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U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal says he is resurrecting a measure to help prevent suicide among the armed forces and service veterans. The Democrat appeared in Hartford on Tuesday with the leaders of state veterans' organizations to tout legislation that would increase access to mental health care and outreach efforts targeting veterans. The Clay Hunt Suicide Prevention for American Veterans Act was introduced in November but failed to win passage in the Senate by one vote. That lone senator, Tom Coburn, has retired. (1/6)

The new director of the Veterans Affairs’ health care system in New Mexico is embarking on a tour of the state, with town halls planned from Alamogordo and Silver City to Gallup and Rio Rancho. Andrew Welch will be meeting with veterans and their families as part of an effort to restore trust after VA hospitals and clinics around the country were rocked by allegations of mismanagement, delays in care and secret waiting lists. (Bryan, 1/6)