The leadership of Bernalillo County, both elected and appointed, changed considerably in 2024. County Manager Julie Morgas Baca announced her retirement in February, setting up a contentious path for finding her replacement, former Santa Clara County (California) Supervisor Cindy Chavez. Commissioners Steven Michael Quezada and Walt Benson objected to the process that was originally chosen. […]
Author Archives: Rodd Cayton
Rodd Cayton covers local news at nm.news.
He previously covered local government for Gallup Indepdendent. and other publications across the Southwest.
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Leadership changes and lawsuit mark 2024 in education
Education saw significant seismic activity on both the state and local levels in 2024. Albuquerque Public Schools in February chose Dr. Gabriella Durán Blakey as the next superintendent of New Mexico’s largest school district. She took over from Superintendent Scott Elder, whose contract expired June 30. Blakey became acting superintendent in the spring and officially […]
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Leadership changes and lawsuit mark 2024 in education
Education saw significant seismic activity on both the state and local levels in 2024. Albuquerque Public Schools in February chose Dr. Gabriella Durán Blakey as the next superintendent of New Mexico’s largest school district. She took over from Superintendent Scott Elder, whose contract expired June 30. Blakey became acting superintendent in the spring and officially […]
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Library announces new app
The digital revolution continues in Albuquerque, with the public library introducing its new smartphone app. Albuquerque has introduced a new smartphone app — the Public Library ABQ-BernCo app — to allow users to use a digital library card to find the nearest or preferred library branch, search the catalog and place holds, edit or cancel […]
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Library announces new app
The digital revolution continues in Albuquerque, with the public library introducing its new smartphone app. Albuquerque has introduced a new smartphone app — the Public Library ABQ-BernCo app — to allow users to use a digital library card to find the nearest or preferred library branch, search the catalog and place holds, edit or cancel […]
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APS Board approves campus shakeup
A divided Albuquerque Public Schools Board of Education Wednesday night voted 4-3 to approve a “rightsizing” plan to close the North Valley’s Taft Middle School and repurpose the campus as the new home of Coronado Dual Language K-8 Magnet School. Coronado is currently a K-5 elementary school. District staff say approval of the plan means […]
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APS Board approves campus shakeup
A divided Albuquerque Public Schools Board of Education Wednesday night voted 4-3 to approve a “rightsizing” plan to close the North Valley’s Taft Middle School and repurpose the campus as the new home of Coronado Dual Language K-8 Magnet School. Coronado is currently a K-5 elementary school. District staff say approval of the plan means […]
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Flushable facilities on the way to balloon park
Balloon Fiesta Park is getting a long-sought upgrade, city officials announced Monday. Construction is underway on a new, permanent restroom building at the park, where the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta is held each year. According to a press release announcing the construction, park visitors have for years been wishing the park had toilets that flush. […]
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Flushable facilities on the way to balloon park
Balloon Fiesta Park is getting a long-sought upgrade, city officials announced Monday. Construction is underway on a new, permanent restroom building at the park, where the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta is held each year. According to a press release announcing the construction, park visitors have for years been wishing the park had toilets that flush. […]
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Pot policy change, salary hikes approved by BernCo commissioners
Bernalillo County employees are now free to use cannabis when off duty. County commissioners voted Tuesday to approve changes in the drug-free workplace policy that essentially treat employees’ cannabis use the same way as alcohol use is regulated. Commission Vice Chair Eric Olivas sponsored the change. He said it’s a matter of personal liberty for […]