Two consistent issues of concern among city officials, residents and business owners in Albuquerque are crime and homelessness. But conflating the two is a mistake and leads to the baseless stigmatization and criminalization of the unhoused, say advocates for those living on the streets and in shelters. Dozens of advocates and activists gathered at Robinson […]
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Posted inLocal Government
BernCo commissioner seeks pot parity
A Bernalillo County commissioner is looking to make things more fair for county employees who use cannabis outside work hours. Commissioner Eric Olivas told City Desk ABQ he plans to introduce legislation that would treat off-duty use of recreational cannabis in the same way as off-duty alcohol use. He called it a basic rights issue. […]
Posted inHousing & Homelessness
New Kid on The Block
Restaurants had a particularly rough time over the course of the COVID pandemic. One of the few elements of the food industry to weather that time well, however, was food trucks. Seems their micro-sized staffs, lack of enclosed dining spaces and ease of mobility made them the perfect food trend to survive that challenging (and […]
Posted inCongress & Federal Gov., Courts, Justice & Safety, Local Government, New Mexico Statewide News
MDC officer arrested after alleged relationship with inmate
A Metropolitan Detention Center (MDC) corrections officer found herself behind bars after she was accused of having a relationship with an inmate. According to a Bernalillo County news release, MDC officials found out about the allegations Tuesday and reported them to the Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office (BCSO). The officer, Chevonne Culbreath — a probationary employee […]
Posted inCongress & Federal Gov., New Mexico Statewide News
APS: Information sharing led to campus gun seizure
School officials say efforts to get students to report suspicious activity were instrumental in recovering two firearms at Volcano Vista High School this week. A junior at the school faces felony charges after the weapons were reportedly found in his backpack and vehicle Tuesday. Another person on campus reported behavior that led school staff to […]
Posted inNew Mexico Statewide News, Pueblos
Combating Political AI and Deepfakes
Secretary of state’s advertising campaign fights AI-driven election misinformation In preparation for the November election, Secretary of State Maggie Toulouse Oliver has launched a statewide campaign to educate voters on the risks of artificial intelligence and deepfakes in elections, aiming to raise awareness and safeguard the integrity of the electoral process. The campaign, which launched […]
Posted inCongress & Federal Gov., Housing & Homelessness, New Mexico Statewide News
City, Human Rights Board clash on homelessness
A rift formed this summer between the city and its Human Rights Board over an analysis of the state of those experiencing homelessness in Albuquerque.The result is that a final report to be issued to the city won’t be submitted. Even though the all-volunteer board has no legal jurisdiction, it is empowered by city ordinance […]
Posted inCongress & Federal Gov.
In New Mexico, straight ticket voting is a losing proposition
I find myself selecting the “Snooze for 30 days” option on social media more and more for my more strident connections as we get closer to the election and the anger from each side gets a little crazier. Democrats and Republicans alike are obsessed with cat-eating memes. J.D. Vance admits to “creating the story.” No […]
Posted inLocal Government
Are fluoride levels in ABQ’s water safe?
According to new research, extreme levels of fluoride in drinking water could be associated with lower IQ in children, but according to local water officials, Albuquerque and Bernalillo County’s fluoride levels are still safe for residents. In its “Monograph on the State of Science Concerning Fluoride Exposure and Neurodevelopment and Cognition,” the National Toxicology Program, […]
Posted inJobs, Workers & Economy, Westside Albuquerque
Sandoval County Amends Lease Agreement with Intel to Boost Economic Growth
Sandoval County Commissioners on Sept. 11 finalized an agreement that will allow continued multibillion-dollar investments in Intel’s Rio Rancho facility and local economic development through 2030. An initial amendment to a long-standing Industrial Revenue Bond agreement with Intel was approved at the Aug. 14 meeting. Afterward, it was sent to the county and Intel to […]