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‘Think NM’: While doctors flee NM, radical group fights to keep crisis going

15 Comments / New Mexico, News, Politics / By

In a fiery new op-ed, Think New Mexico Executive Director Fred Nathan is taking aim at a secretive, left-wing dark money group accused of undermining desperately needed reforms to New Mexico’s collapsing health care system. The group, called “New Mexico Safety Over Profits” (NMSOP), is now the subject of a lawsuit from the New Mexico Ethics Commission for allegedly violating campaign finance laws by failing to disclose its donors while spending tens of thousands of dollars on efforts to kill medical malpractice reform.

At the center of the controversy is Senate Bill 176 — a bipartisan attempt led by Think New Mexico to modernize the state’s outdated and lopsided medical malpractice laws. These reforms aim to make New Mexico more hospitable to doctors and health care providers who are fleeing the state in alarming numbers. Between 2019 and 2024, New Mexico was the only state in the nation to lose physicians, while every other state saw increases.

Think New Mexico’s report identified the state’s uniquely hostile malpractice environment as a significant factor. Unlike other states, New Mexico has no cap on attorneys’ fees, no limit on punitive damages, and the lowest legal threshold in the nation for awarding those damages. “This statute is great for trial lawyers,” Nathan wrote, “but not so great for folks trying to find a doctor.”

According to investigative reporting from Searchlight New Mexico, NMSOP has close ties to the New Mexico Trial Lawyers Association, whose members have a direct financial interest in preserving the current system. Searchlight exposed a pattern of unethical tactics used by the group to deceive the public and silence reformers. Rather than disclose their funding sources as required by law, NMSOP told reporters, “We certainly will not be disclosing our donors.”

The Ethics Commission wasn’t buying it. It sued the group, stating plainly, “New Mexicans have a right to know who is funding lobbying campaigns.”

Now, in what appears to be a desperate smokescreen, NMSOP is launching political attacks on Think New Mexico — a nonpartisan think tank that has successfully championed reforms ranging from ending predatory lending to repealing the food tax. NMSOP claims Think New Mexico is doing the bidding of corporate health interests, citing two local independent foundations that provided grant funding but were originally seeded through the sale of health care companies years ago.

Nathan called the accusation misleading and hypocritical, noting that Think New Mexico is fully transparent about its donors and publishes its financials online every year. In contrast, NMSOP refuses to reveal even a single name behind its funding while spending large sums to protect the status quo.

The truth, according to Nathan, is that trial lawyers and their dark money allies are scared — and for good reason. SB 176 may have failed in committee by a razor-thin 5–4 vote, but it earned 24 bipartisan co-sponsors, and Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham backed reform in both her State of the State address and post-session remarks.

“The tide is turning,” Nathan wrote. “And the desperation of those trying to stop reform only proves how necessary it is.”

With New Mexico facing a health care access crisis, the question now isn’t who’s funding the reform effort — it’s why the groups fighting it are so determined to keep their own donors hidden.

‘Think NM’: While doctors flee NM, radical group fights to keep crisis going Read More »

Stansbury said she worked for Maxwell—Now she’s pointing fingers at Trump

17 Comments / New Mexico, News, Politics / By

Far-left U.S. Rep. Melanie Stansbury (D-NM), best known for her performative politics and online posturing, attempted to mock President Donald Trump this week by invoking the late pedophile Jeffrey Epstein and a supposed “client list” that has fueled internet speculation. But Stansbury’s swipe at Trump immediately backfired, given her own troubling connection to Epstein’s inner circle.

In a viral post on the social media platform X (formerly Twitter), Stansbury shared a meme renaming the Gulf of Mexico as the “Gulf of Donald Trump is on the Epstein Client List.” She captioned the image with a smug, “Just going to leave this right here,” racking up over 44,000 views and a flurry of mixed reactions.

What the Democrat failed to mention, however, is that she herself reported that she once worked for an organization founded by none other than Epstein’s longtime confidante, convicted sex trafficker Ghislaine Maxwell.

According to her official disclosure in 2021, Stansbury listed the TerraMar Project as a former employer — a nonprofit that was created and fronted by Maxwell under the guise of ocean conservation.

