Piñon Post

Tragic end to traffic stop: Bloomfield officer gunned down in line of duty

8 Comments / New Mexico, News, Politics / By

Officer Timothy Ontiveros of the Bloomfield Police Department has died from injuries sustained during a violent encounter earlier in the week. The incident occurred during a traffic stop, where Ontiveros was shot in the neck and shoulder by 58-year-old Dennis Armenta. A fellow officer returned fire, fatally shooting Armenta.

Ontiveros was transported to the University of New Mexico Hospital following the shooting, where he underwent extensive treatment. Despite the efforts of medical staff and support from his fellow officers, Ontiveros succumbed to his injuries on Sunday.

“We’re really sad and disheartened on the current events that happened with Officer Ontiveros’s injuries,” said Bloomfield Police Chief Phillip Francisco. “A valiant effort was made to bring him back and recover from his injuries, but unfortunately, he lost that battle today.”

Chief Francisco remembered Ontiveros as a respected member of the department, though he had only been with Bloomfield PD since December 2024. “He was a very likeable person. He was very calm, very approachable… in that time, he got accommodations from citizens about his demeanor, how professional and approachable he was,” Francisco said.

Before joining Bloomfield PD, Ontiveros served with the Farmington Police Department and had volunteered as a firefighter with the Aztec Fire Department since 2017.

Officials confirmed Ontiveros will be transferred to the New Mexico Office of the Medical Investigator. Funeral details have not yet been finalized.

In a statement, the New Mexico Department of Public Safety expressed its condolences:

“It is with profound sorrow and heavy hearts that we bid farewell to Officer Timothy Ontiveros of the Bloomfield Police Department… Officer Ontiveros has fought with extraordinary courage, supported by tireless medical professionals at UNMH and steadfastly watched over by members of the New Mexico State Police.

Our deepest condolences go out to Officer Ontiveros’s family, friends, and loved ones. We also stand in solidarity with the Bloomfield Police Department and the entire Bloomfield community during this incredibly painful time. Officer Ontiveros served with dedication, integrity, and an unwavering commitment to protecting others. His bravery and sacrifice will never be forgotten.”

The Department reaffirmed its support for Ontiveros’s loved ones and the Bloomfield community, pledging to honor his service and memory.

According to a Facebook post from the Bloomfield Police Department, the suspect has a violent and bloody past and was released back onto the streets to cause havoc, including:

– **Date: 04-25-2023** – Aggravated Assault (Armed with an Axe), FPD Case #2023-22851

– **Date: 01-03-2021** – Resisting/Obstructing an Officer, FPD Case #2021-397

– **Date: 08-31-2013** – DWI, BPD Case #2013-7607

– **Date: 04-15-2025** – Threatening Hospital and Staff (SJRMC), FPD Case #2025-24198

– **Date: 08-22-2024** – Criminal Trespass, Concealing Identification, Obstructing an Officer, BPD #2024-8860

– **Date: 05-10-2012** – Criminal Trespass, Resisting Arrest, FPD Case #2021-24169

Tragic end to traffic stop: Bloomfield officer gunned down in line of duty Read More »

Keller ‘proud’ NM counties, cities listed as ‘sanctuaries’ for criminal aliens

39 Comments / New Mexico, News, Politics / By

As the Trump administration moves decisively to uphold federal immigration laws and protect American citizens, far-left Democrat leaders in New Mexico are proudly doubling down on their defiance. 

Chief among them is Albuquerque Mayor Tim Keller, who took to X to gloat about the city’s inclusion on the Department of Homeland Security’s official list of “sanctuary jurisdictions” — an indicator of non-compliance with federal immigration statutes.

“We expected this designation — Albuquerque’s immigrant-friendly policies reflect who we are,” Keller posted, calling it “a badge of courage” and vowing not to be “bullied” into enforcing federal law. Rather than expressing concern about the potential loss of federal funds or the safety implications of harboring criminal aliens, Keller made clear that his administration is committed to ideological resistance, no matter the cost to law-abiding residents.

