Renato Costa

NM ranks near the top of the nation for high grocery bills

6 Comments / New Mexico, News / By

New Mexico has ranked as the eighth-highest state for grocery bills in the U.S., according to a Visual Capitalist analysis mapping how much Americans spend on groceries across all states. Despite New Mexico’s relatively low cost of living compared to more expensive states like California, residents still face elevated food costs, with households spending approximately $286 per week—or around $1,144 a month—on groceries.

Nationally, grocery prices have surged significantly, with costs for “food at home” rising by 20% since August 2020, marking the steepest inflation since the 1970s, as per the Bureau of Labor Statistics. American households spend about $270 weekly on groceries, translating to $1,080 monthly, based on data sourced from the Census Bureau. Yet, the burden of food costs varies significantly from state to state.

Hawaii and Alaska top the list for the highest grocery expenditures, each surpassing $300 per week. The primary driver for these elevated costs is shipping; both states rely heavily on imports due to insufficient local food production, significantly inflating prices. Meanwhile, in high-cost states like California, residents spend roughly $298 per week on groceries, making it the third most expensive state for food shopping.

Interestingly, despite New Mexico’s lower overall living expenses compared to states like California or Washington, its residents still face substantial grocery bills. This puts the state among the top ten in terms of food costs, a situation that poses a considerable financial strain. 

The analysis indicates that states like Mississippi, Arizona, and New Mexico, which are typically characterized by lower general living costs, still experience high food prices, reflecting a disproportionate burden on residents’ budgets.

The Midwest, in contrast, enjoys some of the lowest grocery prices in the nation, largely thanks to regional economies tied to farming and food production, which help stabilize costs. New Mexico’s position in the rankings highlights the complexity of food pricing trends in the U.S., where even regions with lower general living expenses can struggle with high grocery costs due to factors like transportation, supply chains, and inflationary pressures.

For further insights on food costs and how they impact different regions, visit the Visual Capitalist’s website to explore detailed data-driven charts.

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‘Resist’: Bitter lame-duck Gov. Lujan Grisham makes Trump a promise

36 Comments / New Mexico, News, Politics / By

Following President-elect Donald Trump’s landslide electoral vote and popular vote victory, his plans to implement strong border policies, including stricter immigration enforcement and mass deportations, have elicited panicked reactions among New Mexico Democrats, namely lame-duck Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham, who is term-limited and cannot run for reelection in 2026.

Trump’s policies, which prioritize cracking down on illegal immigration and enhancing border security, are viewed by many supporters as a way to restore law and order. 

Gov. Lujan Grisham pledged to resist Trump’s efforts to carry out mass deportations, labeling them as divisive and contrary to New Mexico’s values. 

She said to the Santa Fe New Mexican, “We’re going to resist like all of the Democratic states, and I think some Republican states might,” adding, “Their [National] Guards will not be deployed to do that. Police cannot be deployed to do that … because this is a federal issue, requires federal resources, so we’re not allowed to do that, and we’re not going to start now.”

She claimed, “A little bit like the border wall, I’m skeptical that they can actually execute that, but I take this administration at its word that their intentions are to create these sort of harsh, divisive efforts, that they will try.”

Lujan Grisham was a surrogate for failed Democrat presidential candidate Kamala Harris, hoping to pick up a cabinet post, all of which has now disintegrated to dust since Trump’s win.

Despite her criticism, proponents of Trump’s policies argue that previous lax enforcement and border security gaps under the current administration have left New Mexicans vulnerable. They highlight the need to enforce immigration laws to protect communities and curb illegal crossings.

Trump’s proposed actions focus on targeting illegal aliens who commit crimes, with a priority on enhancing public safety. Former ICE Director Tom Homan, appointed as the administration’s border czar, a position currently held by failed Democrat nominee for president Kamala Harris, stressed that the approach would not be indiscriminate but targeted at individuals posing a threat. “It’s going to be a targeted enforcement operation,” he said, emphasizing safety over sweeping raids.

