To a standing ovation and applause from a near full commission chambers, the Hobbs City Commission voted for its County Sheriff and for the lawful right of residents to bear arms. During its meeting Monday, the Hobbs City Commission unanimously approved Resolution No. 6909 declaring opposition to the Extreme Risk Protection Order Act, New Mexico Senate Bill 5, also dubbed …

In August, the Lubbock-based Covenant Health System and Loving-ton’s Nor-Lea Hospital announced Hobbs was getting a new hospital. It would feature all the bells and whistles that come with today’s hospitals, general, emergency and specialized care. No official location was announced, although rumors had the hospital’s location on the southeast corner of Lovington Highway and Millen Drive. Well, there’s a …

SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — New Mexico has moved to phase out medical cannabis cards for nonresidents starting at mid-year, under a bill approved by the Legislature on Monday and supported by the governor. More than 600 people from Texas, Arizona and beyond have enrolled as patients in New Mexico’s medical marijuana program since September based on a change in …

For the third time this season, the New Mexico Junior College women’s basketball team has beaten an undefeated team ranked in the top 5. Earlier this year the Lady Thunderbirds beat No. 3 Trinity Valley and No. 4 Northwest Florida State on back-to-back nights. Thursday, the Lady T-Birds knocked off No. 1 ranked South Plains College, winning 67-62 in Caster …

SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — The Democrat-led New Mexico Legislature approved a red-flag gun law Thursday with a final vote of the state House, virtually ensuring adoption of new procedures for courts to order the surrender of firearms from people who appear to pose a danger to themselves or others. The House approved the bill on a 39-31 vote with …

EUNICE — Lea County Sheriff Corey Helton expects the “Extreme Risk Firearm Protection Order Act,” the Red Flag Bill, to become law in New Mexico and he’s ready to go to jail, if necessary, for refusal to enforce the law. Helton earned applause from the audience, which included Hobbs City Commissioner Duane Pennick, at the Eunice City Hall meeting Monday …

Senate Judiciary Committee tables cannabis bill By Robert Nott, The New Mexican The Senate Judiciary Committee voted 6-4 to table a bill that would have legalized the recreational use of cannabis for New Mexicans over the age of 21. When legislators table a bill, it almost always means it will die. And with just one week left in this year’s 30-day …

BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) — A blaze inside a Louisiana refinery that turned the night sky a shade of orange and sent a large plume of smoke into the air over Baton Rouge has been extinguished, ExxonMobil officials say. The fire erupted at the facility in Baton Rouge around 11:30 p.m. Tuesday, Baton Rouge Fire Department spokesman Curt Monte told …

By Robert Nott, The New Mexican Despite the freezing cold, Stefani Lord wore a T-shirt that read “Pro-Gun Women” as she waited in line to speak against passage of gun-control legislation known as a “red flag” bill. “Rural people feel differently from those who live in urban cities,” said Lord, who lives in a rural part of Bernalillo County. “We feel disenfranchised …

What is it like to be one of the worst cooks in America? Ryan Grovey, a Hobbs native, told us about being a participant in Worst Cooks in America on the Food Network. “Oh my gosh, I’m on national TV. Everybody’s watching how much of a hot mess I am in the kitchen. It’s just surreal,” said Grovey. Grovey, who …