New Mexico
New Mexico GOP chief accuses Democratic rep of 'contradictory' rhetoric after alleged arson attack
New Mexico GOP Chairwoman Amy Barela called out Democrats’ inflammatory rhetoric Monday after an alleged arsonist targeted the state Republican Party’s headquarters over the weekend.
Her comments came after New Mexico Democratic Rep. Teresa Leger Fernández encouraged Democrats to “respond” to the Trump administration’s changes with a “three-prong project” during a “Republican Ripoff” town hall.
“Legislate. Litigate. Agitate. And you guys are part of the agitate party, so don’t feel like we are hopeless or helpless when we express our outrage,” Leger Fernández told an audience in Santa Fe on Saturday, one day before the attack.
ALBUQUERQUE GOP HEADQUARTERS TARGETED IN ALLEGED ARSON: ‘DIRECT ASSAULT ON OUR VALUES’
An arson attack against the New Mexico Republican Party created concerns about inflammatory rhetoric allegedly coming from Democrats. (New Mexico Republican Party)
She brought down the temperature in an X post after the attack on Sunday, calling political violence “unacceptable,” and adding that perpetrators must be “held accountable” so every American can “freely and safely participate” in democracy.
“At my town hall yesterday, I spoke about love in action – about the importance of showing respect and listening. That is what we need right now,” she added.
Barela was quick to point out the timeliness of the attack, however, pointing to the “agitate” remark as a potential inciter.
“I believe that she changed her statement as soon as I came out to the media and was calling her out on those statements. You’re holding a town hall to discuss about the love of the community, and you use the words ‘agitate.’ I think it’s contradictory,” she said on “Fox & Friends.”
15-YEAR-OLD BOY NOW FOURTH SUSPECT CHARGED WITH HOMICIDE IN NEW MEXICO MASS SHOOTING
The Albuquerque Fire Department was called to an alleged arson attempt at the Republican Party of New Mexico’s headquarters in Albuquerque early Sunday morning. (Albuquerque Fire Department Facebook)
Though the incident is still under investigation, Barela said an incendiary device was planted outside the GOP headquarters’ doorway around 1 a.m. Sunday and was ignited around 5 a.m.
Graffiti reading “ICE = KKK” was spray-painted on the side of the building as well.
Though no one was inside at the time, Barela said she fears for the “safety of [her] staff” in light of a wave of violent protests sweeping the nation.
She called on Democrats to “come to the table and work together” to fix New Mexico’s crime problems instead of “calling out for violence and destruction.”
Authorities are now investigating the incident as a hate crime, though officials have yet to determine an exact cause or motive, local outlet KOAT-TV in Albuquerque reported.
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Leger Fernández said in a statement to the outlet, “Political violence of any sort is unacceptable, including this attack. The perpetrators must be held accountable. Every American should be able to freely and safely participate in our democracy.”
The Democratic congresswoman condemned the act of violence again, telling the Santa Fe New Mexican her town hall emphasized “the importance of showing respect and listening.”
“It is a ludicrous leap to twist encouraging democratic participation, calling your representatives and showing up at town halls into an insinuation of violence,” she said, per the outlet.
“The Republican Party’s accusations are themselves dangerous and the ultimate disrespect to our political process. They distract from the real work of bringing people together to build a better future,” she added.
New Mexico
William McCasland, retired general who led Air Force Research Laboratory, goes missing
A retired US Air Force general was reported missing in New Mexico, with authorities warning that medical concerns have heightened fears for his safety.
Retired Maj. Gen. William Neil McCasland, 68, was last seen around 11 a.m. Friday near Quail Run Court NE in Albuquerque, the Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office said.
Officials said they do not know what McCasland was wearing or in which direction he may have traveled. The sheriff’s office has issued a Silver Alert.
“Due to his medical issues, law enforcement is concerned for his safety,” the sheriff’s office said.
McCasland was a longtime leader at Kirtland Air Force Base in New Mexico and previously commanded Kirtland’s Phillips Research Site and Air Force Research Laboratory.
Col. Justin Secrest, commander of the 377th Air Base Wing at Kirtland, told the Albuquerque Journal that the base is coordinating with local authorities.
“Our thoughts are with his family during this difficult time,” Secrest said.
McCasland was commissioned in 1979 after graduating from the US Air Force Academy with a degree in astronautical engineering and held multiple leadership roles in space research, acquisition and operations, including work with the National Reconnaissance Office.
Authorities asked anyone with information about McCasland to text BCSO to 847411 or call the sheriff’s Missing Persons Unit at +1 (505) 468-7070.
New Mexico
3 thoughts: New Mexico 81, SDSU 76 … Kudos for the local kid, mid-majors getting the squeeze and European bigs
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — Three thoughts on San Diego State’s 81-76 loss at New Mexico on Saturday afternoon:
1. Kudos
No loss is a happy occasion within SDSU’s basketball program, but it was mitigated somewhat by the how and who:
The how: A 3-pointer from the left wing with 43 seconds left that broke a 74-74 tie.
The who: Luke Haupt, a sixth-year senior from St. Augustine High School and Point Loma Nazarene University who is one of those classy, genuine guys you can’t help but root for.