Trump’s border policies also include enhancing cooperation with state governments on drug interdiction and other security measures, as highlighted by Lujan Grisham herself. While she and other Democrat leaders criticize these efforts as extreme, supporters maintain that they reflect a commitment to protecting New Mexicans from the dangers posed by drug trafficking and unchecked illegal immigration. They view resistance from Democratic leaders as a politically motivated obstruction that disregards the need for law and order.

As New Mexicans prepare for the changes ahead, Trump’s strong border policies proponents believe they are essential steps toward a safer state and country, arguing that a secure border benefits all citizens by promoting stability and reducing crime, especially in a border state.As noted in our previous reporting, Democrats’ resistance to Trump’s administration could come at the cost of billions in federal aid to the state, which is currently the second-most dependent state following only Alaska.

‘Resist’: Bitter lame-duck Gov. Lujan Grisham makes Trump a promise Read More »

Record turnout in NM early voting ahead of high-stakes Tuesday election

2 Comments / New Mexico, News, Politics / By

As early voting wrapped up on Saturday, New Mexico saw a substantial turnout, with 663,874 ballots cast. According to the New Mexico Secretary of State’s office, this figure represents about 48.2% of the state’s registered voters. Comparatively, the 2020 election saw a turnout of 928,230 voters or 68% of eligible voters. Early voting numbers for 2024 suggest that 71.5% of the 2020 turnout has already been reached, indicating significant interest in the election.

The breakdown of the early voting turnout by party affiliation shows that Democrats cast 307,311 ballots (46.2%). Republicans followed with 243,376 votes, making up 36.6% of the total. Voters registered as Decline to State (DTS) or Independents (Declined to State voters) accounted for 104,904 ballots, or 15.8%, while Libertarians and other parties contributed smaller portions, with 5,301 (0.79%) and 2,982 (0.44%) ballots, respectively.

Analyzing the early voting turnout by county reveals an engaged Republican base in key counties. For example, Republicans in higher-population counties outpaced Democrats in participation percentages in Chaves, Eddy, Lea, Otero, and Sandoval counties. This trend highlights areas where the GOP may have gained momentum compared to past elections.

Adding to the intrigue, recent polling shows a tightening race in New Mexico. As we previously reported, a recent Rasmussen poll suggests that 45th President Donald Trump has gained considerable ground against incumbent Vice President Kamala Harris in New Mexico, hinting that the state may be more competitive than in recent cycles. 

Mid-October analysis by Piñon Post editor and state Rep. John Block (R-Alamogordo) using leftist polls shows the Trump campaign’s path to victory, factoring Democrat and Republican vote flipping from the past presidential election and margins in polls that showed a larger disparity between Harris and Trump in the Land of Enchantment. The recent Rasmussen poll, which came out after Block’s analysis, shows an even closer race, with Trump leading, according to vote-switchers’ figures.

According to the Republican Party of New Mexico, “Republicans continue to outpace and dominate in the Same Day Registration counts. As long as Republicans are in the deficit of voters, Voter registration needs to remain a top priority in every county!”

Historically, New Mexico has leaned blue in presidential elections, but the recent surge in Republican and Independent early voting turnout could signal a shift. The Rasmussen poll positions New Mexico as a closer race than anticipated, which has generated interest from national political observers who traditionally view the state as a secure Democratic stronghold.

If these early voting patterns hold and Election Day turnout continues to surge, New Mexico may be on track for one of its highest voter turnouts in recent history. Both parties are mobilizing to make a final push, with Republicans aiming to capitalize on their strong showing in early voting and Democrats looking to secure their base. As the final votes are cast, all eyes will be on New Mexico, which could be pivotal in shaping the national political landscape.

