When Marirene Pankratz first read the play “Character Lines,” she loved the realism between the two main characters. “The conversations that they have are conversations anyone would have with an ex, or someone who you are in a relationship with that was a genuine, compelling story,” Pankratz said, “and it made me fall in love with that.” Pankratz read the …

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Netflix is raising its U.S. prices by 13 to 18 percent, its biggest increase since the company launched its video streaming service 12 years ago. Its most popular plan will see the largest hike, to $13 per month from $11. That option offers high-definition streaming on up to two different internet-connected devices simultaneously. Even at the …

NEW YORK (AP) — It’s the color of underwater reefs hanging on for dear life. The sky at dusk. Some of the latest iPhones and the latest looks on the runways of Marc Jacobs and other top fashion designers. Living Coral has been chosen by the Pantone Color Institute as its 2019 color of the year. Can a color be …

‘Mockingbird’ chosen as America’s best-loved novel in vote By LYNN ELBER, AP Television Writer LOS ANGELES (AP) — “To Kill a Mockingbird,” a coming-of-age story about racism and injustice, overpowered wizards and time travelers to be voted America’s best-loved novel by readers nationwide. The 1960 book by Harper Lee emerged as No. 1 in PBS’ “The Great American Read” survey, …

Too much screen time? New phone controls for you and kids By ANICK JESDANUN, AP Technology Writer NEW YORK (AP) — Apple and Google want to help you spend less time on their phones — really. Like that time you checked Facebook at 3 a.m. Stats don’t lie. Their new tools for managing screen time will let you see how …

Museum set to open O’Connor exhibition Justice Sandra Day O’Connor was a cowgirl all her life, even after she became the first female Supreme Court Justice. A new exhibition, “The Cowgirl Who Became a Justice: Sandra Day O’Connor,” is set to open Thursday at the Western Heritage Museum and Lea County Cowboy Hall of Fame. The exhibit showcases the youthful …

If you get bumped off a flight, make it worthwhile By DAVID KOENIG, AP Airlines Writer DALLAS (AP) — Allison Preiss became a hero to airline passengers this spring when she scored a $10,000 travel voucher for losing her seat on an oversold flight. Negotiating skill mixed with a bit of luck helped Preiss land the elusive payoff. With the peak …

Stapleton, Lambert, Underwood and Vegas win at ACM Awards By MESFIN FEKADU, AP Music Writer The 2018 Academy of Country Music Awards marked a memorable night for the victims of the massive Las Vegas shooting, comeback queen Carrie Underwood and triple-winners Chris Stapleton and Miranda Lambert. Jason Aldean paid tribute to the 58 people who died at the Route 91 Harvest …

Eagle 9 theater in Hobbs installing new recliner seating Eagle 9 theater is getting an upgrade in preparation for the upcoming summer movie season. This week, a construction crew started the replacement of seating in the nine theater rooms. Crews spent the past couple of days breaking down and removing seats in four theaters and will replace them with a …

Early praise for ‘The Last Jedi’ after elaborate premiere LOS ANGELES (AP) — There were cheers, gasps, droid photo opportunities, casino games and more than a few standing ovations at the jam-packed world premiere of “Star Wars: The Last Jedi” Saturday night in Los Angeles, which many are already praising online. “The Last Jedi,” which arrives in theaters on Dec. …