Councilor aims to curb inappropriate social media posts from official accounts

An Albuquerque city councilor is looking to enforce new social media rules for city employees after posts from the Albuquerque Police Department’s (APD) official social media account caught the council’s attention for the second time in as many years.  At a meeting Sept. 5, councilors confronted Mayor Tim Keller’s administration about posts one councilor called […]

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

Solomon Peña trial postponed following conflict between defendant and attorney

Jury selection in a high-profile criminal case was postponed Monday due to a conflict between defendant Solomon Peña and his attorney.  Trial had been set to begin Monday for the former Republican candidate, who is accused of coordinating a series of shootings nearly two years ago that targeted Democratic lawmakers.  Peña’s now-former attorney Elizabeth Honce […]

Posted inCongress & Federal Gov., Housing & Homelessness, Local Gov., New Mexico Statewide News

County commissioners to hear presentation on mobile hygiene units

Some Bernalillo County residents may take handwashing, showers and other personal hygiene actions for granted. But those without permanent or reliable housing don’t have as many opportunities to keep up with personal hygiene and therefore can be at risk for a variety of health issues. Some say the answer might be as simple as a […]

Posted inCongress & Federal Gov., Housing & Homelessness, New Mexico Statewide News

Debate on more tax dollars for the unhoused draws concerned citizens

Are more tax dollars needed to provide housing for those experiencing homelessness in Albuquerque? There were no simple solutions during a Saturday debate at the International District Library — and no shouting matches either — which was the point. The debate was the first for the North-Central New Mexico Alliance of the national nonprofit Braver […]

Posted inLocal Gov.

MDC leadership, labor union hopeful grant money will lead to new hires

As the Metropolitan Detention Center (MDC) struggles with less than 70% staffing, Bernalillo County commissioners this month accepted $3 million in grant funding to help the jail hire nearly two dozen corrections officers.  Commissioners accepted the grant from the New Mexico Department of Finance and Administration during their Sept. 10 meeting. The funding can be […]

Posted inCongress & Federal Gov.

Buy a piece of history

If you love historic hotels, and I do, it was a punch in the gut to read that the St. James Hotel in Cimarron has closed. The storied St. James not only has a big place in New Mexico history — punctuated by 26 bullet holes in the barroom ceiling — it’s a major employer […]

Posted inCongress & Federal Gov., Local Gov., Uncategorized

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 inCongress & Federal Gov.

A million here, a million there

Imagine this: You are a legislator in the state House of Representatives and are told that you have $2.5 million to distribute in your House district or $4.2 million in your Senate district. Wow! You would no doubt feel like Santa Claus. This is what happened in the 2024 legislative session and it’s what happens […]

Posted inCongress & Federal Gov., Local Gov., Uncategorized

Bernalillo County breaks ground on Los Vecinos Community Center

Bernalillo County broke ground Sept. 19 on the next phase of renovations at Los Vecinos Community Center in Tijeras.  According to a press release from the county, the event celebrated the start of several improvements, including a new multisport court, new playing fields, a new stage and other special events amenities, a new skate park, […]

Posted inLocal Gov.

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 said 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. Olivas said he’s been […]