-EM) officials Wednesday, Aug. 8 for a reception dinner in Española.

The opportunity allowed for relationship building and an open dialogue on the future vision of Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) and DOE-EM cleanup campaigns with Deputy Assistant Secretary of DOE-EM, Jim Owendoff, Senior Advisor to the Secretary, Roger Jarell, Read More

Heinrich Hosts Teacher Listening Session In Taos

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U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich hosts a listening session Aug. 21 at Taos High School with Taos Municipal School educators. Courtesy photo
 
U.S. SENATE News:
 
SANTA FE ― U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) hosted a roundtable with Taos Municipal School educators to discuss challenges and opportunities for education in rural New Mexico and what’s at stake under President Trump’s proposed education budget cuts. 
 
“Every child in every school deserves an opportunity to benefit from a great public education. In New Mexico and across the nation,
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DOE Releases Final RFPs For Low-Level Waste / Mixed Low-Level Waste Disposal Procurement

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DOE News:
 
CINCINNATI, Ohio ― The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Environmental Management Consolidated Business Center (EMCBC) has issued a final Request for Proposals (RFP) seeking proposals for the Low-Level Waste/Mixed Low-Level Waste (LLW/MLLW) Disposal procurement.
 
This effort will require contractors to safely dispose of LLW/MLLW; Section 11e.(2) byproduct material; technologically-enhanced, naturally-occurring radioactive material (TENORM); and sealed sources.
 
The government expects to award one or more indefinite-delivery, indefinite-quantity
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Voices Of Los Alamos Meets Monday Aug. 28

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VOICES OF LOS ALAMOS News: 
 
Voices of Los Alamos will hold its monthly meeting at 6:30 p.m. Monday, Aug. 28 at the Unitarian Church on 1738 N. Sage Loop.
 
During the meeting, updates will be presented on the sheriff issue, the County Council immigration proclamation, future speakers, the Santa Fe Pride event Sept. 15-17 and the on Sept. 7 screening of the documentary “Blood Road”.
 
At 7 p.m., Becky Shankland and Barbara Calef, co-presidents of the League of Women Voters Los Alamos, will make a presentation about the organization and what it does, the local
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NNSA Responds To Concerned Stakeholder Letters Regarding LANL M&O Contract Draft Solicitation

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RCLC News:

SANTA FE — An overwhelming number of letters were submitted by local governments and community stakeholders to the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) concerning the Draft Request For Proposal (RFP) for Los Alamos National Laboratory’s Management & Operation (M&O) Contract competition currently underway.

The NNSA released preliminary responses Aug. 11 to community concerns regarding the upcoming RFP. Responses from NNSA conveyed the understanding of the importance of community involvement within the M&O Contract transition and willingness Read More

Wadt: A Guide To School Grades … Real Or Noise?

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By BILL WADT
Los Alamos

The New Mexico Public Education Department (PED) just released the grades for all of the schools in the State. Gov. Susana Martinez advocated for a simple grading system, similar to the one used in Florida, to improve communication with parents and other community members as to how well your local school is doing with a focus on student proficiency in reading and math. That was a very good idea. 

The next question is how do you measure student proficiency in a way that allows you to compare performance from school to school, district to district, and state to state? The Read More