Albuquerque city councilors will take another step this week towards enacting sweeping zoning changes that would allow grocery stores, duplexes and townhouses in single-family neighborhoods and reshape development rules for about 160,000 properties, a move supporters say could ease the housing shortage and critics say threatens long-established neighborhood character. The proposal, part of the city’s 2025 Integrated […]
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Posted inCourts, Justice & Safety
New Mexico court strikes down “Homewrecker Law,” ending husband’s suit against ex-wife’s new boyfriend
The New Mexico Supreme Court has unanimously abolished the state’s century-old “alienation of affections” law, commonly referred to as “Homewrecker Laws,” that allowed spouses to sue third parties for the failure of a marriage. In an opinion authored by Chief Justice David Thomson, the court unanimously ruled that the law is “outdated” and ordered a […]
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Here’s how you can shape the search for Albuquerque’s next police chief
Mayor Tim Keller launched a search for Albuquerque’s next police chief Wednesday with an online survey and scheduled community forums, seeking public input before evaluating candidates to lead the more than 950-officer department. The city hired Public Sector Search & Consulting Inc. to conduct the nationwide search. The firm has managed police chief searches in […]
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County to weigh strict rules for data center incentives
Bernalillo County commissioners are set to revisit a high-stakes resolution aimed at tightening oversight of large data center and AI infrastructure projects when they meet Tuesday in Albuquerque. The “Holding Data Center Projects Accountable in Our Community” measure, introduced at the Jan. 13 meeting, would condition county incentives on clear community benefits and sustainability standards. Under […]
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Driving I-25 at night? Expect major detours this week
Overnight closures are coming to a busy stretch of Interstate 25 and Montgomery Boulevard as crews move forward on a bridge-widening project in Albuquerque. Construction crews will set beams over I-25 for two nights starting Jan. 27, requiring full overnight closures from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m., according to project information. Northbound and southbound I-25 […]
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Foothills residents challenge $35M power project as county decides Tuesday
Bernalillo County commissioners will decide Tuesday whether to uphold a controversial $35 million Public Service Company of New Mexico (PNM) substation approval. Several resident groups appealed the Planning Commission’s December decision. The appeals are among six scheduled for a special 1 p.m. zoning meeting Tuesday. Groups, including the Sandia Heights and High Desert homeowner associations, […]
Posted inNM Political Report
New Mexico’s Heinrich, Luján pledge ‘NO’ votes on ICE funding, risking partial shutdown
New Mexico’s two U.S. Senators joined a cohort of Democrats this weekend in pledging to vote against a critical government funding package needed to avoid a government shutdown later this week if it includes funding for Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations. The weekend shooting of Alex Pretti in Minneapolis on Saturday by federal immigration […]
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Cockroaches, no water, no stairs: Downtown renters unite to demand action from neglectful apartment owners
In downtown Albuquerque, more than 75 renters at The Alvarado Apartments signed a formal demand letter accusing their management company, Apartment Management Consultants (AMC), of dangerous neglect, safety failures and “excessive” fees. They are demanding rent abatement and a written repair plan. The Alvarado Apartments and AMC did not respond to requests for comment on […]
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“A complete betrayal”: Council rejects enforcement of renters rights against predatory landlords
Albuquerque renters will not receive local protection from excessive fees after the City Council rejected an ordinance Wednesday that would have enforced the state’s Senate Bill 267 in limbo. The 5-4 vote leaves the law, which caps application fees at $50 and limits late fees to 5% of rent, unenforced at the local level. Since […]
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Who runs Albuquerque day-to-day? Meet the city’s reappointed CAO
When your trash is picked up, a pothole disappears or you spend an afternoon at the BioPark, you’re seeing the work of Samantha Sengel even if you don’t know her name. The Albuquerque City Council unanimously reappointed Samantha Sengel as chief administrative officer (CAO) Wednesday. The city’s most powerful non-elected position oversees 6,000 employees and […]