New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham declared a state of emergency Wednesday for Rio Arriba County, the city of Española and surrounding Pueblo communities in response to what officials describe as an overwhelming surge in violent crime and drug trafficking that has strained local law enforcement resources. The emergency declaration, issued through Executive Order 2025-358, […]
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 inCourts, Justice & Safety
ACLU on National Guard deployments in D.C. and Albuquerque: ‘Political Theater Won’t Make Us Safer’
The American Civil Liberties Union of New Mexico is speaking out against the use of military forces for civilian law enforcement, criticizing both President Trump’s recent deployment of National Guard troops to Washington D.C. and Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham’s ongoing use of Guard personnel in Albuquerque. “In our country, a simple, foundational principle is that […]
Posted inCourts, Justice & Safety
Failed New Mexico House candidate sentenced to 80 Years for role in shootings at local Democrats’ homes
A failed Republican legislative candidate was sentenced to 80 years in federal prison on Wednesday for hiring gunmen to shoot at the homes of four Democratic elected officials in the Albuquerque area following his 2022 election defeat. A U.S. District Judge handed down the sentence to Solomon Peña, 41, during an 11 a.m. hearing in […]
Posted inCongress & Federal Gov., New Mexico
Heinrich hosts roundtable on federal energy legislation’s impact on New Mexico
U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), the ranking member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, held a roundtable discussion on Friday to examine the potential effects of federal energy legislation on New Mexico’s utility costs and employment. The roundtable included representatives from Western Resource Advocates, the Southwest Energy Efficiency Project, the New Mexico Renewable […]
Posted inCongress & Federal Gov., New Mexico
Rep. Stansbury warns of healthcare cuts, praises state response at packed town hall
U.S. Rep. Melanie Stansbury hosted a town hall meeting inside a packed commission chambers at the Sandoval County Administration Building Monday afternoon. Stansbury kept the large crowd waiting for about half an hour because of transportation issues, but entered to a thunderous ovation from most of the people in attendance. Over 200 people showed up […]
Posted inAlbuquerque
Governor, Albuquerque mayor blast Trump’s ‘executive overreach’ in D.C. National Guard deployment
New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham and Albuquerque Mayor Tim Keller sharply criticized President Donald Trump’s deployment of 800 National Guard troops to Washington D.C., calling it “executive overreach” that contrasts starkly with their state-local collaboration on public safety. The rebuke from the state’s and Albuquerque’s top elected officials comes as the city has seen […]
Posted inNew Mexico, NM State Gov.
25 New Mexico lawmakers oppose petition to allow oil and gas wastewater discharge
Over two dozen New Mexico legislators are urging state water regulators to dismiss a petition that would allow the discharge of treated oil and gas wastewater, arguing the matter has already been decided through a comprehensive review process. A letter was sent Monday, signed by 25 legislators, to the Water Quality Control Commission opposing a […]
Posted inCongress & Federal Gov., New Mexico
Heinrich, Stansbury celebrate public lands protection efforts at Valle de Oro Refuge
Sen. Martin Heinrich and Rep. Melanie Stansbury joined conservation leaders Friday at Valle de Oro National Wildlife Refuge to celebrate their successful efforts to prevent the sale of public lands during recent reconciliation negotiations in Congress. Heinrich, the ranking member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, and Stansbury, a member of the House […]
Posted inCongress & Federal Gov., New Mexico
Sen. Luján tours New Mexico communities, criticizes GOP budget cuts
U.S. Senator Ben Ray Luján (D-NM) wrapped up a week-long tour Friday of northern and central New Mexico communities, holding public events and private meetings to address constituent concerns about federal budget cuts and economic policies. The senator visited Taos, Santa Fe, Española, Albuquerque and Santa Ana Pueblo, conducting a town hall, business roundtables and […]
Posted inCongress & Federal Gov., New Mexico
Luján secures $12 million for New Mexico health, education projects
U.S. Sen. Ben Ray Luján has secured more than $12 million in federal funding for New Mexico projects focused on health care, workforce training and education through a committee-approved spending bill for fiscal year 2026. The funding comes through the Senate Appropriations Committee’s passage of the Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies […]