Red Dirt Black Gold Festival Draws Crowds Despite September Heat

About 2,000 people attended Artesia’s 11th annual Red Dirt Black Gold Festival despite September temperatures in the 90s. The two-night downtown event featured live music, food, drinks and vendors, with Downshift Brewing serving more than 1,800 beers. Organizers called the festival a success after moving it to Quay Avenue to improve safety and downtown foot traffic.

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New Mexico Republican U.S. Senate candidate Larry Marker is urging voters in conservative southeastern counties to turn out in November, saying strong support in Chaves, Eddy and Lea counties could offset Democratic advantages in the north. Despite long odds, limited fundraising and Sen. Ben Ray Lujan’s strong position, Marker cites shifting registration and coordinated GOP campaigning.

Marker urges southeastern New Mexico Republicans to turn out in November

New Mexico Republican U.S. Senate candidate Larry Marker is urging voters in conservative southeastern counties to turn out in November, saying strong support in Chaves, Eddy and Lea counties could offset Democratic advantages in the north. Despite long odds, limited fundraising and Sen. Ben Ray Lujan’s strong position, Marker cites shifting registration and coordinated GOP campaigning.

Los Alamos Waste Shipments to WIPP Rise 91% as Permit Debate Continues

Los Alamos National Laboratory sent 82 shipments of legacy transuranic waste to New Mexico’s Waste Isolation Pilot Plant in fiscal 2026, a 91% increase over the previous year. The shipments totaled 370 cubic meters. The increase comes as New Mexico seeks permit changes requiring WIPP to prioritize more in-state waste, while critics question continued shipments from other states.

Three keys to beating Chaparral

Three keys to defeating Chaparral
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New Mexico’s Amendment 4 would give legislators nearly $68,000 in annual pay, alongside existing per diem and generous pension benefits. The Rio Grande Foundation argues the proposal would reward career politicians without improving governance, calling instead for pension elimination, term limits, and restrictions on public employees serving in the Legislature.

Valerie Espinoza: New Mexico’s PRC Must Keep Its Doors Open to Public Participation

Former New Mexico Public Regulation Commissioner Valerie Espinoza argues that the Public Regulation Commission must preserve robust public participation in utility cases. She warns that new rules limiting intervention, discovery, testimony and cross-examination could weaken oversight of monopoly utilities, affecting rates and long-term energy decisions. Espinoza calls for fairness, justice and broader community access over administrative convenience.

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

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.

Obituaries

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

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

Vega M. Nilsson

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

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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Red Dirt Black Gold Festival Draws Crowds Despite September Heat

About 2,000 people attended Artesia’s 11th annual Red Dirt Black Gold Festival despite September temperatures in the 90s. The two-night downtown event featured live music, food, drinks and vendors, with Downshift Brewing serving more than 1,800 beers. Organizers called the festival a success after moving it to Quay Avenue to improve safety and downtown foot traffic.

Culinary Confidential: Classic Strawberry Shortcake with Homemade Biscuits and Whipped Cream

This Heavenly Strawberry Shortcake layers golden homemade biscuits with strawberries macerated in sugar, vanilla, and lemon, plus billowy whipped cream. Bruce Lesman’s nostalgic summer dessert serves six and comes together with simple ingredients and careful technique. Assemble the shortcakes while warm so the fragrant berry syrup soaks into the biscuits, then serve immediately with a whole strawberry garnish.

Marker urges southeastern New Mexico Republicans to turn out in November

New Mexico Republican U.S. Senate candidate Larry Marker is urging voters in conservative southeastern counties to turn out in November, saying strong support in Chaves, Eddy and Lea counties could offset Democratic advantages in the north. Despite long odds, limited fundraising and Sen. Ben Ray Lujan’s strong position, Marker cites shifting registration and coordinated GOP campaigning.

Los Alamos Waste Shipments to WIPP Rise 91% as Permit Debate Continues

Los Alamos National Laboratory sent 82 shipments of legacy transuranic waste to New Mexico’s Waste Isolation Pilot Plant in fiscal 2026, a 91% increase over the previous year. The shipments totaled 370 cubic meters. The increase comes as New Mexico seeks permit changes requiring WIPP to prioritize more in-state waste, while critics question continued shipments from other states.

Three keys to beating Chaparral

Three keys to defeating Chaparral

After No Governor Debate, New Mexico GOP Proposes Debate Requirement

Haaland, a former U.S. interior secretary and U.S. representative for New Mexico, rejected the claim that she declined to debate Hull, former mayor of Rio Rancho. At a Sept. 18 campaign stop in Carlsbad, she said her team proposed eight dates for debates to Hull's campaign, which rejected all of them.

Artesia girls’ volleyball team falls to Roswell on the road

The Artesia girls' volleyball team lost to Roswell at the Coyote Den on Tuesday night.

Noah Hoffman Wins NMBNKA Finale, Claims Angler of the Year

Noah Hoffman won the New Mexico Bass Nation Kayak Anglers’ year-end tournament at Ute and Conchas Lakes, catching 19 fish measuring 164 inches. The Clovis angler’s fourth victory of the season also secured Angler of the Year honors. Robert Williams placed second, while challenging weather tested competitors during the season finale.

Eddy County Settles Viewpoint Discrimination Lawsuit for $100,000

Jason Sanchez won a $100,000 settlement from Eddy County after alleging officials suppressed comments criticizing the county sheriff’s office, violating his First Amendment rights. The settlement requires the comments to be read at an October commission meeting, though county officials denied wrongdoing and said the insurer settled to avoid escalating legal costs.

Paul Gessing: New Mexico Amendment 4: Legislative Pay Raise Is No Reform

New Mexico’s Amendment 4 would give legislators nearly $68,000 in annual pay, alongside existing per diem and generous pension benefits. The Rio Grande Foundation argues the proposal would reward career politicians without improving governance, calling instead for pension elimination, term limits, and restrictions on public employees serving in the Legislature.

Three good things the Bulldogs did against Alamogordo

3 good things the Bulldogs did in its win.

Pete Quinones Named Permanent Artesia Police Chief

Pete Quinones has been named permanent chief of the Artesia Police Department after serving as interim chief since July. He succeeds Kirk Roberts, who retired three months ago. Mayor Jeff Youtsey recommended Quinones following interviews with two applicants, and the City Council approved the decision during a closed session. Further details will follow.