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‘So radical, it’s dangerous’: Brutal new ad drops in CD-2 over Vasquez’s record

9 Comments / New Mexico, News, Politics / By

In a sharp escalation of political attacks, the Congressional Leadership Fund (CLF), a super PAC aligned with House Republican leadership, has launched a new ad campaign in New Mexico’s Second Congressional District. The ad focuses on Democratic Representative Gabe Vasquez and paints him as holding an extreme anti-police stance, echoing national GOP rhetoric on public safety and law enforcement.

The 30-second spot called “Writing,” focuses on Vasquez being part of a “radical” movement to defund the police, calling his policy positions on public safety “so radical, it’s dangerous.” 

Highlighting the message, the ad criticizes Vasquez for supporting measures that undermine law enforcement, suggesting that his stance could endanger communities. It uses emails, writings, and soundbites directly from his mouth about how he wants to defund the police, calling police officers perpetrators of a “system of oppression.”

The ad is part of a broader media blitz by CLF, which has launched similar ads in nine key battleground districts across the country. According to the CLF, the ads aim to highlight perceived failures of Democratic policies on public safety, illegal immigration, and the economy.

“Too many families are struggling under Democrats’ failed economic, anti-police, and open-border policies,” said CLF Communications Director Courtney Parella. “In just six weeks, voters will choose commonsense leaders who will help secure our border and ease the financial burden on hardworking Americans.”

This latest ad is expected to intensify the already competitive race between Vasquez and his Republican challenger, former Congresswoman Yvette Herrell, in a rematch from 2022. Public safety and law enforcement are critical issues in this southern New Mexico district, where crime rates and border security remain top concerns for voters.

With just weeks until the election, both sides are gearing up for an intense battle, and this new wave of ads signals that the GOP is ready to go all-in on the “defund the police” message.

‘So radical, it’s dangerous’: Brutal new ad drops in CD-2 over Vasquez’s record Read More »

Vasquez campaign blows a gasket as Elon Musk’s PAC invests in NM CD-2

20 Comments / New Mexico, News, Politics / By

An Elon Musk-linked PAC called America PAC is targeting vulnerable Democrats, as reported by Business Insider.

The Tesla and X owner is spending “$86,997 in New Mexico’s 2nd district, where Democratic Rep. Gabe Vasquez faces former Republican Rep. Yvette Herrell,” the outlet reported. 

Federal Election Commission (FEC) documents show the entity is spending $2.1 million in the 14 most competitive U.S. House races. 

“There’s likely to be more where that came from. Punchbowl News reported on Monday that the PAC has set aside $10 million for “voter turnout” in House races around the country,” per Insider.

Following the news, Vasquez’s campaign sent out a panic-stricken email, claiming the PAC, which reports openly to the FEC, is a “dark money” group, claiming, “Republican dark money is FLOODING into NM-02 right now. MAGA extremists will stop at nothing to elect Yvette Herrell, establish their anti-choice MAGA agenda and relentlessly attack Gabe Vasquez.”

“Elon Musk’s America PAC has already spent over $55 MILLION to support Donald Trump, and now? They’re investing an ADDITIONAL $2.1 million to support MAGA extremists in competitive House races like Gabe’s,” his campaign continued.

The email concluded, “Gabe is a threat to their extremist anti-democratic agenda and that’s why their dark money is ENDLESSLY flooding our district,” despite Democrats installing their presidential nominee, Kamala Harris, without a single vote from the American people. 

It is unclear what the Democrats’ campaign believes is “extreme” about Herrell, who has a commonsense platform that includes protecting the border, fighting crime, and solving the inflation crisis created by Vasquez, Biden, and Harris. 

On the other hand, Vasquez believes in open borders, voted for illegal aliens to vote, and voted against anti-inflationary bills, as well as having a rap sheet of his own for his crimes. 

Vasquez, who squeaked out the smallest of wins in 2022, faces fierce competition from Herrell, a former state lawmaker and congresswoman for the Second District. 

