Briefs
NM governor supports local TV and film workers who may be striking soon
Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham on Tuesday, Oct. 5, issued a statement of support for the local branch of the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees, whose members are prepared to walk off set as they fight for better working conditions behind the scenes of movies and TV shows produced in the state. “The women and […]
City Council formally recognizes the burial ground for Albuquerque Indian School students
Albuquerque city councilors made an official step forward to assist with the next steps of the Native American grave site at 4-H Park. A resolution recognizing the cemetery where students from Albuquerque Indian School are buried at the city-run park was passed with a unanimous vote at the Monday, Oct. 4 Council meeting. Councilors Lan […]
NM agency says it’s met federal deadline for spending $170 in emergency rent money
A state agency tasked with spending $170 million in rental and utility funds has met its deadline for getting some of that assistance out the door, preventing the money from being clawed back by the federal government, according to a spokesperson. The state was required to either distribute or approve the spending of 65% of […]
New Mexicans get to weigh in on how social studies is taught in public schools
The state Public Education Department released new standards for social studies that were prepared by by educators from across New Mexico. People can read the proposal here. “This is the first full review of our social studies standards in 20 years, so it is beyond time for this update,” Public Education Secretary Designate Kurt Steinhaus […]
See your possible SNAP benefit when the program is boosted Oct. 1
Starting in October, many New Mexicans will have more money to spend on food. The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) will increase monthly benefits to more than 539,000 people in N.M. that qualify for the nutrition subsidy on Oct. 1. Individuals, on average, will see at least $36 more in their SNAP accounts. Families of […]
U.S. Senate to vote on Montana’s Tracy Stone-Manning as public lands chief
The U.S. Senate is set to vote as soon as Thursday on the nomination of Tracy Stone-Manning, a conservation advocate and former top aide to Montana Democrats, to lead the Bureau of Land Management, putting the end to her contentious confirmation process in sight. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer filed cloture on Stone-Manning’s nomination, setting […]
Don’t mix vaccines. But sign up for a booster if you can.
Eligible New Mexicans can now receive their COVID booster shot. Key in making sure you can get your next jab: The booster is only available for people who received the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine. That’s it. New Mexico Department of Health officials advise people not to mix vaccines. Again, if you did not get the Pfizer vaccine, […]
OSHA to ramp up workplace heat checks as global warming progresses
Federal workplace safety regulators say they are taking steps toward protecting workers from heat-related illness. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration on Sept. 24 announced that it will finally establish a federal workplace heat standard. The agency also promised an expansion of heat inspections and enforcement of rules protecting against heat hazards. Between 2013 and […]
State’s 19 pueblos and tribes band together for redistricting pitch in light of NM demographic changes
The state’s pueblos and tribes released their ideas for how political maps being drawn this year will help them express political power amid increases in numbers of Native Americans overall — and population losses around pueblos. The Citizen Redistricting Committee is soliciting public feedback on maps its staff put together after weeks of meetings. The […]
City seeks public input on what’s next for the Indian School gravesite at 4-H Park
Indigenous leaders in Albuquerque now need the public to speak on reconciling and recognizing the mass gravesite at the former Indian School. “As we honor and pay our respects to our ancestors at the sacred site that the 4-H Park burial site represents,” Terri Sloan said in a statement, “we must begin the healing from […]
U.S. Supreme Court schedules Dec. 1 oral arguments in major abortion case
WASHINGTON — The U.S. Supreme Court will hear oral arguments on Dec. 1 in a case that threatens to overturn decades of abortion protections established under the landmark 1973 ruling in Roe v. Wade. The upcoming case, Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, stems from a Mississippi law that bans most abortions after 15 weeks. It […]
ABQ announces 191-unit apartment complex approved for Downtown amid housing shortage
A Downtown Albuquerque apartment complex is one step closer to being built, according to city officials, potentially bringing nearly 200 affordable apartments to a city facing a housing shortage and steep increase in rent costs. The city is teaming up with REMBE Urban Design and Development to build the “Downtowner,” a six-story, 191-unit complex that […]