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New Mexico

Harris surrogate, Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham compares abortion services in New Mexico to the Underground Railroad

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Harris surrogate, Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham compares abortion services in New Mexico to the Underground Railroad


STERLING, Va. — Stumping for the Harris-Walz ticket in Virginia on Monday, New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham said that her state is running a de facto “Underground Railroad” for abortion services since the overturning of Roe v. Wade.

The Democratic pol said that 75% of abortion services performed in New Mexico are on out-of-state patients, and described the situation in her state as an “underground operation.”

“We literally now have an underground operation, not unlike something we’re all familiar with, the Underground Railroad, to try to make sure that we get to women and their families early,” the gov told the crowd of about 30 at the Northern Virginia Democrat Headquarters.

“Sometimes if we save their lives, we’ve also ruined any opportunity for them to have a child of their own when they’re ready to have a child of their own,” Lujan Grisham said of some women who come to her state seeking abortion services. Jason Groves/Las Cruces Sun-News / USA TODAY NETWORK

She also shared the grim reality of many patients who traverse New Mexico’s “underground railroad,” adding: “Sometimes if we save their lives, we’ve also ruined any opportunity for them to have a child of their own when they’re ready to have a child of their own.”

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Still, she says her state is a “bastion for safe, fair reproductive access around the country.”

Lujan Grisham also shared that her state has put up billboards in Texas — where 71% of the New Mexico’s out-of-state abortion patients come from — to recruit more doctors from their neighbor to the east to practice medicine in New Mexico.

“If you’re a health care practitioner, why would you practice here if you’re sworn to protect the lives of your patients? If you want no interference, come to New Mexico,” the gov said.

Alicia McFadden, a 44-year-old mother of two was in attendance Monday, and told The Post she showed up because of her passion for supporting reproductive rights. 

“My baby is an IVF baby, and we’ve seen. I’m from Alabama, so I’ve seen very first-hand people who do not have access and have their access to IVF limited. So I’m very passionate about IVF and paying for IVF. Luckily, we could afford IVF, not easily, but we could afford it, but there are a lot of people that can’t afford IVF, especially in Virginia.”

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Vice President Kamala Harris, the Democratic presidential nominee for 2024, waving as she boards Air Force Two at Joint Base Andrews.
VP Harris has the edge on pro-choice voters in the upcoming election. AP

Asked about Trump’s recent endorsement of IVF practices, especially noting that the treatments would be free under a second Trump term, McFadden said she “that’s not true, I don’t believe it.”

“Reproductive rights, abortion and IVF is right there together. Many times you have embryos that you transfer, and for whatever reason that you may not take, they may take, but then there’s some issue, and you need to have access to abortion.” McFadden told The Post. “So you can’t have one without the other.”

Abortion was a major topic of discussion in Tuesday’s presidential debate, in which the candidates sparred over the hot-button election issue.

Former President Trump reiterated that he believes in abortion exceptions in cases of rape, incest, and the life of the mother, and applauded the overturn of Roe v. Wade for returning the policy decisions to the states and their voters.

Vice President Kamala Harris claimed that Trump would sign a federal abortion ban into law, which Trump disputed as a lie. The veep would not answer whether she’d back any restrictions on abortion access, even in the eighth or ninth month of pregnancy, when pressed by both the moderator and Donald Trump.

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New Mexico

Duke Rodriguez challenges state’s universal child care in lawsuit

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Duke Rodriguez challenges state’s universal child care in lawsuit


ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – Republican candidate for governor Duke Rodriguez is suing Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham over her executive order that started universal free child care before a new law takes effect.

The governor enacted the program through executive order in November.

Lawmakers passed a universal child care law during the past session, but that law does not take effect until May 20.

Rodriguez says he objects to some of the rules and to how the governor started the program. The suit asks the Second Judicial District Court to prohibit further enforcement of any regulations tied to the program. 

