Posted inHousing & Homelessness, New Mexico Statewide News

NM’s largest utility could be sold to Blackstone Infrastructure

By Hannah Grover The parent company of New Mexico’s largest electric utility announced on Monday that it has reached an agreement to be acquired by Blackstone Infrastructure. Under the agreement, Blackstone will acquire TXNM Energy, which owns the Public Service Company of New Mexico, for about $11.5 billion. Under the agreement, Blackstone will acquire TXNM […]

ABQ council set to consider Mayor’s proposed budget

By Rodd Cayton Albuquerque City Councilors will consider Mayor Tim Keller’s proposed budget Monday evening, but they will also weigh several other matters, including a possible pause in new fiber internet installation permits. A proposed resolution would halt construction on fiber internet installations until the City Council creates new standards for the activity. The city […]

Budget season winding down in ABQ

By Rodd Cayton The City of Albuquerque’s next budget is headed for the home stretch and city employees could find their paychecks a little bigger. The City Council’s Committee of the Whole voted Thursday to move the $1.5 billion financial blueprint to final adoption at Monday’s regular meeting. Councilors have been reviewing Mayor Tim Keller’s […]

Posted inLocal Government

Corrales Council discusses lean budget, approves $2M sewer design grant

By Jesse Jones The Village Council tackled a packed agenda May 13, starting with a public hearing, then discussing a conservative budget aimed at employee retention, public safety and infrastructure while trimming overall spending for the first time in years. Councilors held a public hearing on an appeal filed by Kirt Kirkpatrick and Angela Morgan […]

Posted inNew Mexico Statewide News

Oil Conservation Commission approves ban on PFAS in fracking, other operations

By Hannah Grover  The New Mexico Oil Conservation Commission adopted a rule Thursday on a 3-0 vote prohibiting the use of PFAS in completions and recompletions of oil and gas wells, including in fracking operations. WildEarth Guardians petitioned the OCC for the rulemaking in 2023.  Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances have been linked to a variety […]

Posted inCourts, Justice & Safety, New Mexico Statewide News

Former Rio Arriba Sheriff’s died from ‘toxic effects of fentanyl and alcohol’

By Kevin Hendricks The New Mexico Office of the Medical Investigator released a report Thursday that attributes the Easter death of Rio Arriba County Sheriff Billy Merrifield to an accidental overdose involving fentanyl and alcohol. The 50-year-old Merrifield was found dead in his patrol vehicle near his home on Easter Sunday. The initial investigation by […]

Posted inCongress & Federal Gov., Courts, Justice & Safety

New Marble co-owner sued by Santa Fe Brewing for breach of contract. Babincsak is “getting back to making great beer”

By Kevin Hendricks It turns out there are problems that can’t be solved by beer. A legal dispute has erupted in New Mexico’s craft beer industry as Santa Fe Brewing Co. has filed a lawsuit against a former SFBC vice president and current co-owner of Marble Brewery, alleging breach of contract and fraud. The lawsuit, […]

Posted inCongress & Federal Gov., Housing & Homelessness

Department of Health issues measles exposure warning in Cedar Crest

By Kevin Hendricks The New Mexico Department of Health (NMDOH) has confirmed the first measles cases in Sandoval County, involving an adult with unknown vaccination status and an unvaccinated child under the age of four. Potential public exposures have been identified at several locations in Rio Rancho, Albuquerque and Cedar Crest. According to the NMDOH, […]