Artesia volleyball defeats Hobbs.

On the 25th anniversary of 9/11, Artesia native Krista Bartock remembered watching the attacks as a teenager and honored the first responders who never came home. The flight nurse handed out refreshments as firefighters and community members climbed Bulldog Bowl’s stairs 22 times, recreating the World Trade Center’s height and commemorating the lives lost.

Artesia residents gathered downtown Sept. 12 for the monthly Oil Patch Market at Heritage Plaza, where local vendors sold homemade planters, baked goods, snacks, caps and other unique items. Food trucks, music and family fundraising activities added to the event. The next market is scheduled for Nov. 7 during Balloons, Bands and Brews.

Retired Marine combat veteran and Air Force chaplain Jeff Swanson argues that deep cuts to the Department of Veterans Affairs threaten care and benefits, particularly for rural New Mexico veterans. He praises Rep. Gabe Vasquez for pursuing bipartisan legislation on healthcare access, GI Bill support, veteran employment, and food assistance, calling him a strong advocate for veterans.

3 Keys to beating Gadsden

Artesia pulled away from Carlsbad with three second-half goals to win 4-1 in the annual Eddy County soccer rivalry Tuesday night.

A five-person emergency lift at the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant plunged 1,600 feet after its cable snapped during testing, intensifying concerns about aging hoist infrastructure and workplace safety. While no one was injured, union officials and watchdogs criticized the Department of Energy and contractor SIMCO for inadequate transparency and prioritizing waste disposal over worker protection.

Fans helped rescue “Coyote vs. Acme” from corporate shelving, bringing the New Mexico-filmed Looney Tunes comedy to theaters after a lengthy campaign. The film’s box-office success highlights the power of public support while offering a hopeful note for New Mexico’s struggling production industry, whose workers remain as persistent as Wile E. Coyote himself.

Artesia looks to beat Gadsden.

WildEarth Guardians has sued the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for missing a deadline to decide whether the Pecos pupfish warrants threatened-species protections. Native to southeast New Mexico and West Texas, the fish faces dwindling river flows, industrial water use and oil and gas development. Agricultural and industry groups oppose proposed habitat restrictions, citing economic and conservation concerns.

New Mexico’s rising spending has not improved poor outcomes in child well-being or education, argues Rep. Mark Duncan. He says the state’s welfare “snare net” penalizes families for earning more through benefit cliffs, while administrative waste and weak accountability persist. Duncan calls for work-focused reforms, expanded career programs, and electing Gregg Hull governor.

Bulldogs in a romp.