■ Bernalillo County Archives

The Bernalillo County Board of Commissioners. Photo by Roberto E. Rosales for the Paper

Bernalillo County bets on tax breaks to bring more workforce housing to the Heights

By Jesse Jones, The Paper. — In Albuquerque’s Northeast Heights, an area known for its high-value homes and good schools, middle-income workers can find themselves priced out of living near the communities they serve. On Oct. 27, the Bernalillo County Commission approved two ordinances sponsored by Commissioner Walt Benson granting 30-year property tax breaks to […]

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

Bernalillo County is changing MDC health care. What will it cost?

By Jesse Jones, The Paper. — Health care at the Metropolitan Detention Center faces a major shake-up in 2027 as Bernalillo County prepares to take over the system, with nearly $40 million in startup costs and a funding request that still needs state approval. At its Oct. 27 meeting, the Bernalillo County Board of County […]

Bernalillo County @ Alvarado Square, Downtown Albuquerque. (Jesse Jones, The Paper.)

Feds charge Maryland man with falsely registering to vote in Bernalillo County

By Kevin Hendricks, The Paper. — A Maryland man faces a federal charge after prosecutors say he claimed to live in New Mexico so he could register to vote here in 2022, one week before New Mexicans head to the polls for the Nov. 3 general election. A federal grand jury indicted the 63-year-old Annapolis […]

BernCo commissioners set to write a new prescription for jail health care

By Kevin Hendricks, The Paper. — Everyone booked into the Metropolitan Detention Center gets a health screening. That was more than 26,000 people last fiscal year, and many of them arrived in withdrawal or mental health crisis. On Tuesday, Bernalillo County commissioners will decide who provides that care once UNM Hospital’s contract ends June 30, […]

Early voting is happening in Bernalillo County. Pictured are voters exiting after casting their ballots at the Clerk’s Annex County Government office on 1500 Lomas Blvd NW. Photo by Roberto E. Rosales for the Paper

Early voting surge gives Democrats early edge in Bernalillo County

By Jesse Jones, The Paper. — Bernalillo County voters are helping shape New Mexico’s next political era ahead of the Nov. 3 election, with Democrats turning out at higher rates than Republicans, continuing a pattern seen in last year’s municipal election. As of Oct. 22, nearly one in five registered Democrats had cast a ballot, […]

MDC health care transition could cost millions. Commissioners weigh next steps

By Jesse Jones, The Paper. — Thousands of people booked into the Metropolitan Detention Center each year depend on medical care and addiction treatment behind bars. Bernalillo County plans to take over those services in 2027 when its current contract ends next summer. Commissioners will consider using $30 million in county reserves to help fund […]

Several dozen homeless folks currently camp under interstate I-40 and first street. Many express frustration of authorities coming by everyday and kicking them out but decide to return an hour later. This has been their daily routine for months now. Pictured is a fentanyl pill about to be consumed. Photo by Roberto E. Rosales / City Desk Abq

Bernalillo County approves emergency powers to fight fentanyl crisis

By Jesse Jones, The Paper, — Bernalillo County is moving to cut red tape so it can get emergency medical care to the streets faster, overhaul jail detox programs and crack down on fentanyl trafficking. Commissioners approved an emergency declaration Wednesday that grants emergency authority to the county manager and asks the state for additional […]

Community members fill the Bernalillo County Commission chambers during an Oct. 14 hearing on an appeal challenging approval of the proposed Albuquerque Islamic Center on Second Street NW. Commissioners voted 4-1 to deny the appeal and uphold the project's conditional-use approval. Courtesy of the Albuquerque Islamic Center.

North Valley mosque appeal fails; traffic questions remain

By Jesse Jones, The Paper. — North Valley residents who challenged plans for a proposed mosque lost their appeal Wednesday evening when Bernalillo County commissioners denied the appeal and upheld conditional-use approval for the Albuquerque Islamic Center on Second Street. Residents raised concerns about traffic and the area’s rural character. During its Oct. 14 zoning […]

Bernalillo County plans expanded fentanyl response as commissioners weigh emergency declaration

By Jesse Jones, The Paper. — About six people a week died from opioid-related causes in Bernalillo County last year. Now, county commissioners are considering an emergency declaration to help fund a more robust response, including expanded street medicine and addiction treatment, real-time overdose tracking and a new sheriff’s operation targeting drug traffickers. Bernalillo County […]