U.S. Rep. Gabe Vasquez, D-N.M., visited the Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge on Dec. 6 to assess the impact of federal budget cuts and staffing shortages on the site. Vasquez met with Deputy Refuge Manager Bernard Lujan, refuge staff and leadership from the Friends of the Bosque to discuss operational challenges facing the 57,000-acre […]
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Posted inCorporate Responsibility
Lawsuit: Farm Bureau may have concealed fraud reports from NM regulators
A new federal lawsuit accusing Farm Bureau Insurance Company of deliberately concealing evidence and blocking legally required fraud reports claims the company violated the laws of multiple states, including New Mexico. The lawsuit, filed Nov. 16 by the company’s former director of investigations and former special investigations unit manager, names Farm Bureau Financial Services, Farm […]
Posted inPolitics & Elections, Rio Rancho
Rio Rancho releases candidate guide for March municipal election
The City of Rio Rancho has released a candidate guide for prospective candidates interested in running for municipal office in the March 3, 2026, election. The guide is available online at rrnm.gov/rrvotes or in person at the Office of the City Clerk at Rio Rancho City Hall, 3200 Civic Center Circle, Suite 150, Monday through […]
Posted inEvents, 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 inTorrance County
Recount confirms new mayor in Estancia
A month after the final ballots were cast, a state-ordered recount conducted in December has confirmed that Estancia Mayor Nathan M. Dial was unseated by a challenger in the Nov. 3 election. Senaida Anaya, the chief deputy clerk in Torrance County, told New Mexico Political Report that her office completed the recount on Thursday and […]
Posted inNM State Gov.
New Mexico energy secretary resigns
Melanie A. Kenderdine, A Sandia Park native, resigned Dec. 4 as secretary of the New Mexico Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department for personal reasons, Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham announced. Deputy Cabinet Secretary Erin Taylor will serve as acting secretary, according to the governor’s office. “Melanie brought national energy expertise to New Mexico, and I’m […]
Posted inEnergy, New Mexico
Utility asks New Mexico for ‘zero emission’ status for gas-fired power plant
This article was originally published by Capital & Main. By Jerry Redfern The Southwestern Public Service Company has asked the state of New Mexico to grant exceptions to the state’s Energy Transition Act for two proposed gas-fired power plants, including one exception that would see approximately one-third of the energy produced at one plant qualify as a “zero-carbon […]
Posted inTorrance County
Sen. Heinrich continues to call for updates on expired ICE detention facility contract
By Lauren Lifke A detention facility in Estancia for Immigration and Customs Enforcement is still operating without a contract after its contract expired in October. Torrance County Manager Jordan Barela told The Independent that the county had an intergovernmental agreement with ICE that expired Oct. 31. The facility has since been operating without a new […]
Posted inEstancia
The race isn’t over yet: Close calls force recounts in Estancia, Moriarty
By Alex Ross Who says every vote doesn’t count? 34 races that were on the ballot on Nov. 3 that do not yet have clear winners and must undergo a statewide automatic recount after candidates and ballot questions came within ½ percent of each other on Election Day, including several where just one vote makes […]
Posted inEvents, Rio Rancho
Winterfest coming to newly finished Campus Park
Rio Rancho’s winter wonderland will be on display Saturday. The 2025 version of Winterfest represents the latest iteration of an event that began more than two decades ago as a parade. Deputy City Manager Peter Wells told the Sandoval Signpost the location has changed over the years, with different elements added to the festivities from […]