+News Archives - Page 3 of 28

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 Hall doesn’t have to recycle. One councilor wants to fix that and make all landlords provide recycling, too.

By Jesse Jones, The Paper. — A proposed City Council ordinance tackles two recycling gaps at once: expanding recycling access to renters in smaller apartment buildings and requiring city-owned buildings to provide recycling services. Current city code only requires apartment buildings with 25 or more units to provide recycling, leaving many renters without guaranteed service. […]

Bernalillo County Commissioner Barbara Baca, whose amended resolution added $10 million in reserve funds to the county's 2026 bond package. (Jesse Jones)

How Bernalillo County plans to add $10 million to infrastructure without raising taxes

By Jesse Jones, The Paper. — Bernalillo County faces a $400 million backlog of capital projects but plans to ask voters to approve just $45 million in bonds. At that rate, Commissioners Barbara Baca and Eric Olivas said the county will never catch up. To speed up the process, they gained support from the rest […]

Bernalillo County, Elections & Politics, Opinion & Analysis

Opinion: County’s fast-tracked public financing bill isn’t ready for November ballot

by Guest Commentary July 19, 2026July 19, 2026

At the last Bernalillo County Commission Meeting, June 27th, one of my fellow commissioners introduced an Administrative Resolution establishing the process by which the county will design an elections ordinance to provide voluntary public financing for qualifying county candidates which was approved by four commissioners. Walt Benson is a Bernalillo County Commissioner representing District 4. […]

Bernalillo County, Elections & Politics, Local Government

Should voters fund campaigns for county officials? Voters will get to decide this November

by Kevin Hendricks July 6, 2026July 6, 2026

By Kevin Hendricks, The Paper. — Bernalillo County residents will get to decide in November whether their tax dollars should help fund county campaigns — a move commissioners say is aimed squarely at kneecapping the influence of big donors and corporate PACs. The Board of County Commissioners voted unanimously June 23, to advance a package […]

While the New Mexico United is cautiously optimistic regarding future plans for its own stadium, the franchise is still very much in a holding pattern.

New Mexico State Gov., New Mexico Statewide News

The long game: New Mexico United navigates timeline for future home

by Tristen Critchfield June 29, 2026June 29, 2026

By Tristen Critchfield, The Paper. — While the New Mexico United is cautiously optimistic regarding future plans for its own stadium, the franchise is still very much in a holding pattern. In March, a group of state leaders including Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham and Albuquerque Mayor Tim Keller voted 6-1 to build a sports stadium […]

The vacant alley between Hollywood and Edna avenues NW, where the city plans to build a segment of the Rail Trail. Photo courtesy of Debra Montoya

Could NIMBY neighbors derail city’s rail trail plans?

By Jesse Jones, The Paper. — A small group of West Old Town residents is challenging the City of Albuquerque over a segment of the ABQ Rail Trail, a multimillion-dollar marquee project. Although the group wants to halt the planned extension through their neighborhood, the city owns the property, forcing residents to navigate municipal bureaucracy […]

Albuquerque City Councilor Brook Bassan, co-sponsor of a resurrected $113 million gross receipts tax increase. The council voted 5-4 on June 15 to kill the measure, keeping the massive tax hike out of voters' hands this November. (Jesse Jones)

Denied again: Why the ABQ City Council killed the same sales tax hike twice

By Jesse Jones, The Paper. — Burqueño voters will have one fewer question on the November ballot after the City Council narrowly rejected a proposed $113 million gross receipts tax increase, marking the second defeat for a measure that had already been revived once. The City Council voted 5-4 Monday to kill Resolution R-26-43, a […]

Pictured is the Bernalillo County Metropolitan Detention Center, where Dr. Rebecca Fastle previously managed medical operations before stepping into her new countywide healthcare role. Photo by Roberto E. Rosales/City Desk Abq

After years of issues at MDC, Bernalillo County adds a new piece to the healthcare puzzle

By Jesse Jones, The Paper. — For years, Bernalillo County has poured millions of dollars into fixing healthcare at the Metropolitan Detention Center, bringing in a new medical provider and overhauling its behavioral health system. Despite millions of dollars in new investments, turbulence continues at MDC. The facility has cycled through three wardens since 2022 […]

An APD officer-involved shooting near I-40 and 6th street in 2024. A spike in late May 2026 shootings has city leaders questioning why the Albuquerque Community Safety department is not being dispatched to some high-risk mental health calls. Photo by Roberto E. Rosales/The City Desk. Photo by Roberto E. Rosales/The City Desk

After three police shootings in five days, City Councilor questions APD, ACS mental health response rules

By Jesse Jones, The Paper. — Imagine calling 911 for help during a mental health crisis only to have the encounter end in death. That happened in May when the Albuquerque Police Department (APD) shot and killed a man after his family called for help because he was threatening to harm himself. The shooting was […]

Albuquerque’s record $1.5 billion budget heads to the state, without Keller’s signature

By Jesse Jones, The Paper. — Burqueños and city workers can breathe a sigh of relief as the city’s new $1.5 billion budget becomes law without the stroke of the mayor’s pen. The plan avoids resident trash fee hikes, locks in funding for core community services from public safety to senior programs and includes upcoming […]