Albuquerque stopped drawing water from the Rio Grande on April 24 and processed its last surface water three days later — leaving the water authority running entirely on groundwater reserves months before summer heat peaks, a water authority spokesperson confirmed Wednesday. The early shift marks a significant milestone in what water managers are calling one […]
Kevin Hendricks
Kevin Hendricks is an editor with nm.news where he oversees Sandoval County newsrooms. A native of Southeast ABQ, he reported for the ABQ Journal and Rio Rancho Observer before joining nm.news in 2024.
Posted inRio Rancho
Rio Rancho residents get first chance to weigh in on $452M city budget
Rio Rancho residents have two opportunities this month to weigh in before the city adopts a $452 million spending plan for the coming fiscal year — and the first public hearing is Thursday night. The Governing Body opens public comment on the Recommended Fiscal Year 2027 Budget at its 6 p.m. regular meeting May 14 […]
Posted inJemez & Jemez Spring
Indigenous astronomy program looks to the skies at Jemez Historic Site
Visitors to Jemez Historic Site can explore the skies through the eyes of Southwestern Indigenous people at a free astronomy presentation this Saturday. An instructional coordinator leads the program May 16 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., covering how Indigenous peoples of the Southwest observed and interpreted the world above them — and how they […]
Posted inRio Rancho
Rio Rancho seeks residents for nine boards and commissions
Rio Rancho residents who want a direct role in shaping city policy on everything from parks to public infrastructure now have a chance to serve — the city is accepting applications for open seats on nine boards and commissions. Seats are vacant or soon to expire on the Arts Commission, Capital Improvements Plan Citizen’s Advisory […]
Posted inRio Rancho
‘Nothing burger’ vs. legal pattern: Stoddard’s gun dispute and dismissed domestic battery case
A former Rio Rancho councilor now running for Sandoval County Commission pulled a revolver and threatened to shoot a hotel manager during a dispute over hot tub water temperature, according to a Truth or Consequences police report. Daniel Stoddard called the incident a “nothing burger.” Court and police records show it was not his first […]
Posted inSandoval County
Sandoval County ethics ordinance change to streamline process, remove anonymity
Sandoval County Commissioners have ethics on their minds. At Wednesday’s meeting, the commission will consider updating the county’s ethics ordinance. Ethics board Chair Nancy Jinks will present the board’s first-quarter report later in the meeting. New language in the ordinance would change the route taken by ethics complaints and do away with one layer of […]
Posted inElections & Politics
Republican governor candidate calls for eliminating New Mexico’s gross receipts tax on retail sales
Duke Rodriguez, a Republican candidate for New Mexico governor wants to eliminate the state’s gross receipts tax on retail sales entirely — and says the state can afford it right now. Rodriguez, a former state cabinet secretary and hospital executive, reiterated the idea during Friday’s Albuquerque Journal Republican gubernatorial debate, arguing the state’s surplus reserves […]
Posted inPlacitas
Man charged with strangling wife four times, kicking puppy during domestic dispute
A Sandoval County woman survived four separate strangulation attacks — losing vision and nearly losing consciousness — before escaping a Placitas home and flagging down help on May 3, according to a criminal complaint filed in Bernalillo Magistrate Court. Sandoval County Sheriff’s deputies responded to the address at approximately 8:24 p.m. and arrested a 40-year-old […]
Posted inMusic
Award-winning Western folk duo brings free concert to Corrales this month
Corrales gets a free afternoon of award-winning Western folk music this month when Jim Jones and Mariam Funke take the stage at La Entrada Park. The concert runs 4:30–6:15 p.m. Saturday, May 30, and is presented by Music in Corrales, with co-sponsorship from Corrales MainStreet and the Village of Corrales. Admission is free; attendees are […]
Posted inElections & Politics
Three Republicans clash on crime, taxes and education in New Mexico governor’s race
New Mexico voters hoping to end years of Democratic control of the governor’s office got a close look at the field Friday, as three Republican candidates debated crime, taxes and education in a forum hosted by the Albuquerque Journal. Former Rio Rancho Mayor Gregg Hull, Albuquerque businessman Doug Turner and former state cabinet secretary Duke […]