The list, published on May 29, includes 23 New Mexico counties and two cities — Albuquerque and Santa Fe — that, according to DHS, refuse to cooperate with federal immigration enforcement. This followed President Donald Trump’s April 28 executive order directing federal agencies to withhold funding from jurisdictions that shield illegal aliens from deportation.

In a statement that underscores the lawless posture of sanctuary cities, DHS wrote: “Each jurisdiction listed will receive formal notification of its non-compliance with Federal statutes. DHS demands that these jurisdictions immediately review and revise their policies to align with Federal immigration laws and renew their obligation to protect American citizens, not dangerous illegal aliens.”

But rather than taking this warning seriously, Democrats like Keller seem emboldened. His X post reflects the same out-of-touch political theater that has defined the progressive left’s stance on immigration, where shielding criminal aliens is viewed as virtuous, and federal law is something to scoff at.

Indeed, it’s not just defiance — it’s negligence. The dangerous policies pushed by Keller and fellow Democrats, including far-left Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham, jeopardize public safety and disrespect the rule of law. The governor’s office, instead of committing to work with federal authorities, issued a deflective statement suggesting that counties might have been “mischaracterized.” No apology. No commitment to course-correct. Just more spin.

Meanwhile, radical organizations like the New Mexico Immigrant Law Center are already planning to double down in the next legislative session to further “protect” illegal immigrants, with the enthusiastic backing of progressive lawmakers and municipal leaders.

It’s no wonder New Mexico continues to struggle with crime, drug trafficking, and cartel violence. Sanctuary policies attract criminals, overwhelm resources, and endanger legal residents. President Trump’s administration is finally putting sanctuary jurisdictions on notice. Whether New Mexico Democrats will ever put citizens first remains to be seen — but judging by Keller’s gloating, their loyalty lies not with the American people, but with lawlessness.

Keller ‘proud’ NM counties, cities listed as ‘sanctuaries’ for criminal aliens Read More »

$3.7M in public money for abortions? NM’s Medicaid mystery exposed

17 Comments / New Mexico, News, Politics / By

Under the rule of Democrat Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham, New Mexico’s Medicaid-funded abortion program continues to operate under a shroud of secrecy, according to a recent investigation by Abortion Free New Mexico, according to Life News. The pro-life watchdog group filed an Inspection of Public Records Act (IPRA) request on February 6, 2025, seeking a detailed breakdown of abortions paid for by New Mexico Medicaid between 2022 and 2024. The response they received from the New Mexico Health Care Authority (HCA) was described as “unprofessional, unclear and incomplete.”

The request, submitted by Tara Shaver, spokeswoman for Abortion Free New Mexico, asked for five specific data points: the total amount paid for abortions by Medicaid, the number and type (chemical or surgical) of procedures, the providers involved, gestational ages, and how many abortions were performed on undocumented immigrants. Instead of providing a full accounting, the HCA replied with a vague one-sentence response: “The New Mexico Health Care Authority, $2,980,083.31 was paid in PregTerm through 2022-2024. The New Mexico Health Care Authority does not have documents responsive to the remainder of this request.”

After continued inquiries, the HCA revised the total to over $3.7 million—$3,768,818.32—highlighting a troubling inconsistency in state reporting. A follow-up letter on April 16, 2025, revealed that 2024 had the highest amount of Medicaid funds used for abortion services. Yet key details—such as the number of procedures and provider information—remain concealed.

“This is unfortunately the norm in Democrat-run states like New Mexico,” said Shaver. “The New Mexico Health Care Authority denied that Medicaid even pays for abortions but gave two contradicting dollar amounts for PregTerm, which is understood to mean medical or surgical abortions. For a state that is so proud to champion abortion, why are they so unwilling to release actual abortion numbers that state taxpayers have funded?”

In a further twist, the HCA stated in email correspondence that it didn’t know of any government agency that could provide the requested data and suggested contacting private entities like Planned Parenthood instead. This raised additional concerns about accountability and transparency in the use of public funds.

