Albuquerque’s push for more budget transparency collapsed Monday night as the City Council voted 1-8 against overriding Mayor Tim Keller’s veto of an ordinance that had passed 8-1 just three weeks earlier. The failed override leaves the city’s $1.5 billion budget process largely unchanged. The administration will not have to share detailed vacancy data, drop […]
Local Government
Posted inLocal Government
Women now hold the majority of Albuquerque City Council seats as Peña takes presidency
A month after nearly losing her Albuquerque City Council seat, Klarissa Peña is back at the helm. The council elected Peña president in a 5-4 vote over Joaquín Baca. The same five councilors — Peña, Dan Champine, Renée Grout, Dan Lewis and outgoing President Brook Bassan — voted to install the new leadership. In separate […]
Posted inLocal Government
District 1’s new councilor is breaking from tradition before she even takes her first vote
Albuquerque’s newest city councilor is starting with a simple idea: setting up an office in the district she represents. Stephanie Telles, the new councilor for the city’s Westside District 1, said she asked for office space in her district to make herself more accessible to constituents who struggle to get downtown to City Hall. When […]
Posted inEdgewood, Local Government
Commissioner Filandro Anaya finishes term
Edgewood community members and officials gathered Dec. 23 to honor outgoing Commissioner Filandro Anaya for his leadership during the town’s transition to a new form of government. While his four-year term officially ended on Dec. 31 after he was overtaken by Stephen Murillo in the District 2 race, the community used the final commission meeting […]
Posted inEdgewood, Local Government
Records reveal details of Santa Fe County lawsuit against Edgewood
A recent Inspection of Public Records request revealed more information about the complaint Santa Fe County filed against the Town of Edgewood in November. According to records in response to an Inspection of Public Records request from The Independent filed in October, Manager Greg Shaffer notified the Town of Edgewood in April 2025 of an […]
Posted inLocal Government
New female-majority council to pick president, consider veto override in first 2026 meeting
The Albuquerque City Council is scheduled to choose a new council president and vice-president at its first meeting of the year tonight, a day after Mayor Tim Keller’s historic third consecutive inauguration and swearing in five councilors, including one newcomer. Stephanie Telles, who won the December runoff in District 1, joins returning councilors Klarissa Peña […]
Posted inEdgewood, Local Government
Edgewood to swear in new officials, consider multiple zoning changes
The Town of Edgewood will swear in five newly elected officials Tuesday before considering eight zoning ordinances during a packed regular meeting. The swearing-in ceremony begins at 5 p.m. at Edgewood Town Hall Commission Chambers, 171A NM 344. Municipal Judge William White and four commissioners will take their oaths of office: Kenneth Brennan (District 1), […]
Posted inHousing & Homelessness, Local Government
No runoff? Estancia mayoral election causes confusion as Riley overtakes incumbent
Estancia Mayor Runnel Riley was sworn into his position on Dec. 15 after overtaking the incumbent mayor, Nathan Dial, by just a few votes, prompting a recount and confusion from the community and Dial himself about the runoff process in New Mexico. After the initial count, Dial and write-in candidate Boyd Vardy each had 63 […]
Posted inLocal Government, Westside Albuquerque
Torrance County $5.7 million over budget on building and operating at a deficit
This story was originally published by the Mountainair Dispatch. It is republished here with permission. This story was originally published by the Mountainair Dispatch. It is republished here with permission. By Todd Brogowski — The Torrance County Commission met on Tuesday, December 10, to address several critical issues, including escalating costs for the planned new […]
Posted inEdgewood, Local Government
Edgewood public buildings face leakage, structural damage
Edgewood commissioners took steps toward resolving structural and plumbing issues at the Edgewood Community Library and Town Hall during the Town of Edgewood Commission meeting on December 9. In her presentation to commissioners, Community Liaison Linda Burke brought to their attention more than 20 instances of water leaks, including one currently, in town buildings in […]