Half Life, Death is a Chain Reaction - Peter Eichstaedt

It is no surprise the highly radioactive so-called "waste"-including nuclear fuel rods which are so radioactive they must be removed from nuclear power plants to avoid disastrous meltdowns-would end up not far from the dawn of nuclear age in the New Mexico desert. Enticed by exorbitant amounts of government money, one Native tribe in southern New Mexico rejects its traditional values to store this radioactive waste while a permanent disposal site is readied in the mountains of Nevada. When a tribal member critical of the plan is brutally murdered, Santa Fe journalist Luke Jackson investigates the story, putting him back on the front page of his newspaper. Jackson also finds that the prime players in the world of nuclear power will do just about anything to convince Congress, the government, and tribal leaders that the storage project must happen. Jackson realizes the story has placed him and tribal and environmental activists in the crosshairs of those determined to see the project become a reality. The tribe and communities across the country will be exposed to dangerous amounts of radiation. Will Jackson expose the dangers of the radioactive waste transport and storage plan in time while also struggling with his chaotic family life? Includes Readers Guide.