Historically, previous administrations in New Mexico had fulfilled similar records requests in full, making the current administration’s evasiveness all the more concerning. Abortion Free New Mexico has since reached out to an open government organization for assistance and filed another IPRA request, this time targeting the medical codes used for abortion billing.

New Mexico is one of only 19 states that funds elective abortions through Medicaid using state-only funds, a policy rooted in a 1999 New Mexico Supreme Court ruling. The Court held that the state must fund all medically necessary abortions, citing the Equal Rights Amendment in the New Mexico Constitution.

As Shaver put it, “There is a definite trend in New Mexico to promote abortion but keep citizens in the dark about their shameful deeds.” She pointed to legislation passed in 2024, including SB 57, which now conceals the identities of abortion providers employed by public bodies. “The citizens of New Mexico deserve transparency from their government, and every innocent life should be protected under the law—born and preborn.”

$3.7M in public money for abortions? NM’s Medicaid mystery exposed Read More »

NM Democrat Party in total chaos: Gag orders, ghosting, and backstabbing

26 Comments / New Mexico, News, Politics / By

The New Mexico Democrat Party’s promises of unity have unraveled in spectacular fashion. Just a month after being elected party treasurer, Julie Rochman has resigned in a dramatic episode that lays bare the infighting and dysfunction roiling the state’s left-wing leadership, according to a report from the Santa Fe New Mexican.

Rochman, who won her post with 60% of the vote, said her troubles began the moment she extended a hand to newly elected Chair Sara Attleson. “She sort of really didn’t take it,” Rochman recounted. “I stepped in closer so no one could hear me, and I said, ‘You know, Sara, you have to talk to me. We’re going to be working together,’ and she turned on her heel and walked away.”

The April 26 encounter foreshadowed a toxic dynamic that would escalate over the next few weeks. According to Rochman, she was ignored, excluded from meetings, and ultimately pushed out by a leadership clique that campaigned on “unity” but delivered exclusion.

“I was being ignored by the chair and vice chair,” Rochman said. “I didn’t even know weekly staff meetings were taking place.” After enduring what she described as sleepless nights, she decided to resign. “I’m the problem, and I need to go,” she said, despite her lifelong ambition of being an elected Democrat.

The resignation exposes deep fractures in a party that claims to be preparing for high-stakes 2026 midterms, which includes New Mexico’s governorship vacant amid a disastrous tenure of far-left Democrat Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham. 

Instead of organizing and building coalitions, the party brass is more focused on silencing dissent and consolidating power. Rochman said she was handed a nondisclosure agreement containing an unprecedented nondisparagement clause — a “lifetime gag order,” she called it. She claimed, “That’s very Trumpian, and I will not be a party to that kind of thing,” she said — apparently unaware of the irony in using the comparison to criticize a tactic that came from her own party.

To add fuel to the fire, Rochman questioned the party’s supposed commitment to diversity. While the leadership includes an African American vice chair and a Navajo secretary, Rochman bluntly noted that the team lacks representation from New Mexico’s majority-Hispanic population — a glaring oversight for a party that lectures others on inclusion.

“I think it would be good for the party if [my replacement] happened to be Hispanic and spoke Spanish and came from a rural area,” she said.

Party spokesperson Daniel Garcia attempted to downplay the chaos, claiming that “team building” was simply a matter of taking time. But the damage is done. A public power struggle has broken out, and the party’s top officials are off at a conference while their ranks crumble back home.

Despite it all, Rochman says she’ll remain involved in Democrat politics. But her departure is an unmistakable warning sign: the New Mexico Democrat Party is not the unified, progressive machine it pretends to be. If this is how the party operates heading into an election year, Republicans may be wise to grab some popcorn. The Democrats are beating themselves.

NM Democrat Party in total chaos: Gag orders, ghosting, and backstabbing Read More »

Boxing matches and panic: MLG’s unhinged interview raises eyebrows

21 Comments / New Mexico, News, Politics / By

In a revealing and often contradictory interview with the left-wing Source New Mexico, Democrat Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham painted a dire picture of looming budget challenges—but instead of offering meaningful solutions or taking responsibility, she doubled down on political blame games, ideological deflection, and fearmongering.

