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MLG dumps millions on Breaking Bad-themed anti-litter campaign: Report

14 Comments / New Mexico, News, Politics / By

Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham’s $3.6 million “Breaking Bad Habits” anti-littering campaign, featuring actor Bryan Cranston, has garnered attention for its creative approach to a persistent issue in New Mexico. 

According to the Santa Fe New Mexican:

More than $2.4 million in media buys, from bus wraps and billboards to commercials on TV and various social media platforms, accounts for the bulk of the highly visible campaign. The campaign started with a total budget of $3 million, but an additional $640,000 was spent on more media buys.

Invoices and other documents obtained under a public records request show a $20,000 contract “furnishing the services of Bryan Cranston.” During a meet-and-greet with Cranston at the governor’s mansion, also in October, Cranston said he volunteered to appear in the campaign but explained “must be paid through [his] union” whenever he’s on camera. At the time, Cranston said he had donated the money to two “New Mexico-centric charities.”

While the campaign has reportedly led to over 100 cleanup events and the collection of thousands of trash bags statewide, critics question the substantial expenditure on marketing and celebrity involvement, especially when juxtaposed with other pressing needs in the state.

This initiative is part of a broader pattern of spending decisions by the governor that have raised eyebrows. In 2020, Lujan Grisham spent nearly $13,500 from a taxpayer-funded expense account on items including groceries, alcohol, and dry cleaning. Notably, over $6,500 was allocated for groceries and alcohol, with purchases such as Wagyu beef and high-end liquor. The governor later expressed regret over these expenditures, acknowledging that “more was purchased than what was necessary.” 

A recent report showed that she just recently spent an additional $96,000 on lavish expenditures —all funded by taxpayers. 

Further scrutiny arose when it was revealed that the governor’s office used state funds to cover costs for a political event at the governor’s mansion in October 2022. Although the campaign reimbursed the state $1,837 for the expenses, the incident highlighted concerns about the use of public funds for political purposes .

Additionally, an audit by the Office of the State Auditor found that the New Mexico Environment Department, under the governor’s administration, spent over $29,000 on business-class flights to Australia for a summit, a 600% increase from the initial cost estimates. The auditor deemed this a “clear case of waste of public resources.”

These instances, among others, have led to growing concerns about fiscal responsibility and the prioritization of state funds. While initiatives like the anti-littering campaign aim to address genuine issues, the associated costs and the pattern of questionable expenditures suggest a need for greater transparency and accountability in the governor’s spending decisions.

MLG dumps millions on Breaking Bad-themed anti-litter campaign: Report Read More »

SOS stumbles through podcast—trashes voter ID while hinting at political future

23 Comments / Editorial, New Mexico, News, Politics / By

In yet another display of arrogance and dishonesty, New Mexico Secretary of State Maggie Toulouse Oliver took to the Santa Fe New Mexican’s Around the Roundhouse podcast with reporter Daniel Chacón this week to once again incoherently peddle her far-left talking points—doubling down on her tired claim that New Mexico’s elections are “secure” and launching another baseless attack on commonsense voter ID laws, while struggling to formulate coherent answers, filling in inarticulate responses with “um,” “you know,” and so many other filler words to string together what barely passed as adequate replies.

Toulouse Oliver, who’s held office since 2016 thanks to a cushy political machine, wasted no time patting herself on the back for what she called New Mexico’s “number one” election integrity ranking, a laughable assertion given the state’s lax election security and refusal to adopt meaningful safeguards. While conservative states across the country have enacted voter ID laws to prevent fraud and bolster public trust, Toulouse Oliver continued to insist, despite mounting evidence to the contrary, that voter ID requirements are unnecessary.

“If you show me a problem, I will help advocate for the solution,” she declared, dismissing the very real concerns of voters who have repeatedly pointed to gaps in election security. Toulouse Oliver had the audacity to claim that voter impersonation is “extremely rare” and that enforcing ID laws is a “huge barrier” that risks disenfranchising voters. Her favorite excuse? That people might “forget” their ID, or that a poor record-keeping clerk might make a typo—arguments so flimsy they wouldn’t pass muster in a freshman debate class.

Her hostility toward voter ID and other election integrity measures is nothing new. During the podcast, she boasted about New Mexico joining lawsuits against the Trump administration for pushing election security reforms, calling the president’s efforts an “overreach” and whining about supposed “unfunded mandates.” Never mind that these are basic protections to ensure only eligible voters cast ballots—something any reasonable American would support.