TerraMar wasn’t just any nonprofit. It was founded by Maxwell in 2012 and dissolved suddenly in July 2019, just six days after Epstein was arrested again on federal sex trafficking charges. Despite being promoted with TED Talks, UN speeches, and Clinton Global Initiative tie-ins, the organization gave zero dollars to any actual environmental programs between 2012 and 2017. IRS documents showed high legal fees, unpaid debts, and minimal legitimate activity, raising questions about what TerraMar actually did — and who it really served.

TerraMar logo, Wiki Commons.

The project’s unusually shallow infrastructure, financial irregularities, and sudden shutdown just six days after Epstein’s 2019 arrest — all of which have fueled speculation that TerraMar may have provided Maxwell and Epstein with a respectable public-facing platform to launder money, build elite contacts, or conceal elements of their sex trafficking operation.

Tax filings even revealed TerraMar owed Maxwell over half a million dollars personally when it shuttered. Meanwhile, the organization claimed lofty goals of “shared global ocean governance” but was widely criticized as being hollow — a PR front cloaked in environmental buzzwords.

Maxwell, who founded TerraMar and led it as president, was later convicted in 2021 on five counts related to the trafficking and sexual abuse of minors.

So while Stansbury attempts to score political points by erroneously tying Trump to Epstein, despite no connection whatsoever, and him directing U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi to release whatever appropriate information she can, the far-left Democrat Stansbury might want to revisit her own résumé.

Her social media antics didn’t go unnoticed by New Mexicans. One commenter wrote, “You’re still tied with Gabe Vasquez for the worst Rep. in the history of our State — but this is still really funny!” Another sarcastically praised the post while ignoring the hypocrisy.

The bigger story here isn’t a meme — it’s that a sitting member of Congress, who once worked for an Epstein-linked entity led by a now-convicted trafficker, is trying to deflect attention by dragging President Trump into the narrative. If guilt by association is the standard, Stansbury might be staring into a mirror.

New Mexicans deserve better than cheap social media stunts. They deserve transparency, especially from politicians with ties to one of the most notorious abuse networks in modern history.

Stansbury refuses to eat crow at DOGE hearing after humiliating math fail

Stansbury said she worked for Maxwell—Now she’s pointing fingers at Trump Read More »

Radical activist admits: NM is the hub for child gender mutilation

29 Comments / New Mexico, News, Politics / By

A disturbing interview from a far-left activist is shedding new light on the coordinated efforts of radical organizations and individuals who aim to push irreversible transgender procedures on children, and New Mexico is at the center of this dangerous campaign.

Mandy Giles, founder of the extremist group Parents of Trans Youth, appeared at a protest in Houston this week defending the practice of transporting minors across state lines for so-called “gender-affirming care,” which often includes hormone injections, puberty blockers, and genital mutilation surgeries. In the interview, she confirmed that New Mexico—a state with virtually no restrictions on transgender procedures for minors—is one of the top destinations for these procedures.

“There’s not many surrounding states… the closest to us is New Mexico—to Albuquerque—which is a long way away,” Giles told the interviewer when asked where Texas families are going for such procedures. “A lot of families are finding care in Washington State, Oregon, Colorado, Massachusetts, New York…”

That shocking admission highlights how New Mexico, under its Democrat-controlled government, has become a magnet for irreversible, life-altering procedures on vulnerable children. Rather than protecting minors from exploitation, the state has become what critics rightly call a gender mutilation sanctuary—offering surgeries and cross-sex hormones without meaningful oversight, age limits, or parental accountability.

While Texas lawmakers have acted decisively to protect children from these irreversible harms—passing Senate Bill 14, which prohibits doctors from providing puberty blockers, cross-sex hormones, and transgender surgeries to minors—activists like Giles are working overtime to circumvent these safeguards.

Even more alarming, Giles admitted that nonprofits such as the Campaign for Southern Equality are now actively involved in helping families smuggle children across state lines for these procedures. “They provide navigational help for families to find those clinics and doctors and transportation help,” she said, also referencing financial “microgrants” that grease the wheels of this medically and ethically questionable process.

Giles’ own bio paints a picture of someone deeply embedded in the transgender advocacy machine. A past president of PFLAG Houston and an Equality Texas leadership graduate, she has testified multiple times in opposition to laws designed to protect children from radical gender ideology. Her organization, Parents of Trans Youth, openly promotes affirming minors’ confusion and fast-tracking them toward experimental medical interventions, using her status as a parent of “two nonbinary young adults” to influence other families.

