Proposed legislation crafted to help house and care for thousands of New Mexicans with serious mental illness, substance use disorders and/or brain injuries is scheduled to face its first test in Santa Fe this week when it appears before its first committee. Advocates say the idea will help a population in crisis โ which includes […]
Housing & Homelessness
Commentary: Lawmakerโs Proposal Would Chip Away at Public-Records Access
This commentary was submitted by Heath Haussamen, and was originally published atย haussamen.com. Disclosure: State Rep. Sarah Silva, D-Las Cruces, who is mentioned in this column, is my spouse. Hereโs a good way to alienate the people our government is supposed to serve: Call them bothersome, or even malicious, and cut off their access to information […]
Bill Aims to Stop Libraries from Banning Books Based on Politics, Ideology
By Nicole Maxwell A bill aimed at protecting public libraries from politically charged book ban attempts is making its way through the Roundhouse. HB 27, the Librarian Protection Act, sponsored by Rep. Kathleen Cates, D-Rio Rancho, seeks to prohibit public libraries from getting state funding unless they adopt a policy prohibiting the removal of books […]
Bill Seeks Funding for Economic Development in the Lower Estancia Valley
By Hannah Grover State legislators are seeking funds for state officials to contract with an entity that can help promote economic development in the Lower Estancia Valley. SB 183 would provide $100,000 to the Economic Development Department to contract with an economic development organization in the region. The bill is sponsored by Sen. Liz Stefanics, […]
Sandoval County Wildfire Plan Aims to Build Resilient Communities
By Jesse Jones Fire ecologist and watershed scientist Cody Stropki of SWCA Environmental Consultants, the County’s consultant and lead planner, presented an update on Sandoval Countyโs Community Wildfire Protection Plan to the Sandoval County Commission at its Jan. 26 board meeting. Stropki said the plan is a community-driven project that will assess wildfire risks in […]
Partnership eyes cottage development in International District
To the extent that Albuquerque greatly needs a wide range of new housing to meet demands across a spectrum โ small-to-large, low income-to-market rate โ a proposed cottage development in the International District could fit the bill as well as any. The location and target tenant is intentional โ the International District is one of […]
Partnership eyes cottage development in International District
To the extent that Albuquerque greatly needs a wide range of new housing to meet demands across a spectrum โ small-to-large, low income-to-market rate โ a proposed cottage development in the International District could fit the bill as well as any. The location and target tenant is intentional โ the International District is one of […]
SOMA Coffee House Brings Fresh Brews and Community Vibes to Placitas
By Jesse Jones The aroma of freshly brewed coffee will soon fill the air in Placitas with the opening of SOMA Coffee House. The locally owned cafรฉ aims to provide residents with a welcoming space to unwind, enjoy freshly roasted coffee and savor homemade pastries. SOMA Coffee House is located in the Homestead Village shopping […]
DOJ Announces Indictment in Massive Marijuana Cultivation Scheme
By Kevin Hendricks The United States Department of Justice announced Thursday afternoon that a federal grand jury indicted three individuals for their alleged roles in a large-scale marijuana cultivation and distribution operation on Navajo Nation lands. The indictment, unsealed Thursday, charges Dineh Benally, 48, his father, Donald Benally, 74, and Irving Rea Yui Lin, 73, […]
County Commission looking to create housing development division
Bernalillo County Commissioners have had housing on their minds for a while, and they took another step Tuesday evening toward resolving an issue they say is of critical importance. The board passed a resolution directing County Manager Cindy Chavez to research what funding sources, staffing and professional services would be needed to create a โhousing […]


