New Mexico

The first use of the Dems’ anti-gun law fails

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A verdict has been reached in the trial of the first parent charged under New Mexico’s so-called “Bennie’s Law.” The “Bennie Hargrove Gun Safety Act,” commonly known as Bennie’s Law, is a 2023 anti-gun law that aims to hold gun owners accountable if a child gains access to their firearm and uses it to commit a crime. Prosecutors alleged this scenario occurred in the case of William Brown.

William Brown is the father of Porfirio Brown, who is accused of using his father’s gun to shoot and kill a 13-year-old girl. 

During the trial, officers testified that they observed several firearms lying openly around William’s home while executing a search warrant. However, the revolver used in the shooting was not recovered.

The prosecution highlighted that revolver ammunition found in William’s home did not correspond to any of the firearms located there. In his defense, William testified that the revolver in question was in Carlsbad at the time of the shooting.

On Friday, a jury found William not guilty of negligently making a firearm accessible to a minor.

Earlier this year, Porfirio was tried for second-degree murder, but the trial ended in a hung jury. He is scheduled for a retrial in August.

Biden finally declares NM fire disaster as rain helps fight blazes

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Over 1,000 firefighters in New Mexico seized a weather break on Thursday to gain control over two wildfires that have claimed two lives, destroyed hundreds of homes, and forced thousands to evacuate.

Joe Biden finally issued a disaster declaration for southern New Mexico, providing additional funding and resources to help contain the fires almost a week since the South Fork Fire was discovered. Crews benefited from a storm system that brought rain, hail, and cooler temperatures to Ruidoso and surrounding areas.

“The fire has lost momentum,” said Arthur Gonzales, the fire behavior analyst for the federal attack team, during a community meeting in Alamogordo on Thursday night. “We still have a lot of work to do, but it’s really changed that fire behavior,” he added, noting that minimal growth is expected in the coming days.

Despite this temporary reprieve, firefighters remain cautious due to the dry, tinderbox conditions that initially fueled the fires. In a few days, the fires have scorched an area half the size of Washington, D.C.

Evacuation orders are likely to remain in place for several days as crews work to extinguish hot spots around Ruidoso, and law enforcement continues to patrol to prevent looting. While some reports suggested the fires were human-caused, federal incident commander Dave Gessar stated that the causes remain “undetermined” and are under investigation.

The disaster declaration will support recovery efforts, including temporary housing, low-cost loans for uninsured property, and other emergency work in Lincoln County and on Mescalero Apache Tribe lands.

Residents fled the larger of the two fires with little notice as it swept through neighborhoods on Monday. More evacuations occurred on Tuesday as the fire expanded, engulfing homes among the ponderosa pines.

An estimated 1,400 structures have been destroyed or damaged, with Ruidoso Mayor Lynn Crawford estimating that about half were homes. “These are things that are burnt to the foundations and all the trees around it,” he said. “It’s devastating.”

Authorities reported that a 60-year-old man who died was found near the Swiss Chalet Inn in Ruidoso. His family had arranged for a ride, but friends could not reach him due to blocked roads. He appeared to have been overcome by the fire while trying to escape on foot. On Wednesday, officers found the skeletal remains of another person in the driver’s seat of a burned vehicle.

Some residents have been documenting the damage via social media. In Ruidoso and neighboring Alto, entire neighborhoods have been reduced to ash, with only fireplaces remaining from homes.

“I am speechless. I’m so sorry everyone,” said Logan Fle as he drove through the affected areas.

The Southwest has experienced exceptionally dry and hot conditions in recent months, which, combined with strong winds, rapidly spread the South Fork Fire into Ruidoso. Evacuations included hundreds of homes, businesses, a regional medical center, and the Ruidoso Downs horse track.

Nationwide, wildfires have burned over 3,344 square miles (8,660 square kilometers) this year, surpassing the 10-year average, according to the National Interagency Fire Center. Nearly 20 large, uncontained wildfires are burning across California, Arizona, Colorado, Washington state, and other areas.