Despite her claims of compassion, Giles is pushing an agenda that many see as deeply harmful and irreversible. The long-term effects of hormone therapies and transgender surgeries are still being studied, but countries like Sweden and the UK have already begun to reverse course, halting youth transition procedures due to mounting evidence of harm.

New Mexico’s role as a destination for these procedures deserves scrutiny. Why are Democrats in the state legislature not only tolerating but encouraging the trafficking of vulnerable minors into their state for irreversible medical experimentation? Why are New Mexico taxpayers footing the bill for policies that could leave a generation of children permanently scarred?

As Texas strengthens its laws to protect children from irreversible harm, New Mexico appears to be racing in the opposite direction—becoming a haven for out-of-state activists who believe ideology should triumph over biology, medical ethics, and common sense.

For the safety of children, this dangerous pipeline must be exposed and stopped.

Radical activist admits: NM is the hub for child gender mutilation Read More »

Pope and Garcia Richard race to the bottom in radical Democrat primary

15 Comments / New Mexico, News, Politics / By

The race for New Mexico’s next lieutenant governor is already shaping up to be another bruising Democrat slugfest, with two far-left figures vying for power: State Sen. Harold Pope and State Land Commissioner Stephanie Garcia Richard.

On Monday, Pope—an Albuquerque Democrat known for pushing fringe legislation—formally announced his candidacy for the state’s second-highest executive post. Though the news comes as little surprise—Pope had already filed a campaign committee—his campaign rollout confirms a broader attempt by far-left ideologues to entrench themselves deeper in New Mexico’s executive leadership.

Pope told Source New Mexico that he’s running to have a “full-time voice” in the executive branch, claiming he can do more “on the fourth floor” than as a legislator. But his record tells a different story.

Pope has repeatedly aligned with the most radical policies in Santa Fe. He pushed legislation to force sexual education standards onto children as young as 11, regardless of parental consent. He voted to funnel taxpayer-funded college tuition to illegal immigrants through House Bill 64. He backed a payroll tax scheme (Senate Bill 3) that would’ve slammed both small businesses and workers. And he supported legislation that would have imposed centralized housing mandates across the state and cemented extreme environmentalist policies that threaten New Mexico’s oil, gas, and agricultural sectors.

These are not the positions of a moderate or a reformer—they’re part of a nationalized left-wing agenda that is already bleeding New Mexico dry. It also doesn’t help that he jumped on TikTok to advocate for a violent MS-13 gang member, among a slew of other wild takes that have been fully archived by the Piñon Post and will surely be pure gold come the general election, if Pope wins the nomination. 

But Pope isn’t alone. His top Democrat opponent so far is Stephanie Garcia Richard, the scandal-prone Commissioner of Public Lands. Her tenure has been riddled with controversy, including repeated clashes with New Mexico ranchers, lease mismanagement, and failure to balance the state’s economic interests with environmental stewardship. Instead of maximizing returns for New Mexico’s public schools—one of her core responsibilities—Garcia Richard has pursued a rigid green agenda that has alienated key industries and rural communities alike.

Garcia Richard also grabbed headlines for trying to strip the New Mexico State Land Office of transparency and legislative oversight, drawing sharp criticism even from within her own party. Her long track record of pushing anti-development policies makes her a hard sell outside progressive strongholds like Santa Fe.

Also in the race is Jackie Lee Onsurez, a village councilor from Loving, and Republican Manuel Lardizabal, who previously ran for a state Senate seat in Albuquerque.

But the real battle—for now—is within the Democrat Party, where Pope and Garcia Richard are expected to clash in what is shaping up to be a bitter primary. Both represent the far-left flank of the party, and both come with glaring vulnerabilities. While Pope barely held onto his Senate seat in 2024, Garcia Richard continues to face scrutiny over her political decisions and failed stewardship of state lands as she continually jumps from office to office.

With a primary set for June 2, 2026, New Mexico voters will once again be asked to choose between competing versions of the same radical playbook—unless common-sense leadership steps in to break the cycle.

As the Democrat candidates trip over each other to race to the left, conservatives are watching closely. The 2026 election may be the best opportunity yet to finally reverse the state’s dangerous slide toward California-style policies that have already caused so much harm.

