The man who shot and killed a rocket scientist in front of a Southeast Albuquerque home three years ago was sentenced on Monday to serve 11 years in prison — 18 years total with seven suspended — followed by five years of supervised probation and two years of parole. Vigil pleaded guilty to second-degree murder […]
Category: City Desk ABQ
Have an opinion? Of course you do! Share yours and we may publish it at citydesk.nm.news. Submit your opinion piece.
This story is "Reader-supported." NM Political Report relies on sponsor and reader donations to fund journalists covering local politics and policy other outlets don't cover. Think we need more reporting like this?
Thank a reporter and help us keep reporting like this free to read by becoming a monthly or one-time supporter today.
Local democracy needs local journalists.
This report is more than a news story. We partnered with NMreports to expand our ability to cover stories that help readers understand how New Mexico works and inspire them to participate in public decisions.
When you see "Reader-supported"on a story it means your donations helped us cover a story we would have otherwise missed. Become an investor in rebuilding local news for New Mexico by giving a monthly or one-time donation now.
Longtime Bernalillo County Manager Announces Retirement
The long-time county manager Julie Morgas Baca will leave her position on June 28, the end of Bernalillo County’s fiscal year. Morgas Baca was appointed as county manager in 2015. Prior to that, she was president and CEO of the National Hispanic Cultural Center Foundation from 2013 to 2015 and the deputy county manager for […]
Alec Baldwin to stand trial this summer on a charge stemming from deadly ‘Rust’ movie set shooting
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — A New Mexico judge has set a trial date for Alec Baldwin on an involuntary manslaughter charge stemming from the 2021 deadly shooting on the set of the Western movie “Rust.” The scheduling order entered Monday calls for jury selection to begin July 9, with the trial starting the following […]
North Fourth Street goes on a diet
North Fourth Street between Ortega and Alameda will soon be on a road diet. Bernalillo County will host a public meeting on Tuesday to gather input on a road diet reconstruction project along historic Fourth Street in the North Valley. The proposed construction will reduce the traveling lanes to one lane in each direction with […]
How many stay in Albuquerque shelters every night?
Albuquerque’s efforts to end homelessness isn’t a one person or one department affair. The project involves those in city departments, outside agencies, nonprofits, emergency shelters, day shelters, street outreach, housing, volunteerism and public policy work. It’s a tree with multiple roots and branches that can be confusing for a public eager for straightforward information. The […]
ABQ’s street lights are not purple on purpose
Residents of Albuquerque have noticed certain street lights appear purple when the sun goes down. While this has raised concerns, the city says they are being replaced. “It is a manufacturer defect in the lights and the manufacturer is aware of the issue,” said Dan Mayfield, a spokesperson for Albuquerque’s Municipal Development Department. More than […]
Long vacant buildings irk officials, business owners
Editor’s note: This is the second installment in a series titled Downtown Albuquerque Reboot, about Downtown Albuquerque, its challenges and the plans to address them. Read the first installment about why the area matters here, peruse a photo essay about lowriders here, read about crime here and end with what the area has to offer […]
Rio Rancho Nonprofit Receives National Grant
A Rio Rancho nonprofit that creates STEM programs for underserved children was recently awarded a $5,000 grant. R4 Creating received the grant from Sparklight, a national broadband communications provider, who awarded 29 nonprofits around the country through the company’s Charitable Giving Fund. The grants totaled more than $125,000 during the most recent award period. R4 Creating […]
Broad and burdensome: City paid over $1.4 M in Public Records Act lawsuits over last year and a half
Just before the pandemic, Christopher Michael Sanchez was killed on Feb. 21 at a local bar and police ruled his death was a justifiable homicide. Eight months later, his father requested — through the Inspection of Public Records Act — all videos and records relating to his son’s death. By 2023, however, the city still […]
The epitome of Albuquerque: Law enforcement edition
The epitome of Albuquerque will be a recurring City Desk ABQ feature every Friday where we highlight interesting data about our city and surrounding areas. Find last week’s here.

