“To move to a world in which so much operates off of power, off of money, off of favors and relationships that circle around power — to see it up close is different…” Six weeks after finishing third in Albuquerque’s crowded mayoral race, Alex Uballez sat down with City Desk on the patio outside Ex […] The post What Alex Uballez discovered about Albuquerque politics (and himself) running for mayor appeared first on City Desk ABQ.

Just in time for some of the busiest days for travel and family get-togethers, flu season is hitting New Mexico hard. National flu surveillance published by the Centers for Disease Control ranks New Mexico’s flu activity as “high” for the week ending Dec. 13. That puts the Land of Enchantment among the top 1/3 of […] The post Flu hospitalizations eclipse COVID as flu season hits New Mexico appeared first on City Desk ABQ.

By Josh Lee — President Donald Trump recently issued an executive order directing federal agencies to speed up the process of reclassifying marijuana as a drug with some medical use. This move marks what may be the most significant shift in U.S. cannabis policy in more than a decade, with potentially far-reaching consequences for New […] The post New Mexico cannabis industry cheers Trump’s rescheduling order appeared first on City Desk ABQ.

Thirty-two rural health care organizations across New Mexico will receive $20 million in state funding to expand primary care services in underserved communities, Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham announced Friday. The fiscal year 2026 awards from the Rural Health Care Delivery Fund will support projects ranging from tribal health centers to frontier clinics in some of […] The post Governor awards $20 million to expand rural primary care across New Mexico appeared first on City Desk ABQ.

A Bernalillo County program that has helped about three-quarters of homeless families find stable housing is expanding to serve 76 families at a time, more than tripling its previous capacity. The county opened Ponderosa Place on Thursday at a former Comfort Inn at 411 McKnight Ave. NW near Fourth Street and Interstate 40. The site […] The post A Bernalillo County housing program has a 75% success rate. Now it’s tripling in size. appeared first on City Desk ABQ.

Albuquerque voters turned out for the runoff election at nearly the same rate as they did in the November General Election, defying the sharp dropoff that typically follows a general election. Official results certified Monday by the Bernalillo County Board of Canvass show the Dec. 9 runoff drew more than 129,000 voters, just a small […] The post Who showed up to vote in ABQ? Data shows City’s runoff election defied voter fatigue appeared first on City Desk ABQ.

Albuquerque is set to get a new 10-acre public park at the State Fairgrounds after state finance officials approved $67 million in bonds Tuesday. The approval, combined with a $22.35 million land acquisition bond cleared Dec. 9, commits more than $90 million to park space and pedestrian upgrades ahead of a final redevelopment plan expected […] The post State approves $67 million bond for fairgrounds. What comes next? appeared first on City Desk ABQ.

Nearly 56,000 New Mexicans will need to work, volunteer or participate in job training for 80 hours each month to maintain food stamp benefits under new federal requirements taking effect Jan. 1, 2026. The changes stem from federal legislation Congress passed in July that expands work requirements for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP. […] The post Thousands of New Mexicans face new work requirements for food benefits appeared first on City Desk ABQ.

New Mexico officials announced Thursday the state will invest $25.9 million in seven projects designed to turn salty underground water into usable supplies, marking the first major funding under a new program aimed at stretching the state’s limited freshwater resources. The grants represent the initial phase of a $40 million legislative appropriation for the Strategic […] The post New Mexico awards $26M in grants for brackish water treatment projects appeared first on City Desk ABQ.

This article was originally published by Source NM. By Patrick Lohmann A federal judge in Albuquerque on Monday ordered the immediate release of an Iranian man held at an Estancia immigration lockup for the last six months, agreeing with his lawyers that the Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency was not acting quickly enough to deport […] The post Federal judge orders Iranian bodybuilder’s release from New Mexico jail appeared first on City Desk ABQ.

This story was originally published by New Mexico In Depth. It’s republished here with permission. By Bella Davis New Mexico created a new alert earlier this year to help find Native people who go missing. But since the Turquoise Alert went into effect in July, New Mexico State Police have only issued six, despite 27 requests […] The post A new alert for missing Native people has been issued just six times since July implementation appeared first on City Desk ABQ.

Albuquerque Police Chief Harold Medina will retire Dec. 31, ending a five-year run defined by controversy. Medina announced his decision on Wednesday and told APD commanders during his final staff meeting on Tuesday, according to a city press release. His tenure included a crash that seriously injured a civilian, a City Desk investigation that found […] The post Crime down, trust low: Medina exits APD after rocky 5 years appeared first on City Desk ABQ.

Albuquerque City Council President Brook Bassan is asking investigators to determine whether City Attorney Lauren Keefe violated conflict-of-interest rules by siding with Mayor Tim Keller’s lawyers in a months-long legal dispute over fire department staffing. The council voted unanimously Monday to add the investigation request to the Jan. 5 agenda for formal consideration, following a […] The post Council president seeks investigation into city attorney in latest chapter of lawsuit between council, mayor enters 2nd year appeared first on City Desk ABQ.

