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House Speaker Mike Johnson called on to pass nuclear weapons reparations for New Mexicans

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House Speaker Mike Johnson called on to pass nuclear weapons reparations for New Mexicans


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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.

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How one family is feeling the impact of the longest government shutdown

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How one family is feeling the impact of the longest government shutdown


Many families across the country are feeling hopeless as federal employees continue to work without pay during what is now the longest government shutdown ever.

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – Many families across the country are feeling hopeless as federal employees continue to work without pay during what is now the longest government shutdown ever.

A New Mexico man, Jason Richards, reached out to KOB 4 sharing his frustration with Congress. Richards has a unique experience with shutdowns, going through several during his 21 year career as a Chief of Interpretation for the National Park Service.

For Richards, seeing the Petroglyph National Monument gates locked brought some tears to his eyes.

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“It makes me emotional. It does. It’s sad, but it’s Congress’s fault. It’s not the American people’s fault. It’s Congress. Both sides are guilty,” said Richards.

Richards told us while some trails remain open, he’s worried for the safety of visitors and the public lands themselves as park rangers are not able to work full-time due to the shutdown.

“That’s my land out there. That’s your land out there. That’s our cameraman’s land out there,” Richards said. “It doesn’t belong to Congress. It belongs to the American people. Tear the gate down.”

A multi-generational problem

The pain is personal as Richards’ daughter followed in his footsteps and now works for the National Park Service on the East Coast. She hasn’t seen a paycheck since before the shutdown.

“She’s calling me and crying, saying, ‘Daddy, I don’t know what to do. I can’t pay my mortgage. I’m having hard time with getting food on the table.’ And her husband works for the government also.”

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KOB 4 also spoke to his daughter, Amberleigh Leitenberger, on the phone Wednesday afternoon. She told us, “I’m extremely passionate about the Park Service and the Park Service mission and being second generation is really important to me. But, it’s very difficult to have to go through this repeatedly.”

When we asked Richards if there is any hope left for him and his daughter, he said, “No, there isn’t.”

Richards says he only asks now for Congress to listen to the American people and do what is best for them, not their agendas.



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A look at results across Northern New Mexico

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A look at results across Northern New Mexico


Santa Fe County

Santa Fe mayor: City Councilor Michael Garcia has been declared the winner after the tabulation of the ranked choice votes. He led in the first round with 36% of voters, while Oscar Rodriguez trailed with 23%, Ron Trujillo with 14%, County Commissioner Justin Greene with 10%, JoAnne Vigil Coppler with 8%, Tarin Nix with 6%, Letitia Montoya with 3% and Jeanne O’Dean with 1%. The candidates were vying to succeed Mayor Alan Webber, who is not seeking reelection.

Santa Fe City Council District 1: Pat Feghali, who has been declared the winner after the tabulation of the second-round ranked choice votes, led with 40% in the first round, while Katherine Rivera and David Montoya trailed with 30% each. The candidates were vying to succeed Councilor Signe Lindell, who is not running for reelection.

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Los Alamos County

San Miguel County

Rio Arriba County

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Taos County



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New Mexico Lottery Powerball, Pick 3 Day results for Nov. 3, 2025

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The New Mexico Lottery offers multiple draw games for those aiming to win big. Here’s a look at Nov. 3, 2025, results for each game:

Powerball

03-32-40-43-57, Powerball: 18, Power Play: 2

Check Powerball payouts and previous drawings here.

Pick 3

Day: 5-0-1

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Evening: 4-2-7

Check Pick 3 payouts and previous drawings here.

Lotto America

07-11-19-25-50, Star Ball: 10, ASB: 03

Check Lotto America payouts and previous drawings here.

Pick 4

Evening: 1-2-6-1

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Day: 8-0-5-3

Check Pick 4 payouts and previous drawings here.

Roadrunner Cash

01-03-13-16-20

Check Roadrunner Cash payouts and previous drawings here.

Powerball Double Play

11-27-55-62-68, Powerball: 02

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Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results

This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Las Cruces Sun-News editor. You can send feedback using this form.



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