KRQE Newsfeed: DWI scandal, Body cam released, Cloudier and warm, Housing shortage, Lodging concerns
Mar 26, 2025
Wednesday's Top Stories
Lobo basketball coach Richard Pitino leaves UNM for Big East job
WATCH: DWI cases Albuquerque officers and paralegal made disappear
Rio Rancho to review plans to redevelop old country club golf course
Woman accused of damaging 21 government vehicles in Albuquerqu
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New Mexico researcher helps discover new dinosaur species
UNM researchers release study on hantavirus in New Mexico
Gunman who killed 23 in racist attack at Texas Walmart is offered plea deal
Wednesday's Five Facts
[1] Albuquerque police fire two officers who worked in DWI Unit - The Albuquerque Police Department announced on Tuesday that two officers who were part of the DWI Unit have been fired. Gustvo Gomez, a deputy commander, and Matthew Chavez, a lieutenant in the Valley Area Command, were both fired. Thirteen APD officers have left the department as part of the federal investigation. Four of them have pled guilty to federal charges.
[2] Body camera footage shows moments after deputies discover Gene Hackman’s body - Footage shows Santa Fe Sheriff's Deputies trying to figure out what led to the death of actor Gene Hackman and his wife, Betsy Arakawa. The medical investigation would later reveal that Arakawa died first of hantavirus. Authorities said Hackman died more than a week later of heart disease with complications from Alzheimer’s. It was determined that one of their dogs died of starvation and dehydration.
[3] Clouds moving in, weather still warm & dry - Isolated showers and thunderstorms will move into southern New Mexico and the northern mountains Wednesday and Thursday. Most of the rain though will evaporate before reaching the ground. This could cause locally gusty winds. Drier weather returns Friday, but so does the wind. Westerly winds could gust as high as 45 to 50 mph Friday.
[4] Housing New Mexico launches program aiming to increase affordable housing - Housing New Mexico and the state department of finance are working together to increase affordable housing. The departments are launching the Rehab to Rental program. The program will offer forgivable loans up to $25,000 per unit to landlords who currently lease or agree to lease their properties to renters who use housing vouchers. The loans will allow landlords to make improvements that will make necessary improvements to the rental units. Housing partners are currently being invited to submit applications to become service providers.
[5] Organizers address lodging concerns for National Championship Air Races in Roswell - The city of Roswell is addressing some lodging concerns as the city prepares to host the National Championship Air Races. A quick search for a room shows how scarce hotels and motels are going to be for the event. Organizers say they are confident in their decision to name Roswell as the host city. They are currently working on providing shuttles to the event from Carlsbad and Artesia. The air races will take place September 10 - 14. ...read more read less