On Jan. 28, 2023, a 53-year-old woman was staying at the Westside Emergency Housing Center with her husband when she died. According to an incident report, Gina Kirwin’s husband told staff that she was not breathing and when they went to check on her she was already cold to the touch. Kirwin’s husband told police […]
Congress & Federal Gov.
Posted inCongress & Federal Gov., Housing & Homelessness
How many homeless die in Albuquerque each year? It’s complicated.
Although it’s hard to get an exact count, advocates say more people experiencing homelessness are dying each year. Neil Greene, a fellow at the University of New Mexico’s Center on Alcohol, Substance Use, and Addictions and a scholar of homelessness, researched the issue for City Desk ABQ — using Office of the Medical Investigator records […]
Posted inCongress & Federal Gov.
Opinion: Parents, students have opportunity to help choose high school graduation requirements
Submitted by Mandi Torrez, educator With the governor’s signing of a new law updating the state’s high school curriculum, New Mexico families now have a prime opportunity to shape your local high school course requirements in a way that will reflect your community’s values while ensuring that your graduates are college and career ready. While […]
Posted inCongress & Federal Gov.
Politics Two Ways
Two New Mexico political groups are using opposite tactics to reach a common goal—elect Democrats. While the West Side Democrats in Albuquerque focuses on personal activism, Blue CD2 New Mexico uses data and remote messaging techniques to reach new voters. Both groups say their specific methods are helping win elections. The West Side group is […]
Posted inCongress & Federal Gov.
Is It Good PR, or Russian Propaganda?
You might have missed it. On April 7, the chairman of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, Mike Turner (R-Ohio) announced on two different Sunday news programs that members of his caucus were repeating Russian propaganda in their arguments against foreign aid for Ukraine. Just let that sink in for a minute. Turner said […]
Posted inCongress & Federal Gov., Pueblos
Judith Gordon Plays Piano With Friends
Pianist Judith Gordon explores diverse repertory with a wide range of solo artists and ensembles. At her upcoming April 21 Placitas Artists Series concert, she will play piano among five friends: Jesse Tatum, flute; David Felberg & Elizabeth Young, violins; Margot Schwartz, viola; and Felix Fan, cello. Gordon calls the presentation a “Sonic Kaleidoscope of […]
Posted inLocal Government
Commissioners accused of violating the Open Meetings Act
Did Bernalillo County Commissioners violate state law? The Foundation for Open Government (FOG) — an advocate for transparency in government — has asked the New Mexico Department of Justice to investigate whether the Bernalillo County Commission violated the Open Meetings Act by engaging in a rolling quorum before it met this week. A rolling quorum […]
Posted inCongress & Federal Gov., Courts, Justice & Safety
Biden admin will require thousands more gun dealers to run background checks on buyers
By ALANNA DURKIN RICHER and COLLEEN LONG Associated Press WASHINGTON (AP) — Thousands more firearms dealers across the United States will have to run background checks on buyers at gun shows or other places outside brick-and-mortar stores, according to a Biden administration rule that will soon go into effect. The rule aims to close a […]
Posted inCongress & Federal Gov., Courts, Justice & Safety, Local Government
Former corrections officer shot himself outside MDC on Tuesday
The man who shot himself outside of the Metropolitan Detention Center on Tuesday was a former corrections officer, according to a county spokesperson. He was taken to the University of New Mexico Hospital, where he later died. Candace Hopkins, a spokesperson for the county jail, said the man worked for MDC “for several different stints […]
Posted inCongress & Federal Gov., New Mexico Statewide News
Senator co-sponsors legislation to protect NM communities from “forever chemicals”
U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich announced today that he has co-sponsored new legislation called the Healthy H2O Act to protect New Mexico communities from dangerous contaminants like PFAS, also known as “forever chemicals.” This directly follows the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)’s announcement of the first-ever national, legally enforceable drinking water standard that will reduce Americans’ […]