New Mexico’s dual crises of a decrease in affordable housing and an increase in homelessness were hot topics in Santa Fe at the recently concluded legislative session. The New Mexico Mortgage Finance Authority, one of the state’s most effective weapons in the fight, was the recipient of some key funding from lawmakers. The somewhat enigmatic […]
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Posted inFederal Government & Congress
Education wins and loses at the Legislature
The 2024 legislative session contained one big victory for public education and a few disappointments, the head of the local teachers’ union said Wednesday. “In general, it has not been a banner year for education,” Ellen Bernstein, president of the Albuquerque Teachers Federation, told CityDesk ABQ. She said the one great thing to come out […]
Posted inCourts & Justice, Federal Government & Congress
Third APD officer under investigation in DWI corruption probe resigns
A third officer under investigation for corruption within the Albuquerque Police Department’s DWI unit has resigned before being interviewed by internal investigators. Harvey Johnson resigned on Wednesday. Gilbert Gallegos, an APD spokesperson, said he was scheduled to be interviewed for the internal investigation today. Johnson is one of six APD officers who were put on […]
Posted inFederal Government & Congress, New Mexico State Government
Find out who’s running to represent you in the state legislature
Candidates running for the New Mexico Legislature — both the State House of Representatives and the State Senate — have filed their paperwork to be on the ballot for the primaries on June 4. There are a lot of familiar faces — including long-time senator Linda Lopez who is facing Democratic challenger Richard Carrion — […]
Posted inCourts & Justice, Federal Government & Congress
Death of adult film star in Albuquerque gets national, international attention
Twelve days ago, local homicide detectives were called to a Northeast Albuquerque apartment complex to investigate a woman’s death after she was found “unresponsive” by her family. Now it’s been more than a week and her death has been reported by national — and even international — outlets, including the New York Post, The Daily […]
Posted inFederal Government & Congress, Local Government
How do you fire a chief of police?
After three false starts, Councilor Louie Sanchez is getting some traction in getting the City Council to chastise Chief Harold Medina after what he calls a pattern of mismanagement and scandals. This week a vote of no confidence moved forward out of an important city committee — but Sanchez acknowledges that Medina is not going […]
Posted inNew Mexico State Government, Statewide News
Republican New Mexico Senate and House leaders won’t seek reelection
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — The top-ranked Republicans in the New Mexico House and Senate won’t seek reelection this year as their party seeks a stronger footing in the Democrat-led Legislature. Senate Republicans are reckoning with the first election since a redistricting plan from Democrats merged GOP-led districts. Senate Republican leader Greg Baca of Belen […]
Posted inLocal Government
BernCo’s “Take a Ride on Us” program offers safe ride option for St. Patrick’s Day 2024
You don’t have to be lucky to score a safe ride this St. Patrick’s Day. The “Take a Ride on Us” program is once again offering residents in Sandoval, Santa Fe, and Bernalillo counties a designated driver option. The “Take a Ride on Us” program is offering 1,500 trips on a first-come, first-served basis. The […]
Posted inCourts & Justice, Federal Government & Congress
Muslim community reflects as first trial in spate of killings begins
As Muslims began their Ramadan fasts on Monday, Muhammad Syed — an Afghan refugee who came to Albuquerque in 2016 — prepared to face a jury on one count of murder in the 2022 slaying of a fellow Muslim, Aftab Hussein. It is the first of three trials in a case that shook Albuquerque’s Muslim […]
Posted inFederal Government & Congress, Housing & Homelessness
When will Downtown’s unwelcome tunnel be gone?
Dark, loud, unsafe and foul: words commonly used for decades to describe the pedestrian tunnel that links East Downtown and Downtown along Central Avenue under the railroad tracks. The tunnel also connects vehicles — often with horns honking, tires screeching, and engines revving for an amplified sound effect. The link is an important one because […]