By Jesse Jones, The Paper. — The newspaper that told the world about a “flying saucer” crash near Roswell in 1947 nearly became history itself this week — but just two days after announcing it would shut down, it has found a new owner and will keep publishing. The Roswell Daily Record’s ownership announced Wednesday […]
Jesse Jones
Jesse Jones is a reporter covering local government and news for The Paper. through a local journalism fellowship from NM Reports.
Posted inNM.news
Federal judge sides with NM in fight over voter data
By Jesse Jones, New Mexico Political Report — New Mexico voters’ Social Security numbers and birth dates will remain protected — for now — after a U.S. district judge dismissed a U.S. Justice Department lawsuit seeking access to the personal information. U.S. District Judge Judith C. Herrera ruled Tuesday that the Justice Department failed to […]
Posted inEast Mountains
Tijeras turns back to the well it took offline over PFAS fears
By Jesse Jones, The Indy — The Village of Tijeras returned a well taken offline months ago over PFAS concerns to service after another well unexpectedly failed, prompting officials to advise residents to use bottled water for drinking and cooking. On Thursday, Well 1, the village’s primary water source, unexpectedly failed around 11:34 a.m., according […]
Posted inNew Mexico Statewide News
The newspaper that broke the Roswell UFO story is shutting down
By Jesse Jones, The Paper. — Southern New Mexico’s news desert is becoming bigger. The 123-year-old Roswell Daily Record, owned by Publisher Barbara Beck and General Manager SaraLei Fajardo, announced today that it is ceasing operations and beginning “an orderly liquidation” of its assets to pay its bills and other obligations, according to a statement […]
Posted inNM.news
New Mexico Republicans want special session to end income tax, but that’s a nonstarter with Dems
By Jesse Jones, The Paper. — New Mexicans watching their wallets as gas prices go on a roller coaster ride this summer could get a big break if three House Republican leaders get their way — but don’t count on it. New Mexico House GOP leaders, including Minority Floor Leader Gail Armstrong, R-Magdalena; Minority Whip […]
Posted inCity Desk ABQ
Could NIMBY neighbors derail city’s rail trail plans?
By Jesse Jones, The Paper. — A small group of West Old Town residents is challenging the City of Albuquerque over a segment of the ABQ Rail Trail, a multimillion-dollar marquee project. Although the group wants to halt the planned extension through their neighborhood, the city owns the property, forcing residents to navigate municipal bureaucracy […]
Posted in+Arts & Culture
Albuquerque’s Juneteenth Celebration Is Bigger Than Ever. Here’s What’s Planned
By Jesse Jones, The Paper. — Music, food vendors, art and community celebrations will soon fill the Duke City as Burqueños and visitors from across New Mexico gather for what organizers expect to be the largest Juneteenth celebration the city has ever hosted. What started as a community gathering has grown into a citywide tradition. […]
Posted inCity Desk ABQ
Denied again: Why the ABQ City Council killed the same sales tax hike twice
By Jesse Jones, The Paper. — Burqueño voters will have one fewer question on the November ballot after the City Council narrowly rejected a proposed $113 million gross receipts tax increase, marking the second defeat for a measure that had already been revived once. The City Council voted 5-4 Monday to kill Resolution R-26-43, a […]
Posted inBernalillo County
After years of issues at MDC, Bernalillo County adds a new piece to the healthcare puzzle
By Jesse Jones, The Paper. — For years, Bernalillo County has poured millions of dollars into fixing healthcare at the Metropolitan Detention Center, bringing in a new medical provider and overhauling its behavioral health system. Despite millions of dollars in new investments, turbulence continues at MDC. The facility has cycled through three wardens since 2022 […]
Posted inNM.news
After three police shootings in five days, City Councilor questions APD, ACS mental health response rules
By Jesse Jones, The Paper. — Imagine calling 911 for help during a mental health crisis only to have the encounter end in death. That happened in May when the Albuquerque Police Department (APD) shot and killed a man after his family called for help because he was threatening to harm himself. The shooting was […]