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 […]

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.
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 […]
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 & […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
New Mexico to distribute $120 million for housing, homelessness programs
New Mexico will distribute $120 million for housing and homelessness projects across the state beginning this month, Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham announced Tuesday. The Office of Housing at the New Mexico Department of Workforce Solutions will oversee the distribution, which aims to expand affordable housing options while reducing homelessness and improving public safety, according to […]
ABQ will not ‘give in to bullying:’ Keller defies federal immigration demands in letter to U.S. Attorney General
Albuquerque Mayor Tim Keller is refusing federal demands to eliminate city policies that protect immigrants, telling Attorney General Pamela Bondi in a letter Wednesday that the city will “not give in to bullying” and has no plans to change its immigrant-friendly laws. The mayor’s defiant response comes as the Trump administration ramps up pressure on […]
Five guns seized from APS students
Albuquerque Public Schools police seized four firearms from two high school campuses on Tuesday in separate incidents that prompted officials to praise safety protocols while expressing outrage over weapons being brought to school. The guns were discovered at West Mesa High School and Albuquerque High School through what Superintendent Gabriella Blakey called effective “See Something, […]
New Mexico State Fair announces third year of Ex Novo beer partnership
The New Mexico State Fair will feature two exclusive craft beers for the third consecutive year through its partnership with Albuquerque-based Ex Novo Brewing Company. Fair officials announced Wednesday that 10,000 pints will be available during the Sept. 4-14 event: 5,000 cans each of the returning Dusty Spur American Pilsner and the new Midway Marzen […]