Construction on national cemetery in Albuquerque to start next year - Albuquerque news - NewsLocker (2024)

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M.(KRQE) – The U.S. Veterans Affairs Department said it will start construction on a new national cemetery in Albuquerque in 2025. Last year, the V.A. purchased 230 acres of land for a cemetery near the Petroglyphs.Albuquerque Fire Rescue hopes to adopt video platform to help with 911 callsOnce complete, it will serve nearly 7,800 veterans. This will be the third national cemetery in the state and it comes as the one in Santa Fe is running out of space.

More storms, heavy rain on the way Thursday

Showers and storms have been dropping heavy rain across parts of New Mexico Wednesday. Another round of heavy rain will be possible with more showers and storms on Thursday.
Widespread showers and storms developed across New Mexico Wednesday. These storms dropped heavy rainfall in parts of the state. Some of this rain has also been falling over burn scar areas, where Flash Flood Warnings were in effect. It was also another hot day. Albuquerque once again hit 100° this afternoon. Some showers

Grants City Council hears from business owners about flooding concerns

GRANTS, N.M.(KRQE) – Clean-up efforts are continuing in Grants following recent flash floods there. Last Friday, heavy rains forced emergency evacuations for multiple counties with populated areas being Las Vegas, Grants, and the Bloomfield areas.Grants mayor convicted of battery against city councilorThe City of Grants heard from multiple business owners about what the next steps are in terms of rebuilding and future safety concerns. "My concern is if there is more rain, what's goi

NASA satellite imagery shows Ruidoso wildfires burning 1 day after they broke out

RUIDOSO, N.M.(KRQE) – New satellite imagery from NASA shows the Ruidoso wildfires burning as bright white spots in a nighttime satellite view of the area. A day after the South Fork and Salt Fires broke out, NASA captured just how intense and quickly the fire spread.
Wildfire ResourcesHere’s how to donate to victims of fires in Ruidoso areaLatest Video ForecastLatest on South Fork Fire
Latest on Salt FireThe two fires show as two bright white dots and above the fires, a smoke p

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VIDEO: APD officer charged with driving drunk in patrol vehicle

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M.(KRQE) –On a Sunday in early June, New Mexico State Police Sergeant Toby Lafave was about to make an unusual arrest after clocking a speeding SUV on I-25.
Lafave: "I'm watching an APD unit, doing like over 100, keeps driving off the road."Story continues below
Trending: Ruidoso resident describes staying behind to help others while wildfires ragedNews: The state responds to the water need in Las Vegas following floodingWildfire: Latest on South Fork Fire near R

Grants mayor convicted of battery against city councilor

GRANTS, N.M. (KRQE) – The mayor of Grants has been convicted of battery for hitting a council member following a city council meeting in 2023.Story continues below
Trending: Ruidoso resident describes staying behind to help others while wildfires ragedNews: The state responds to the water need in Las Vegas following floodingWildfire: Latest on South Fork Fire near Ruidoso
“This is the green chile mafia type of behavior where you just gang up and try to not try to go forward and move

New Mexico landowners sue state over waterway access on private property

NEW MEXICO(KRQE) –New Mexico's Supreme Court has made it clear, the state's waterways are public and private landowners can't fence people out. However, now a group of those landowners are challenging the idea and asking for the federal courts to get involved.Story continues below
Trending: Ruidoso resident describes staying behind to help others while wildfires ragedNews: The state responds to the water need in Las Vegas following floodingWildfire: Latest on South Fork F

'Job Training Albuquerque' offering hospitality courses

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M.(KRQE) –A city workforce program is expanding its courses to better serve the local hospitality industry. Job Training Albuquerque is partnering with the New Mexico Restaurant Association to provide a range of restaurant and hospitality courses like food safety and food handling.NM Attorney General vows to go after price-gouging businesses around RuidosoJTA said the hospitality industry has suffered across the state since COVID-19. The courses are available fo

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Summer program helps Albuquerque students prepare for next school year

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M.(KRQE) –A special summer program in Albuquerque is helping some students prepare for the next school year. Horizons Albuquerque is helping low-income students in grades first through 11 with the goal of advancing educational equity."This program is really important because many of the students we work with fall behind during the summer, and this is an opportunity for them to continue their academics through the summer and prepare for the next grade level," said

Freedom 4th 2024: What you need to know

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M.(KRQE) – Albuquerque's Freedom 4th celebration is happening from 3:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. at Balloon Fiesta Park on Thursday, July 4. This is a free, rain-or-shine event and will include fun for the whole family including food, drinks, music, activities, and more. Alcoholic beverages will be available from local vendors at the Cantina. This is a non-smoking event.The event will feature a full day of entertainment starting at 4:00 p.m. There will be a 4th of July cerem

Former Albuquerque police officer pleads no contest to shoplifting charges

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M.(KRQE) –While Albuquerque police crackdown on rampant shoplifting city wide, a now former Albuquerque Police Department Officer has pled to charges tied to swapping out price tags.Story continues below
Trending: Ruidoso resident describes staying behind to help others while wildfires ragedNews: The state responds to the water need in Las Vegas following floodingWildfire: Latest on South Fork Fire near Ruidoso
Vanessa Santillanes was an APD officer for a decade.

