Rep. Gabe Vasquez on Monday criticized the current federal tax law’s approach to tip taxation while advocating for permanent policy changes to benefit tipped workers during a visit to a local coffee shop. The New Mexico Democrat donned an apron and worked alongside employees at Barelas Coffee House on Aug. 18, taking orders and serving […]
Category: Communities
Posted inNew Mexico, NM State Gov.
New Mexico oil lease sale breaks records, brings in $256 million for schools
New Mexico’s State Land Office shattered revenue records for the second consecutive month, earning $256 million in bonus payments from an oil and gas lease auction held this week, officials announced Tuesday. The August sale surpassed last month’s then-record $56 million, marking another milestone since the state implemented a new 25% royalty rate for premium […]
Posted inHousing & Homelessness, New Mexico
New Mexico to distribute $120 million for housing, homelessness programs
New Mexico will distribute $120 million for housing and homelessness projects across the state beginning this month, Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham announced Tuesday. The Office of Housing at the New Mexico Department of Workforce Solutions will oversee the distribution, which aims to expand affordable housing options while reducing homelessness and improving public safety, according to […]
Posted inCourts, Justice & Safety
Albuquerque to install 8 more speed cameras by year’s end
View this post on Instagram A post shared by City Desk ABQ (@citydeskabq) Albuquerque will expand its automated speed enforcement program with eight additional cameras by the end of 2025, city officials announced Wednesday. The expansion comes as the city reports a 20% decrease in fatal traffic crashes this year, which Mayor Tim Keller attributed […]
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 inBernalillo County
Bernalillo County votes to approve $225 million energy storage project to get PNM grid to carbon-free power
By Connor Currier Bernalillo County commissioners will move forward with a proposed $225 million energy storage project that aims to support New Mexico’s transition to renewable energy. The Board of County Commissioners approved issuing taxable industrial revenue bonds for Corazon Energy Storage LLC with a 3-1 vote. Vice Chair Barbara Baca was absent from the […]