During a Wednesday call with 20 Democrat governors, Joe Biden claimed that “he underwent a medical checkup after last week’s debate and is fine, according to three people with knowledge of the discussion,” per a Politico report.
However, the appointment was “a short checkup by a White House physician in the days following the debate due to lingering symptoms from his cold. The exam, that person added, was brief and did not include any major tests.”
The disastrous debate left Biden increasingly vulnerable, as Republican 45th President Donald Trump is now leading in many swing states, including New Mexico and Virginia, per leaked Democrat internal polling.
Politico noted that even Biden’s staunchest allies, such as New Mexico Democrat Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham, are beginning to cast doubt on Biden’s electability, even in New Mexico.
“Two Democratic governors — Michelle Lujan Grisham of New Mexico and Janet Mills of Maine — expressed concern to Biden over whether he could still win their blue-leaning states, describing them as competitive, two of the people with knowledge of the discussion said. In 2020, Biden won New Mexico by 11 percentage points and Maine by 9 points,” the report noted.
Lujan Grisham is a campaign surrogate for Biden, vowing she will “do everything I can” to stop Trump in 2024.
The concern from the far-left Democrat governor appears to show that the dam is breaking, even with Joe Biden’s staunchest supporters.
A new internal poll from Republican U.S. Senate candidate Nella Domenici’s campaign shows New Mexico is very much in play in November, with Republicans barely trailing Democrats. The poll, which was taken before Joe Biden’s disastrous debate performance, is great news for Republicans, who have not won a statewide New Mexico race in a decade.
The poll, reported by the National Journal, shows Domenici’s 42.2% barely trailing Heinrich’s 45.5% by 3.3%, while 9.7% remain undecided.
“In the presidential race, Joe Biden led Donald Trump in a theoretical head-to-head election in New Mexico, 49%-47%,” wrote the National Journal’s Zac Weisz.
Weisz noted that “this poll was taken before the debate (June 19-24). The poll includes 600 likely voters, and the margin of error was +/-4.0%”
A previous poll showed Domenici trailing Heinrich by single digits, validating that New Mexico is very much in play in 2024, with Democrats having a steep climb in the Land of Enchantment to cling to power.
Following the presidential debate, an “eye-popping” poll from CBS News/YouGov revealed that only 27% of respondents believed that Biden “possesses the necessary mental strength needed for the grueling duties of the commander-in-chief, marking a drop in the finding from just over two weeks ago (35% ‘does,’ to 65% ‘does not’),” as reported by the New York Post.
Democrats across the board have widely condemned Biden’s performance during the debate, with many, including the leftist New York Times, calling for his replacement on the ticket. The Biden White House has pushed back on the reports, affirming that the 81-year-old Democrat will remain on the Democrat Party’s presidential ticket in November.
As Americans brace for what could be the hottest summer on record, the personal finance website WalletHub has released its 2024 report on Energy Costs by State. This comprehensive study, along with expert commentary, sheds light on how energy bills vary across the country and what factors contribute to these differences.
According to WalletHub’s analysis, New Mexico stands out as the state with the lowest average monthly energy costs. Residents of New Mexico enjoy an average monthly energy bill of just $376, making it the most cost-effective state for energy consumption. This is in stark contrast to Wyoming, which tops the list with the highest average monthly energy bill of $1,591.
WalletHub’s report compares the average monthly energy bills in each of the 50 states using a special formula that considers various residential energy types, including electricity, natural gas, motor fuel, and home heating oil. Here’s a snapshot of the findings:
States with the Lowest Energy Costs:
New Mexico ($376)
Arizona ($400)
Kansas ($436)
Texas ($437)
Nebraska ($453)
Mississippi ($457)
Florida ($462)
Colorado ($470)
Louisiana ($474)
California ($476)
States with the Highest Energy Costs:
Wyoming ($1,591)
North Dakota ($840)
Iowa ($798)
Montana ($787)
Minnesota ($782)
Massachusetts ($759)
Connecticut ($750)
Alaska ($716)
South Dakota ($709)
Virginia ($694)
The report also highlights various interesting facts about energy consumption across the U.S. For instance, Hawaii has the lowest average monthly consumption of electricity per consumer, which is 3.1 times lower than in Louisiana, the highest. Moreover, Washington boasts the lowest average retail price for electricity, which is 4.2 times lower than Hawaii’s.