Not surprisingly, Toulouse Oliver painted herself as a long-suffering public servant battling “misinformation” and “conspiracy theories,” conveniently ignoring that mistrust in elections has skyrocketed under her watch. Her solution? More tech upgrades and expanding vote-by-mail, despite glaring vulnerabilities exposed nationwide.

The Secretary also couldn’t resist hinting at her political ambitions. While playing coy about her next move, she floated finishing her PhD or potentially running for another office after her current term ends, the mark of her continued penchant to cling to power. She told Chacón, “Um, but you know, I’m still waiting to see, kind of, what the universe has … to offer up, and and um, I’ll just say never say never to running for future office. But, you know, I’m at the point where, you know, it will be 20 years in public service. And that — that’s a long career in public service.” She previously unsuccessfully ran for U.S. Senate against then-U.S. Rep. Ben Ray Luján, who ended up being elected U.S. senator. 

Even more concerning is Toulouse Oliver’s push for automatic voter registration—another way to inflate the rolls and weaken safeguards. Starting this summer, every New Mexican visiting the Motor Vehicle Division will be automatically registered to vote unless they actively opt out, further eroding the integrity of the process. She also advocated for voters who refuse to select a party affiliation, meddling in Republican, Democrat, and Libertarian Party primaries. 

As New Mexico stares down crucial upcoming elections, Toulouse Oliver’s podcast appearance was a reminder of what happens when radical Democrats are allowed to run elections unchecked: endless excuses, no accountability, and policies that put partisan gain above secure, fair elections. Voters should be more vigilant than ever.

With Toulouse Oliver’s track record of opposing voter ID, expanding ballot access without adequate safeguards, and cozying up to left-wing activist groups, New Mexicans have every reason to be alarmed—and to demand better.

SOS stumbles through podcast—trashes voter ID while hinting at political future Read More »

New records: MLG blew $96K on parties, perks while New Mexicans struggled

7 Comments / New Mexico, News, Politics / By

New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham has once again shown where her true priorities lie—blowing more than $96,000 of taxpayer money last year on extravagant personal perks and frivolous entertainment, all under the guise of “official obligations,” according to public records obtained by Target 7.

The spending spree—technically allowed under a sweeping state statute—has raised serious red flags among watchdog groups who warn that this type of unchecked spending is a blatant misuse of public funds. Instead of directing resources toward meaningful state needs, Lujan Grisham funneled money into fine dining, alcohol, and even badminton sets, highlighting a growing pattern of misplaced priorities in her administration.

Fine wine, posh parties, and party trinkets

Among the most galling expenditures: $6,400 blown on a Zozobra-themed bash, over $4,000 for a catered event at the ultra-upscale Sazón restaurant, and purchases at a high-end Santa Fe wine shop. That’s not to mention eyebrow-raising buys like Miller Lite, Tootsie Rolls, and party decorations—hardly essentials for running a state government. The governor’s office even used public money to pay Santa Fe’s 10-cent bag fee, a virtue-signaling tax Lujan Grisham herself championed as part of her so-called environmental initiatives.

Records also reveal badminton sets were bought with taxpayer funds—yet another trivial purchase that raises questions about the seriousness with which the governor treats public money.

Power the Future, a group critical of the governor’s energy policies, obtained the records via public request and found that some of these events weren’t even listed on Lujan Grisham’s public calendar. One pricey gathering—costing over $1,400—was held on a “personal day,” while another catered dinner for just five people ahead of Thanksgiving tallied more than $1,000.

The loophole that keeps on giving

Despite public outrage, legal analysts note that the spending skirts the edges of legality thanks to a conveniently vague law. In 2018, the legislature authorized the governor’s contingency fund for undefined “obligations of the governor’s office,” leaving the door wide open for abuse.

“It’s somewhat vague,” said KOAT legal analyst John Day. “It doesn’t say you can’t use these funds for X, Y, or Z. It just says the governor can use it to operate the office.”

This isn’t the first time a governor has drawn scrutiny over use of the fund. Former Gov. Susana Martinez famously used it for a pizza party that spiraled into scandal when guests were caught throwing bottles off a balcony. But while Lujan Grisham’s spending may appear more polished on the surface, critics warn that it’s no less concerning in terms of transparency and accountability.

