Cockroaches, no water, no stairs: Downtown renters unite to demand action from neglectful apartment owners

In downtown Albuquerque, more than 65 renters at The Alvarado Apartments signed a formal demand letter accusing their management company, Apartment Management Consultants (AMC), of dangerous neglect, safety failures and “excessive” fees. They are demanding rent abatement and a written repair plan. The Alvarado Apartments and AMC did not respond to requests for comment on […]

“A complete betrayal”: Council rejects enforcement of renters rights against predatory landlords

Albuquerque renters will not receive local protection from excessive fees after the City Council rejected an ordinance Wednesday that would have enforced the state’s Senate Bill 267 in limbo.  The 5-4 vote leaves the law, which caps application fees at $50 and limits late fees to 5% of rent, unenforced at the local level. Since […]

Who runs Albuquerque day-to-day? Meet the city’s reappointed CAO

When your trash is picked up, a pothole disappears or you spend an afternoon at the BioPark, you’re seeing the work of Samantha Sengel even if you don’t know her name. The Albuquerque City Council unanimously reappointed Samantha Sengel as chief administrative officer (CAO) Wednesday. The city’s most powerful non-elected position oversees 6,000 employees and […]

ICE policy under fire: Bregman threatens criminal charges for unlawful ICE detentions

The Bernalillo County district attorney has warned federal immigration officials that certain detention practices could result in criminal prosecution under state law. Sam Bregman, district attorney for New Mexico’s Second Judicial District, sent a letter Wednesday to Bill Shaw, an Immigration and Customs Enforcement assistant field office director, raising concerns about ICE operations. The letter […]

Posted inUncategorized

More restrictions or fewer rules?: New Mexico lawmakers introduce competing visions on guns

New Mexico legislators are weighing four bills that would significantly reshape the state’s gun laws, with proposals ranging from permitless carry to enhanced penalties for felons and new restrictions tied to juvenile offenses and domestic violence protection orders. The bills, introduced during the 57th Legislature’s second session in 2026, reflect competing visions for firearm policy […]

Posted inSandoval Signpost

National security urgency meets local alarm as Project Ranger breaks ground

Dozens of state and local officials made the expedition on Wednesday to a windswept dirt lot west of Rio Rancho for the groundbreaking of Project Ranger, a 1,000-acre solid rocket motor manufacturing campus that will be the largest in the United States, according to Castelion executives, and will produce components for hypersonic missiles. Gov. Michelle […]

From eyesore to success: Albuquerque’s problematic properties that got fixed

Yesterday, we reported on Albuquerque’s 15 most problematic properties—the blighted buildings and neglected lots that drag down neighborhoods and frustrate residents. But there’s another side to this story: the success stories. While the city continues to grapple with persistent problem properties, officials want residents to know that progress is being made. The City of Albuquerque’s […]

Frustrated by delays, Council proposes fix for contentious City Hall Q&A

Editor’s note: This story has been updated to include information about a new Q&A process proposed to replace the repealed agenda item, if passed, as well as reactions from councilors. The mayor’s administration and Council President Klarissa Peña have a plan to make the most frustrating and contentious parts of the council meetings more useful […]

Posted inCourts, Justice & Safety, Healthcare, New Mexico Legislature #nmleg

Punitive damages emerge as flashpoint in latest malpractice reform push

This story originally appeared at New Mexico In Depth, and is republished with permission as a part of our mission to bring readers the best in independent local journalism. By Ted Alcorn, NM In Depth –– Responding to doctors’ concerns that New Mexico’s malpractice system is making it hard to practice medicine, leading lawmakers hope […]