Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham (D-NM) and legislative Republicans are openly clashing about the necessity for next month’s special legislative session and what the priorities should be taken up when lawmakers return to Santa Fe. Top Republicans, in a letter to the governor released on Monday, called for her to provide them with additional information, including […]
Category: Communities
Posted inEducation
UNM president Garnett Stokes to retire
By Lauren Lifke University of New Mexico President Garnett Stokes announced her upcoming departure from the university at the Board of Regents meeting Tuesday. Stokes plans on fulfilling her role through the end of the 2025-26 school year, after which she plans to retire. She wanted to ensure that the Regents have ample time to […]
Posted inLocal Gov.
Bus routes along North Valley corridors to get more frequent service
Albuquerque city councilors voted to redesignate sections of Rio Grande, Indian School and Menaul boulevards as major transit corridors, a move that will pave the way for more frequent bus service along the North Valley routes over the next three years. The 7-2 council vote in early September on Resolution R-25-175, sponsored by Councilor Tammy […]
Posted inPolitics & Elections
Albuquerque City Council candidates secure spots on the ballot after court challenge
Two Albuquerque City Council candidates will appear on the November ballot after a judge rejected legal challenges to their petition signatures, clearing the way for ballot printing to begin next week. District 1 candidate Stephanie Telles and District 3 candidate Teresa Garcia faced lawsuits claiming they failed to collect the required 500 valid signatures to […]
Posted inPolitics & Elections
Zuni Pueblo leaders back Haaland’s bid for governor
Leaders of the Zuni Pueblo have declared their support for former Interior Secretary Deb Haaland’s bid for the Democratic nomination for governor. New Mexico Political Report was the first to report the endorsement. The Haaland campaign later revealed the endorsement in a press release, which featured a statement from Zuni Pueblo Governor Arden Kucate, describing […]
Posted inPolitics & Elections
Thanks to public financing, council candidates still have hundreds of thousands to spend
Campaign finance reports released last week show the fundraising landscape for Albuquerque City Council candidates as they enter the final stretch before the Nov. 4 municipal election, with significant disparities between publicly and privately financed campaigns across five contested districts. The latest reporting period, ending Sept. 8, reveals how candidates are positioning themselves financially with […]
Posted inCourts, Justice & Safety, Santa Fe County
Santa Fe court launches mental health diversion program for arrestees
The First Judicial District Court has announced a new program designed to divert people with severe mental illness away from the criminal justice system and into treatment services. The competency diversion pilot program will serve individuals charged with misdemeanors, excluding DWI and nonviolent felony offenses. It marks the fourth such initiative established by New Mexico […]
Posted inCongress & Federal Gov., New Mexico
Rep. Vasquez cosponsors bill to reverse GOP health care cuts
Rep. Gabe Vasquez, D-N.M., cosponsored legislation Thursday aimed at reversing Republican health care cuts and permanently extending Affordable Care Act tax credits. The Protecting Healthcare and Lowering Costs Act, H.R. 4849, would repeal provisions in a Republican tax bill that Vasquez said would eliminate Medicaid coverage for 110,000 New Mexicans and reduce health care eligibility […]
Posted inEnvironment & Conservation
Carlisle Village Cleaners contaminant cleanup project receives millions in federal funding
By Lauren Lifke The New Mexico Environment Department received $2.8 million in federal funding to make steps toward cleaning up a historical dry cleaner site in Southeast Albuquerque, according to a news release. In July, the Environmental Protection Agency confirmed that there are contaminants in the area of Carlisle Village Cleaners, according to CABQ. The […]
Posted inBernalillo County
Bernalillo County commissioners name new fire chief, vote to advance affordable housing
By Lauren Lifke The Bernalillo County Board of Commissioners named a new fire chief at its meeting on Tuesday and voted in favor of three ordinances that will move the county toward acquiring more transitional and affordable housing. Outgoing Bernalillo County Fire Rescue Chief Greg Perez welcomed Chief Zach Lardy to fill his shoes at […]