Here’s a look at today’s headlines:

A scam alert has been issued regarding a telephone message that claims the IRS is filing a lawsuit against you, gives you a number to call back, and ends with a polite thank you.  If you call the number, you may lose your personal information and a lot of money.  Just hang up, then contact the Federal Trade Commission through the Internet.  Be sure to give the phone number the “department” asked you to call.

Grant County Sheriff’s Deputies were called to the Golf Course yesterday in response to a Criminal Damage complaint.  Employees reported that the WNMU Golf Teams shed had been broken into, the Golf Course restrooms had toilet paper all over them, and someone had pulled the screen off the water pumps.  Deputies also responded to the Scott Park Baseball Fields where signs had been scattered and portapotties had been overturned.  On the 23rd, Deputies responded to the Cliff High School after employees reported that someone had damaged the main sign and marquee.  Anyone with any information regarding any of these incidents is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 538-5254, or to contact Central Dispatch at 388-8840 or the Grant County Sheriff’s Department at 574-0100.

Today, U.S. Senators Tom Udall and Martin Heinrich announced that they have asked the Senate Judiciary Committee to hold a hearing on their work to amend the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act (RECA) to expand compensation for victims of radiation exposure in New Mexico as well as several Western states and Guam. Udall, Heinrich and Sens. Michael Bennet (D-Colo.), Mike Crapo (R-Idaho) and Jim Risch (R-Idaho) introduced legislation earlier this year to amend RECA to cover victims of the government’s nuclear arms testing, including those living downwind of the Trinity bomb test in New Mexico’s Tularosa Basin and post-1971 uranium workers in Northwestern New Mexico.

Yesterday, during a U.S. Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources markup hearing, U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) advocated for legislation to promote renewable energy development on public lands, community solar, and reauthorization of the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF). The hearing was held to consider amendments for the committee’s bipartisan energy package, which will continue to have ongoing debate throughout this week.

Veterans living in rural communities have challenges connecting with medical and psychological treatment services. A survey for veterans suffering with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is hoping to better understand this underserved population.  The Institute for Rural Social Work Research (IRSR), a 501c3 affiliated with the School of Social Work, has dispatched 15 individuals across the state with a 34-question survey for PTSD suffering veterans. The team of survey collectors has covered at least 10 New Mexico communities since June and will continue to do so until mid-August.