Showers continue overnight, more heavy rain possible Thursday

Showers and storms have been dropping heavy rain across parts of New Mexico Wednesday. Another round of heavy rain will be possible with more showers and storms on Thursday.
Widespread showers and storms continue to develop across New Mexico Wednesday afternoon. These storms have been capable of heavy, torrential rainfall. Some of this rain has also been falling over burn scar areas, where Flash Flood Warnings are in effect. It is also another hot day, especially for areas that are still hanging

Durango train debuts evening "Highline Express" in July

DURANGO, Colo.(KRQE) –Both locals and visitors in Durango will soon have a new scenic train excursion on the iconic Highline this summer. The Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad is adding the evening "Highline Express" starting July 1.Durango residents push to make Animas View Drive saferPeople will see stunning views from 400 feet above the Animas River and across the famous Highline and horseshoe curve. It will be the shortest summer excursion at three-and-a-half hou

California man headed to prison for transporting heroin on New Mexico train

NEW MEXICO(KRQE) – After trying to bring heroin across state lines, a man from California has been sentenced to 151 months in federal prison. The U.S. Department of Justice says Mario A. Serna had the heroin in a false compartment in his bag.Serna was on a train in Bernalillo County, New Mexico when the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency caught him with several kilograms of heroin. In a plea agreement, he admitted to planning on taking the heroin to North Carolina for distribution.New Mex

NM Attorney General vows to go after price-gouging businesses around Ruidoso

RUIDOSO, N.M.(KRQE) – While hundreds of home and business owners recover from the devastating Ruidoso-area wildfires, the state's top prosecutor says some businesses are taking advantage of locals through "price-gouging."Wildfire ResourcesHere’s how to donate to victims of fires in Ruidoso areaLatest Video ForecastLatest on South Fork Fire
Latest on Salt FireNew Mexico Attorney General Raúl Torrez made his message clear Wednesday: his office will go after businesses tryi

New Mexico Mortgage Finance Authority seeks contractors to rehabilitate homes

NEW MEXICO(KRQE) –The New Mexico Mortgage Finance Authority is looking for contractors to renovate homes throughout the state. The authority said its home rehabilitation program does not have a service provider in eight counties.New Mexico Game and Fish Department selling leftover deer licensesThe program offers repairs and upgrades to roofs, plumbing, and major housing systems. It also provides energy-saving improvements. Up to $5 million in funding is available.

Albuquerque man facing more than 80 years in prison after violating plea deal

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M.(KRQE) – A man who violated his plea deal in a murder case before he was sentenced is now facing additional time. Josef Tony pled guilty to two counts of first-degree murder, armed robbery, and more in April.Albuquerque man admits to killing 2 people in 2021 crime spreeIn 2021, Toney shot and killed Aerial Mallam and Jessica Lucero during a robbery at the Aztec Village Apartments on Montgomery. As part of his plea deal, Toney was facing up to 34 years behind bars. H

New Mexico Game and Fish Department selling leftover deer licenses

NEW MEXICO(KRQE) – If you are looking to hunt deer in New Mexico this year or next year, you are in luck. The New Mexico Game and Fish Department has 630 leftover deer licenses for sale.Federal government giving New Mexico $49.8 million for federal public landsThose interested must possess a game hunting license in order to purchase a deer license online.New Mexico residents can apply on Wednesday. All non-residents will have to wait until Thursday.

Rio Rancho Fire and PD holding school supply drive in July

RIO RANCHO, N.M.(KRQE) – The Rio Rancho Police and Fire Departments are joining forces with Rio Rancho Public Schools to get school supplies out to local children in need. On July 16, community members are invited to bring donated supplies to the Premiere 14 Movie Theater near Unser and Southern Blvd.Federal government giving New Mexico $49.8 million for federal public landsPeople will be able to buy a discounted ticket to a special screening of the upcoming animated kid's movie Des

UNM Police searching for stabbing suspect

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M.(KRQE) – University of New Mexico Police are looking for a man they said stabbed someone in the arm. Police say the man grabbed the victim's backpack and taunted them before pulling out a knife and stabbing them in the tricep.Albuquerque Police arrest man caught inside a bait carThe suspect is described as a Native American man, between 5'7" and 5'9" tall, with dark hair, white tennis shoes, and a black baseball cap. Anyone with information is asked to call CrimeSto

