The Trump administration told a federal judge earlier this month that the Trump administration had deliberately canceled grants in “Blue States” who had awarded their electoral votes to Kamala Harris and/or “has two Democratic-caucusing Senators.” A number of grants to New Mexico energy projects were included, the government now admits. The admissions were included in […]
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Posted inRio Rancho
District 4 gets its Mann: RRPS attorney sworn in as Rio Rancho’s new councilor after divided vote
By Kevin Hendricks, The Paper. David Mann is Rio Rancho’s newest District 4 councilor. The Governing Body voted 4-2 Thursday to confirm Mayor Paul Wymer’s pick, closing out a monthlong process that turned into a pointed debate over whether Mann’s day job — general counsel for Rio Rancho Public Schools — creates conflicts with a […]
Posted inEdgewood
Something to bark about: Local animal shelters receive $180K for health and comfort improvements
By Rodd Cayton Torrance County and the Town of Edgewood are among 17 animal shelters across New Mexico benefitting from a grant program that disbursed almost $2 million. Danette Langdon, the county’s animal services director, said a $125,000 grant will permit construction of a standalone cat room. She said the project will allow the shelter […]
Posted inElections & Politics
From afterthought to early player: New Mexico’s new role in 2028 presidential primary
By Kevin Hendricks, The Paper. New Mexico could leapfrog nearly every other state in choosing the next Democratic presidential nominee. The DNC’s Rules and Bylaws Committee voted Friday to recommend New Mexico as the fourth state to vote in the 2028 primary calendar, putting Hispanic, Native American and border-state voters in front of candidates before […]
Posted inAlbuquerque
Dry New Mexico Actually Has Lots of Water. Unfortunately, It’s Toxic — So Far
By Jerry Redfern, Capital & Main – One could make a strong argument that New Mexico is peppered with more than 50,000 active water wells that happen to produce oil and gas. Those wells draw more than three barrels of water for each barrel of oil, but it’s not anything you’d want to drink or […]
Posted inEnvironment, Conservation & Climate
Sandia Pueblo pushes to take control of Sandia Mountain forests, raising alarm from outdoor adventurer seekers
By Jesse Jones, The Paper. — Hikers, climbers and neighbors who use trails on Sandia Mountain’s west face could see their access change under a land transfer proposal the Sandoval County Commission endorsed last month. Now, a newly formed coalition of residents is urging lawmakers to reject the transfer, saying it could end decades of […]
Posted inMountainair
Mountainair mayor appoints Wayne Jones to fill late wife’s council seat
Mountainair’s Town Council will get a familiar face in a painful moment: Wayne Jones, husband of late Mayor Pro-Tem Gayle Jones, has accepted an appointment to fill her vacant council seat, Mayor Peter Nieto announced on July 23. Nieto said filling the vacancy fell to him under municipal procedure following Gayle Jones’ death, though the […]
Posted inEast Mountains
Beyond partisanship: Why I’m running to secure the future of the East mountains
Submitted by Zach Withers Friends and neighbors, my name is Zach Withers and I am the independent candidate in the House District 22 State Representative race. I was born and raised in the East Mountains. I went to East Mountain high school, then earned a degree in international studies with a focus on political science […]
Posted inRio Rancho
‘Enough is Enough’: Rep. Cates challenges industry over PFAS labeling law
By Kevin Hendricks, The Paper. New Mexico shoppers could lose their right to know which household products contain “forever chemicals” if a coalition of national trade groups gets its way in federal court. State Rep. Kathleen Cates, D-Rio Rancho, fired back this week with a letter to eight industry associations defending House Bill 212, the […]
Posted inCongress & Federal Gov.
“Chaco is not for sale”: NM lawmakers and Pueblo leaders fight to preserve protections
By Jesse Jones, The Paper. — Pueblo governors joined New Mexico’s entire congressional delegation Wednesday to defend federal protections around the Greater Chaco landscape, saying thousands of cultural sites could be at risk if the Trump administration rolls back the current safeguards. All Pueblo Council of Governors Chairman Joey Sanchez and Pueblo governors from the […]