Companies that want tax breaks in Bernalillo County must now show how those corporate subsidies will turn into community benefits for taxpayers who fund them. The Bernalillo County Board of County Commissioners on Wednesday approved a first-of-its-kind resolution that requires businesses seeking public subsidies, including Industrial Revenue Bonds, to commit to local hiring, support for […]
Local Government
Rio Rancho council vote shapes future growth with new neighborhood, property restrictions
Property owners along Rainbow Boulevard will face new building restrictions under a unanimous vote Thursday by the Rio Rancho Governing Body, while nearly 800 future residents will gain a new neighborhood in the city’s northern section, decisions that city officials say will shape Rio Rancho’s growth for decades. The governing body approved three measures at […]
Lawsuit alleges Bernalillo teacher abused student, district ignored prior warnings
A lawsuit filed in New Mexico’s Thirteenth Judicial District Court alleges a 5th-grade teacher at Bernalillo Elementary School subjected a 10-year-old student to months of physical abuse and racist verbal attacks while school officials ignored a history of prior complaints against her. The complaint, filed under the New Mexico Civil Rights Act and the Tort […]
Albuquerque paid $8 million in lawsuits while Council oversight went dark for a year
By Jesse Jones — For nearly 12 months, the City of Albuquerque’s legal department failed to deliver required reports detailing how much the city paid in lawsuitsย to the City Council. Editor’s note: In researching this story, a Council spokesperson told City Desk that the last report received by the council was “in Q1 2025.” After […]
Can ranked choice voting save Albuquerque a fortune? Supporters will try again for next city election
The Albuquerque City Council uses ranked choice voting (RCV) for its own internal seats. Now, Councilors Tammy Fiebelkorn, Nichole Rogers and Stephanie Telles have introduced Ordinance O-26-13 to extend that same system to citywide elections by November 2027. Under RCV, voters rank candidates by preference. If no one secures a majority, the lowest vote-getter is […]
โAbysmalโ water forecast shadows Corrales river projects
The 2026 irrigation forecast for the Sandoval County area is โabysmal,โ Jason Casuga told village councilors in Corrales on Feb. 24. Casuga, CEO and chief engineer for the Middle Rio Grande Conservancy District (MGRCD), said the dearth of available water could be historic. โIf last year was one of the worst hydrologic spring runoffs on […]
Rio Rancho council to consider zoning changes, master plan adoption
The Rio Rancho Governing Body will meet Thursday at 6 p.m. in City Hallโs Council Chambers to consider several zoning ordinances, a new master plan and a budget adjustment, among other items. The meeting will also be available via Zoom and streamed live on the city’s website. Among the most substantial items on the agenda […]
Albuquerque is making a new push to create more immigrant-friendly laws. Here’s what’s planned.
Albuquerque officials are launching a comprehensive strategy this spring to protect immigrants amid growing uncertainty about federal enforcement. Mayor Tim Keller and city councilors will introduce an ordinance in early March to permanently ban federal agents from using city resources. The move is part of the cityโs Defend ABQ program. Alongside the new law, the city will […]
Opinion: When public money moves, the public should benefit
Opinion & Commentary in City Desk ABQJavier Martinez is the Speaker of the New Mexico House. He has served since 2015 and represents House District 11 in Downtown Albuquerque. My parents came to New Mexico in search of a better future for their family. They worked hard, both of them, the way a lot of […]
Water works updates planned for Corrales
Village councilors in Corrales Tuesday evening will be brought up to speed regarding a pair of water system improvement projects. Jason Casuga, CEO and chief engineer for the Middle Rio Grande Conservancy District (MGRCD), will advise councilors about the Corrales siphon replacement project. The siphon carries water from the Rio Grande into an agricultural ditch […]


