Albuquerque firefighters are seeing significant pay increases in their paychecks following the implementation of a three-year contract that delivers millions in compensation improvements and expanded benefits. The agreement between the city and International Association of Fire Fighters Local 244, which represents Albuquerque Fire Rescue personnel, provides $17.8 million in total compensation enhancements over three years. […]
Albuquerque
Posted inAlbuquerque
ABQ BioPark plans $22 Million gorilla habitat renovation
The ABQ BioPark is moving forward with plans for a major renovation of its gorilla habitat, a $22 million project that will create two expansive areas specifically designed for the park’s gorillas. The new habitats will incorporate the space previously used for orangutans, which were moved to the park’s award-winning Asia expansion that opened in […]
Posted inLocal Gov.
Albuquerque cracks down on landlords as new cooling law faces first test
Albuquerque’s new cooling ordinance faced its first major test this summer, as city inspectors cracked down on landlords failing to provide working air conditioning during extreme heat. The city’s response at The Retreat at Candelaria in July marked a shift in how it enforces Albuquerque’s six-month-old cooling ordinance. After weeks of tenant complaints and indoor […]
Posted inLocal Gov.
City Council defers $3.6M Gateway Housing expansion amid funding questions
Albuquerque city councilors postponed votes on two Gateway Center expansion contracts Monday, citing concerns about transparency and unconfirmed state funding for the $3.6 million proposal. The City Council voted Aug. 4 to delay approving two $1.8 million agreements—one with Chicanos Por La Causa to expand women’s services, and another with Community Bridges for men’s beds—until […]
Posted inEducation
Back to school in a heat wave, APS juggles 500 work orders to fix aging cooling
Albuquerque Public Schools has more than 500 active cooling system work orders, even after running units all summer to avoid startup issues. Now, district officials are asking voters for $40.2 million in November to upgrade 20 schools to modern air conditioning, though they admit some campuses could still wait years for relief. John Dufay, APS […]
Posted inLocal Gov.
Albuquerque Council approves stricter animal sales enforcement
Burqueños will now see stricter enforcement of animal sales in public spaces under an ordinance amendment approved unanimously by the City Council Monday, Aug. 4. The measure updates the city’s 2006 HEART ordinance, which stands for Humane and Ethical Animal Rules and Treatment, to require immediate seizure and care of animals being sold, given away […]
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Here’s where you can find National Night Out events in your neighborhood tonight
Once a year, neighborhoods across the country — including many right here in Albuquerque — spruce up, make snacks, and get together to celebrate their neighborhood and reconnect with neighbors. It’s called National Night Out and this year it happens tonight, Tuesday August 5th. What is National Night Out? National Night Out started in 1984 […]
Posted inLocal Gov.
Animal welfare crackdown could face final vote at Monday’s City Council meeting
Albuquerque could soon tighten enforcement of its animal welfare rules by cracking down on people who sell or give away pets in public spaces. The City Council is expected to vote on the ordinance tonight. The measure is part of a packed agenda that also includes proposed tourism bond funding, expanded homelessness services at the […]
Posted inHousing & Homelessness
City study reveals housing crisis for Albuquerque’s Native American residents
Nearly three-quarters of Albuquerque’s 25,400 Native American residents cannot afford monthly housing payments of $1,500 or more, according to a groundbreaking three-year city study released Friday that marks the first comprehensive urban Native housing analysis led by a municipal government. The finding creates a stark affordability gap in a city where median home prices currently […]
Posted inGeneral Interest
Albuquerque activates ‘Operation Cooldown’ as triple-digit heat hits
As temperatures soar into triple digits this week, the City of Albuquerque is offering families free ways to cool off through its “Operation Cooldown 2025” initiative, which includes activating park sprinklers and maintaining extended hours at spray pads throughout the city. The Parks & Recreation Department will turn on sprinklers at 10 different parks over […]