This report is supported by NM Political Report, a nonprofit newsroom working to increase New Mexicans’ engagement in politics and public policy. Reported by: Josh Lee, Las Cruces, New Mexico This report is original reporting by a New Mexico-based independent journalist with support NMreports.org and its readers and sponsors. The Catholic Church’s handling of decades-old […]
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Posted inLocal Government, Westside Albuquerque
Sandoval County fire services consolidate finances
Residents of rural Sandoval County won’t notice a difference in how their fire service operates, county Fire Chief Christopher Bagley said July 23. But a resolution approved by county commissioners will mean behind-the-scenes rewards for all eight volunteer fire districts involved. “I can assure you that this is only an administrative procedure that will have […]
Posted inHousing & Homelessness, Westside Albuquerque
Sandoval County Fair opens Monday with week of rodeo, pow-wow and community events
The 49th annual Sandoval County Fair kicked off Monday in Cuba, bringing six days of rodeo action, 4-H competitions and cultural celebrations to residents across New Mexico’s fastest-growing county. The fair runs Monday, July 28, through Sunday, August 3, at the county-owned fairgrounds in Cuba, featuring this year’s theme “Home on the Range!” Daily admission […]
Posted inWestside Albuquerque
Rio Rancho police officer delivers DoorDash order after arresting driver
A Rio Rancho police officer went beyond the call of duty Tuesday, completing a food delivery after arresting the DoorDash driver on an outstanding warrant, demonstrating the community-focused policing approach that has helped the city achieve a 16% drop in crime over two years. Officer Steve Lucero hand-delivered a Chick-fil-A order to a surprised Rio […]
Posted inPueblos
Rio Rancho pharmacist running for House
Ndidiamaka “Didi” Okpareke says she loves New Mexico and wants to be part of lifting the state that has given her multiple opportunities to meet its full potential. Okpareke is running as a Republican candidate for the 1st Congressional District seat in next year’s election, challenging Democratic incumbent U.S. Rep. Melanie Stansbury. Okpareke, 41, lives […]
Posted inCourts, Justice & Safety, Pueblos
University of New Mexico shooting leaves one dead, one injured with suspect still at large
Updates and Related Content Check back often for updates on this developing story. A shooting at the University of New Mexico’s central Albuquerque campus has left one person dead and another injured, prompting an emergency campus closure and a large-scale police response. In the early hours of Friday morning, UNM Police Department (UNMPD) responded to […]
Posted inEnvironment, Conservation & Climate, Pueblos
Video: Ruidoso avoids more tragedy as flash flood prompts 5 rescues
Emergency responders successfully rescued all five people trapped by Thursday’s flash flooding in Ruidoso, marking a far less severe event than the deadly flooding that killed three residents just 16 days ago. Heavy monsoon rainfall caused a major flash flood near the village of Ruidoso on Thursday afternoon, with the Rio Ruidoso cresting at 12.5 […]
Posted inCourts, Justice & Safety, Westside Albuquerque
Sandoval County celebrates opening of dispatch center that can’t handle most 911 calls
Sandoval County held a ribbon-cutting ceremony July 24 to celebrate its new dispatch center, even as the facility remains unable to independently handle approximately 85% of 911 calls from the county’s estimated 42,000 non-Rio Rancho residents. The Public Safety Emergency Communications Center of Sandoval County can only directly receive approximately 15% of 911 calls—those from […]
Posted inCongress & Federal Gov., Pueblos
New Mexico Rep. pushes federal bill to prevent power line wildfires
A fallen aspen tree that downed a power line sparked New Mexico’s largest wildfire in state history in 2011, burning 156,000 acres in the Las Conchas Fire. Now, U.S. Rep. Teresa Leger Fernández wants to give utilities better tools to prevent the next power line disaster. Leger Fernández and three other U.S. House members introduced […]
Posted inCongress & Federal Gov., Pueblos
New Mexico Supreme Court upholds warrantless vehicle searches during brief decriminalization era
New Mexico drivers stopped by police during the state’s brief marijuana decriminalization period could still have their vehicles searched without a warrant based on the smell of cannabis alone, the state Supreme Court ruled Thursday in a unanimous decision that clarifies police powers during a unique period in the state’s drug policy history. The ruling […]