At the center of the interview is Lujan Grisham’s claim that federal Medicaid reforms under the GOP-led House could cost New Mexico between $1 billion and $3 billion, depending on how the final budget takes shape. Rather than acknowledging the fiscal necessity behind these national efforts to rein in unsustainable entitlement spending, Lujan Grisham portrayed the cuts as apocalyptic.

“People will get hurt and they will die,” she claimed dramatically, without evidence.
“We could be on the hook for up to $300 million if the cuts, as we know them, were voted on today.”

Despite this rhetoric, Republicans in Congress are pursuing modest reductions aimed at long-overdue federal spending discipline, not the wholesale elimination of Medicaid or SNAP. Nowhere in the governor’s 6,000-word monologue does she address the ballooning cost of social programs or the abuse and inefficiencies that plague them.

Instead, she frames fiscal prudence as cruelty while boasting about her own administration’s reliance on reserves to possibly delay the impact:

“My pitch to the Legislature today… is we should try to sustain to the degree that we can for a year,” she said—effectively kicking the can down the road.

While claiming to focus on solutions, Lujan Grisham repeatedly resorted to hyper-partisan attacks. She described officials from the Department of Homeland Security as “terrifying,” accused the Trump administration of targeting New Mexicans, and said of former President Trump,

“There are not two sides… He is vile and abhorrent and doesn’t seem to understand or care that he creates real risk and people are harmed.”

Ironically, while slamming Trump’s leadership, Lujan Grisham admitted her own administration is unprepared to handle the consequences of any political confrontation.

“I don’t want New Mexicans to be targeted when I may not have all the things I need to protect you adequately,” she said, before adding, “I’m not going to invite them to drive over here and get into a boxing match.”

On public safety, the governor defended her decision to send National Guard personnel into Albuquerque, denying concerns that the deployment resembled martial law.

“A tank and people in uniforms like soldiers are not coming into your neighborhoods under this administration,” she insisted, brushing off fears even as crime surges statewide and law enforcement faces a staffing crisis.
“I’m running out of state police to cover all of that additional work,” she admitted, noting 100 current vacancies.

But rather than take ownership of the public safety crisis or offer concrete plans to fix it, Lujan Grisham shifted focus to grievances with past administrations and external factors, blaming Gov. Susana Martinez’s handling of behavioral health and the layout of Albuquerque’s interstate corridors.

When asked about the state’s struggling foster care system and dysfunction within the Children, Youth and Families Department (CYFD), she conceded,

“We have had some missteps. There’s no question about that,”
but quickly deflected, saying,
“Nobody wants to work there.”

Throughout the interview, Lujan Grisham sought to portray herself as a pragmatic, solutions-oriented leader, yet her remarks often came off as defensive and ideologically rigid. On the Biden administration’s retreat from federal DEI enforcement amid lawsuits, she said she was pleased that her administration had been “vanilla” in response.

“We don’t violate any of those rules right now. Thank you so much for reminding us that there’s no discrimination allowed,” she said sarcastically.

Despite repeated questions, Lujan Grisham offered few policy specifics about how she plans to navigate the challenges ahead, be it in healthcare, public safety, education, or immigration. She also revealed that she’s been unable to secure a meeting with President Biden over energy matters, saying,

“I couldn’t get in to see the president. I got in to see some very nice liaisons.”

She admitted the White House refused her request to collaborate on a felony warrant task force or fentanyl drug bust efforts, instead prioritizing mass deportations. Her response?

“No, thank you. That’s not a deal I’m willing to be engaged in.”

In short, Lujan Grisham’s interview amounted to a laundry list of grievances—against Trump, Republicans, the courts, Homeland Security, and even her own agencies—punctuated by dramatic language and sparse accountability. While Republicans work to right-size bloated federal programs, the governor is more concerned with ideological purity and political positioning than pragmatic governance.

