Posted inNew Mexico Statewide News, Westside Albuquerque

WQCC commissioner will abstain from final produced water rule vote

By Danielle Prokop, Source New Mexico A New Mexico water board member with ties to the oil and gas industry announced Monday she will abstain from a final vote on statewide rules developing additional uses of oil and gas wastewater. The Water Quality Control Commission (WQCC), an oft-overlooked body of 13 members tasked with shaping […]

E-bikes on trails, scooter rentals get city council’s approval

Albuquerque residents will soon be able to ride e-bikes on Open Space trails and may eventually see electric rental scooters around town thanks to two different pieces of legislation passed by City Council.  The legislation will still need to be signed into law by Mayor Tim Keller.  After a month-long summer break, city councilors spent […]

Posted inNew Mexico State Gov., New Mexico Statewide News

Local LGBTQ community eyes restrictions in other states, prepares for upcoming election

It had been 20 years since New Mexico’s LGBTQ+ community met for a statewide summit to discuss political strategy, advocacy work and to forge relationships. That changed this past weekend.  About 150 people attended a sold-out summit Aug. 1 to Aug. 3 at the Ramada Plaza, which was organized by Equality New Mexico (EQNM), Planned […]

City beefs up bus security

The Albuquerque Transit Department has announced a new campaign to improve safety aboard buses and at stops. The effort will include ABQ RIDE personnel, the Albuquerque Police Department, the Metro Security Division and contracted security. The safety initiative includes: “This elevated security presence is proactively helping us curb incidents at bus stops and shelters that […]

Posted inNew Mexico Statewide News, Westside Albuquerque

FEMA reaches $1 billion in payouts, settles seven lawsuits for northern NM fire victims

By Patrick Lohmann, Source New Mexico The federal agency tasked with distributing nearly $4 billion to victims of the Hermits Peak-Calf Canyon Fire announced a milestone last week: $1 billion in compensation paid for the April 2022 fire. The Hermits Peak-Calf Canyon Claims Office also recently settled seven lawsuits with several law firms representing thousands […]

Posted inCongress & Federal Gov., Courts, Justice & Safety

2 brothers, sister dead in suspected murder-suicide

Albuquerque Police Department homicide detectives are investigating what they suspect is a murder-suicide in which a 22-year-old man killed his brother and sister before shooting himself in Southeast Albuquerque over the weekend.  Sunday night, police were called to the 100 block of Pennsylvania Street, near Zuni SE, for reports that three people were “unresponsive” inside […]

One electric scooter company wants ABQ to go ‘Lime’ green

As Albuquerque city councilors prepare to debate at their Aug. 5 meeting a proposal that would lower charges for scooter and bike rental companies — one has expressed interest in operating in Albuquerque.  City Councilor Tammy Fiebelkorn introduced the proposal because she wants to  make the city more accessible but said the fees the city […]