A new internal poll from Republican U.S. Senate candidate Nella Domenici’s campaign shows New Mexico is very much in play in November, with Republicans barely trailing Democrats. The poll, which was taken before Joe Biden’s disastrous debate performance, is great news for Republicans, who have not won a statewide New Mexico race in a decade.
The poll, reported by the National Journal, shows Domenici’s 42.2% barely trailing Heinrich’s 45.5% by 3.3%, while 9.7% remain undecided.
“In the presidential race, Joe Biden led Donald Trump in a theoretical head-to-head election in New Mexico, 49%-47%,” wrote the National Journal’s Zac Weisz.
In the presidential race, Joe Biden led Donald Trump in a theoretical head-to-head election in New Mexico, 49%-47%.
The president led his predecessor by just one point in a six-way race.
A previous poll showed Domenici trailing Heinrich by single digits, validating that New Mexico is very much in play in 2024, with Democrats having a steep climb in the Land of Enchantment to cling to power.
Following the presidential debate, an “eye-popping” poll from CBS News/YouGov revealed that only 27% of respondents believed that Biden “possesses the necessary mental strength needed for the grueling duties of the commander-in-chief, marking a drop in the finding from just over two weeks ago (35% ‘does,’ to 65% ‘does not’),” as reported by the New York Post.
Democrats across the board have widely condemned Biden’s performance during the debate, with many, including the leftist New York Times, calling for his replacement on the ticket. The Biden White House has pushed back on the reports, affirming that the 81-year-old Democrat will remain on the Democrat Party’s presidential ticket in November.
As Americans brace for what could be the hottest summer on record, the personal finance website WalletHub has released its 2024 report on Energy Costs by State. This comprehensive study, along with expert commentary, sheds light on how energy bills vary across the country and what factors contribute to these differences.
According to WalletHub’s analysis, New Mexico stands out as the state with the lowest average monthly energy costs. Residents of New Mexico enjoy an average monthly energy bill of just $376, making it the most cost-effective state for energy consumption. This is in stark contrast to Wyoming, which tops the list with the highest average monthly energy bill of $1,591.
WalletHub’s report compares the average monthly energy bills in each of the 50 states using a special formula that considers various residential energy types, including electricity, natural gas, motor fuel, and home heating oil. Here’s a snapshot of the findings:
States with the Lowest Energy Costs:
New Mexico ($376)
Arizona ($400)
Kansas ($436)
Texas ($437)
Nebraska ($453)
Mississippi ($457)
Florida ($462)
Colorado ($470)
Louisiana ($474)
California ($476)
States with the Highest Energy Costs:
Wyoming ($1,591)
North Dakota ($840)
Iowa ($798)
Montana ($787)
Minnesota ($782)
Massachusetts ($759)
Connecticut ($750)
Alaska ($716)
South Dakota ($709)
Virginia ($694)
The report also highlights various interesting facts about energy consumption across the U.S. For instance, Hawaii has the lowest average monthly consumption of electricity per consumer, which is 3.1 times lower than in Louisiana, the highest. Moreover, Washington boasts the lowest average retail price for electricity, which is 4.2 times lower than Hawaii’s.
In terms of natural gas prices, Idaho residents enjoy the lowest average residential price, which is 7.2 times lower than in Hawaii. When it comes to motor fuel consumption, New York drivers use the least, averaging 2.9 times lower than drivers in Wyoming.
For a detailed look at the rankings and to view the full report, visit WalletHub’s Energy Costs by State 2024.
Expert Tips for Reducing Energy Costs
Experts from WalletHub offer valuable advice on lowering energy bills. A WalletHub analyst, Cassandra Happe points out that simple measures like using energy-efficient light bulbs and moderating air conditioning and heating use can make a difference. Additionally, considering energy costs when planning a move can help families save significantly on their monthly bills.
Steven Hegedus, a Senior Scientist at the Institute of Energy Conversion, University of Delaware, suggests practical tips such as drying clothes on a clothesline instead of using a dryer and conducting home energy audits to identify cost-effective improvements like added insulation and energy-efficient windows.
Justin Perryman, an Adjunct Professor at Washington University School of Law, emphasizes the importance of reducing energy usage and shopping around for lower electricity prices in deregulated markets. He also notes that tax deductions and credits can be effective incentives for households to adopt energy-efficient measures.
