State

Luján Stands Against Funding Cuts to Nutrition Programs

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U.S. Rep. Ben Ray Luján

CONGRESSIONAL News:

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Rep. Ben Ray Luján of New Mexico’s Third District released the following statement today after voting against final passage of the Farm Bill today, which included $20 billion in cuts to nutrition programs:

“I am deeply disappointed that at a difficult economic time when families are struggling to put food on the table, farmers and ranchers are struggling with drought conditions, and New Mexico’s dairies are in need of important tools for success, House Republicans brought a Farm Bill up for a vote Read More

Free Child Safety Seat Clinic Saturday

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Staff Report:

The New Mexico Department of Transportation’s Traffic Safety Division, Safer New Mexico Now and Kohl’s will hold a child safety seat clinic 11a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday, June 22 at Kohl’s (4401 Cerrillos Road) in Santa Fe.

The clinic provides parents and caregivers the opportunity to receive hands-on instruction from certified technicians on the correct use of child safety seats. Technicians educate parents on choosing and installing the appropriate child safety seat for their child and vehicle.  They can also determine if a seat is recalled, expired, or otherwise unsafe. Read More

Immunization Registry Law Goes into Effect July 1

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STATE News:

 

Santa Fe – Gov. Susana Martinez says new immunization requirements can help keep New Mexicans healthier – especially small children and seniors who are particularly prone to infectious diseases.

 

Senate Bill 58, which takes effect July 1, makes it mandatory for all health care providers to report all immunizations to the New Mexico Statewide Immunization Information System (NMSIIS.)

 

“This change will allow the Department of Health to better track and evaluate vaccination coverage and monitor disease outbreaks and disease coverage levels at a local level,” 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

Regional Coalition Heading to Nation’s Capital to Push for Additional LANL Cleanup Funding

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RCLC News:

SANTA FE – The Regional Coalition of LANL Communities is leading a 13-member delegation to Washington, D.C. to push for more cleanup funding for Los Alamos National Laboratory.

The group will meet with members of the New Mexico Congressional Delegation, as well as top officials at the Department of Energy and the National Nuclear Security Administration to press for the Coalition’s top priority — increased federal funding to continue environmental remediation across northern New Mexico.

“This type of work is incredibly important for the Regional Read More

Santa Fe National Forest and Valles Caldera National Preserve Closed

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Courtesy/SFNF

STATE News:

The entire Santa Fe National Forest will be closed to public entry effective at 8 a.m. Monday, June 24, 2013

The only exception to the closure is the Rio Chama Scenic River corridor which will remain open to the public, with Stage II fire restrictions. The accessible area along the Rio Chama includes 100-feet from both sides of the river starting at the north end of the river at the Coyote and Cuba Ranger District Boundary downstream to the southeastern boundary near Forest Service Road 151.

“The weather forecast is calling for dry, hot and windy conditions in the coming 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

Luján Amendment to Farm Bill to Support Acequias in New Mexico Passes House

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U.S. Rep. Ben Ray Luján

CONGRESSIONAL News:

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Rep. Ben Ray Luján of New Mexico’s Third District spoke on the House floor today on an amendment he offered to support Acequia and Community Ditch Associations in New Mexico. 

“This amendment does not open up the program to large irrigation districts or government entities, but simply affords local Hispanic farmers in rural New Mexico equal eligibility to compete for funding,” Luján said. “Acequia and Community Ditch Associations, which are comprised solely of private land owners, do not have the Read More

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
Read More

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