Pope and Garcia Richard race to the bottom in radical Democrat primary Read More »

Vasquez tells illegals how to evade ICE after refusing to condemn violent riots

26 Comments / New Mexico, News, Politics / By

U.S. Rep. Gabe Vasquez, who once branded himself a moderate, is now openly championing far-left positions on immigration enforcement, drawing sharp contrasts with other border-district Democrats who have avoided taking sides on the issue.

Vasquez, serving his second term in Congress representing southern New Mexico, condemned recent Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations in Los Angeles, claiming the Trump administration is “transforming our streets into war zones.” He went a step further by voting against a House resolution condemning violent riots that erupted in response to those raids — riots that included Molotov cocktails being thrown at agents and patrol vehicles set ablaze.

Instead of distancing himself from the anti-ICE violence, Vasquez has actively encouraged resistance to immigration enforcement. His official congressional website instructs undocumented individuals that they “do not have to open the door” to federal agents and that they “do not have to share your immigration status or your place of birth.” He also promotes the idea that individuals “can report and document raids and arrests to share with attorneys and advocacy organizations.”

Vasquez’s advice comes in the wake of several reported attacks on ICE agents in cities such as Portland, Oregon, and McAllen, Texas.

His outspoken stance places him at odds with other vulnerable Democrats in border regions. Texas Reps. Vicente Gonzalez and Henry Cuellar, both representing districts along the southern border, remained silent on the ICE operations in Los Angeles. Cuellar even joined six fellow Democrats in voting to condemn the riots. In total, five Democrats facing tough re-election campaigns backed the resolution, which passed on June 27. Vasquez voted against it.

The New Mexico lawmaker also opposed the bipartisan Laken Riley Act, which mandates that illegal immigrants accused of violent crimes be detained without bond. Rather than shy away from his controversial vote, Vasquez celebrated it as an act of “courage.”

These radical positions stand in stark contrast to Vasquez’s campaign image. During his previous races, he promised to ensure “a safe and secure border.” He narrowly won re-election in 2024, despite prior revelations that he had used a racial slur in a threatening 2004 voicemail.

In 2020, Vasquez posted content supporting calls to abolish both ICE and U.S. Customs and Border Protection. One tweet he reposted claimed, “ICE is committing genocide.”

In another 2020 interview, where he appeared under a fake name and wore a mask, Vasquez called for the defunding of police. “It’s not just about defunding police, it’s about defunding a system that privileges white people over everyone else,” he said.

Vasquez’s office has not responded to media inquiries regarding his recent comments or votes. In contrast, he has actually jumped out of press conferences where he was confronted on his stance regarding the border.

‘Had to run’: Vasquez flees border wall question during press briefing

Vasquez tells illegals how to evade ICE after refusing to condemn violent riots Read More »

After Keller directs APD to shield criminal aliens, mayoral challenger fights back

21 Comments / New Mexico, News, Politics / By

Albuquerque mayoral candidate Darren White has issued a fiery rebuke of Mayor Tim Keller’s latest move to shield illegal immigrants from federal enforcement, calling it a “reckless abuse of city resources” and demanding immediate federal scrutiny.

In a July 12 Facebook post, Keller announced a new policy directing the Albuquerque Police Department (APD) to answer public inquiries about the presence of federal immigration agents in the city.

“Our APD does not enforce immigration laws. But when something doesn’t feel right in your neighborhood, you deserve to know what’s going on,” Keller wrote. “That’s why we’ve created a new way to verify if federal immigration agents are operating in our city. You can now call APD directly to get answers.”

The post featured a group of activists holding a banner that read “Immigrant Friendly — Burque Strong,” surrounded by butterfly motifs — a well-known symbol of open-borders activism. Notably, several protestors in the photo held signs referencing Senate Bills 250 and 836, which include provisions tied to immigrant protections and limiting law enforcement collaboration with ICE.

But White — a former sheriff, police officer, and cabinet secretary for public safety — isn’t having it. In a formal letter sent to U.S. Attorney Ryan Ellison, White demanded a federal investigation into whether Keller’s directive violates any laws, particularly those pertaining to obstruction of justice or interference with federal duties.

“As stated in a public post by Mayor Keller, ‘You can now call APD directly to get answers’ regarding the presence of federal immigration agents,” White wrote. “This directive… risks compromising sensitive operations, places federal personnel in imminent danger, and could even endanger members of the public.” 

