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Posted inBusiness, Economy & Workers

Vandalized store windows? City launches 3rd round of help, but mostly only in select neighborhoods

The City of Albuquerque is once again offering to repair broken windows for businesses that are victim of vandalism — but the offer is good only for business in a handful of neighborhoods. According to program requirements reviewed by City Desk, the city will reimburse owners for 80% of the cost of replacement, up to […]

Posted inHousing & Homelessness, Sandoval County

Candidates spend big in final weeks of city elections

With one week left before Albuquerque’s municipal elections, Mayor Tim Keller is spending down his taxpayer-funded warchest as he floods local airwaves with campaign ads and remains ahead of his opponents in last minute spending. An analysis of city campaign finance reports by City Desk found that last Keller shelled out $94,000 for television spots […]

Posted inCourts, Justice & Safety

How a city councilor finally located Jayvon Givan’s remains after hitting dead ends with APD

Albuquerque City Councilor Nichole Rogers spent weeks trying to locate the remains of Jayvon Givan, hitting dead ends, until she asked Councilor Joaquín Baca for help. Baca found the remains in “literally five minutes,” Rogers said during the council meeting Monday, Oct. 20. The discovery comes more than two weeks after City Desk reported that […]

Posted inHousing & Homelessness, Sandoval County

Letter to the Editor: The bond APS is proposing and what it would pay for

Letter to the EditorDr. Gabriella Durán Blakey is the superintendant of the Albuquerque Public Schools (APS) System. The upcoming Nov. 4 election is crucial for Albuquerque Public Schools as voters will elect four board members and decide on a $350 million general obligation bond for APS. Today I’m going to focus on the bond we’re […]

Posted inHousing & Homelessness, Sandoval County

USDA: Emergency funds will not be used for SNAP during shutdown 

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) says  emergency funds won’t be used to provide SNAP payments to states if the shutdown continues into November, as Senate Democrats insisted was possible. In a memo released Friday, the USDA blamed Democrats for the nearly 24-day government shutdown and said that money from the contingency funds cannot be […]

Posted inGeneral Interest, Housing & Homelessness

Furloughed in Albuquerque? Here’s how to defer your water & other utility bill

The Albuquerque Bernalillo County Water Utility Authority is joining other utilities in offering a break to furloughed federal workers, allowing them to defer water bill payments without penalties as the government shutdown enters its fourth week. The Water Authority announced Oct. 21 that it will let furloughed federal employees defer payments without late fees or […]

Posted inHousing & Homelessness, Sandoval County

Early voting data reveals which Albuquerque voters are showing up — and who’s staying home

Democrats are leading early voting turnout ahead of Albuquerque’s Nov. 4 municipal election, with 7.3% of registered Democrats casting ballots compared with 6.6% of Republicans, according to Bernalillo County Clerk data. As of Oct. 23, 21,456 Burqueño voters have cast early or absentee ballots since voting began Oct. 7. That includes 12,164 Democrats, 6,492 Republicans, […]

Posted inHousing & Homelessness, New Mexico Statewide News

Heinrich, Luján push back against claims that USDA can’t access funds for SNAP due next month

By Alex Ross  — New Mexico Democratic Senators Martin Heinrich and Ben Ray Lujan on Thursday disputed claims made by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) that they lack the funds to cover the cost of next month’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits. Heinrich and Lujan were among 45 Democratic Senators who signed […]

Posted inLocal Gov.

ABQ fast-tracks solar permits as credits canceled by “Big, Beautiful Bill” are set to expire at year-end

Albuquerque homeowners wanting to install solar panels at home had better hurry before federal incentives canceled by President Trump’s “Big Beautiful Bill” expire in December. Fortunately for procrastinators, the city is here to help. The City Council voted unanimously on Monday, Oct. 20, to fast-track residential solar permits through the end of 2025, helping residents […]

Posted inLocal Gov.

Councilors question timing of “Gateway” rebrand of city’s “Juniper Flats” hotel converted to senior housing

City Councilors on Monday, Oct. 20, urged the Keller administration to rethink its plan to rebrand the under-renovation Juniper Flats senior apartments after signage with the “Juniper Flats” project name was already installed. During the City Council’s question-and-answer period, District 9 City Councilor Renée Grout said the new name could make the permanent affordable housing […]