+News Archives - City Desk ABQ

Albuquerque International Sunport, where a federal grant of up to $18.5 million will help fund upgrades to the Sunport Rail Spur to improve freight service and give local businesses another way to move goods. (CABQ)

Albuquerque’s Sunport rail spur is getting a multimillion-dollar federal boost

by Jesse Jones October 27, 2026

By Jesse Jones, The Paper. — From construction materials to industrial supplies, businesses could have an easier way to move goods in and out of the Duke City after the city was selected for a multimillion-dollar federal grant to upgrade six miles of the Sunport Rail Spur. The city was selected to receive up to […]

Time for fine-tuning: APS to host series of community meetings on ‘right-sizing’

By Rodd Cayton, The Paper. — As enrollment at Albuquerque Public Schools continues to decline, tough decisions need to be made, and the district is asking for community input to guide the process. APS has scheduled a series of community meetings over the next few months to hear from the public. According to an APS […]

Albuquerque Housing Authority’s apartments at Broadway and McKnight added 54 affordable units to the city’s housing stock when AHA cut the ribbon on the project in 2023. AHA is accepting pre-applications for its Public Housing program through Oct. 31 and for Section 8 vouchers from Oct. 16 through Nov. 15. (Courtesy of Albuquerque Housing Authority)

Knock, knock: Albuquerque Housing Authority opens doors to Section 8 and public housing applicants

By Kevin Hendricks, The Paper. — Albuquerque-area renters searching for an affordable place to live have a limited window to get in line for federal housing help, and the deadline for one program is already approaching. The Albuquerque Housing Authority opens pre-applications for its Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher program on Friday, Oct. 16, and […]

The Peer Empowerment Center at 913 Second Street NW in Albuquerque helps people become Certified Peer Support Workers and provides career support for current peer workers. (Courtesy of the Albuquerque Center for Hope and Recovery)

Bernalillo County, Healthcare

Bernalillo County opens center to turn recovery into a career

by Jesse Jones October 13, 2026

By Jesse Jones, The Paper. — For people who have gone through recovery, that experience can become more than a part of their past. It can shape their future and become a career helping others navigate mental health and substance-use challenges. Bernalillo County, in coordination with the Albuquerque Center for Hope and Recovery (ACHR), has […]

Hot air balloons fill the sky over Albuquerque during the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta. The annual event draws hundreds of thousands of guest visits and generates millions of dollars in economic activity for the city. Photo by Roberto E. Rosales/City Desk ABQ.

Albuquerque, Jobs, Workers & Economy

When the green flag flies, Albuquerque’s economy gets a lift

by Jesse Jones October 8, 2026October 22, 2026

By Jesse Jones, The Paper. — For nine days each October, hot air balloons fill Albuquerque’s morning sky as visitors pack hotels, restaurants and businesses across the city. The Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta brings hundreds of thousands of visitors, boosting the local economy. As the 2026 event continues, its full economic impact is still taking […]

BernCo candidate defends wearing Confederate flag as symbol of ‘open rebellion’ against the government as he pushes ‘America only’ agenda in campaigns

By Kevin Hendricks, Route 66 Independent & NM Political Report — District 5 Bernalillo County Commission candidate Thomas Riley says he wears a ring bearing the Confederate flag as an act of “open rebellion” against the federal government, and he wants the county’s Sheriff’s Office to cooperate with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, according to […]

Elections & Politics, New Mexico Statewide News

Your ballot, your move: Early voting starts Oct. 6

by Kevin Hendricks, Editor October 5, 2026

By Kevin Hendricks, nm.news — New Mexico voters can start casting ballots Oct. 6 for the Nov. 3 general election. There’s no reason to wait in line on Election Day, or to walk into the booth guessing. Early voting opens Oct. 6 at county clerk offices. On Oct. 17 it expands to more locations across […]

The main entrance to the Bernalillo County CARE Campus, where care managers will review behavioral health and substance use disorder assistance requests submitted through the county’s Close the Loop system. Photo by Roberto E. Rosales/City Desk ABQ.

Bernalillo County, Local Government

Bernalillo County makes it easier for residents to find behavioral health care

by Jesse Jones October 5, 2026

By Jesse Jones, The Paper. — Bernalillo County residents now have new tools to find and access behavioral health and other social services more easily. Close the Loop, the county’s coordinated system for behavioral health and social service referrals, includes a public resource directory, an online assistance request form and a third tool, Population Insights, […]

A Waste Management truck picks up residential trash cans. Severe weather has delayed trash collection in Rio Rancho. (Courtesy of Waste Management)

Bernalillo County, Environment, Conservation & Climate

Landfill closure puts Bernalillo County, Albuquerque trash pickup on hold

by Jesse Jones September 29, 2026September 29, 2026

Heavy rain from what’s left of Hurricane Polo is causing problems beyond flooded streets and soggy yards in Bernalillo County. Waste Management has paused residential trash collection after severe weather closed a landfill the company uses. Bernalillo County said Waste Management notified the county that the landfill is temporarily closed because of the severe weather. […]

A blue recycling bin sits along an Albuquerque street as the City Council will consider a proposed ordinance that would expand recycling access to all apartment renters and municipal buildings (Jesse Jones)

City’s recycling test could mean fewer pickups for some residents

By Jesse Jones, The Paper. — For some Burqueños, trash day will soon mean one less bin to take to the curb each week. The city is starting a pilot program that will switch blue recycling bin pickup from weekly to every other week. Starting today, the city’s Solid Waste Management Department will test the […]