South Fork Fire claims musician’s life, second known victim still unidentified

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Authorities have recovered the remains of two individuals who lost their lives amid the advancing South Fork wildfire near Ruidoso, as confirmed by a spokesperson from the New Mexico State Police on Wednesday.

One of the victims was identified as Patrick Pearson, 60, a musician from Ruidoso. According to his daughter, Hilary Mallak, Pearson tragically died on Monday while attempting to evacuate from the Swiss Chalet Inn, where he had been residing since 2021. The Inn was completely destroyed.

In another incident, State Police officers responded to a burned vehicle on Tuesday morning on Ranier Road south of Alto. The occupant, found in the driver’s seat, remains unidentified due to the skeletal condition of the remains, with no identifiable documents recovered from the vehicle.

Residents of Ruidoso, a community of approximately 8,000 people, were ordered to evacuate on Monday due to the dangerous spread of the South Fork Fire and another nearby blaze known as the Salt Fire.

Pearson, who was awaiting transportation from the inn, found himself stranded as the fire encroached. Mallak expressed the heartbreaking realization that her father, who had recently suffered a leg injury and relied on a walker, likely succumbed to smoke or heat shortly after leaving the hotel.

“He must have realized that no help was coming in time,” Mallak said, recounting the difficult circumstances leading to her father’s tragic end. Pearson’s death was officially communicated to the family by State Police late Tuesday night.

A well-regarded musician, Pearson had a deep connection to Ruidoso, where he regularly performed at venues like Quarters Nightclub and Grill. His sudden passing has left the community mourning, with plans underway by the Office of the Medical Investigator to transport his remains to Albuquerque for further proceedings.

While funeral arrangements are pending, Mallak noted that a GoFundMe page has been established to assist with the costs associated with Pearson’s burial. Reflecting on her father’s life, she shared that Pearson had fallen in love with Ruidoso after performing there years ago, ultimately deciding to make it his home.

“He did a gig there a few years ago and just loved it,” Mallak recalled fondly, emphasizing Pearson’s passion for his music and the local community.

On Wednesday evening, rain fell in the Ruidoso area, causing flood conditions. 200-300 additional firefighters have been deployed to fight the blazes. That brings the total number of personnel fighting both fires in the area to 824.

“On Wednesday, the South Fork and Salt fires received varying amounts of rain.  The highest rainfall recorded was 1.62” along Skyline Ridge near the Monjeau Fire Lookout on the northern side of the South Fork Fire, while rainfall on the Salt Fire measured .05”. Thursday’s incoming weather will produce clouds, cooler temperatures (68-75 degrees) and higher day/night relative humidity. Storms will likely develop over the lower east slopes of the Sacramento Mountains in the afternoon and into the early evening, producing 20-30mph gusts. Heavy rain, flash floods and debris flows are a potential risk from these storms through the week,” writes NMFireInfo.com.

“Crews will continue constructing firelines to prevent further fire growth, while continuing to protect homes, properties, and critical infrastructure. Ground and aerial ignitions may be used where needed to strengthen protection of values at risk and burn out fuels between constructed firelines and the main fire,” it added.

The current containment of the 16,335-acre South Fork Fire and the 7,071-acre Salt Fire remains at zero percent.

Hero GOP senator ensures Heinrich’s bump stock ban bill fails miserably

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On Tuesday, U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich’s attempt to ban so-called “bump stocks,” claiming the accessory turns rifles  into “automatic weapons.”

He said, “I know there are those who say, ‘Guns don’t kill people; people kill people,’” adding, “But the reality is this: Bump stocks kill and injure hundreds.”

Heinrich, who claims to have used guns for hunting, sport, and self-defense (despite not knowing the difference between an elk and a bighorn sheep), stated, “Bump stocks serve no legitimate purpose.”

Last week, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled 6-3 that bump stocks should not be banned, per a previous federal decision.

Heinrich urged his colleagues to pass the Banning Unlawful Machinegun Parts (BUMP) Act through unanimous consent, a method that allows a measure to pass as long as no senator objects. 