In terms of natural gas prices, Idaho residents enjoy the lowest average residential price, which is 7.2 times lower than in Hawaii. When it comes to motor fuel consumption, New York drivers use the least, averaging 2.9 times lower than drivers in Wyoming.
For a detailed look at the rankings and to view the full report, visit WalletHub’s Energy Costs by State 2024.
Expert Tips for Reducing Energy Costs
Experts from WalletHub offer valuable advice on lowering energy bills. A WalletHub analyst, Cassandra Happe points out that simple measures like using energy-efficient light bulbs and moderating air conditioning and heating use can make a difference. Additionally, considering energy costs when planning a move can help families save significantly on their monthly bills.
Steven Hegedus, a Senior Scientist at the Institute of Energy Conversion, University of Delaware, suggests practical tips such as drying clothes on a clothesline instead of using a dryer and conducting home energy audits to identify cost-effective improvements like added insulation and energy-efficient windows.
Justin Perryman, an Adjunct Professor at Washington University School of Law, emphasizes the importance of reducing energy usage and shopping around for lower electricity prices in deregulated markets. He also notes that tax deductions and credits can be effective incentives for households to adopt energy-efficient measures.
With these insights, residents across the U.S. can take steps to manage their energy consumption better and potentially lower their monthly energy costs.
All 29 individuals previously reported missing following the devastating wildfires in Ruidoso, New Mexico, have been located, according to the village’s mayor. “All the folks that we had on the missing list is now at zero,” Mayor Lynn Crawford announced at a community meeting regarding the South Fork and Salt fires.
Earlier this week, Mayor Crawford reported that over two dozen people were unaccounted for after the two wildfires, which erupted last week and led to the evacuation of the village, home to approximately 7,500 residents.
The fires, which have claimed two lives, have ravaged more than 25,000 acres in and around Ruidoso, as confirmed by New Mexico State Police. The blazes began on June 17 on the Mescalero Apache Reservation and spread eastward, driven by high temperatures and strong winds. The exact cause of the fires remains under investigation.
New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham reported that around 1,400 structures have been impacted, with an estimated 500 homes destroyed.
Urban search and rescue teams, utilizing 20 dogs trained to detect human remains, conducted secondary searches of the affected areas. “I’m happy to report we did not find any human remains,” stated Ernie Rhodes, the urban search and rescue operation chief for the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
Containment efforts have seen progress due to improved weather conditions, which have helped reduce fire activity. By Thursday, the South Fork Fire was 69% contained and the Salt Fire was 66% contained, as per the New Mexico Forestry Division’s daily update.
The community continues to recover from the extensive damage, with efforts ongoing to support those affected by the wildfires.
On Thursday night, Democrat Joe Biden suffered the greatest humiliation likely ever known to an incumbent White House occupant when taking the debate stage on CNN against 45th President Donald Trump, who came off strong against the feeble leftist, who struggled to form sentences and rambled incoherently on many topics. The network’s Dana Bash and Jake Tapper moderated the debate, following strict rules agreed upon by both candidates.
Following the bloodbath, New Mexico Democrats scrambled to attempt to salvage what they could of what Biden left them.
Far-left Democrat state Sen. Harold Pope tried to blame CNN for the fiasco, writing, “We should have had @KyleClark moderating this debate!”
The Democrat Party of New Mexico denied all reality, writing, “From highlighting historic infrastructure improvements to protecting fundamental abortion rights, President Joe Biden showed tonight that he continues to deliver landmark achievements that directly benefit New Mexican families and deserves another term.”
After Biden was annihilated on the stage over his abortion up-to-birth and after birth policies, Maryland-dwelling Sen. Martin Heinrich wrote, “Would take days to fact check them all but let me make clear that there is literally no such thing as an after-birth abortion.”
