Posted inCongress & Federal Gov., Pueblos

Rep. Vasquez warns of rural health crisis in Carlsbad visit, Slams GOP Medicaid cuts

U.S. Rep. Gabe Vasquez this week visited Carlsbad Medical Center and hosted a roundtable with disability service provider CARC, Inc., highlighting what he called the devastating impact of Medicaid cuts tied to the new Republican tax law. The tax law, passed in July, slashes Medicaid funding and threatens health care coverage for more than 110,000 […]

Posted inCourts, Justice & Safety, Westside Albuquerque

Rio Rancho police launch zero-tolerance school zone speed enforcement

Rio Rancho drivers face increased traffic enforcement and steeper fines as students return to school, with police promising “no warnings, no excuses” for violations. The Rio Rancho Police Department launched a School Zone Speed Blitz this week ahead of classes starting on Aug. 7. The enforcement campaign increases patrols during morning and afternoon hours across […]

Posted inMusic, Westside Albuquerque

Rio Rancho youth choruses open doors to new singers ahead of 2025 season

Two Rio Rancho community choruses are casting a wide net for new members as they prepare to launch their 2025 season next month. The Rio Rancho Youth Chorus and Children’s Chorus of Rio Rancho will hold their first rehearsal and informational meeting on Saturday, Aug. 16, at the Star Heights Recreation Center. The Children’s Chorus, […]

Posted inCongress & Federal Gov., Pueblos

Sen. Heinrich leads fight to halt federal job cuts threatening New Mexico’s $9 billion lab economy

New Mexico’s senior senator is leading national legislation to halt federal workforce cuts that threaten thousands of jobs at Los Alamos and Sandia national laboratories, which pump nearly $9 billion into the state’s economy annually and employ about 30,000 New Mexicans. U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich, ranking member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, […]

Posted inCourts, Justice & Safety, Town of Bernalillo

Bernalillo police to host National Night Out at Rotary Park a week after deadly shooting

The Bernalillo Police Department will hold its National Night Out event Tuesday at Rotary Park, the same location where a deadly shooting occurred just one week ago. Police Chief Chris Stoyell confirmed the department will proceed with the community-building event at the park despite the recent violence that claimed one life and left another person […]

Posted inNew Mexico State Gov., Pueblos

Protecting New Mexico’s water supply and farming communities

Submitted by Representative Kathleen Cates (D-Rio Rancho) New Mexico’s arid climate means we naturally receive limited annual precipitation, but the effects of climate change have exacerbated these challenges. Rising temperatures have led to prolonged droughts, decreased snowpack, early melting, and reduced river flows, while higher evaporation rates have diminished our water storage in reservoirs. To […]

Posted inCongress & Federal Gov., Pueblos

New Mexico senators secure nearly $400 million for military bases, rural communities

New Mexico’s U.S. senators have secured nearly $400 million in federal funding for projects spanning from military base construction to rural fire departments, as the Senate passed its first fiscal year 2026 appropriations bills before the August recess. Senators Martin Heinrich and Ben Ray Luján announced a combined total of approximately $395 million for New […]

Posted inHousing & Homelessness, Pueblos

New Mexico reports first drop in syphilis rates since 2018, marking major public health win

New Mexico has achieved a significant public health milestone, reporting its first decrease in syphilis rates in six years, according to data released by the state Department of Health this week. The state saw a dramatic 31% drop in primary and secondary syphilis cases — the most contagious stages of the sexually transmitted infection — […]

Posted inCongress & Federal Gov., Pueblos

Heinrich bill targets New Mexico’s wildfire insurance crisis

New Mexico homeowners facing skyrocketing insurance premiums and policy cancellations could benefit from federal legislation aimed at understanding how wildfires drive the insurance crisis affecting one in eight properties in the state. U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich, D-N.M., and Sen. Tim Sheehy, R-Mont., introduced the Wildfire Insurance Coverage Study Act on July 25, legislation requiring the […]

Posted inTown of Bernalillo

Jury awards Bernalillo family $1.8 million in school bullying, assault case

A Bernalillo High School student’s family received a $1.8 million jury verdict this week after proving school officials failed to prevent a violent assault despite receiving evidence of persistent bullying and threats. The verdict, delivered Wednesday in Sandoval County’s 13th Judicial District Court, found Bernalillo Public Schools liable for failing to follow New Mexico’s mandatory […]