Health
COVID cases now rising across NM in part because fewer people wear masks indoors, LANL scientists say
Most people in New Mexico are now living in areas with climbing rates of new cases of COVID-19, according to the latest modeling by scientists at Los Alamos National Laboratory. In the first week of May, nearly 1.5 million New Mexicans were living in counties where there were between 10 and 99 cases per capita […]
U.S. House vote to expand federal firefighters benefits seen as step toward parity
WASHINGTON – Years after firefighters extinguish a blaze, after the smoke has lifted and ashes have cooled, the people who risked their lives to contain the fire face another danger: cancer and cardiovascular disease resulting from exposure to smoke and heat. Government and academic studies have shown firefighters are 9% more likely to develop cancer […]
Biden administration looks for ways to alleviate infant formula shortage
WASHINGTON — The Biden administration sought to assuage parents’ concerns over an ongoing infant formula shortage Thursday, though officials couldn’t offer a timeline for when store shelves would be fully stocked again. White House press secretary Jen Psaki said the administration is working to “cut red tape,” increase imports of formula and broaden what types […]
Families sue the state and health care companies over lack of care for medically fragile children
Caleb Vaughan is a 3-year-old from Sandia Park, N.M. On paper, he is disabled and medically vulnerable. He has Down Syndrome, a serious seizure disorder, developmental delays and depends on a gastronomy tube to live. But off his medical diagnosis sheet, Caleb’s parents describe a delightful young man who will suffer seizures for a moment […]
U.S. House passes $40 billion Ukraine aid package with broad bipartisan support
WASHINGTON — The U.S. House voted overwhelmingly Tuesday to provide an additional $40 billion in economic, humanitarian and military assistance to Ukraine as its troops continue fighting back against Russia’s invasion. The legislation, released just hours before, now goes to the U.S. Senate, where leaders hope to quickly send the bill to President Joe Biden’s […]
Governor promises a temporary halt to prescribed burns while wildfires rage in New Mexico
New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham said Tuesday that it was “negligent” for the United States Forest Service to ignite a prescribed burn in early April, and that she has received assurances that there will be no more prescribed burns in New Mexico in the short-term — at least not while fires continue to rage […]
Forecasts showed 25 mph gusts on the day U.S. Forest Service ignited prescribed burn
The Santa Fe National Forest team that ignited a prescribed burn last month reviewed forecasts beforehand that predicted wind gusts up to 25 mph and very low humidity, according to National Weather Service records. U.S. forestry staff lit the fire anyway and lost control of their burn. It went on to become the Hermits Peak […]
Demonstrators demand immediate review of COVID vaccine for youngest children in the U.S.
About 20 organizers, parents and their children rallied outside the headquarters of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration on Monday to demand COVID-19 vaccinations for children under 5-years-old without delay. A brass band joined the protest and even played “Baby Shark Dance” for the young demonstrators, said Amanda Makulec, an organizer with Protect Their Future, […]
Biden backs moving quickly on Ukraine relief without including U.S. COVID aid
WASHINGTON — President Joe Biden signaled Monday he can accept Congress postponing action on billions in COVID-19 funding his administration says is desperately needed in the interests of swiftly moving ahead on a multibillion-dollar Ukraine aid package backed by both parties. “Previously, I had recommended that Congress take overdue action on much needed funding for […]
McConnell doesn’t rule out U.S. Senate vote outlawing abortion if GOP takes control
WASHINGTON — Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell isn’t ruling out bringing a nationwide abortion ban up for a vote, should the U.S. Supreme Court end the constitutional right to terminate a pregnancy and his party regains the chamber in the November elections. The Kentucky Republican was somewhat reserved last week when repeatedly asked by reporters […]
U.S. Forest Service defends prescribed burn that caused Hermits Peak fire
A United States Forest Service spokesperson said the prescribed burn that got out of control to become the Hermits Peak fire is a rare occurrence, and she defended prescribed burns as a necessary risk required to protect the nation’s forests. The service is also conducting a “review” of Las Dispensas prescribed burn April 6 south […]
Racers revive a decades-old marathon in Shiprock after two years of pandemic
SHIPROCK — Runners from the Four Corners area participated in the 39th annual Shiprock Marathon & Half Marathon in-person for the first time since the pandemic struck. For Army veteran Johnny Francisco, just being in Shiprock helped him through the race. “I see Shiprock, feel the cool air,” he said. “It’s just motivating to run […]