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President Biden asks for almost $3 billion more for northern New Mexico wildfire victims
President Joe Biden has asked Congress for another $2.9 billion for New Mexico to recover from a wildfire ignited by the United States Forest Service, the largest in the state’s recorded history. If passed, victims would be in line to receive more than $5 billion total in federal compensation. Biden in late September signed a […]
Opiate addiction experts call on lawmakers to remove a barrier to rural methadone treatment
Advocates are optimistic the New Mexico Legislature will change a law during the upcoming legislative session to allow nurses to administer methadone, a barrier they say is making it harder to help those with opioid addictions, especially in rural areas. State law allows only pharmacists to dispense “take-home” doses of methadone or buprenorphine, commonly known […]
New map shows damage status of 50+ acequias in the northern NM burn scar
Many historic irrigation canals are still damaged in the 530-square-mile swath of charred land the Hermits Peak-Calf Canyon Fire. After the acequias were scorched by the largest fire in state history, ensuing floods forced debris and silt into the waterways. Members of the New Mexico Acequia Association are marking headgates and walking each mile of […]
FEMA explores outsourcing much of the $2.5B program for northern NM fire victims
A week before Congress approved spending $2.5 billion to fully compensate victims of botched prescribed burns that grew into New Mexico’s biggest-ever wildfire, the agency in charge of the paying victims started to explore hiring private companies to do a lot of the work. The “Request for Information” on Sept. 22 by the Federal Emergency […]
Draft FEMA rules give Northern NM fire victims only 25% of what their trees were worth
Those who lost acres of trees to the Hermits Peak-Calf Canyon Fire are asking the federal agency overseeing $2.5 billion in aid to change what they say is an improper cap on the amount they can receive for burned trees, which make up a significant amount of expected claims under the act. The Federal Emergency […]
FEMA opts not to hire a New Mexican to rule on claims for Hermit’s Peak-Calf Canyon Fire
The Federal Emergency Management Agency held its first public meeting yesterday to accept comments for how it might tailor its $2.5 billion program to best help victims of the biggest fire in New Mexico history, one accidentally started by the United States Forest Service. But a FEMA official told Source New Mexico that the agency […]
Maestas appointed to state Senate following bitter debate and dark accusations
Longtime Westside Albuquerque Rep. Antonio “Moe” Maestas will serve two years in the New Mexico Senate, an appointment that came at the end of a Bernalillo County Commission meeting punctuated with accusations of “schemes” and “conspiracy theories.” The commission was tasked with appointing the replacement for former Sen. Jacob Candelaria, a longtime Democrat who recently […]
FEMA begins accepting applications from Hermits Peak-Calf Canyon Fire victims for $2.5 billion in aid
Victims of the biggest fire in New Mexico history can today begin their applications to get some of the $2.5 billion made available by an act of Congress in late September. The Hermits Peak-Calf Canyon Fire grew out of control due to two errant prescribed burns ignited by the federal government that merged and then […]
A clean sweep for NM bonds and amendments: Here’s what voters said ‘yes’ to
All of the constitutional amendments and bonds that New Mexicans saw on their ballots this election passed by wide margins. But the language can be confusing, and they’re pretty far down on the ballot. Take a look at what each of those amendments and bonds will pay for or mean for New Mexicans. This election’s […]
South Valley Dems’ turnout could mean life or death for Gabe Vasquez’s congressional bid
Lifelong South Valley Democrat Debbie Sanchez joined hundreds of her neighbors at the Muertos y Marigolds procession, a cherished tradition there, and reminded anyone who would listen how important it is to vote on Tuesday. “We believe in voting,” she said, her face painted in calavera makeup. “And so I reach out to all my […]
The feds have detailed imaging of NM fire damage, but they won’t hand it over, victims say
Scott Moravec raised his hand during a community meeting in the burn scar of the state’s biggest wildfire, saying he’s encountering a roadblock in his request to repair 40 acres of fire and erosion damage in forested land in Chacon, N.M., where he lives. He’s trying to apply for the Emergency Forest Restoration Program, which […]
Want to represent ABQ’s Westside in the NM Senate? Nov. 10 is the deadline for applications.
Those interested in filling the seat left empty by New Mexico State Sen. Jacob Candelaria have until Nov. 10 to apply, a date established after tensions flared among the county board charged with replacing him. Sen. Jacob Candelaria, a Democrat-turned-independent, announced Oct. 19 that he would be resigning that day, which was two years before […]