Photos: Advocates rally against changes to immigrant friendly policy

Chants of “immigrant workers, Burque strong,” could be heard on the corner of 5th Street and Marquette Avenue Monday afternoon, as a group opposing a proposed amendment to the city’s immigrant friendly policy gathered ahead of the City Council meeting. City Councilors are scheduled to vote on the proposal at their meeting tonight. If passed […]

Former San Mateo Inn to be shelter for young adults

The city’s Westside Emergency Housing Center (WEHC) is considered a necessary but harsh shelter for the hundreds of residents who stay there, and its distant location from city services has long been a criticism. The former jail facility has been described as “deplorable” and “scary.” Even though physical improvements are in progress, the WEHC isn’t […]

Posted inNew Mexico Statewide News, Westside Albuquerque

Biden prepares a tough executive order that would shut down asylum after 2,500 migrants arrive a day

The White House is telling lawmakers that President Joe Biden is preparing to sign off on an executive order that would shut down asylum requests to the U.S.-Mexico border once the number of daily encounters hits 2,500 between ports of entry, with the border reopening once that number declines to 1,500, according to several people familiar with […]

Posted inJobs, Workers & Economy, New Mexico Statewide News, Westside Albuquerque

Need a pharmacy? These states and neighborhoods have less access

Opening stores used to mean everything to pharmacy chains. CVS Health once boasted of opening or buying more than 2,900 locations in a five-year period. Now it’s shuttering hundreds, while Walgreens, Rite Aid and independent drugstores also pull back. An industry that saw waves of store growth before the COVID-19 pandemic faces headwinds like falling prescription reimbursement, persistent […]

Posted inNew Mexico Statewide News, Pueblos, Uncategorized, Westside Albuquerque

100 years ago, US citizenship for Native Americans came without voting rights in swing states

SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — Voter participation advocate Theresa Pasqual traverses the tribal community of Acoma Pueblo with a stack of sample ballots in her car and applications for absentee ballots, handing them out at every opportunity ahead of New Mexico’s June 4 primary. Residents of the pueblo’s original mesa-top “sky city” that endured after […]

Posted inJobs, Workers & Economy, Westside Albuquerque

Ambulance services for some in New Mexico will rise after state regulators approve rate increase

SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — Ambulance rates will rise for some in New Mexico, particularly those without health insurance after state regulators approved a rate hike for a Presbyterian-affiliated nonprofit ambulance company. The Santa Fe New Mexican reported that Albuquerque Ambulance Service cited rising labor costs and inflation when it applied for the rate increase that resulted […]

Posted inCongress & Federal Gov.

Letter to the Editor: Charter changes could allow a minority party to “game the election system”

This letter is provided as opinion/commentary from the author. You can submit your own: editor@citydesk.org Prior to 2013, Albuquerque had an election system that allowed a minority of voters to elect a candidate even if a strong majority of voters wanted someone else. In most elections, like for state legislature or governor or county commission, there […]

Posted inJobs, Workers & Economy, New Mexico Statewide News, Westside Albuquerque

PRC approves PNM battery, solar projects

This story is republished from NM Political Report, a nonprofit news outlet, as a part of our commitment to bringing you the best in independent news coverage that matters to Albuquerque. By Hannah Grover / NM Political Report State regulators moved forward with approving the Public Service Company of New Mexico’s application for new solar and […]

What to expect: City councilors to debate charter changes and immigrant friendly policy

Proposals to change the city charter and the immigrant friendly policy will dominate the agenda for the Albuquerque City Council meeting on Monday.  Councilor Tammy Fiebelkorn told City Desk ABQ the meeting would “quite possibly be the worst council meeting on the planet,” and will be “a long one.”  HOW TO PARTICIPATE: WHEN: 5 p.m. […]