With these insights, residents across the U.S. can take steps to manage their energy consumption better and potentially lower their monthly energy costs.
All 29 individuals previously reported missing following the devastating wildfires in Ruidoso, New Mexico, have been located, according to the village’s mayor. “All the folks that we had on the missing list is now at zero,” Mayor Lynn Crawford announced at a community meeting regarding the South Fork and Salt fires.
Earlier this week, Mayor Crawford reported that over two dozen people were unaccounted for after the two wildfires, which erupted last week and led to the evacuation of the village, home to approximately 7,500 residents.
The fires, which have claimed two lives, have ravaged more than 25,000 acres in and around Ruidoso, as confirmed by New Mexico State Police. The blazes began on June 17 on the Mescalero Apache Reservation and spread eastward, driven by high temperatures and strong winds. The exact cause of the fires remains under investigation.
New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham reported that around 1,400 structures have been impacted, with an estimated 500 homes destroyed.
Urban search and rescue teams, utilizing 20 dogs trained to detect human remains, conducted secondary searches of the affected areas. “I’m happy to report we did not find any human remains,” stated Ernie Rhodes, the urban search and rescue operation chief for the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
Containment efforts have seen progress due to improved weather conditions, which have helped reduce fire activity. By Thursday, the South Fork Fire was 69% contained and the Salt Fire was 66% contained, as per the New Mexico Forestry Division’s daily update.
The community continues to recover from the extensive damage, with efforts ongoing to support those affected by the wildfires.
On Thursday night, Democrat Joe Biden suffered the greatest humiliation likely ever known to an incumbent White House occupant when taking the debate stage on CNN against 45th President Donald Trump, who came off strong against the feeble leftist, who struggled to form sentences and rambled incoherently on many topics. The network’s Dana Bash and Jake Tapper moderated the debate, following strict rules agreed upon by both candidates.
Following the bloodbath, New Mexico Democrats scrambled to attempt to salvage what they could of what Biden left them.
Far-left Democrat state Sen. Harold Pope tried to blame CNN for the fiasco, writing, “We should have had @KyleClark moderating this debate!”
We should have had @KyleClark moderating this debate!
The Democrat Party of New Mexico denied all reality, writing, “From highlighting historic infrastructure improvements to protecting fundamental abortion rights, President Joe Biden showed tonight that he continues to deliver landmark achievements that directly benefit New Mexican families and deserves another term.”
Tonight, President Biden gave viewers a positive and winning vision for the future of America 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/yT4VfLU7ko
— Democratic Party of New Mexico (@NMDEMS) June 28, 2024
After Biden was annihilated on the stage over his abortion up-to-birth and after birth policies, Maryland-dwelling Sen. Martin Heinrich wrote, “Would take days to fact check them all but let me make clear that there is literally no such thing as an after-birth abortion.”
In New Mexico alone, abortion up-to-birth policies have left women maimed and even killed, while babies have been killed even after birth. Infanticide has happened inside and outside of abortion facilities, including children being born and left to die on delivery room tables (at UNM Hospital).
Would take days to fact check them all but let me make clear that there is literally no such thing as an after-birth abortion. https://t.co/VvZ65KWxxk
Heinrich’s communications director Caty Payette was also caught tweeting clips of the HBO show “Veep” during the debate, showing the show’s Vice President Selina Myers character saying, “What the f**k?”
“@MartinHeinrich comms director is out there tweeting clips of veep right now.”
While Trump trails Biden in New Mexico, polls indicate that he is within a single digit of the Democrat. With such a major freakout from Democrats after Thursday’s debate, it is clear the Land of Enchantment very well could be in play in November.
The National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC) has announced an initial ad buy of $45.7 million for the 2024 election cycle, with significant investments in New Mexico aimed at strengthening and expanding their House majority.
Specifically, the NRCC has allocated $2,043,200 for the Albuquerque media market (DMA) and $688,800 for the El Paso media market, which includes parts of southern New Mexico. This targeted investment underscores the NRCC’s strategic focus on New Mexico’s 2nd Congressional District (NM-02), which was identified as a key offensive opportunity back in March.
