The Duke City Ledger is a passion project by concerned citizens of Albuquerque. We started it because traditional local media is shrinking, and what has filled the space does not cover what matters.
Social media now carries most of the local news people see. Much of it is fluff, or the same story passed around until nobody remembers where it started. We do not want to be a regurgitation site.
We are not here to replace or compete with traditional outlets. We want to add to what they do, not take their place. Their reporters are still the ones on the ground, and we respect that work.
What we do
We try to cover the things and angles no one else is. There will be overlap, but we promise to come in with a new perspective. Coverage of Blackstone and PNM has been widespread, for example, but we pointed out that Blackstone has never run a utility.
We do it with public information that most people do not know is available, and we package it so it is easy to take in and accurate: social posts, articles and interactive features on this site.
We are the nerds who read the financial statements, the city council members' websites and the bond measures. Frankly, we hate how they are written. They are confusing, and they do not need to be. There is power in information.
Every check the city writes. Every call police answer. What city jobs pay. What the state is asking PNM. What your bank is doing. It is all public record, and we read it and tell you what it means for a bill, a rent or a drive across town.
Who we are
More videos on TikTok.
What we publish
- Data and tools. Maps, charts and lookups built on public data, and regular snapshots of crime, 311 calls and city spending.
- Summaries. What happened at public meetings and in elections, in plain words.
- Facts and documents. When a reader sends a tip, or we spot something in the data, we look into it and publish what we found with the records behind it. The editor reviews every one.
- Analysis, opinion and explainers. Articles are labeled as analysis, what the records and data show, or opinion, the editor's view backed by research. Neutral explainers cover how things work.
The people of Albuquerque deserve fair, accurate, reliable news.
Outlets we support
Local reporters do work we could not. If you can, read them, subscribe and share their stories:
- KRQE
- KOB
- Santa Fe New Mexican
- Source NM
- Searchlight New Mexico
- City Desk ABQ
- NM Political Report
- Daily Lobo
- Rio Rancho Observer
- High Country News
Data we rely on
Everything here is public, and you can look at it yourself:
- City of Albuquerque open data: police calls, 311, city pay and travel
- New Mexico Secretary of State: election results and candidates
- U.S. Census Bureau: population, housing and income
- Federal Election Commission: campaign finance
- SEC EDGAR: company filings
- NCUA: credit union financials
How we pay for this
Right now the Ledger earns nothing and is entirely self-funded. We will open donations soon. We are also looking at ways to bring in money that help the community, not just us:
- Merch featuring local artists, with the revenue shared with them.
- Featured events.
- Tasteful ad spaces.
Anything paid is labeled as paid.
How we use AI
We know AI is a sensitive subject. We are committed to using it only where it helps readers, and we follow standards and guidelines when we do. Some people have taken a hard stance against anything AI. We understand, and we may not be for them.
Our standards explain the rest.
Do you have photos or music you would like us to use in articles or on social media? Email editor@dukecityledger.com.
Read our editorial standards. Other newsrooms: how to cite the Ledger.