However, Sen. Pete Ricketts from Nebraska objected on behalf of Republicans, labeling it a “show vote,” which it was.

Ricketts argued, “The majority leader knows this bill will not pass. It won’t pass because enough people in this building still believe in the Constitution, and the Constitution affords Americans the right to own a firearm. This vague, overreaching bill directly infringes upon that right.”

Heinrich stressed the supposed urgency of congressional action, declaring, “We need to pass this ban on bump stocks right away.”

Despite the measure failing miserably, Heinrich vowed that this issue would not disappear from the Senate’s agenda, asserting that the BUMP Act is a measure of “commonsense gun safety legislation,” which by definition goes against the U.S. Constitution, which Heinrich swore to uphold.

South Fork Fire consumes 1,400+ structures, kills one; Cause unconfirmed

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According to officials from the New Mexico Forestry Division, the South Fork Fire in New Mexico has destroyed approximately 1,400 buildings and has expanded to cover 16,335 as of Wednesday morning.

Footage of the remnants caused by the fire can be seen below:

Tragically, the New Mexico Governor’s Office confirmed one fatality resulting from the fire.

The New Mexico Forestry Division reported that the fire’s growth on Tuesday was due to “long-range spotting,” a phenomenon where burning debris is carried by winds beyond the current fire perimeter, igniting new areas.

Weather forecasts for Wednesday predict scattered showers and thunderstorms in the affected area during the afternoon, which hopefully will aid in containing the blazes.

In response to the escalating situation, New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham declared a State of Emergency for the South Fork and Salt Fires. This executive order was enacted on Tuesday morning, June 18.

Additionally, the state Environment Department’s drinking water bureau issued a precautionary drinking water advisory on Tuesday afternoon for public water systems in Lincoln County. The advisory was prompted by potential contamination from the wildfire’s effects and urged residents to seek alternative water sources for safety.

According to last night’s fire update from the Village of Ruidoso, “Fire activity included crowning and long-range spotting, which increased the fire’s footprint from this morning’s acreage total. Today, response crews were able to directly engage areas of the fire’s footprint when conditions allowed.”

Multiple reports suspect arson as the cause of the fires. However, the official cause of the fire is “under investigation,” pending official confirmation of its source. 

Keep up-to-date on the latest updates on the fire at the Village of Ruidoso’s website here.

Ways to donate money and items to the relief efforts can be found in the below X post:

Nella Domenici campaign launches supply drive for Ruidoso fire victims

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The Nella for Senate campaign is asking for support and donations to assist families in Ruidoso and surrounding areas affected by the Lincoln County/Mescalero Apache South Fork Fire.

Donations can be dropped off until Wednesday, June 19th, at the locations listed below between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. MST.

Needed Items:

To support displaced families, we are requesting new or gently used items such as:

  • Blankets
  • Pillows
  • Towels
  • Toiletries
  • Non-perishable food items
  • Bottled water
  • Clothing
  • Books, games, puzzles, or other activities for children
  • Pet supplies
  • Sleeping bags/blow-up mattresses
  • Hygiene products

Drop-Off Locations:

  • Nella for Senate Campaign Headquarters
    • 8010 Palomas Ave NW Ste C, Albuquerque, NM 87109
  • Republican Party of New Mexico Headquarters
    • 5150 San Francisco Rd NE Unit A, Albuquerque, NM 87109
  • NRCC Battlestation
    • 201 S. Solano Ste D, Las Cruces, NM 88001
  • KSVP Radio Office
    • 317 West Quay Avenue, Artesia, NM 88210

Evacuation Updates:

The City of Roswell, in collaboration with the Red Cross, has set up an emergency shelter at the Eastern New Mexico University-Roswell gymnasium, located at 52B University Blvd. If this facility reaches capacity, the New Mexico Military Institute’s Godfrey Athletic Center at 101 W. College Blvd. will serve as a secondary shelter.

Additionally, those with RVs or large animals can stay at the Eastern New Mexico State Fairgrounds at 2500 SE Main St.