A disappearing act for accountability

Paul Gessing of the Rio Grande Foundation underscored the deeper issue: the lack of robust oversight. “The governor and anybody who has this contingency fund could abuse that privilege,” Gessing noted. “And how you track that needs to be improved.”

Notably, while Martinez’s administration budgeted $70,000 for the fund, Lujan Grisham upped it to $96,000—and then conveniently shifted that line item out of sight. In 2022, the specific contingency fund line was absorbed into a murkier budget category labeled simply “Other,” allowing even less visibility into how taxpayer money is being spent.

According to her office, the fund remains intact but is now part of a general pot for various “operational expenses.” A spokesperson dismissed concerns, saying, “events at the mansion often occur spontaneously,” and that the governor is “almost always working in some fashion, regardless of whether her schedule indicates personal time.”

Optics matter—even if the dollar amount doesn’t

While the $96,000 blown by Lujan Grisham may seem like a drop in the bucket of New Mexico’s $10.8 billion budget, Gessing rightly points out that the symbolism matters. “It’s not a huge amount of money,” he said, “but it says a lot about the governor—whoever that governor is.”

In Lujan Grisham’s case, it says plenty: taxpayers are footing the bill for her lavish tastes and lack of financial restraint—while real issues in New Mexico remain neglected.

New records: MLG blew $96K on parties, perks while New Mexicans struggled Read More »

Feds crush ‘historic’ ABQ-centered drug empire: Millions in drugs, cash seized

22 Comments / New Mexico, News, Politics / By

A sprawling fentanyl trafficking network stretching from Albuquerque to Salem, Oregon, has been shattered by federal authorities in what’s being called one of the largest operations of its kind in U.S. history.

The takedown, made public this week, culminated in a massive sweep across New Mexico, Arizona, Nevada, Utah, and Oregon. Federal agents with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration seized staggering amounts of contraband: over 4 million fentanyl pills, $4.4 million in cash, 79 pounds of meth, along with heroin, cocaine, and more than 41 firearms, according to records from the U.S. District Court in Albuquerque.

At the helm of this massive enterprise, prosecutors say, was Heriberto Salazar Amaya, apprehended in Portland, Oregon. Five others are already in custody in Albuquerque, following a 12-count grand jury indictment against 14 suspects. The sweeping charges include conspiracy, drug distribution, and employing an illegal alien.

“Defendants ran a continuing criminal enterprise … and they did so across a large swath of the United States,” prosecutors stated in a motion pushing for continued detention of the suspects. The court filing, which included charts highlighting drug overdose spikes in the affected states, described the operation as devastating. Three defendants in Albuquerque have already been ordered held without bail, with more hearings to come.

“The nature and circumstances of the conspiracy are sobering,” the motion emphasized. “The destruction that occurred in New Mexico, Arizona, Utah, Nevada and Colorado at the hands of the (Heriberto Salazar Amaya drug trafficking organization) mandate that defendants remain in custody pending trial.” Prosecutors didn’t mince words, accusing the group of “terrorizing five states while operating one of the largest fentanyl (drug trafficking organizations) in history.”

On Wednesday, defendants Cesar Acuna-Morena, Vincent Montoya, and David Altimirano Lopez appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Karen Molzen in Albuquerque, all pleading not guilty. Fellow defendants Bruce Sedillo and David Anesi are also behind bars as the case moves forward.

Court documents noted that multiple defendants are Mexican nationals with “direct ties to Mexico,” though officials declined to provide further details this week.

The DEA’s probe dates back to 2024 and involved extensive tactics: surveillance, undercover buys, vehicle tracking, financial investigations, and intercepted communications.

According to prosecutors, the organization ran a slick and disciplined operation. Orders were placed and quickly dispatched by a fleet of couriers who followed detailed daily routes to deliver bulk shipments across cities including Denver, Phoenix, Las Vegas, Salem, and Layton, Utah.

Monday’s Albuquerque raids uncovered shocking hauls: hundreds of thousands of fentanyl pills stuffed in bins inside a storage unit, and at a residence tied to Montoya, agents found $300,000 in cash, 365,000 fentanyl pills, meth, cocaine, and 39 guns—including a high-powered sniper rifle.

Feds crush ‘historic’ ABQ-centered drug empire: Millions in drugs, cash seized Read More »

Vasquez brags about voting against ‘Laken Riley Act’ at town hall

29 Comments / New Mexico, News, Politics / By

New Mexico Democrat Rep. Gabe Vasquez is facing sharp criticism after touting his vote against the Laken Riley Act and attacking President Donald Trump’s immigration policies during an April 16 town hall event.

