Amid ongoing criticism of the facility’s conditions, Mayor Tim Keller and city officials showed off new renovations at the Westside Emergency Housing Center (WEHC) on Thursday and used the occasion to rebrand it — Gateway West. The upgrades are welcome news for the city, as the sprawling homeless shelter had been a target of substantial […]
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Posted inCongress & Federal Gov.
Domenici needs to show she’s from here
Let’s not talk about race. It might upset the children. That’s the rule in Florida, at least, or so we interpret from the way it’s been reported. It means they don’t want to upset the white children. It’s not clear whether they consider the black children. This was Florida’s response to something called critical race […]
Posted inNew Mexico Statewide News
Free federal tax filing to be available to New Mexicans in 2025
The New Mexico Taxation and Revenue Department announced Thursday it is working with the Internal Revenue Service to launch the IRS Direct File program in New Mexico in time for the 2025 tax season. The program allows taxpayers to file their federal tax returns for free directly with the IRS. “We’re excited to start working […]
Posted inCourts, Justice & Safety, Westside Albuquerque
Tan Pants Bandit Arrested
A man dubbed the “Tan Pants Bandit” has been arrested by the FBI. On Aug. 1, the FBI confirmed Joaquin Ricardo Molinar, who earned the moniker for wearing tan pants while allegedly robbing six banks in Albuquerque and Rio Rancho, was arrested. The Tan Pants Bandit — also known at one time as the grey […]
Posted inHousing & Homelessness, Uncategorized, Westside Albuquerque
Beauty Remains
Heading east from Albuquerque on I-40 through the Tijeras Canyon, then turning south through the Estancia Basin to the Salinas Pueblo Missions National Monument leads to one of the most gorgeous drives in New Mexico. The Abó site — the remains of a large pueblo and a Spanish Franciscan mission — is a quick stop […]
Posted inEdgewood, Housing & Homelessness, Pueblos, Uncategorized, Westside Albuquerque
King Farms in Moriarty On the Auction Block
Editor’s Note: This story has been corrected to say that Gary King was not the former governor of New Mexico. It has also been corrected to state that the auction will take place on Thursday, Aug. 29. The King Farms, properties covering more than 5,700 acres in Santa Fe County, are for sale. The properties, […]
Posted inCongress & Federal Gov.
Cold food, cold coffee: senior care facilities can do better
Two recent studies of New Mexico’s senior care facilities ring alarm bells. In June the news organization ProPublica published a report that ranked New Mexico nursing homes fifth in serious deficiencies (Texas was first!); in the last three years, 28 of 68 homes had at least one deficiency causing “immediate jeopardy.” And recently the state […]
Posted inCongress & Federal Gov., New Mexico State Gov.
NM kids could get hundreds of thousands if trust fund pilot program takes off
Leslie Moreno-Roacho didn’t go to college. She wanted to study nursing, but her family’s finances meant that goal stayed out of reach. Her 1-year-old son, Zaiden, could have a better chance of making it into higher education. Zaiden is one of the first 15 children selected for Baby Bonds, a new initiative aimed at giving […]
Posted inNew Mexico Statewide News, Pueblos
First polling of reset race puts NM back in Harris column; Heinrich maintains lead
In the final days of his position at the top of the Democratic presidential ticket, President Joe Biden insisted he would remain unless polling showed “there’s no way you can win.” Those polls eventually did show a narrow — if not impossible — path for Biden. By late July, he relented and opened the door […]
Posted inCongress & Federal Gov., Housing & Homelessness
Are more taxes the answer to homelessness?
If you’ve watched a presidential debate or engaged in just about any topic on social media, this event won’t feel familiar — it’s designed to be highly-structured and civilized. The topic is Albuquerque’s unhoused, specifically: Are additional tax dollars needed to provide housing for those experiencing homelessness? The national nonprofit Braver Angels is hosting the […]