Beyond the crosswalk: APS’s Vision Zero plan gets a $2.7M boost

Albuquerque Public Schools has received a $2.7 million federal grant to expand safe walking routes and launch a new “Walking School Bus Program.” U.S. Rep. Melanie Stansbury, D-N.M., announced the funding from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Safe Streets and Roads for All program. The grant will support APS’s Vision Zero for Youth Initiative, expanding […]

160,000 properties in Albuquerque could get a zoning change, here’s what you need to know

Sweeping zoning changes affecting at least 160,000 Albuquerque properties head next to the City Council’s Land Use, Planning and Zoning (LUPZ) Committee amid sharp disagreement over what’s changing and whether residents received adequate notice, according to 2023 U.S. Census data. The Integrated Development Ordinance Biennial Update, approved by the Environmental Planning Commission in November, includes […]

Bernalillo County Commission to consider data center regulations

The Bernalillo County Commission is set to tackle a landmark proposal to regulate data center incentives and a final vote on a revision of the county’s ethics code on Jan. 13.  Commissioner Eric Olivas said he will introduce a resolution establishing strict criteria for data center projects that seek taxpayer-funded incentives. “If we are to […]

Bernalillo County joins Campbell Ranch lawsuit legal battle in Edgewood

Bernalillo County joined a longstanding lawsuit with the Town of Edgewood as an interested party last month, filing a petition to intervene after the Campbell Ranch development appealed the Town of Edgewood’s decision in July to deny its subdivision applications. The Edgewood Town Commission denied subdivision applications for an area known as Village 2, which […]

Dream Week 2026 kicks off to honor Dr. King’s legacy

The New Mexico Martin Luther King, Jr. State Commission has designated Jan. 12–19 as Dream Week 2026, a statewide commemoration built around the holiday honoring the civil rights leader. In a news release, the commission called for “a week of commemoration, service, reflection, and action honoring the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, […]

APD Interim Chief reorganizes department, eliminates 12 command positions

Albuquerque Police Department Interim Chief Cecily Barker announced a reorganization that includes new executive appointments and the elimination of 12 command staff positions, expected to save the city about $2.4 million. Three officers were promoted to interim executive roles: Luke Languit as Deputy Chief of the Field Services Bureau, Mike Hernandez as Deputy Chief of […]

ABQ’s new interim police chief follows a familiar path. Will it lead to the same destination?

Cecily Barker, named Albuquerque’s first woman interim police chief on New Year’s Eve, follows a familiar pattern: Her two predecessors served as interim chief for about six months before being permanently appointed. The pattern is clear: Michael Geier served 6.5 months as interim chief before the City Council confirmed him 9-0 in June 2018. Harold […]

Torrance County extends ICE contract

By Todd Brogowski, Mountainair Dispatch In a meeting that lasted less than two minutes (one minute, fifty-eight seconds, to be precise), the Torrance County Board of Commissioners unanimously approved a contract modification extending the county’s agreement with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) for use of the Torrance County Detention Facility during a special meeting held […]

Baca interviews for Gov. cabinet post

Albuquerque City Councilor Joaquín Baca has two more years left to serve in his council term, but he could be leaving sooner than that, City Desk has learned. Baca has interviewed with Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham for consideration to fill the governor’s vacant cabinet position for secretary overseeing the state’s Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources […]