An independent audit found Albuquerque’s fraud watchdog failed to meet professional standards in reports that uncovered $74,000 in waste. Now, two lawsuits are pushing the city to release six investigation reports that have been kept from the public for seven months. The audit, conducted by accounting firm REDW and released Oct. 1, reported that investigators […]
Author Archives: Jesse Jones
Jesse Jones is a reporter covering local government and news for nm.news
Posted inLocal Gov.
Albuquerque’s 2026 agenda: Council and mayor push for safer, stronger neighborhoods
Albuquerque’s City Council approved its 2026 legislative agenda Monday, Oct. 6, and received the Mayor’s legislative requests, setting priorities for housing, homelessness, public safety and infrastructure. The combined proposals for the Second Session of the 57th New Mexico State Legislature outline district-specific projects and policy initiatives, including affordable housing expansions, Metro Crime Initiative funding, community […]
Posted inPolitics & Elections
Two mayoral candidates were left off the debate stage. Here’s what they had to say
Two Albuquerque mayoral candidates excluded from KOAT’s televised debate are getting their turn to weigh in. With Election Day three weeks away, City Desk ABQ invited Mayling Armijo and Eddie Varela to answer the same questions voters heard on TV, covering issues like crime, homelessness and immigration. Armijo and Varela were left off the Oct. […]
Posted inAlbuquerque
Albuquerque Sunport becomes latest airport to reject partisan shutdown video
Albuquerque Mayor Tim Keller said Tuesday, Oct. 15, the Sunport won’t air a Department of Homeland Security video featuring Secretary Kristi Noem blaming Democrats for the federal government shutdown. “The Trump Administration asked airports to play a political TSA video, but our airports aren’t the place for partisan messages,” Keller said in a Facebook post. […]
Posted inPolitics & Elections
GOP mega-donor backs Dem. for mayor, and other surprises from new campaign reports for mayor
The last major campaign finance reports from the city’s mayoral candidates contain at least one big surprise donation that could point to a change in momentum for one candidate. City Councilor Louie Sanchez, a Democrat, accepted the maximum donation allowed from a company owned by Harvey Yates, former State Republican Party Chairman and one of […]
Posted inPolitics & Elections
How to watch the only televised mayoral debate in ABQ
Albuquerque voters can watch the only scheduled televised mayoral debate Wednesday, Oct. 15, at 7 p.m. on KOAT Channel 7, KOAT.com or the Very Local App. The debate will feature four of the six candidates — Mayor Tim Keller, City Councilor Louie Sanchez, former U.S. Attorney Alex Uballez and former Sheriff Darren White. KOAT anchors […]
Posted inLocal Gov.
Keller promised to “freeze fees… for everyone” but what that means depends on who you ask
During Mayor Tim Keller’s State of the City address in August, he announced a plan to freeze city fees for everything from business licenses to BioPark admissions. It came as a surprise to his own staff and city councilors who, by law, must set fees in the city. Months later, all of those fees still […]
Posted inCourts, Justice & Safety
The tragic death of Jayvon Givan and a family’s year without answers
Albuquerque City Councilor Nichole Rogers is demanding answers after learning that Jayvon Givan’s family wasn’t told of his death for more than a year, even though police ruled it a suicide. Givan, a 28-year-old homeless Black man from Kansas City, Missouri, was found dead Sept. 17, 2024 outside a Westside business closed for renovations. His […]
Posted inPolitics & Elections
KOAT debate excludes two mayoral candidates, sparks controversy
A televised mayoral debate next Wednesday will spotlight just four of six active candidates for mayor of Albuquerque, but Mayling Armijo is pushing to be included, arguing voters deserve to hear from all six contenders — including the race’s only woman — while more than a third of voters remain undecided. The Oct. 15 debate […]
Posted inLocal Gov.
Cracked under pressure: Why does it take months for the City to fix cracks in your street?
Albuquerque’s streets are cracking under pressure — literally. The city faces a backlog of 1,000 crack sealing requests from residents across the Duke City, despite spending $1.4 million on contractors this year. At the Oct. 6 City Council meeting, Department of Municipal Development (DMD) Director Jennifer Turner said road repair requests have surged across all […]