The city’s Human Rights Board is recommending that Albuquerque’s hate crimes ordinance be updated to include housing status — a reference to those experiencing homelessness or who are precariously housed. The recommendation comes after board members noticed a rise in hostilities toward the unhoused community. The board is appointed by the mayor and confirmed by […]
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Voters to decide whether City should lower threshold to win an election
After four hours of discussion Monday night, city councilors finally voted on a series of proposed changes to the city charter, including how many votes a candidate needs to win an election. The meeting — the last until Aug. 5 — wrapped up after 1 a.m. Three of the four amendments were approved and will […]
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Zoning to increase duplexes, overnight shelters fails at City Council
A push to reform the city’s zoning laws to allow more duplex construction has failed for a second year. An amendment to the city’s codes would have greenlighted conversions of existing single-family homes into duplexes in areas designated as urban centers, main street areas and those near mass transit. A measure to allow for new […]
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Albuquerque Fire Rescue Sends Crew to Help Fight Ruidoso Fires
The Albuquerque Fire Rescue Wildland Division is deploying resources to Ruidoso to help with the ongoing efforts to fight the South Fork and Salt fires. AFR resources have been requested through New Mexico State Forestry’s Resource Mobilization Plan and the City of Albuquerque Office of Emergency Management. “The Wildland Division is currently preparing to deploy […]
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What to expect: councilors expected to vote on city charter, zoning changes
Controversial city charter amendments, zoning changes and legislation to create a commission for the Route 66 Visitors Center — which was built in 2022 but has yet to open — will be debated at the Albuquerque City Council meeting on Monday. City charter changes After postponing them twice, city councilors are expected to vote on […]
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How to beat the heat in Albuquerque
Summer has arrived and the heat has returned to New Mexico. In Albuquerque, the temperature reached over 100 degrees Thursday. Temperatures across the state are expected to reach triple digits this summer as well. Because of that, the New Mexico Department of Health (DOH) announced a heat advisory suggesting people take extra precautions when they […]
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Overnight shelters, wall heights, boats in the front yard: See what zoning changes could be coming
City councilors plan to discuss several zoning amendments at their Monday meeting that could impact neighborhoods or businesses across Albuquerque. The 11 proposals to the Integrated Development Ordinance (IDO) touch on overnight shelters, duplexes, fence height and landscaping requirements. Amendments already expected to be debated propose the following: Read more about this issue here. HOW […]
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A visitors center with no visitors: When will the taxpayer-funded project open?
Drivers headed east on I-40 into New Mexico this summer should be forgiven for thinking they can stay for the night at 12300 Central Ave. SW. After all, a large neon “Mountain Lodge” sign at the address greets those motoring down old Route 66 near Nine Mile Hill. The roadtrippers would also see that a […]
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Inspector general finds mayor’s staff received preferential treatment, gave over $52,000 in taxpayer dollars in sick leave payouts
After a monthslong investigation into allegations that the mayor’s staff and top administrators received preferential treatment and sick leave bonuses upon resignation, the city’s inspector general released its findings this week. The report details the investigation into 11 employees, who received a total of more than $52,000 in taxpayer money that the inspector general told […]
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Take a look at Martineztown’s new multigenerational center
There’s a new spot near the Big I where residents can share a meal, use a computer or play pickleball. A new multigenerational center was unveiled Tuesday near the Santa Barbara Martineztown Park. “Generations of New Mexicans all need a safe space, we know it’s important for seniors and our youth to have access to […]