Here’s a look at today’s headlines:
Fire managers with the Type 3 incident management team are transitioning management of the Guadalupe Fire to a type 4 incident management team from the Douglas Ranger District office of the Coronado National Forest. Effective Wednesday morning June 10th, the Douglas office team headed by Julio Robeson will take charge of continued work. The Guadalupe Fire, which was caused by lightning on the morning of June 2nd and burned 30 miles east of Douglas, Arizona, was approximately 5,900 acres, and as of last night was 70% contained.
U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), a member of the U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee, has introduced an amendment to the fiscal year 2016 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) that would authorize $25 million for the Department of Defense’s (DOD) STARBASE education program. The STARBASE Program allows kindergarten through twelfth grade students to participate in hands-on curriculum with military installations where they solve scientific challenges related to aerospace. Students learn the importance of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) skills in real world situations and develop essential math and science fundamentals, while fostering positive relationships between military bases and their surrounding communities.
U.S. Senator Tom Udall joined a bipartisan coalition, led by Sens. Steve Daines (R-MT), Joe Manchin (D-WV) and Angus King (I-ME), in an effort to ensure the federal government prioritizes high-speed broadband access for rural Americans. Broadband Internet is critical to expand economic development opportunities, distance learning and telehealth to rural communities in New Mexico and across the country.
Udall also reinforced his call for Congress to debate and pass a resolution authorizing limited military force against the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS). Udall, a member of the committee, supports restrictions on the time, geographic scope and cost of U.S. operations in Iraq and Syria, including a prohibition on the use of U.S. ground troops for combat operations, and has consistently pushed for Congress to live up to its constitutional responsibility to define the president`s authority in engaging with ISIS.
Today, Governor Susana Martinez will announce a contest to encourage New Mexicans to explore New Mexico’s state parks, historic sites, and natural wonders.