Former Presidential Candidate, Oklahoma Senator Dies At 94
'He was 94. He was a wonderful and beloved man'
Teacher accused of criminal sexual penetration of student, reportedly asked principal not to tell her husband
The latest teacher sex scandal involves a newly hired substitute teacher from New Mexico who has since been fired. The 30-year-old married woman was charged with criminal sexual penetration and sexual contact with a minor, according to authorities.
Michaela Ford of Estancia was arrested Friday and hit with seven charges, including criminal sexual penetration and sexual contact with a minor. Ford is being held at the Torrance County Detention Facility.
Surveillance video showed the encounter between Ford and the child, according to court documents.
Ford had been working at Estancia High School. Citing court records, KOAT-TV reported that a witness came forward after allegedly seeing Ford kissing an underage student near the middle and high schools on Nov. 6. The station reported that Ford asked the principal not to tell her husband about the alleged interaction.
The school launched an investigation into the allegations. Surveillance video showed the encounter between Ford and the child, according to court documents.
The Estancia Municipal School District issued a statement Monday saying it's "disturbed to learn of the allegations made against a former substitute teacher in the district, who was arrested."
"The district is working closely in cooperation with law enforcement to ensure that a full investigation is conducted," the district stated. "The safety of our students is our highest priority. The district follows all laws and policies with regards to the hiring of employees, including a comprehensive background check."
The district said Ford had been employed at the high school for less than a month. Ford was "separated from students immediately" after the accusations of sexual misconduct surfaced.
"The district is now concentrating our efforts and resources to assist students requiring support and guidance," the school district said.
"As this matter has just come to light, full details are not known," the district added. "All information related to this matter will remain confidential in order to protect our students. This district takes pride in being a tight-knit and caring community of learners. We will continue to take all necessary steps to protect student safety."
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Trump and Harris make pit stops in states that will decide the election
Just four days out from the election, former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris are holding dueling campaign events through crucial battleground states.
Yesterday on the trail, Trump held rallies in Albuquerque, New Mexico, Henderson, Nevada, and appeared alongside Tucker Carlson in Glendale, Arizona. As the campaign season wraps up, Trump touched on policy priorities like immigration and the economy while also making a point to hammer his opponent and her supporters.
'Look, she's a deranged person, but the reason she couldn't stand me is that she always wanted to go to war with people. I don't want to go to war.'
"There are some people who thrive under pressure, and there are some people who crack under pressure," Trump said of Harris in Albuquerque. "She's a cracker."
“Are you better now than you were four years ago?" Trump asked the crowd in Henderson, to which many responded "no."
Apart from Trump's usual rally appearances, two moments stood out for the former president yesterday.
Trump's most notable comments from his Thursday campaign stops took place in Arizona at an event alongside Carlson. The former president criticized former Republican Rep. Liz Cheney, daughter of former Vice President Dick Cheney, for her and her father's hawkish track record on foreign policy as well as her endorsement of Harris.
"Well, I think it hurts Kamala a lot actually," Trump said of Cheney's endorsement. "Look, she's a deranged person, but the reason she couldn't stand me is that she always wanted to go to war with people. I don't want to go to war."
"She's a radical war hawk," Trump continued. "Let's put her with a rifle, standing there with nine barrels shooting at her. Okay? Let's see how she feels about it, you know, when the guns are trained on her face? You know they're all war hawks when they're sitting in Washington in a nice building saying, 'Oh, gee, well, let's send, let's send, 10,000 troops right into the mouth of the enemy.'"
Trump was clearly calling out Cheney's hawkish foreign policy. It's a lot easier to hold Cheney's worldview when you're able to call the shots from a cushy federal job, but she would likely have a different opinion if she was thrown into active combat. That is obviously the comparison Trump was making, full context of the clip shows.
Like clockwork, countless headlines from the corporate and mainstream media attacked Trump for "using violent language," called his comments "firing squad threats," and insinuated that he wanted to attack Cheney.
"This is how dictators destroy free nations," Cheney said in response. "They threaten those who speak against them with death. We cannot entrust our country and our freedom to a petty, vindictive, cruel, unstable man who wants to be a tyrant."
On the note of questionable endorsements, American businessman and Harris supporter Mark Cuban criticized the women in and around the Trump camp.
"Donald Trump, you never see him around strong, intelligent women, ever," Cuban told "The View" Thursday. "It's just that simple."
"Actually, he is very wrong, I surround myself with the strongest of women - With the understanding that ALL women are great, whether strong or not strong," Trump said in response to Cuban's comments. "This guy is such a fool, he’s constantly on Television being critical, and only for the reason that I tuned him out completely while President because he called incessantly."
"I may, in fact, be surrounded by the strongest women in the World, including Heads of Countries, who make Mark look like a 'baby!'" Trump continued. "All strong women, and women in general, should be very angry about this weak man’s statement."