NRCC Chairman Richard Hudson highlighted the importance of these ads in addressing critical issues facing voters. “The NRCC committed from Day One to not just hold our majority, but go on offense to grow our majority – today we are putting our money where our mouth is,” Hudson stated. “This initial investment gives our candidates firepower to remind voters of the Biden border, crime, and inflation crises wreaking havoc on their daily lives. Extreme Democrats who enabled the chaos and malaise should polish up their resumes – they will be unemployed soon.”
The significant ad buy reflects the NRCC’s strategy to leverage media markets effectively to communicate their message and rally support for Republican candidates in critical districts. The focus on NM-02, in particular, indicates a concerted effort to reclaim and secure seats that are seen as vulnerable or pivotal for maintaining and growing their House majority.
As the 2024 election cycle progresses, these ad reservations mark the beginning of a broader campaign strategy aimed at addressing key voter concerns and drawing contrasts with Democratic incumbents.
For more details on the NRCC’s ad reservations and strategic plans, read the full memo here.
First Judicial District Court Judge Mary Marlowe Sommer is set to issue a written decision by Friday on Alec Baldwin’s final motion to dismiss the involuntary manslaughter charge stemming from the fatal on-set shooting of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins on October 21, 2021.
Last Friday, Judge Sommer rejected several motions from Baldwin’s defense team, including requests to exclude state witnesses, to dismiss the case for failing to state a criminal offense, and to grant use immunity for Rust armorer Hannah Gutierrez-Reed. The hearing resumed on Monday after technical issues delayed witness testimony.
The remaining motion concerns the defense’s claim of evidence destruction, specifically the gun Baldwin used during the incident. Defense attorney John Bash criticized the prosecutors’ actions, calling them “some of the most egregious conduct” he had ever encountered. He argued that the defense was denied the opportunity to examine the gun’s internal components or even review photographs of it.
“The idea of criminal prosecution is in a sense that the cards are stacked against the state, but now they’re stacked against the defense. They got to review the gun, we never will,” Bash stated, emphasizing the gun’s potential exculpatory value, which could support Baldwin’s claim that he did not pull the trigger. Bash contended that the state was aware of this potential value but did not inform the defense about the planned destruction of the evidence.
The defense also accused the prosecution of acting in “bad faith.” Bash revealed that the defense had only recently learned of an exculpatory report from firearms expert Lucien Haag. In his report, Haag mentioned diagonal toolmarks on the sear of the weapon, which might not have resulted from Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) testing. Haag’s testimony, which began on Friday and concluded on Monday, suggested a change in his opinion about the toolmarks after gaining more insight into the FBI’s accidental discharge test.
If the case is not dismissed, Bash requested the court to suppress all evidence related to Baldwin pulling the trigger or, alternatively, to suppress the examination and testing of the gun.
Special Prosecutor Erlinda Johnson countered the defense’s arguments, asserting that they failed to prove the gun’s “perceived exculpatory value” was evident to law enforcement, a necessary condition for dismissal.
“This gun appeared perfectly fine,” Johnson argued. “There seemed to be nothing wrong with it.”
She noted that law enforcement had not received any request from the defense to review the gun. Johnson added that Baldwin’s team still had other avenues to pursue their case, such as questioning the officers who seized the gun, the FBI official who tested it, or Haag. She acknowledged the failure to send Haag’s supplemental report as an “oversight” but denied it was exculpatory.
“In that report, he did not say there were modifications to this gun. He said there were diagonal toolmarks of an unknown origin. He doesn’t say the FBI testing doesn’t create these,” Johnson explained. “That does not equate to bad faith at all whatsoever. That’s a red herring that the defense is bringing before this court.”
Before the court recessed on Friday, Haag testified that after reviewing various reports, footage, and other evidence, the gun seemed to function “as intended and designed by the manufacturer.” FBI forensic examiner Bryce Ziegler also testified, stating that prior to the accidental discharge test using a rawhide mallet, he performed several other functionality tests and found “no apparent damage or modifications that would’ve rendered this firearm unsafe.”
Jury selection for Baldwin’s trial is scheduled to begin on July 9, with the trial itself starting on July 10. If convicted, Baldwin faces up to 18 months in prison.
The southern border crisis has reached a critical point, particularly in areas where New Mexico, Texas, and Mexico converge. Dubbed “America’s border graveyard” by the Daily Mail, this region has seen an alarming number of illegal immigrant deaths, exacerbated by extreme heat and harsh desert conditions.