In New Mexico alone, abortion up-to-birth policies have left women maimed and even killed, while babies have been killed even after birth. Infanticide has happened inside and outside of abortion facilities, including children being born and left to die on delivery room tables (at UNM Hospital).
Heinrich’s communications director Caty Payette was also caught tweeting clips of the HBO show “Veep” during the debate, showing the show’s Vice President Selina Myers character saying, “What the f**k?”
Far-left Democrat Rep. Melanie Stansbury of New Mexico’s First District wrote, “Donald Trump. Bad for democracy and bad for America.”
While Trump trails Biden in New Mexico, polls indicate that he is within a single digit of the Democrat. With such a major freakout from Democrats after Thursday’s debate, it is clear the Land of Enchantment very well could be in play in November.
The National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC) has announced an initial ad buy of $45.7 million for the 2024 election cycle, with significant investments in New Mexico aimed at strengthening and expanding their House majority.
Specifically, the NRCC has allocated $2,043,200 for the Albuquerque media market (DMA) and $688,800 for the El Paso media market, which includes parts of southern New Mexico. This targeted investment underscores the NRCC’s strategic focus on New Mexico’s 2nd Congressional District (NM-02), which was identified as a key offensive opportunity back in March.
NRCC Chairman Richard Hudson highlighted the importance of these ads in addressing critical issues facing voters. “The NRCC committed from Day One to not just hold our majority, but go on offense to grow our majority – today we are putting our money where our mouth is,” Hudson stated. “This initial investment gives our candidates firepower to remind voters of the Biden border, crime, and inflation crises wreaking havoc on their daily lives. Extreme Democrats who enabled the chaos and malaise should polish up their resumes – they will be unemployed soon.”
The significant ad buy reflects the NRCC’s strategy to leverage media markets effectively to communicate their message and rally support for Republican candidates in critical districts. The focus on NM-02, in particular, indicates a concerted effort to reclaim and secure seats that are seen as vulnerable or pivotal for maintaining and growing their House majority.
As the 2024 election cycle progresses, these ad reservations mark the beginning of a broader campaign strategy aimed at addressing key voter concerns and drawing contrasts with Democratic incumbents.
For more details on the NRCC’s ad reservations and strategic plans, read the full memo here.
First Judicial District Court Judge Mary Marlowe Sommer is set to issue a written decision by Friday on Alec Baldwin’s final motion to dismiss the involuntary manslaughter charge stemming from the fatal on-set shooting of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins on October 21, 2021.
Last Friday, Judge Sommer rejected several motions from Baldwin’s defense team, including requests to exclude state witnesses, to dismiss the case for failing to state a criminal offense, and to grant use immunity for Rust armorer Hannah Gutierrez-Reed. The hearing resumed on Monday after technical issues delayed witness testimony.
The remaining motion concerns the defense’s claim of evidence destruction, specifically the gun Baldwin used during the incident. Defense attorney John Bash criticized the prosecutors’ actions, calling them “some of the most egregious conduct” he had ever encountered. He argued that the defense was denied the opportunity to examine the gun’s internal components or even review photographs of it.
“The idea of criminal prosecution is in a sense that the cards are stacked against the state, but now they’re stacked against the defense. They got to review the gun, we never will,” Bash stated, emphasizing the gun’s potential exculpatory value, which could support Baldwin’s claim that he did not pull the trigger. Bash contended that the state was aware of this potential value but did not inform the defense about the planned destruction of the evidence.
The defense also accused the prosecution of acting in “bad faith.” Bash revealed that the defense had only recently learned of an exculpatory report from firearms expert Lucien Haag. In his report, Haag mentioned diagonal toolmarks on the sear of the weapon, which might not have resulted from Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) testing. Haag’s testimony, which began on Friday and concluded on Monday, suggested a change in his opinion about the toolmarks after gaining more insight into the FBI’s accidental discharge test.
If the case is not dismissed, Bash requested the court to suppress all evidence related to Baldwin pulling the trigger or, alternatively, to suppress the examination and testing of the gun.
