New Mexico will provide $30 million in emergency food assistance starting Nov. 1 to replace suspended federal nutrition benefits for roughly 460,000 residents, Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham announced Wednesday at an Albuquerque press conference. The state funding will partially offset the loss of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits, which the U.S. Department of Agriculture will […]
Author Archives: Kevin Hendricks, nm.news
Kevin Hendricks is a local news editor with nm.news. He is a two-decade veteran of local news as a sportswriter and assistant editor with the ABQ Journal and Rio Rancho Observer.
Posted inCongress & Federal Gov
Thousands expected at Albuquerque ‘No Kings’ protest Saturday
Demonstrators will gather along Central Avenue Saturday as part of a nationwide day of action against Trump administration policies, with organizers expecting thousands to participate in the downtown Albuquerque protest. The “No Kings 2.0” rally, scheduled from noon to 2 p.m. between 3rd and 8th streets on Central Avenue, is one of more than 2,500 […]
Posted inPolitics & Elections
Rio Rancho mayor officially enters 2026 governor’s race
Rio Rancho Mayor Gregg Hull officially announced his candidacy for New Mexico governor on Oct. 14, becoming the first Republican to enter the 2026 race. Hull, who is serving his third term as mayor of New Mexico’s second-largest city, launched his campaign with a video posted Tuesday morning, months after first announcing his intention to […]
Posted inCongress & Federal Gov.
Adding shutdown pressure, Trump cuts Dem state climate funds, including $195.2 million from New Mexico
New Mexico Congressional offices were caught by surprise on Thursday when they the Trump administration announced on social media that it had canceled more than $8 billion Congressionally-approved appropriations in 16 “Blue States,” including New Mexico. Inquiries from reporters, including our own, seeking details received automated responses blaming Democrats for the shutdown. Hours later, a […]
Posted inNM Legislature
Gov., legislators move quickly to OK $150 million for healthcare, SNAP and public broadcasting to backfill fed funding cuts
New Mexico legislators gathered at the Roundhouse on Wednesday and quickly passed legislation authorizing more than $161 million in one-time spending to fill state budgets gaps for healthcare, food assistance for the needy and public broadcasting stations caused by federal spending cancelations pushed through Congress by President Trump and Republicans last spring. In line with […]
Posted inCongress & Federal Gov, New Mexico
New Mexico officials sound alarm on potential health coverage losses if tax credits lapse
Elected officials in New Mexico warn that unless a series of federal tax credits are extended before the end of the year, consumers purchasing health insurance on the individual marketplace could see dramatic hikes in prices. In 2021, Congress passed the Enhanced Premium Tax credits, which expanded the size of and eligibility for refundable tax […]
Posted inCourts, Justice & Safety
Albuquerque police drone program draws privacy concerns after reporting four arrests in first month
The Albuquerque Police Department’s new drone surveillance program has assisted in four arrests during its first month of operation, but civil liberties advocates are raising concerns about privacy protections and community input in the program’s deployment. The program, which launched in August, has conducted more than 200 flights using drones housed in strategically placed “hives” […]
Posted inNM State Gov.
New Mexico Democratic lawmakers compare ICE to KKK, drawing sharp Republican criticism
New Mexico Democratic lawmakers’ comparisons of federal immigration enforcement to the Ku Klux Klan have drawn sharp criticism from Republican legislators, who say such rhetoric puts law enforcement officers at risk. During this week’s Courts, Corrections and Justice Committee meetings, two Democratic lawmakers made inflammatory comments about Immigration and Customs Enforcement operations. On Wednesday, Rep. […]
Posted inNM State Gov.
New Mexico Senate Republicans to hold healthcare access task force Monday
New Mexico Senate Republicans will convene a legislative task force Monday to address what they say are deteriorating healthcare access challenges across the state, focusing specifically on medical malpractice reform. The public hearing, scheduled from 1-4 p.m. at the Sandoval County Commission Meeting Room, will feature testimony from New Mexico Health Secretary Gina M. DeBlassie, […]
Posted inCourts, Justice & Safety
Albuquerque mayoral candidate charged for inappropriate touching of former campaign staffer
An Albuquerque police officer investigating an incident between mayoral candidate Daniel Chavez and his former staffer found probable cause to charge him with battery, according to court documents filed in Bernalillo County Metropolitan Court and obtained by City Desk ABQ. The criminal complaint, filed in July, alleges that Daniel Chavez inappropriately touched a person without […]