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Nuclear Dump Resumes Waste Disposal, State Lawmaker Seeks Tax Returns for Presidential Candidates

National Nuclear Security Administration
/
Wikimedia Commons
The Waste Isolation Pilot Plant in southern New Mexico, a geological repository for radioactive waste

Nuke Dump Disposes of First Drums Of Waste in Three YearsThe Associated Press, The Carlsbad Current-Argus

Employees at the federal government's only underground nuclear waste repository have resumed disposal work after a nearly three-year hiatus that was prompted by a radiation release.

The Carlsbad Current-Argus reports that two pallets of low-level radioactive waste were emplaced Wednesday in one of the underground disposal rooms at the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant in southern New Mexico.

Rick Fuentes, a local union president and a waste handler at the site, says the transfer of the drums from an above-ground storage building went well.

Fuentes says employees are excited to be back at work.

It's still unclear when shipments of waste from other national laboratories and defense sites around the country will resume.

U.S. Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz and other officials are expected to celebrate the reopening with a ribbon-cutting event Monday.

The Latest: New Mexico Activates Emergency Operations Center – Associated Press

Gov. Susana Martinez has activated the state's emergency operations center in preparation for a winter storm that's expected to bring bitter cold temperatures and heavy snow to the northern half of New Mexico.

The National Weather Service already has issued winter storm warnings and alerts for the region and forecasters are warning of significant travel impacts.

In a statement this afternoon, Martinez said the emergency operations center will be coordinating with state agencies and local communities to prepare for the storm.

Authorities also encouraged residents to have a stock of essential supplies such as food, water, first aid kits and blankets at home, work and in their vehicles.

Forecasters say some parts of northern New Mexico could see as much as a foot of snow by Friday night.

Nuclear Lab Eases Troubled Past With Good Federal Review – Associated Press

Nearly three years after being blamed for a radiation leak, the company that manages the Los Alamos nuclear weapons laboratory received high marks during its annual performance evaluation.

The National Nuclear Security Administration released documents Wednesday showing Los Alamos National Security LLC, the contractor that manages Los Alamos National Laboratory, will receive nearly $60 million for meeting, and in some cases exceeding, expectations.

The evaluation comes as the northern New Mexico lab tries to rebuild its reputation after being blamed for the radiation release at the nation's only underground nuclear waste repository more than 300 miles away in southern New Mexico.

The incident previously led to a less-than-stellar evaluation for Los Alamos National Security and cost the consortium a contract extension. Its current $2.2 billion contract is set to end in 2018.

Albuquerque Faces $24 Million Budget Shortfall In 2017 – Associated Press

Albuquerque is facing a potential budget shortfall of $24 million in the upcoming fiscal year that begins July 1.

The Albuquerque Journal reports that the financial forecast was outlined in documents submitted to the City Council yesterday, and predicts the largest budget gap the city has faced in six years.

The city anticipates $526 million in revenue in the new fiscal year, and an increase of about 2.8 percent, but expects to spend about 2.9 percent more than in fiscal year 2016.

The increased expenses come from state tax cuts, legal settlements and the operation of new projects, including otter and penguin exhibits at the Bio Park.

Mayor Richard Berry says the projected shortfall is a manageable amount that can be addressed without tax increases, layoffs or employee furloughs.

Navajo Nation Council Votes To Remove The Tribe's ControllerThe Associated Press

The Navajo Nation Council has voted to remove the tribe's controller.

By a 17-5 vote Wednesday, the council approved legislation to remove Jim Parris, effective immediately.

Council members said one of the main issues was Parris' contract with President Russell Begaye's office only required him to work three days a week while receiving a salary of about $140,000 and thousands more in quarterly bonuses.

They say the contract document was never shared with the council.

The council approved an amendment that allows for an acting controller to assume the duties until Begaye appoints a replacement.

Council Speaker LoRenzo Bates says the controller oversees the daily operations of the tribe's finances, but the position has no bearing on financial contracts, bond financing, agreements, leases or the Navajo Nation's bond rating.

New Mexico Attorney General Launches Anti-Opioid InitiativeThe Associated Press

New Mexico Attorney Hector Balderas has announced a new initiative aimed at attacking opioid abuse in the state.

The attorney general's "Project OPEN: Opioid Prevention & Education Network" will kick off January 11th in Albuquerque and will educate the public on New Mexico's opioid crisis.

Opioids are the main driver of drug overdose deaths nationwide and in New Mexico. In 2015, only seven other states had higher overdose rates than New Mexico. West Virginia witnessed nearly 42 overdose deaths per 100,000 people, while New Mexico had more than 25.

The kick-off event is aimed at attorneys, policy advisers, and others fighting heroin and prescription opioid addiction. Workshops will range from treatment options to identifying fraud.

Angel Fire Resort Eyes 50th Anniversary Celebration – Associated Press

Angel Fire Resort is set to celebrate its 50th anniversary with a weekend of events.

