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

‘There was no real security.’ Witness describes scene at convention center graduation shooting 

A mother is recovering after being shot by her stepson during a graduation ceremony for Southwest Secondary Learning Center, at the Albuquerque Convention Center, on Wednesday, according to court documents.  Cristian Joshua Bencomo, 21, was taken into custody directly following the incident and is charged with aggravated battery of a household member, use of a […]

Posted inCongress & Federal Gov., Housing & Homelessness

International District has become an urban ‘pharmacy desert’

Not that long ago there were three large commercial pharmacies located within the boundaries of Albuquerque’s International District — Walmart, CVS and Walgreens — including a small independent one, Phil’s Pills. Today, only Phil’s Pills remains. The effect for residents seeking to fill prescriptions has become a problem with potentially dire consequences. “For some folks, […]

Posted inCongress & Federal Gov., New Mexico Statewide News

Heinrich introduces bill to help teachers afford houses

Decrying the near-impossibility of homeownership for many educators, two Democratic members of Congress have introduced legislation designed to help bring that goal within reach. U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich announced the bill Monday during a meeting with educators in Albuquerque. U.S. Rep. Eric Swalwell of California has introduced companion legislation in the House of Representatives. The […]

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

Woman shot, injured inside convention center

A woman was shot and seriously injured inside the Albuquerque Convention Center Wednesday evening while a gradutation ceremony was taking place. It was not immediately clear if the victim or suspect were involved in the graduation ceremony, which police say was for the Southwest Secondary Learning Center charter school. The suspect has been taken into […]

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

Another officer — the 9th — put on leave amidst internal investigation of DWI unit

The Albuquerque Police Department has expanded its internal investigation into corruption in the DWI unit to yet another officer — bringing the total to nine. Matthew Trahan was put on leave Wednesday, APD spokesperson Gilbert Gallegos confirmed. He said Trahan was hired in 2006 and served in the DWI unit from 2014 to 2016. Of […]

Heading Home will no longer run Westside shelter; city hasn’t found new operator

The embattled Westside Emergency Housing Center (WEHC) took another hit this month after the city was unable to find an operator to run it starting July 1. Two organizations applied for a $4.1 million annual contract, but officials said their proposals were “unsatisfactory, incomplete and ineligible.” Operator Albuquerque Heading Home, whose current three-year contract expires […]

A Westside roundabout is on the way

Get ready to go round and round at one Westside intersection Albuquerque city workers will begin installing a roundabout at Tierra Pintada Boulevard and Mirehaven Parkway in the Tierra Oeste neighborhood on the city’s far Westside. Construction is expected to last through the rest of the year. “This is a major project that will bring […]

Posted inCongress & Federal Gov., New Mexico Statewide News, Westside Albuquerque

Lujan Grisham and other Western governors call on Congress to expand compensation for downwinders

This story is republished from Utah News Dispatch as a part of our commitment to bringing you the best in independent news coverage that matters to Albuquerque. BY KYLE DUNPHEY / UTAH NEWS DISPATCH A letter signed by New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham is garnering more support from several other Western governors calling on Congress […]