New Mexico
Rio Rancho City Council votes on LEDA funding for potential rocket manufacturing facility
SANDOVAL COUNTY, N.M. (KRQE) – As a rocket manufacturing company considers Sandoval County for its newest facility, the Rio Rancho City Council approved funding to sweeten the deal. But councilors laid down some conditions that the company needs to meet.
During a meeting this week, some city councilors said they were left out of the loop during discussions with the California-based company, Castelion, on their potential plans. The concerns they brought up include water pollution, increased traffic, and the use of city resources like emergency responders. “I don’t really have the words for my frustration in that our public safety have not been at the forefront. I think a seat at the table is not enough,” said Nicole List, Rio Rancho City Councilor.
Castelion is considering Sandoval County as a site for a facility to make rockets and missiles, and a county in Arizona is also in the running.
So far, Sandoval County and state leaders have set aside financial incentives to encourage Castelion to pick New Mexico. “When they’re ready to make a final decision and make a final announcement for the project, the state, the county, the City of Rio Rancho now, everybody has done their part,” said Wayne John, Sandoval County manager.
Thursday night, it was Rio Rancho’s turn to vote on LEDA grant funding, as well as water use for the facility.
Councilors heard from those in favor of the facility and residents who worried about potential safety hazards. “Today, our country is severely significantly falling behind the Chinese and the Russians in the hypersonic race,” said Senator Jay Block (R-Rio Rancho).
“They want the Rio Rancho taxpayers, they’re asking us to build a road, send the water, and shoulder the long-term risks to our aquifer, our safety, our health, and possibly declining home values,” said Michael Farrell, a concerned resident.
City councilors said they were disappointed that they were not able to raise their concerns about the project earlier. They feared that once the facility is open, traffic will go through nearby neighborhoods, saying Paseo del Volcan needs to be extended to accommodate the increased flow. They also want more information on emergency planning, as Rio Rancho Fire Rescue would be responding to calls for the center.
After the discussion, councilors approved the resolution to provide LEDA funding to Castelion for the project. They amended the resolution to include a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) where the county, city, and State Fire Marshall would have an agreement on which agency is responsible for the facility emergency calls. They also wanted an agreement with Sandoval County on the construction of Paseo Del Volcan to accommodate Castelion traffic.
Another resolution was passed authorizing the city manager to negotiate water and possibly wastewater service with the company. Castelion has yet to make a final decision on the location for the facility.
CHAMA, N.M. – The Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad will begin its summer season on Tuesday, June 9, after the railroad delayed its opening due to drought and wildfire danger.
The season was initially set to begin on May 23. The Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad Commission said it would conduct a review on June 2 to determine if it was safe enough to begin operations.
“A sincere thank you to all our passengers and the communities in Chama and Antonito who have been so patient as we waited for conditions to improve,” said Eric Mason, CEO of the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad. “We are excited to welcome guests back aboard and hear the opening whistle signal the start of another memorable season.”
The railroad will hold a Grand Opening Celebration on Saturday, June 13, in Chama. The celebration will coincide with Chama Western Heritage Days, a community festival that weekend with live music, vendors, and rodeo competitions.
The railroad recently won USA TODAY’S poll for the best scenic train ride in the country. In celebration of the win, the railroad said passengers who book by June 7 ca receive a 25% discount on coach tickets for trips through August. Guests must redeem the offer by calling the railroad at 888-286-2737 using promo code USATODAY#1.
Tickets are also available for the first Dark Sky Train departures on June 12 from Chama and June 13 from Antonito. The dark sky trains include evening excursions led by international dark sky guides, and take passengers to secluded spots with minimal light pollution.
Native Vote 2026
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — A Laguna Pueblo woman is the front runner to be New Mexico’s next governor.
Shortly after polls closed Tuesday night, Deb Haaland was declared the winner over Bernalillo County district attorney Sam Bregman in the state’s semi-open Democratic Party primary. As of 11:00 p.m., Haaland carried support from 72% of the Democratic primary voters to Bregman’s 28%, according to unofficial results from the New Mexico Secretary of State.
“We’re showing everyone that a better future in New Mexico is possible,” she told supporters gathered in Albuquerque’s historic Old Town Plaza. “New Mexicans want a leader who will stand up for working people, and who is ready to take on Donald Trump. I proudly accept your nomination as a Democratic nominee.”
Haaland spoke for 13 minutes, at times through a scratchy throat that required her to pause for water breaks. “Excuse me, I’ve been talking with voters all day,” she said while grabbing a water bottle before hitting her campaign stump notes on affordability, health care and public safety.
She will face Republican Gregg Hull, a former mayor from suburban Rio Rancho that won his party’s three-way primary with 47% of the vote, according to unofficial results from the New Mexico Secretary of State.
Haaland will be the Democratic Party nominee in a state dominated at every level by Democrats, and is expected to be heavily favored in the general election. With that insight she said her campaign message does translate to Republicans and Independent voters.
“We want our kids to thrive. We want our kids to have a quality, public education. We want every New Mexican to have health care. Everybody wants to feel safe in their neighborhoods, and everybody wants to be able to afford to put a hot meal on their table every night and have a roof over their children’s heads,” she said. “Those issues transcend whatever political spectrum we’re trying to slice and dice people into.”
Shortly after the race was called, Haaland campaign staff, major donors, surrogates, and their families walked from a building on the west side of Albuquerque’s Old Town Plaza to the historic plaza core, where the Haaland campaign had set up a stage and reserved the entire plaza for its victory celebration.
“We are now witnessing history in the making,” New Mexico state Rep. Derrick Lente (Sandia Pueblo) said to supporters immediately after Haaland was declared the winner.
Denise Wilie (Dine) also joined the celebration of Haaland’s victory. Wilie said she worked on get-out-the-vote efforts with the Native American Voters Alliance in McKinley County.
“It just is so exhilarating to even think about, a woman and a Pueblo woman,” she said. “Indigenous all the way, is how I feel. I’m like, yes, let’s get more of our voices.”
Haaland was introduced by her two sisters and walked to the stage escorted by a mariachi band.
Speaking to reporters after the event Haaland reflected on voting for a Pueblo woman (herself) for governor.
“I got emotional, quite frankly, when I went to vote for myself because you do that when you’re a candidate,” she said. “We’ve never had a Native American governor in New Mexico. We’re a multicultural state. I think representation matters, especially in a political era such as this one. So, I’m really proud and honored to carry on the legacy of my ancestors, who worked so incredibly hard to make sure that I had a place here today.”
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