New Mexico

New Mexico’s Braver Angels offers political junkies an alternative to divisiveness

Published

2 hours ago

September 4, 2024

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(New Mexico News Connection) There’s evidence that respectful conversations about politics – while not changing hearts or minds – can lead to greater understanding on both sides. That’s the goal of New Mexico’s Braver Angels Alliance.

The local group is part of the larger national organization dedicated to political depolarization.

Albuquerque volunteer Pat Hirschl said often meetings cannot be held unless there’s both a red co-chair and a blue co-chair, to guarantee equal engagement about difficult topics.

“Locally we’ve had workshops, we’ve had skills training for bridging the divide in which you try to help people see how they can talk to their neighbors or their families,” said Hirschl. “There are families that are split apart by this division in the politics.”

Braver Angels takes its name from a speech by President Abraham Lincoln during the American Civil War, when he encouraged both sides of the conflict to call on the “better angels” of their nature, rather than see each other as enemies.

Albuquerque’s group will host a meetup at the Cherry Hills library this Thursday at 4 p.m. for a structured conversation on the topic of politics.

Hirschl said the meetings are not designed to get either side to agree with the other, but to recognize why people think the way they do based on their life experiences.

Across the country and in crucial swing states, Hirschl noted that independent voters are expected to play an outsize role in this year, and said leaders of the major parties would be smart to take notice.

“If they have any sense at all, both parties will reach out to those people who are not members of their party,” said Hirschl. “So, we’ll see – a ver que pasa – we’ll see what happens.”

The program for this year’s Braver Angels national convention focused on four issues: abortion, economic inequality and growth, free speech versus hate speech, and immigration.

The nonprofit launched in 2016 and now has 120 chapters and some 12,000 members nationwide.

Support for this reporting was provided by the Carnegie Corporation of New York.

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New Mexico

AMP Concerts and FUSION Theatre join forces to boost creativity and cultural events

Published

8 hours ago

September 4, 2024

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AMP Concerts and FUSION Theatre join forces to boost creativity and cultural events

AMP Concerts is partnering with FUSION Theatre Company to provide artists of all types with a space that allows for creative and cultural exploration. FUSION, home to the FUSION Theatre Company, is a center for arts and culture in Downtown Albuquerque. Its multi-venue, 35,000-square-foot campus hosts live music, dance, comedy, theater, and a myriad of special events. With three stages and both indoor and outdoor event spaces, FUSION is New Mexico’s home for creative and cultural exploration.

This month AMP Concerts and FUSION are presenting the following events:

Mary Gauthier – September 4 from 7:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. at FUSION 708 (708 1st Street NorthwestAlbuquerque, NM, 87102United States)
J2B2 – September 5 from 7:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. at FUSION 708 (708 1st Street NorthwestAlbuquerque, NM, 87102United States)
Tab Benoit – September 10 from 7:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. at FUSION 708 (708 1st Street NorthwestAlbuquerque, NM, 87102United States)

To learn more about AMP Concerts, visit www.ampconcerts.org. To learn more about FUSION, visit www.fusionnm.org.

Sponsored content disclaimer: The information and advice displayed in this story are those of individual sponsors and guests and not Nexstar Media Group, inc.

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New Mexico

State leaders outline results of 'Operation Disruption' in New Mexico

Published

13 hours ago

September 3, 2024

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State leaders outline results of 'Operation Disruption' in New Mexico

On Tuesday, Bernalillo County District Attorney Sam Bregman, Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham and other law enforcement leaders updated folks on Operation Disruption.

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – On Tuesday, Bernalillo County District Attorney Sam Bregman, Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham and other law enforcement leaders updated folks on “Operation Disruption.” That’s an effort targeting human trafficking at our southern border.

Bregman is not only the Bernalillo County district attorney, he’s chair of the Organized Crime Commission. That commission has human trafficking on New Mexico’s border in the crosshairs.

“Human trafficking is modern day slavery,” said Bregman.

The governor, along with law enforcement leadership, outlined the results of Operation Disruption, which targeted human trafficking operations on the border.

“If we don’t stop it, we don’t disrupt it, we continue to be victimized,” said Lujan Grisham.

For two weeks, law enforcement agencies teamed up for a surge at the border.

“The two weeks this operation was in place resulted in a significant drop in migrant deaths,” Bregman said.

Bregman shared a photo as an example of that life-saving work. State Police officers found a woman in critical condition in the desert and saved her life with an ice bath.

According to the governor’s office, law enforcement found nine people in the desert during the operation, and a total of 91 were rescued by State Police. 33 stash houses were identified. 16 people were arrested and now face state charges.

Bregman and the governor say operations like this have ripple effects.

“You disrupt one part of the criminal activity, you’re disrupting fentanyl trafficking and gun trafficking,” Lujan Grisham.

They say more needs to be done.

“Our human trafficking laws need to be changed in the state of New Mexico,” Bregman said.

The governor says she will again try to get the law changed at the session in January. In the meantime, Bregman promises law enforcement will continue to target human trafficking across the state.

“We know there’s stash houses in Albuquerque, and we’re coming for them,” said Bregman.

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New Mexico

Rain decreasing across New Mexico

Published

19 hours ago

September 3, 2024

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Early this afternoon spotty showers were seen across southeastern New Mexico. This rain is expected to dissipate in the evening.

Another dry day for most of New Mexico with the exception of the far southeast. Overnight the state is expected to dry out almost completely. Rain chances tomorrow will be few and far between. The far southeast of New Mexico and the Northern Mountains can expect a few showers. Though the rest of the state will remain dry. The lack of rainfall across most of the state has allowed for high temperatures to inch back up above average. Though they are still seasonably warm.

Late Thursday afternoon or early Thursday evening a backdoor cold front will make its way into New Mexico. An influx of moisture will accompany it. This moisture will bring isolated rain to the eastern half of New Mexico. Currently, models are in disagreement as to how far west the rain will be. The cold front will allow most of the state to return to normal temperatures.

Friday the dry air will return to New Mexico and rain chances will decrease once again. Isolated showers and storms can be expected through the weekend in the Southeast and Northern Mountains.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRQE NEWS 13 – Breaking News, Albuquerque News, New Mexico News, Weather, and Videos.

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