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“You could understand an outgoing governor trying to do it for political capital, for expediency just to say, I’m first in the nation.” Rodriguez said.

Rodriguez says he is confident he will win and that the rules he is challenging will be struck down.

“We also now have what we call pre emptive eligibility, which means you don’t even have to prove you’re eligible and you’re covered the moment you walk in,” Rodriguez said. “All of those things individually and collectively that have been proposed and changed probably invite fraud, waste and abuse and you know it.”

The governor’s office responds

The governor’s office sent a statement saying the program was properly implemented and that the governor is confident the lawsuit will be rejected.

A spokesperson for the governor sent KOB 4 the following statement:

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This lawsuit makes clear that Mr. Rodriguez has a fundamental misunderstanding how state government works.  He states that ECECD did not have the authority to undergo rulemaking regarding universal childcare. They do. He states that ECECD did not have the funding to implement the program when they did their rulemaking. They did. That is why the program was operational in December – before the 2026 Legislative session started.  Perhaps more importantly, the lawsuit ignores that the legislature passed SB 241, which codified the program and its future funding into law. The governor is confident that the courts will reject his meritless claims.



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New Mexico

Love 4 Pets with Woody, Zwei, Kenai

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Love 4 Pets with Woody, Zwei, Kenai


Woody is up for adoption with the City of Albuquerque’s Animal Welfare Department. Meet him here!

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — In this Love 4 Pets, we have Woody, Zwei and Kanai, who are all up for adoption at the City of Albuquerque’s shelters.

Woody is looking for a loving home after going through the ringer. He came to Albuquerque Animal Welfare about a month ago after he was hit by a car. He’s healing from some pelvic fractures and is moving slowly so he can hang out in the backyard and go for short walks.

Woody is very smart and can sleep all night. They believe he is about nine years old and is believed to be a Lab mix. He’s very sweet and is house-trained.

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Woody is set to be 100% ready soon. You can meet him in the video above or at the Eastside Animal Shelter (details).

We also have Zwei and Kenai.

Zwei:

An Australian Shepherd mix, Zwei is a little tripod who is a great companion, has wonderful manners and loves to lean into you for hugs. She walks beautifully on a leash and doesn’t miss a beat, even with only three legs.

Zwei is currently in foster care. If you are interested in adopting her, contact Albuquerque Animal Welfare to set up a time to visit her.

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Kenai:

Kenai is a Labrador retriever mix. He is a friendly, affectionate boy who enjoys being around people and has good manners. He walks well on a leash and is very excited about exploring the world.

Kenai loves attention, toys (especially stuffed animals) and car rides. So, if you’re looking for an adventure buddy, you can meet him at the Westside Animal Shelter (details).



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New Mexico

Warm start to the week across New Mexico

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Warm start to the week across New Mexico


Grant’s Monday Night Forecast

A few evaporating rain showers are possible again Tuesday with warmer temperatures. Windier weather later this week will bring a high fire danger back to New Mexico.

It’s been a warm day with a few isolated showers and thunderstorms across central and northern New Mexico. Some of that rain has made it to the ground, while other showers have evaporated before reaching the surface. Temperatures have climbed into the 70s and 80s for most of the state. Showers will fade after sunset, with mostly clear skies overnight and mild temperatures.

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Even warmer weather is on the way Tuesday with lighter winds. More areas will reach the 80s by the afternoon. A few spotty showers will develop again, especially near the mountains, with some of that rain evaporating before reaching the ground.

Winds pick up Wednesday afternoon, with gusts between 25 and 45 mph. This will begin another stretch of high fire danger across the state. The strongest winds arrive Thursday, with westerly gusts of 35 to 55 mph. That will expand the fire danger statewide. A dry cold front will move through Thursday as well, but temperatures will only drop slightly, ending up closer to average.

Breezy conditions continue Friday through the weekend as the jet stream pulls more moisture into New Mexico. That will bring increasing chances for rain and thunderstorms this weekend, with a few lingering into early next week.



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