By MATTHEW DALY Associated Press WASHINGTON (AP) — Oil and gas companies will have to pay more to drill on federal lands and satisfy stronger requirements to clean up old or abandoned wells under a final rule issued Friday by the Biden administration. The Interior Department’s rule raises royalty rates for oil drilling by more […]
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Posted inFederal Government & Congress, Housing & Homelessness, Local Government
WHAT TO EXPECT: Council may debate spending $5M in opioid funding
City Councilors will debate whether to approve an expenditure of $5 million of opioid settlement dollars. According to the request, there is a lack of transitional recovery housing facilities in Albuquerque and these funds will allow Family and Community Services to coordinate the acquisition, renovation, or expansion of transitional recovery housing facilities. In other city […]
Posted inFederal Government & Congress, Housing & Homelessness
New $12.8M site opens for families experiencing homelessness
An Albuquerque nonprofit using an uncommon model that provides two years of housing, education and support to families experiencing homelessness has expanded to the Westside. Saranam’s objective is to stabilize and make independent what are most often single mothers with children who have endured domestic violence and other trauma. The program helps narrow a gap […]
Posted inFederal Government & Congress, Housing & Homelessness, Local Government
Deaths at the Westside shelter are increasing
On Jan. 28, 2023, a 53-year-old woman was staying at the Westside Emergency Housing Center with her husband when she died. According to an incident report, Gina Kirwin’s husband told staff that she was not breathing and when they went to check on her she was already cold to the touch. Kirwin’s husband told police […]
Posted inFederal Government & Congress, Housing & Homelessness
How many homeless die in Albuquerque each year? It’s complicated.
Although it’s hard to get an exact count, advocates say more people experiencing homelessness are dying each year. Neil Greene, a fellow at the University of New Mexico’s Center on Alcohol, Substance Use, and Addictions and a scholar of homelessness, researched the issue for City Desk ABQ — using Office of the Medical Investigator records […]
Posted inStatewide News
Studies Find ‘Forever’ Chemicals in Rio Grande
By TIERNA UNRUH-ENOS Two statewide studies released findings that PFAS — which stands for poly-fluoroalkyl substances — chemicals have been detected in groundwater and surface water resources across New Mexico. The study, conducted by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) and the New Mexico Environment Department (NMED) found urban areas — like Albuquerque — are the most […]
Posted inFederal Government & Congress
Opinion: Parents, students have opportunity to help choose high school graduation requirements
Submitted by Mandi Torrez, educator With the governor’s signing of a new law updating the state’s high school curriculum, New Mexico families now have a prime opportunity to shape your local high school course requirements in a way that will reflect your community’s values while ensuring that your graduates are college and career ready. While […]
Posted inFederal Government & Congress
Politics Two Ways
Two New Mexico political groups are using opposite tactics to reach a common goal—elect Democrats. While the West Side Democrats in Albuquerque focuses on personal activism, Blue CD2 New Mexico uses data and remote messaging techniques to reach new voters. Both groups say their specific methods are helping win elections. The West Side group is […]
Posted inCourts & Justice
Tan Pants Bandit Strikes Again
On April 1, the Rio Grande Credit Union of Rio Rancho at 1526 Unser Blvd SE was robbed by a suspect that the FBI has nicknamed “The Tan Pants Bandit.” The suspect demanded money from a teller, who handed over an undisclosed amount. He is described as a white male, approximately 5 feet 7 inches […]
Posted inCommunity News, Westside Albuquerque
First Responder Spotlight: Lt. Manuel Terrazas
First Responder Spotlight is a monthly column submitted by the Sandoval County Optimist Club. Manuel Terrazas is the Lieutenant responsible for his crew operations for the Town of Bernalillo Fire Department. He has been with the department for 12 years as a career firefighter/EMT and served as a volunteer for a year before that. Terrazas came to […]