White emphasized that Keller’s policies are putting political ideology above public safety. “If Mayor Keller doesn’t want ICE making apprehensions in public, he can rescind the Sanctuary City law and allow ICE access to the Prisoner Transport Center,” he added. “That would be safer for law enforcement, the public, and even the criminals being apprehended.”

In a pointed section of the letter, White also called on the U.S. Attorney to publish the criminal histories of illegal immigrants arrested in recent ICE operations to dispel any illusions that these efforts are targeting innocents. “This will provide the public with the clarity necessary to avoid any confusion… confusion ironically exacerbated by a mayor demonizing federal law enforcement at every town hall he attends,” White said.

Keller’s latest “sanctuary hotline” is being slammed across social media, with many citizens expressing outrage. Comments under his post include: “Keller is pro-everything BUT America!” and “Don’t re-elect this Klown Tim.”

As crime surges and federal agents work to dismantle cartel-driven smuggling networks across New Mexico, White’s tough-on-crime approach is striking a chord with voters who are tired of radical policies that use taxpayer-funded police departments to protect lawbreakers.

“Mayor Keller is turning APD into a concierge service for illegal immigrants, not a law enforcement agency,” one voter commented.

With the mayoral race intensifying, White’s call for federal oversight may be a turning point, as New Mexicans decide whether to continue down Keller’s lawless path or return to a government that puts citizen safety first.

After Keller directs APD to shield criminal aliens, mayoral challenger fights back Read More »

‘Had to run’: Vasquez flees border wall question during press briefing

32 Comments / New Mexico, News, Politics / By

Far-left Democrat U.S. Rep. Gabe Vasquez is once again refusing to answer whether he supports extending the southern border wall near Sunland Park—this time around Mount Cristo Rey, a revered religious site known for its iconic 29-foot statue of Jesus.

The area has been labeled by U.S. Customs and Border Protection as “a major human smuggling infiltration site for the cartels,” highlighting growing concern over national security and human trafficking. But Vasquez—who has long opposed border enforcement efforts—won’t say where he stands.

According to a recent Source New Mexico article, Vasquez declined to comment when first asked about the wall extension. Then, during a subsequent virtual press briefing with New Mexico’s congressional delegation, Vasquez abruptly left before addressing a question submitted by The Santa Fe New Mexican asking if he supported or opposed the Cristo Rey wall extension.

Vasquez excused his departure by saying he “had to run,” deferring to his communications director Delaney Wehn, who was “on the chat” to field further questions. However, when the newspaper followed up, Wehn did not respond. Even after a second attempt this week, Wehn simply replied: “Thanks for following up here. Apologies, no answers for you at this time.”

The silence is deafening—especially from a congressman representing a border district during a time of record-breaking illegal crossings and cartel violence.

Vasquez’s refusal to answer isn’t surprising given his radical record on border security. In 2022, Vasquez called the existing U.S.-Mexico border wall a “racist political stunt” and said it was “not who we are as a country.” He has previously argued that “barriers and walls” only serve to “divide communities and perpetuate racism,” even as Border Patrol agents in his district struggle to contain daily waves of illegal crossings, drug smuggling, and human trafficking.

He has also openly opposed Title 42, the Trump-era policy that allowed for swift deportation of illegal immigrants during the COVID-19 pandemic. Instead, Vasquez has advocated for expanded “pathways to citizenship” and broader asylum protections, aligning himself with the most extreme elements of the open-borders left.

Now, even as the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act”—a comprehensive legislative package that includes border security investments and increased funding for immigration enforcement agents—is under national debate, Vasquez won’t say whether he supports any of its border provisions.

Vasquez’s unwillingness to take a stand—on either the Cristo Rey wall extension or the broader border funding—shows a troubling pattern of dodging responsibility while his constituents face the real consequences of his inaction. But since Vasquez’s previous statements speak volumes, it’s a sure bet Vasquez remains as radically open-borders as before.

With New Mexico communities overwhelmed by cross-border crime and federal agents stretched thin, Vasquez’s silence speaks volumes.

‘Had to run’: Vasquez flees border wall question during press briefing Read More »

Trump sends millions to flooded Ruidoso—but Dems refuse to give him credit

16 Comments / New Mexico, News, Politics / By

President Donald J. Trump on Thursday took swift action to aid New Mexicans reeling from catastrophic flash floods, approving a federal disaster declaration that will unlock emergency funds for Lincoln, Chaves, Otero, and Valencia counties. The move brings much-needed relief to communities devastated by deadly flooding earlier this week, particularly in the Village of Ruidoso.