As the state faces major budget challenges and an increasingly dangerous public safety environment, the governor’s remarks raise more questions than answers—and confirm that New Mexico’s leadership remains committed to the very big-government policies that created the problems in the first place.

Boxing matches and panic: MLG’s unhinged interview raises eyebrows Read More »

Lujan Grisham accused of political retaliation by one of her own

16 Comments / New Mexico, News, Politics / By

New Mexico Democrats are again at each other’s throats, this time in a public feud that lays bare the fractures within the party’s ranks. Freshman Rep. Sarah Silva (D-Las Cruces) ignited a firestorm on social media this week, accusing Democrat Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham of retaliating against her district after Silva championed a bill aimed at restricting free speech through lobbying at the Roundhouse.

Silva, in a fiery post, showcased a photo of what she called a “massive pile of swag” — minor gifts from lobbyists that have no real value, allegedly meant to sway her during the recent legislative session. Valuing the freebies at up to $2,000, Silva claimed, “It’s an example of the influence professional lobbyists and their employers have at the Roundhouse that you do not.”

The Democrat lawmaker says her pushback came in the form of House Bill 143, which would have required lobbyists to disclose their positions on legislation and promptly update that information if their stance changed. The bill passed both chambers despite bipartisan opposition. But it never made it into law.

“Unfortunately, the governor vetoed the bill,” Silva wrote, before twisting the knife: “Ironically, HB 143 would have given us information about who lobbied the governor to veto it. Without it, we have no way to know.”

Then came the real bombshell: Silva accused Lujan Grisham of retaliating by gutting funds Silva had secured for her district. Specifically, the governor used her line-item veto pen to kill $1 million earmarked for a public safety facility in Chaparral and another $100,000 for a study on incorporation and local governance, clearly targeted retaliatory measures due to HB 143 or some other reason, exposing massive cracks in the Democrat Party.

“Frankly, I’m pissed off,” Silva admitted. “It appears to me that the governor’s Chaparral vetoes were at least in part retaliation for my attempt to bring transparency to the work of her lobbying buddies.”

While Silva’s bill may have raised eyebrows — critics point out it imposed vague and burdensome mandates on both lobbyists and possibly lawmakers themselves — the governor’s veto doesn’t appear entirely above board either. Instead of offering technical amendments or working to clarify the bill’s flaws, Lujan Grisham simply tanked it and, if Silva’s claims are to be believed, punished a fellow Democrat in the process.

A spokesperson for Lujan Grisham brushed off the allegations as “obviously unfounded,” saying the governor supports more transparency, not less. “She would like even more transparency than HB 143 would have required,” claimed Lauren Dodd Thorp, suggesting the governor wants those same standards applied to herself and the Legislature.

That statement rings hollow to many watching the drama unfold. If the governor truly wanted more transparency, why veto the bill outright instead of working to improve it? And why yank funding for Chaparral — a move that just so happens to undercut one of the bill’s sponsors?

Also, after the 2025 Legislative Session, Lujan Grisham ferociously vetoed multiple benign bills, including one to increase optical care access in the state, a bill to create new license plates for lowriders and motorcyclists, as well as a bill to create the “state bread,” which was championed by a young girl in Las Cruces. All of these measures the governor rejected with a stroke of a pen because Democrats in the Legislature refused to deliver her agenda across the finish line, as she admitted in her toxic veto messages.

For conservatives and critics of Santa Fe’s one-party rule, the feud could be a moment of schadenfreude. Silva and Lujan Grisham are exposing the ugly side of their party’s internal politics — a mix of heavy-handed lobbying, bruised egos, and backroom power plays.

Ultimately, Silva may have inadvertently revealed more than any bill ever could about how some Democrats, at least the governor, treat dissent in their own ranks. And if the governor’s actions weren’t retaliatory, they sure look like it.

Vindictive MLG vetoes ‘State Bread,’ license plate bills to punish Dems

Lujan Grisham accused of political retaliation by one of her own Read More »

NPR lauds woke Texas Dems quietly colonizing New Mexico

39 Comments / New Mexico, News, Politics / By

A recent article by the far-left outlet NPR highlights a growing trend of liberal Texans fleeing the Lone Star State for New Mexico — a move applauded by progressive politicians and activists hoping to transform the rural, resource-rich state into a safe haven for far-left policies.

