By Jesse Jones, The Paper. — Albuquerque struggles to get things done because it suffers from a “scarcity mindset” he intends to change Mayor Tim Keller said Saturday as he outlined his priorities for his historic third term as mayor of the state’s largest city. Speaking from the Route 66 Visitor Center, Keller outlined three […]
City Desk ABQ
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The City accidentally approved a new 95,000 sq. ft. homeless shelter. Now neighbors want it closed.
By Jesse Jones, The Paper. — Southeast Albuquerque residents and business owners near the airport are demanding answers about how an overnight drug treatment shelter has been allowed to operate without a required permit since November after city staff gave “incorrect advice,” setting up a fight before City Councilors who get to decide if the […]
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Albuquerque weighs $3.1M in incentives for cybersecurity, quantum and space jobs
By Jesse Jones, The Paper. — The Duke City could see more than 200 high-tech jobs and tens of millions of dollars in private investment if the City Council approves $3.1 million in city and state incentives for three local companies in cybersecurity, quantum computing and aerospace. The three proposed Local Economic Development Act projects […]
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Watchdog clears Albuquerque’s top lawyer in probe, but dispute with Council persists
By Jesse Jones, The Paper. — Albuquerque’s city watchdog found no legal or ethical misconduct by Interim City Attorney Lauren Keefe, but the report paints a picture of confusion inside City Hall. Interim Inspector General Peter Pacheco released the final special investigation report July 31 on allegations of legal and ethical misconduct by Interim City […]
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No campaign finance vote this fall: Here’s what Bernalillo County is doing instead
By Jesse Jones, The Paper. — Bernalillo County voters will not see proposed changes to the public campaign finance system on the November ballot after county commissioners withdrew the measures to allow more time for study instead of rushing a complex proposal to voters. On Tuesday, the Bernalillo County Board of Commissioners unanimously approved a […]
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A quartet of ABQ City Councilors raises alarm White House plans to let political staff cancel local grants
By Jesse Jones, The Paper. — Burqueños who rely on local housing, transit and community services could see programs lose federal funding if a proposed rule were to give political appointees new power to freeze or end grants over vague standards tied to federal policy. Four Albuquerque City Councilors, led by Stephanie Telles and joined […]
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Council tees up ballot question to reduce mayor’s control over two big city jobs
By Jesse Jones, The Paper. — Burqueño voters will decide in November whether to take away the mayor’s sole power to hire and fire the city attorney and city clerk. The Albuquerque City Council approved companion measures sponsored by Council Vice President Dan Champine on Monday, Aug. 3, to place a charter amendment on the […]
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Should taxpayers fund campaigns? Bernalillo County vote could send question to voters
By Jesse Jones, The Paper. — Voters in Bernalillo County may get a chance to decide this November whether their tax dollars should help fund campaigns for county offices. The Bernalillo County Board of Commissioners will hold a public hearing and final vote Tuesday, Aug. 11, on three companion measures. The package would place a […]
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Post-DOJ report shows APD overruled officer discipline recommendations from civilian watchdog
By Jesse Jones, The Paper. — In the first full reporting period since federal court monitoring ended, Albuquerque’s civilian police watchdog reported officers violated department policy eight times between July and December 2025. In each instance, city leaders and police reviewed the evidence and discarded the agency’s disciplinary recommendations. The Paper. reviewed the Civilian Police […]
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New protections approved for ABQ workers speaking up at City Hall
By Jesse Jones, The Paper. — Albuquerque city workers who report fraud or wrongdoing at City Hall now have stronger legal protections after the City Council unanimously approved two overhauls Monday to protect whistleblowers and strengthen the city’s fraud watchdog. Councilors unanimously approved the Accountability in Government Ordinance, which Councilor Brook Bassan sponsored. The measure […]