“To move to a world in which so much operates off of power, off of money, off of favors and relationships that circle around power — to see it up close is different…” Six weeks after finishing third in Albuquerque’s crowded mayoral race, Alex Uballez sat down with City Desk on the patio outside Ex […]
Author Archives: Jesse Jones
Jesse Jones is a reporter covering local government and news for nm.news
Posted inHousing & Homelessness, Sandoval County
Who showed up to vote in ABQ? Data shows City’s runoff election defied voter fatigue
Correction, Dec. 22, 2025: An earlier version of this story contained significant errors in district-level turnout figures. The story incorrectly stated that District 3 cast 13,908 ballots and had the highest turnout, and that District 7 had the lowest turnout. District 3 precincts actually cast 7,075 total ballots, the lowest of any council district. District […]
Posted inCourts, Justice & Safety
Crime down, trust low: Medina exits APD after rocky 5 years
Albuquerque Police Chief Harold Medina will retire Dec. 31, ending a five-year run defined by controversy. Medina announced his decision on Wednesday and told APD commanders during his final staff meeting on Tuesday, according to a city press release. His tenure included a crash that seriously injured a civilian, a City Desk investigation that found […]
Posted inLocal Gov.
Council president seeks investigation into city attorney in latest chapter of lawsuit between council, mayor enters 2nd year
Albuquerque City Council President Brook Bassan is asking investigators to determine whether City Attorney Lauren Keefe violated conflict-of-interest rules by siding with Mayor Tim Keller’s lawyers in a months-long legal dispute over fire department staffing. The council voted unanimously Monday to add the investigation request to the Jan. 5 agenda for formal consideration, following a […]
Posted inLocal Gov.
Council forces budget transparency after year-long fight with Keller administration
After a year of negotiations and resistance from the Keller administration, the Albuquerque City Council voted 8-1 Monday night to overhaul how the city builds its $1.5 billion budget and require the mayor to give council more insight into how programs and staff perform. The changes introduce new transparency rules designed to provide residents with […]
Posted inCourts, Justice & Safety
National Guard quietly “winding down” APD aid this week
Six months after National Guard troops began assisting the Albuquerque Police Department in an unprecedented move, the city confirmed Tuesday the program is winding down this week — though officials never publicly announced the conclusion of the more than $2 million effort. Asked by City Desk, APD spokesman Gilbert Gallegos confirmed in an email late […]
Posted inGeneral Interest, Housing & Homelessness
Raising dough: Councilor bakes over 1,000 vegan cookies for senior animals charity
Burqueños looking for meaningful holiday gifts can turn to an unlikely source: City Councilor Tammy Fiebelkorn. When she’s not working on housing policy or climate legislation, she and her partner, Paul Roybal, spend the season in their kitchen baking thousands of vegan cookies for people and dogs. The homemade treats support Kindred Spirits Animal Sanctuary, […]
Posted inLocal Gov.
Last council meeting of 2025: Sobriety housing plan and renter protections on tap
The Albuquerque City Council will vote Monday during the last meeting of the year on rental protections and an $842,600 plan to house people leaving addiction treatment who agree to stay sober. Councilors are set to give final approval to the Rental Practices Ordinance, O-25-102, which mirrors state law by capping screening fees at $50, […]
Posted inHousing & Homelessness, Local Gov.
Medina’s retirement plans spark social media fight, speculation on who would be ABQ’s next top cop
Albuquerque Police Chief Harold Medina told the Albuquerque Journal in Dec. 2024 that he would retire at the end of Mayor Tim Keller’s current term, but he quickly walked that back by saying he might instead of he would. Fast-forward to Nov. 2025 and Keller confirmed Who will be Albuquerque’s next police chief? Mayor Tim […]
Posted inHousing & Homelessness, Sandoval County
Garcia ends District 3 challenge, vows to continue Southwest Mesa fight
Teresa Garcia called incumbent Klarissa Peña Thursday morning to concede the City Council District 3 race, reversing course from plans to seek a recount after losing by 68 votes in the Dec. 9 runoff election. At a press conference at Alamosa Park, Garcia said she cannot ask supporters — including mayoral candidate Alex Uballez and […]