Mill levies, GO bonds on November ballot   Denise Marquez/News-Sun In addition to the candidates seeking a variety of offices across the county, some Lea County school districts are seeking voter approval to continue funding mill levies and general obligation bonds to support their work in the coming year. Hobbs voters are being asked for an up-or-down vote on a …

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 …

‘Record-breaking year’ 2025 Fair & Rodeo Sale of Champions hits new record Christina Holt/News-Sun LOVINGTON — The 89th annual Lea County Fair and Rodeo Junior Livestock sale set a new record this year, generating more than $1.25 million, with that total potentially still increasing. “The Sale of Champions on Saturday was a record-breaking year,” Fairgrounds Director Wyatt Duncan said. “We did …

Hobbs mayoral candidates gather to debate Caleb A. Gallegos/News-Sun Thursday night the three City of Hobbs mayoral candidates took to the stage to field questions from the citizens they hope to lead as the Republican Party of Lea County hosted a mayoral debate. Candidates Dwayne Penick, Joe Imbriale and Jonathan Sena drew for high card to determine the order, with …

JSX to add Wednesday flights to Dallas Christina Holt/News-Sun JSX, the newest airline service at Lea County Regional Airport flying to Dallas, will be extending its operations from three to four days a week to meet the needs of the community. Beginning Sept. 24, the service will be offered on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays, said Jennifer Grassham, president and …

City of Hobbs looks to bring 4,300 more homes with housing initiatives Caleb A. Gallegos/News-Sun With around $21 million spent in housing incentives and around 2,752 units built since starting the housing initiative in 2012, Hobbs Commissioners approved another housing agreement with hopes to build 4,300 more homes by 2040. In Tuesday’s City of Hobbs commission meeting, Mayor Sam Cobb …

Jack Maddox Distinguished Speaker named Emily Calandrelli bringing “Adventures in Radical Curiosity” to Hobbs Sept. 25 For the News-Sun HOBBS – Emily Calandrelli, Emmy-nominated science communicator, executive producer and host of the hit Netflix show “Emily’s Wonder Lab,” has been announced as the next speaker for the Jack Maddox Distinguished Speaker Series, presented by the JF Maddox Foundation and the …

Wondering who filed and for what local election race? Here they are: Election day is Tuesday, Nov 4, 2025. Race  District  First Name  Last Name Mayor  Hobbs Municipal District  Nicole Infante Mayor  Hobbs Municipal District  Jonathan Sena Mayor  Hobbs Municipal District  Roy Penick Mayor  Hobbs Municipal District  Joseph Imbriale Mayor  Eunice Municipal District  Billy Hobbs Mayor  Eunice Municipal District  John Davis Mayor  Jal Municipal District  Stephen Aldridge Mayor  Jal Municipal District  Larry Burns Mayor  Jal Municipal District  Phillip Little Mayor  Tatum Municipal …

City of Hobbs big Pop-Tart haul Caleb A. Gallegos/News-Sun City of Hobbs staff recently packed on around 550,000 calories, and — working faster than a Richard Simmons workout — lost it all after donating 2,744 Pop-Tarts to the Weekend Hunger Initiative. When walking up to the second floor of City Hall, it was hard for a person to miss the …

LCDTF fentanyl bust Christina Holt/News-Sun The Lea County Drug Task Force partnered with the federal Drug Enforcement Agency recently in the seizure of 150,000 fentanyl pills — the largest single fentanyl bust in DEA history. Alex Anthony Martinez and Bruce Sedillo were reportedly regional managers within a multi-state drug trafficking organization based in Albuquerque and reportedly led by Heriberto Salazar …