Lawmakers are seeking to replenish costs that New Mexico’s local governments and NGOs are incurring from providing humanitarian relief to asylum seekers

WASHINGTON, D.C. (May 14, 2019) – After reports that U.S. Border Patrol has in recent weeks released over 4,000 migrants applying for asylum in the United States in Las Cruces, U.S. Senators Tom Udall (D-N.M.) and Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) today sent a letter with U.S. Representatives Ben Ray Luján, Xochitl Torres Small, and Deb Haaland, to the leaders of the House and Senate Appropriations Committees requesting that state and local governments and local non-governmental organizations (NGOs) that are providing much-needed humanitarian relief to asylum seekers in southern New Mexico are reimbursed.

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Albuquerque, NM – May 14, 2019 - Families in Truth or Consequences, NM and surrounding communities who face Alzheimer’s disease will have access to a free class offered by the Alzheimer’s Association, New Mexico Chapter.

“The Basics of Alzheimer’s Disease” is a FREE presentation by the Alzheimer’s Association, New Mexico Chapter and will be held Tuesday, June 11 from 2:00-3:00pm. The event will be hosted at the NM State Veterans Home, 992 S. Broadway St., Truth or Consequences, NM 87901.  The presentation is free.

To register, or for more information, call 1-800-272-3900 or email Alexis Ramirez (Programs Volunteer Case Manager) at alramirez@alz.org . For directions, call 575-647-3868.

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SANTA FE, N.M. – The Intel manufacturing plant in Rio Rancho will see a boost in hiring as the company continues to grow beyond its traditional PC and server businesses into data-rich markets, the company and Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham announced Tuesday.

Intel plans to expand its Rio Rancho workforce by over 300 employees in 2019. 

Intel is a world leader in the design and manufacturing of essential technologies that power the cloud in an increasingly smart, connected world, and its products are addressing the explosive demands to process, analyze, store, and transfer data. Intel is the state’s largest manufacturing company and since opening the Rio Rancho facility in 1980 has invested more than $16 billion in New Mexico.

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Udall has pressed for new safety measures, accountability following Boeing 737 Max 8 Jet crashes, SW Airlines engine explosion that resulted in death of NM constituent

Photo here.

WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senator Tom Udall (D-N.M) met with the nominee to serve as administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Stephen Dickson, in advance of his nomination hearing to discuss the need for stronger oversight and action on aviation safety – particularly engine safety – and FAA’s airworthiness certification process. 
 
Udall issued the following statement after meeting:

“In light of recent tragedies involving air travel, it is clear that we need strong leadership at the FAA, as well as dedicated oversight from Congress on aviation safety, to ensure all travelers are safe. That’s why I am pressing Mr. Dickson to commit to following through on the ‘Call to Action’ on engine safety that was included in last year’s FAA Reauthorization Act. While air travel in the United States continues to have a strong overall safety record, I remain concerned about the clearance process for not just the Max 8 but other jet models that were approved under the same process,” said Udall. “The American public and all air travelers deserve assurances from the FAA and airplane manufacturers that they are doing all they can to protect travelers and prevent future accidents. The safety of travelers is in industry’s long-term interest, but too often short-term economic incentives become too powerful, and that’s why we cannot stand by and continue to allow important regulatory agencies to get too cozy with the industries that they oversee.”

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Persons who use drugs and those who are experiencing homelessness are at the highest risk

SANTA FE, NM - The New Mexico Department of Health (NMDOH) has confirmed 103 acute hepatitis A virus (HAV) infections with two associated deaths in adults ranging in age from 19-64 years in Bernalillo County since the end of October 2018. An acute case of hepatitis A infection has now also been confirmed in Santa Fe County. The current outbreak has primarily impacted people who use both injection and non-injection drugs and people experiencing homelessness.

Hepatitis A is a contagious liver disease that results from infection with the hepatitis A virus. It can range in severity from a mild illness lasting a few weeks to a severe illness lasting several months. Hepatitis A is usually spread when a person ingests fecal matter, even in microscopic amounts, from contact with objects, food, or drinks contaminated by the feces or stool of an infected person.

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DVS to Formally Open State’s 2nd State Veterans Cemetery

Monday, May 27 (1pm) in Gallup, NM (333 National Cemetery Drive)

(GALLUP, NM)—The New Mexico Department of Veterans Servcies (DVS) will formally open the Gallup State Veterans Cemetery with a Grand Opening Ceremony on Memorial Day (May 27) at 1pm.Veterans, families, and the public are invited to attend this special event at the cemetery, located at 333 National Cemetery Drive (across the street from the McKinley County Juvenile Detention Center).

This will be the second state veterans cemetery developed by DVS as part of a State Veterans Cemetery Initiative to build veterans cemeteries in rural areas of the state. The first cemetery, the Ft. Stanton State Veterans Cemetery, opened in the fall of 2017.Directions to the Cemetery: (from Albuquerque) Take Interstate 40 West. Once in Gallup, take Exit 22 (Ford Drive) and turn right/head north. Take the next right (Hasler Valley Rd/Superman Canyon Rd) and continue heading east for about a mile. The Gallup State Veterans Cemetery will then be on your right (333 National Cemetery Drive).

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WASHINGTON, May 13, 2019 – Acting Assistant to the Secretary for Rural Development Joel Baxley today announced that USDA is investing in 40 projects in 20 states to improve rural water infrastructure (PDF, 151 KB).

“These investments will have a far-reaching, positive impact on rural residents, businesses and communities,” Baxley said. “Improving water and wastewater infrastructure enhances quality of life, helps support economic development and ensures that rural areas have safe and abundant water supplies.”

USDA is investing $82 million through the Water and Waste Disposal Loan and Grantprogram. Rural communities, water districts and other eligible entities can use the funds for drinking water, stormwater drainage and waste disposal systems. The projects must be in rural communities with 10,000 or fewer residents.

NIIGATA, JAPAN, May 11, 2019 - The Ministers of Agriculture from Argentina, Brazil, Canada and the United States highlighted that food demand is rising while agricultural production faces significant constraints, such as limited access to arable land and fresh water. In this regard, they agreed that agricultural innovation, such as biotechnology, including precision biotechnology, will continue to play a substantial role in addressing such challenges and can improve farmers’ productivity in a safe and sustainable manner.

These Ministers recognized that the number of biotechnology crops being developed and cultivated worldwide is increasing annually. Yet, despite two decades of experience in the safe use of these products, regulatory processes in many jurisdictions create time gaps in their authorization. This leads to an increasing risk of trade disruptions resulting from occurrences of low-level presence (LLP) of biotechnology crops that are approved in growing countries, but not yet approved in importing countries.

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