Albuquerque Mayor Tim Keller’s administration released a $1.4 billion proposed budget for fiscal year 2025 on Tuesday. The 2.3% increase over last fiscal year focuses on big picture categories like public safety, housing, homelessness, behavioral health, jobs, the economy and more. The city said in a news release that the budget takes into consideration post-pandemic […]
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Posted inCongress & Federal Gov., Housing & Homelessness, Local Government
Homeless sobering center would take pressure off emergency rooms
When an intoxicated homeless person needs to get sober, they often end up in one of Albuquerque’s emergency rooms. But officials say it’s an untenable situation that places a further strain on already stressed health care workers and maxed out ERs. The city hopes to alleviate some of the load through a new medical sobering […]
Posted inCongress & Federal Gov., Local Government
Three injured by boulder on Embudo Trailhead
Three people were injured Wednesday afternoon after they were reportedly struck by a boulder in the Sandia Mountains. According to an AFR press release, eleven apparatus from Albuquerque Fire Rescue were dispatched to the Embudo Canyon Trailhead at about 3:30 p.m. for a call about a boulder that rolled down a hill in the mountains […]
Posted inCongress & Federal Gov., Local Government
City suspends rabbit adoptions
Ahead of the Easter holiday weekend, the City of Albuquerque Animal Welfare Department (AWD) will be suspending rabbit adoptions at all city shelters from Thursday, March 28 through Monday, April 1. Rabbit adoptions will resume on Tuesday, April 2. The Animal Welfare Dept. wants to remind people the family life commitment for a rabbit is not one week […]
Posted inCongress & Federal Gov., Housing & Homelessness, Local Government
Gateway Center funding falls far short of city’s requests
Going into the 2024 legislative session, city officials had high hopes to secure a key request of almost $16 million in funds for projects at the Gateway Center at Gibson Health Hub. They ended up with $615,000. The city fared better overall, however, receiving about 29% of the funding it requested for a variety of […]
Posted inCongress & Federal Gov., Housing & Homelessness, Local Government
Albuquerque Community Safety looking for new leader
The woman who led the Albuquerque Community Safety Department since its inception in 2021 is transitioning to a new role in city government. Mariela Ruiz-Angel is now the Associate Chief Administrative Officer, the city announced Monday. The position was previously held by Bob White, who retired at the end of last year. Ava Montoya, a […]
Posted inHousing & Homelessness, Local Government
March Sadness: Lobo fans gather, mourn after loss
Lobo fans gathered around the city to watch the team’s match-up against South Carolina’s Clemson Tigers Friday afternoon for the University of New Mexico’s first game in a NCAA basketball tournament in a decade. More than 100 people flocked to Civic Plaza where the city had set up a projector at the Al Hurrican Pavilion […]
Posted inCongress & Federal Gov., Local Government
$1 million public records payouts continue to irk City Council
At Monday’s city council meeting, Councilor Louie Sanchez questioned the city administration about why it paid over $1 million in Inspection of Public Records Act settlements last year. City Desk ABQ reported on the high dollar settlements last month. On Monday, Sanchez said it’s important for the council to know what’s happening with these payouts […]
Posted inCongress & Federal Gov., Housing & Homelessness, Local Government
Council approves additional funding to help with increasing number of migrants
Helping asylum seekers and migrants and recognizing the impact of the atomic industry on downwinders topped the short Albuquerque City Council meeting held on March 18. Migrant Help An increasing number of migrants arriving in Albuquerque — “due to unforeseen circumstances at the southern U.S. border” — since early fall has stretched thin the nonprofit […]
Posted inCongress & Federal Gov., Housing & Homelessness, Local Government
One man’s quest to help solve the city’s homelessness problem
The campaigning hasn’t stopped, but now the focus is homelessness. Daymon Ely, an attorney and former three-term state representative, has spent the past 12 months developing a proposal to address homelessness in Albuquerque. The problem is well documented: There are more people living on Albuquerque’s streets, some with severe mental health and addiction issues, and […]