The 528 launched in 2026 as a nonprofit project of NMreports.org to fill the gap in city hall accountability coverage left from newsroom layoffs across the city.

With new city leadership and bigger economic challenges, we looked for a way to make 528 a permanent part of Rio Rancho’s information network.

When we learned The Paper. was expanding to Rio Rancho we teamed up, giving us bigger reach online and, now, a permanent weekly home in print.

Reader donations to The 528 directly support the journalists covering local government — and it’s all available for free to readers and other newsrooms thanks you reader and sponsor support.