January 21, 2026
Opinion
Is Europe ahead of U.S.?
In the 27-member block of the European Union, conservative candidates identifying with the right won in Germany and France and are polling ahead in Italy and most other nations, with Poland being the exception where the right has ruled for twelve-years and has fading influence. The primary issues responsible for the populace turning on the hereto- fore left-wing governance are immigration, crime and climate control.
Read MoreIs Europe ahead of U.S.?
FEMA revamps New Mexico operations
As Ruidoso area residents return to their homes – or what’s left of their homes – we’ll be watching FEMA. For the past two years, since the disastrous Hermit’s Peak-Calf Canyon fires, we’ve heard more about what FEMA hasn’t done than what it has done.
Read MoreFEMA revamps New Mexico operations
Seeing clearly is the start
There is now a regular in the parking lot of my local grocery store who asks to clean my windshield. Unfortunately, I rarely carry cash, so I request that he ask me again another time.
Read MoreSeeing clearly is the start
How to give vacation recommendations
School is out, the children’s brains have begun to gleefully rot and summer vacations are upon us. As I write to you, I am preparing for a glorious two weeks away, heading to Southern California for a classic Griswold family vacation.
Read MoreHow to give vacation recommendationsToday in History
Today is Sunday, June 23, the 175th day of 2024. There are 191 days left in the year.
Read MoreToday in HistoryA fitting celebration honoring our oil and gas history
There’s nothing like the ferocity of a 4-foot-tall person whose face is painted like a lion to give you a start. Then you turn around and a snow cone has been dumped on your pants by a 3-foot young fellow frightened by the Sinclair dinosaur wobbling through the crowd at the oil field cook-off.
Read MoreA fitting celebration honoring our oil and gas historyReligion still has power in American politics, even as the U.S. becomes aReligion still has power in American politics, even more secular nationReligion still has power in American politics, even as the U.S. becomes aReligion still has power in American politics, even
In 1996 I took a year off from journalism to attend seminary in Atlanta. The plan was to cram as much theology, sociology of religion and church history into two semesters to return to a newspaper to cover the intersection of religion and politics.
Read MoreReligion still has power in American politics, even as the U.S. becomes aReligion still has power in American politics, even more secular nationReligion still has power in American politics, even as the U.S. becomes aReligion still has power in American politics, even
Permian Basin Celebration a trip back to the ‘old America’
In 1924, the Illinois No. 3 well struck oil.
Read MorePermian Basin Celebration a trip back to the ‘old America’
What’s next for Spaceport America?
It was glamour and glitz again as Virgin Galactic sent its last space tourists into the heavens this month. Now the company will fade away for two years to build the next generation ship – not here but in Mesa, Arizona.
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Father’s Day: A 1974 plumbing disaster
In 1974, when I was 11, I flushed an apple core down the toilet. You see, my father had remodeled our basement into a family room with a powder room.
Read MoreFather’s Day: A 1974 plumbing disaster