Aztecs coaches know him and his family well, his father Mike being the longtime head coach at Saints who sent Trey Kell to them. Aztecs players know him from the Swish summer league and open gyms during the summer.
Coach Brian Dutcher: “Kudos to Luke, known him a long time. Coaches are a little different than fan bases, where sometimes (fans) get too hard on the opposition. I wanted to win in the worst way, trust me when I tell you that. But … tip your hat to guys who make important and timely plays.”
Junior guard Miles Byrd: “Credit to Luke Haupt. He’s a San Diego kid. He’s going to (get) up for these type of games. You respect that. Players show up in games like this, and he showed up.”
There’s respect for the moment and respect for what it took to get there.
Haupt grew up, like most kids in San Diego, watching the Aztecs and dreaming of maybe one day playing in Viejas Arena. He went to Division II PLNU instead and toiled in relative anonymity for five seasons, one of which was abbreviated by the pandemic and 1½ of which was wiped out by knee surgery.
The 6-foot-7 wing finally got to Division I for his sixth and final year, lured to New Mexico by former UC San Diego coach Eric Olen, and has averaged 7.2 points per game with a career high of 30 against Boise State. He had 17 on Saturday against his hometown team, the final three coming with 43 seconds left in a tie game.
The play wasn’t designed for him. Fate sent the ball his way.
“It was a big shot, but it was everything I’ve worked on my entire career and basketball life,” Haupt said. “It’s all the people who have helped me get here and all the work that’s been put in.
“These are moments you dream about.”
2. Death of Cinderella
The Aztecs have slipped off the NCAA Tournament bubble with losses in three of their last four games, yet their metrics are comparable and in some cases better than a year ago, when they didn’t win the conference tournament and sneaked into the First Four in Dayton.
They are hanging tough at 42 in Kenpom and 44 in NET. Last year they were 46 and 52 on Selection Sunday.
The problem is that there might be historically few at-large berths available to mid-major conferences as the preposterous sums of money coursing through the sport accentuates the divide between the haves and have-nots. The latest field from ESPN’s Joe Lunardi has 11 teams from the SEC, nine from the Big Ten and eight each from the Big 12 and ACC.
The Big East, considered a power conference given its financial commitment to men’s basketball (although that is starting to wane), is expected to get only three, but do the math: Power conferences account for 34 of the 37 at-large invitations to the 68-team field.
Lunardi, and several other bracketologists, has only three mid-majors getting at-large berths: Saint Mary’s and Santa Clara from the WCC, and New Mexico from the Mountain West.
Only Saint Mary’s is in the main bracket. Santa Clara and New Mexico are in his First Four (and the Lobos are his last team in).
“It’s harder,” Dutcher said, “because there are only so many at-large bids that are going to go to non-power conference teams. When thrown up against the power conferences, the Selection Committee is finding ways to put the power conference teams in.”
Since the tournament expanded from 65 to 68 in 2011, mid-majors have averaged a combined 6.3 at-large berths. The high was 10 in 2013, but it’s been seven as recently as 2024. Last year it slipped to four, equaling the record low, and no mid-major teams reached the Sweet 16.
If teams like Utah State, Saint Louis and Miami (Ohio) win their conference tournaments, knocking out “bid stealers,” it could be three, maybe even two.
Money is talking. It doesn’t guarantee success, but it certainly increases the chances.
3. Euros
The Aztecs have not dipped into the European professional market for players, but maybe this season will change their perspective.
They have nine losses. Seven have come against teams with a European big.
The latest was New Mexico, which got 24 points and 18 rebounds from the 6-foot-9, 240-pound Tomislav Buljan, a 23-year-old Croatian pro granted one season of collegiate eligibility by the NCAA. He had 20 and 14 in the first meeting, when the Aztecs narrowly escaped with an 83-79 win after trailing in the final minute.
“He was a monster tonight,” Haupt said. “That was huge for us. Loved the way he played.”
The week before, the Aztecs lost to Colorado State and Rashaan Mbemba from Austria.
They’ve lost to Grand Canyon twice with 7-1 Turkish pro Efe Demirel, a 21-year-old “freshman” who has experience in the Euroleague, the continent’s most prestigious competition.
In the December loss to Arizona where the Aztecs were crushed 52-28 on the boards, 7-2, 260-pound Lithuanian center Motiejus Krivas had 13.
Michigan, which beat SDSU in November, has 7-3 Aday Mara of Spain.
Baylor beat the Aztecs two days later with 6-9 Michael Rataj of Germany, then a few weeks later added 7-0 James Nnaji from Spanish club FC Barcelona.
Only Troy and Utah State didn’t start a European big in wins against SDSU — although Mexican forward Victor Valdes had 20 points for Troy.
“Obviously, it’s changing the game,” Dutcher said. “The European pros are coming over because they can make more money over here than they can in Europe. They come over and they’re making good money, whether it’s Demirel at Grand Canyon or it’s Buljan at New Mexico.
“These are good players who come up through a club system and are basically professional basketball players.”
New Mexico
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