At the meeting, Vasquez proudly announced his opposition to the legislation, which was signed into law by Trump on January 29. “I did. I voted against [the bill],” Vasquez declared to cheers from the audience. He added, “Because due process is a fundamental part of who we are as Americans,” attempting to frame his opposition as a defense of constitutional rights — despite the clear public safety concerns the bill sought to address.

The Laken Riley Act was crafted following the brutal murder of 22-year-old nursing student Laken Riley, who was killed while jogging in Athens, Georgia, by an illegal immigrant. The law requires the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to detain illegal aliens arrested or charged with violent crimes, closing dangerous loopholes in immigration enforcement.

Vasquez’s comments did not stop there. He went on to criticize Trump’s deportation policies, specifically lamenting the removal of Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a suspected MS-13 gang member and illegal immigrant. Vasquez claimed the deportations are “testing and stretching the fabric of our democracy to a place we have never seen before,” suggesting that American citizens could someday face similar removal if Trump’s policies are allowed to continue.

Meanwhile, data released by DHS in March shows Trump’s administration has ramped up immigration enforcement, leading to a 627% increase in monthly arrests compared to the Biden administration’s lax record the year prior. Vasquez’s comments have been picked up in the national press, including by Fox News.

Republicans swiftly pushed back on Vasquez’s stance. Texas Republican Rep. Tony Gonzales, whose district includes the largest stretch of the U.S.-Mexico border, defended the Laken Riley Act, telling Fox News Digital, “Border security is a real and lasting issue as a result of four years of inaction under President Biden. That’s why Americans voted for safer communities and to restore law and order, and President Trump is delivering on that promise with legislation like the Laken Riley Act.”

National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC) spokesman Zach Bannon also weighed in, slamming Vasquez’s repeated prioritization of illegal immigrants over American citizens. “Time and time again, out-of-touch Democrat Gabe Vasquez chooses to prioritize criminal illegal aliens over the well-being of hardworking New Mexicans,” Bannon said. “He’s completely abandoned common sense, pandering to the radical left while betraying the very people who will vote him out of office next year.”

Abrego Garcia, whom Vasquez defended, had been living in Maryland before his deportation to El Salvador’s Terrorism Confinement Center (CECOT) — a facility built to house violent gang members. He was previously pulled over in an SUV tied to another illegal immigrant arrested for human smuggling.

Under Trump’s leadership, immigration enforcement is once again being taken seriously — a sharp contrast to Vasquez’s radical pro-illegal immigration stance.

With public outrage growing over crimes committed by illegal immigrants, Vasquez’s celebration of his vote against the Laken Riley Act may well become a major liability heading into the 2026 election cycle.

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New Mexico one of the worst states for working moms: Report

2 Comments / New Mexico, News, Politics / By

As Mother’s Day approaches, a new WalletHub report reveals troubling news for New Mexico’s working mothers. In its 2025 Best & Worst States for Working Moms rankings, the Land of Enchantment placed an alarming 47th out of 51, one of the worst showings in the nation.

WalletHub’s study evaluated all 50 states and the District of Columbia using 17 key indicators of work-life balance, child-care access, and professional opportunities for women. Metrics included the female unemployment rate, child-care costs relative to income, and the availability of childcare services. New Mexico’s poor performance reflects serious and persistent problems for working families across the state.

The findings come at a time when 74% of women with children under 18 are participating in the workforce nationally. However, in New Mexico, where Democrat politicians have dominated state government for nearly 90 years, outcomes for working mothers continue to lag far behind national averages. High poverty rates, low median wages for women, subpar public school performance, and limited access to quality child care contribute to the state’s dismal ranking.

States that ranked highest for working mothers, such as Massachusetts and Connecticut, boasted stronger educational systems, better economic opportunities, and more accessible child care. Meanwhile, New Mexico’s decades of single-party leadership have coincided with economic stagnation, poor educational outcomes, and policies that have failed to create a thriving environment for working families.

Despite promises over the years to improve conditions for women and families, New Mexico continues to face some of the nation’s highest child poverty rates and one of the weakest labor force participation rates among women.

Even as other states have expanded opportunities through private-sector growth and educational choice, New Mexico has mainly remained tethered to government-driven solutions that have shown limited success.

