From Margot Robbie to Tom Cruise, the ‘Barbenheimer’ fever is building
With two big films, “Barbie” and “Oppenheimer,” hitting theaters, moviegoers and stars are opting for the “Barbenheimer” double feature.
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Reparations for New Mexicans impacted by nuclear weapons testing could be held up in the GOP-led House of Representatives after the U.S. Senate passed a bill in March to provide payments to those suffering health impacts tied to the tests.
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The U.S.’ first nuclear bomb was tested in New Mexico in 1945 at the Trinity Site near Alamogordo, setting off a generational wave of cancers and other health impacts for nearby residents. The Radiation Exposure Compensation Act (RECA) passed in 1990 to fund federal payments to those who could prove their health was impacted by weapons testing but did not include reparations for New Mexicans near the Trinity Site.
That could change thanks to legislation sponsored by U.S. Sen. Ben Ray Lujan to expand RECA to include New Mexico residents near the test, known as “downwinders.” The law currently provides payments to downwinders of the Nevada Test Site in multiple states.
After passing the Senate, supporters of the bill urged the U.S. House and Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) to take up and pass the measure before the law’s funding sunsets in about a month on June 7.
Lujan, along with Sen. Martin Heinrich (D-NM) and several other members of the chamber including GOP senators along with U.S. Reps. Teresa Leger Fernandez (D-NM) and Melanie Stansbury (D-NM) and members of the House, penned a letter to Johnson demanding the bill be moved on to President Joe Biden’s desk to become law.
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The letter pointed to the Oscar-winning film “Oppenheimer” released in July 2023 about the events at Trinity to show an increased awareness for the test and its potential impacts on the New Mexican people.
“The landmark film Oppenheimer has brought renewed attention to these events, particularly highlighting the first nuclear explosion in New Mexico in 1945,” the letter read. “The ‘downwinders,’ along with those involved in uranium mining, milling and transportation, are still enduring the health impacts from their exposure to this radiation.”
The lawmakers argued the nuclear test exposed nearby residents to radiation, creating illnesses passed through generations that many are still struggling with today.
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“Their livelihoods, often devastated by the long-term consequences of radiation exposure, depend on your leadership and commitment to rectifying past injustices. Let us honor the commitment we made to these citizens by ensuring they receive the support and recognition they so rightly deserve,” read the letter.
More: US Senate OKs funding bill for New Mexicans impacted by Trinity Site
GOP bill extends but does not expand nuclear testing reparations
A Republican-led bill sponsored by Sen. Mike Lee (R-Utah) was introduced in April to extend the RECA program for two more years but did not add language to allow New Mexicans to receive payments or expand the program to any other communities.
“When the government harms people, victims should be able to receive compensation. Downwinders and others harmed by the nation’s early atomic program often suffer the consequences of exposure decades after the fact,” Lee said in a statement.
The omission of New Mexico downwinders was a sticking point for the Union of Concerned Scientists. The national organization called Lee’s bill a “slap in the face” to downwinders in New Mexico and other states impacted by nuclear testing.
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“I would ask Senator Lee: how do we decide who deserves to be taken care of and who doesn’t? Who gets to make these decisions? Why are people in certain zip codes considered more important than others?” said Tina Cordova, founder of the New Mexico Downwinders Consortium and a native of Tularosa.
She said it was Congress’ and the federal government’s duty to repay New Mexicans and other impacted for the health of affects of nuclear weapons in the U.S.
“We urgently need for our government to take responsibility for the egregious harm that was done to American citizens, including children, when nuclear testing was taking place in the American west and the Pacific,” Cordova said.
“Not only did that testing negatively affect the health of those alive at the time, it destined our children and grandchildren forevermore to a life never free of the genetic damage associated with our overexposure to radiation. I can think of no other act that is more immoral than this.”
Adrian Hedden can be reached at 575-628-5516, achedden@currentargus.com or @AdrianHedden on the social media platform X.
Record heat and blazing sunshine in Albuquerque make it feel like summer is already here, despite the calendar marking spring’s start on Friday.
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – Record heat and blazing sunshine in Albuquerque make it feel like summer is already here, despite the calendar marking spring’s start on Friday.
Residents may wonder if it’s time to prepare their coolers for the warmer days ahead. The question remains whether the cold weather is truly over.
Climate data indicates that Albuquerque’s last freeze typically occurs in April, extending into May during extreme years. However, this year has been unusually warm.