New Mexico ranked as #1 state for pedestrian deaths in 2023

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M.(KRQE) – A new report from the Governors Highway Safety Association shows New Mexico had the highest rate of pedestrian traffic fatalities compared to all other states in 2023. That is the third year in a row that New Mexico has ranked at the top.New Mexico had an average of 4.68 pedestrian fatalities per 100,000 people, according to preliminary data from January through December of 2023. That's more than double the national average.Story Continues BelowPreliminary d

Albuquerque Police arrest man caught inside a bait car

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M.(KRQE) –The Albuquerque Police Department arrested 34-year-old Juan Magana after being caught in a bait car Tuesday morning.Home Run Derby X will give locals a chance to compete with MLB LegendsSurveillance video shows Magana get into a bait car near Gibson and Yale around 6:30 a.m. Multiple cameras inside the vehicle capture Magana driving the vehicleand speaking on the phone with an unknown person. Moments later APD disabled the vehicle near Garfield and Stan

Showers and storms lead to flooding concerns throughout the evening

A big surge of moisture has begun to move into New Mexico today. This will work as fuel for more showers and storms to develop afternoon. With even more moisture in the atmosphere to work with, storms will be capable of even heavier rainfall. Because of this, burn scar flash flooding is likely over the Hermits Peak/Calf Canyon and Ruidoso wildfire burn scar areas by the afternoon. A Flash Flood Warning has been issued for the Salt Fire Burn Scar area through this evening. Locally heavy rainfall

City of Las Vegas sees slight increase in water production, continues to limit water usage

LAS VEGAS, N.M.(KRQE) –The City of Las Vegas said it has seen a slight increase in water production on Wednesday, however, it is still not enough. The city is still asking residents to limit water usage after heavy rains hit the Hermits Peak Calf Canyon Fire burn scar and washed soot and debris into the city’s water supply.The state responds to the water need in Las Vegas following floodingThe city's normal consuption is 1.5-1.7 million gallons per day. on Tuesday, the c

Man facing prison after threatening phone call to New Mexico district attorney

DOÑA ANA COUNTY, N.M.(KRQE) –A man from Ohio is facing prison time after pleading guilty to threatening the district attorney in Doña Ana County. Donald Walter Fowler, 47, left a voicemail for the judge in 2023.In October of 2023, Fowler threatened District Attorney Gerald Byers, using racist epithets and making sexual references, according to the plea agreement. Fowler also said, “there should be a noose in your future.”New Mexico governor champions

Celebrity Historian Raffi Andonian speaks on the 1924 act that granted citizenship to Native Americans

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M.(KRQE) – This month marks the 100th anniversary of a citizenship act that granted citizenship to Native Americans. Celebrity Historian Raffi Andonian speaks the significance of that act.
Story continues below
Trending: Ruidoso resident describes staying behind to help others while wildfires ragedNews: The state responds to the water need in Las Vegas following floodingWildfire: Latest on South Fork Fire near Ruidoso
The law established birth right citizenship for Nat

'Ultra rare' $500 banknote from 1930s to be auctioned off

TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — An "ultra rare" $500 banknote from the 1930s is set to be auctioned off Wednesday.According to Hansons Auctioneers, the banknote was printed 90 years ago and is part of a major collection of rare USA notes uncovered in Wales.William Hayward, a coin/banknote valuer at Hansons, said the banknote is rare for a number of reasons. For starters, Hayward said just having a $500 note in your pocket in 1934 would have been extremely unusual.
(Hansons Auctioneers)
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Families impacted by South Fork, Salt fire getting extension to file federal taxes

RUIDOSO, N.M.(KRQE) –Following the disaster declaration from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), those impacted by the wildfires and flooding near Ruidoso, New Mexico can qualify for tax relief from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).The IRS will waive some fees and offer filing extensions for those living in the disaster area. The IRS will automatically identify taxpayers in the disaster area and offer relief, but those who live outside the disaster area or who hav

Families impacted by South Fork, Salt fire getting extension to file federal, state taxes

*Editor's Note: This story has been updated to include information about state tax extensions.RUIDOSO, N.M.(KRQE) –Following the disaster declaration from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), those impacted by the wildfires and flooding near Ruidoso, New Mexico can qualify for tax relief from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) as well as the State of New Mexico.The IRS will waive some fees and offer filing extensions for those living in the disaster area. The IRS wil

Federal government giving New Mexico $49.8 million for federal public lands

NEW MEXICO(KRQE) –The U.S. Department of the Interior is giving local New Mexico governments nearly $50 million to help maintain community services and public lands. The money helps support firefighting, education, construction, water resources, and more.Local governments are not able to tax some federal lands, so the payment makes up for the lack of tax revenue. The payments are called "Payments in Lieu of Taxes."Confusion over New Mexico’s financial disclosure laws mig