Floods, Crashes, and Community Progress: Albuquerque Local Pulse Update

Good morning, this is Albuquerque Local Pulse for Friday, June 6th, 2025.

We wake up this morning to a city still recovering from a week of dramatic weather. Heavy rains earlier in the week led to flash flooding across Albuquerque’s arroyos. Sadly, rescue teams responded to several incidents, and one person lost their life after being swept away in a diversion channel. Our thoughts are with the family impacted by this tragedy. Drivers are reminded to avoid flooded roadways and to respect barricades, especially with more isolated storms possible this afternoon. The skies will start off mostly sunny but keep an eye out for pop-up showers and a high near the mid-80s, cooling off slightly through the weekend.

Breaking overnight, southbound I-25 at Rio Bravo remains closed due to a fatal crash under investigation. Expect significant delays on your commute and consider using Broadway or 2nd Street for southbound travel. In other major news, Albuquerque police have made an arrest in a disturbing case after two juvenile runaways were found in the home of a registered sex offender. The APD continues to prioritize child safety, and their specialized Crimes Against Children Unit also made two more arrests this week, ensuring nearly two dozen vulnerable kids have been checked on and accounted for.

On the subject of crime, the Bernalillo County District Attorney’s office is overseeing six serious felony trials this week, including homicide and other violent offenses. In public safety, the APD is teaming up with Metro Crime Stoppers and APS to relaunch Campus Crime Stoppers, aiming to keep schools safe by encouraging anonymous tips from students and staff.

Shifting to city hall, the latest Albuquerque City Council meeting focused on investments that could reshape our quality of life. Councilors are considering a modest gross receipts tax to fund vital community projects, including a new performing arts center downtown—the first in nearly 60 years. Backers say the investment would boost not just artists but families, small businesses, and Albuquerque’s economy as a whole.

The job market remains steady, with new openings posted in tech, healthcare, and education, and the real estate market continues to move briskly, especially in the Northeast Heights and Westside, where new listings are drawing quick attention.

On the cultural front, tonight at 6, the city’s LGBTQ+ Pride Service holds a special renaming event, highlighting inclusivity during Pride Month. Music fans can look forward to another spirited weekend. The Albuquerque Isotopes are celebrating a series victory over the Space Cowboys, and the Ice Wolves are the talk of the arena after an underdog comeback in the latest hockey series. Local schools are also celebrating after several APS students placed at the state science fair.

Finally, a feel-good note to start the weekend: APD’s beloved horse Nigel is retiring after years of service, and will now help disabled veterans in our community.

This has been Albuquerque Local Pulse. We’ll see you tomorrow with more local updates.