The El Paso Sector of the US Border Patrol has already recorded 82 deaths this fiscal year, a sharp increase from 50 deaths at the same time last year, with expectations of setting a grim record for fatalities in the region, which encompasses West Texas and southern New Mexico.
As temperatures in the Chihuahua Desert soar into the triple digits, rescuers find migrants in dire conditions, often with bodies too hot to touch without protective gloves. Border Patrol spokesman Claudio Herrera highlighted the escalating danger, stating, “The numbers are increasing, temperatures are rising. We’re seeing triple digits constantly,” underscoring the perilous journey migrants undertake.
The summer heat has just begun, and already, the toll on human life is severe. A humanitarian worker, James Holeman, described the desperate situation: “It’s horrible. It’s really, really bad.” His organization, Battalion Search and Rescue, has been actively locating the remains of illegal immigrants who succumbed to the harsh conditions. In the first ten days of June alone, they found ten bodies. The challenge is further compounded by the fact that over half of the deceased are women, a higher proportion than seen along any other part of the US-Mexico border.
In response to the crisis, first responders have resorted to using ice baths as a last-ditch effort to save illegal immigrants on the brink of death from heat exposure. Captain Abraham Garcia of the Sunland Park Fire Department explained the severity of the situation: “We know that they are at 104, 105. We know that they are cooking internally. The brain starts malfunctioning. They have four or five minutes with brain damage, so we want to cool them as fast as we can.”
Over a 6-hr period, Agents in Santa Teresa , NM responded to 6 migrant heat related injuries. Temperatures in our region are now reaching triple digits. No arriesgue su vida!#HeatAwareness#SafetyAwarenesspic.twitter.com/VZE0yIArQp
— Anthony “Scott” Good (@USBPChiefEPT) June 1, 2024
Illegal immigrants crossing into this part of the US often face brutal conditions even before they reach the border. Smugglers, or “polleros,” frequently abuse, dehydrate, and starve them, forcing them to endure perilous conditions without adequate preparation.
Once in the US, many illegal immigrants are left to navigate treacherous terrain, including the dangerous Mount Cristo Rey, with limited food and water. Their guides abandon The unlucky ones and leave them to face the elements alone.
Yesterday, USBP agents in Santa Teresa, NM rescued an individual in distress. He flagged down agents for help before losing consciousness. Unable to find a pulse, agents performed CPR until the subject regained consciousness and EMS arrived.
The FBI has acknowledged the broader implications of this border crisis, noting an increase in crime throughout New Mexico. Special Agent in Charge Raul Bujanda of the FBI’s Albuquerque field office linked the surge in violence, drug trafficking, and overdoses directly to border security challenges. He emphasized the organized nature of illegal crossings, where illegal immigrants are often exploited by criminals who demand payment for passage into the US.
USBP agents in El Paso, TX assigned to the Alien Smuggling Unit, in conjunction with TX DPS Troopers conducted an operation on a stash house resulting in the seizure of $32,786.00 in proceeds from alien smuggling. One Mexican migrant was apprehended and processed under Title 8. pic.twitter.com/fwwMfFwMcm
“If we’re not addressing from where it starts to where it ends and to where it continues to go then we’re missing a big part of it,” said Bujanda. “Part of the problem that we have on the New Mexico side is we have an incomplete border. There is no structure that separates our country from Mexico.”
As illegals continue to face life-threatening conditions, the resources of local emergency services are stretched thin. The Sunland Park Fire Department, with just 24 members, is frequently called to rescue illegal immigrants in distress, diverting resources from serving the local community. Despite these efforts, the true scale of the crisis may be vastly underestimated, with many bodies never recovered from the desert’s unforgiving expanse.
Following the report from the Daily Mail, National Republican Congressional Committee Spokeswoman Delanie Bomar said, “Gabe Vasquez doesn’t take the death and destruction from the border crisis seriously. New Mexicans deserve to be represented by someone who shares their values, and by ignoring the pain at the border, Gabe has shown he is clearly unfit to serve border communities.”
@reproforall, X
The humanitarian and security crisis at the border underscores the urgent need for comprehensive solutions that address both immediate and long-term challenges as the toll on human life and community resources continues to mount. However, Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham remains the only border state governor to refuse aid via the National Guard or other means to stem the flow of illegal immigration, fentanyl, and crime associated with the wide-open border.