“Meanwhile, thanks to Roswell hospitals, which are trying to accommodate as many patients as possible who are being moved out of the Ruidoso hospital,” wrote the Domenici campaign.As of Tuesday morning, 13,921 have been burned in the South Fork Fire with zero percent containment. More information about the fire will be updated on this website.

14,000+ Texas babies killed in NM last year: Report

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In 2023, approximately 70% of the estimated 21,000 abortions performed in New Mexico were on patients who traveled from Texas to kill their unborn babies, according to a study by the Guttmacher Institute, a pro-abortion research organization. 

This means that about 14,200 Texas babies were killed in the womb in New Mexico, marking a tragic influx since the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade. Texas law protects life in the womb unless the life or health of the mother is at risk.

The increase in abortions in New Mexico has been dramatic, with a more than 260% rise since 2020. Many attribute this rise to Texas’ pro-life laws. Additionally, around 400 patients traveled from Oklahoma and Arizona for abortions.

The percentage of out-of-state abortion “patients” in New Mexico surged from 38% in 2020 to 71% in 2023, the highest proportion in the country. This influx demonstrates the extreme lengths to which individuals will go to kill the babies in their wombs, a stark reality that highlights the tragic loss of unborn lives.

Each month, about 1,610 abortions are performed in New Mexico, with the number exceeding 2,000 in March 2023 alone. Nationally, the New York Times reported that 171,000 patients traveled out of their home states for abortions in 2023, indicating a widespread movement driven by restrictive state laws.

Isaac Maddow-Zimet of the Guttmacher Institute commented on the extensive travel for abortion services, stating it shows “just how far people will travel to obtain the [abortions] they want and deserve.” However, from a pro-life perspective, this highlights the urgent need for stronger protective measures for unborn children across the United States.

The study’s estimates are based on monthly surveys from abortionists near state borders and statewide data collection, reflecting a comprehensive overview of interstate abortion trends.

For more detailed information, the full report is available on the Guttmacher Institute’s website.

New report measured states’ population growth: See where NM ranks

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The Pew Charitable Trusts has released an insightful report on American population growth patterns, which holds significant implications for New Mexico and its policymakers.

According to the report, New Mexico’s population growth has been notably sluggish since 2008, trailing behind the national average. 

New Mexico’s growth rate has been at 0.34 percent since 2008, while states such as Arizona had a 1.13 percent growth rate and Colorado had 1.23 percent growth. New Mexico’s neighboring state of Texas, albeit classified as a southern state, saw 1.52 percent growth.  

More strikingly, when examining a 15-year span, New Mexico’s growth lags behind every state west of Kansas.

The most concerning projection from Pew is that by 2040, New Mexico is expected to experience a net population decline. Between 2030 and 2040, New Mexico’s population is projected to be -0.03 percent, declining the most among younger people ages 20-24, with a -0.27 percent rate. 

“In the 2020s, New Mexico is one of the 25 states with projected decreases in population of 25-to-64-year-olds and younger. And in the 2030s, New Mexico is one of the 40 states with a projected increase,” Pew noted.

On a national scale, The Pew Center wrote, “According to the center’s projections, growth is likely to remain tepid through 2040 with the national population forecasted to grow at about the same pace from 2020 to 2030 as the prior decade—already the slowest on record—before dropping to new lows from 2030 to 2040. In the 2020s, 31 states may face population slowdowns compared with the previous decade, and the number climbs to 45 in the next decade. The Census Bureau also projects that nationally, population growth will remain moderate at best and largely attributes that forecast to declining fertility rates combined with rising death rates as baby boomers age.”

While it is not the only state anticipated to see a population decrease, it stands out as the only state west of the Mississippi River with such a forecast.

However, this future is not inevitable. New Mexico has the potential to leverage its oil and gas revenues to implement much-needed policy reforms, as noted by the Rio Grande Foundation’s Errors of Enchantment. Such changes would require proactive measures from the state legislature.

Dem NM State Auditor Maestas has bad news for wasteful Lujan Grisham regime

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In the fall of last year, New Mexico Environment Department Secretary James Kenney and a division director undertook a costly trip to Australia, with taxpayers footing the bill for $30,000 for their two flights. 

