By Kevin Hendricks New Mexico’s top prosecutor is taking the U.S. Department of Justice to federal court, accusing the agency of blocking access to unredacted Epstein investigative files the state says it needs to finish a criminal probe of Jeffrey Epstein’s Zorro Ranch. Attorney General Raúl Torrez filed the complaint Aug. 5 in the U.S. […]
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
Expanding access: How a new state law is bringing a large preschool to Rio Rancho
By Kevin Hendricks, The Paper. A vacant lot near Rio Rancho’s City Center is one step closer to becoming La Esperanza Preschool, a 200-child facility, after the Planning and Zoning Board unanimously approved its site plan on July 28. Planning and Zoning Board Manager Brian Babyak recommended approval of the project, proposed by LEBM2 LLC […]
Posted inNew Mexico State Gov.
Epstein Truth Commission to present interim report Wednesday
By Kevin Hendricks The Survivors’ Truth Commission — formally the House Special Investigatory Committee — meets Wednesday, Aug. 5, at 1 p.m. in State Capitol Room 307 to present an interim report and walk through its mission investigating Jeffrey Epstein’s Zorro Ranch near Stanley. The revised Aug. 3 agenda calls for member introductions, an overview […]
Posted inRio Rancho
State eyes selling 300 acres near Cleveland Heights for new development
By Kevin Hendricks, The Paper. More than 300 acres of state trust land near Cleveland Heights could go up for sale with the City of Rio Rancho’s blessing already locked in, months before residents get their say at an Aug. 5 public meeting. The New Mexico State Land Office will gather comments on the proposed […]
Posted inRio Rancho
Rio Rancho teen pleads guilty to murder in 2024 shooting
By Kevin Hendricks, The Paper. A Rio Rancho teenager pleaded guilty Monday to first-degree murder and conspiracy to commit first-degree murder in the 2024 shooting death of an Albuquerque homeowner who stepped outside to stop his truck from being stolen. According to Bernalillo County District Attorney Sam Bregman, the teen and several co-defendants were stealing […]
Posted inFood & Drink
Rio Grande Social claims top prize at Rio Rancho Margarita Festival
By Kevin Hendricks, The Paper.Photos by Sara Atencio-Gonzales Many of the metro area’s top bars and restaurants squared off at The BLOCK Saturday, and Rio Grande Social says it came out on top. The Margarita Festival ran noon to 6 p.m., with entry tickets covering ten 3.5-oz samples per person — the largest pours allowed […]
Posted inTown of Bernalillo
Building tomorrow: Bernalillo to host community conversation on early childhood
By Rodd Cayton Area state legislators will be in Bernalillo tomorrow to discuss ways to improve New Mexico’s supply of childcare. State Sen. Cindy Nava will headline the program at 4 p.m. Aug. 5 at the El Zócalo Event Center, 264 S. Camino Del Pueblo. Growing Up New Mexico, an early childhood partnership, the New Mexico […]
Posted inNew Mexico Statewide News
AG Torrez escalates fight with DOJ over unseized fentanyl shipments
By Kevin Hendricks New Mexico’s attorney general says he’ll take the U.S. Department of Justice to federal court if it doesn’t hand over records tied to his fentanyl investigation by Aug. 17 — records DOJ says his office never had a legal right to request in the first place. The renewed demand Attorney General Raúl […]
Posted inRio Rancho
R4Creating keeps tech education humming with new Sparklight funding
Rio Rancho families chasing new tech skills just got a boost: R4Creating’s Community Hub is getting a fresh $5,000 grant from internet provider Sparklight to keep its STEM classes, job training and community gathering space humming. The money comes from Sparklight’s Charitable Giving Fund, which handed out more than $125,000 to 28 nonprofits across its […]
Posted inRio Rancho
Back-to-school 2026: What Rio Rancho families need to know
By Kevin Hendricks, The Paper. It’s that week that many students fear and many parents, including myself, celebrate. It’s back-to-school week. Here’s what you need to know as the 2026-2027 Rio Rancho Public School year kicks off. Most RRPS students head back to class Thursday, Aug. 6. Preschoolers at Puesta del Sol start a few […]