The Barcelona Suites off Louisiana seems to be the latest problem property on the city’s radar.
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — The Barcelona Suites off Louisiana seems to be the latest problem property on the city’s radar.
Cops were seen going in and out of rooms on the property around 10 a.m. Thursday morning.
This wouldn’t be the first hotel to run into issues, the city recently closed some hotels off Coors and Illif.
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The city’s Planning Department told KOB 4 this was an announced inspection, they posted 24-hour notices on the property Wednesday.
On Thursday morning, Code Enforcement and APD conducted the inspection, ultimately decided to close the hotel by 2 p.m. Friday.
Residents near the Barcelona suites on Louisiana are breathing a sigh of relief.
“There has been so many activities going down the last couple of years, it has just gotten worse and worse. Shootings, stabbings, drug activity all hours of the day,” said Wendy Tafoya, a nearby Resident.
“It’s the best thing ever, I feel a great relief,” said Mickie Johnson, a fellow nearby resident.
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Tafoya said all the commotion Thursday morning at the problem hotel was hard to miss. Then an Albuquerque police officer knocked on her door to deliver the news.
“This morning, we noticed that there was a bunch of police and police activity then one of the officers came and told us that what they were doing is they were going to shut that building down because it has become a nuisance,” she said.
We spoke to multiple residents who say their neighborhood association has been trying to get the hotel on the city’s radar, but the work doesn’t stop here.
“My concern is what are they going to do next,” said another resident who did not want to be on camera.
While the hotel is shutting down, they worry that won’t solve the issue of homelessness in the community.
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“I have mixed emotions about the motel because I know that it is not kept good. My feeling is they will congregate there, there is no doubt about that. Demolishing it, maybe. Unless there is a good owner who says in writing that they are going to fix it up,” said the resident.
The city said this was a large operation. We are expecting to hear more from the planning department and city leaders Friday afternoon after the hotel closes.
Newlab New Orleans is deepening its energy-tech ambitions with a new partnership alongside JERA, Japan’s largest power generator, to accelerate next-generation carbon capture solutions for heavy industries across Louisiana and the Gulf Coast, The Center Square writes.
The collaboration brings JERA Ventures into Newlab’s public-private innovation hub, where startups gain access to lab space and high-end machinery to commercialize technologies aimed at cutting emissions and improving industrial efficiency.
The move builds momentum as Newlab prepares to open its fifth global hub next fall at the former Naval Support Activity site, adding New Orleans to a network that includes Riyadh and Detroit. JERA’s footprint in Louisiana is already growing—from a joint venture on CF Industries’ planned $4 billion low-carbon ammonia plant to investments in solar generation and Haynesville shale assets—positioning the company as a significant player in the state’s clean-energy transition.
Federal immigration authorities are keeping a tight lid on key details as “Catahoula Crunch” closes its first week in southeast Louisiana, Verite writes.
The operation—one of Department of Homeland Security’s largest recent urban crackdowns—began with raids at home-improvement stores and aims for 5,000 arrests, according to plans previously reviewed by the Associated Press. While DHS publicly highlighted arrests of immigrants with violent criminal records, AP data shows fewer than one-third of the 38 detainees in the first two days had prior convictions.
Meanwhile, advocacy groups report widespread fear in Hispanic communities, with residents avoiding hospitals, schools, workplaces and even grocery stores amid sightings of federal agents.
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Business impacts are already visible: restaurants and Hispanic-serving corridors like Broad Street appear unusually quiet, with staff shortages forcing menu cuts and temporary closures. School absenteeism has doubled in Jefferson Parish, and protests have spread across New Orleans and surrounding suburbs as local leaders demand transparency around federal tactics.
BATON ROUGE, La. (Louisiana First) — The Louisiana State Police is opening its doors throughout December, hosting open house events aimed at giving potential applicants a closer look at what it takes to become a state trooper.
Troop leaders said the goal is to recruit men and women who are prepared for the demands of the job and committed to serving their communities.
Troop A Public Information Officer Shelby Mayfield said the open houses are designed to make the application process more accessible.
“One of the reasons we generated these open houses was to allow our applicants to come in and get a look inside the troop, meet some state troopers from across the troop area, and ask whatever questions they may have to the recruiters who are present,” Mayfield said.
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Along with information sessions, Mayfield said the events help future applicants better understand the daily responsibilities of law enforcement and the mindset troopers are expected to bring to the job.
“We want to make sure that that trooper knows how important officer safety is,” he said. “But more importantly, we want to make sure they go out there with a pure heart.”
The Louisiana State Police Training Academy is known for its rigorous curriculum that prepares cadets for real-world situations. From crash investigations to communication skills, instructors focus on developing well-rounded troopers who can serve safely and effectively.
Mayfield said applicants must be ready for a variety of interactions, not just emergencies.
“Not everything is going to be a high-intensity, rapidly evolving situation,” he said. “You need to be able to deal with the public to accomplish your job, and that’s why we preach not just getting the job done, but being able to relate to the public so you can meet their needs.”
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The application deadline for Cadet Class 109 is Jan. 6, 2026. Mayfield encourages anyone who feels called to the profession to take the next step.
“If this is something you genuinely have in your heart to do, reach out to somebody when it’s convenient for you,” he said. “Even if you miss a deadline, never give up because it’s never too late.”
Open house events will continue throughout the month at troop locations across Louisiana. More information on Cadet Class 109 and the application process is available on the Louisiana State Police website.
