Local Government Archives

Albuquerque approves $3M deal to land space energy startup

By Jesse Jones, The Paper. — Most people do not notice the thunderbird on Albuquerque’s flag in the top left corner, but its late-’60s design reflected the city’s role in the nuclear and Space Age. Nearly 60 years later, that vision is still unfolding, and could mean almost 200 high-paying jobs for Albuquerque residents. On […]

Fed cuts prompt Keller to pitch budget with $35 million hole and 272 job cuts

By Jesse Jones, The Paper. — Albuquerque is tightening its belt for the first time in years, and Burqueños may soon feel the shift. Mayor Tim Keller sent his $1.47 billion budget proposal to the City Council on Wednesday. The budget is $35 million less than last year. After a record budget year approved last […]

Pictured is the proposed site for a new Maverick gas station on the corner of Indian School and Carlisle. This was the former site of a Whole Foods Supermarket.

Albuquerque, Local Government

Neighborhoods prevail in first round against Maverick plans for gas station on former Whole Foods site

by Pat Davis April 2, 2026

A city zoning official has denied petitions that would allow a new gas station and convenience store to be built at Carlisle Boulevard and Indian School Road. Zoning Hearing Examiner Robert Lucero announced his decision Thursday morning. Maverik, which already owns the property, had sought a conditional use permit to allow the store to be […]

From curbside to containers: Why Albuquerque is rethinking how it recycles glass

It looked like the glass would finally be picked up with the rest of our trash and recycling we all hoped for, but the reality was that it was not to be, at least not yet. Editor’s note: For years, the city has fielded requests to add glass to “blue bin” curbside recycling, so when […]

Albuquerque, Environment, Conservation & Climate, Local Government

City closes part of Bosque for fire prevention, Jetty Jack removal

by The Paper staff March 30, 2026

With little snowpack and early season heat waves hitting the city in February, 2026 is shaping up to be an historically dangerous year for wildfire conditions so the City of Albuquerque is getting a head start on wildfire prevention along the Bosque. City officials will close an 18-acre area north of Campbell Rd. and west […]

Inside the Oso Negro project: Bernalillo County’s newest weapon against power outages

By Jesse Jones, The Paper. — With an uncertain future for power rates and unreliable power grids, Bernalillo County residents may see more stable electricity rates and a stronger power grid, following the approval of a $175 million battery storage project on Albuquerque’s Westside. Bernalillo County commissioners approved an industrial revenue bond, 4-1, March 11, […]

Keller nominates Cecily Barker to permanently lead APD, pending City Council confirmation

By Jesse Jones, The Paper. — After 22 years of climbing the ranks from patrol officer to the Albuquerque Police Department’s top-ranking officer, Cecily Barker stands one vote away from making history as Albuquerque’s first female police chief. Mayor Tim Keller announced Barker as his official nominee for chief of police on Tuesday, choosing the […]

Gov, Board give final OK to $114M State Fair redevelopment with a stadium option

Burqueños and the International District moved a step closer to a major Fairgrounds transformation Monday after the state board approved the first phase of a $200 million redevelopment plan that includes a new multipurpose stadium and hundreds of housing units. The New Mexico State Fairgrounds District Board, chaired by Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham, approved the […]

Westside, Rio Rancho drivers have a new $62 million reason to hate rush hour

Thousands of Rio Rancho and Westside drivers who navigate the Unser Boulevard and Paseo del Norte intersection daily are in line for long-awaited relief — but they’ll need to endure roughly three years of construction to get there. Albuquerque officially launched the largest road construction project in its history on March 17: a $62 million […]

Albuquerque moves quickly to remove César Chávez from streets, public honors following abuse disclosures by Dolores Huerta, others

By Jesse Jones, City Desk ABQ in The Paper. — City officials took swift action Wednesday to initiate the renaming of local sites honoring civil rights organizer and Chicano icon César Chávez following disclosures by fellow activist Dolores Huerta that he pressured her for sex resulting in pregnancies. City Councilor Joaquín Baca told City Desk […]