In a Sunday interview on CBS’ “Face the Nation” with Margaret Brennan, far-left Democrat Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham addressed a range of pressing issues in her state, from natural disasters to immigration and reproductive rights. However, her comments on these topics have drawn criticism, particularly regarding her stance on abortion and border security.
The interview began shortly talking about the fires ravaging New Mexico, with the governor mentioning working with the Biden regime, saying, “And I have to say, the Biden administration has really pushed through these emergency declarations quickly so that we can get families back on their feet.” This comment comes despite Biden waiting nearly a week to declare an emergency to unlock federal funds to help. However, a majority of the Face The Nation interview focused on the border and abortion.
Brennan then asked her, “I wonder if all of this excessive heat is affecting the migrants crossing in from Mexico?”
“So we haven’t seen the kind of surges outside of the ports of entry that folks in other states have seen… But right now, we’re focused on the security aspects announced by the Biden administration,” she responded.
Despite being a border state governor, she has refused to put any state resources to help stem the tide of illegal immigration, the only governor to completely shun the border crisis. Even Democrat Govs. Gavin Newsom of California and Katie Hobbs of Arizona have deployed resources to fight illegal immigration and the flow of deadly fentanyl.
Instead, Lujan Grisham dismissed the crisis, trying to say “everywhere else around the country” suffers from this issue, too.
“Make no mistake, New Mexico, just like everywhere else around the country, suffers from the number of drugs, guns, and related nefarious issues that are exacerbated by not having people in the right places at the border,” she said, despite deploying any resources to the border.
Brennan asked further, “It sounds like you could even use more (resources) than that. I know you were here in Washington with the president when he signed that executive order that restricted the ability to claim asylum for those crossing in between ports of entry. You know, some of your fellow Democrats were very critical of that, saying it undermines American values. Why are they wrong?”
“Well, they’re not wrong. I mean, frankly, the President then did a- a balanced approach, when he’s creating protections and work opportunities for undocumented families, part of a legal right, a US citizen is married to someone who’s undocumented, or as other extended family members and DACA recipients and dreamers can now get protections,” she responded, applauding Biden’s efforts to attempt to legalize more criminal aliens who broke the law by entering the country illegally.
Lujan Grisham then tried to take a shot at Trump after Brennan pressed her on why the ACLU is suing Biden for border policies, responding, “We’re making it really clear you can come through a port of entry. I have a president that unlike Congress, including when I was in Congress, it is willing to focus on security, fairness, whether that’s in one or two different decisions, and creating, I hope, a pathway for Congress to stop listening to a candidate (Trump) who continues to try to score political points, instead of solve problems for states like mine, and American families, he’s doing both.”
In 2019, when Lujan Grisham yanked all state resources from helping with the border crisis, she said, “I reject the federal contention that there exists an overwhelming national security crisis at the Southern border,” adding that the deadly area has “some of the safest communities in the country.” She also labeled the focus on solving the crisis as a “charade of border fear-mongering.”
When discussing abortion rates in New Mexico, where 21,000 babies were killed last year, 14,000 of them being from Texas, Lujan Grisham doubled down on abortion up-to-birth policies enacted by her administration and the Democrat-ruled Legislature. Lujan Grisham defended the state’s abortion up-to-birth policies, attributing rising abortion rates to barriers faced by women.
“I think there are more abortions happening because more women are at risk, which means they can’t get into a provider, they can’t get prenatal care,” she complained, despite her administration helping purge access to doctors in New Mexico by raising medical malpractice rates, which resulted in providers fleeing New Mexico to states like Texas, where they are not hostile to doctors, while also supporting the right to life with life-affirming policies.
“You create a draconian situation; you’re going to increase risk at every single place,” Lujan Grisham claimed. In New Mexico, the “draconian” abortion up-to-birth policies have left women maimed and even killed, while babies have been killed even after birth. Infanticide has happened inside and outside of abortion facilities, including children being born and left to die on delivery room tables (at UNM Hospital) or children being born and killed by their mothers, such as what happened at Artesia Hospital in 2023.
As Gov. Lujan Grisham navigates ongoing emergencies in New Mexico, her mishandling has been criticized by all sides, including Democrats, as she continues to finish her final term as governor.
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.
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.