The WalletHub report serves as a stark reminder that political leadership matters when it comes to the economic well-being of families. After nearly a century of Democrat rule, New Mexico working mothers are still waiting for meaningful improvements that would allow them to balance career ambitions with raising a family.

To view the full rankings and methodology, visit WalletHub’s website here.

New Mexico one of the worst states for working moms: Report Read More »

Dead baby found in dumpster after NM Dems kill safe haven bill again

11 Comments / New Mexico, News, Politics / By

In a horrifying and heartbreaking development, a newborn was found dead in a dumpster in Albuquerque this week, marking yet another preventable tragedy in New Mexico’s growing list of infant abandonments.

This shocking discovery comes on the heels of several high-profile cases, including the 2022 viral footage of Alexis Avila discarding her infant into a dumpster in Hobbs and the 2023 case of Alexee Trevizo, charged with murder after her newborn was discovered in a hospital trash can in Artesia. Since 2019, New Mexico has recorded at least five such cases—each one stirring public outrage, but little to no action from state lawmakers.

Authorities are now investigating the Albuquerque case, while local officials scramble to respond by considering the installation of a Safe Haven Baby Box—an anonymous, secure surrender site for parents in crisis.

“We are working on it and looking at all the options to get these installed,” said Bernalillo County Fire Department spokesperson William Harris to KOAT 7 News. “We all have our bleeding hearts, and we want these babies to be safe.”

But the grim truth is that this could have been avoided. For five consecutive legislative sessions, the Democrat-controlled New Mexico Legislature has refused to pass legislation that would allow Safe Haven Baby Boxes to be installed statewide. These boxes have saved lives elsewhere and have already proven successful in places like Hobbs and Belen.

“We are hearing of newborns abandoned in the trash every year in New Mexico—yet the Democrat majority in our legislature refuses to pass a law expanding access to Safe Haven Baby Boxes statewide,” said Elisa Martinez, Executive Director of the New Mexico Alliance for Life. “We are dealing with a death cult in the New Mexico legislature that has no value for life before or after birth. The same legislators [who] support abortion up to the moment of birth for any reason are also responsible for blocking the Safe Haven Baby Box bill. How many innocent babies must die alone in a [trash can] before they act?”

In contrast, local efforts have stepped up where the state has failed. Hobbs has seen three safe surrenders in just the past 18 months, and in one touching case, a Belen firefighter who witnessed a baby’s surrender adopted the child shortly thereafter.

“Safe Haven Baby Boxes provide a safe, anonymous way for mothers to surrender infants,” said Sen. David Gallegos (R-Eunice). “Every year, Democrats offer a new excuse to block this life-saving and compassionate bill that has nothing to do with abortion. They’ve controlled both houses of the legislature for nearly a decade, and still—every year—we hear a new excuse.”

Safe Haven Baby Boxes have no connection to abortion and offer a life-affirming, confidential way for desperate parents to ensure their child is cared for. The devices are installed in fire stations and hospitals, alerting personnel the moment a baby is placed inside so the infant can receive immediate care.

As another child is lost to abandonment, the New Mexico Alliance for Life is renewing its call for urgent legislative action.

“This is a matter of life and death,” said Martinez. “It’s time for lawmakers to stop playing politics and start protecting the most innocent among us.”

Unless the Democrat majority relents and allows this life-saving measure to move forward, New Mexico risks repeating this cycle of tragedy again and again.

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NM makes national headlines after Dem judge tied to gang suspect resigns

35 Comments / New Mexico, News, Politics / By

Doña Ana County Magistrate Judge Joel Cano has officially resigned amid swirling controversy surrounding a federal investigation into a Venezuelan national linked to a violent transnational gang who was arrested at the judge’s Las Cruces home.

Cano, who has served on the bench since 2011, submitted his resignation on March 3 without citing a reason. However, the move came just days after federal agents raided a property owned by Cano and his wife, Nancy, arresting 23-year-old Cristhian Ortega-Lopez, a man currently facing federal firearm charges and under scrutiny for alleged ties to the notorious Tren de Aragua gang. The case has since drawn national attention, with outlets such as Fox News, Newsweek, The Daily Caller, and New York Post picking up the story. Even the British Daily Mail has reported on the incident.

In his resignation letter, Cano wrote, “Working with each of you has been a very rewarding experience for which I will remain eternally grateful.” His last day on the job was March 21, the same day he held his final hearings, according to court records.