According to NPR, over 34,000 Texans relocated to New Mexico between 2022 and 2023, more than from any other state. Many cited Texas’ conservative laws protecting unborn life, religious freedom, and children from radical gender ideology as reasons for their departure. The report framed these policies as “oppressive,” while praising New Mexico’s left-wing agenda.

Featured prominently in the piece were Nancy and Kent Fuka, self-described former proud Texans who now live in Santa Fe. They told NPR that the state’s “emphasis of fundamental religion” made Texas unlivable for them. “You couldn’t pay us enough to move back to Texas,” Kent said.

Another couple profiled, software developer Donovan Kolby and his partner Stephanie Bonzek, echoed similar sentiments. Bonzek, a family nurse practitioner, told NPR she was moved to tears by New Mexico’s progressive policies, calling it a state that “keeps trying to do the right thing.”

The article lauded far-left lame duck Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham for actively recruiting left-wing transplants. Grisham has aggressively positioned the state as a “refuge” for abortion seekers, families with gender-confused children, and doctors wanting to escape red-state medical regulations. She has allocated at least $20 million in taxpayer dollars to build two abortion facilities, including one in Las Cruces, near the Texas border.

Grisham also advertised in Texas cities to recruit OB-GYNs, tweeting “This ain’t Texas.” Despite the marketing push, the article admitted only a few doctors have taken the offer, citing high malpractice insurance costs in New Mexico.

NPR portrayed the country’s political “sorting”—conservatives to Texas, liberals to New Mexico—as a natural outcome of polarization. However, it downplayed the concerns of longtime New Mexico residents, including those who say the influx is contributing to skyrocketing housing costs and political tension.

Democrat State Sen. Moe Maestas told NPR that many of the newcomers are “more progressive than the average Democrat” in New Mexico and warned that there is friction between local Hispanic Democrats and white liberals from out of state.

NPR also quoted residents protesting in front of the New Mexico Capitol against Donald Trump and Republican policies. One activist, Carol Norris, summed up the left’s view of the migration by declaring, “Don’t let them Texas our New Mexico, dammit.”

Despite the cheerleading from NPR and the progressive establishment, New Mexico’s transformation is far from settled. Trump has made gains in recent elections, and parts of the state remain solidly conservative, especially in the oil-producing southeast. In 2024, the president narrowly lost the state by a mere five points after previously losing the Land of Enchantment by nearly 11 points. 

As national media outlets continue to celebrate the leftward drift of New Mexico, conservatives warn the state could become yet another example of what happens when progressive ideology replaces traditional values.

NPR lauds woke Texas Dems quietly colonizing New Mexico Read More »

Largest private equity firm in the world enters deal to buy PNM’s parent co.

17 Comments / New Mexico, News, Politics / By

TXNM Energy, the parent company of Public Service Company of New Mexico (PNM), has entered into a definitive agreement to be acquired by Blackstone Infrastructure, a business unit of Blackstone Inc., run by CEO Stephen A. Schwarzman. This landmark $11.5 billion transaction will significantly shape New Mexico’s energy landscape. Blackstone is the largest private equity firm in the world. Under the deal, TXNM shareholders will receive $61.25 per share in cash, with the purchase funded entirely through equity and existing debt.

PNM, a cornerstone of New Mexico’s energy infrastructure and a subsidiary of TXNM Energy, currently serves over 550,000 customers across the state. Known for its role in transitioning New Mexico toward “clean energy,” PNM has committed to “carbon-free electricity” under the state’s burdensome Energy Transition Act and has already achieved supplying over two-thirds of its power from carbon-free sources. TXNM’s other major subsidiary, Texas-New Mexico Power (TNMP), provides electricity to more than 260,000 customers in Texas and has experienced double-digit demand growth in recent years.

