A critically endangered Sumatran orangutan died Tuesday at the ABQ BioPark after suffering cardiac arrest during treatment for a sudden illness, just two months after arriving at the city-owned facility that welcomes more than 1.5 million visitors annually. Elok, a 24-year-old male, showed signs of gastrointestinal distress Tuesday morning when animal care staff arrived, according […]
Bernalillo County
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NMED fines Utility Block Co. $41K for safety lapses
The New Mexico Environment Department (NMED) recently cited an Albuquerque-based concrete masonry manufacturer for multiple serious workplace safety violations that exposed employees to potential injury or worse. According to state records, Utility Block Company Inc. was fined a total of $41,384 for the violations by NMED’s Occupational Health and Safety Bureau (OHSB). In December 2024, […]
Posted inFood
Local businesses team up to support New Mexicans with disabilities through beer campaign
New Mexico families facing decade-long waits for state disability services are getting help this month through an unusual partnership between two popular local businesses and a South Valley nonprofit. Steel Bender Brewyard and M’tucci’s Restaurants are donating 100% of proceeds from sales of Policy IPA throughout July to benefit Mandy’s Farm, an Albuquerque organization serving […]
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Albuquerque research facility found monkey alive in body bag after botched euthanasia
A major Albuquerque research facility that employs more than 500 people has been cited by federal inspectors for two critical violations of the Animal Welfare Act, including an incident where a monkey was found alive in a plastic bag in a refrigerator after a botched euthanasia procedure. The U.S. Department of Agriculture cited Lovelace Biomedical […]
Posted inCourts, Justice & Safety
Albuquerque native and UFC Hall of Famer arrested on gun charges
Albuquerque native and UFC Hall of Fame fighter Diego Sanchez was arrested early Friday morning on gun-related charges after allegedly firing a weapon from a moving vehicle near a traffic crash on Interstate 40, according to court documents filed in Bernalillo County Metropolitan Court. Sanchez, 43, was booked at 12:01 a.m. Friday and charged with […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Route 66 Summerfest returns to Nob Hill Saturday with Grammy-winning headliner
Albuquerque’s historic Nob Hill will transform into a mile-long street party Saturday night as Route 66 Summerfest returns with Grammy-winning headliner Ozomatli and dozens of local acts. The free festival, running from 5 to 10 p.m. Saturday along Central Avenue between Girard Blvd. and Washington, kicks off Albuquerque’s two-year celebration of Route 66’s upcoming centennial. […]
Posted inEast Mountains
New welcome sign design unveiled for Sandia Park along Turquoise Trail
Sandia Park will soon have its own welcome signs after a local artist’s design featuring hummingbirds and mountain sunsets won a community contest, addressing residents’ concerns about being mislabeled as part of Edgewood along the popular Turquoise Trail. East Mountains resident Lauren Monet Bruss won the “Project Here’s Your Sign” contest organized by the East […]
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Tijeras company faces fines after shrapnel exposure incident
An engineering and manufacturing company based in Tijeras is facing more than $12,000 in state fines after a workplace safety inspection uncovered multiple safety violations that exposed workers to flying shrapnel and put them in danger of being caught in moving machine parts. According to records from the New Mexico Environment Department’s (NMED) Occupational Health […]
Posted inEast Mountains
An apple a day builds brighter futures: Homeschool ranch blends academics and outdoor learning
This back-to-school season, a ranch-style homeschooling program offers an alternative to traditional education. Apple Academy Homeschool, located in the East Mountains, blends traditional academics with hands-on ranch activities to create a new way of learning. Apple Academy was founded and is led by Allison Apple. “Our small program serves students from advanced Pre-K through 5th […]
Posted inEast Mountains
Mountainair Mayor offers updates ahead of upcoming Town Council meeting
Mayor Peter Nieto took to Facebook to share updates and clarification on two key topics ahead of Tuesday’s Town Council meeting: mosquito control efforts and a recent grant award for turf improvements. Nieto announced that mosquito spraying will not take place this summer due to high costs and poor timing. He said it is too […]