Posted inLocal Gov.

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 […]

Posted inHousing & Homelessness

Inside the council’s push to freeze more Gateway spending

City Councilor Joaquín Baca is threatening to block millions in new Gateway Center funding unless Mayor Tim Keller’s administration shows clear plans and real results from the $70 million-plus homelessness project. The ultimatum follows years of cost overruns, delays and missteps that have kept the Gateway’s main facility mostly closed since 2019, even after it […]

Posted inCourts, Justice & Safety

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, […]

Posted inPolitics & Elections

Albuquerque Ethics Board approves expanded fraud investigation into city council candidate’s public financing donations

The Albuquerque Board of Ethics and Campaign Practices on Aug. 20 approved City Clerk Ethan Watson’s request to expand an investigation into fraud allegations against District 1 City Council candidate Daniel Gilbert Leiva. The board voted 6-0 to allow the city’s inspector general to audit an additional 5% of Leiva’s qualifying contributions and review who […]

Posted inGeneral Interest

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 […]

Posted inLocal Gov.

From red tape to rapid construction: Councilors embrace “supply-side progressivism” to remove red tape delaying housing spending

As Albuquerque’s housing crisis deepens—with rents rising, homelessness up 83% from 2022-2023 and a shortage of 20,000 units—city leaders are turning to “supply-side progressivism” to speed affordable housing construction. The law, sponsored by District 2 Councilor Joaquín Baca and co-sponsored by District 6 Councilor Nichole Rogers, passed unanimously 9-0 at the Aug. 18 City Council […]

Posted inPolitics & Elections

Bernalillo County GOP responds to mayoral candidate controversy

The Republican Party of Bernalillo County issued a statement Monday defending its handling of candidates following a news report that exposed false claims made by Albuquerque mayoral hopeful Patrick Sais. The party said it cannot prevent candidates from running for office and emphasized that campaign materials are solely the responsibility of individual candidates. “As a […]