Albuquerque Fire Rescue commemorated the 24th anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks Thursday with a memorial stair climb and ceremony honoring the 343 firefighters who died at the World Trade Center. About 100 firefighters climbed the Washington Federal Building five times, totaling 110 stories to match the height of the Twin Towers. The memorial dispatch […]
Category: Communities
Posted inCongress & Federal Gov., New Mexico
New Mexico senators blast Republicans for blocking Epstein document release
New Mexico Democratic Sens. Martin Heinrich and Ben Ray Lujan on Thursday denounced their Republican Senate colleagues for voting down an amendment that would require the U.S. Department of Justice to release all its files on alleged child sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein. On Wednesday, the Senate voted 51-49 to table a proposed amendment to the […]
Posted inCongress & Federal Gov, New Mexico
Trump administration withholding $410 billion in federal funds, Democratic lawmakers say
The Trump administration is illegally withholding more than $410 billion in federal funding from communities nationwide, according to an updated tracker released by Democratic lawmakers that chronicles what they call an unprecedented assault on congressional spending authority. Sen. Ben Ray Luján, D-N.M., said that President Donald Trump and Office of Management and Budget Director Russ […]
Posted inHousing & Homelessness
Albuquerque becomes New Mexico’s homeless hub as Gateway contracts add 100 Beds
Albuquerque city councilors approved three Gateway Center contracts Tuesday, Sept. 3. The vote reflects a growing reality: Albuquerque has become New Mexico’s hub for homeless services, managing problems that extend far beyond its borders. The 100 new shelter beds, approved in 7-2 votes, will serve a population of 2,740 homeless residents — a 109% increase […]
Posted inCongress & Federal Gov., New Mexico
New Mexico politicians push for completion of tribal water rights
By Lauren Lifke New Mexico’s congressional delegation has called for Senate and House leaders to take steps toward completing tribal water settlements. The U.S. pursues a policy of settling tribal water rights disputes whenever possible, according to the Bureau of Indian Affairs. The settlements are intended to help secure tribal rights to historic land, as […]
Posted inCongress & Federal Gov, New Mexico
New Mexico leaders outraged by Supreme Court’s racial profiling ruling
Members of Congress and the top prosecutor in New Mexico are condemning a U.S. Supreme Court decision that at least temporarily allows immigration officials to stop individuals based on what critics say is racial profiling. The 6-3 decision announced on Monday granted the federal government’s request to pause a lower court ruling that limited when […]
Posted inCongress & Federal Gov.
Trump orders states to reinstate cash bonds for criminals. Forcing New Mexico to do that isn’t quite that easy.
The growing push by Republicans to roll back limits on when courts can require criminal suspects to pay to get out of jail while awaiting trial could put New Mexico on a collision course with the federal government. On Aug. 25, President Donald Trump signed an executive order directing the U.S. Attorney General and White […]
Posted inPolitics & Elections
Albuquerque spends thousands in taxpayer funds to air mayor’s State of the City address on local TV
Albuquerque is spending at least $15,500 in taxpayer money to broadcast Mayor Tim Keller’s State of the City address across five local television stations as paid advertisements, with the most expensive 30-minute slot costing $12,000. Keller is running for an unprecedented third term as Albuquerque mayor this year, with the election set for Nov. 4. […]
Posted inBernalillo County
Bernalillo County to host meeting on Coors Boulevard Safety Project
Bernalillo County will host a public meeting on Thursday to discuss safety improvements along one of the South Valley’s most dangerous roads. The open house will focus on the Coors Boulevard Pedestrian Safety Project, which targets the stretch between Gun Club and Blake Road. Since 2015, at least 18 people have died, 17 have been […]
Posted inLocal Gov.
Albuquerque program helps people with disabilities find city jobs
A new city program designed to create employment opportunities for people with disabilities has achieved its first success, with one participant being hired as a full-time city employee after completing an internship. The Pathways to Public Service program, launched by the City of Albuquerque in partnership with LSG & Associates Inc., provides adults with disabilities […]