The resort recently announced the anniversary celebration will kick off January 19 with a cocktail party and an exhibit of historic photos.

During the weekend, lift ticket prices will be rolled back to 1966, including 550 tickets priced at $5.50 for Saturday and Sunday.

Angel Fire Resort began in 1966, as a small ski destination in Northern New Mexico. The resort is located 8,600-feet above sea level in the Southern Rockies.

Las Cruces Council Won't Seek Higher Fees for Public RecordsThe Associated Press, The Las Cruces Sun-News

Las Cruces city councilors have decided against pursuing a change in state law that would have resulted in higher fees for public access to government records.

The Las Cruces Sun-News reports the 5-2 vote came Tuesday during the council's meeting.

City staffers were seeking permission to push the state Legislature for a change that would allow Las Cruces to charge — up to $100 per request — for fulfilling record requests under the New Mexico Inspection of Public Records Act. 

Officials say Las Cruces has seen a four-fold increase in requests for public records in just three years.

City Manager Stuart Ed says the city is taking steps to become more open-records friendly, such as posting more data online so fewer requests are needed.

Feds: 14 Endangered Mexican Wolves Found Dead in 2016The Associated Press

More than a dozen endangered Mexican gray wolves were killed in 2016, including two at the hands of wildlife officials who were trying to survey the struggling population early last year.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has confirmed that 14 wolf deaths were documented last year, many of which remain under investigation. That number marks the most deaths in any single year since the federal government began reintroducing the predators in New Mexico and Arizona in 1998.

Illegal killings have been a problem over the years, and officials say that challenge will remain as the wolves disperse into other areas of the Southwest.

A review of the program's monthly reports also shows investigators confirmed more than two dozen livestock kills by wolves in New Mexico and Arizona last year.

New Mexico May Seek Tax Returns For Presidential CandidatesThe Associated Press

A New Mexico state lawmaker wants presidential candidates who decline to release their tax returns to be kept off the state's election ballot.

Democratic state Sen. Jacob Candelaria of Albuquerque announced Wednesday that he will file a bill during the upcoming legislative session that requires presidential candidates to submit tax returns for the most recent five years to the New Mexico Secretary of State's Office. Candidates that decline would be ineligible for the ballot and off limits to New Mexico electors.

President-elect Donald Trump never released his tax returns during the presidential campaign, breaking decades of precedent. Candelaria says new Mexico voters deserve access to basic financial information about presidential candidates that may also signal conflicts of interest or financial improprieties.

Democrat Hillary Clinton won New Mexico's five electoral votes.

Gun Regulation Proposals Converge On New Mexico LegislatureThe Associated Press

Currents in the national debate over gun regulations are converging on New Mexico as the state Legislature prepares to meet.

A Republican state lawmaker pre-filed legislation this week to allow people to carry a concealed handgun without a concealed carry license if they can meet essential requirements. Missouri, West Virginia and Idaho enacted similar measures last year that allow concealed weapons without a permit.

GOP Sen. Steven Neville of Aztec says his proposal will be a tough sell in New Mexico's Legislature, where Democrats hold a majority.

Leading Democratic lawmakers want to close the so-called gun show loophole by requiring background checks on nearly all private firearms transactions. Another anticipated proposal would make it illegal for aggressors in domestic violence cases to possess a firearm while under a protective order.

NMSU Police Officer Cleared In Nov. 16 Shooting On Campus - The Associated Press

Dona Ana County authorities say they've determined that a shooting last year by a New Mexico State University police officer on campus was justified.

According to investigators, Officer Jarrod Colliver was responding to 911 calls about a 28-year-old man carrying gun at an apartment complex and making threats on Nov. 14.

Despite the officer's commands, the defendant refused to put down the weapon.

Police say Colliver fired multiple shots and struck the man once in the leg.

County District Attorney Mark D'Antonio cleared Colliver after meeting with the Officer-Involved Shooting Task Force on Dec. 15.

The task force is a multi-agency unit that includes members of the New Mexico State Police, Las Cruces police, Dona Ana County Sheriff's Department, New Mexico State University Police and 3rd Judicial District Attorney's Office.

New Mexico County To Improve Water InfrastructureThe Associated Press, The Daily Times

The northwestern New Mexico city of Aztec will spend $3 million on water infrastructure projects, including some intended to provide relief to residents who have had to boil their water for months.

The Daily Times reports that the San Juan County Commission approved a request from the city of Aztec to use $3 million intended for the Flora Vista wastewater system on other projects.

Commissioners approved spending on three drinking water projects, including one that would provide a permanent source of clean water to residents of the Harvest Gold subdivision. That neighborhood has been advised to boil tap water since June.

The project would connect Harvest Gold's water system to the Blanco Mutual Domestic Water Users Association.

Other infrastructure construction would provide water to residents of East Culpepper Flats.