When your trash is picked up, a pothole disappears or you spend an afternoon at the BioPark, you’re seeing the work of Samantha Sengel even if you don’t know her name. The Albuquerque City Council unanimously reappointed Samantha Sengel as chief administrative officer (CAO) Wednesday. The city’s most powerful non-elected position oversees 6,000 employees and […]
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Posted inCity Desk ABQ, Courts, Justice & Safety
ICE policy under fire: Bregman threatens criminal charges for unlawful ICE detentions
The Bernalillo County district attorney has warned federal immigration officials that certain detention practices could result in criminal prosecution under state law. Sam Bregman, district attorney for New Mexico’s Second Judicial District, sent a letter Wednesday to Bill Shaw, an Immigration and Customs Enforcement assistant field office director, raising concerns about ICE operations. The letter […]
Posted inCorrales, Corrales Comment
Corrales council seeks amity on Rio Rancho camera issue
That was the theme at the Jan. 20 Village Council meeting, when the board voted to direct staff to meet with Rio Rancho officials regarding city traffic cameras that are actually in Corrales. Councilor John Alsobrook II asked that the item be placed on the agenda, citing conversations with residents concerning a traffic monm itoring […]
Posted inUncategorized
More restrictions or fewer rules?: New Mexico lawmakers introduce competing visions on guns
New Mexico legislators are weighing four bills that would significantly reshape the state’s gun laws, with proposals ranging from permitless carry to enhanced penalties for felons and new restrictions tied to juvenile offenses and domestic violence protection orders. The bills, introduced during the 57th Legislature’s second session in 2026, reflect competing visions for firearm policy […]
Posted inSandoval Signpost
National security urgency meets local alarm as Project Ranger breaks ground
Dozens of state and local officials made the expedition on Wednesday to a windswept dirt lot west of Rio Rancho for the groundbreaking of Project Ranger, a 1,000-acre solid rocket motor manufacturing campus that will be the largest in the United States, according to Castelion executives, and will produce components for hypersonic missiles. Gov. Michelle […]
Posted inCity Desk ABQ, Housing & Homelessness
From eyesore to success: Albuquerque’s problematic properties that got fixed
Yesterday, we reported on Albuquerque’s 15 most problematic properties—the blighted buildings and neglected lots that drag down neighborhoods and frustrate residents. But there’s another side to this story: the success stories. While the city continues to grapple with persistent problem properties, officials want residents to know that progress is being made. The City of Albuquerque’s […]
Posted inCongress & Federal Gov., Energy, NM Political Report
Opinion: Sen. Heinrich knows that clean energy is the key to New Mexico’s continued prosperity
State Senator Heather Berghmans, a Democrat, represents Senate District 15 in Albuquerque’s Northeast Heights. She has served since 2025 By State Senator Heather Berghmans — Despite being 36th in population, our state of New Mexico is the ninth-largest energy producer in the country. Around half of the energy that is generated here is exported, meaning […]
Posted inCity Desk ABQ, Local Government
Frustrated by delays, Council proposes fix for contentious City Hall Q&A
Editor’s note: This story has been updated to include information about a new Q&A process proposed to replace the repealed agenda item, if passed, as well as reactions from councilors. The mayor’s administration and Council President Klarissa Peña have a plan to make the most frustrating and contentious parts of the council meetings more useful […]
Posted inCorrales, Corrales Comment
Corrales Council to weigh rezoning, traffic cameras in first regular session of 2026
The Corrales Village Council will kick off its regular 2026 session this Tuesday with an agenda that touches on everything from administrative “housekeeping” to a potential jurisdictional dispute over traffic enforcement. A primary order of business is Resolution 26-01, which seeks to adopt new governing body rules of procedure. While often seen as a routine […]
Posted inNew Mexico State Gov.
5 hot-button topics to watch in this year’s New Mexico Legislative session
Technically, the state’s even-year, 30-day Legislative sessions are supposed to only be about the budget, but this is Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham’s last regular session and she still has a lot to do — not to mention all 70 State House seats are up for election this year. So, in addition to carving up an […]