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  SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — U.S. Rep. Ben Ray Luján — the No. 4 ranked Democrat in Congress — announced his campaign Monday for the state's open U.S. Senate seat in 2020.

Democrats hope to maintain their hold on to the seat held by Sen. Tom Udall, who announced last week that he won't seek a third term.

Luján hails from a prominent New Mexico political family and helped his party retake the U.S. House majority in 2018 midterm elections as former chairman of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee.

Education will be a major topic during the 2019 New Mexico Legislative Session.  The state is under a court order to provide more resources to ensure than all students receive constitutionally-mandated educational services.

Fred Martino discussed various priorities for educators represented by the the National Education Association-New Mexico with the organization's Government and Media Relations Director, Charles Goodmacher.

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A recent report by Truth In Accounting ranks New Mexico low when it comes to financial transparency. Sheila Weinberg, Founder and CEO of Truth In Accounting shares why the state scored one of the lowest in the country. 

A town hall meeting on Monday will focus on family caregiving.  The event will be held at Centennial High School in Las Cruces from 2 to 3 in the afternoon. The rapidly aging population has made this a major issue for New Mexico and the entire nation. 

To learn more, Fred Martino spoke with Tommy Hernandez, the public policy director for the Alzheimer's Association of New Mexico.

The 14th Annual Diabetes Expo is coming to Las Cruces on November 3.  The event takes place at Alma D'Arte High School  from 8am to 2:30pm.  The $12 admission includes lunch. 

Fred Martino discussed the event with Ruben Marquez, Assistant Executive Director of Southern New Mexico Diabetes Outreach.

Commentary: New Mexico voters have an unprecedented chance to send an important message this November that New Mexico takes corruption seriously and will hold government officials, candidates, and contractors accountable when they cross ethical boundaries and violate the law.  As former statewide elected officials, we wince every time we see the state tarnished by poor national rankings for good government and ethics, and worry that the perception of corruption is costing us business and opportunities, discouraging civic participation and decreasing voter turnout.  New Mexico is one of only six states that does not have a statewide ethics commission.

Sylvia Ulloa with New Mexico In Depth has been covering child well-being in New Mexico and early childhood education. Ulloa has also reported recently on rural education in the state. She talks about what she has learned on In Focus from KRWG Public Media. 

Republican Candidate for New Mexico House District 33, Charles "Chuck" Wendler shares why he is running for office.

The Southern New Mexico Festival of Quilts was held in Alamogordo Sunday and Monday.  Background provided by the festival: 

Since 2010 quilters from around the United States have been coming to Alamogordo, New Mexico to take part in a community event to benefit the children of Otero County.  The Southern New Mexico Festival of Quilts began as a cooperative effort between Rainee Mackewich of First National Bank and  Pam Holland, International textile artist, quilt teacher and photographer from Australia and has resulted in a week long flurry of quilting activities throughout the area every summer since. 

  ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — Advocates for New Mexico's vulnerable public school students said Monday the state has a chance at a new start as a district judge ordered education officials to reshape policies and school funding to meet constitutional responsibilities.

NTI provides job services to Americans with disabilities who want to get back into the workplace.  Over the past 25 years, NTI has helped over 175,000 individuals across the United States and over 1,200 here in the Las Cruces area through their NTI@Home and LandAjob programs.