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1 month ago | 
kunm.org | Morgan Lee |Damon Scott
Texas visitor with measles traveled through Los Lunas-area, raising concerns of spread - Matthew Reisen, A Texas visitor infected with measles recently made the rounds in the Los Lunas area — going to a funeral, dining out and staying at a motel — leading to concerns of possible spread. The New Mexico Department of Health, in a news release, did not say if the exposure led to any additional cases, which stands at 38 infections in Lea and Eddy counties.
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1 month ago | 
kunm.org | Morgan Lee |Noah Alcala Bach |Danielle Prokop |Damon Scott
Big Tech lobbies New Mexico for AG-backed bill - Austin Fisher, Source New Mexico Two competing data privacy bills pending at the New Mexico Legislature appear aimed at protecting residents’ information online. Both bills, if passed and signed into law, would protect New Mexicans’ personal data from disclosure without their consent, including information such as religious faith, consumer spending, health care and citizenship status.
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2 months ago | 
kunm.org | Austin Fisher |Damon Scott
Reformed version of Paid Family and Medical Leave Act moves forward - Megan Gleason, A significantly reworked Paid Family and Medical Leave Act, with lower premiums and less paid time off for medical purposes, is on its way to the House floor after passing a committee on Wednesday where it died two years ago. If it passes the floor, House Bill 11 will likely wind up on the governor’s desk.
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2 months ago | 
citydesk.org | Damon Scott
The Mother Road is poised to get a mother lode of attention and money leading up to its 100th birthday in 2026. City officials and an array of partners met this week to tout plans for the centennial celebration of one of Albuquerque’s (and the country’s) most famous roads — Route 66.
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2 months ago | 
citydesk.org | Damon Scott
Two pieces of legislation meant to assist New Mexico’s renters were voted through the House Judiciary Committee over the holiday weekend and are now set to appear before the full House for a vote. The 60-day legislative session ends March 22. The committee approved, with a 6-4 vote, House Bill 215, which prohibits the use of artificial intelligence to unfairly manipulate rent prices. The sponsors of the measure — Rep. Andrea Romero, D-Santa Fe, and Rep.
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2 months ago | 
citydesk.org | Damon Scott
Eviction rates in many U.S. cities spiked after pandemic-era protections such as moratoriums and rental assistance expired. In some cities, the jump was as high as 50% compared to pre-pandemic rates. But while Albuquerque fared better than average — according to the Princeton University Eviction Lab — there were still 778 eviction filings last month and 8,895 in the last 12 months. Since March 2020, Albuquerque has recorded 35,206 evictions.
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2 months ago | 
citydesk.org | Damon Scott
Those living on Albuquerque’s streets need medical attention and connection to services just like anyone else. One of the most effective ways to forge a lasting connection with the vulnerable population is through street outreach: Setting up in areas of the city where those experiencing homelessness tend to congregate. Street outreach initiatives are also important to prevent unnecessary visits to urgent care centers and emergency rooms, which can also be an unwelcome and intimidating experience.
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2 months ago | 
citydesk.org | Damon Scott
Officials overseeing the city’s flagship Gateway Center and its network of projects, designed to provide services for those experiencing homelessness, have lately experienced complications with operators and contracts. The most recent snag will result in the delayed opening of what officials have said for many months is a critical and “life-saving” gap in service — Gateway’s medical sobering center. Construction began on the 11,000-square-foot center designed to accommodate 50 people in 2024.
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2 months ago | 
citydesk.org | Damon Scott
While virtually all U.S. states struggle with housing affordability and homelessness, the situation in New Mexico is worse than most. A few examples: The median price for a new home is $440,000 — a price that’s unaffordable for 82% of New Mexicans. Median rent is up 60% (versus 27% nationally) and homelessness is up 87% (versus 40% nationally).
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2 months ago | 
citydesk.org | Damon Scott
Those who’ve ventured to Albuquerque City Council meetings know the drill: After proclamations, presentations and the (frequent) grilling of city officials — called administrative Q&A — a select number of residents have 60 seconds to comment about what’s on their mind. Once that’s done, with any luck, only a couple hours will have passed. A dinner break typically comes next before the meat of the meeting begins — deliberation, debate and votes on a packed agenda of proposed ordinances.
