A hearing in the civil court case over a change in the mandatory school calendar is set for Sept. 30 in Roswell. In March, the New Mexico School Superintendents Association and dozens of rural school districts sued the New Mexico Public Education Department (PED) over its mandate that every school calendar contain at least 180 […]
Congress & Federal Gov.
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Businesses impacted by vandalism line up for city grant money
Almost two dozen businesses around Albuquerque have applied for a grant program the city launched two weeks ago aimed at helping small businesses that have been vandalized. The Albuquerque Police Department and the city Economic Development Department’s Small Business Office on Sept. 3 initiated a $200,000 “Window to Opportunity” grant to help offset the costs […]
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New life comes to shuttered North Fourth Art Center
After months of negotiations, the Albuquerque Sign Language Academy (ASLA) has finalized a three-year lease agreement with the city to expand into the former North Fourth Art Center. The city-owned space, located at 4904 4th St. NW, has been shuttered since January. A $1,000-a-month lease had the support of Mayor Tim Keller and was recently […]
Posted inCongress & Federal Gov., New Mexico Statewide News, Westside Albuquerque
The politics of immigration play differently along the US-Mexico border
By Morgan Lee, Associated Press SUNLAND PARK, N.M. (AP) — The politics of immigration look different from the back patio of Ardovino’s Desert Crossing restaurant. That’s where Robert Ardovino sees a Border Patrol horse trailer rumbling across his property on a sweltering summer morning. It’s where a surveillance helicopter traces a line in the sky, […]
Posted inCongress & Federal Gov., Courts, Justice & Safety, Local Gov., New Mexico Statewide News
Positive STD test lead to investigation of now incarcerated MDC guard
The investigation into an alleged relationship between a Metropolitan Detention Center (MDC) corrections officer and an inmate started after the inmate tested positive for a sexually transmitted infection, according to a criminal complaint. The officer, Chevonne Culbreath, was arrested Tuesday after she was accused of having a relationship with an inmate and attempting to bring […]
Posted inCongress & Federal Gov., Housing & Homelessness, New Mexico Statewide News
Advocates denounce ‘criminalization’ of city’s unhoused population
Two consistent issues of concern among city officials, residents and business owners in Albuquerque are crime and homelessness. But conflating the two is a mistake and leads to the baseless stigmatization and criminalization of the unhoused, say advocates for those living on the streets and in shelters. Dozens of advocates and activists gathered at Robinson […]
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 told City Desk ABQ 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. […]
Posted inCongress & Federal Gov., Courts, Justice & Safety, Local Gov., New Mexico Statewide News
MDC officer arrested after alleged relationship with inmate
A Metropolitan Detention Center (MDC) corrections officer found herself behind bars after she was accused of having a relationship with an inmate. According to a Bernalillo County news release, MDC officials found out about the allegations Tuesday and reported them to the Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office (BCSO). The officer, Chevonne Culbreath — a probationary employee […]
Posted inCongress & Federal Gov., New Mexico Statewide News
APS: Information sharing led to campus gun seizure
School officials say efforts to get students to report suspicious activity were instrumental in recovering two firearms at Volcano Vista High School this week. A junior at the school faces felony charges after the weapons were reportedly found in his backpack and vehicle Tuesday. Another person on campus reported behavior that led school staff to […]
Posted inCongress & Federal Gov., Housing & Homelessness, New Mexico Statewide News
City, Human Rights Board clash on homelessness
A rift formed this summer between the city and its Human Rights Board over an analysis of the state of those experiencing homelessness in Albuquerque.The result is that a final report to be issued to the city won’t be submitted. Even though the all-volunteer board has no legal jurisdiction, it is empowered by city ordinance […]