Officials who flagged asbestos dangers at Gateway Center told to stay home, given sick leave as city fined by state

At least two senior officials who raised concerns about the city’s mishandling of asbestos exposure during the construction of the Gibson Health Hub were threatened with reassignment and then quietly placed on sick leave. Both officials were made unavailable to answer questions from the city council and others about the administration’s actions that resulted in […]

City charter changes could create chaos

Proposed changes to the city’s charter have stirred up an old-time controversy.  Several Albuquerque city councilors are asking for a slew of changes to the city’s charter that would go to the voters. The stack of charter amendment proposals will be debated at their May 20 regular meeting. If approved, the changes will go to […]

Fees for fun things in ABQ won’t be raised

Albuquerque City Councilors have dropped proposed fee increases from Mayor Tim Keller’s draft budget for fiscal year 2024-2025. At the May 16 Committee of the Whole meeting, members voted to make a few changes to Keller’s $1.4 billion budget.  Among the amendments was allocating an additional $250,000 for the ABQ BioPark, eliminating the need for […]

Posted inPolitics & Elections, Westside

Battle for the Westside

By Andy Lyman / The Paper. It wouldn’t be primary election season without barbs, jabs and accusations within one political party.  That’s the case in one state Senate district on the Westside.  The triangular-shaped Senate District 26 hugs a southern section of the Bosque and stretches west to Atrisco Vista Boulevard. The district’s Democratic incumbent […]

Posted inPolitics & Elections, Sandoval County

The Hot Ticket Seat

In Senate District 9, four candidates are looking to replace the current-sitting Democratic state Senator Brenda McKenna. Democrats Heather Balas and Cindy Nava filed to run, as did Republicans Frida “Susana” Vasquez and Audrey Trujillo. District 9 encompasses two counties and part of the Sandia Pueblo. The district spans Albuquerque’s westside, Corrales, Placitas, Bernalillo, Algodones, […]

Posted inSandoval County

$25M Available to Help Rural First Responders

The New Mexico Department of Finance and Administration (DFA) urges local fire departments to apply for a share of $25 million in grants that is available to help increase the number of paid first responders across the state. According to a recent DFA press release, state and local fire departments can apply for the grants […]