Vasquez campaign blows a gasket as Elon Musk’s PAC invests in NM CD-2 Read More »

Republicans out in full force at Navajo Nation parade

5 Comments / New Mexico, News, Politics / By

During the 76th Annual Navajo Nation Fair, taking place in Window Rock, Arizona, Republicans came out in full force to support 45th President Donald Trump, New Mexico’s U.S. Senate candidate Nella Domenici, who is challenging Martin Heinrich, and other Republicans with a float and signs at the parade.

Many Republicans walked in the parade, showing vast support from Navajo voters. The Navajo Nation occupies land in northeastern Arizona, northwestern New Mexico, and southeastern Utah. 

Attendees of the parade carried Trump signs and even “Never Surrender” signs with the 45th President’s mugshot amid the sham criminal trials being pursued by far-left Democrat prosecutors abusing their authority.

Some attendees and their kids wore shoes that read, “Trump 2024,” showcasing the momentum Trump and the Republican Party as a whole have on the Navajo Nation as national polls show Democrat Kamala Harris trailing Trump. 

The most recent poll from the New York Times/Siena College released Sunday shows Trump leading Harris nationwide, suggesting a major win in swing states and possibly the popular vote.

In 2020, Donald Trump, Jr. campaigned for his father in the Navajo Nation, including being a guest on KNDN 960 AM, where he said, “The Navajos and the Native Americans as a whole are the original conservationists,” adding, “I know I am the son of a New York billionaire, but I don’t spend my time in the cocktail party circuit. I spend it in the great outdoors.”

“No Navajo child should have to leave the Navajo Nation to pursue the American dream,” said Don Jr. He also said the Trump Victory team and his team will have “staff on the ground throughout the campaign,” something many Republican candidates have not done in the Navajo Nation.

Republicans out in full force at Navajo Nation parade Read More »

One New Mexican dead as listeria outbreak tied to popular deli meat brand

8 Comments / New Mexico, News / By

Nine people have tragically died following a listeria outbreak linked to Boar’s Head deli meats, federal health authorities reported on Wednesday. The outbreak, which has led to the largest recall of its kind since 2011, has also sickened at least 57 individuals, many of whom required hospitalization.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) confirmed that fatalities have occurred in South Carolina, Florida, New Mexico, Tennessee, New York, Illinois, New Jersey, and Virginia. The CDC also reported that cases began emerging in late May and have continued into August. The source of the outbreak was traced back to a sample of Boar’s Head liverwurst collected in Maryland, which tested positive for the strain of listeria responsible for the illnesses.

Listeria, a resilient bacterium capable of surviving in refrigerated environments, poses a significant risk, particularly to older adults, pregnant women, and those with compromised immune systems. According to the CDC, listeria infections affect approximately 1,600 people annually in the U.S., resulting in about 260 deaths. The symptoms of listeria poisoning can vary, appearing quickly after consumption or taking up to 10 weeks to manifest.

Boar’s Head responded to the outbreak by initiating a recall of over 7 million pounds of deli products, including liverwurst and other meats intended for slicing at deli counters. Initially, the recall targeted products with sell-by dates from late July to the end of August. However, it was soon expanded to include all items produced at the company’s Jarratt, Virginia, facility. These products, which were distributed nationwide and internationally, have since been removed from stores.

The Wordsmith, Wiki Commons.

The CDC has urged consumers to check their refrigerators for the recalled products, identified by the USDA inspection mark EST. 12612 or P-12612. Affected items should be discarded immediately, and any surfaces they contacted should be thoroughly sanitized.

One of the victims, Gunter “Garshon” Morgenstein, an 88-year-old Holocaust survivor and former celebrity hairstylist, passed away from a listeria-induced brain infection after consuming Boar’s Head liverwurst. His son, Garshon Morgenstein, expressed his grief over the senselessness of the tragedy, emphasizing that his father had “many good years left.” The family has since engaged legal representation to seek justice.

As investigations continue, Boar’s Head remains committed to working with authorities to ensure the safety of its products. The CDC has highlighted the importance of awareness and caution when dealing with potentially contaminated foods.

