New Mexico’s AmeriCorps programs will see funding restored after the Trump administration declined to pursue a funding freeze challenged by New Mexico Attorney General Raúl Torrez and other attorneys general. 2 million for AmeriCorps, initially withheld by the Trump administration, after th The New Mexico Department of Justice announced Friday that $2 million initially withheld […]
Category: Communities
Posted inSandoval County
Rep. Stansbury: Epstein cover-up goes ‘all the way to the top’
Rep. Melanie Stansbury, D-N.M., accused government officials of orchestrating a massive cover-up in the Jeffrey Epstein case after meeting with victims who shared their stories publicly for the first time, as House Republicans face mounting pressure to release unredacted federal investigation files. Stansbury said Tuesday that victims revealed “not only the trauma of hundreds (maybe […]
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City council candidate faces legal challenge to ballot access
Two community members filed a lawsuit Monday seeking to remove City Council candidate Stephanie Telles from the November ballot, claiming she failed to collect the required 500 valid petition signatures needed to qualify. Danny Gonzales and Vincent C. Sanchez, both District 1 residents, argue in their Second Judicial District Court complaint that Telles submitted only […]
Posted inTorrance County
Torrance County manager warns of economic ruin if detention facility closes
A potential ban on federal immigrant detention facilities in New Mexico would have a devastating impact on Torrance County, according to a local official. Jordan Barela, the Torrance County manager, told a bipartisan group of state legislators at an Aug. 26 meeting of the Courts, Corrections and Justice Committee, in Las Cruces, that one such […]
Posted inHousing & Homelessness, Sandoval County
Quezada sues to remove Teresa Garcia from city council ballot
By Lauren Lifke Former Bernalillo County commissioner Steven Michael Quezada filed a lawsuit Wednesday to remove Teresa Garcia from the Albuquerque City Council Ballot as he alleges she failed to submit the 500 valid petition signatures required for ballot placement, according to a news release. Garcia, who is running for city councilor of District 3 […]
Posted inBusiness, Economy & Workers, Sandoval County
Rep. Vasquez introduces bill to grant legal status to workers in critical industries
Rep. Gabe Vasquez, D-NM, introduced legislation Tuesday that would provide a pathway to permanent legal status for undocumented workers in critical sectors such as health care, agriculture and emergency services. Vasquez’s “Strengthening Our Workforce Act” would grant two-year conditional status to non-citizens who meet strict requirements and work in essential industries, according to a news […]
Posted inNew Mexico State Gov., Sandoval County
New Mexico partners on $120 million quantum computing initiative
New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham signed an agreement Tuesday with the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency to establish a four-year, $120 million partnership aimed at advancing quantum computing technology. The Quantum Frontier Project will determine whether utility-scale quantum computing can be achieved by 2033, according to the governor’s office. The initiative is part of […]
Posted inSandoval County
Republican state rep. files to run against Leger Fernandez
By Alex Ross A four-term New Mexico state legislator is preparing a Republican challenge to U.S. Rep. Teresa Leger Fernandez in her bid for reelection next year. State Rep. Martin Zamora, a Republican of Clovis, filed a statement of candidacy in July with the Federal Election Commission (FEC). The move allows him to raise and […]
Posted inEnergy Transition
New Mexico Land Office proposes updated geothermal leasing rules
The New Mexico State Land Office will hold a public hearing Sept. 30 to gather feedback on proposed changes to state rules governing geothermal energy leases, officials announced Thursday. The hearing is scheduled for 10 a.m. at Morgan Hall in the State Land Office building at 310 Old Santa Fe Trail in Santa Fe, according […]
Posted inHousing & Homelessness, Sandoval County
Sen. Lujan: Trump Administration retreats from pharmaceutical tariffs after warning
The Trump administration has backed down from imposing tariffs of up to 250% on pharmaceutical imports from the European Union following pressure from U.S. Sen. Ben Ray Luján, D-N.M., according to a Thursday press release from the senator. The administration also agreed to provide special treatment for generic medicines from the European Union, according to […]