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 inNew Mexico 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, Pueblos

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 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., Westside Albuquerque

Rio Rancho student earns scholarship for lab animal rescue business plan

A Rio Rancho student who plans to create a business rescuing and rehoming laboratory animals has won a $5,000 scholarship from U.S. Eagle Federal Credit Union. Hannah Aranda is earning dual degrees in biology and psychology at the New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology. She plans to pursue a Ph.D. in preclinical neuroscience and […]

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 inEdgewood, Housing & Homelessness

Santa Claus is coming to Edgewood to kick off Route 66 Centennial celebration

The Town of Edgewood will host its annual holiday celebration Friday from 6 to 9 p.m. at Venus Park, featuring a lighted parade, tree lighting ceremony and the kickoff of Route 66 Centennial festivities. The evening will begin with the Twinkle Light Parade at 6 p.m., with participants staging along Municipal Way before traveling down […]