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

Prosecutors charge a South Carolina man with carjacking and the killing of a New Mexico officer

Susan Montoya Bryan/Associated Press ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — A South Carolina man has been charged with two federal counts stemming from the killing of a New Mexico state police officer, federal and state prosecutors announced Friday. An unsealed criminal complaint charges Jaremy Smith, 33, with two counts: carjacking resulting in death and discharge of a firearm […]

Posted inNew Mexico Statewide News, Westside Albuquerque

Public comment still sought on proposed NM Gas Company rate increase

Austin Fisher/Source NM New Mexico’s largest natural gas provider wants to raise prices for the more than 540,000 people who rely on its service to heat their homes or businesses. Thursday, the Public Regulation Commission opened its meeting for public comment on the New Mexico Gas Company’s proposal to increase the cost of its gas service. It […]

Posted inCongress & Federal Gov.

The Opinions of Political Candidates

Possibly my favorite thing about writing this column is interacting with readers. That goes for the critical comments as well as the positive. I try to reply as my day job and bourbon consumption allow. (Here’s a tip: if you want to criticize me, please make it conversational. Screeds that just focus on calling me […]

Posted inEdgewood, Housing & Homelessness, Uncategorized, Westside Albuquerque

Advocates Claim Inhumane Conditions at Detention Center

At the March 13 meeting of the Torrance County Commissioners, business was as usual until public comment began. During public comment, representatives from the Immigration Law Lab and the New Mexico Immigrant Law Center discussed alleged conditions at the Torrance County Detention Facility. Aurora Arreola, the Policy Program Manager for the New Mexico Immigrant Law […]

Posted inCongress & Federal Gov.

Nine Stealth City Elections

Nine municipal governments around New Mexico held local elections a couple of weeks ago. If you didn’t know anything about this, you’re in good company.  For these municipalities, according to the Secretary of State, there were a total of 122,035 eligible voters. Of those, 9,785 voted. That is 8.02%. In the off-year consolidated local elections […]

Posted inCongress & Federal Gov.

Trail Mix: Winter Escape to the Jemez

Winter is always a treat in New Mexico, especially with a highly prolific El Nino season. Powder was in abundance and the smell of pinon burning punctuated the night. But, the sweetness of spring is always on the horizon. With longer and warmer days it’s difficult not to daydream of escaping into the mountains for […]

Posted inNew Mexico Statewide News, Westside Albuquerque

Proposal to Shake Up Library Board Gets Postponed

The Sandoval County Commission voted to table a proposed county library board ordinance that would have redistributed board members and money around the county.  In fact, at the County Commission meeting on March 13, the commissioners voted to postpone the creation of a Sandoval County Library Board indefinitely.  Librarians, community leaders and residents from around […]