Are federal and state income supports in New Mexico too generous? Approximately 50 percent of the residents of New Mexico are on some form of public assistance. The programs are numerous including TANF, Medicaid, SNAP, unemployment insurance, and subsidized housing and childcare. A report prepared in October, 2021 by the Legislative Finance Committee outlined the benefits available for families with …

Lea creates DNA testing fund to fight crime Curtis C. Wynne/News-Sun LOVINGTON — By voting to create a special fund for DNA testing, Lea County Commissioners on Thursday addressed “crimes involving sexual assaults, including children as victims.” County Attorney John Caldwell and Undersheriff Michael Walker introduced a resolution intended to local law enforcement to use private testing labs versus relying …

Radioactive device lost near Jal located Levi Hill/News-Sun A pipeline inspection instrument containing radioactive elements that was lost near Jal on Friday has been located. A $5,000 reward was offered for the return of the misplaced device, which New Mexico state police were searching for after it was lost near mile marker 35 on Highway 128 near Jal. David Morgan, …

Hobbs team earns silver at SkillsUSA nationals Andy Brosig/News-Sun A group of SkillsUSA students from Hobbs captured silver medals recently at the organization’s national convention and competition. CTECH students Arick Serrano, Ray Stover and Leo Jaquez finished second in the Career Pathway Showcase Business, Management and Technology competition during the SkillsUSA National Leadership and Skills Conference, June 19-23, in Atlanta, …

Hobbs team earns silver at SkillsUSA nationals Andy Brosig/News-Sun A group of SkillsUSA students from Hobbs captured silver medals recently at the organization’s national convention and competition. CTECH students Arick Serrano, Ray Stover and Leo Jaquez finished second in the Career Pathway Showcase Business, Management and Technology competition during the SkillsUSA National Leadership and Skills Conference, June 19-23, in Atlanta, …

Info about Hobbs’ Independence Day fireworks display and safe zones For the News-Sun The City of Hobbs will host its annual Independence Day fireworks display July 1 at the Hobbs Industrial Air Park, located at 5425 Jack Gomez Blvd. Contests, games, vendors and more viewing areas will be available at Harry McAdams Park with gates opening for parking at 7 …

Heinrich pushing bill to ban bump stocks Levi Hill/News-Sun U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich, D-N.M., has joined a bi-partisan group of lawmakers in submitting a new bill aimed at banning the ownership of bump stocks for firearms. The new bill, which follows both House and Senate bills filed earlier this year to ban assault weapons, aims to ban the ownership of …

NM ranks last in child well being Annual Kids Count survey tracks poverty, education and more Andy Brosig/News-Sun It’s an unenviable position to occupy as New Mexico ranks worst in the United States in terms of overall childhood well being — again. That according to the annual Kids Count survey by the Annie E. Casey Foundation, an analysis of multiple …

Lovington fireworks ban rescinded Virginia Cunningham/News-Sun LOVINGTON — At Monday’s City of Lovington commission meeting, commissioners voted four to one to rescind the fireworks ban put in place just three weeks ago. That proclamation banned certain types of fireworks from being sold within city limits. The commissioners asked Lovington Fire Chief Skip Moorhead what his recommendation was for keeping the …

Lea bans fireworks sales, use in county Curtis C. Wynne/News-Sun LOVINGTON — While hoping and praying for more rain, Lea County commissioners on Thursday banned sale and use of fireworks due to extreme and severe drought conditions. With a proclamation imposed only in the unincorporated portions of the county, the elected board joined the cities of Lovington and Hobbs which …