Two Albuquerque City Council candidates will appear on the November ballot after a judge rejected legal challenges to their petition signatures, clearing the way for ballot printing to begin next week. District 1 candidate Stephanie Telles and District 3 candidate Teresa Garcia faced lawsuits claiming they failed to collect the required 500 valid signatures to […]
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Santa Fe court launches mental health diversion program for arrestees
The First Judicial District Court has announced a new program designed to divert people with severe mental illness away from the criminal justice system and into treatment services. The competency diversion pilot program will serve individuals charged with misdemeanors, excluding DWI and nonviolent felony offenses. It marks the fourth such initiative established by New Mexico […]
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Bernalillo County commissioners name new fire chief, vote to advance affordable housing
By Lauren Lifke The Bernalillo County Board of Commissioners named a new fire chief at its meeting on Tuesday and voted in favor of three ordinances that will move the county toward acquiring more transitional and affordable housing. Outgoing Bernalillo County Fire Rescue Chief Greg Perez welcomed Chief Zach Lardy to fill his shoes at […]
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City council to vote on $800m+ spending, including fusion energy and homeless services
The Albuquerque City Council could vote Monday on more than $800 million in spending, including historic industrial bonds for a fusion energy facility and millions for homelessness programs that have faced intense scrutiny. At the Sept. 15 meeting, councilors are set to consider $776.6 million in industrial revenue bonds for Pacific Fusion LLC’s Mesa del […]
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What happened to Albuquerque’s homeless encampment tracker?
What happened to Albuquerque’s public transparency tool tracking encampment responses? After CityDesk contacted the city about the frozen transparency tool, officials not only acknowledged the problem but created an entirely new dashboard with current data, delivering on their promise to restore it by “end of day”. Albuquerque’s original “Encampment Reports & Responses” dashboard, launched in […]
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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 […]
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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 […]
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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 […]
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Albuquerque city councilor accuses committee of ‘hiding’ fraud reports past legal deadline
More than two weeks past what he calls the legal deadline, Albuquerque District 5 City Councilor Dan Lewis is demanding the release of Inspector General reports on fraud, waste and abuse, accusing the city’s oversight committee of “hiding” public documents. Lewis sent a Sept. 3 letter demanding the Accountability and Government Oversight Committee convene by […]
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Albuquerque names Tingley Field Pavilion after former city councilor
The city of Albuquerque dedicated the pavilion overlooking Tingley Field playground to former City Councilor Adele Hundley on Friday, honoring her decades of public service and advocacy for the historic Barelas neighborhood. The dedication ceremony was part of the city’s “Stories of Us” initiative, which recognizes individuals whose contributions deserve permanent recognition in public spaces, […]