Red Dirt Black Gold Festival Kicks Off with Music, Food and Fun in Artesia

News
Artesia’s 11th annual Red Dirt Black Gold Festival opened Friday downtown with a break in the weather, live music from Fuzion Nortena, food, and beverages for adults 21 and over. Crowds gathered early to enjoy the festivities, which continue Saturday with country music night.

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Here’s your guide to early voting in Eddy County

News
Early voting for New Mexico’s Nov. 3 General Election begins Oct. 6 in Eddy County. Residents can vote at the Carlsbad Clerk’s Office or Artesia Sub Office, with expanded hours Oct. 17–31. Absentee ballots may be requested through Oct. 20. The guide also lists Election Day polling locations and local, statewide and federal candidates.

Here’s your guide to early voting in Eddy County

News
Early voting for New Mexico’s Nov. 3 General Election begins Oct. 6 in Eddy County. Residents can vote at the Carlsbad Clerk’s Office or Artesia Sub Office, with expanded hours Oct. 17–31. Absentee ballots may be requested through Oct. 20. The guide also lists Election Day polling locations and local, statewide and federal candidates.

Eddy County Approves $5M for New Carlsbad Airport Terminal

News
Eddy County commissioners approved $5 million toward a $9.1 million replacement terminal at Carlsbad’s Cavern City Air Terminal. The new facility is expected to open in September 2027, enabling Contour Airlines’ larger jets to resume flights to Dallas-Fort Worth. Officials say the project could support additional destinations, attract business and allow future airport expansion.

Bulldogs football defeat Alamogordo to remain unbeaten in district play

Sports
Deerek Ruiz had a night.
Artesia
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Opinion

Siah Correa Hemphill: New Mexico Should Lead the Push for Congressional Term Limits

Opinion
New Mexico should consider joining states seeking an Article V convention to propose congressional term limits, argues this opinion. Congressional dysfunction and decades-long incumbency have concentrated power, while limits could encourage turnover and accountability. Though concerns about lost experience and greater lobbyist influence remain, the process would require a proposed amendment to be ratified by three-fourths of states.

Javier Sanchez: Altruism Is More Than Selfless Acts—It’s Living With God

Opinion
In this reflection on altruism, the writer questions whether completely selfless acts are possible and considers why helping others matters. Experiences at a leadership workshop and Notre Dame’s Grotto lead to a spiritual conclusion: altruism is not about personal benefit or even helping someone else, but living with God and helping humanity realize its highest potential.

Charles Sullivan: New Mexico Legislators’ Pension Plan Offers Outsize Rewards

Opinion
A New Mexico constitutional amendment would replace legislators’ $247 daily per diem with an annual salary of about $67,800. The proposal raises scrutiny of the state’s unusually generous pension system, which allows legislators to retire after 10 years at any age and immediately collect benefits. One hypothetical legislator’s pension could exceed $2.18 million with cost-of-living increases.

Obituaries

Warren Louis (W.L.) Gray passed away quietly at his home in Kyle, TX on June 28, 2026 at the age of 91.

Obituaries
Dub married his high school sweetheart, Dewana Lou Berry, one week after her graduation in 1955.

Vega M. Nilsson

Obituaries
Vega M. Nilsson, a long-time resident of Artesia, New Mexico passed away at home on December 29, 2025, at the age of 87. Vega was born in Brooklyn, New York to Fredrik and Hilda Nilsson,...

Garrett Romine

Obituaries
It is with deep sorrow and heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Garrett Walter Romine, who was taken from us far too soon.  Although his time with us was brief, his impact on everyone who...

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Siah Correa Hemphill: New Mexico Should Lead the Push for Congressional Term Limits

Opinion
New Mexico should consider joining states seeking an Article V convention to propose congressional term limits, argues this opinion. Congressional dysfunction and decades-long incumbency have concentrated power, while limits could encourage turnover and accountability. Though concerns about lost experience and greater lobbyist influence remain, the process would require a proposed amendment to be ratified by three-fourths of states.

