Ndidiamaka “Didi” Okpareke says she loves New Mexico and wants to be part of lifting the state that has given her multiple opportunities to meet its full potential. Okpareke is running as a Republican candidate for the 1st Congressional District seat in next year’s election, challenging Democratic incumbent U.S. Rep. Melanie Stansbury. Okpareke, 41, lives […]
Beats
Posted inCongress & Federal Gov., New Mexico
New Mexico Rep. pushes federal bill to prevent power line wildfires
A fallen aspen tree that downed a power line sparked New Mexico’s largest wildfire in state history in 2011, burning 156,000 acres in the Las Conchas Fire. Now, U.S. Rep. Teresa Leger Fernández wants to give utilities better tools to prevent the next power line disaster. Leger Fernández and three other U.S. House members introduced […]
Posted inCannabis, New Mexico
New Mexico Supreme Court upholds warrantless vehicle searches during brief decriminalization era
New Mexico drivers stopped by police during the state’s brief marijuana decriminalization period could still have their vehicles searched without a warrant based on the smell of cannabis alone, the state Supreme Court ruled Thursday in a unanimous decision that clarifies police powers during a unique period in the state’s drug policy history. The ruling […]
Posted inCongress & Federal Gov., New Mexico
Democrats say 112,000 New Mexicans could lose health insurance under Trump bill
Nearly 112,000 New Mexicans could lose health insurance under President Donald Trump’s “One Big Beautiful Bill Act,” according to a new Democratic Party analysis that warns the federal law will disproportionately impact the state’s rural communities and low-income families. The Democratic National Committee launched a website (https://democrats.org/trump-tax/) on Tuesday highlighting state-by-state impacts of Trump’s budget […]
Posted inCongress & Federal Gov., New Mexico
Sen. Heinrich secures $6.5M for New Mexico crime fighting
U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich announced that nine New Mexico law enforcement agencies will receive federal funding totaling $6,521,000 for forensic equipment, crime scene processing tools and safety improvements through the bipartisan Senate Appropriations Committee’s passage of the Fiscal Year 2026 Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Appropriations Bill. The funding comes as New Mexico grapples […]
Posted inCongress & Federal Gov.
Sen. Luján secures nearly $190 Million for New Mexico public safety, military infrastructure
U.S. Senator Ben Ray Luján secured nearly $190 million in federal funding for New Mexico communities through two major appropriations bills passed by Senate committees, with the bulk targeting major construction projects at military bases alongside public safety improvements across the state. The funding comes as New Mexico grapples with persistent crime challenges, with Albuquerque […]
Posted inCongress & Federal Gov., New Mexico
Federal budget proposal could eliminate key Native American workforce programs
The Trump Administration’s proposed fiscal year 2026 federal budget has sparked fierce opposition from Native American advocacy groups, who warn that planned cuts could effectively eliminate critical workforce development programs serving Indigenous communities nationwide. At the center of the controversy is the proposed elimination of the Native American Employment and Training Program under the Workforce […]
Posted inCongress & Federal Gov.
Updated: Congressional reps virtual meeting on federal funding crisis postponed
A virtual meeting designed to give Albuquerque residents a chance to hear directly from their congressional representatives about federal issues affecting thousands of local students, military families and vulnerable residents has been postponed until October. The Congressional Delegation Meeting, originally set for July 22 and rescheduled to July 28, is now planned for October and […]
Posted inCongress & Federal Gov.
ABQ Sunport lands $3.6 million federal grant for major roadway overhaul
The Albuquerque International Sunport has been awarded a $3.66 million federal grant to overhaul Sunport Boulevard, the main roadway leading to New Mexico’s largest airport. The Federal Aviation Administration’s Airport Improvement Program approved the funding for what officials describe as a crucial infrastructure project that will rehabilitate the heavily traveled corridor connecting Interstate 25 to […]
Posted inCongress & Federal Gov.
Albuquerque joins lawsuits to protect millions in federal funding from Trump administration cuts
The City of Albuquerque is fighting to protect more than $92 million in federal funding that supports police officers, affordable housing and homelessness programs by joining two lawsuits challenging the Trump administration’s efforts to withhold money from cities that limit cooperation with immigration enforcement. The city filed a motion earlier this month to join a […]