A community food drive Monday collected more than 700 pounds of food for the East Mountain Food Pantry, organizers said. The drive-through event at Flamez Fusion, 12118 N. Highway 14, ran from noon to 4 p.m. and drew donations from residents throughout the East Mountains region. 15 volunteers helped run the event. Flamez Fusion partnered […]
Congress & Federal Gov.
Reader-supported
Where are all the government employees?
Triple Spaced Again Merilee Dannemann is a longtime New Mexico journalist. She has written freelance for many local newsrooms and served as the Taos correspondent for the Albuquerque Journal. Find her online at triplespacedagain.com DOGE, the so-called Department of Government Efficiency, has been disbanded as of late November. What a relief. DOGE was supposed to […]
Posted inCongress & Federal Gov., Westside Albuquerque
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 inCongress & Federal Gov., Housing & Homelessness
Friends of Sandia Mountains to host 22nd annual Snowshoe Classic
The Friends of the Sandia Mountains announced it will host the 22nd annual Sandia Snowshoe Classic on Jan. 24, 2026, at Sandia Crest, offering winter outdoor enthusiasts a challenging 5K course through the Cibola National Forest. The event, which begins at 11 a.m. at the lower-level parking lot at Sandia Crest, is limited to 175 […]
Posted inCongress & Federal Gov., Housing & Homelessness
Local businesses partner for food drive benefiting East Mountain Food Pantry
Several Cedar Crest businesses will host a food drive Monday to support the East Mountain Food Pantry, which has seen a 60% surge in demand this fall. The drive-through event will run from noon to 4 p.m. at Flamez Fusion, 12118 N. Highway 14, next to Cedar Crest Tire. Organizers are accepting non-perishable food donations. […]
Posted inCongress & Federal Gov.
Trump’s approval dips to 36%, just shy of all-time low
President Donald Trump’s job approval rating has hit its lowest level since he returned to the White House on Jan. 20, according to a Gallup poll released on Friday. The poll of 1,321 U.S. adults conducted from Nov. 3 to Nov. 25 showed Trump with a 36% approval rating, representing a five-point drop since October. […]
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 inCommunity Content, Congress & Federal Gov.
The Tumbleweed Snowman is 30 years old. See how he’s changed since 1995
OK, Albuquerque, do you know what today is? Yes, it’s #GivingTuesday (an important day in a nonprofit newsroom) but it’s also Tumbleweed Tuesday, the day the Tumbleweed Snowman claims his holiday perch alongside the busy westbound lanes of I-40 next to the AMAFCA offices near the “Big I.” This year is also the icon’s 30-year […]
Posted inCongress & Federal Gov.
East Mountain Toy Exchange returns for holiday season
The East Mountain Toy Exchange will return this month to collect and distribute gently used toys to families in need throughout the community. The free toy shopping event will take place Dec. 12-14 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at 65 Rainbow Rd. in the Sandia Airpark. Signs will direct visitors to the location. Organizers […]
Posted inCongress & Federal Gov., Courts, Justice & Safety
Sheriff’s Office seeks help finding 77-year-old man missing for months
The Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office is asking for the public’s help in locating a 77-year-old man who has been missing for several months. Walter James Rau was last seen in the area of Coyote Springs and New Mexico Highway 333 near Carnuel, according to the sheriff’s office. Authorities have classified Rau as an endangered missing […]