Special Prosecutor Erlinda Johnson countered the defense’s arguments, asserting that they failed to prove the gun’s “perceived exculpatory value” was evident to law enforcement, a necessary condition for dismissal.
“This gun appeared perfectly fine,” Johnson argued. “There seemed to be nothing wrong with it.”
She noted that law enforcement had not received any request from the defense to review the gun. Johnson added that Baldwin’s team still had other avenues to pursue their case, such as questioning the officers who seized the gun, the FBI official who tested it, or Haag. She acknowledged the failure to send Haag’s supplemental report as an “oversight” but denied it was exculpatory.
“In that report, he did not say there were modifications to this gun. He said there were diagonal toolmarks of an unknown origin. He doesn’t say the FBI testing doesn’t create these,” Johnson explained. “That does not equate to bad faith at all whatsoever. That’s a red herring that the defense is bringing before this court.”
Before the court recessed on Friday, Haag testified that after reviewing various reports, footage, and other evidence, the gun seemed to function “as intended and designed by the manufacturer.” FBI forensic examiner Bryce Ziegler also testified, stating that prior to the accidental discharge test using a rawhide mallet, he performed several other functionality tests and found “no apparent damage or modifications that would’ve rendered this firearm unsafe.”
Jury selection for Baldwin’s trial is scheduled to begin on July 9, with the trial itself starting on July 10. If convicted, Baldwin faces up to 18 months in prison.
The southern border crisis has reached a critical point, particularly in areas where New Mexico, Texas, and Mexico converge. Dubbed “America’s border graveyard” by the Daily Mail, this region has seen an alarming number of illegal immigrant deaths, exacerbated by extreme heat and harsh desert conditions.
The El Paso Sector of the US Border Patrol has already recorded 82 deaths this fiscal year, a sharp increase from 50 deaths at the same time last year, with expectations of setting a grim record for fatalities in the region, which encompasses West Texas and southern New Mexico.
As temperatures in the Chihuahua Desert soar into the triple digits, rescuers find migrants in dire conditions, often with bodies too hot to touch without protective gloves. Border Patrol spokesman Claudio Herrera highlighted the escalating danger, stating, “The numbers are increasing, temperatures are rising. We’re seeing triple digits constantly,” underscoring the perilous journey migrants undertake.
The summer heat has just begun, and already, the toll on human life is severe. A humanitarian worker, James Holeman, described the desperate situation: “It’s horrible. It’s really, really bad.” His organization, Battalion Search and Rescue, has been actively locating the remains of illegal immigrants who succumbed to the harsh conditions. In the first ten days of June alone, they found ten bodies. The challenge is further compounded by the fact that over half of the deceased are women, a higher proportion than seen along any other part of the US-Mexico border.
In response to the crisis, first responders have resorted to using ice baths as a last-ditch effort to save illegal immigrants on the brink of death from heat exposure. Captain Abraham Garcia of the Sunland Park Fire Department explained the severity of the situation: “We know that they are at 104, 105. We know that they are cooking internally. The brain starts malfunctioning. They have four or five minutes with brain damage, so we want to cool them as fast as we can.”
Illegal immigrants crossing into this part of the US often face brutal conditions even before they reach the border. Smugglers, or “polleros,” frequently abuse, dehydrate, and starve them, forcing them to endure perilous conditions without adequate preparation.
Once in the US, many illegal immigrants are left to navigate treacherous terrain, including the dangerous Mount Cristo Rey, with limited food and water. Their guides abandon The unlucky ones and leave them to face the elements alone.
The FBI has acknowledged the broader implications of this border crisis, noting an increase in crime throughout New Mexico. Special Agent in Charge Raul Bujanda of the FBI’s Albuquerque field office linked the surge in violence, drug trafficking, and overdoses directly to border security challenges. He emphasized the organized nature of illegal crossings, where illegal immigrants are often exploited by criminals who demand payment for passage into the US.
“If we’re not addressing from where it starts to where it ends and to where it continues to go then we’re missing a big part of it,” said Bujanda. “Part of the problem that we have on the New Mexico side is we have an incomplete border. There is no structure that separates our country from Mexico.”
