Nearly one in four of New Mexico children — or 24 percent — live in poverty according to the U.S. Census Bureau, which released figures yesterday, reports the Albuquerque Journal. That number is up from previous estimates of a nearly 20 percent poverty level for New Mexicans under 18, according to the paper. National poverty estimates for 2007 are at about 18 percent for children, according to the Census Bureau.

The man whom many still call a 2000 presidential race spoiler — Ralph Nader — stopped in the state’s capital city to give a speech at the College of Santa Fe, reports the Santa Fe New Mexican. He visited Santa Fe after a stop in Albuquerque. And true to style Nader took swipes at both political parties.

An Espanola police school resource officer is no longer at the department after being accused of exchanging sexual messages with a 15 year old boy and of having a nude photo of the student in his cell phone, the Santa Fe New Mexican reports.

Bernalillo County is reviving its long dormant ethics board, reports the Albuquerque Journal. The five-member board is mandated by county ordinance but hasn’t met for almost a decade.