Estancia Mayor Runnel Riley was sworn into his position on Dec. 15 after overtaking the incumbent mayor, Nathan Dial, by just a few votes, prompting a recount and confusion from the community and Dial himself about the runoff process in New Mexico. After the initial count, Dial and write-in candidate Boyd Vardy each had 63 […]
Lauren Lifke
Lauren Lifke is a fellow with NM.news where her reporting focuses on Edgewood, Moriarty and the East Mountains. Most recently, following her graduation from the University of New Mexico in May 2025, she completed a summer data reporting internship with Maryland Matters as part of the Dow Jones News Fund.
Posted inEdgewood, Local Gov.
‘Abysmal’ morale: Edgewood commissioners accept clerk-treasurer’s resignation
Town of Edgewood commissioners voted to accept the resignation of Shaline Lopez, clerk-treasurer for the town, during the regular session Town Commission meeting on Tuesday evening. “Staff morale is abysmal right now,” Lopez said in her presentation early in the meeting. At the end of the meeting, after a closed session, commissioners moved to accept […]
Posted inHousing & Homelessness, Madrid
Annual Christmas parade lights up Madrid
The Village of Madrid kicked off its annual Christmas parade and celebration on Dec. 6, featuring carolers, outdoor shopping, livestock and other festivities throughout the day, ending in an 11-minute parade that kicked off at 4 p.m. Madrid became known as the “Christmas City” in the early 1900s when it was a large mining town. […]
Posted inCongress & Federal Gov., Courts, Justice & Safety
AI eyes on the East Mountains: BCFR ups fire prep with new tech
Bernalillo County Fire & Rescue is preparing for the 2026 fire season as fire risks increase with rising temperatures in the East Mountains. Updates, including new cameras and updated maps, are helping the BCFR prepare for the season. New cameras posted throughout the East Mountains help mitigate fires. The best way to fight fires is […]
Posted inLocal Gov., Pueblos
$350,000 wastewater grant on the line at early Moriarty council meeting
The Moriarty City Council will discuss and approve a wastewater grant and a board appointment at its special meeting on Tuesday, Nov. 25. The meeting will be held earlier for Thanksgiving week, instead of on the fourth Wednesday of the month. It starts at 5:30 p.m. at the City of Moriarty Civic Center, City Council […]
Posted inLocal Gov., Pueblos
$350,000 wastewater grant on the line at early Moriarty council meeting
The Moriarty City Council will discuss and approve a wastewater grant and a board appointment at its special meeting on Tuesday, Nov. 25. The meeting will be held earlier for Thanksgiving week, instead of on the fourth Wednesday of the month. It starts at 5:30 p.m. at the City of Moriarty Civic Center, City Council […]
Posted inLocal Gov.
$350,000 wastewater grant on the line at early Moriarty council meeting
The Moriarty City Council will discuss and approve a wastewater grant and a board appointment at its special meeting on Tuesday, Nov. 25. The meeting will be held earlier for Thanksgiving week, instead of on the fourth Wednesday of the month. It starts at 5:30 p.m. at the City of Moriarty Civic Center, City Council […]
Posted inEdgewood
Edgewood Town Commission to consider staffing and lawsuits in closed session
The Town of Edgewood Commission will discuss staffing for several town positions, purchase of road equipment, town policy and several closed-session items during its regular meeting on Tuesday, Nov. 25. The meeting starts at 6 p.m. in Edgewood Town Hall Commission Chambers, 171A NM-344, and will be streamed on the town’s YouTube page. New business […]
Posted inEdgewood, Local Gov.
Edgewood Town Commission to consider staffing and lawsuits in closed session
The Town of Edgewood Commission will discuss staffing for several town positions, purchase of road equipment, town policy and several closed-session items during its regular meeting on Tuesday, Nov. 25. The meeting starts at 6 p.m. in Edgewood Town Hall Commission Chambers, 171A NM-344, and will be streamed on the town’s YouTube page. New business […]
Posted inCongress & Federal Gov.
‘Keeps me up at night:’ State Forester alarmed by 2026 fire season risks
The national forests in New Mexico include Carson, Gila, Lincoln, Santa Fe and Cibola, the latter of which encompasses areas surrounding Albuquerque, including the East Mountains. State Forester Laura McCarthy said staffing cuts, budget restrictions and other federal hurdles are making it harder for the national forests to protect their communities. “It takes experience to […]