New Mexico
County assessor files complaint against treasurer over short-term rentals
BERNALILLO COUNTY, N.M. — The Bernalillo County Assessor filed an ethics complaint against the treasurer over short-term rentals and allegedly costing the county nearly $2 million.
Assessor Damian Lara accused Treasurer Tim Eichenberg of setting up “NM Property Tax,” a business hired by the owners of at least seven residential properties, to help lower their taxes and represent them before the county’s valuation protest board – as they faced higher taxes for reclassifying their properties as short-term rentals.
While the board sided with the reclassification, Lara accused Eichenberg of ignoring the decision and costing the county “nearly $1.8 million.”
Lara filed a letter with the State Ethics Commission regarding these claims. He’s asking them to investigate Eichenberg’s alleged violations of state law regarding government conduct.
“Lowering the tax liability for these businesses means that the average homeowner has to pick up that cost,” Lara said, “and that’s unfair to all homeowners who have played by the rules.
“The law is clear on this issue: If you operate as a business, you are classified as a business.”
In April, Lara’s office developed a first-of-its-kind policy reclassifying short-term rentals. The policy will classify properties that are rented for fewer than 29 nights-in-a-row as commercial properties.
This new policy affects houses, condos, and apartments but doesn’t include leased apartments or hotels.
In 2023, there were approximately 4,000 properties considered short term rentals. With this new policy, 1,000 are considered short term rentals and the remaining 3,000 are now available as long-term housing.
MORE: Bernalillo County reclassifies short-term rentals
New Mexico
Serious crash shuts down traffic on I-25 north near Coal
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – Albuquerque police are shutting down Interstate 25 northbound near Avenida Cesar Chavez after a two people were seriously injured in a crash.
The crash happened at about 7 p.m. at the Coal exit.
Police said crews took two people with serious injuries to a local hospital for treatment.
Detectives are investigating the crash, and police said traffic on Interstate 25 northbound remains open but drivers should expect delays near Coal.
New Mexico
Gila National Forest Hummingbird Fire Update – 4/27/2026
Acres: 2673
Start Date: 4/20/2026
Location: 15 Miles East of Glenwood, NM
Personnel: 197
Containment: 0 %
Cause: Lightning
Summary: The Hummingbird Fire saw additional growth in the Gila Wilderness moving northeast across Iron Creek Mesa and west into Iron Creek. Wind gusts up to 35 MPH were a major safety concern throughout the day. Air tankers and helicopters were unable to support ground crews yesterday due to high winds and unsafe aerial firefighting conditions. Firefighters on the ground continued to secure spot fires from the previous shift using a combination of direct and indirect handline protecting critical values. Crews scouted additional indirect handlines to keep fire on Iron Creek Mesa in the 2024 Ridge Fire footprint. In the Willow Creek Subdivision fire crews cleared debris and completed setting up structure protection equipment in the community.
Today, as Red Flag conditions subside, firefighters will assess firing opportunities to complete the indirect handline above Willow Creek. Structure protection resources will remain in Willow Creek Subdivision with overnight staffing.
Evacuations: Level 3 “GO” Willow Creek Subdivision.
For more information: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61587055259089
Closures: A Fire Closure has been issued for Hummingbird Fire.
for closure order and map visit https://www.fs.usda.gov/r03/gila/alerts/forest-closure-hummingbird-fire
Weather: Winds are forecasted to be lighter over the fire today at 14 MPH with gusts up to 24 MPH along ridge tops. However, dry conditions with low relative humidities dipping down to 14%.
Safety: A Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) is over the Hummingbird Fire. Reminder a TFR is a No Drone Zone and If You Fly We Can’t.
Smoke: Smoke can be seen from multiple locations across to include Willow Creek Subdivision, Gila Cliff Dwellings, Gila Valley, Gila Cliff, Truth or Consequences and Silver City.
For more information visit: https://fire.airnow.gov/.
Fire Restrictions: Stage 1 Fire Restrictions in Effect
For more information visit: https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/gila/alerts-notices.
For more information: https://nmfireinfo.com/
Public Information Officer: 2026.hummingbird@firenet.gov
Inciweb: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/nmgnf-hummingbird-fire
Facebook: www.facebook.com/GilaNForest
New Mexico
NM State Ethics Commission files lawsuit against group behind Project Jupiter ads
DOÑA ANA COUNTY, N.M. (KRQE) – The New Mexico State Ethics Commission has filed a lawsuit against a group behind several advertisements for a controversial multi-billion-dollar data center claiming they violated state law.
The state claims in the lawsuit that Elevate New Mexico, a virginia based corporation, did not comply with the state’s Lobbyist Regulation Act. The State Ethics Commission claims Elevate New Mexico launched an undisclosed advertising campaign, that cost $2,500, to influence New Mexico Environment Department Sec. James Kenney to approve air permit applications for the construction of two natural-gas-fueled microgrid power plants associated with Project Jupiter, an AI data center in Doña Ana County.
The commission believes Elevate New Mexico acted as a lobbyist, but failed to disclose the required information about who is funding the ads. The commission has asked a judge to order the corporation to register the ad campaign as a lobbying effort with the Secretary of State and comply with disclosure requirements.
Click here to read the State Ethics Commission’s complaint.
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