Free Republic

Mark Ronchetti has resigned as KRQE-TV's chief meteorologist to consider a run for governor. "We have not made a final decision yet," Ronchetti said Friday in a statement. "Krysty and I will continue to talk to our girls and pray about the direction we're going to head in next," he added, referring to his wife and two young daughters. "We hope to have a final decision by next week." During Thursday night's news broadcast, the station reported that Ronchetti had "handed in his resignation to News 13 effective immediately" to consider a run for governor. A political science professor at...

The office of Doña Ana County District Attorney Susana Martinez bought more than $60,000 in office supplies from a home-based company owned by one of her top deputies and political ally. There was no contract or competitive bidding process that covered the purchases from 2003 to 2005, and a former state auditor questions whether state law was followed. But Martinez, the Republican gubernatorial candidate, said the arrangement was legal, had approval from two state agencies and saved the taxpayers money. She also said she would do it all over again as governor, "so long as there was transparency in that...

Alice King, the former first lady of New Mexico and mother of state Attorney General Gary King, died Sunday at age 78. Attorney General King said his mother died after suffering a stroke a few days ago. He said she was surrounded by family, including her husband, former three-term governor Bruce King. During her time as first lady, Alice King was an advocate for families. She headed the effort to create the Children, Youth and Families Department. She also focused her energies on early childhood development and drug-abuse prevention programs. As recently as this year, the former first lady had...