By Jesse Jones, The Paper. โ The Duke City could see more than 200 high-tech jobs and tens of millions of dollars in private investment if the City Council approves $3.1 million in city and state incentives for three local companies in cybersecurity, quantum computing and aerospace. The three proposed Local Economic Development Act projects […]
Jesse Jones
Jesse Jones is a reporter covering local government and news for The Paper. through a local journalism fellowship from NM Reports. He is a graduate of UNM.
A quartet of ABQ City Councilors raises alarm White House plans to let political staff cancel local grants
By Jesse Jones, The Paper. โ Burqueรฑos who rely on local housing, transit and community services could see programs lose federal funding if a proposed rule were to give political appointees new power to freeze or end grants over vague standards tied to federal policy. Four Albuquerque City Councilors, led by Stephanie Telles and joined […]
Watchdog clears Albuquerqueโs top lawyer in probe, but dispute with Council persists
By Jesse Jones, The Paper. โ Albuquerqueโs city watchdog found no legal or ethical misconduct by Interim City Attorney Lauren Keefe, but the report paints a picture of confusion inside City Hall. Interim Inspector General Peter Pacheco released the final special investigation report July 31 on allegations of legal and ethical misconduct by Interim City […]
No campaign finance vote this fall: Hereโs what Bernalillo County is doing instead
By Jesse Jones, The Paper. โ Bernalillo County voters will not see proposed changes to the public campaign finance system on the November ballot after county commissioners withdrew the measures to allow more time for study instead of rushing a complex proposal to voters. On Tuesday, the Bernalillo County Board of Commissioners unanimously approved a […]
Before you haul: New rules coming to Albuquerque trash convenience centers
By Jesse Jones, The Paper. โ Burqueรฑos dropping off trash at city convenience centers will soon need proof of residency or face more than double the residential rate. During its Aug. 3 meeting, the Albuquerque City Council voted 8-1 for an ordinance to raise the solid waste disposal fee at city convenience centers from $5 […]
Council tees up ballot question to reduce mayor’s control over two big city jobs
By Jesse Jones, The Paper. โ Burqueรฑo voters will decide in November whether to take away the mayorโs sole power to hire and fire the city attorney and city clerk. The Albuquerque City Council approved companion measures sponsored by Council Vice President Dan Champine on Monday, Aug. 3, to place a charter amendment on the […]
Post-DOJ report shows APD overruled officer discipline recommendations from civilian watchdog
By Jesse Jones, The Paper. โ In the first full reporting period since federal court monitoring ended, Albuquerque’s civilian police watchdog reported officers violated department policy eight times between July and December 2025. In each instance, city leaders and police reviewed the evidence and discarded the agencyโs disciplinary recommendations. The Paper. reviewed the Civilian Police […]
Should taxpayers fund campaigns? Bernalillo County vote could send question to voters
By Jesse Jones, The Paper. โ Voters in Bernalillo County may get a chance to decide this November whether their tax dollars should help fund campaigns for county offices. The Bernalillo County Board of Commissioners will hold a public hearing and final vote Tuesday, Aug. 11, on three companion measures. The package would place a […]
NM lawmakers demand answers from Pentagon after fatal medical flight crash and wildfire
By Jesse Jones, The Paper. โ New Mexicoโs congressional delegation, led by Sen. Martin Heinrich, demands answers from Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth after military GPS jamming allegedly caused a medical plane crash, killing four crew members and igniting a 32,000-acre wildfire that cost taxpayers $37.7 million. Just before midnight May 13, a medical flight left […]
Bill to restrict cannabis, smoke shop locations goes up in smoke
By Jesse Jones, The Paper. โ Smoke shop and cannabis dispensary owners rolled into the Albuquerque City Council chambers Monday, Aug. 3 and watched a zoning bill that would have separated the two businesses go up in smoke. City councilors voted 6-3 to reject Ordinance O-26-39, sponsored by Councilor Renรฉe Grout at the request of […]