New Mexico will distribute $120 million for housing and homelessness projects across the state beginning this month, Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham announced Tuesday. The Office of Housing at the New Mexico Department of Workforce Solutions will oversee the distribution, which aims to expand affordable housing options while reducing homelessness and improving public safety, according to […]
Category: +News
Reader-supported
Appeals court blocks New Mexico’s new 7-day waiting period for gun purchases
A 2024 state law requiring a 7-day waiting period for the purchase of firearms will not go into effect, at least for now. A federal appeals court on Tuesday agreed with challengers to the law, backed by the National Rifle Association, who sued to block one of Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham’s cornerstone gun laws. “Cooling-off […]
Reader-supported
Major votes expected at Monday’s city council meeting on homelessness, housing and substance abuse treatment
Albuquerque City Council will tackle a full agenda Monday night, reviewing the Downtown Core Vacancy Report and voting on Gateway housing expansion, affordable housing funding and substance abuse treatment contracts affecting hundreds of residents. The meeting begins at 5 p.m. in Vincent E. Griego Chambers. Councilors will reconsider two $1.8 million Gateway Center contracts for […]
Reader-supported
Less than 90 days until election day, challengers post weak fundraising numbers in bid to oust Keller
Donations large and small from family members, real estate developers and cannabis companies helped the leading challengers to incumbent Mayor Tim Keller raise a combined $170,000 in just under 30 days, but all of that effort was dwarfed by Keller’s single contribution: a $733,000 contribution from the city’s public financing account. Candidates for all city […]
Reader-supported
Albuquerque mayoral candidates split on Trump homelessness order threatening $167M in federal funding
Albuquerque mayoral candidates are sharply divided over President Trump’s executive order threatening to cut off federal funding to cities that don’t enforce civil commitment laws for homeless individuals. Signed July 24, the order requires cities to prioritize involuntary treatment for people with mental illness or substance use issues and penalizes those that allow urban camping, […]
Reader-supported
Six candidates qualify for public financing in Albuquerque City Council election
The Office of the City Clerk certified the publicly financed candidates Monday, with four incumbents and two newcomers earning the right to receive lump-sum grants from the city’s Open and Ethical Elections Fund to run their campaigns through November’s election. City Clerk Ethan Watson’s office announced that the following candidates qualified for public financing: Ahren […]
Reader-supported
BernCo goes green, saves green
Bernalillo County taxpayers are already seeing the financial benefits of an $18 million energy efficiency project that will save approximately $500,000 annually in utility and maintenance costs while reducing the county’s environmental footprint. The comprehensive project affects 11 major county facilities that residents use daily, from community centers where families gather to the courthouse where […]
Reader-supported
New Mexico Supreme Court upholds warrantless vehicle searches during brief decriminalization era
New Mexico drivers stopped by police during the state’s brief marijuana decriminalization period could still have their vehicles searched without a warrant based on the smell of cannabis alone, the state Supreme Court ruled Thursday in a unanimous decision that clarifies police powers during a unique period in the state’s drug policy history. The ruling […]
Reader-supported
Albuquerque launches back-to-school donation drive for homeless families
The City of Albuquerque is calling on residents to help ease the burden on families experiencing housing insecurity by donating school supplies through a back-to-school drive benefiting 65 families at Gateway Family. The donation campaign will collect essential school items, including loose-leaf paper, binders, notebooks, pencils, backpacks and new shoes for children whose families are […]
Reader-supported
BernCo assessor and treasurer join forces to keep residents in their homes
The Office of the Bernalillo County Assessor and the Office of the Treasurer are collaborating to meticulously review all properties slated for state auction due to unpaid property taxes. This joint effort aims to prevent residents from losing their homes, land, or businesses. Property owners who are more than three years delinquent on their property […]