The New Mexico Department of Health, in a press release, wrote, “The death of an elderly Bernalillo County woman has been connected to a multistate outbreak of Listeria caused by Boar’s Head brand deli meats – which were ordered to be pulled from public sale nationwide by federal health officials last month. Find the full recalled product list here.” 

“The New Mexico Environment Department reports Boar’s Head deli meats have been removed from all New Mexican grocery stores on the manufacturer’s distribution list,” it continued.

One New Mexican dead as listeria outbreak tied to popular deli meat brand Read More »

In maniacal DNC speech, MLG auditions to be Harris’ abortion czar

33 Comments / New Mexico, News, Politics / By

On Tuesday night, far-left pro-abortion Democrat Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham gave her best shot at an attempt to headline “healthcare” issues in the potential Kamala Harris regime come 2025 with a Democrat National Convention (DNC) speech. 

She had a significant focus on abortion up-to-birth policies and wooing doctors from pro-life states to come to kill babies in the womb in pro-abortion states like New Mexico.

“Donald Trump and J.D. Vance want to dismantle our health care system, repeal the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare), and eliminate protections for pre-existing conditions,” the far-left fringe governor declared, despite that not being the case other than the GOP ticket vowing to do away with the socialist, antiquated Obama-era law and stop it from repelling doctors and media professionals from states like New Mexico.

She said, “Either these guys don’t get it, or they just don’t care,” referring to Trump and Vance, despite Trump lowering health care costs for Americans by lowering premiums and drug costs and giving veterans a choice in their health care decisions.

“You know who gets it? Kamala Harris gets it, and she cares,” the radical leftist declared. “Do you know what Donald Trump delivered? Junk plans, higher premiums, and abortion bans,” she claimed, despite Democrats clinging on to the failed Obamacare framework after the former Sen. John McCain joined Democrats in helping stop the repeal of the outdated and flawed law that resulted in premiums skyrocketing and people forced not to be insured due to said high prices.

She touted how Harris claims she will give abortions to “any woman who needs it,” adding that the pro-abortion Democrat “nominee” is the “president America needs.”

Lujan Grisham is known for ramming through a 2021 law that stripped any and all protections for babies, expectant mothers, and healthcare professionals to effectively legalize abortion up-to-birth and create the possibility for the continuance of infanticide in the Land of Enchantment.

The audition to be Harris’ abortion czar was met with applause by the rabidly anti-life audience, which frothed at the mouth at the idea of more kids being killed prematurely.

To prove the DNC’s pro-abortion bona fides, at least 25 babies were killed at a mobile unit set up in a truck by Planned Parenthood for DNC attendees to kill their babies while at the convention. 

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Leger Fernandez blames staffer, ‘service blackout’ for cringe ‘Navajo taco’ post

12 Comments / New Mexico, News, Politics / By

New Mexico’s Third Congressional District Representative, Democrat Teresa Leger Fernández, has found herself at the center of a social media storm after an unfortunate mix-up involving a photo she posted on X, formerly known as Twitter. The incident has drawn comparisons to a similar gaffe made earlier this year by Democrat U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich and has become fodder for critics questioning the authenticity and awareness of New Mexico’s elected officials.

On Thursday, Rep. Leger Fernández posted a photo with the caption, “Enjoying some Navajo tacos!” However, the image showed what appeared to be a plate of grilled lamb ribs with fry bread and blue corn mush on the side—definitely not the traditional Navajo taco she claimed to be enjoying. The post was quickly deleted but not before being captured in a screenshot by a user with the handle @AngryMomUSA, who pointed out the mistake and likened it to Heinrich’s previous blunder, where he mistakenly referred to a bighorn sheep as an elk.

The screenshot quickly gained traction on social media, with users criticizing the congresswoman for being out of touch with the very culture she represents. One user remarked, “I live in Texas, and I know that’s nowhere near a Navajo taco,” while another called her a “total fraud who has no idea what a Navajo Taco looks like,” expressing concern over her representation of Navajo residents in New Mexico.

