Auburn has made a change at the quarterback position. After senior Payton Thorne struggled mightily in week two’s home loss against Cal, head coach Hugh Freeze has opted to start redshirt freshman Hank Brown in week three against New Mexico.
Freeze suggested he was reluctant to make a change at the quarterback position because of Thorne’s continued dominance in practice, but mentioned in Monday’s press conference he would “watch the film and then talk about it” regarding who he would start at quarterback. The Tigers head coach must have seen enough on the film and in practice this week, as he reportedly told both Thorne and Brown about his plan to change starters on Friday morning.
While Brown has played minimally in an Auburn uniform, the Nashville, Tennessee native has been impressive in limited opportunities. The freshman made his collegiate debut in the Music City Bowl against Maryland last season. In front of a hometown crowd, Brown threw for 132 yards while throwing only two incompletions in nine attempts.
The redshirt freshman was equally impressive in the 2024 opener against Alabama A&M when he threw for 2 touchdowns and 96 yards on just five attempts. Brown will head into his first Auburn start with 228 passing yards and two touchdowns under his belt. A former three-star recruit, Brown was the No. 60 quarterback in the 2022 class according to 247sports.
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As for Thorne, his time as a starter on the Plains could be all but over. If his is the end for the senior, he’ll finish his Tiger career with 2,242 passing yards, 21 passing touchdowns, 14 interceptions, and 5 rushing touchdowns in 15 games.
Contact/Follow us @TheAuburnWire on X (Twitter), and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Auburn news, notes, and opinion. You can also follow Brian on Twitter @TheRealBHauch
Record heat and blazing sunshine in Albuquerque make it feel like summer is already here, despite the calendar marking spring’s start on Friday.
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – Record heat and blazing sunshine in Albuquerque make it feel like summer is already here, despite the calendar marking spring’s start on Friday.
Residents may wonder if it’s time to prepare their coolers for the warmer days ahead. The question remains whether the cold weather is truly over.
Climate data indicates that Albuquerque’s last freeze typically occurs in April, extending into May during extreme years. However, this year has been unusually warm.
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The Climate Prediction Center’s forecast suggests that the current weather pattern, which has brought hot days, will continue into April with above-average temperatures across the Western United States and New Mexico.
While a few more freezes or cold days can’t be ruled out, the general trend for April and most of spring points to more warm temperatures.
Republican voters may have one less candidate to choose from on their June primary ballot after one candidate failed to show up to file paperwork confirming his eligibility for the primary ballot.
State Senator Steve Lanier, a first-term legislator from San Juan County, and Duke Rodriguez, a former health department secretary and cannabis business owner, both failed to earn an automatic placement on the ballot provided to candidates who earn at least 20% of party delegate votes at the Pre-Primary Convention held earlier this month. Lanier pulled in just 7% and Rodriguez earned 9%.
State Sen. Steve Lanier appeared for initial candidate filing day on Feb. 3. He missed the secondary filing day on Mar. 17. (Source: Lanier campaign FB)
But both candidates appeared to have secured enough signatures from Republican voters to qualify outside of the party’s delegate process, provided they submitted those signatures to the Secretary of State’s Office on Tuesday.
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Lanier told The Santa Fe New Mexican that he missed the deadline and would now explore legal options to get on the ballot. “We are looking at legal options and may file a challenge, given that we filed with all the necessary signatures from the start,” he said. “I am committed to helping New Mexico thrive, and to building our Republican Party in every corner of the state.”
Rodriguez submitted the required additional signatures which are being reviewed by the secretary of state for qualification.
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Pat Davis is the founder and publisher of nm.news. In a prior life he served as an Albuquerque City Councilor.
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ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – City and state leaders are calling for the removal of César Chávez’s name from public spaces following allegations of sexual assault against him.
A New York Times article revealed claims that Chávez sexually abused multiple women and young girls who worked alongside him in the civil rights movement. The news has caused shockwaves, especially at the intersection of Avenida Dolores Huerta and Avenida César Chávez.
“Shock, um, it’s been shocking, horrified and completely incompatible and unacceptable with the values of the Latino and Chicano and Hispanic community and the civil rights movement,” said Zackary Quintero, executive director of the National Hispanic Cultural Center.
Dolores Huerta, who co-founded the United Farm Workers with Chávez, stated she was one of his victims. She described two sexual encounters with Chávez that led to pregnancies and children she hid from the public eye.
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Quintero said the role Chávez plays in Albuquerque and the state needs re-examination. “I know that a community conversation needs to take place and that we’re going to be part of that conversation,” he said. “We’re supposed to be a home for our Chicano gente, our Latino gente, our Hispano gente, to be able to meet here and talk about these kind of issues.”
Mayor Tim Keller says changes are coming to the way Chávez is remembered. “I am directing City staff to work with the community and city council to take a fresh look at how Chávez is recognized across our programs, events, committees, and spaces, and to recommend changes that honor the full truth while continuing to uplift the movement for economic justice that shaped our community,” he said.
KOB 4 asked the city what that process entails and what the economic impact could look like but a city spokesperson re-iterated the statement above saying, “The mayor has directed staff to work with the City Council and the community to determine the best steps forward.”
Speaker of the House Javier Martinez added, “The allegations against César Chávez are horrific. I pray for all of the survivors, including Dolores Huerta. I keep Dolores, her family, and the entire farmworker movement in my heart. Chávez’s name should be removed from any and all public entities, swiftly.”
It’s not just Albuquerque, there are landmarks, parks, schools and more throughout New Mexico named after Chávez. For example, the César Chávez Elementary school in Santa Fe.
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School officials said they have “an established process for considering changing a school’s name.” They also added they would review the situation but any consideration of a name change would have to go before the the Board of Education. The district’s full statement is below.
Statement from Santa Fe Public Schools:
“Santa Fe Public Schools is aware of the recent allegations concerning the namesake of Cesar Chavez Elementary School. We understand that members of our community may have questions and concerns, and we take those perspectives seriously.
Santa Fe Public Schools has an established process for considering changes to a school’s name. At this time, district staff will review the situation, gather relevant information, and evaluate next steps in accordance with district policy. Any consideration of a name change would ultimately be brought before the Board of Education for discussion and direction.
We remain committed to engaging thoughtfully with our community and ensuring that any decisions are made through the appropriate processes and with careful consideration.”
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City and state leaders are calling for the removal of César Chávez’s name from public spaces following allegations of sexual assault against him.