As for Trump's running mate, JD Vance followed in the former president's footsteps and made an appearance on the Joe Rogan podcast. In the over three hour-long episode released Thursday, Vance came off cool, calm, collected, and importantly, likable. In between exchanges on policy, Vance let listeners in on his personal life and shared familial anecdotes with Rogan. The podcast amassed over 7.5 million views in fewer than 24 hours.
While Harris has yet to make her long-anticipated appearance on Rogan's show (an appearance which is still up in the air), she held competing rallies in Phoenix, Arizona, and Las Vegas and Reno, Nevada. Harris racked up another celebrity endorsement from Jennifer Lopez in Vegas and was briefly interrupted by protesters in Phoenix and again in Reno.
Harris stuck to her usual talking points, emphasizing the importance of women's "choices," a euphemism for abortion, and boasting about "fighting for democracy."
The two candidates are now headed to the Rust Belt. Harris is traveling from Vegas to Wisconsin, where she is scheduled to hold events in Janesville and in Little Chute. Afterward, Harris will be hopping over to hold a concert rally in West Allis alongside rappers Cardi B, Glorilla, and Flo Milli, to name a few.
Trump is making stops to hold rallies in Warren, Michigan, and in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
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Armed homeowner in New Mexico confronts alleged intruder who broke in before 4 a.m. It doesn't end well for uninvited guest.
A homeowner in New Mexico fatally shot an alleged intruder who broke into a residence early Tuesday morning, Bernalillo County deputies told KOB-TV.
The station said deputies responded to a call around 3:45 a.m. about an intruder at a home near Lost Horizon Drive on the West Mesa, the station said. The area is part of Albuquerque.
'That’s why we have our 2nd Amendment!!!'
The homeowner reported shooting the intruder, the sheriff's office told KOB.
Arriving deputies found the alleged intruder critically injured and tried life-saving measures on the individual, the station said.
Medics took the suspect to a hospital, but the suspect died, KOB reported.
Sheriff's office detectives who work on violent crimes and homicides are investigating the incident, the station said.
How are observers reacting?
Plenty of people are reacting to KOB's story on the station's Facebook page. Here's a sampling of what they had to say:
- "Unfortunately we have to protect our own because by the time police show up — if they show up — it's too late," one commenter wrote. "We all work hard for our things and need [to] protect our families. When [suspects are] arrested, they're just let right back out to do it all over again..."
- "This is great news! More criminals need this fate!" another user concluded.
- "This was totally warranted!" another commenter said. "Good job protecting yourself, family, & your home! There needs to be ... repercussions for the outrageous amount of crime in this city."
- "Good job!!!" another commenter exclaimed. "That’s why we have our 2nd Amendment!!!"
- "Good," another commenter noted before adding, "Tired of this crap. When [they're] in your home, you gotta protect it. I stand for the homeowner. Job well done."
- "Finally some good news today," another user stated before adding, "Great job on protecting your family and what’s yours. Sends a perfect message to thieves; [we've] had enough of their BS."
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Conservative PACs Plan To Put New Mexico In Play This Fall
No Republican has won statewide in New Mexico for 10 years. A series of ad buys from multiple political action groups aim to change that.New Public Database Will Let Anyone In Swing States See How Their Neighbors Are Voting
Citizen “vote detectives” are invited to look for voter anomalies in their own neighborhood.Homeowner fatally shoots intruder through barricaded bedroom door — then cops make disturbing discovery
Officers in Hobbs, New Mexico, responded to the 2100 block of North Rojo early Friday morning in reference to a report of breaking and entering, police said. Hobbs is located about two miles west of the Texas border and just under two hours southwest of Lubbock.
Upon arrival at the scene, officers determined that 38-year-old Curtis Thames of Hobbs forced entry into a residence.
The police department's news release on the incident does not include a cause of death for Thames' mother.
The homeowners, armed with a gun, barricaded themselves in a bedroom, police said. Soon, one of the homeowners fired a round through the bedroom door, striking Thames, police said. Thames died at a local hospital, police said.
Police also were told that Thames’ mother, Kristie Thames, resides with him in a neighboring home. Officers tried to make contact with Thames' mother but were unsuccessful, police said.
To ensure her welfare, police said officers forced entry into the home and found her dead in a bedroom. The police department's news release on the incident does not include a cause of death for Thames' mother.
Police said those who have information regarding the incident can call dispatch at 575-397-9265 or Lea County Crime Stoppers at 575-393-8005. Callers may be eligible for a cash reward, police said, adding that individuals also can message privately on Facebook.
How are people reacting?
Commenters on the police department's Facebook post about the incident offered a range of reactions. Here are a few of them:
- "This is why we have the 2nd Amendment," one commenter said.
- "Prayers to the people who had to make the decision ... they probably didn’t want to ever have to make, the officers and other first responders who were involved, and the families and friends of those whose lives will be forever impacted," another user wrote.
- "Hope the DA doesn't charge the homeowner with manslaughter for defending himself," another commenter opined. "She is known for charging innocent people who use self defense."
- "Good job for the homeowner!" another user declared. "Sounds like it was the last thing they wanted to do, but they were protecting their property and family."
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