Posted inNew Mexico Statewide News, Pueblos

Former Dem. Sheriff Manny Gonzales to challenge Heinrich as a Republican

Former Bernalillo County Sheriff Manuel Gonzales announced Wednesday morning that he will be challenging Senator Martin Heinrich in the race for Senate this year.  Gonzales, who was previously registered as a Democrat, switched his party registration on Dec. 15. He is now running as a Republican. It is the second time he has run for […]

Keller’s air quality veto stands

Albuquerque’s new-look City Council  decided not to press the issue of  Mayor Tim Keller’s veto of legislation related to changes to the local air quality authority at the Jan. 8 council meeting. The Albuquerque-Bernalillo County Joint Air Quality Control Board is responsible for maintaining air quality locally, in accordance with state and federal law. Among […]

Posted inCongress & Federal Gov., Jobs, Workers & Economy

Journalists launch new news outlet to bring newspaper competition back to Albuquerque

City Desk ABQ launched today with a newsroom of seven journalists with years of experience in Albuquerque and New Mexico. City Desk will publish every weekday afternoon and Sundays online and will focus on the traditional “Metro section” of a daily newspaper: City Hall, county government, education, crime and courts, and our local economy. There […]

Posted inCongress & Federal Gov., Local Government

Over 7,700 people weigh in on APS superintendent search

With new board members sworn in last week, the new Albuquerque Public Schools Board is tackling the daunting task of searching for a new superintendent. Whoever the board choses will oversee the largest APS budget in history—$2.16 Billion-larger than the City of Albuquerque’s annual budget of $1.4 Billion.   The board received 24 applications for the […]

Posted inNew Mexico Statewide News, Pueblos

New ABQ Congressional district draws 2 GOP challengers to Stansbury

Will New Mexico’s redrawn Congressional districts present better odds for Republicans to execute a surprise pickup seat? At least two Republicans who previously lost races in the old districts are betting that they can oust incumbent Representative Melanie Stansbury in the state’s new Democratic-favored 1st Congressional District. Steve Jones, a 77-year old Army veteran and […]

Posted inNew Mexico State Gov., New Mexico Statewide News

State Rep. looks to repeal background checks on firearms purchases

New Mexicans looking to purchase firearms have undergone background checks more than 414,000 times since the state’s law mandating pre-purchase checks took effect in July 2021. That’s 414,000 too many for State Representative Stephanie Lord (R-Sandia Park) who is also the founder of Pro-Gun Women, a gun rights advocacy group. She has introduced legislation to […]

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

Solomon Peña co-defendant pleads guilty to interfering in electoral process

One of the three defendants facing federal charges for his part in a series of shootings targeting the homes of local lawmakers last year pleaded guilty Monday afternoon to conspiracy, interfering with federally protected activities, and using a firearm during those crimes. During a hearing in a nearly-empty courtroom Jose Trujillo, 22, also pleaded guilty […]

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

New Mexico justices hear challenge but make no quick decision on health ban on guns in parks and playgrounds

By MORGAN LEE Associated Press | SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — Advocates for gun rights urged the New Mexico Supreme Court on Monday to block emergency orders by Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham restricting people from carrying guns at public parks and playgrounds in the state’s largest metro area and address gun violence as a public […]