Mayor Tim Keller outlined Friday the revival of a former outreach program that employs those experiencing homelessness with beautification-related jobs like cleaning streets and sidewalks and removing weeds. The “Better Way Forward” program will initially employ 10 people in the Duke City Community Ambassadors program, which is overseen by the Solid Waste Management Department. Ambassadors […]
Federal Government & Congress
Posted inFederal Government & Congress, Housing & Homelessness
Working AC and a roof that doesn’t leak: City takes steps to improve, rebrand ‘deplorable’ Westside shelter
Amid ongoing criticism of the facility’s conditions, Mayor Tim Keller and city officials showed off new renovations at the Westside Emergency Housing Center (WEHC) on Thursday and used the occasion to rebrand it — Gateway West. The upgrades are welcome news for the city, as the sprawling homeless shelter had been a target of substantial […]
Posted inFederal Government & Congress
Domenici needs to show she’s from here
Let’s not talk about race. It might upset the children. That’s the rule in Florida, at least, or so we interpret from the way it’s been reported. It means they don’t want to upset the white children. It’s not clear whether they consider the black children. This was Florida’s response to something called critical race […]
Posted inFederal Government & Congress
Cold food, cold coffee: senior care facilities can do better
Two recent studies of New Mexico’s senior care facilities ring alarm bells. In June the news organization ProPublica published a report that ranked New Mexico nursing homes fifth in serious deficiencies (Texas was first!); in the last three years, 28 of 68 homes had at least one deficiency causing “immediate jeopardy.” And recently the state […]
Posted inFederal Government & Congress, New Mexico State Government
NM kids could get hundreds of thousands if trust fund pilot program takes off
Leslie Moreno-Roacho didn’t go to college. She wanted to study nursing, but her family’s finances meant that goal stayed out of reach. Her 1-year-old son, Zaiden, could have a better chance of making it into higher education. Zaiden is one of the first 15 children selected for Baby Bonds, a new initiative aimed at giving […]
Posted inFederal Government & Congress, Housing & Homelessness
Are more taxes the answer to homelessness?
If you’ve watched a presidential debate or engaged in just about any topic on social media, this event won’t feel familiar — it’s designed to be highly-structured and civilized. The topic is Albuquerque’s unhoused, specifically: Are additional tax dollars needed to provide housing for those experiencing homelessness? The national nonprofit Braver Angels is hosting the […]
Posted inFeatures, Federal Government & Congress, Local Government
Teachers union secures new contract so fine arts teachers get paid for extra work
Fine arts teachers in Albuquerque Public Schools will see their incomes climb after a new union contract mandates they get paid for leading band camps and other activities outside of scheduled hours — something they had previously done without compensation. The district’s Board of Education approved the contract Wednesday. Earlier in the day, Albuquerque Teachers […]
Posted inFederal Government & Congress
PHOTOS: Superintendent, students celebrate first day of school
School’s back in session for Albuquerque students. City Desk ABQ was there as Superintendent Gabriella Durán Blakey visited Jefferson Middle School as students were getting dropped off Wednesday morning. It’s Blakey’s first year leading the district and she checked in with several schools as students arrived for the first day.
Posted inFeatures, Federal Government & Congress, Local Government
Councilor said she never thought colleagues would try to ‘take away pay from workers’ during push to update min. wage law
When a city councilor who represents some of the most impoverished areas of the city recently tried to update the city’s minimum wage law, she inadvertently created an opportunity for one of her colleagues to lower the city’s minimum wage for tipped employees. Councilor Nichole Rogers in an interview with City Desk ABQ said she […]
Posted inCourts & Justice, Federal Government & Congress
PHOTOS: Officers, neighbors gather for National Night Out
Officers, deputies and city leaders fanned out across Albuquerque Tuesday night to meet with residents for National Night Out. The annual event is billed as an opportunity for neighbors to socialize, meet one another and “join fellow citizens in our community’s fight against crime.” City Desk ABQ visited Forest Park, west of Downtown, where a […]