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The Climate Prediction Center’s forecast suggests that the current weather pattern, which has brought hot days, will continue into April with above-average temperatures across the Western United States and New Mexico.
While a few more freezes or cold days can’t be ruled out, the general trend for April and most of spring points to more warm temperatures.
Republican voters may have one less candidate to choose from on their June primary ballot after one candidate failed to show up to file paperwork confirming his eligibility for the primary ballot.
State Senator Steve Lanier, a first-term legislator from San Juan County, and Duke Rodriguez, a former health department secretary and cannabis business owner, both failed to earn an automatic placement on the ballot provided to candidates who earn at least 20% of party delegate votes at the Pre-Primary Convention held earlier this month. Lanier pulled in just 7% and Rodriguez earned 9%.
State Sen. Steve Lanier appeared for initial candidate filing day on Feb. 3. He missed the secondary filing day on Mar. 17. (Source: Lanier campaign FB)
But both candidates appeared to have secured enough signatures from Republican voters to qualify outside of the party’s delegate process, provided they submitted those signatures to the Secretary of State’s Office on Tuesday.
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Lanier told The Santa Fe New Mexican that he missed the deadline and would now explore legal options to get on the ballot. “We are looking at legal options and may file a challenge, given that we filed with all the necessary signatures from the start,” he said. “I am committed to helping New Mexico thrive, and to building our Republican Party in every corner of the state.”
Rodriguez submitted the required additional signatures which are being reviewed by the secretary of state for qualification.
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Pat Davis is the founder and publisher of nm.news. In a prior life he served as an Albuquerque City Councilor.
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ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – City and state leaders are calling for the removal of César Chávez’s name from public spaces following allegations of sexual assault against him.
A New York Times article revealed claims that Chávez sexually abused multiple women and young girls who worked alongside him in the civil rights movement. The news has caused shockwaves, especially at the intersection of Avenida Dolores Huerta and Avenida César Chávez.
“Shock, um, it’s been shocking, horrified and completely incompatible and unacceptable with the values of the Latino and Chicano and Hispanic community and the civil rights movement,” said Zackary Quintero, executive director of the National Hispanic Cultural Center.
Dolores Huerta, who co-founded the United Farm Workers with Chávez, stated she was one of his victims. She described two sexual encounters with Chávez that led to pregnancies and children she hid from the public eye.
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Quintero said the role Chávez plays in Albuquerque and the state needs re-examination. “I know that a community conversation needs to take place and that we’re going to be part of that conversation,” he said. “We’re supposed to be a home for our Chicano gente, our Latino gente, our Hispano gente, to be able to meet here and talk about these kind of issues.”
Mayor Tim Keller says changes are coming to the way Chávez is remembered. “I am directing City staff to work with the community and city council to take a fresh look at how Chávez is recognized across our programs, events, committees, and spaces, and to recommend changes that honor the full truth while continuing to uplift the movement for economic justice that shaped our community,” he said.
KOB 4 asked the city what that process entails and what the economic impact could look like but a city spokesperson re-iterated the statement above saying, “The mayor has directed staff to work with the City Council and the community to determine the best steps forward.”
Speaker of the House Javier Martinez added, “The allegations against César Chávez are horrific. I pray for all of the survivors, including Dolores Huerta. I keep Dolores, her family, and the entire farmworker movement in my heart. Chávez’s name should be removed from any and all public entities, swiftly.”
It’s not just Albuquerque, there are landmarks, parks, schools and more throughout New Mexico named after Chávez. For example, the César Chávez Elementary school in Santa Fe.
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School officials said they have “an established process for considering changing a school’s name.” They also added they would review the situation but any consideration of a name change would have to go before the the Board of Education. The district’s full statement is below.
Statement from Santa Fe Public Schools:
“Santa Fe Public Schools is aware of the recent allegations concerning the namesake of Cesar Chavez Elementary School. We understand that members of our community may have questions and concerns, and we take those perspectives seriously.
Santa Fe Public Schools has an established process for considering changes to a school’s name. At this time, district staff will review the situation, gather relevant information, and evaluate next steps in accordance with district policy. Any consideration of a name change would ultimately be brought before the Board of Education for discussion and direction.
We remain committed to engaging thoughtfully with our community and ensuring that any decisions are made through the appropriate processes and with careful consideration.”
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City and state leaders are calling for the removal of César Chávez’s name from public spaces following allegations of sexual assault against him.
