nm.news

By Kevin Hendricks, The Paper. David Mann is Rio Rancho’s newest District 4 councilor. The Governing Body voted 4-2 Thursday to confirm Mayor Paul Wymer’s pick, closing out a monthlong process that turned into a pointed debate over whether Mann’s day job — general counsel for Rio Rancho Public Schools — creates conflicts with a council seat. Councilors approved the appointment during the July 23 meeting, and Mann was sworn in immediately afterward.

By Rodd Cayton Torrance County and the Town of Edgewood are among 17 animal shelters across New Mexico benefitting from a grant program that disbursed almost $2 million. Danette Langdon, the county’s animal services director, said a $125,000 grant will permit construction of a standalone cat room.

The Trump administration told a federal judge earlier this month that the Trump administration had deliberately canceled grants in “Blue States” who had awarded their electoral votes to Kamala Harris and/or “has two Democratic-caucusing Senators.” A number of grants to New Mexico energy projects were included, the government now admits.

By Sara Atencio-Gonzales, The Paper. – A new documentary series celebrating stories of hope, healing and resilience in New Mexico has released its first trailer and is inviting residents from across the state to share their experiences. “Through the Fire” will feature New Mexicans telling personal stories about overcoming life’s challenges, including family struggles, relationships, careers, mental health, addiction and finding their place in life.

By Kevin Hendricks, The Paper. New Mexico could leapfrog nearly every other state in choosing the next Democratic presidential nominee. The DNC’s Rules and Bylaws Committee voted Friday to recommend New Mexico as the fourth state to vote in the 2028 primary calendar, putting Hispanic, Native American and border-state voters in front of candidates before most of the country weighs in. Under the committee’s recommendation, South Carolina votes first on Jan.

By Jerry Redfern, Capital & Main – One could make a strong argument that New Mexico is peppered with more than 50,000 active water wells that happen to produce oil and gas. Those wells draw more than three barrels of water for each barrel of oil, but it’s not anything you’d want to drink or water your chiles with. That wastewater — also called produced water — is highly saline, chemical-laden and often radioactive.

It’s Summertime and the livin’ is easy. At least monsoon season is upon us, and we’re cooling down a bit here in the Duke City. It’s the perfect time to take in some of the outdoor events happening in Albuquerque. The 35th annual Music Under the Stars series continues at Albuquerque Museum this weekend. The final Zoo Music concert, featuring French/Samoan ukulele phenom Taimane, packs the BioPark on Friday. Country star Darius Rucker hits First Financial Amphitheater at Isleta on Friday.

By Jesse Jones, The Paper. — Hikers, climbers and neighbors who use trails on Sandia Mountain’s west face could see their access change under a land transfer proposal the Sandoval County Commission endorsed last month. Now, a newly formed coalition of residents is urging lawmakers to reject the transfer, saying it could end decades of guaranteed public access to the wilderness.

Drums of the North and cannon fire return to Edgewood in August when the Pirate Viking Summer Festival sails back into Wildlife West Nature Park for its seventh year, promising two days of history, fantasy and full-throated adventure in the Southwest. The festival runs 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 22, and Sunday, Aug. 23, at the nature park, 87 N. Frontage Road. Kids 17 and under get in free with a paying adult, and parking is free both days. Discount tickets are on sale now online.

Mountainair’s Town Council will get a familiar face in a painful moment: Wayne Jones, husband of late Mayor Pro-Tem Gayle Jones, has accepted an appointment to fill her vacant council seat, Mayor Peter Nieto announced on July 23. Nieto said filling the vacancy fell to him under municipal procedure following Gayle Jones’ death, though the appointment still needs Town Council approval at the next regular meeting before it is final.