‘Chutes’ Shooting Suspect Appeals No-Bail Detention Ahead of Trial

News
Shay Louis Perez, accused of fatally shooting Nicholas Lucero during a fight at “The Chutes” near Carlsbad, is appealing his detention without bail. Perez argues the court failed to properly consider self-defense and provocation, while prosecutors cite his criminal history and contend no release conditions could protect the community. He faces second-degree murder charges.

Here’s your guide to early voting in Eddy County

News
Early voting for New Mexico’s Nov. 3 General Election begins Oct. 6 in Eddy County. Residents can vote at the Carlsbad Clerk’s Office or Artesia Sub Office, with expanded hours Oct. 17–31. Absentee ballots may be requested through Oct. 20. The guide also lists Election Day polling locations and local, statewide and federal candidates.

Eddy County Approves $5M for New Carlsbad Airport Terminal

News
Eddy County commissioners approved $5 million toward a $9.1 million replacement terminal at Carlsbad’s Cavern City Air Terminal. The new facility is expected to open in September 2027, enabling Contour Airlines’ larger jets to resume flights to Dallas-Fort Worth. Officials say the project could support additional destinations, attract business and allow future airport expansion.

Bulldogs football defeat Alamogordo to remain unbeaten in district play

Sports
Deerek Ruiz had a night.

Red Dirt Black Gold Festival Kicks Off with Music, Food and Fun in Artesia

News
Artesia’s 11th annual Red Dirt Black Gold Festival opened Friday downtown with a break in the weather, live music from Fuzion Nortena, food, and beverages for adults 21 and over. Crowds gathered early to enjoy the festivities, which continue Saturday with country music night.

Artesia Bulldogs defeat Alamogordo

Sports
Alamogordo’s football team faces its toughest challenge of the season when it hosts Artesia at 7 p.m. tonight at Tiger Stadium.

New Mexico jury finds Facebook at fault over data collection

Breaking News
A New Mexico jury found Facebook willfully violated state law and committed more than 43 million unfair and deceptive trade practices involving user data. The verdict follows the state’s 2021 lawsuit after the Cambridge Analytica scandal. A judge will determine damages, with attorneys seeking the maximum $5,000 per violation. Meta disagrees and plans to appeal.

Flash Flooding Damages Homes in Hondo and Lincoln as Crews Aid Residents

Breaking News
Flash flooding damaged an estimated 25 homes in the Hondo and Lincoln areas, prompting widespread emergency response from local fire departments, the sheriff’s office and road crews. No deaths were reported, but a sinkhole trapped one resident in Salazar Canyon. An evacuation shelter remains open, while Historic Lincoln and roads between the communities sustained flood-related damage.

Artesia Receives 4.4 Inches of Rain; Festival Still Set to Go

News
Artesia received 4.4 inches of rain over three days, bringing 2026 precipitation at the NMSU Agricultural Sciences Center to 11.6 inches. Eddy County remains under a flash flood watch through Saturday night as heavy rain continues across southeastern New Mexico. Despite the weather, the Red Dirt Black Gold Festival is still scheduled downtown Friday and Saturday, with VIP tickets available online.

Artesia Council Delays Golf Cart and OHV Ordinance Vote After Resident Concerns

News
The Artesia City Council delayed voting on proposed golf cart and recreational off-highway vehicle ordinances after residents questioned safety requirements and age limits, including an 18-year-old minimum for drivers and 12 for passengers. Councilors will continue discussions before a potential November vote. They also approved rezoning three lots near 13th Street and Hermosa Drive for apartments.

2026 Red Dirt Black Gold Festival Guide: Bands, Brews and More in Artesia

News
The Red Dirt Black Gold Festival returns to downtown Artesia with two days of live music, food trucks, vendors, craft beer and family activities. Friday features New Mexico Heritage Night, while Saturday brings country performers, a kids’ zone, oil field food cook-off and cornhole tournament. Tickets range from free youth admission to $50 VIP access.
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