Albuquerque, NM

Kagi AI Summary:
The failure of the El Vado dam in New Mexico has disrupted the water supply for the Albuquerque region, forcing the city and nearby farmers to rely on finite groundwater resources. The dam, which has been collecting irrigation water for nearly a century, is suffering from structural issues that have caused it to be out of commission for the past three summers. This has threatened the water supply for both agriculture and the growing Albuquerque metropolitan area, which had previously reduced its groundwater reliance by importing surface water from the dam. With the dam's future uncertain, the region is struggling to balance its limited water resources and find alternative storage solutions. The challenges facing the El Vado dam highlight the broader water infrastructure issues affecting communities across the drought-stricken American West as climate change exacerbates water scarcity.

Kagi AI Highlights:

• The city council voted on several zoning changes, including allowing tribal representatives to comment on land developments near the Petroglyph National Monument, allowing drive-thrus in certain areas, and creating design standards for developments near the planned Rail Trail.
• The ordinance allowing tribal representatives to comment on land developments near the Petroglyph National Monument passed unanimously, as it was seen as important to protect sacred tribal lands and cultural resources.
• The proposal to allow drive-thrus in the Volcano Heights Urban Center was controversial, with the Planning Department and Environmental Planning Commission recommending against it, but it ultimately passed in a 6-3 vote.
• An ordinance was passed to require development standards like landscape buffering and building design restrictions for properties next to the planned Rail Trail in downtown Albuquerque.
• The council voted on several amendments to the Integrated Development Ordinance (IDO) Annual Update, including increasing alley lighting, allowing more duplexes, and adjusting fence/wall heights.
• The amendment to allow duplexes in more residential areas failed in a 3-6 vote, while the amendment to require energy storage systems to meet neighborhood standards passed unanimously.
• An amendment to have neighborhoods and developers meet after a development is proposed (rather than before) passed 5-4.
• The amendment to allow tribal representatives to meet with developers about land-related applications passed unanimously.
• The proposal to increase allowable front yard fence/wall heights to 5 feet failed 1-8.
• The amendment to allow overnight shelters in certain zones also failed 3-6.

John Brown Breakfast Club Barbecue and Bake Sale! We are collecting donations to serve breakfast every Saturday morning at 9 under the Coal bridge for our unhoused neighbors! We just made thirty vegan cookies from our top secret recipe book 🍪 Looking forward to seeing you there - Solidarity not Charity ✊ Happy Pride 🏳️‍🌈 we'll see you tomorrow and Sunday 🌯

Kagi AI Summary:
Albuquerque, New Mexico has been aggressively clearing homeless encampments, resulting in the loss of personal belongings for thousands of homeless individuals. The city has escalated these efforts despite a court order prohibiting the destruction of unattended possessions. Homeless residents have lost critical items like medication, identification, and survival gear, making it harder for them to find housing and jobs. The city claims it provides notice and resources, but advocates say this is rarely the case. Lawsuits have been filed challenging the city's actions as unconstitutional, but the issue remains unresolved as the city continues its encampment removal program at an accelerated pace.

During a community event in Sandoval County today, Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland signed Public Land Order 7940 protecting more than 4,200 acres of Bureau of Land Management-managed public lands in the Placitas area.

The final mineral withdrawal protects, preserves, and promotes the scenic integrity, cultural importance, recreational values and wildlife habitat connectivity of the lands and the surrounding area. The lands will be closed to new mining claims, mineral sales, and oil and gas leases for the next 50 years, subject to valid existing rights.

https://www.nmhu.edu/eoc/

In case of paywall: https://archive.is/DbraV

Kagi AI Summary

The New Mexico Coalition to End Homelessness organizes an annual point-in-time count of the homeless population in Albuquerque. Last year's count found over 2,300 homeless individuals. Volunteers will canvass the city on Tuesday to survey unsheltered people and those in shelters. The count provides data required for federal funding and gives officials a sense of needs. However, it is acknowledged to be an imperfect undercount, as it depends on conditions and willingness to participate. Notably, the 2023 nationwide report found that New Mexico saw the largest increase in homelessness at 57% over the past year, along with high rates of unsheltered veterans and chronic homelessness.

Kagi AI Summary:
The passage lists the addresses of various food establishments in Albuquerque, New Mexico that have recently been downgraded due to health code violations. Many issues were observed like rodent droppings throughout facilities, food debris built up under kitchen equipment, and employees not properly washing their hands. Major violations included lack of date labeling on food items, food stored at improper temperatures, and chlorine sanitizer buckets lacking test strips. Several restaurants had gaps in external doors and walls allowing pest entry. Overall, the list shows that many popular food locations were cited for health code violations and risks to customers if issues are not addressed properly.

Kagi AI Summary:
The merger between PNM Resources and AVANGRID has been officially cancelled after three years of negotiations. While the $8.3 billion deal had overcome initial opposition, the New Mexico Public Regulation Commission ultimately rejected it in 2021 due to concerns raised by advocacy group New Energy Economy. AVANGRID appealed the decision but the court did not rule in time. With the deadline expired at the end of 2023, AVANGRID chose to withdraw from the merger. PNM had proposed extending the agreement until a court decision was made but AVANGRID declined. As a standalone company, PNM remains committed to transitioning to 100% renewable energy for its customers with or without AVANGRID's investment.

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) – As renovations continue at the Albuquerque International Sunport, the city is looking to fill space inside with art pieces from New Mexican artists.

The $3 million art project looks to bring in pieces from local artists to complement the airport’s larger renovation project to expand the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) area, update food and beverage concessions, and bring in new retailers. Only five New Mexican artists have been selected so far.

As New Mexico’s wine industry prepares for its 400-year anniversary, Central New Mexico Community College (CNM) wine production classes will prepare students to join the winery’s needed workforce.

Looks very young

The Albuquerque City Council will see some new faces, and probably new political dynamics

Voting is off to a slow start in Bernalillo County with just one day left of early voting before Election Day.

As of this evening, less than 9% of the roughly 420,000 eligible voters had cast ballots in the local election.

A Future Home for New Mexico United, and Maybe the Team Itself, is in the Hands of the City Council