Homelessness in New Mexico is on the rise and attorney and former state lawmaker Daymon Ely has a plan to address it in Albuquerque. His 60-page report laying out short and long-term goals has sparked plenty of debate in advocacy circles. KUNM’s Megan Kamerick talked with Ely on New Mexico in Focus, along with Jenny Metzler of Albuquerque Health Care for the Homeless and John Bulten of East Central Ministries.

Among Native American communities, people go missing and experience violence at disproportionately high rates. Interior Secretary Deb Haaland (Laguna Pueblo) - the first Native cabinet secretary - has been working to implement the Not Invisible Act, which she helped pass as a Congresswoman in 2019. A commission traveled round the country hearing testimony from survivors, advocates, law enforcement and tribal leaders. It released a list of recommendations last November, and now the Departments of Justice and Interior have responded.

Indigenous designers gathered at a glitzy party at the Governor's mansion. They say the appreciation of their work is long overdue.

Maxeon Solar Technologies' planned factory in Albuquerque was set to break ground in the first quarter of 2024. That is now delayed until at least the second half of the year, as a process of negotiating a federal loan continues.

Albuquerque City Councilors held their first meeting this week to discuss and hear from constituents about the mayor’s $1.4 billion proposed budget for the next fiscal year. They'll hold another next Thursday following a regular meeting Monday.