KRQE Newsfeed: Addressing crime in New Mexico, More crime legislation, Widespread rain, Albuquerque construction, Los Lunas Amazon groundbreaking

Tuesday’s Top Stories

• ‘Food, Hygiene, Safety’ Violations Found During Surprise Check-Ins Of Senior Care Facilities
• ABQ couple accused of armed robberies at 3 Blake’s Lotaburgers and a dispensary
• Bill aims to explore feasibility of moving Soldiers’ Monument to Santa Fe National Cemetery
• New Mexico’s Eddie Nuñez said to be frontrunner for University of Houston AD job
• Clovis police investigating shooting that injured 2 people
• Las Vegas eases water restrictions on car washes and laundromats
• A trove of artifacts from Egypt’s last dynasty has been found in 63 tombs
• Quake felt from LA to San Diego, swaying buildings and knocking items off shelves but no big damage

Tuesday’s Five Facts

[1] U.S. Attorney General visits Albuquerque – U.S. Attorney General, Merrick Garland, was in Albuquerque discussing crime in the metro and the state. According to Albuquerque police, since 2021 homicides have decreased by 32%, robberies by 42% and aggravated assaults by 9%. Though some categories of violent crime are on a downward trend, community members say there’s still work to be done.

[2] Lawmakers speak out on crime in New Mexico – Some state lawmakers are blaming New Mexico’s crime rate on Bernalillo County. They argue that Albuquerque city officials are failing to use appropriated funds to hire and retain police officers as well as keeping criminals behind bars. Some lawmakers denounced the finger pointing and are urging for a holistic approach to address the issue of violent crime. Lawmakers failed to pass any of the governor’s violent crime bills during its latest special legislative session.

[3] Widespread rain around New Mexico in the short term – Temperatures across the region will rise into the upper 60’s, 70’s, 80’s, 90’s, and near 100 degrees in a few southern areas by the afternoon, Plenty of moisture in the air, along with enough daytime heating, will lead to the likelihood of widespread rainfall. The northern and western three-fourths of the region have the best chance of rain for today with flash flooding very likely in the northern burn-scars, as well as around Ruidoso in the early afternoon hours. Most of the San Juan Mountains, the Gila National Forest, and eventually a large swath of the Rio Grande Valley as well, will have the likelihood for some potent storms

[4] Construction begins on two major Albuquerque interchanges – The New Mexico Department of Transportation says heavy construction and lane closures around some major Albuquerque interchange revamps will hit this week. The first phase of the project on I-25 between Montgomery and Comanche is expected to close lanes. Crews will work on adding an extra lane for southbound traffic. Officials also say the loop ramp at Montgomery going to I-25 southbound will be permanently removed. The DOT says crews will do most of the barricade placement overnight for the next two weeks from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. The full project is scheduled to last through mid 2027.

[5] Amazon fulfillment center opening in Los Lunas – A ribbon cutting event is scheduled for Amazon’s newest facility in Los Lunas. Amazon has completed construction of its fulfilment center west of Los Lunas, on the north side of New Mexico State Road 6. The company invested more than $300 million into the facility. The grand opening and ribbon cutting is scheduled for Tuesday, August 13 at 9 a.m.

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