By Ricky Garcia and Allison Giron / NM News Port “I know how it feels to be an outcast,” said professional dog trainer Joyce Spinden as she recalled a recent experience working with a teenager. Spinden says the teen found a bond with a pit bull dog — relating to its stigma. “I know how … Continue reading Program Provides Dogs and Juveniles with Paws-itive Start – CJ 475

By Ricky Garcia / NM News Port Rio Arriba County continues leading the state in the number of babies born with neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS) with about 64 per 1,000 births in 2015. That is more than six times the state’s average. Source: New Mexico Department of Health Socorro County leads with the second highest … Continue reading Physicians expanding programs for infants of opioid addicts – CJ 475

By Ricky Garcia / NM News Port Marc Calderwood, like many other residents in the Paradise Terrace neighborhood of Albuquerque, NM, originally turned to the Nextdoor app for area recommendations, classifieds and community communication but recently found out his neighbors are using the app to report crime. “We’re done with this [theft], we have got … Continue reading Albuquerque Residents Sharing Too Much ‘Nextdoor’? – CJ 475

By Brenna Kelley & Ricky Garcia / NM News Port Tish Tyler is no different than her neighbors in the Enchanted Hills neighborhood of Rio Rancho. She is concerned about crime. “Our mailboxes have been broken into, several times,” Tyler said. “Reading the paper, I’ve noticed that it seems to be happening all over the … Continue reading Coffee with Cops: An Appeal for More Community Trust – CJ 475

By Kyra Begay, Ricky Garcia and Allison Giron / NM News Port Dean Smith is breathing a sigh of relief. Smith directs the Albuquerque Bernalillo County Public Library, where users have been borrowing some four million items a year. “They like libraries and they use their libraries,” Smith said. Smith’s relief comes thanks to voter … Continue reading Libraries welcome upgrades afforded by bond measure – CJ 375

It is decided that judges will now have the authority to deny bail for dangerous defendants after New Mexico voters passed a constitutional amendment Tuesday. The amendment passed by a wide margin — 88-12 percent. The amendment previously passed the NM State Senate in February. Senator Craig Brandt voted against Senate Joint Resolution 1 in … Continue reading NM Voters change Constitution to reform bail system – CJ 375

Local proponents of police reform say the Black Lives Matter movement can bring needed change in this year’s election. As more cases of police brutality emerged in 2016, the Black Lives Matter movement grew stronger — even in New Mexico. And now it is finding it’s way into local discussion and national political debate. BLM … Continue reading Black Lives Matter, in ABQ, in Elections – CJ 375

In November, New Mexican voters will decide whether to amend the state constitution, giving judges power to hold dangerous defendants in jail without cash bond. It would also allow judges to release poor defendants without bail if they are not a risk to the community. The language of the amendment was passed 29-9 by the … Continue reading Bail reform measure could change NM Constitution – CJ 375