ALBUQUERQUE — The turbulent economy, a Democratic sweep that followed a lively and unprecedented scramble for open seats in Washington and a now-familiar New Mexico story line — political corruption — dominated the state's headlines in 2008, according to an Associated Press survey of member broadcast and newspaper editors.

So, again, did Gov. Bill Richardson, whose busy year began with him in earnest pursuit of the Democratic presidential nomination and ended with him tentatively packing up for Washington to join the Cabinet of former rival Barack Obama.

Nature, too, roared into the news: A summer flood in Ruidoso killed a man and damaged 200 homes, while fire in the Manzano Mountains charred houses and forced scores of residents to flee. Less dramatic but just as devastating: salmonella poisonings around the country, including more than 100 in New Mexico, that also meant turmoil for the state's chile pepper farmers who worried that a possible salmonella link to jalapeños would scare away chile-lovers.

Crime, with unusual twists, also garnered headlines. A Northern New Mexico sect leader was arrested and later convicted on sex-related charges, members of a Las Vegas high school football team were accused in a disturbing hazing incident involving younger teammates, and several inmates escaped from a Curry County jail.

Here are the top 10 New Mexico stories, as voted by AP broadcast and newspaper members, and AP staff reporters:

1. Democrats sweep: Barack Obama handily won New Mexico, a swing state that had swung to the GOP four years earlier. The Nov. 5 election also transformed the state's five-member congressional delegation from majority-Republican to entirely Democratic — for the first time in 40 years. Gone were GOP Reps. Heather Wilson and Steve Pearce and retiring Sen. Pete Domenici; voted in were Democrats Martin Heinrich, Harry Teague and Ben Luján, with Rep. Tom Udall moving from the House to take Domenici's long-held Senate seat.

2. A sour economy: New Mexico's finances slumped in the worsening national economy in 2008, leaving the state in a $454 million hole that lawmakers must plug next year. The rough economy and falling oil and natural gas prices may well keep the outlook grim for the next budget year.

3. Richardson's busy year: The governor started 2008 with the dream of becoming the nation's first Hispanic president. Voters weren't sold, however, and after early losses in critical nominating contests in New Hampshire and Iowa, he abandoned his campaign. His consolation, he said in January, was returning to "best job in the world."

After relentless courting by Obama and Hillary Clinton, Richardson threw his coveted endorsement to Obama in late March. Then he spent the next seven months visiting 19 states and Puerto Rico to campaign for his candidate. The loyalty paid off: In December, Obama nominated Richardson as commerce secretary.

4. Manny Aragon's plea: Ex-Senate leader Manny Aragon's guilty plea in a public corruption case stained a career of public service; his deal in October with prosecutors means he's expected to serve more than five years in federal prison. The Albuquerque Democrat, who served in the Senate for 29 years, admitted to three federal felony counts of conspiracy and mail fraud in a scheme to defraud the state in the construction of a courthouse in Albuquerque.

5. Ruidoso flooding: Severe flooding hit the mountain resort community at the end of July, killing one man, destroying homes, washing out bridges and roads and prompting hundreds of rescues of stranded residents and campers. President George W. Bush and Richardson declared a disaster in Lincoln and Otero counties.

6. Salmonella scare: Federal officials urged people to avoid eating raw jalapeños, serrano peppers and some raw tomatoes after salmonella poisoning cases around the nation, including 104 in New Mexico. The negative publicity surrounding the outbreak concerned chile pepper farmers who worried it could hurt an already struggling industry.

7. Wildfires: Authorities believe turkey hunters started a fire in April that burned more than 21 square miles in the Manzano Mountains and destroyed dozens of homes. Another fire in the Manzanos in June burned a half-dozen homes.

8. Presidential battleground: Obama and GOP rival John McCain focused significant attention on New Mexico. The two campaigns and their surrogates paid several visits to the state in the weeks leading up to Nov. 5, when Obama prevailed.

9. Sect leader convicted: Wayne Bent, the leader of an apocalyptic religious sect in northeastern New Mexico, was arrested for alleged sexual misconduct with two of his female followers, teenage sisters. In December, he was convicted on some of the charges and sentenced to 10 years in prison.

10. Curry County jail escape: Eight men, including a convicted killer and a murder suspect, escaped from the Curry County Adult Detention Center in August by climbing water pipes and cutting a hole in the roof. All but one were caught by year's end.




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