NM.news Archives - Page 10 of 24

Civic Plaza in downtown Albuquerque with the City Hall building pictured in the background. (Roberto Rosales)

Why did the city cancel 311 on Sundays? Councilor quizzes mayor’s office after getting no answer

by Jesse Jones June 9, 2026October 10, 2026

City Desk ABQ: How that story came together Jesse Jones is a local government reporter with City Desk and The Paper. This column covers his work uncovering what’s behind a news tip he received about City Hall. Whether you’re reporting graffiti, looking for a swimming pool schedule, seeking homeless services or trying to track down […]

A storefront for Smokers Town sits across from the University of New Mexico campus along Central Avenue. City councilors rejected a proposal Monday night that would have created strict buffer zones between future smoke shops, cannabis dispensaries, and other nicotine sellers. (Jesse Jones)

City Desk ABQ

How a new zoning ordinance could send future Burque smoke shops up in smoke

by Jesse Jones June 8, 2026June 8, 2026

By Jesse Jones, The Paper. — Smoke shops and cannabis dispensaries have become a common sight in many Duke City shopping centers, but city leaders may soon make that boom go up in smoke. Concerned about the increasing concentration of 21-and-over shops, a city councilor is proposing new zoning rules that would limit how many […]

City Councilor Brook Bassan, co-sponsor of the revived proposed gross receipts tax increase that would go before Albuquerque voters in Novembe. (Jesse Jones)

Local Government

ABQ councilors try again on tax hike — but this time, voters will decide

by Jesse Jones June 4, 2026October 10, 2026

By Jesse Jones, The Paper. — Following the defeat of a similar measure in March, a pair of City Councilors are reviving a nearly half-percent sales tax proposal to fund neighborhood improvements and city services. The measure would ask Burqueños to pay slightly more in exchange for neighborhood infrastructure upgrades and higher pay for city […]

Edgewood

Commissioner Murillo walks out of meeting; Commissioners learn he directed changes to fire agreement, now jeopardizing implementation

by Pat Davis June 4, 2026June 4, 2026

By Pat Davis, Route 66 Independent – Patience and time are both in short supply in Edgewood these days as the town’s commissioners struggle to pass a simple ordinance to implement a new fire service agreement they already approved with Santa Fe County. Commissioners received a letter from Santa Fe County last week rejecting their […]

Democratic gubernatorial candidate Deb Haaland campaigns along Coors Blvd in Albuquerque’s westside Tuesday morning near the Andalucia Shopping Center. Photo by Roberto E. Rosales for the Paper

Politics & Elections

The morning after: Deb Haaland talks about being underestimated, her historic win and taking on Gregg Hull in November

By Pat Davis, The Paper & New Mexico Political Report – Just 12 hours after Deb Haaland secured her historic nomination for governor in the Democratic primary, she called me to share her first reactions to winning, still being underestimated after so many historic firsts and how she sees the next phase of the campaign […]

East Mountains

East Mountain school breaks ground on new middle school expansion

SANDIA PARK, N.M. — East Mountain school broke ground today on a major campus expansion to add a middle school program that will initially serve 90 new sixth graders next year. The construction project, which will ultimately create a full grades 6-12 campus, is designed to provide a more predictable and seamless educational pathway for […]

NM.news

Presbyterian will stop covering 30,000 Medicare patients, lays of 150 staff

by Pat Davis June 2, 2026June 4, 2026

By Pat Davis, The Paper . — After posting a half-billion dollar loss in 2025, Presbyterian Healthcare Services suddenly announced today that it will stop providing insurance services next year to 30,000 Medicare Advantage patients and they have laid off about 150 staff, effective immediately. Dr. Rishi Sikka, President and CEO at PHS, made the […]

A man is forcefully removed by police following an explosive public comment period at City Hall. Behind the commotion, Councilor Rogers is seen covering her face, while Councilor Telles follows the group out to speak with the man and defuse the confrontation. (Jesse Jones)

Local Government

City Council ejects speakers in raucous debate, before approving new Albuquerque minimum wage

by Jesse Jones June 2, 2026June 8, 2026

By Jesse Jones, The Paper. — Burqueños workers making minimum wage have something to be excited about – if they have patience – after the Albuquerque City Council approved a $3 increase to the city’s minimum wage Monday night after a packed and at times raucous meeting that drew so many people that some were […]

Gas prices at Circle K Gas on Central Ave. and San Pedro Dr SE

Jobs, Workers & Economy

By the #s: Where New Mexico gas prices have risen the most since the Iran war began

by Source New Mexico May 28, 2026May 28, 2026

By the #s: Where New Mexico gas prices have risen the most since the Iran war began By Patrick Lohmann, Source New Mexico –– The average price of gasoline in New Mexico has increased nearly $1.50 a gallon since February, when President Donald Trump began an armed conflict with Iran. While New Mexico generally has […]

City Councilor Renée Grout listens to public testimony during a past Albuquerque City Council meeting at City Hall. Grout recently challenged the city administration over its decision to end Sunday phone services for the 311 helpline. (Jesse Jones)

City Desk ABQ

ABQ tries to break its heavy metal habit with new copper theft law

by Jesse Jones May 28, 2026October 10, 2026

By Jesse Jones, City Desk in The Paper. — Drivers and pedestrians are navigating dark stretches of East Central Avenue after copper thieves have ripped wiring from streetlights, prompting a pair of city councilors to tighten Albuquerque’s scrap metal recycling laws in an effort to curb the vandalism. Rather than creating a new law, Councilors […]