cross-posted from: https://lemmy.world/post/21008754

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — A settlement reached by the U.S. government and a Native American tribe in New Mexico signals the end to what has been a yearslong legal fight over claims to the Valles Caldera National Preserve.

Government attorneys in a filing Friday asked a federal appeals court to close out the litigation with Jemez Pueblo in light of a settlement being reached after more than a year of negotiation. The case began in 2012 when the pueblo asserted its claims to all of the preserve, which spans nearly 140 square miles (363 square kilometers).

The agreement signed by U.S. Interior Secretary Deb Haaland in part recognizes the pueblo’s rights to occupy and use a nearly 5-square-mile (13-square-kilometer) area for traditional cultural and religious purposes. It follows a 2023 ruling by the court that acknowledged the pueblo’s title to what is known as the Banco Bonito area.

Haaland, a member of New Mexico’s Laguna Pueblo and the country’s first Native American Cabinet secretary, said in a statement that the nation’s lands have been central to the cultural and spiritual practices of Indigenous people for generations.

With election season underway, Bernalillo County voters are being asked to consider six bond questions that could lead to $40.5 million in capital projects.

It then goes on about what many of them are.

Shout-out to Atelopus-zeteki@fedia.io for making me aware of this ✊

Registration is open for 2024 REGISTER TODAY! Presented by Sandia Resort & Casino Save the Dates for Day of the Tread & the Bosque Bone Shaker Gravel Grinder The Gravel Grinder will be on Saturday October 26, 2024 The 4k Walk and Road Cycling Events will be on Sunday October 27, 2024 Day of the…

Alex Bukoski, a spokesperson for the department, told City Desk ABQ there are nearly 2,000 outstanding requests for either residential trash can repairs or replacements.

“The problem is certainly there and we acknowledge it, but there are a lot of plans in place for not only building back our supply, but also building up the team of how we’re going to be more efficient and work on that,” Bukoski said.

Complicating things is the 4,500 trash cans and 1,300 trash can lids Bukoski said are on backorder from a manufacturer. He said the order should be in by early November.

Amid passionate public objections to a proposal to put more pressure on vacant property owners and ban sitting or lying on sidewalks in Downtown Albuquerque, city councilors voted down the bill almost unanimously Monday night.

It's fall mfers that means we'll be serving Polsole every Sunday at Trumbull Park on top of every Saturday we'll be making burritos under the lead bridge. That's right! We're be taking care of your weekend meals all you have to do is show up and yell fuck the police with us. Don't forget to give us a call to tell us to bring cigarettes or something you might need, vent IDC I'll check the voicemails if you leave one.

cross-posted from: https://lemmy.ml/post/20380296

Medina offered two puzzling excuses for leaving his camera off. He "cited intermittent conversations with his wife, who was a passenger in his unmarked patrol vehicle at the time of the collision," Ortiz says. "He claimed there was a right to privileged communication between spouses, which specifically exempted him from mandatory recording requirements." But the relevant policy "does not provide for nonrecording based on spousal privilege."

Even more troubling, Medina said he "purposefully did not record because he was invoking his 5th Amendment right not to self-incriminate." Since "he was involved in a traffic collision," he reasoned, he was "subject to 5th Amendment protections."

For more information on Meshtastic, check out this sweet Hackaday article!

Also be sure to check out NMMDC, which is a similar Meshtastic project with a Matrix chat and a Discord!

A councilor who represents some of the most impoverished areas of the city wants to use recreational-use cannabis tax revenue to implement a basic income program for her constituents.

Guaranteed basic income is essentially a monthly stipend given to a specific community that usually lasts a year. Not to be confused with universal basic income, a cash payment that all people receive regardless of their income.

This is actually a pretty cool idea for the funds.

A proposal to cut wages for certain workers in Albuquerque is stirring up fierce debate in Albuquerque City Council. Some argue it would level the playing field for restaurant workers, while others say, it’s a big step backwards. Councilors are divided over whether employees who receive tips should be allowed to earn a lower base rate, cutting it by more than $4 an hour.

“I did not agree to sponsor this bill to take pay away from workers,” said Councilor Nicole Rogers.

Chatter, a local nonprofit that focuses on performances that combine contemporary and classical music, is gearing up for its August programming, hosted by the Albuquerque Museum.

What will it take for something like this to be successful in Abq?

Kagi AI Summary:
The South San Pedro Neighborhood Association in Albuquerque is focusing on housing solutions and services for those experiencing homelessness, which is less common for neighborhood associations. The association formed a housing solutions committee to address homelessness and advocate for more affordable housing options. While safe outdoor campsites had some initial support, the idea has lost traction in recent years. The association's chair Tawnya Mullen believes the neighborhood should get involved to help their vulnerable neighbors, and that positive change can come when neighbors work together. Other neighborhood associations like Fair West have been inspired by South San Pedro's efforts to find community-driven solutions.

The whole thing is worth a read. It's so nice to see some YIMBYs

Kagi AI Summery: The document announces that improvements to I-25 between Comanche and Montgomery in the United States will begin next month. The improvements will involve work on the interstate highway. The project aims to enhance the road infrastructure in that area. No additional details about the specific nature of the improvements are provided. The document serves as a brief announcement of the upcoming construction project on I-25.

I didn't expect an AI to point out how little info there is. That's impressively bad for The ABQ Journal. But at least it's a warning of construction that might slow things down.

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.