As illegals continue to face life-threatening conditions, the resources of local emergency services are stretched thin. The Sunland Park Fire Department, with just 24 members, is frequently called to rescue illegal immigrants in distress, diverting resources from serving the local community. Despite these efforts, the true scale of the crisis may be vastly underestimated, with many bodies never recovered from the desert’s unforgiving expanse.
Following the report from the Daily Mail, National Republican Congressional Committee Spokeswoman Delanie Bomar said, “Gabe Vasquez doesn’t take the death and destruction from the border crisis seriously. New Mexicans deserve to be represented by someone who shares their values, and by ignoring the pain at the border, Gabe has shown he is clearly unfit to serve border communities.”
The humanitarian and security crisis at the border underscores the urgent need for comprehensive solutions that address both immediate and long-term challenges as the toll on human life and community resources continues to mount. However, Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham remains the only border state governor to refuse aid via the National Guard or other means to stem the flow of illegal immigration, fentanyl, and crime associated with the wide-open border.
In a Sunday interview on CBS’ “Face the Nation” with Margaret Brennan, far-left Democrat Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham addressed a range of pressing issues in her state, from natural disasters to immigration and reproductive rights. However, her comments on these topics have drawn criticism, particularly regarding her stance on abortion and border security.
The interview began shortly talking about the fires ravaging New Mexico, with the governor mentioning working with the Biden regime, saying, “And I have to say, the Biden administration has really pushed through these emergency declarations quickly so that we can get families back on their feet.” This comment comes despite Biden waiting nearly a week to declare an emergency to unlock federal funds to help. However, a majority of the Face The Nation interview focused on the border and abortion.
Brennan then asked her, “I wonder if all of this excessive heat is affecting the migrants crossing in from Mexico?”
“So we haven’t seen the kind of surges outside of the ports of entry that folks in other states have seen… But right now, we’re focused on the security aspects announced by the Biden administration,” she responded.
Despite being a border state governor, she has refused to put any state resources to help stem the tide of illegal immigration, the only governor to completely shun the border crisis. Even Democrat Govs. Gavin Newsom of California and Katie Hobbs of Arizona have deployed resources to fight illegal immigration and the flow of deadly fentanyl.
Instead, Lujan Grisham dismissed the crisis, trying to say “everywhere else around the country” suffers from this issue, too.
“Make no mistake, New Mexico, just like everywhere else around the country, suffers from the number of drugs, guns, and related nefarious issues that are exacerbated by not having people in the right places at the border,” she said, despite deploying any resources to the border.
Brennan asked further, “It sounds like you could even use more (resources) than that. I know you were here in Washington with the president when he signed that executive order that restricted the ability to claim asylum for those crossing in between ports of entry. You know, some of your fellow Democrats were very critical of that, saying it undermines American values. Why are they wrong?”
“Well, they’re not wrong. I mean, frankly, the President then did a- a balanced approach, when he’s creating protections and work opportunities for undocumented families, part of a legal right, a US citizen is married to someone who’s undocumented, or as other extended family members and DACA recipients and dreamers can now get protections,” she responded, applauding Biden’s efforts to attempt to legalize more criminal aliens who broke the law by entering the country illegally.
Lujan Grisham then tried to take a shot at Trump after Brennan pressed her on why the ACLU is suing Biden for border policies, responding, “We’re making it really clear you can come through a port of entry. I have a president that unlike Congress, including when I was in Congress, it is willing to focus on security, fairness, whether that’s in one or two different decisions, and creating, I hope, a pathway for Congress to stop listening to a candidate (Trump) who continues to try to score political points, instead of solve problems for states like mine, and American families, he’s doing both.”
In 2019, when Lujan Grisham yanked all state resources from helping with the border crisis, she said, “I reject the federal contention that there exists an overwhelming national security crisis at the Southern border,” adding that the deadly area has “some of the safest communities in the country.” She also labeled the focus on solving the crisis as a “charade of border fear-mongering.”