In response to the backlash, Julian Duque, a spokesperson for Leger Fernández, explained that the mistake was due to a “miscommunication” caused by a service blackout in Gallup, where the team was visiting. According to Duque, photos and captions got mixed up, leading to the erroneous post. He clarified that the team had indeed dined at Cheii’s Restaurant in Fire Rock Casino outside Gallup, where they ordered both lamb ribs and Navajo tacos. To support the claim, Duque provided a meal receipt showing that a Navajo taco was among the items purchased.

State Rep. John Block (R-Alamogordo) responded to Lujan Grisham throwing her staffer under the bus, the exact same excuse Heinrich had, with “So, @TeresaForNM claims she either: Ate a plate of ribs AND a Navajo taco in one sitting OR She was going to pose with a staffer’s Navajo Taco and claim she was the one wolfing it down,” adding, “Also, I was in Gallup last week. And I had service ALL OVER GALLUP, including at Fire Rock Casino. Why do they lie?”

The timing of this misstep is particularly sensitive as Leger Fernández gears up for her re-election campaign, where she will face Sharon Clahchischilliage, a Navajo Republican candidate. Critics of Leger Fernández, including those who have seized on this latest incident, argue that the mistake underscores a disconnect between the congresswoman and the cultural traditions of the Navajo people, a key constituency in her district.

The comparison to Heinrich’s earlier social media gaffe only amplifies the perception that some of New Mexico’s leaders are out of touch with the state’s cultural and natural heritage. Heinrich had attributed his error to a mix-up in photos sent by his staff, a defense that drew mixed reactions from the public.

Leger Fernandez blames staffer, ‘service blackout’ for cringe ‘Navajo taco’ post Read More »

Leger Fernandez posts, quickly deletes embarrassingly out-of-touch photo

10 Comments / New Mexico, News, Politics / By

On Thursday, far-left U.S. Rep. Teresa Leger Fernandez of the Third Congressional District, a Democrat, posted an embarrassing photo where she said she was “[e]njoying some Navajo tacos!”

However, the photo she shared included no such food item. Instead, it appears she ordered grilled lamb ribs that came with a fry bread and blue corn mush on the side — not a Navajo taco.

The photo, which was quickly deleted by Leger Fernandez, appears to have been taken at Cheii’s restaurant located in Fire Rock Casino outside of Gallup.

The photo was not deleted before X user @AngryMomUSA grabbed a screenshot and posted it, writing, “Like @MartinHeinrich’s ‘elk’ post, this is @RepTeresaLF ‘s “Navajo Taco,’” referring to an embarrassing post Heinrich made at the beginning of the year showing him posing in front of a longhorn sheep, which he labeled an “elk.”

The X account continued, “Her post was deleted btw. Do any of these people even live here in NM?! It’s no wonder that they ate completely out of touch with a day in the life of the most violent, uneducated state in the US.”

Leger Fernandez’s post was chided by many commenters, including state Rep. John Block (R-Alamogordo), who pointed out the location of the photo and even shared a screenshot of Cheii’s menu, which displayed what the restaurant’s Navajo taco actually looks like. 

“That don’t look like no Navajo Taco I’ve ever eaten. This does,” wrote another X user, sharing a photo of a genuine Navajo taco.

“Total fraud, who has no idea what a Navajo Taco looks like. Terrifying that Teresa Fernandez represents the Navajo residents of New Mexico. Even worse is that she CHAIRS the House’s subcommittee for Indigenous People!! Why is this fraud representing Natives?” one user questioned.

After Heinrich’s elk gaffe, he quickly swept it under the rug and blamed a staffer for the flub. It is unclear if Leger Fernandez, who represents all of the New Mexico side of the Navajo Nation in the U.S. House, will do the same. 

Leger Fernandez posts, quickly deletes embarrassingly out-of-touch photo Read More »

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