“This transaction gives us the long-term capital we need to continue investing in a clean, resilient grid that supports economic prosperity in New Mexico,” said Pat Collawn, Chair and CEO of TXNM Energy. “Blackstone Infrastructure shares our commitment to customer-focused investment and will be a true partner as we navigate the energy transition.”

Blackstone Infrastructure, with $60 billion in assets under management, specializes in long-term investments in critical infrastructure sectors. The firm’s approach, characterized by “patient capital,” means it has no obligation to sell its assets within a defined time frame, positioning it well to support the sustained growth of energy systems in New Mexico and Texas.

Crucially, the acquisition comes with key assurances for New Mexico customers and workers. PNM will remain headquartered in Albuquerque, and local management will continue to lead operations. All current employees will be retained, and existing labor agreements with the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) will be honored.

Electricity rates for customers will still be determined by the New Mexico Public Regulation Commission (NMPRC), preserving regulatory oversight. Additionally, Blackstone and TXNM Energy have pledged to engage stakeholders and develop a detailed package of customer and community benefits, to be outlined in filings later this year.

TXNM Energy has also emphasized that it will continue economic and charitable outreach across New Mexico, including support for tribal and pueblo communities. These commitments align with the company’s current community-focused ethos, which Blackstone has vowed to uphold.

Sean Klimczak, Global Head of Blackstone Infrastructure, noted, “We are long-term partners committed to helping New Mexico grow. We look forward to working with TXNM’s leadership and the communities they serve to deliver on shared goals of grid modernization and clean energy reliability.”

The deal includes a $400 million private placement investment by Blackstone, with an additional $400 million in equity to be raised before the transaction closes. TXNM expects the acquisition to finalize in the second half of 2026, pending shareholder and regulatory approvals, including from the NMPRC, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, and the U.S. Department of Justice.

Upon closing, current CEO Don Tarry will lead TXNM Energy, while Pat Collawn will retire from her role as Executive Chair.

With this acquisition, Blackstone Infrastructure positions itself as a long-term steward of New Mexico’s energy future—providing capital, continuity, and a commitment to a cleaner grid for the Land of Enchantment.

Largest private equity firm in the world enters deal to buy PNM’s parent co. Read More »

Governor who calls opponents ‘lizard people’ now trying to pose as unity leader

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Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham of New Mexico will be featured alongside Utah Governor Spencer Cox in the next installment of the “Common Ground Forum,” a series organized by the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation and Institute to promote civil dialogue and bipartisan cooperation. The event, scheduled for Tuesday and moderated by Steve Hayes of The Dispatch, aims to highlight strategies for bridging political divides and fostering civility in governance, according to the Santa Fe New Mexican.

According to a news release, the forum will explore “how bipartisan collaboration, mutual respect and the ability to navigate healthy conflict can strengthen American democracy.” The event touts Lujan Grisham and Cox as two leaders from “opposite sides of the aisle” who have allegedly found ways to work across political divides.

But the governor’s inclusion in such a forum has raised eyebrows, particularly given her repeated use of inflammatory language that has alienated both conservatives and members of her own party.

During a 2021 campaign event, Lujan Grisham mocked protesters critical of her policies—many of whom were supporters of President Donald Trump—by derisively calling them “QAnon lizard people.” She said, “I’m sorry that we picked the same location that the QAnon lizard people meeting was at,” a remark widely seen as ridiculing and dehumanizing constituents who disagreed with her pandemic mandates and political agenda.

Lujan Grisham has also dismissed criticisms from Republican lawmakers and conservative groups by labeling their concerns as “anti-science,” “dangerous,” or “extremist,” particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic. In multiple interviews and press conferences, she painted political dissent as a threat to public safety, once saying opponents of her lockdown policies were “risking lives to make political points.”

Her language hasn’t been reserved solely for Republicans. In 2023, members of her own Democratic Party expressed frustration over her strong-armed approach to policy negotiations, with some describing her governing style as “combative” and “unilateral.” Tensions flared when she vetoed parts of legislation favored by progressive Democrats.

