New Mexico
“It’s very much needed right now”; CYFD watchdog office taking shape
NEW MEXICO (KRQE) – With years of well-documented problems for the New Mexico Children, Youth, and Families Department, New Mexico is making its first watchdog agency to monitor the department, and that office is finally taking shape.
“It’s very much needed right now, and I think that New Mexico is making some good moves and ways to look out for child well-being in this state,” said Rep. Michelle Paulene Abeyta (D-To’hajilee).
It’s an effort to keep a closer eye on continued problems in New Mexico’s Children, Youth and Families Department, a department long criticized for failing to protect children. Under the control of the New Mexico Attorney General, the “Office of the Child Advocate” is expected to open next year, and the committee tasked with picking that leader is well underway in its work. A bipartisan group of lawmakers backed House Bill 5, creating New Mexico’s “Office of the Child Advocate,” and a handful of candidates vying to lead that office have already been interviewed.
“The candidate pool was very impressive, almost every candidate met the minimum qualifications of having the social work background, a law background, or a psychology background, and combined with that, education was years of experience,” said Rep. Abeyta.
A To’hajiilee democrat, Rep. Michelle Paulene Abeyta, is part of the seven-member committee doing the interviews. The national search is now down to eight candidates.
“The Office of the Child Advocate will be focused on complaints that we’ve all been hearing about in the media, most recently, children sleeping in CYFD offices will be a huge one, and then also looking at what we’re doing to help support families with family reunification,” said Abeyta.
The Office of the Child Advocate exists within the New Mexico Department of Justice, which right now said they’ve been taking on an administrative role.
“We as you know have broad statutory authority in the state of New Mexico and for the Child Advocate to be sending us investigations, and recommendations, and tips and things of that nature, it makes sense for our office to tackle since we do have a broad range of statutory obligations,” said Lauren Rodriguez, Chief of Staff for the New Mexico Department of Justice.
The interview team is hoping to narrow down the pool of candidates down from eight before sending their suggestions to the governor, who will have the ultimate say in who leads the “office.” The governor is expected to make that pick by January.
Arizona State baseball will host a four-game homestand, beginning with New Mexico State on Wednesday, April 22.
The Sun Devils and Aggies faced each other in late March, with ASU winning 10-4. The two teams will meet for the final time at 6:35 p.m. at Phoenix Municipal Stadium.
ASU will then welcome Baylor on Friday, April 24, for a three-game series. The Sun Devils have yet to face the Bears this season, but ASU has been doing well so far and has been in the top 25 for four weeks.
Sophomore center fielder Landon Hairston earned Big 12 player of the week honors on April 13, after delivering five home runs in five games. His 10 runs in that stretch were tied for the second-most nationally and his 14 runs batted in were tied for third-most nationally. All nine of his hits went for extra bases, three more than any other player.
ASU’s series against Baylor will start at 6:35 p.m. for the first two games, followed by a 1:05 p.m. start on Sunday, April 26.
April 19
Softball at Houston, Cougar Softball Stadium, noon.
April 22
Baseball vs New Mexico State, Phoenix Municipal Stadium, 6:35 p.m.
April 23
Women’s golf at Big 12 Championship, Dallas Athletic Club, TBA.
Track and field at Penn Relays, Franklin Field, 1:22 p.m.
Beach volleyball at Big 12 Championship, Bear Down Beach, all day.
April 24
Baseball vs Baylor, Phoenix Municipal Stadium, 6:35 p.m.
Softball vs Texas Tech, Farrington Stadium, 7 p.m.
April 25
Lacrosse at Colorado, Prentup Field, 11 a.m.
Softball vs Texas Tech, Farrington Stadium, 3 p.m.
Baseball vs Baylor, Phoenix Municipal Stadium, 6:35 p.m.
Reach the reporter or send tips for stories at jenna.ortiz@arizonarepublic.com, as well as @jennarortiz on X.
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Josh’s Saturday Night Forecast
NEW MEXICO (KRQE) – Calmer weather has moved back into the state this afternoon. Temperatures are slightly warmer across northwestern New Mexico, while southeastern areas are cooler thanks to the backdoor cold fronts that moved in on Friday. Breezier winds will return Sunday and will help kick off a warming trend across the state, along with an elevated fire threat in eastern New Mexico.
Warmer weather will continue building in across the state throughout the upcoming week. A few isolated rain chances will return Monday in parts of New Mexico, but some of that rain may evaporate before reaching the ground.
Good morning!
Heading out the door this morning? Bundle up! Cold air has settled into the Land of Enchantment after two cold fronts passed through New Mexico within the last 24 hours. Temperatures have fallen to the teens, 20s and 30s throughout northern New Mexico. The metro area is just as cold with Moriarty falling to the teens and several other cities bottoming out near the freezing point. The National Weather Service (NWS) has Freeze Warnings in place until 9 a.m. for several locations in northern and central New Mexico. However, one of the aforementioned cold fronts is still moving through eastern New Mexico this morning. That back door cold front has brought 30-45 mph wind gusts, or more, in southeastern New Mexico. The front will push west further west this morning bringing breezy winds to far south and southwestern New Mexico this afternoon. Otherwise, much calmer weather will be on tap for the state compared to the majority of this week.
The colder air this morning will bring cooler and seasonable weather to the Land of Enchantment later on Saturday. Afternoon highs will range from the high 50s, in sections of the northern mountains, to the 70s in southern New Mexico. Throughout the weekend into early next week a warming trend is expected as a ridge of high pressure builds on Sunday, which is forecasted to last through at least Tuesday. By next Tuesday, high temperatures will be 5 to 15 degrees above normal, and even warmer for some locations by next Wednesday with breezy conditions returning to the state.
Moisture does stream back into the state early next week across New Mexico. Tomorrow’s forecast is expected to have cloud coverage increase with warmer weather. On Monday sufficient moisture in the mid to upper levels of the atmosphere will bring the chance for showers; however, moisture levels toward the surface will be lower. That will also bring the chance for dry showers and thunderstorms throughout the state. Have a great weekend and stay warm this morning!
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