by Jesse Jones, The Paper. — Edgewood has a new mayor, and Devon Taylor got the job in a way he never saw coming. The 33-year-old Army veteran and real estate developer said he was sitting in a commission meeting this summer when former Mayor Mike Rariden suddenly nominated him to take over. Taylor said […]
Jesse Jones
Jesse Jones is a reporter covering local government and news for The Paper. through a local journalism fellowship from NM Reports.
Posted inElections & Politics
Haaland’s eight-point plan takes aim at New Mexico’s data center boom
By Jesse Jones, The Paper. — New Mexico’s data center boom could drive up electricity rates for residents while putting more pressure on the state’s water supply. Democratic gubernatorial candidate Deb Haaland announced her support for a statewide moratorium on new large-scale data centers as electricity demand grows and drought persists. Speaking Thursday at the […]
Posted inCity Desk ABQ
Planning mistake puts Sunport overnight shelter’s future in limbo
By Jesse Jones, The Paper. — The Albuquerque City Council rejected a conditional use permit for an overnight shelter near the Sunport last week that originally opened under incorrect city advice. But the shelter’s doors remain open while the council prepares to approve its findings. Councilors voted 6-3 during a Sept. 9 council meeting to […]
Posted inCity Desk ABQ
Bernalillo County wants to be a good neighbor when it builds housing
By Jesse Jones, The Paper. — Housing projects can raise concerns in a neighborhood long before the doors open. Bernalillo County wants to start those conversations on day one, bringing developers, property managers and nearby communities to the table through a new Good Neighbor Policy. Commissioners unanimously approved a resolution establishing the BernCo Builds Communities […]
Posted inNM.news
Albuquerque gets serious about AI with new citywide rules
By Jesse Jones, The Paper. — Residents in the Duke City will soon be able to track the artificial intelligence tools used by city government, voice concerns to a new advisory board and see new AI rules for city tech vendors after the City Council approved a trio of ordinances targeting AI in city government. […]
Posted inAlbuquerque
Scammers lose a tool as ABQ bans crypto ATMs
By Jesse Jones, The Paper. — Scammers have one fewer tool in their toolbox after the Albuquerque City Council approved a citywide ban on cryptocurrency ATMs. On Sept. 9, councilors voted 6-3 to pass the Virtual Currency Ordinance, sponsored by Councilor Stephanie Telles, banning cryptocurrency ATMs, also known as bitcoin teller machines, and cashier-assisted cryptocurrency […]
Posted inCity Desk ABQ
New city attorney, same old power struggle at City Hall
By Jesse Jones, The Paper. — ‘Burque has a new city attorney. The City Council confirmed Mayor Tim Keller’s pick, then turned around and overrode his veto of a measure aimed at giving the council more oversight of the city’s legal department. Councilors unanimously confirmed Joshua Boone on Wednesday night. Boone previously served as chief […]
Posted inNew Mexico Statewide News
Heinrich hears from advocates on New Mexico’s biggest challenges for kids
By Jesse Jones, The Paper. — The challenges facing New Mexico children took center stage as U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich met with children’s advocates to discuss education, health care and financial stability. The numbers show why: A single parent raising one child needs nearly $68,000 a year to cover basic costs, and 1 in 4 […]
Posted inCity Desk ABQ
$700 million Pajarito Mesa energy project seeks tax break under Bernalillo County’s new community benefits rules. What does it do?
By Jesse Jones, The Paper. — One of the nation’s largest energy infrastructure developers and builders wants nearly 3.5 square miles of land on the Pajarito Mesa in Bernalillo County for a solar and battery project, promising hundreds of jobs, millions in new revenue and a boost to the region’s power grid in exchange for […]
Posted inCity Desk ABQ
Council to try to override another Keller veto in ongoing power struggle over city attorney
By Jesse Jones, The Paper. — With Monday’s Labor Day holiday pushing City Council’s meeting to Wednesday, councilors face an agenda heavy on technology alongside another fight with the mayor over who oversees the city attorney. Councilors will get another chance to take a crack at O-26-54, deciding whether to override Mayor Tim Keller’s veto […]