After a year of negotiations and resistance from the Keller administration, the Albuquerque City Council voted 8-1 Monday night to overhaul how the city builds its $1.5 billion budget and require the mayor to give council more insight into how programs and staff perform. The changes introduce new transparency rules designed to provide residents with […] The post Council forces budget transparency after year-long fight with Keller administration appeared first on City Desk ABQ.

Six months after National Guard troops began assisting the Albuquerque Police Department in an unprecedented move, the city confirmed Tuesday the program is winding down this week — though officials never publicly announced the conclusion of the more than $2 million effort. Asked by City Desk, APD spokesman Gilbert Gallegos confirmed in an email late […] The post National Guard quietly “winding down” APD aid this week appeared first on City Desk ABQ.

Burqueños looking for meaningful holiday gifts can turn to an unlikely source: City Councilor Tammy Fiebelkorn. When she’s not working on housing policy or climate legislation, she and her partner, Paul Roybal, spend the season in their kitchen baking thousands of vegan cookies for people and dogs. The homemade treats support Kindred Spirits Animal Sanctuary, […] The post Raising dough: Councilor bakes over 1,000 vegan cookies for senior animals charity appeared first on City Desk ABQ.

The Albuquerque City Council will vote Monday during the last meeting of the year on rental protections and an $842,600 plan to house people leaving addiction treatment who agree to stay sober. Councilors are set to give final approval to the Rental Practices Ordinance, O-25-102, which mirrors state law by capping screening fees at $50, […] The post Last council meeting of 2025: Sobriety housing plan and renter protections on tap appeared first on City Desk ABQ.

U.S. Rep. Gabe Vasquez, D-N.M., visited the Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge on Dec. 6 to assess the impact of federal budget cuts and staffing shortages on the site. Vasquez met with Deputy Refuge Manager Bernard Lujan, refuge staff and leadership from the Friends of the Bosque to discuss operational challenges facing the 57,000-acre […] The post Vasquez warns funding crisis endangers Bosque del Apache’s vital role in local economy appeared first on City Desk ABQ.

Albuquerque Police Chief Harold Medina told the Albuquerque Journal in Dec. 2024 that he would retire at the end of Mayor Tim Keller’s current term, but he quickly walked that back by saying he might instead of he would. Fast-forward to Nov. 2025 and Keller confirmed Who will be Albuquerque’s next police chief? Mayor Tim […] The post Medina’s retirement plans spark social media fight, speculation on who would be ABQ’s next top cop appeared first on City Desk ABQ.

Teresa Garcia called incumbent Klarissa Peña Thursday morning to concede the City Council District 3 race, reversing course from plans to seek a recount after losing by 68 votes in the Dec. 9 runoff election. At a press conference at Alamosa Park, Garcia said she cannot ask supporters — including mayoral candidate Alex Uballez and […] The post Garcia ends District 3 challenge, vows to continue Southwest Mesa fight appeared first on City Desk ABQ.

By Lauren Lifke, nm.news — City Councilor Klarissa Peña held onto her seat in the runoff in District 3 on Dec. 9 after a close race with candidate Teresa Garcia, winning by just 68 votes after all votes were counted. The runoff election was held because no single candidate got more than 50% of the […] The post Garcia to seek recount after Peña prevails by 68 votes in Westside council race appeared first on City Desk ABQ.

What initially looked like a thrilling election night in Albuquerque ended with a whimper less than an hour after polls closed when mayoral candidate Darren White took the podium at his watch party and broke the news to the large crowd of supporters that he had just called Mayor Tim Keller to congratulate him on […] The post The day after: White expresses no regrets, knows what’s to blame appeared first on City Desk ABQ.

Mayor Tim Keller made history tonight, defeating former Sheriff Darren White to become the first Albuquerque mayor to win three straight four-year terms since the city adopted its current mayoral system in the mid-1970s. With all of the absentee and early votes cast, Keller emerged with an early 58%-41% lead according to unofficial results from […] The post Keller makes ABQ history: First mayor to win three consecutive terms appeared first on City Desk ABQ.

By Sara Atencio-Gonzales Democrat Stephanie Telles won the District 1 City Council runoff, giving Democrats a firmer majority on the nine-member council as she prepares to represent Albuquerque’s central Westside. Her victory preserves a Democratic voting bloc and concludes a competitive two-candidate runoff that followed a four-way race in November. Early and absentee voting showed […] The post Telles triumphs: Democrat secures firmer city council majority appeared first on City Desk ABQ.

Commentary & Analysis in City DeskPat Davis is the founder and publisher of citydesk.org. He is a recovering politician having served eight years as an Albuquerque City Councilor and, in another life, served as a police officer and nonprofit organizer. Citywide, turnout for runoff elections ending Tues. Dec. 9 is strong, but that’s not the […] The post Battle for the 5th vote: Conservatives eye majority, progressives fight for control through Westside runoffs appeared first on City Desk ABQ.