The arrest has ignited concern over how a man accused of gang affiliation and illegal firearm possession came to reside on property owned by a sitting judge. Homeland Security Investigations executed a search warrant on Feb. 28 at the Cano residence, where Ortega-Lopez was found. Agents also retrieved four firearms from a nearby house owned by April Cano, Nancy Cano’s daughter, according to court documents.

A criminal complaint alleges that Ortega-Lopez admitted to handling and firing these weapons, and prosecutors presented social media images allegedly showing him posing with the firearms. In one of the exhibits introduced in court, Ortega-Lopez is even pictured alongside Judge Cano.

The Venezuelan national, who is in the U.S. unlawfully, was charged with being an alien in possession of firearms and ammunition, a felony that could carry up to 15 years in federal prison. He was previously caught by Border Patrol agents after crossing the southern border near Eagle Pass, Texas, but was released due to overcrowding and placed on humanitarian parole, according to federal records.

Prosecutors assert that Ortega-Lopez poses both a flight risk and a threat to public safety. “He is believed to have ties to the Tren de Aragua,” a criminal organization originating in Venezuela, prosecutors argue in motions to keep him detained without bond.

Court records reveal that Ortega-Lopez moved to El Paso and then to Las Cruces, where he met Nancy Cano while working construction jobs. She reportedly offered him housing in a detached casita behind the Cano residence. He listed the address in a 2024 immigration relief application.

Further troubling for federal prosecutors is Ortega-Lopez’s alleged access to multiple firearms through April Cano. “She possessed a large number of firearms,” court documents state, “and allowed him to hold and sometimes shoot various firearms,” including rifles and handguns that later appeared in social media posts.

During a detention hearing on March 14, U.S. Magistrate Judge Damian Martinez initially leaned toward releasing Ortega-Lopez, saying, “I don’t think [Judge Cano] would just let anybody live in his property.” Prosecutors swiftly appealed, challenging Martinez’s decision and noting his request for pretrial services to assess Nancy Cano as a potential third-party custodian, even though the arrest occurred at her residence.

As of now, Ortega-Lopez remains behind bars at the Doña Ana County Detention Center pending another detention hearing.

While Joel Cano has not been charged with any crimes, his sudden resignation and the national spotlight on his association with an alleged gang-linked individual have prompted significant scrutiny. Some comentators have described the situation as “deeply alarming,” raising broader concerns about judicial integrity and border enforcement gaps.

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Pope Francis passes away: How his papacy quietly shaped NM Catholicism

10 Comments / New Mexico, News, Politics / By

Pope Francis, the 266th leader of the Roman Catholic Church and the first pope from the Americas, has died at the age of 88, the Vatican confirmed early Monday. His passing marks the end of a historic papacy that began in 2013 and spanned more than a decade of leadership marked by broad international outreach and internal reform. His passing came one day after Easter, and he met with Vice President J.D. Vance, who is a Catholic.

Born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Francis became the first Jesuit pope and the first non-European pontiff in more than 1,200 years. His papacy followed the unprecedented resignation of Pope Benedict XVI and ushered in a new chapter for the Church amid a rapidly changing world.

While Pope Francis’ initiatives sometimes sparked debate within the global Catholic community, his tenure saw significant engagement with regions historically shaped by Catholic heritage, including the American Southwest. In New Mexico, where Catholicism has deep roots dating back to Spanish colonization, Francis’ leadership coincided with renewed attention to issues facing rural dioceses.

Although Francis never visited New Mexico in person, his influence was noted throughout the Archdiocese of Santa Fe and the Diocese of Gallup and Las Cruces. Local bishops often referenced his calls for outreach to the peripheries of society and support for charitable missions. Under his leadership, New Mexico’s Catholic institutions continued their long-standing commitments to providing education, healthcare, and food assistance through faith-based organizations.

New Mexico’s Catholic communities, including many rural parishes and historic mission churches, continued to carry out traditional liturgical practices during the Francis papacy. While some of the Pope’s global pronouncements received mixed responses, specifically to the chagrin of traditional Catholics who practice the sacred Latin Mass, many Catholics in the state found unity in his consistent emphasis on prayer, humility, and the spiritual needs of the faithful.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Vatican-linked relief funds were distributed through Catholic Charities branches across the United States, including in Albuquerque and Las Cruces. These efforts provided support to families and individuals during times of economic strain, helping to maintain the Church’s presence in struggling communities.

