Posted inJobs, Workers & Economy

 ‘We Want to Keep it Small But Help It Grow’

The new Bernalillo development coordinator wants to help people’s construction projects become reality, as the town continues to grow.  Martin Martinez aids residents in project construction by simplifying the permitting process and ensuring regulatory compliance for a smoother process. “I always wanted to make a difference and help people, that’s my ultimate goal, to make […]

Posted inEast Mountains, Local Gov., Uncategorized

NMDOJ Investigates Complaints About County Commissioners

The New Mexico Department of Justice (NMDOJ) is investigating claims that some members of the Bernalillo County Commission have violated meeting rules.  In a letter dated April 24, and addressed to County Manager Julie Morgas Baca and Attorney Ken Martinez, the NMDOJ said, “Based on the materials reviewed, there are indications that deliberations on public […]

Posted inBernalillo County, Courts, Justice & Safety, Local Gov.

BCSO arrests ‘Al Capone’ of retail theft

A man who sheriff’s deputies say was at the center of Albuquerque’s largest organized retail crime operation was arrested earlier this month.  Raul Fernando Garcia, 42 — dubbed the “Al Capone” of retail theft by the Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office — was arrested on April 15. He is facing multiple charges including organized retail crime, […]

City investigated for undisclosed special ‘payouts’ to top officials who resigned

Exclusive in City Desk ABQ High-level city officials have been awarded thousands of dollars in extra compensation after announcing their resignations thanks to a special, and mostly unknown, leave program, City Desk ABQ has learned.  The most high-profile recipient of the “special leave” was Sarita Nair, Mayor Tim Keller’s top aide and the city’s chief […]

Posted inJobs, Workers & Economy, New Mexico Statewide News, Syndicated

Exxon Mobil deal with Pioneer gets FTC nod, but former Pioneer CEO Scott Sheffield barred from board

WASHINGTON (AP) — Exxon Mobil’s $60 billion deal to buy Pioneer Natural Resources on Thursday received clearance from the Federal Trade Commission, but the former CEO of Pioneer was barred from joining the new company’s board of directors. The FTC said Thursday that Scott Sheffield, who founded Pioneer in 1997, colluded with OPEC and OPEC+ to potentially […]

Posted inEducation, National News, Syndicated

Biden says ‘order must prevail’ during campus protests over the war in Gaza

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden on Thursday defended the right to protest but insisted that “order must prevail” as college campuses across the country face unrest over the war in Gaza. “Dissent is essential for democracy,” he said at the White House. “But dissent must never lead to disorder.” Tensions have been building for […]

Posted inAlbuquerque, Education

ACLU-NM speaks out against UNM campus protest arrests

The American Civil Liberties Union of New Mexico is investigating this week’s arrest of university students who were protesting the Israel-Hamas war.  “Students have the constitutional right to peacefully protest, speak, and express their opinion,” said Peter Simonson, executive director for ACLU-NM in an emailed statement. “The New Mexico Constitution extends even greater protections in […]

Posted inBernalillo County, Courts, Justice & Safety, Local Gov.

Lawsuit alleges woman overdosed in jail while guard watched YouTube, played games

The mother of a woman who died of a drug overdose at the Metropolitan Detention Center filed a lawsuit against Bernalillo County last week alleging a corrections officer failed to complete required checks and also broke the jail’s computer use policy by watching videos and playing games during his shift.  “This case is about MDC […]