Patrick Lohmann

Keller wins third consecutive term in Albuquerque runoff election

Incumbent Mayor Tim Keller won a runoff election and will lead Albuquerque for at least another four years.

NM homelessness coalition will ask Legislature to fill in federal funding gaps • Source New Mexico HUD issued an abrupt “Notice of Funding Opportunity” to New Mexico and other states that would slash Continuum of Care funding here by roughly 70%.

A recent announcement from HUD has made federal homelessness-prevention funding in New Mexico even more precarious, according to Monet Silva, director of the New Mexico Coalition to End Homelessness.

New Mexico begins cleanup on four abandoned uranium mines • Source New Mexico The four abandoned mines are among an estimated 1,100 that dot the landscape in New Mexico, including about 500 on or near the Navajo Nation.

Two New Mexico agencies announced they have taken early steps to remediate four long-abandoned, potentially dangerous uranium mines, marking the state’s first foray into a problem experts have said is of potentially “infinite” scope and cost.

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Report: NM ‘treading water’ while many states ‘in or near recession’ • Source New Mexico New Mexico is not in danger of a recession, but federal revisions to taxation and more have cut into the state's revenue, analysts say.

“The takeaway from my presentation is one of concern,” Ismael Torres, LFC’s chief economist, told lawmakers Monday morning. “There is still a path forward here. We’re still expecting to miss a recession.”

Data center Project Jupiter’s greenhouse gas emissions could rival NM’s largest cities • Source New Mexico Project Jupiter's developers have asked the state for permission to emit as many greenhouse gases as the state's largest cities combined.

Applications for air quality permits confirm figures that Source NM previously reported: If approved, Project Jupiter could emit more than 14 million tons of greenhouse gases per year. By comparison, Albuquerque and Las Cruces emit a combined 6.7 million metric tons of greenhouse gases annually.

Lone candidate for New Mexico governor attends climate-focused town hall • Source New Mexico Only one 2026 New Mexico gubernatorial candidate showed up to a climate change town hall on Dec. 4, 2026; the rest sent representatives

When a nonpartisan organization announced it would host a town hall meeting where candidates could discuss their climate change plans, it posted an online flyer with 10 candidates.

By the time people filed into an Albuquerque building to hear from them, they found only one gubernatorial hopeful.

NM cabinet Secretary Kenderdine abruptly resigns ‘for personal reasons’ • Source New Mexico New Mexico Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Secretary Melanie Kenderdine abruptly resigned, citing her husband's poor health.

Kenderdine has held the position since May of 2024. At the time, Lujan Grisham praised Kenderine’s reputation as “a strategic thinker in the realm of energy policy” and said she expected Kenderdine to play a large role in “helping New Mexico shape our clean-energy future.”

Still no contract for NM ICE lockup, as detainees report interrupted access to ‘vital’ tablets • Source New Mexico About 30 ICE detainees signed a handwritten letter to Source New Mexico recently saying they continue to face poor conditions inside the jail, including problems accessing tablets they rely on for…

It's been more than a month since the contract between ICE, CoreCivic and Torrance County expired, and still no word on an extension.

Meanwhile, some ICE detainees tell Source the tablet computers they rely on for legal and other services stopped working.

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PRC member floats receivership for troubled water utility • Source New Mexico Billing problems and excessively leaky pipes paint a picture of a rural water utility that is “barely limping along," a PRC member said.

Billing problems, dry taps and excessively leaky pipes paint a picture of a rural water utility that is “barely limping along” and may need state intervention, one of New Mexico’s three Public Regulation Commission members said at a recent meeting.

‘Copy of Guantánamo’: Human rights group alleges torture, inhumanity at ‘Alligator Alcatraz,’ Krome Two Florida migrant detention centers may have violated international standards by imposing conditions that could amount to torture of detainees, a human rights organization claimed in a report…

"Two Florida migrant detention centers may have violated international standards by imposing conditions that could amount to torture of detainees, a human rights organization claimed in a report released early Thursday morning." www.newsfromthestates.com/article/copy...

Firefighters responding to the Hermits Peak-Calf Canyon Fire reported nearly 2,500 retardant drops as they fought the blaze, according to Forest Service.

Where those drops occurred is the subject of renewed interest after contamination was detected in private wells.

More here:

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Project Jupiter’s plan relies on natural gas — its impact on air quality remains unclear • Source New Mexico Plans for Project Jupiter, the massive New Mexico data center, rely on natural gas. It's not clear how much pollution that could cause.

Published greenhouse gas emissions for data center so high that climate advocates assume they’re typos.

The wealthy profit from public lands, and taxpayers pick up the tab Roughly two-thirds of grazing on Bureau of Land Management land is controlled by just 10% of permit holders.

The wealthy profit from public lands, and taxpayers pick up the tab

Roughly two-thirds of grazing on Bureau of Land Management land is controlled by just 10% of permit holders.

CALLOUT: I am looking to interview individuals who have sought health care at crisis pregnancy centers, whether intentionally or unintentionally, and want to talk about their experience. The center can be located anywhere. If you or someone you know might be interested, please email or send me a DM.

Governor’s adviser: 3 out of 4 days see New Mexico youth arrested with a firearm • Source New Mexico The New Mexico governor's senior public safety adviser told Republican lawmakers that youth are routinely charged with possessing firearms.

