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 …

Solar power surging in Lea Christina Holt/News-Sun Lea County is shining bright as it will soon have 10 solar farms providing nearly 1,600-megawatts of power, expanding the county’s role in renewable energy and diversifying an oil and gas driven economy. “Lea County is a great location for solar development and the number of utility-scale solar projects under development in Lea …

Real issues or political strategy? Legislators react to governor’s special session Levi Hill/News-Sun Will bills that actually improve public safety make the cut or is the governor simply looking to prop up some candidates she hopes to see elected? That’s the question many Lea County legislators are asking after it was announced Wednesday Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham has called for …

$56 million proposed for Lea County roadways Christina Holt/News-Sun LOVINGTON — Roads in Lea County take a beating daily from heavy trucks moving in and out of the oil fields, so Lea County Assistant County Manager Corey Needham has proposed $56 million for road projects to revitalize those aging thoroughfares. Lea County Commissioners heard Needham’s proposal for fiscal year 2024/25 …

$56 million proposed for Lea County roadways Christina Holt/News-Sun LOVINGTON — Roads in Lea County take a beating daily from heavy trucks moving in and out of the oil fields, so Lea County Assistant County Manager Corey Needham has proposed $56 million for road projects to revitalize those aging thoroughfares. Lea County Commissioners heard Needham’s proposal for fiscal year 2024/25 …

WIPP celebrates 25 years of operations Levi Hill/News-Sun Today the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant in eastern Eddy County — about 40 miles west of Hobbs — stands as an edifice to sound science, collaboration and cooperation, but 43 years ago when Arthur Moss walked out onto what would become WIPP, all that stood in that lonely patch of desert was …

3 overall MVPs highlight local all-district honors PETER STEIN/NEWS-SUN It was a great local football season, with all seven area teams securing postseason berths. Hobbs, Lovington, Eunice, Jal, Tatum, Denver City and Seminole were all playing meaningful football in November. Not a bad deal. Lovington, though, was the lone area team to hoist a blue trophy last November. With their …

Drug task force arrests 2, seizes 100+ fentanyl pills, guns For the News-Sun Agents with the Lea County Drug Task Force capped a two-month investigation by arresting two wanted brothers and seizing more than 100 fentanyl pills, four pistols, 365 grams of cocaine, an AR-style pistol and psilocybin mushrooms. Both men were wanted on outstanding violent felony warrants and were …

Drug task force arrests 2, seizes 100+ fentanyl pills, guns For the News-Sun Agents with the Lea County Drug Task Force capped a two-month investigation by arresting two wanted brothers and seizing more than 100 fentanyl pills, four pistols, 365 grams of cocaine, an AR-style pistol and psilocybin mushrooms. Both men were wanted on outstanding violent felony warrants and were …

The numbers game NMJC, USW report fall ’23 enrollment numbers  Andy Brosig/News-Sun The numbers are in and Hobbs’ two institutions of higher learning are going strong. University of the Southwest reported a 3 percent increase in total credits being sought by students across all departments earlier this week compared to last year, President Ryan Tipton told the News-Sun. And the …