The flash floods—triggered by intense monsoon rains on terrain already scarred by last year’s South Fork Fire—have left at least three people dead, including two young children. Between 200 and 400 homes were damaged or destroyed as torrents of water tore through neighborhoods, leaving behind wreckage and heartache.

Thanks to President Trump’s direct authorization, over $3 million in FEMA assistance and $12 million in expected USDA funding will now be deployed to aid in recovery. His quick decision ensured that federal aid would be made available without delay, bringing hope and relief to families trying to rebuild.

But while Trump acted decisively, some Democrat politicians chose to politicize the moment. During a press conference Thursday morning, Rep. Melanie Stansbury refused to acknowledge the president’s role in approving the aid. Instead of thanking President Trump, she vaguely praised the “federal government,” refusing to utter his name even as his administration delivered the critical help her constituents desperately needed.

Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham visited Ruidoso that morning to survey the damage and meet with emergency responders. While she acknowledged that the federal government had reached out and was mobilizing resources, she, too, stopped short of giving President Trump credit for the declaration. Her comments focused on “federal partners” and “Washington support,” avoiding recognition of the leader who signed the order.

Meanwhile, Ruidoso Mayor Lynn Crawford spoke emotionally about the toll on the community, and local emergency personnel continue to work around the clock to manage the response. Hundreds remain displaced, with more rain forecast in the coming days, adding urgency to recovery efforts.

Congressman Gabe Vasquez, another Democrat on the scene, offered statements of concern but little substance, as residents continue demanding real action, not just photo ops.

In contrast, President Trump’s rapid and decisive leadership provided real results. The federal disaster declaration will unlock crucial funding to support displaced families, rebuild infrastructure, and reinforce emergency response efforts before more storms arrive.

While partisan politicians hesitate to give credit where it’s due, the people of New Mexico can see the truth: President Trump delivered when it mattered. His action is helping communities like Ruidoso get back on their feet, and no amount of political spin can change that.

Trump sends millions to flooded Ruidoso—but Dems refuse to give him credit Read More »

Horrific Ruidoso flood footage: Houses floating away as streets become rivers

8 Comments / New Mexico, News, Politics / By

Torrential monsoon rains are once again slamming the fire-ravaged mountain town of Ruidoso, triggering dangerous flash flooding across the region Tuesday afternoon. The area, still reeling from the devastation left behind by the 2024 South Fork Fire, is now under an urgent Flash Flood Emergency, with residents being warned to seek higher ground immediately.

ABC News Chief Meteorologist Ginger Zee issued a dire warning on X, noting, “NEW MEXICO: flash flood emergency once again includes Ruidoso.” The National Weather Service reports that between 1.5 and 2.5 inches of rain have already fallen, with up to another half inch possible—a seemingly modest total, but one that can be life-threatening in post-wildfire terrain.

“Ruidoso has been plagued by flash flooding events since the South Fork Fire left a major burn scar in the area in 2024,” Zee explained. “Several significant flash flood events hit the area last year following the fire, and flash floods have hit the area again in recent weeks. It’s now monsoon season for the region, which brings a greater chance for thunderstorms and downpours.”

The threat stems from the way burn scars alter the landscape. “While 1-2 inches may not seem like a lot of rain,” Zee cautioned, “recent wildfire burn scar areas are especially prone to dangerous flash flooding and could also trigger debris flows and mudslides.” The soil, scorched and hydrophobic, loses its ability to absorb water, turning even light rainfall into torrents of destruction.

That destruction is already underway. The National Weather Service (NWS) in Albuquerque confirmed that floodwaters have reached roads and homes. Photos released by the agency show the Rio Ruidoso rising dramatically in the Hollywood neighborhood, with time-lapse images capturing a stark change in the river’s depth in under an hour. Footage shows houses floating away and extreme damage.

According to KTSM 9 News’ Andy Morgan, “The Village of Ruidoso confirms three people, including two children (4 and 7), have died as a result historic flash flooding that ripped through town on Tuesday. The victims were swept downstream by unprecedented floodwaters.”

“A DANGEROUS situation is unfolding in RUIDOSO!” warned the NWS in a now-viral post. “A FLASH FLOOD EMERGENCY remains in effect! Seek HIGHER GROUND NOW! Do NOT attempt to drive through the floodwaters. The current will carry away your vehicle!”

