citydeskabq, Author at City Desk ABQ

Will Southeast ABQ be home to a new Target by The Pit?

A couple of lines of text buried in a developers planning application to the city tease that Target is targeting a new Southeast Albuquerque site for expansion. The city’s Environmental Planning Commission held a hearing on Thursday to consider zoning changes requested by UNM and private developers working to bring the large Lobo Landing development […]

Albuquerque Fire Rescue ladder and engine

AFR responds to overnight fire at Hinkle Fun Center

Albuquerque firefighters responded around 2 a.m. to reports of smoke and fire at the Hinkle Fun Center near Indian School Rd. and Tramway Blvd. in the northeast part of the city. Fire officials report that they found heavy smoke coming from at least one building and brought the fire under control in about 25 minutes. […]

Community questions prompt APD to revisit investigation into Black teen found hanging last year

Albuquerque Police Chief Harold Medina announced Tuesday that his department will seek an outside review of APD’s investigation into the death of Jayvon Givan, a young Black man found hanging from a chain outside a closed business a year ago on Albuquerque’s Westside. Social media posts — many incorrectly claiming Givan was found hanging from […]

How and where to vote in the city election in 2025

Every Albuquerque voter has a reason to vote in 2025. The only citywide elected office, mayor, is on the ballot along with five of nine city councilors and a long list of local bond questions for the city, school districts, and some local governments. Other local communities including Los Ranchos and Tijeras also have local […]

Free ride program aims to reduce impaired driving during Balloon Fiesta

Bernalillo County residents can get free rides during this year’s Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta through a county-supported program designed to prevent impaired driving. The “Take a Ride on Us” program offers up to $10 off two Uber trips from 10 a.m. Friday through 3 p.m. Oct. 12, according to a Bernalillo County news release. Riders […]

Daniel Chavez ends mayoral bid following staffer accusation, plummeting polls

Last week, City Desk ABQ reported that Albuquerque mayoral candidate Daniel Chavez had not disclosed to voters that he was facing battery charges for inappropriately touching a former staffer. This weekend, a new poll found that he had earned just six percent of support. Now the parking lot company owner says he’s had enough and […]

Beloved giraffe at Albuquerque Zoo dies at 22

Buccaneer, a 22-year-old reticulated giraffe who charmed millions of visitors at the ABQ BioPark over nearly two decades, was euthanized Thursday due to declining mobility from arthritis, zoo officials announced. The giraffe, affectionately known as “Bucc,” was the third-oldest male giraffe in any Association of Zoos and Aquariums facility and lived well beyond the median […]

The Bernalillo County Recovery Support Center, located at 517 Cardenas Dr. SE, hosted an open house to showcase its intensive outpatient therapy services. The facility is operated by Endorphin Power Company through a contract with the county's Behavioral Health Authority Division.

New recovery center opens in Bernalillo County, expanding behavioral health services

Bernalillo County opened a new outpatient recovery center Friday, expanding access to substance use disorder treatment services for residents seeking help. The Bernalillo County Recovery Support Center, located at 517 Cardenas Dr. SE, hosted an open house to showcase its intensive outpatient therapy services. The facility is operated by Endorphin Power Company through a contract […]

ACS Deputy Director of VIP Jasmine Desiderio, ACS Director Jodie Esquibel, City Councilor Nichole Rogers, Mayor Tim Keller, families currently working with VIP, State Representative Pamelya Herndon and additional ACS staff cutting ceremonial red ribbon at the TRC grand opening event.

Albuquerque opens New Mexico’s first Trauma Recovery Center

Albuquerque opened New Mexico’s first Trauma Recovery Center on Sunday, creating a centralized hub for violence intervention and trauma-informed services that city officials say represents a new approach to public safety. The facility, operated by the city’s Albuquerque Community Safety Department, serves as headquarters for the Violence Intervention Program division and offers services including peer […]

The Land Use, Planning, and Zoning Committee advanced Memorial M-25-5, which expresses the council's backing for federal stewardship of lands, including the Sandia Ranger District of the Cibola National Forest and Petroglyph National Monument.

City committee backs memorial supporting federal public lands

An Albuquerque City Council committee unanimously approved a measure Thursday supporting continued federal oversight of public lands in the area, timing the vote just ahead of National Public Lands Day. The Land Use, Planning, and Zoning Committee advanced Memorial M-25-5, which expresses the council’s backing for federal stewardship of lands, including the Sandia Ranger District […]