Jesse Jones, Author at City Desk ABQ

Legislators deliver wins for Gov, land punches against Trump in action-packed 30-day session

by Pat Davis, Jesse Jones, Kevin Hendricks and rodd-cayton-city-desk-abq February 19, 2026February 19, 2026

Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham’s final regular legislative session started a little rocky but delivered her many of her biggest priorities and legislators introduced dozens of bills responding to federal policy changes implemented under President Donald Trump’s return to office. In the 30-day session, legislators sent the governor bills effectively closing private prisons detaining federal immigration […]

Senate Memorial 9 was introduced Friday asking the New Mexico Public Regulation Commission (PRC) to pause Blackstone Infrastructure’s proposed $11.5 billion purchase of TXNM Energy, the parent company of Public Service Company of New Mexico (PNM).

New Mexico Legislature #nmleg

Should New Mexico buy PNM? Lawmaker says yes

by Jesse Jones February 13, 2026February 17, 2026

A state senator has a different idea for the future of New Mexico’s largest electric utility: Have the state buy it. Sen. Harold Pope (D-Westside Albuquerque) introduced Senate Memorial 9 alongside State Rep. Patricia Roybal Caballero (D-South Valley) Friday asking the New Mexico Public Regulation Commission (PRC) to pause Blackstone Infrastructure’s proposed $11.5 billion purchase […]

ABQ legislators push to let City collect millions more in speed camera fines

A bill by two Albuquerque-area legislators moving through the Roundhouse could let Albuquerque keep an extra $2 million to $3 million a year in traffic fines — a shift that would cost the state roughly $5 million and remove current audit requirements. Senate Bill 91, sponsored by Albuquerque Democratic Sens. Heather Berghmans and Antoinette Sedillo […]

NM Political Report

Competing book ban bills gather dust on the shelf as legislators look toward session end

by Jesse Jones February 10, 2026February 10, 2026

A bevy of competing book ban bills to govern how libraries respond to requests for removing books have made little progress in the legislature, despite months of build up and organizing by the sponsors. As promised, State Sen. Anthony “Ant” Thornton (R- East Mountains) introduced Senate Bill 49, a pilot project for a content-based library […]

Will massive new funding push the New Mexico State Fair out of the city?

Jesse Jones, City Desk ABQ — The New Mexico Senate approved nearly $100 million in bonds Friday for the State Fairgrounds redevelopment, advancing a long-debated project. The investment could reshape Albuquerque’s International District with new housing and parks, or it could lead to relocating the State Fair after 87 years in the city. The Senate […]

Last year, 389 people were denied a gun in Bernalillo County. Then they got a friendly visit from the sheriff.

For most gun buyers in Bernalillo County, a background check is a routine step. But for 389 people last year, that check ended in a denial and a visit from the sheriff’s office. Instead of a raid, these individuals often received a “knock and talk” from the Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office Behavioral Health Unit (BHU). These visits […]

Building a Better Bernalillo

Town of Bernalillo officials hosted legislators on Dec. 4 at the Martha Liebert Public Library, spotlighting completed projects, plans, and key legislative and policy requests. Top priorities included funding for police recruitment and retention and water infrastructure. At the breakfast, Mayor Jack Torres outlined the town’s achievements and priorities for legislative support to State Reps. […]

Listening, Healing and Supporting

Sheila Malmo, the first chaplain of the Bernalillo Fire Department, offers spiritual and emotional support to first responders in Sandoval County, helping those who dedicate themselves to ensuring the safety and well-being of the community. Malmo, who also serves as chaplain for Sandoval County and Rio Rancho Fire and Rescue Departments, points out that her […]

THE BLOCK Channels Rockefeller Center Spirit in Rio Rancho

THE BLOCK retail and event space in Rio Rancho has launched a synthetic ice rink just in time for the holiday season, providing a fun and family-friendly skating experience. Open from Dec. 1 to Jan. 31, the 30-by-40-foot rink accommodates up to 40 skaters at a time. With a $5 entry fee that includes skate […]

Rio Rancho Couple Rolls Out Old-School Glamour with Vintage Limousine Service

In Rio Rancho, Legendary Limo Service is bringing back luxury travel with a vintage twist to Sandoval, Bernalillo and Santa Fe counties. The company offers a one-of-a-kind luxury experience evoking the glamour and elegance of a bygone era. Bobbi and Curt Huber founded Legendary Limo Service in 2023, offering a unique vintage chauffeur experience perfect […]