Posted inHousing & Homelessness, Westside Albuquerque

National Park Service to host Valles Caldera Fall Fiesta 

The National Park Service will host the 2025 Valles Caldera Fall Fiesta from Oct. 4-12, celebrating the cultural heritage of the volcanic landscape. The opening weekend at the national preserve located at 39201 NM-4 in Jemez Springs features guided ranger programs, art activities, guest speakers and demonstrations by tribal artisans. Artists and educators will offer […]

Posted inLocal Government, Westside Albuquerque

Final approval for rocket plant leases expected next month in Sandoval County

Sandoval County Commissioners are interested in hearing more about a rocket manufacturing and testing plant that would bring hundreds of jobs to the area. Commissioners voted Wednesday to approve a notice of intent to enter three leases related to a possible Castelion Corporation plant in Rio Rancho Estates. Jill Sweeney of Taft Stettinius & Hollister […]

Starbucks to close hundreds of stores, including in New Mexico. Is yours on the list?

Starbucks announced Thursday that it would close hundreds of its company owned stores that would not be a part of the company’s strategy to revive the struggling coffee behemoth brand. Social media soon filled with posts from Starbucks employees saying they had received notice that their location would close, just as the company pushed out […]

Posted inNew Mexico State Gov.

New Mexico Democratic lawmakers compare ICE to KKK, drawing sharp Republican criticism

New Mexico Democratic lawmakers’ comparisons of federal immigration enforcement to the Ku Klux Klan have drawn sharp criticism from Republican legislators, who say such rhetoric puts law enforcement officers at risk. During this week’s Courts, Corrections and Justice Committee meetings, two Democratic lawmakers made inflammatory comments about Immigration and Customs Enforcement operations.  On Wednesday, Rep. […]

Posted inMadrid

Art exhibition opens Saturday in Madrid featuring local artists’ new work

Two local artists will showcase their latest creations at an opening reception Saturday for “Spirit, Horses, and Machines,” a new exhibition featuring paintings, sculptures and vessels at Calliope Gallery. The reception for works by Barbara Harnack and Michael Lancaster runs from 4 to 7 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 27, at the gallery located at 2876 Highway […]

Posted inCourts, Justice & Safety

Federal judge orders DACA recipient detained by ICE released from New Mexico detention center

A federal judge has ruled that a DACA recipient whose detention has been challenged in court must be released from custody.  Late Wednesday, U.S. District Judge William P. Johnson of the U.S. District Court of New Mexico granted a petition for a writ of habeas corpus directing the federal government to immediately release 28-year-old Paulo […]

Posted inCourts, Justice & Safety, New Mexico Legislature #nmleg

State Rep. Eleanor Chávez: “I’m gonna call it what it is… ICE is acting like the KKK”

A New Mexico state representative didn’t mince words when a state legislative committee overseeing courts and justice policy opened the floor for remarks on Wednesday. During the two-day meeting of the legislature’s Court, Corrections and Justice Committee State Representative Eleanor Chávez, a Democrat from Bernalillo County’s South Valley, recalled stories the committee had been told […]

Posted inCongress & Federal Gov., Pueblos

New Mexico teachers to receive $20,000 in financial literacy grants from U.S. Eagle

U.S. Eagle Federal Credit Union will award $20,000 in grants to New Mexico public and charter school teachers through its enrichEd Classroom Grant Program, with applications now open through Sept. 28. The grants, ranging from $500 to $2,500 per project, will focus on financial literacy education as schools face reduced federal funding. U.S. Eagle’s ARNIA […]

Posted inCourts, Justice & Safety, Housing & Homelessness

Dineh Benally pleads guilty in Estancia marijuana scheme, using illegal Chinese workers

A man who operated large-scale marijuana growing operations on the Navajo Nation and near Estancia pleaded guilty Tuesday to multiple federal charges, including drug trafficking, immigration violations and environmental crimes. Dineh Benally, who ran what prosecutors called an elaborate scheme involving Chinese investors and illegal workers, agreed to plead guilty to nine counts in U.S. […]