A child or teenager will be arrested while carrying a firearm on three out of four days in New Mexico, the governor’s senior public safety adviser said Monday.

“That number is way too high,” Benjamin Baker, senior public safety adviser to Democratic Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham told lawmakers Monday

Sweatshirt-gate? In Albuquerque, homeless residents in pro-Keller clothing sparks intrigue

Incumbent Mayor Tim Keller's campaign on Sunday accused his challenger Darren White's supporters of being behind the sweatshirts that feature the phrase "I ♥ Tim Keller" emblazoned on the front. 

By the #s: New Mexico mentions in recent Epstein email release • Source New Mexico The emails show Epstein invited prominent figures including author Deepak Chopra, linguist Noam Chomsky, billionaire Tom Pritzker, former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak and filmmaker Bill Sieger

A recently released trove of thousands of convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein’s emails offer glimpses into his time in New Mexico, including the prominent people he invited to his home here and when he scheduled visits.

Check out our timeline of NM-related Epstein emails here:

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BREAKING: Two National Guard members shot in Washington, D.C., officials confirm WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump was briefed Wednesday afternoon on the shooting of two National Guard members in downtown Washington, D.C., and is “actively monitoring this tragic situation,” acco...

BREAKING: Two National Guard members shot in Washington, D.C., officials confirm.

via @jennifershutt.bsky.social
www.newsfromthestates.com/article/brea...

Hermits Peak-Calf Canyon Fire victims grapple with latest crisis • Source New Mexico U.S. Rep. Teresa Leger Fernández visited the burn scar to brainstorm next steps and meet with a family whose well is contaminated with heavy metals.

"It just seems that once you get a little bit ahead, there’s just another blow, which is now the well water situation. Now we’re eating on paper plates and really not drinking the well water and that kind of thing. So it’s just one hurdle after another.”

New Mexico lawmakers Pope, McQueen raise questions about New Mexico Gas Company sale • Source New Mexico New Mexico lawmakers joined a small group of residents to call for greater transparency around the proposed New Mexico Gas Company sale.

Years-old government reports found issues with private equity firm founder’s previous company during Hurricane Katrina and the BP oil spill

FEMA says NM fire victims will have to prove ‘causation’ to get payment for well contamination • Source New Mexico “Heavy metals caused by the fire can be compensable," FEMA officials tell Source. "And a claimant will need to present a claim demonstrating injuries and causation."

Officials with the federal claims office overseeing a multi-billion-dollar compensation fund for Hermits Peak-Calf Canyon Fire victims told Source they will consider paying to address newly found well contamination, but only if victims first prove “injuries and causation.”

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New Mexico officials, Mora residents say feds should respond to groundwater contamination • Source New Mexico In the latest crisis affecting the burn scar of the Hermits Peak-Calf Canyon Fire, state and local officials are asking what FEMA's plan is.

As fear ripples across the Hermits Peak-Calf Canyon Fire burn scar about newly discovered toxic metals in Mora County groundwater, elected officials and residents are increasingly wondering whether a federal office overseeing a $5.45B fire compensation fund will step in to help.

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Read it and your day will get better. www.hcn.org/issues/57-11...

Legislative committee says federal funds for SNAP are safe • Source New Mexico New Mexico Legislative Finance Council director says SNAP funds should be safe going forward, but not all funds will be

Approximately 460,000 NM residents receive SNAP benefits. Here’s the latest on where they stand

Wildfires, floods and National Guard deployments over the last few years have depleted a key New Mexico disaster fund. Gov. Lujan Grisham has, nonetheless, used emergency declarations and state funds to cover the cost.

Where's the money coming from? Read Source's latest "By the #s"

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Home • Source New Mexico

Hey everyone! Thrilled to announce I’m joining the team at @sourcenm.com as Senior Reporter!

I’ll cover the State Legislature & focus on the accountability reporting you’ve come to expect from my 3.5 years @ @searchlightnm.bsky.social. Follow along (for free!) at sourcenm.com

HMU w/ tips & ideas!

Trump-supporting Cuban dissident says NM ICE lockup denied him legal documents • Source New Mexico His allegations of denied access to lawyers and legal materials occur as the facility, one of three ICE lockups in the state, operates without a contract.

A Cuban immigrant held in a Torrance County immigrant detention center faces a key court hearing Thursday without what he described as crucial legal documents to help him avoid deportation.

"If I go back to Cuba, my life will be in danger,” he said.

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States told by Trump administration to 'undo' full SNAP benefits paid for November Following a late Friday emergency ruling from the U.S. Supreme Court, the Trump administration has instructed states that authorized full November nutrition assistance benefits to return a portion, an...

NEW: States told by Trump administration to 'undo' full SNAP benefits paid for November. @statesnewsroom.com story:

Updated @statesnewsroom.com story with detail from Trump DOJ brief, account of wild back and forth today.

Torrance County immigration detention center continues operating without ICE contract • Source New Mexico In the meantime, seven detainees signed a letter to Source saying they’re being denied attorney access.

It's been seven days since the Torrance County's contract with ICE to house detainees at the Estancia jail expired.

An advocacy group says all the detainees should be released. One of them emailed Source on Friday saying he was denied access to attorney.

More here:

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