Federal oil lease sale nets record $4B in NM, Texas Levi Hill/News-Sun SANTA FE — A regular Bureau of Land Management oil and gas lease sale in May brought in more than $4 billion in total receipts from lease sales in New Mexico and Texas, in what is being called proof of the importance of domestic production. “America is sitting …

Hobbs chamber honors community leaders Christina Holt/News-Sun The annual Hobbs Chamber of Commerce banquet blended inspiration with celebration as a message on accountability was delivered and community members were honored. Salem S. Thyne, guest speaker and author of “Nobody Cares (Until You Do),” spoke to an audience of about 100 people on how accountability means owning the outcomes in life …

Energy Challenge could bring millions in investments to Lea Levi Hill/News-Sun Looking to bring energy-related companies to Lea County and even those involved in the budding space industry could bring millions to Lea County. That was the message at a recent public information workshop in Hobbs where New Horizons Foundation Executive Director Dennis Holmberg highlighted what Q Station’s energy challenge …

County sets regs for potential data centers Levi Hill/News-Sun Artificial Intelligence data centers are springing up across the world as the demand for computing power skyrockets. Lea County is poised to be a perfect home for data centers, but new industry breeds new problems and Lea County Commissioners are getting out in front of it. At the Feb. 26 Lea …

Earthquakes spike by as much as 700 percent in Permian Levi Hill/News-Sun The ground is starting to shake in the Permian Basin and those who live in the region are beginning to take notice even as scientist watch the number of earthquakes in the region skyrocket. The sheer number of earthquakes has increased but luckily the magnitude of most remains …

Permian Basin in dire need of power Levi Hill/News-Sun The Delaware Basin of Southeast New Mexico is starving. Every economic development opportunity that could possibly come to New Mexico — from nuclear facilities, including upgrades at Urenco USA, to data centers — all need one thing: Power. And it is power New Mexico is lacking in spades. How much? Potentially …

NMJC to buy former hospital building for $1.75 million Levi Hill/News-Sun Pending an environmental study and approval from the New Mexico Higher Education Department, New Mexico Junior College will soon be the owners of the former Lea Regional Medical Center campus. NMJC Board of Directors voted unanimously Thursday to approve a $1.75 million purchase agreement with Covenant Health to buy …

Nor-Lea gets $600K for diabetes health Levi Hill/News-Sun LOVINGTON — It’s a silent killer that often goes unnoticed, but in Lea County, diabetes is a growing epidemic. Thanks to state funding, Nor-Lea Hospital will soon be helping fight this silent killer and helping Lea Countians stay healthier. Nor-Lea recently received $608,000 in state funds through the Rural Health Care Delivery …

AG targeting oilfield crime Levi Hill/News-Sun Oilfield crime is an organized and booming business and it has caught the eye of New Mexico Attorney General Raul Torrez, who was in Hobbs Tuesday to meet with local and Texas law enforcement to look at ways of protecting the life blood of the region. In September, five suspects were arrested in an …

Oil theft a booming industry for thieves Levi Hill/News-Sun The recent arrest of five men as part of a “large-scale” oilfield theft ring involving a Mexican cartel is shedding light on a booming crime business plaguing the Permian Basin on both sides of the state line. “About 96 percent of the (property) crime in Lea County is oilfield,” said Rex …