Adding to the irony of her participation in a civility-focused event, the governor triggered a national controversy in 2023 when she issued a temporary executive order suspending the right to carry firearms in public in Albuquerque, citing a public health emergency. The move was denounced across the political spectrum—including by members of her own party—as an unconstitutional overreach, prompting lawsuits and protests.

After the most recent legislative session, Lujan Grisham vetoed the most benign bills that passed both the state House and Senate unanimously to spite Democrats who did not fully carry out her agenda in the 60-day timeframe.

Just in the past few weeks, Lujan Grisham has taken to the airwaves to inflame and distort regarding issues surrounding Medicaid and illegal immigration, spreading blatant falsehoods about what congressional budget proposals will do and the state of the country’s border, which is now secure under President Trump, no thanks to her. 

While Utah Governor Spencer Cox will also speak at the event, his record, though often described as moderate (not very conservative at all despite his conservative state), has included the veto of a transgender sports bill, followed by later support for legislation limiting access to gender-specific spaces. However, criticism focuses on Lujan Grisham’s incongruous role in an event dedicated to civil discourse.

The governor’s idea of modeling “principled governance” and “bipartisan collaboration” may sound noble, but to many New Mexicans who have been the recipients of her incendiary rhetoric, it rings hollow.

Governor who calls opponents ‘lizard people’ now trying to pose as unity leader Read More »

Wokera: NM taxpayers being forced to fund ‘queer,’ Israel-hating veggie farm

32 Comments / New Mexico, News, Politics / By

New Mexico’s Economic Development Department (EDD) has awarded $25,000 in taxpayer funding to an Albuquerque-based farming operation, Ashokra Farm, under the Local Economic Development Act (LEDA) program. But what at first glance appeared to be a minor example of questionable spending has become a window into the state’s support for increasingly radical and political causes.

According to a press release from EDD, Ashokra Farm was given the grant “to support agricultural and community-based initiatives,” and was praised for being a “culturally significant okra farm.” 

That descriptor alone raised eyebrows at the Rio Grande Foundation (RGF), a non-partisan research institute focused on limited government in New Mexico. “We thought it was a funny story involving a (relatively) small amount of wasteful spending,” RGF noted in a commentary, “until we were alerted to the Farm’s Facebook page.”

The farm, according to its own promotional materials and a profile in The Guardian, identifies as a “queer and people of color farm.” Its mission includes protecting people from “homophobia, transphobia, racism, and sexism.” While the rhetoric might appeal to progressive circles, critics argue that such identity-based messaging has little to do with economic development or agriculture, and even less with responsible use of public funds.

But the concerns go deeper than identity politics. On Ashokra Farm’s Facebook page, the farm posted a call to “boycott these companies in support of a FREE PALESTINE AND END TO THE GENOCIDE that is currently being funded by Israel and the United States.” The post goes on to name several agricultural firms with ties to Israel, calling for a boycott of companies allegedly connected to the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF).

In the current global context, where violent anti-Israel protests and campus takeovers have been dominating headlines, the farm’s stance reads not merely as political but explicitly partisan and inflammatory. 

The taxpayer-funded grant has thus become a flashpoint. “If you are concerned about your tax dollars going to radical causes like this,” RGF urged in its Errors of Enchantment post, “I’d recommend sharing this story with your local newspaper or TV station.”

The issue raises broader questions about how EDD evaluates grantees and whether ideological agendas are being subsidized by public money. The department is led by Secretary Rob Black, who can be contacted by concerned citizens at rob.black@edd.nm.gov.

This incident follows mounting criticism of the Lujan Grisham administration’s selective funding of politically aligned organizations under the guise of economic development. The grant to Ashokra Farm highlights what some see as a growing trend of activist causes being quietly bankrolled by taxpayers.

As New Mexico approaches the 2026 gubernatorial election, voters may increasingly demand greater accountability over how economic development dollars are allocated—and whether they’re being used to support agriculture or activism.

Wokera: NM taxpayers being forced to fund ‘queer,’ Israel-hating veggie farm Read More »

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