KRQE News 13 - Politics and Government

Land swap angers hunters, governor

Michael Herzenberg — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 07:11:01 GMT

Hunters are ticked off and so is the governor as the State Land Office pushes a trade that would turn a chunk of pristine mountain wilderness over to private ranchers.

Capitol worker kept King's secret

Jim Winchester — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 07:02:37 GMT

Bruce King was same warm and outgoing person in private as he was in public, a Capitol employee who used to see the governor almost daily said Friday.

Vet says King "lifted him up" after war

Dave Bohman — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 01:44:45 GMT

Retired Espanola police officer and Vietnam War veteran Dave Pineda was one of the thousands of mourners who made their way to the capitol building Friday to pay respects to former governor Bruce King.

Group threatens to sue over gray wolf

Sat, 21 Nov 2009 00:34:13 GMT

An environmental group is threatening to sue the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service over its failure to respond to a petition involving the Mexican gray wolf.

Gov. approves cuts to 2 Navajo projects

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 19:59:13 GMT

Gov. Bill Richardson has cut state contributions to two Navajo Nation projects in San Juan County to help close New Mexico's $650 million budget shortfall.

Capitol packed with King's mourners

Crystal Gutierrez — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 19:45:20 GMT

Thousands made their way to the state capitol Friday for a chance to say goodbye to New Mexico's longest serving governor—Bruce King.

Sanchez: King was a rare politician

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 17:11:09 GMT

Gabe Sanchez, a political science professor at the University of New Mexico, talks about the legacy Bruce King leaves behind.

Feds: Investment figure ran Ponzi scam

Michael Herzenberg — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 14:53:37 GMT

Federal prosecutors accuse investment banker Hassan Nemazee of being a miniature version of swindler Bernard Madoff, but in political circles Nemazee was a giant.

Plan to move racetrack clobbers Ruidoso

Jeff Todd — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 02:30:51 GMT

Ruidoso could become a ghost town if the Ruidoso Downs racetrack is allowed to pack up and move to Las Cruces, the town attorney said Thursday.

Shoppers not likely to save city budget

Crystal Gutierrez — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 02:10:51 GMT

Unless the economy turns around and fast the city of Albuquerque could have a budget shortfall almost double the projection of just a few weeks ago.

AG recalls governor-father's service

Dave Bohman — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 19:11:55 GMT

As the services for New Mexico's longest-serving governor near his son is remembering Bruce King's advice and his passion for helping the people of the state.

State police excused from furlough

Todd Dukart — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 18:38:27 GMT

Gov. Bill Richardson on Thursday announced that state police and state dispatchers will be exempted from the five furlough days Richardson ordered for employees in executive agencies.

Domenici cmte. pays 700k in legal bills

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 18:01:05 GMT

Campaign contributions to retired U.S. Sen. Pete Domenici paid for more than $700,000 in lawyers' bills arising from an ethics investigation into his role in the 2007 firing of former U.S. Attorney David Iglesias.

Chicken-costumed person visits meeting

Todd Dukart — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 17:20:33 GMT

A giant chicken — or at least a person in a chicken costume — paid a visit to Tuesday's Durango City Council meeting as councilors considered the wording of a recently passed backyard chicken ordinance.

Aztec reviews departments' efficiency

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 15:49:24 GMT

Aztec is spending $25,000 on a performance review of its police department in hopes of saving money in the future.

Health Dept. licenses 5 marijuana farms

Alex Tomlin — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 07:04:08 GMT

The New Mexico Department of Health now has licensed five growers of medical marijuana although one of them says he was surprised the state didn't set more rules for his mini-farm.

Tax fights brewing over budget showdown

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 06:15:41 GMT

Gov. Bill Richardson and many of the Democrats in charge of state government say there's no way to get out of the state's budget mess without raising taxes.

Budget squeeze spares APS staff, kids

Michael Herzenberg — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 01:30:49 GMT

For now, at least, state budget cuts won't force any layoffs, furloughs or salary reductions in the Albuquerque Public Schools district, Superintendent Winston Brooks told KRQE News 13.

MVD contractor reinstated

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 19:50:07 GMT

The state has reinstated an Albuquerque-based private Motor Vehicle Department contractor that was temporarily suspended after an employee was suspected of issuing titles and registrations for stolen vehicles.

Club dances through code loophole

Dave Bohman — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 04:11:08 GMT

Owners of a former bar denied a permit to open a dance club for young adults apparently have found a way around the city of Albuquerque and are promising to open next month.

Mayor-elect retains APD Chief Schultz

Bill Diven — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 00:29:37 GMT

As he campaigned for mayor Richard Berry criticized crime fighting under Albuquerque Mayor Martin Chávez's administration but apparently didn't hold the police chief responsible for that.

ABQ mayor-elect appoints key directors

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 15:59:07 GMT

Albuquerque Mayor-elect Richard Berry has appointed a former cabinet official under ex-Gov. Gary Johnson to head the city's economic development department.

Governor orders flags lowered for King

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 15:49:37 GMT

Gov. Bill Richardson says flags around the state will be lowered to half staff through next Monday in honor of former Gov. Bruce King.

Man hit by bus can't cheat death twice

Maria Medina — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 05:45:05 GMT

The murder victim found in a trash bin last week was embroiled in a lawsuit with the city of Albuquerque after being hit by a bus last year, investigators confirmed Monday.

Richardson's task force talks taxes

Ian Schwartz — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 00:49:26 GMT

A budget task force formed by Gov. Bill Richardson discussed more than 30 possible tax increases to fix the looming budget deficit during their first meeting in Santa Fe Monday.

Biden stumps for Heinrich, Teague

Devon Armijo — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 00:08:42 GMT

Vice President Joe Biden was in New Mexico Monday for a campaign fundraiser for Rep. Martin Heinrich, D-N.M., and Rep. Harry Teague, D-N.M.

Richardson outlines furlough proposal

Mon, 16 Nov 2009 21:31:13 GMT

Gov. Bill Richardson proposes that state worker furloughs occur around upcoming holidays starting with Christmas Eve.

Los Alamos to discuss utility rates

Mon, 16 Nov 2009 21:16:54 GMT

The Los Alamos County Council is scheduled to discuss Tuesday whether to raise the average residential customer's sewer utility rate by about $4 per month.

Biden to stump for Heinrich and Teague

Mon, 16 Nov 2009 17:28:17 GMT

Vice President Joe Biden will be in New Mexico on Monday to attend a campaign fundraiser for Democratic Reps. Martin Heinrich and Harry Teague.

King was down-home politician

Dick Knipfing — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 15:54:04 GMT

Bruce King, New Mexico's longest-serving governor, was well-known and well-liked throughout his career. He passed away Friday at the age of 85.