Here’s a look at today’s headlines:
The USDA Forest Service Southwestern Region announces an information meeting for vendors interested in providing resources to support wildfires and other emergency incidents. The meeting is scheduled for Thursday, Jan. 7, 2016, from 1:00 p.m.-4:00 p.m. MST via video teleconference at Forest Service offices throughout New Mexico. The meeting will discuss a variety of topics including: · How to become a government vendor · How to locate and respond to solicitations through the Virtual Incident Procurement (VIPR) system · How to read and understand contract requirements for specific equipment.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued a final action on May 22, 2015 to ensure that states have implementation plans (SIPs) in place that are fully consistent with the Clean Air Act and with recent court decisions concerning emissions during periods of startup, shutdown and malfunction (SSM). In response to this final action, the New Mexico Environment Department Air Quality Bureau will be required to revise 20.2.7 NMAC – Excess Emissions during Malfunction, Startup, Shutdown, or Scheduled Maintenance, and seeks public involvement on that action.
U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), a member of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence and Senate Armed Services Committee, is an original cosponsor of bipartisan legislation introduced today to tighten the Visa Waiver Program to help prevent terrorists from entering the United States. Currently, the Visa Waiver Program permits visa free travel to the United States for citizens of 38 countries that qualify—an average of 20 million visitors per year. The Visa Waiver Program Security Enhancement Act makes a number of security enhancements including requiring individuals who have traveled to Syria or Iraq in the past five years to acquire a traditional tourist visa instead of traveling without a visa under the Visa Waiver Program. The legislation also requires all travelers using the Visa Waiver Program to submit biometric information, in the form of fingerprints and a photograph, before they travel to the United States.
The New Mexico Department of Health announced today the first flu-related deaths of the 2015-2016 season. The two deaths occurred in men, ages 67 and 69 years, in Dona Ana and San Miguel counties, respectively. It serves as a somber reminder that flu can cause serious illness or death, particularly among persons at risk for flu-related complications.
New Mexico State Parks is your official sponsor of adventure this holiday season! Numerous outdoor winter events and activities are scheduled for the month of December to make your season bright!
