Posted inAlbuquerque, Education

APS superintendent says it takes a village to stop excessive student absences

As Albuquerque Public Schools works to improve student outcomes, chronic absenteeism is one of many obstacles it faces.  Superintendent Gabriella Durán Blakey targeted the issue last week during a media event and said she’s hoping the community at large will help — specifically those who employ parents.  “We have the students during the day, and […]

Former city councilor on the still-closed visitors center: ‘It’s a boondoggle and a money pit’

Editor’s note: To read the first in our series — A visitors center with no visitors: When will the taxpayer-funded project open? — click here. There’s still no opening date for the decades-in-the-making West Central Route 66 Visitors Center, though construction was completed years ago. Even so, one former city councilor thinks the long delay […]

Posted inArts & Culture, Placitas

Prints and Pottery

Artists Karl and Mary Hofman are teaming up for an exhibition of prints and pottery at the Wild Hearts Gallery in Placitas. Visual Memories includes Karl Hofmann’s linotype prints that are memory images of the end of World War II when Europe was reeling from bombings and the weight of war. Mary Hofmann will show […]

Posted inJobs, Workers & Economy, Sandoval County

Fueling the Future

Sandoval County Commissioners were presented with a proposal to purchase a nearly zero-emissions plant that converts plastic waste into high-quality fuels at the July 24 commission meeting, offering an alternative solution to combat plastic waste. A representative from PlastikGas, a global company headquartered in Dallas, Texas, presented the commissioners with a proposal to purchase a […]

Posted inAlbuquerque, National News, Syndicated

At least 973 Native American children died at U.S.-run boarding schools between 1871-1969

By Shaun Griswold The U.S. legacy of genocide against Native people through public education may never be completely told.  Today, there is a little more truth to share. The second half of an investigative report was released Tuesday as part of the Federal Indian Boarding School Initiative led by the Department of the Interior. It’s another step […]

ABQ has more than 150 vacant positions on advisory boards and commissions

Boards and commissions act as advisory bodies helping local governments make decisions on important issues — whether that is advocating for visual arts or affordable housing.  But many of Albuquerque’s boards and commissions are short members.  Nearly 80% of Albuquerque’s boards and commissions have empty seats — ranging from one vacant position to 10. Of […]

Posted inAlbuquerque, Courts, Justice & Safety, Housing & Homelessness, NM State Gov., Syndicated

Housing looms large in governor’s Albuquerque town hall

By Austin Fisher At the second of a series of town hall meetings on Monday night, New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham heard from members of the public for six hours. In an auditorium at Central New Mexico Community College in Albuquerque, locals raised issues ranging from difficulty finding mental health treatment, unfair or unlawful […]

Posted inAlbuquerque, Housing & Homelessness

Advisory board alleges city ‘violates the autonomy, dignity, and rights’ of those experiencing homelessness 

As Albuquerque grapples with stubbornly high housing costs and an increase in people living on the streets, a city board says there’s more reason for concern. The city’s unhoused population also faces widespread discrimination, stigma and exclusion — often from city employees or city contractors.  The Albuquerque Human Rights Board published its preliminary findings last […]

Posted inAlbuquerque, Courts, Justice & Safety

Breaking: Security officer shot at Coronado Mall, says APD

Albuquerque Police responded to Coronado Mall around 1 p.m. Friday afternoon and found a security officer suffering from a gunshot wound. APD officers were nearby enough to identify and follow the suspect who was apprehended following a brief foot pursuit. Officers saw the driver discard a gun which was later recovered. Spokesman Gilbert Gallegos identified […]