LLNL - The True Story -

"The U.S. Department of Energy wants to use nearly 2 acres of desert in southern New Mexico to temporarily store containers of radioactive waste coming from around the country while it works to reopen the government’s only underground nuclear waste repository..." https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.abqjournal.com/876946/aboveground-wipp-storage-sought-by-doe.html/amp

The likely result will be the same, it just may take a few extra months after DOE made the screw up on the contract. http://www.bizjournals.com/washington/news/2016/10/20/leidos-doe-look-to-settle-5-billion-nuclear-site.html

The world's first 'bridge' for quantum computers is created: System could lead to a breakthrough in AI by Sandia Labs Carlsbad, California  Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-3843782/The-world-s-bridge-quantum-computers-created-lead-breakthrough-AI.html#ixzz4NP99vlA8 People have already built small quantum computers,' said Ryan Camacho, researcher at Sandia National Laboratories in Carlsbad, California, and leader of the research.  Some comments too! I don't really see how AI is going to help the average Joe. I can see it making us all redundant. Will all this technology actually improve people's lives? In the last 20 years lives have got more unhealthy and unsociable. Depression is widespread. It's no wonder when one forgets nature and our origins. We're screwed. This technology will no doubt be used first and foremost by the US government as a weapon, against all of humanity. Dark times ahead. Yes, but will this speed-up my socia...

https://www.abqjournal.com/868005/part-of-wipp-closing-over-employee-safety-concerns.html

I am a retiree of Llnl. I have Kaiser and cover my spouse under Kaiser senior avantage. I am not medicare eligible but my spouse is. I received a statement from Emperian yesterday. It said that my Kaiser contribution is still $81 a month in 2017 as 2016. But my spouse portion will cost $425 a month with Kaiser Senior Advantage, begining Jan. 2017 instead of $210 in 2016. Does anyone has the same situation as mine? Meaning the spouse cost portion increased more than doubled. Thanks for any information I can get.

"Second ceiling collapse at WIPP raises readiness questions" http://m.santafenewmexican.com/news/local_news/second-ceiling-collapse-at-wipp-raises-readiness-questions/article_9114b1fb-9303-569f-ac4c-3b3e2d7d4882.html?mode=jqm

http://www.exchangemonitor.com/publication/morning-briefing/nrc-says-problematic-lanl-waste-may-stay-private-storage-two-years/ The entire NWC is being impacted by the inability to reopen WIPP in a timely manner after the LANL accident.

"New DOE Whistleblower Protections Proposed"     HTTPS://www.wyden.senate.gov/news/press-releases/wyden-markey-mccaskill-to-introduce-bill-to-expand-whistleblower-protections-at-the-energy-department https://www.wyden.senate.gov/download/?id=96A0FC8B-2170-41DC-85D2-E47736159C88&download=1

Locals insist that tax dollars continue to flow from next contractor This was predictable and you can not turn off the spigot once the money is running. http://www.lamonitor.com/content/lanl-coalition-seeks-eliminate-tax-exempt-status

Judge rules against NSTec and Honeywell in Leidos case As expected, this was over fast and went against the intervention. Next up is likely to be the Court ruling against DoE and in favor of Leidos. "Contractor teams looking to plead their cases on a contract dispute between Leidos Holdings Inc. (NYSE: LDOS) and the Department of Energy won’t be able to, with a federal court denying their motions to intervene last Thursday, according to court documents filed Tuesday. Court of Federal Claims Judge Loren Smith ruled that the contractor teams looking to get in on the dispute “have no real interest in this dispute, as 'interest' is legally understood,” according to court documents." http://www.bizjournals.com/washington/blog/best-in-business/2016/09/u-s-court-denies-competitors-motion-to-intervene.html

What will be the impact of the UNM $22.5 M budget cut on SNL? ALBUQUERQUE (AP) — With declining enrollment and a smaller allotment from the cash-strapped state, the University of New Mexico is bracing to have $22.5 million less to spend in fiscal year 2017. The school also will be looking to hire a new president. Robert Frank announced Friday that he won’t seek to renew his contract after it ends on May 31, 2017. “I am pleased with what we have accomplished during my presidency, and it will be with great pride that I hand over the reins to the next president, who can build upon our successes,” Frank said in a statement. He was hired by UNM in January 2012. The Board of Regents now has eight months to choose the school’s 22nd president. Board President Rob Doughty said the search would begin no later than next spring, and an interim president would be appointed if a successor to Frank isn’t found in a timely manner. On Thursday, Frank announced the university will put a freeze on hiring...

STEM Workforce Diversity Magazine, in its newest issue, named the Laboratory a 2016 top 20 government employer, the only national laboratory to achieve this recognition.

I believe science is still alive at LANL but running under the radar. I do agree since the end of nuclear testing there has been a migration away from an absolute need for a deterrent. I also believe this is a long term mistake. Webster as director would be interesting. He seems genuine enough. I can't speak for his management ability but sometimes I find that particular ability to be overrated. Know he mission, support the mission. That should be the basis for truth telling.

To challenge the premise, Has the level of science and weapons engineering quality decreased at LANL? (Topic for discussion). I see all of the problems on the operations side but I would venture a guess they have always been there but are now all over the news. This does not necessarily mean science is not strong at LANL. Not to be too provoking to the previous posters but aren't Anastasio and McMillan PhD scientists? Would we have been better off with Alan Bishop or Bob Webster (no ill will toward either)? Lastly, how does this correlate, if at all, with the halt of nuclear testing or the birth of the NNSA?

http://www.bizjournals.com/washington/news/2016/09/21/contractor-teams-seek-to-challenge-leidos-nuclear.html