This expenditure has drawn scrutiny and criticism from the state auditor, who labeled it a misuse of public funds and a breach of state regulations.

Democrat State Auditor Joseph Maestas addressed a letter to Kenney, highlighting that the trip’s expenses were inflated due to the officials upgrading their seats to business class. 

While economy class tickets would have cost approximately $2,000 each, the business class seats purchased were nearly $15,000 each, leading to a 600% increase in costs. Maestas described this as a “clear case of waste of public resources” and noted it violated state policy.

“In seeking and obtaining airfare rates at greater cost than otherwise normally allowable, NMED management inappropriately applied private business standards for travel and overrode important preventative internal controls. Specifically, NMED Out of State Travel Policy 07-04, which was last updated in 1996, requires travel be taken in a manner that optimizes NMED resources, and Department of Finance and Administration travel guidelines requires the utilization of the lowest fare available,” read Maestas’ letter.

Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham also attended the Asia-Pacific Hydrogen Summit in Sydney during this trip. She announced a partnership with an Australian company to establish an innovation hub in New Mexico.

Lujan Grisham has been well-known for her taxpayer-funded jet-setting across the globe, from Scotland and the Netherlands to multiple trips to Washington, D.C., funded by New Mexico taxpayers. 

Secretary Kenney did not grant an interview to KRQE but issued a statement explaining that the business class upgrade was to ensure a full and productive workday upon arrival, which was crucial for the summit’s effective participation. 

He acknowledged the need for stronger internal controls and mentioned that the Department of Finance and Administration would introduce a final travel policy for state employees soon.

“The New Mexico Environment Department (NMED) upgraded to business class for extended international air travel to allow for a full and productive workday upon arrival. This was essential for effective participation in the Asia Pacific Hydrogen Summit where the Governor and NMED secured and announced a $100M investment in Albuquerque by Australian-based Star Scientific. The NMED acknowledges the need for stronger internal controls, and the Department of Finance and Administration will replace its interim travel policy with a final travel policy for state employees next month,” his statement read. 

Read State Auditor Maestas’ letter here.

Desperate to win reelection, Heinrich bathes in Wall Street cash and hypocrisy

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Far-left Sen. Martin Heinrich, who is campaigning for a third term this November, has criticized his Republican opponent, former hedge fund executive Nella Domenici, for her Wall Street connections. Despite this, according to Federal Election Commission filings reviewed by the Washington Examiner, Heinrich has received significant donations from financial industry political action committees and executives from private equity, hedge funds, and venture capital firms.

Over the past decade, PACs associated with major banks have contributed more than $330,000 to Heinrich’s campaign and leadership PAC. Additionally, Heinrich has accepted at least $450,000 from executives at influential firms. This includes donations from executives at top firms such as Bain Capital, Blackrock, Blackstone, Lone Pine Capital, and Schooner Capital.

This could expose Heinrich to Republicans’ accusations of hypocrisy as he campaigns against Domenici. In a recent fundraising email, Heinrich criticized Domenici for “making the ultra-wealthy wealthier,” referencing her financial disclosure that she and her husband hold up to $94 million in assets.

Domenici’s background includes working at Bridgewater Associates, Citadel, Credit Suisse, and other companies. She is also the daughter of the late former New Mexico Republican Sen. Pete Domenici.

Heinrich has made pointed remarks about Domenici on social media, suggesting that her career path to the U.S. Senate follows a history of profiting at the expense of American workers. He reiterated his stance in a fundraising email, asserting that he is “not in this fight to prop up Wall Street.”

Despite his critiques, Heinrich’s campaign continues to receive support from executives and corporate PACs, including UBS, the American Bankers Association, Citigroup, and Wells Fargo. Heinrich’s campaign did not respond to requests for comment on these donations.

A recent poll showed Domenici trailing Heinrich by only three points. However, Domenici closed this gap when respondents heard positive information about her and negative messages about Heinrich.

Poll spooks Heinrich, showing him with razor-thin lead over Domenici
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