The Paper. (ABQ News / City Desk ABQ)

Albuquerque and New Mexico politics dominated the week, with the federal DOJ suing the state and city to block anti-ICE sanctuary laws [7], the City Council approving new 'Safety Zones' granting the mayor power to surge police along commercial corridors [14], and Mayor Keller's veto of a renter cooling ordinance surviving a council override attempt [15]. Budget contrasts were stark as Bernalillo County approved a record $1 billion budget with a $70 million surplus while the city struggled with a $30 million shortfall [3], and the city quietly abandoned a high-profile senior affordable housing project at Juniper Flats [9]. On the campaign trail, three Republican candidates debated ahead of the governor's race [4], while the CD-2 congressional matchup between Vasquez and Cunningham is shaping up as a battle for independent voters [12]. Other notable stories included new microtransit service coming to the South Valley [2], New Mexicans sharing the economic toll of tariffs at a Sen. Heinrich roundtable [10], and a beloved Albuquerque food truck park abruptly closing after its church landlord ended the arrangement [13].