A couple of weeks ago, my column talked about the kickoff meeting of the 2025 New Mexico Redistricting Task Force. I got some criticism – at home and online. I stood my stubborn ground that letting lawmakers draw maps to choose their voters is simply wrong. Since that column was posted, the Redistricting Task Force […]
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Posted inHousing & Homelessness, Pueblos
New Mexico reports first human plague case of 2025
The New Mexico Department of Health (NMDOH) announced Monday the state’s first human case of plague for 2025, involving a 43-year-old man from Valencia County. The man, who has been discharged from the hospital, recently camped in Rio Arriba County, where health officials believe he was exposed to the disease. Plague is endemic among wildlife […]
Posted inEnvironment, Conservation & Climate, Westside Albuquerque
Flood advisory issued for Bernalillo and Torrance counties
The National Weather Service has issued a Flood Advisory effective until 6 p.m. Monday for portions of central New Mexico, specifically Bernalillo and northwestern Torrance counties. The advisory warns of arroyo and small stream flooding caused by excessive rainfall. As of 3:57 p.m., Doppler radar indicated heavy rain from thunderstorms, with 0.5 to 1 inch […]
Posted inCourts, Justice & Safety
Wrongful-death lawsuits: NM prison covered up deaths, allowed drugs to cu
Two new wrongful-death lawsuits accuse a New Mexico prison of systemic problems, including covering up evidence surrounding prisoner deaths, allowing drugs to circulate in the prison and even denying urgent medical care. The prison is owned and operated by Tennessee corporation CoreCivic, one of the largest private prison corporations in the U.S. with dozens of […]
Posted inLocal Government, Town of Bernalillo
Bernalillo planners reject methadone clinic proposal
A methadone clinic in downtown Bernalillo seems less likely after planning and zoning commissioners declined to grant a permit for the project. Mayor Jack Torres told the Sandoval Signpost the Town Council will only look at the matter if the applicant, Maximum Vitality, appeals the planning and zoning commission’s decision. Commissioners rejected the application for […]
Posted inLocal Government, Town of Bernalillo
Town Council business could be brief
The Bernalillo Town Council concluded its business in about 10 minutes at its Aug. 11 meeting. This week’s meeting could be of similar duration, with mostly housekeeping items on the agenda. Councilors will consider approving $428,970 in budget adjustments and whether to appoint Oliver E. Romero to a second term on the planning and zoning […]
Posted inEdgewood
Edgewood to vote on rezoning residential parcels for water utility use
By Connor Currier Edgewood’s Town Commission will consider a proposed special zoning ordinance that could build more utilities. On Aug. 26, Edgewood will hold a Town Commission Meeting starting at 6 p.m., which will be subsequently followed up by a quasi-judicial hearing on a zoning proposal. The water utility company EPCOR has asked for rezoning […]
Posted inCourts, Justice & Safety
Equal Employment commission seeks court order to compel school district’s testimony in bias probe
The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission filed a federal court action Friday to enforce subpoenas against Gallup-McKinley County Schools, alleging the New Mexico district has refused to cooperate with an investigation into claims of discriminatory hiring practices against Native Americans. The EEOC said it issued two administrative subpoenas seeking testimony from high-level school administrators as […]
Posted inCongress & Federal Gov., Pueblos
Vasquez leads new immigration and border plan by House Democrats
House Democrats on Monday unveiled a comprehensive immigration and border security framework aimed at breaking years of partisan gridlock on one of the nation’s most contentious political issues. The New Democrat Coalition Immigration & Border Security Working Group, led by Rep. Gabe Vasquez of New Mexico, released what it calls the “New Dem Immigration & […]
Posted inPueblos
Candidates prepare for Tuesday’s filing day in New Mexico local elections
Prospective candidates across New Mexico must file their declarations of candidacy for the state’s 2025 Regular Local Election on Tuesday. Secretary of State Maggie Toulouse Oliver announced that candidates must file their Declaration of Candidacy between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 26, at their respective county clerk’s offices. The filing window applies […]