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 …

Tatum council eyes ordinance to legalize side-by-sides in town limits   Denise Marquez/News-Sun TATUM — Some off-highway vehicles could soon be legal on streets in the Town of Tatum under an ordinance under consideration by the town council. During last week’s town council special meeting, Tatum Police Chief Scott Conner and town councilors discussed allowing off-highway motor vehicles in the …

Ya’ gotta break a few eggs Stone Elementary students learn STEM theory, practice with egg drop event Andy Brosig/News-Sun To the accompaniment of many cheers, a few groans and a good number of kerplunks, thuds and splats, students at Stone Elementary in Hobbs got a first-hand lesson in Science, Technology, Engineer and Math by dropping eggs from a Hobbs Fire …

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 …

Hobbs boy surrounded by love after loss Chrstina Holt/News-Sun DALLAS, Texas — The 10-year-old Hobbs boy who lost his mother, Megan Runnels, in a fire last month is now living with the Cardona family in the Dallas, Texas, area – a decision made by his mother in her final moments. Sammy and Yoli Cardona say they want to thank the …

Gallegos makes ballot for Lt. Gov. Levi Hill/News-Sun Sen. David Gallegos, R-Eunice, made the ballot for the June primary in the race for New Mexico’s next Lt. governor, facing off against two other Republican candidates. Gallegos needed, 2,351 nomination signatures by Tuesday. He told the News-Sun he had more than 3,000. He is listed as a candidate “pending” on the …

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 …

Turning investment into impact: Reflecting on JF Maddox Foundation’s 2025 funding initiatives From past experiences, we know when we work together and form meaningful partnerships, our community thrives. 2025 was no exception. This past year, the JF Maddox Foundation had the honor to collaborate with community partners across the county and invest more than $14 million in grants, scholarships, and …

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 …