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. […]
Author Archives: Jesse Jones
Jesse Jones is a reporter covering local government and news for nm.news
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 […]
Posted inPolitics & Elections
What happens if the mayor’s election goes to a runoff? How much will it cost?
If Burque’s crowded mayoral race goes to a runoff election in December, the city has set aside $750,000 to cover the cost, though county officials warn costs will “significantly exceed” previous elections, potentially requiring City Council approval for additional funding. The Bernalillo County Clerk’s office has not set a final price tag for a possible […]
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Council to review Keller’s 2026 legislative priorities, new housing project on Monday
By Jesse Jones — Albuquerque City Councilors are expected to review Mayor Tim Keller’s 2026 legislative priorities Monday, Oct. 6, including public safety measures and housing policies the administration wants state lawmakers to address when the session begins in January. The meeting is scheduled for 5 p.m. at Vincent E. Griego Chambers, One Civic Plaza […]
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“A tunnel to Rio Rancho” or more bridges? Mayoral candidates pitch plans for Westside traffic woes
Should Albuquerque tunnel under the Rio Grande or build new bridges across it? Mayoral hopefuls Eddie Varela and Darren White pitched big ideas to ease Westside traffic during a recent candidate forum hosted by business leaders. The exchange came at a mayoral forum Tuesday, Sept. 30, hosted by business leaders with the National Association of […]