Councilor aims to curb inappropriate social media posts from official accounts

An Albuquerque city councilor is looking to enforce new social media rules for city employees after posts from the Albuquerque Police Department’s (APD) official social media account caught the council’s attention for the second time in as many years.  At a meeting Sept. 5, councilors confronted Mayor Tim Keller’s administration about posts one councilor called […]

Posted inAlbuquerque, Courts, Justice & Safety, Features

Solomon Peña trial postponed following conflict between defendant and attorney

Jury selection in a high-profile criminal case was postponed Monday due to a conflict between defendant Solomon Peña and his attorney.  Trial had been set to begin Monday for the former Republican candidate, who is accused of coordinating a series of shootings nearly two years ago that targeted Democratic lawmakers.  Peña’s now-former attorney Elizabeth Honce […]

Businesses impacted by vandalism line up for city grant money

Almost two dozen businesses around Albuquerque have applied for a grant program the city launched two weeks ago aimed at helping small businesses that have been vandalized. The Albuquerque Police Department and the city Economic Development Department’s Small Business Office on Sept. 3 initiated a $200,000 “Window to Opportunity” grant to help offset the costs […]

Posted inLocal Gov.

Are fluoride levels in ABQ’s water safe?

According to new research, extreme levels of fluoride in drinking water could be associated with lower IQ in children, but according to local water officials, Albuquerque and Bernalillo County’s fluoride levels are still safe for residents. In its “Monograph on the State of Science Concerning Fluoride Exposure and Neurodevelopment and Cognition,” the National Toxicology Program, […]

Posted inLocal Gov.

Fentanyl Forum coming next month

Later this week, the public can learn about overdose prevention, how to help those struggling through substance use disorders and get hands-on training in administering naloxone and Narcan distribution.  Registration is now open for the 2024 Fentanyl Forum, a full-day event focused on critical issues surrounding the opioid crisis. The free public event is Oct. […]

Softening the workforce shortage squeeze

Construction projects across the state are booming, but contractors say finding enough skilled laborers to fill positions is a chronic challenge. The workforce shortages often cause project delays and increased costs — issues that have motivated officials to propose a fix in Albuquerque. The Apprenticeship Empowerment ordinance would require contractors to dedicate 15% of a […]

City Council to tackle downtown vacant buildings, sleeping on sidewalks

A proposal to tackle the vacant building issue and ban people from laying or sitting on sidewalks in Downtown Albuquerque is on the agenda for the City Council’s Monday meeting.  The Downtown Vacant Buildings and Properties Ordinance — sponsored by Councilor Joaquín Baca — states that vacant buildings and properties are a health and safety […]

Contention brewing over zoning change in University area

Albuquerque property owner Augustine Grace wants to convert two of his adjacent residential properties near the University area into a new coffee shop but after pushback from a neighborhood association, the future of the project is in the hands of City Council.  At their meeting Monday, city councilors will hear from Grace about his proposal […]