The Paper. (ABQ News / City Desk ABQ)

Albuquerque and New Mexico politics saw notable shake-ups this week, with state Senate Democratic Leader Peter Wirth announcing he will not seek re-election or his leadership role [1], the NM Supreme Court denying the Republican Party's appeal over Chair Amy Barela's removal [9], and the ABQ City Council narrowly killing a $113 million sales tax increase for the second time [3]. Public safety concerns came to the fore as a city councilor demanded answers on mental health dispatch protocols following three police shootings in five days [4], while ongoing healthcare struggles at the Metropolitan Detention Center prompted Bernalillo County to seek new solutions [2]. Environmental stories also drew attention, with federal funding for monitoring radioactive runoff near Los Alamos National Laboratory halted [5] and tree deaths in New Mexico tripling in 2025 due to warming temperatures and bark beetle outbreaks [7]. On a lighter note, the city is partnering with NM United to host FIFA World Cup watch parties in local parks [17], and Pride Month events including parades and community profiles highlighted LGBTQ+ life in Albuquerque [8][12].