Good morning, Albuquerque.

Food banks report more veterans seeking assistance after new SNAP rules require 80 hours of work or training, as officials told lawmakers on Oct.

16. Veterans in rural areas and seniors face extra challenges with rising grocery and fuel costs.

APS held its first community meeting at Cibola High School — about 50 parents and staff raised concerns over transparency in school right-sizing amid sharp enrollment declines.

The board will review feedback from 14 meetings and decide in March or April.

An atmospheric river is pushing heavy rain, flooding, and severe thunderstorms into the west today & the threat will spread east from Thursday into the weekend, with rising rain chances and risks of damaging winds and hail.

After the Frijoles Fire nearly two months ago burned half of the stream that feeds a centuries-old irrigation system, local water managers and acequia members worry that post-fire silt and fire retardant runoff may lower water quality in the reservoir (3,000 parciantes depend on it).

On Monday at the Tanoan Country Club, wildlife officials captured a mother bear and her two cubs stuck in a tree; the mother died from sedation complications + officials will relocate the cubs to a safe habitat away from neighborhoods.

Albuquerque City Council approved a $5.2 million plan to use opioid settlement funds for treatment, housing and prevention programs.

The funding will support a new treatment navigation program at the Gateway System of Care, help at the Medical Sobering Center, recovery housing and school prevention services — with spending details to be shared on a public accountability dashboard.

State health data released Tuesday show alcohol-related deaths in New Mexico increased 2.6% from 2024 to 2025 after a three-year drop, with 1,756 deaths reported in 2024 and alcohol accounting for 9% of hospitalizations statewide, while the department promotes Sober October & Drink Less, Live More to reduce risks.

During National Teen Driver Safety Week, which runs Oct.

18-24, advocates urge Albuquerque parents to talk with their teens about the dangers of speeding, distracted and impaired driving to help reduce serious crashes. The campaign highlights the importance of clear driving rules and available resources for safe practices.