City councilors got a little hot under the collar at times during Monday’s regular meeting. They questioned the police chief after an hour plus-long executive session to discuss air quality board litigation then had some heated exchanges with the administration over air quality board issues. Let’s Talk Albuquerque Police Chief Harold Medina faced off with […]
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Posted inAlbuquerque, Housing & Homelessness
City Council OKs spotlight on blighted motels, voucher program
The Albuquerque City Council unanimously passed an ordinance Monday night that creates an 11-member working group tasked with reforming the city’s emergency voucher program and addressing the blighted motels where they are often used. Councilors Renée Grout and Nichole Rogers said they sponsored the bill because the city’s blighted motels not only pose a health […]
Posted inAlbuquerque, NM State Gov.
NM students may have new requirements to get that diploma
By Margaret O’Hara/The Santa Fe New Mexican A new set of high school graduation requirements won approval Monday from the Senate Education Committee — but not without disagreement over whether the state should require students to take financial literacy courses. Sponsored by Rep. Andrés Romero, D-Albuquerque, and Rep. Ryan Lane, R-Aztec, House Bill 171 is designed to […]
Posted inAlbuquerque, Courts, Justice & Safety
DA blasts APD for ‘dysfunction and mismanagement’ of DWI unit
As the Albuquerque Police Department grapples with a corruption investigation into its DWI unit—and what could have been done to catch misconduct earlier—the Second Judicial District Attorney’s Office is stridently refuting it has any share of the blame. In a 15-page letter to the City Council detailing various policies and processes for court appearances, Chief […]
Posted inAlbuquerque, Courts, Justice & Safety
The week in crime
In the past week, the Albuquerque Police Department has responded to a fatal stabbing, discovered a man and a woman dead inside a home during a welfare check and shot at a man who—it later turned out—shot himself during the encounter. APD officers also charged six suspects they say are involved in a 2021 homicide. […]
Posted inAlbuquerque, Education
After months of searching, APS school board hires a familiar face to lead the district
School board members have selected Dr. Gabriella Durán Blakey as the next superintendent of Albuquerque Public Schools. Her selection, by a unanimous vote, was announced at a press conference this morning, concluding a search that began in October. Board of Education President Danielle Gonzales noted that the search included numerous meetings and listening sessions, as […]
Posted inAlbuquerque, Courts, Justice & Safety
At risk kids get new kicks
Choking back tears and covering his face to hide emotion, a student at West Mesa High School was thrilled to be getting a new pair of shoes Friday evening. Just after 5 p.m., a handful of students and adults gathered in the school’s library. They were greeted with stacks of new shoes of all sizes […]
Posted inAlbuquerque, Courts, Justice & Safety
“What we know and don’t know about the APD corruption investigation”: City Desk’s Elise Kaplan joins NM In Focus
NMPBS’ New Mexico In Focus looks at the state of the APD corruption scandal in this week’s episode airing on NMPBS Friday at 7:00pm and again Sunday morning at 7:00am on channel 5.1. Watch the episode online courtesy of NMPBS. In this episode, taped Thursday, Feb. 1, 2024, Executive Producer Jeff Proctor asks reporters Elise […]
Posted inAlbuquerque, Courts, Justice & Safety
Father of co-defendant of Solomon Peña pleads guilty to interfering in electoral process
The second of three defendants facing federal charges for his part in a series of shootings targeting the homes of local lawmakers last year pleaded guilty Friday afternoon to conspiracy, interfering with federally protected activities, and using a firearm during those crimes. Demetrio Trujillo, 42, pleaded guilty to conspiracy, two counts of interference with federally […]
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Who will be APD’s new watchdog?
Tackling the problem of revamping the city’s housing voucher program is set to be debated at Monday’s Albuquerque City Council meeting. Also on the government table is taking a look at selecting a director of the struggling Civilian Police Oversight Agency. CPOA Leader Albuquerque’s police oversight agency has been without a permanent executive director since […]