When discussing abortion rates in New Mexico, where 21,000 babies were killed last year, 14,000 of them being from Texas, Lujan Grisham doubled down on abortion up-to-birth policies enacted by her administration and the Democrat-ruled Legislature. Lujan Grisham defended the state’s abortion up-to-birth policies, attributing rising abortion rates to barriers faced by women.
“I think there are more abortions happening because more women are at risk, which means they can’t get into a provider, they can’t get prenatal care,” she complained, despite her administration helping purge access to doctors in New Mexico by raising medical malpractice rates, which resulted in providers fleeing New Mexico to states like Texas, where they are not hostile to doctors, while also supporting the right to life with life-affirming policies.
“You create a draconian situation; you’re going to increase risk at every single place,” Lujan Grisham claimed. In New Mexico, the “draconian” abortion up-to-birth policies have left women maimed and even killed, while babies have been killed even after birth. Infanticide has happened inside and outside of abortion facilities, including children being born and left to die on delivery room tables (at UNM Hospital) or children being born and killed by their mothers, such as what happened at Artesia Hospital in 2023.
As Gov. Lujan Grisham navigates ongoing emergencies in New Mexico, her mishandling has been criticized by all sides, including Democrats, as she continues to finish her final term as governor.
The two wildfires near Ruidoso, New Mexico, continue to wreak havoc, burning thousands of acres and displacing thousands of residents. The fires, which ignited on June 17, have forced about 8,000 people to evacuate and have led to road closures in the Village of Ruidoso and Ruidoso Downs. According to the Village of Ruidoso, approximately 1,400 structures have been lost to the flames.
The South Fork Fire is currently burning on Mescalero Tribal land, U.S. Forest Service land, and areas surrounding Ruidoso, while the Salt Fire is active on the Mescalero Reservation. The fires have caused significant damage, prompting the FBI to offer a $10,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible for starting the fires.
“The FBI is offering a reward of up to $10,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for starting the fires,” officials from the FBI Albuquerque Division stated in a news release on June 22. This marks the first time law enforcement has suggested that arson could be the cause of the devastating fires.
Residents of Ruidoso are set to return to their homes on Monday, June 24, as containment numbers for both fires increase. However, only local, full-time residents will be permitted to return at this time, and they are advised to bring at least a week’s worth of food and drinking water since grocery stores are not fully operational. Many returning residents will find their homes without electricity, gas, or water.
The containment efforts show varying degrees of success. The South Fork Fire has burned 16,614 acres with 26% containment, while the Salt Fire has scorched 7,652 acres and is only 7% contained. These numbers, provided by the Village of Ruidoso, indicate ongoing challenges for firefighting crews. Over 1,000 personnel are engaged in combating the fires, using hand tools, hoses, and machinery to build firelines and prevent further spread.
Utility outages persist in the affected areas, impacting communication and complicating efforts to reach residents and visitors. Despite rumors, an official update confirmed that the Albertsons Market in Ruidoso has not burned down but remains closed due to evacuation guidelines.
The fires have claimed at least two lives. Authorities found the skeletal remains of one individual in the driver’s seat of a burned vehicle, and another victim was found near the Swiss Chalet Inn, which was destroyed by the fire.
The FBI’s involvement underscores the severity and suspected criminal nature of the situation. “The FBI is assisting our local, state, federal, and tribal partners in the ongoing investigation of the fires near Ruidoso, NM,” officials said. “We are asking for the public’s assistance in identifying the cause of these fires.”
Anyone with information about the fires is urged to contact the FBI at 1-800-225-5324 or submit tips online at tips.fbi.gov. Additionally, people can text “BIAMMU” to 847411, followed by “MESCALERO FIRE + the tip,” or simply text “BIAMMU” with the tip information.
While natural causes like lightning and downed power lines are common sources of wildfires, human activities such as unattended campfires can also spark fires. The FBI’s reward aims to uncover whether human negligence or intentional actions are behind the Ruidoso fires, bringing justice and preventing future tragedies.
The fight against these wildfires continues as firefighters work tirelessly to protect homes, lives, and the environment from further destruction.