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 […]
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 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 […]
Posted inPolitics & Elections
Vasquez launches 2026 re-election campaign, emphasizes bipartisan record
U.S. Rep. Gabe Vasquez announced his 2026 re-election bid over the weekend, touring his sprawling southern New Mexico and Westside Albuquerque district with campaign stops in Albuquerque’s West Side, Los Lunas, Truth or Consequences and Mesilla. The second-term Democrat, who represents New Mexico’s 2nd Congressional District, positioned himself as a bipartisan problem-solver focused on lowering […]
Posted inPolitics & Elections
Bregman policies include language copied from other sources without credit
Substantial portions of Democratic gubernatorial candidate Sam Bregman’s platform he released on Thursday appear to be copied from government reports, legislation and news reports without attribution. The issues were discovered in Bregman’s 189-page policy platform, which the Bernalillo County district attorney unveiled Thursday during a press conference at his Albuquerque campaign headquarters. Bregman’s campaign denied […]
Posted inNew Mexico, Politics & Elections
Miyagishima optimistic about chances to win Democratic nomination for governor
Despite being often overshadowed by his two more high-profile opponents in the headlines, former Las Cruces Mayor Ken Miyagishima said he is confident that there is a path for him to capture the Democratic nomination for governor next year, and is satisfied with how his campaign is going. “I think we’re doing pretty good. I […]