In 2022, Mayor Tim Keller announced his goal to have 5,000 housing units across the city by 2025 to help with the city’s affordable “housing crisis.” So far 165 affordable units have been built and the next fiscal year’s budget includes funding for 195 housing units — still far short of the goal. Katie Simon, […]
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Posted inCourts & Justice, Federal Government & Congress
Whistleblowers outline allegations of nepotism and retaliation within Albuquerque’s police academy
By SUSAN MONTOYA BRYAN Associated Press Several members of the Albuquerque police academy’s training staff who were dismissed from their duties last summer filed a lawsuit Wednesday outlining allegations of nepotism and retaliation by leadership within the force. The whistleblower complaint centers on a requirement that male cadets shave their heads with a razor daily. […]
Posted inFederal Government & Congress
Albuquerque Public Schools dropout rate rises
More students have dropped out of Albuquerque Public Schools this year than last. Associate Superintendent Mark Garcia said the dropout rate for the first semester of this school year is up to 1.8%, compared to 1.5% for the same time last year. He said APS is projecting the full-year rate to be 5.2%, versus 4.2% […]
Posted inFederal Government & Congress, Housing & Homelessness, Local Government
City survey shows residents concerned about direction city is headed
Albuquerque residents say they’re concerned about the city’s direction, and although many feel that city leaders have put forth good ideas on how to address those issues, 61% of residents polled feel the city is unresponsive to their concerns. That’s the gist of the city’s annual survey, released Tuesday. When asked how they feel about […]
Posted inCourts & Justice, Federal Government & Congress
Mayor’s proposed budget includes 5% more funding for police
Under the mayor’s proposed budget, funding for the Albuquerque Police Department would increase by $13.4 million — 5.2%. The proposed budget of $271.5 million includes funding for 1,000 sworn police officers and 725 civilian employees. Much of the proposed increase has to do with personnel, including cost of living adjustments, an increased cost of insurance, […]
Posted inCourts & Justice, New Mexico Statewide News
MLG Announces Special Legislative Session to Focus on Public Safety
Associated Press / SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) New Mexico’s Democratic governor on Wednesday announced a mid-summer special legislative session on public safety after many crime initiatives languished. In an emailed statement, Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham said she’ll call legislators back to Santa Fe on July 18 “to finish what they started during the 30-day legislative […]
Posted inFederal Government & Congress, Local Government
Family summer plans get more expensive under mayor’s budget
Summer plans are about to get more expensive with Mayor Tim Keller’s proposed budget seeking more money from golfers, swimmers and animal lovers. The mayor’s proposed budget is $23.7 million higher than last year’s budget of $1.37 billion. Almost $2 million of that will come from proposed fee hikes on some of the city’s most […]
Posted inFederal Government & Congress, Housing & Homelessness, Local Government
Councilors hear pleas for ceasefire
City Councilors made some changes to how the city will handle the administrative side of all the grants that it processes. But it was pleas for a resolution calling for an immediate Israeli ceasefire in Palestine that dominated public comment at the April 15 Albuquerque City Council meeting. Read about how city councilors decided to […]
Posted inCourts & Justice, New Mexico Statewide News
Suspect arrested after allegedly killing a man at a northern New Mexico rest stop, stealing cars
RATON, N.M. (AP) — A suspect has been arrested after allegedly killing a man at a northern New Mexico rest area, stealing a vehicle at knifepoint and leading state police on a car chase, authorities said Tuesday. Police said 21-year-old Dorien Ray was arrested Monday on suspicion of numerous charges including first-degree murder, armed robbery […]
Posted inFederal Government & Congress, Housing & Homelessness, Local Government
City plans to install 50 pallet homes at former MVD site
In a close vote, the Albuquerque City Council agreed to allocate about a fifth of the opioid settlement funds the city has received so far toward developing a transitional recovery housing campus featuring pallet homes. The $5 million allocation passed in a 5-4 vote at an April 15 meeting. Councilors Joaquín Baca, Klarissa Peña, Brook […]