The New Mexico State Land Office will hold a public hearing Sept. 30 to gather feedback on proposed changes to state rules governing geothermal energy leases, officials announced Thursday. The hearing is scheduled for 10 a.m. at Morgan Hall in the State Land Office building at 310 Old Santa Fe Trail in Santa Fe, according […]
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., New Mexico
Sen. Lujan: Trump Administration retreats from pharmaceutical tariffs after warning
The Trump administration has backed down from imposing tariffs of up to 250% on pharmaceutical imports from the European Union following pressure from U.S. Sen. Ben Ray Luján, D-N.M., according to a Thursday press release from the senator. The administration also agreed to provide special treatment for generic medicines from the European Union, according to […]
Posted inCourts, Justice & Safety, New Mexico
New Mexico State Police chief defends CDL policy after federal criticism
New Mexico State Police Chief Troy Weisler defended his agency’s commercial driver’s license policies after federal officials criticized the state’s compliance with English language proficiency requirements for truck drivers. The dispute centers on a July 3 traffic stop involving commercial truck driver Harjinder Singh, who was later involved in a fatal crash in Florida that […]
Posted inNew Mexico, NM State Gov.
Republican senators defend ICE detention facility after tour
Two Republican state senators defended a federal immigration detention facility in southern New Mexico on Monday, arguing against proposed legislation that would ban such facilities in the state. Sens. Crystal Brantley of Elephant Butte and Nick Paul of Alamogordo toured the Otero County Processing Center, which houses approximately 1,027 immigrants awaiting deportation under contract with […]
Posted inNew Mexico, Politics & Elections
Over 1,100 candidates file for New Mexico municipal elections
Nearly 1,200 candidates filed paperwork Tuesday to run for municipal offices across New Mexico, with mayoral races from major cities to small villages drawing the most attention in the 2026 election cycle. A total of 1,196 candidates filed for positions ranging from mayor and city council to school board, hospital board and soil and water […]
Posted inLocal Gov.
Keller’s State of the City: Crime down, quantum ambitions up
Albuquerque Mayor Tim Keller delivered his 2025 State of the City address Saturday, highlighting crime reduction achievements and unveiling an ambitious plan to position Albuquerque as a global quantum computing hub. Keller, who is running for a third term as Duke City mayor in November, mentioned his wins over the past eight years and the […]
Posted inCongress & Federal Gov.
Vasquez leads new immigration and border plan by House Democrats
House Democrats on Monday unveiled a comprehensive immigration and border security framework aimed at breaking years of partisan gridlock on one of the nation’s most contentious political issues. The New Democrat Coalition Immigration & Border Security Working Group, led by Rep. Gabe Vasquez of New Mexico, released what it calls the “New Dem Immigration & […]
Posted inNew Mexico, Politics & Elections
Candidates prepare for Tuesday’s filing day in New Mexico local elections
Prospective candidates across New Mexico must file their declarations of candidacy for the state’s 2025 Regular Local Election on Tuesday. Secretary of State Maggie Toulouse Oliver announced that candidates must file their Declaration of Candidacy between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 26, at their respective county clerk’s offices. The filing window applies […]
Posted inAlbuquerque, Congress & Federal Gov.
Rep. Vasquez calls for permanent tax relief, wage increases for tipped workers
Rep. Gabe Vasquez on Monday criticized the current federal tax law’s approach to tip taxation while advocating for permanent policy changes to benefit tipped workers during a visit to a local coffee shop. The New Mexico Democrat donned an apron and worked alongside employees at Barelas Coffee House on Aug. 18, taking orders and serving […]
Posted inNew Mexico, NM State Gov.
New Mexico oil lease sale breaks records, brings in $256 million for schools
New Mexico’s State Land Office shattered revenue records for the second consecutive month, earning $256 million in bonus payments from an oil and gas lease auction held this week, officials announced Tuesday. The August sale surpassed last month’s then-record $56 million, marking another milestone since the state implemented a new 25% royalty rate for premium […]