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Posted inCourts, Justice & Safety

Federal judge orders DACA recipient detained by ICE released from New Mexico detention center

A federal judge has ruled that a DACA recipient whose detention has been challenged in court must be released from custody.  Late Wednesday, U.S. District Judge William P. Johnson of the U.S. District Court of New Mexico granted a petition for a writ of habeas corpus directing the federal government to immediately release 28-year-old Paulo […]

Posted inSandoval County

New Mexico delegation urges exclusion from Trump administration’s roadless rule rollback

New Mexico’s congressional delegation is demanding the Trump administration exclude the state from efforts to rescind federal protections for roadless areas in national forests, citing economic and safety concerns. U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich, the ranking member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, led the effort alongside Sen. Ben Ray Luján and Reps. Melanie […]

Posted inNew Mexico State Gov.

New Mexico Senate Republicans to hold healthcare access task force Monday

New Mexico Senate Republicans will convene a legislative task force Monday to address what they say are deteriorating healthcare access challenges across the state, focusing specifically on medical malpractice reform. The public hearing, scheduled from 1-4 p.m. at the Sandoval County Commission Meeting Room, will feature testimony from New Mexico Health Secretary Gina M. DeBlassie, […]

Posted inHealthcare

Report: New Mexico Medicaid more expensive, with diminished quality

Access to healthcare services in New Mexico has, in many cases, not improved, and the burdens on the state’s Medicaid have increased in recent years, according to a new report.  Staff from the Legislative Finance Committee discussed the findings from the 2025 Medicaid Accountability Report with state lawmakers on Tuesday during an interim committee meeting […]

Posted inCourts, Justice & Safety

Albuquerque mayoral candidate charged for inappropriate touching of former campaign staffer

An Albuquerque police officer investigating an incident between mayoral candidate Daniel Chavez and his former staffer found probable cause to charge him with battery, according to court documents filed in Bernalillo County Metropolitan Court and obtained by City Desk ABQ. The criminal complaint, filed in July, alleges that Daniel Chavez inappropriately touched a person without […]

Posted inNew Mexico Statewide News, Sandoval County

Bregman would back ban on local immigrant detention centers, limit arrests of immigrants without other crimes

New Mexico Democratic candidate for governor Sam Bregman expressed opposition Friday to using state and local resources to enforce federal immigration law, unless it involves a criminal suspect who represents a serious threat to public safety.  Bregman, who is also the Bernalillo County district attorney, told New Mexico Political Report in a phone interview on […]

Posted inCourts, Justice & Safety

Española police chief addresses unease over National Guard deployment

New Mexico National Guard troops could soon be deployed to Española and Rio Arriba County to address a surge in crime and public safety concerns. Española Police Chief Mizel Garcia told members of the Courts, Corrections, and Justice Committee of the New Mexico Legislature that his department and the New Mexico National Guard have been […]

Posted inNew Mexico Statewide News, Sandoval County

Vasquez launches 2026 re-election campaign, emphasizes bipartisan record

U.S. Rep. Gabe Vasquez announced his 2026 re-election bid over the weekend, touring his sprawling southern New Mexico and Westside Albuquerque district with campaign stops in Albuquerque’s West Side, Los Lunas, Truth or Consequences and Mesilla. The second-term Democrat, who represents New Mexico’s 2nd Congressional District, positioned himself as a bipartisan problem-solver focused on lowering […]

Posted inHousing & Homelessness, Sandoval County

PACs pour $375k into Albuquerque elections, skirting campaign limits

When Burqueño voters see glossy campaign mailers or ads in the coming weeks, the fine print may list groups such as “Safer Albuquerque Committee” or “Ascend Albuquerque.” But those names don’t tell the full story of who is really paying to influence their votes. Political Action Committees (PACs) have raised $375,280 to sway the Nov. […]

Posted inEnvironment, Conservation & Climate, Sandoval County

New Mexico methane rules cut emissions by half compared to Texas, officials say

New Mexico’s methane regulations have reduced oil and gas facility emissions in the Permian Basin by half compared to neighboring Texas while generating $152 million for the state, according to satellite data released Monday by Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham. The findings, announced during U.S. Climate Week, show New Mexico’s methane intensity at 1.2% compared to […]