NM.news Archives - Page 9 of 23

Watch: City demos Lindy’s Diner after owners walk away

by roberto-rosales and pat-davis July 3, 2026October 10, 2026

By Roberto Rosales and Pat Davis, The Paper. — A city-contracted demolition crew stepped in this morning to bring down what was left of the 121-year old Bliss Building after the building’s owners walked away from plans to clean up and demolish the site where an exterior wall suddenly collapsed onto a Downtown city street […]

President Donald J. Trump delivers remarks at Verst Logistics Manufacturing in Hebron, Kentucky on Wednesday, March 11, 2026. (Official White House Photo by Joyce N. Boghosian)

Jobs, Workers & Economy

New Mexico added 13,000 new jobs in Biden’s last year. Since Trump’s tariffs and wars, just 400.

by Pat Davis June 23, 2026October 10, 2026

New Mexico added 13,100 jobs in 2024, averaging 1,091 jobs per month during the last 12 months of President Joe Biden’s term in the White House. Now, the rate of job growth has slowed significantly, with the state’s public and private employers adding a net 400 jobs in the 12 months since President Trump implemented […]

The vacant alley between Hollywood and Edna avenues NW, where the city plans to build a segment of the Rail Trail. Photo courtesy of Debra Montoya

City Desk ABQ

Could NIMBY neighbors derail city’s rail trail plans?

By Jesse Jones, The Paper. — A small group of West Old Town residents is challenging the City of Albuquerque over a segment of the ABQ Rail Trail, a multimillion-dollar marquee project. Although the group wants to halt the planned extension through their neighborhood, the city owns the property, forcing residents to navigate municipal bureaucracy […]

Albuquerque's Juneteenth celebration at Civic Plaza has grown steadily since 2021, when this photo was taken. Organizers expect a record crowd this year. (Photo courtesy NM Juneteenth/bccofnm.org)

Arts & Culture

Albuquerque’s Juneteenth Celebration Is Bigger Than Ever. Here’s What’s Planned

by Jesse Jones June 18, 2026October 10, 2026

By Jesse Jones, The Paper. — Music, food vendors, art and community celebrations will soon fill the Duke City as Burqueños and visitors from across New Mexico gather for what organizers expect to be the largest Juneteenth celebration the city has ever hosted. What started as a community gathering has grown into a citywide tradition. […]

Albuquerque City Councilor Brook Bassan, co-sponsor of a resurrected $113 million gross receipts tax increase. The council voted 5-4 on June 15 to kill the measure, keeping the massive tax hike out of voters' hands this November. (Jesse Jones)

City Desk ABQ

Denied again: Why the ABQ City Council killed the same sales tax hike twice

By Jesse Jones, The Paper. — Burqueño voters will have one fewer question on the November ballot after the City Council narrowly rejected a proposed $113 million gross receipts tax increase, marking the second defeat for a measure that had already been revived once. The City Council voted 5-4 Monday to kill Resolution R-26-43, a […]

Bernalillo County

After years of issues at MDC, Bernalillo County adds a new piece to the healthcare puzzle

By Jesse Jones, The Paper. — For years, Bernalillo County has poured millions of dollars into fixing healthcare at the Metropolitan Detention Center, bringing in a new medical provider and overhauling its behavioral health system. Despite millions of dollars in new investments, turbulence continues at MDC. The facility has cycled through three wardens since 2022 […]

An APD officer-involved shooting near I-40 and 6th street in 2024. A spike in late May 2026 shootings has city leaders questioning why the Albuquerque Community Safety department is not being dispatched to some high-risk mental health calls. Photo by Roberto E. Rosales/The City Desk. Photo by Roberto E. Rosales/The City Desk

NM.news

After three police shootings in five days, City Councilor questions APD, ACS mental health response rules

By Jesse Jones, The Paper. — Imagine calling 911 for help during a mental health crisis only to have the encounter end in death. That happened in May when the Albuquerque Police Department (APD) shot and killed a man after his family called for help because he was threatening to harm himself. The shooting was […]

Energy

Fact Check: What do we really know about Blackstone’s plan to buy PNM?

by New Mexico Political Report June 15, 2026June 15, 2026

Editor’s note: In August 2025, New Mexico’s largest utility, privately-owned PNM, asked state regulators for permission to sell to a subsidiary of Blackstone, a private equity firm which has offered $11.5 billion for the company. Since PNM is a public utility, the sale must be approved by the Public Regulation Commission and that process has […]

Mayor Tim Keller during his inauguration at the Albuquerque Convention Center on Jan. 4, 2026. Keller recently allowed the city's new $1.5 billion budget to pass without his signature due to a dispute over the City Council's revenue projections. (Jesse Jones, The Paper.)

City Desk ABQ

Albuquerque’s record $1.5 billion budget heads to the state, without Keller’s signature

by Jesse Jones June 9, 2026October 10, 2026

By Jesse Jones, The Paper. — Burqueños and city workers can breathe a sigh of relief as the city’s new $1.5 billion budget becomes law without the stroke of the mayor’s pen. The plan avoids resident trash fee hikes, locks in funding for core community services from public safety to senior programs and includes upcoming […]

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

City Desk ABQ

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 […]