Traffic across Rio Grande river crossings in the Albuquerque metropolitan area has surged to record levels, jumping from approximately 500,000 vehicles daily in 2014 to nearly 580,000 in 2024, according to 2024 data released by the Mid-Region Council of Governments in November. The 16% increase over the past decade represents the highest river crossing volumes […]
Kevin Hendricks
Kevin Hendricks is a local news editor with nm.news. He is a two-decade veteran of local news as a sportswriter and assistant editor with the ABQ Journal and Rio Rancho Observer.
Posted inOpinion, Sandoval County
Letter to the editor: Sandoval County Clarifies Project Ranger Zoning Process
Submitted by Dora M. Dominguez, Director Sandoval County Tourism Department Public trust is essential, and questions about transparency deserve clear and factual answers. However, the recent editorial regarding Project Ranger and Sandoval County’s zoning actions presents an incomplete and inaccurate account of the process surrounding Section 36. Sandoval County has held an economic development lease […]
Posted inArts + Culture, Rio Rancho
Rio Rancho arts organization seeks singers, actors for new season
Rio Rancho Creative Crossroads is recruiting participants for multiple programs this month, including two youth choral groups and a community theatre production. The Children’s Chorus of Rio Rancho and Rio Rancho Youth Chorus will hold their first rehearsal Saturday, Jan. 17, at Star Heights Recreation Center, 800 Polaris Blvd. The session will include an informational […]
Posted inGeneral Interest, New Mexico Statewide News
New Mexico secures $211M for rural hospitals
New Mexico will receive about $211 million over five years to expand rural health care access under a new $50 billion federal program, though state officials have not yet said which hospitals or communities will benefit when funding begins in 2026. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services announced Jan. 5 that New Mexico secured […]
Posted inEast Mountains, Education
Charter school student honored for advocacy leadership
A high school student who regularly testifies before state lawmakers and speaks at board meetings has been named Student of the Year by Public Charter Schools of New Mexico. Miller Millea, a student at East Mountain High School, received the award for grades 7-12 as part of the organization’s 2025 Excellence Awards, which recognize leadership […]
Posted inEstancia, Opinion
Letter to the editor: Accountability demanded at Estancia Valley Classical Academy
Submitted by David C. Nuckols, EVCA teacher, and Craig Springer, parent. Enrollment at Estancia Valley Classical Academy in Edgewood, a public charter school, has drastically declined. So has state funding. Five teachers were recently put out of a job and two went part-time. All seven volunteered for the personnel action. Slapdash signs in front of […]
Posted inEdgewood, Local Gov.
Commissioner Filandro Anaya finishes term
Edgewood community members and officials gathered Dec. 23 to honor outgoing Commissioner Filandro Anaya for his leadership during the town’s transition to a new form of government. While his four-year term officially ended on Dec. 31 after he was overtaken by Stephen Murillo in the District 2 race, the community used the final commission meeting […]
Posted inEdgewood, Local Gov.
Edgewood to swear in new officials, consider multiple zoning changes
The Town of Edgewood will swear in five newly elected officials Tuesday before considering eight zoning ordinances during a packed regular meeting. The swearing-in ceremony begins at 5 p.m. at Edgewood Town Hall Commission Chambers, 171A NM 344. Municipal Judge William White and four commissioners will take their oaths of office: Kenneth Brennan (District 1), […]
Posted inCourts, Justice & Safety, Housing & Homelessness
Estancia’s economic fate hinges on expired detention facility contract
Former Estancia Mayor Nathan Dial expressed concern for the town’s economy if the Torrance County Detention Facility ceases operation, as newly released data shows a surge and decline in detainees during the contract period. The six-month contract between CoreCivic and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement was enacted in April and expired at the end of […]
Posted inCongress & Federal Gov.
Sandia Crest company building high-tech infantry weapons
By Rodd Cayton As an intelligence officer in the U.S. Marine Corps, Doug Wood saw firsthand how the first generation of small combat drones showed a need for improvement. He’s taken a step toward providing that improvement, as co-founder and CEO of DFA Systems, a small East Mountains company dedicated to, in his own words, […]