Pope Francis also emphasized the importance of pastoral care in dioceses facing priest shortages, a challenge that has affected New Mexico for decades. His global focus on vocations and parish life echoed locally as dioceses worked to sustain clergy in remote and underserved areas of the state.

Although some of Francis’ positions on global issues were more widely accepted outside traditional circles, his core message of compassion, faithfulness, and pastoral presence left a lasting impact on millions of Catholics worldwide. In New Mexico, where over one-third of the population identifies as Catholic, his words and witness were often felt through local clergy, parish missions, and diocesan leadership.

The Vatican has not yet announced a date for the funeral Mass, though tradition holds that nine days of mourning (novemdiales) will follow the Pope’s death. Preparations are already underway for the gathering of cardinals in Rome to convene a conclave and elect a new successor to the Chair of Saint Peter. According to analyses of the current makeup of the College of Cardinals, the next pope is expected to hold moderately conservative to more traditionalist views. 

Pope Francis’ passing marks the end of a notable chapter in Church history. His leadership, while at times met with differing interpretations, undeniably shaped the trajectory of the Church in the 21st century, reaching even the chapels and mission churches of New Mexico with his call to live out the Gospel faithfully and sincerely.

Pope Francis passes away: How his papacy quietly shaped NM Catholicism Read More »

Meet NM’s new Trump-appointed US Attorney, Ryan Ellison

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In a bold move, reinforcing the Trump administration’s enduring focus on law and order, U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi appointed Ryan Ellison as the new U.S. Attorney for the District of New Mexico. His swearing-in took place today before U.S. District Judge Margaret Strickland, marking a new chapter in federal crime enforcement for the state.

Ellison’s appointment signals a renewed and vigorous federal push to crack down on the unchecked crime and border chaos that has plagued New Mexico for years under weak Democrat rule. A native of Alamogordo, Ellison brings a wealth of prosecutorial experience and a deep understanding of the challenges facing his home state. After graduating from the University of Arizona in 2010 with a degree in business, he earned both his J.D. and MBA from Texas Tech University in 2013 — a combination that reflects a keen mind for both legal and strategic management.

For the past six years, Ellison has worked as an Assistant U.S. Attorney in Las Cruces, where he helped lead the charge in what has become the largest criminal case ever prosecuted in the state: the takedown of the dangerous Syndicato de Nuevo Mexico (SNM) prison gang. “To date, more than 175 SNM gang members and associates have been charged with serious federal crimes,” a spokesperson for the district office noted. The sheer scope of the prosecution speaks volumes about Ellison’s resolve to dismantle violent criminal enterprises operating in New Mexico.

In addition to gang prosecutions, Ellison has pursued some of the most violent and heinous offenders in the state, handling cases involving RICO conspiracies, murder-for-hire, kidnapping resulting in death, and national security threats — a resume that reflects the tough-on-crime stance championed during the Trump administration.

Now taking the helm of the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Ellison made it clear that his mission is aligned with President Trump’s America First philosophy. “For however long I serve as United States Attorney, my primary objective will be to keep New Mexicans safe through the vigorous enforcement of Federal law,” he said. “Under my leadership… we will do our part to stem the unlawful flow of people and drugs into our country.”

Ellison didn’t mince words about the threats posed by open-border policies and progressive prosecutors who’ve turned a blind eye to cartel violence and human trafficking. “We will not lose sight of our responsibility to combat violent crime, gang activity, child predators, and to zealously advocate on behalf of the United States’ civil interests,” he stated.

His past roles as Supervisory Assistant U.S. Attorney for Violent and General Crimes, Assistant District Attorney, and private practice attorney round out a professional profile that combines deep courtroom experience with practical knowledge of New Mexico’s legal landscape.

As New Mexico battles rising crime, drug trafficking, and cartel infiltration, Ellison’s appointment is a promising shift toward accountability and security. His leadership, rooted in prosecutorial toughness and constitutional law enforcement, could mark a turning point for a state long plagued by lawlessness.

With a fearless and unapologetic stance on enforcing federal laws and securing the border, Ryan Ellison stands as a testament to the pro-Trump law-and-order legacy — one that puts the safety of American families and the sovereignty of the nation above political gamesmanship.

Meet NM’s new Trump-appointed US Attorney, Ryan Ellison Read More »

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