Videos shared across social media paint a grim picture. One clip shows an entire home being swept away by the surging Rio Ruidoso—water levels reportedly surged 20 feet in just 30 minutes. Another shows debris-choked floodwaters rushing through neighborhoods, dragging anything in their path.

Meteorologists are calling this another “catastrophic flood event” for the region. “Several inches of rain has fallen on burn scars from fires,” wrote a Fox35 Orlando meteorologist. “The Ruidoso River in NM rose by 20 feet+ in less than an hour, shattering a record. Videos are coming in now showing homes floating down the Ruidoso River.”

The flash flood warning for Ruidoso remains in effect until at least 7:15 PM MDT, though more storms could follow. Officials urge residents to remain alert and avoid all flood-prone areas, even after rainfall ceases.

The broader region is on edge after last week’s deadly flooding in Kerr County, Texas, where over 100 lives were lost and more than 160 remain missing. That tragic event highlights how quickly flash floods can escalate into full-blown disasters.

Horrific Ruidoso flood footage: Houses floating away as streets become rivers Read More »

Republican enters fray while Dems claw to keep control of NM Land Office

12 Comments / New Mexico, News, Politics / By

Conservative Chaves County Commissioner Michael Perry officially launched his campaign Monday for New Mexico Commissioner of Public Lands, offering voters a grounded, experienced alternative to what’s shaping up to be a far-left field of Democrat candidates.

Perry, a Roswell native with over two decades managing and protecting New Mexico’s lands and wildlife, is seeking the Republican nomination to bring what he calls “balance, common sense, and real-world experience” back to the Land Office. He previously served as Major of Southern Field Operations with the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish, and later as Assistant Land Commissioner under Republican Aubrey Dunn. Perry currently serves as Vice Chair of the Chaves County Commission and represents New Mexico on the National Association of Counties’ Public Lands Committee.

“The land in New Mexico is in my blood,” Perry said in his announcement. “I’ve protected it, fought for it, and managed it for over 20 years. I’m running because New Mexico deserves a Land Commissioner who knows the land, respects the people, and understands the responsibility.”

Photo of Michael Perry, Republican candidate for NM State Land Commissioner.

The Land Office controls nearly 9 million acres of surface land and 13 million mineral acres — with revenue from those lands generating over $2 billion annually for public education and other state programs. Perry argues that rural New Mexicans and working families are being ignored in favor of radical environmentalism and anti-industry politics.

“I’ve seen firsthand how far-left policies threaten our energy producers, farmers, ranchers, and educators,” Perry said. “We need someone who can responsibly manage our public lands without sacrificing jobs or crippling local economies.”

While Perry offers a resume rooted in land stewardship, the Democrat field is already stacking up with candidates pushing extreme progressive agendas.

State Rep. Matthew McQueen, a Santa Fe-area Democrat known for his combative and elitist style in the Legislature, has entered the race pledging to go after the oil and gas industry and expand burdensome regulations. McQueen has long been at odds with rural voices and has supported legislation undermining private landowners and energy producers.

Joining him is Jonas Moya, a Tucumcari rancher and former Biden administration appointee who’s expected to be a rubber stamp for federal overreach and climate mandates from Washington, D.C. Moya brings insider connections but little to suggest he’ll challenge the extreme environmentalist policies that have hurt working New Mexicans.

Also running is Juan Sanchez, a former Army Corps bureaucrat and consultant to the Acequia Commission, whose campaign leans heavily into climate activism and expanding government control of land and water usage.

Together, the three Democrats offer a vision of government-run land management more beholden to left-wing pressure groups than the farmers, ranchers, hunters, and energy workers who depend on New Mexico’s land for their livelihoods.

Perry says he’ll stand firm in defense of responsible energy development, private property rights, and keeping land productive for future generations.

“I’ve served in the field, in the Roundhouse, and in the State Land Office,” Perry said. “Now I’m ready to serve all New Mexicans — not just the ones who live in Santa Fe and push papers for a living.”

With Democrats turning the race into a contest of who can pander hardest to the environmental lobby, Perry’s entry gives voters a clear choice between common-sense stewardship and radical politics in the 2026 election.

Republican enters fray while Dems claw to keep control of NM Land Office Read More »

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