A bill by two Albuquerque-area legislators moving through the Roundhouse could let Albuquerque keep an extra $2 million to $3 million a year in traffic fines — a shift that would cost the state roughly $5 million and remove current audit requirements. Senate Bill 91, sponsored by Albuquerque Democratic Sens. Heather Berghmans and Antoinette Sedillo […]
Jesse Jones
Posted inNM Political Report
Competing book ban bills gather dust on the shelf as legislators look toward session end
A bevy of competing book ban bills to govern how libraries respond to requests for removing books have made little progress in the legislature, despite months of build up and organizing by the sponsors. As promised, State Sen. Anthony “Ant” Thornton (R- East Mountains) introduced Senate Bill 49, a pilot project for a content-based library […]
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Will massive new funding push the New Mexico State Fair out of the city?
Jesse Jones, City Desk ABQ — The New Mexico Senate approved nearly $100 million in bonds Friday for the State Fairgrounds redevelopment, advancing a long-debated project. The investment could reshape Albuquerque’s International District with new housing and parks, or it could lead to relocating the State Fair after 87 years in the city. The Senate […]
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Last year, 389 people were denied a gun in Bernalillo County. Then they got a friendly visit from the sheriff.
For most gun buyers in Bernalillo County, a background check is a routine step. But for 389 people last year, that check ended in a denial and a visit from the sheriff’s office. Instead of a raid, these individuals often received a “knock and talk” from the Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office Behavioral Health Unit (BHU). These visits […]
Posted inPueblos, Westside Albuquerque
New Beginnings
Sandoval County and state officials kicked off their terms with a swearing-in ceremony at the county’s administration building Dec. 30, surrounded by family, friends and local dignitaries. Pledging to uphold the U.S. and New Mexico constitutions, the newly elected and reelected officials formally took their oaths of office, administered by 13th Judicial District Court Judge […]
Posted inPueblos, Westside Albuquerque
Commission Approves Pay Bump for Elected Officials
Sandoval County Commissioners voted 4-1 to approve a resolution of salary increases for newly elected or re-elected county officials, set to take effect on New Year’s Day. The decision came after a debate on balancing competitive compensation with fiscal responsibility. Under the resolution, new commissioners will receive a 15% salary increase, raising their annual pay […]
Posted inCourts, Justice & Safety, New Mexico Statewide News
Suspect in Custody After SWAT Standoff in Rio Rancho
A Rio Rancho man is in custody following a six-hour SWAT standoff, during which police say he fired several hundred rounds of ammunition along NM State Road 528 and from his residence. The man, named Eric Brusstar, now faces multiple charges. Brusstar was arrested without incident early Wednesday, Dec. 18, after the standoff ended around […]
Posted inPueblos, Westside Albuquerque
Sandoval County Commission Roundup
At its Dec. 11 meeting, the Sandoval County Commission authorized over $2 million in funding for the relocation of the county’s emergency dispatch center, which is set to move to the Sandoval County campus at 1500 Idalia Rd. The approval came as part of ongoing efforts to meet the tight July 1 deadline for the […]
Posted inPueblos
Building a Better Bernalillo
Town of Bernalillo officials hosted legislators on Dec. 4 at the Martha Liebert Public Library, spotlighting completed projects, plans, and key legislative and policy requests. Top priorities included funding for police recruitment and retention and water infrastructure. At the breakfast, Mayor Jack Torres outlined the town’s achievements and priorities for legislative support to State Reps. […]
Posted inUncategorized
Listening, Healing and Supporting
Sheila Malmo, the first chaplain of the Bernalillo Fire Department, offers spiritual and emotional support to first responders in Sandoval County, helping those who dedicate themselves to ensuring the safety and well-being of the community. Malmo, who also serves as chaplain for Sandoval County and Rio Rancho Fire and Rescue Departments, points out that her […]