In this Pastor Column, Pastor David Grousnick uses humorous stories, the Titanic, and Jesus’ parable of the ten virgins to urge readers to examine their lives. Because Christ’s return will be unexpected, earthly valuables and religious appearances cannot prepare us; repentance and readiness matter. Are you ready to meet Jesus with no unfinished business?

Bulldog football team is the No. 3 seed in the state tournament.

Democratic Rep. Teresa Leger Fernandez unofficially won reelection in New Mexico’s 3rd Congressional District, defeating Republican state Rep. Martin Zamora, according to the Associated Press. With 534 of 763 precincts partially reporting, Leger Fernandez held 61% of the vote to Zamora’s 39%. The campaign focused on RECA compensation, private property rights, federal land regulation and border security.

Former U.S. Interior Secretary Deb Haaland was the apparent winner of New Mexico’s gubernatorial race, defeating Republican Gregg Hull 57% to 43%, according to unofficial results. Haaland pledged to expand health care and affordable housing, support early childhood education, strengthen environmental protections and oppose data-center construction, succeeding term-limited Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham.

Sen. Ben Ray Lujan is poised to retain New Mexico’s U.S. Senate seat after the Associated Press called Tuesday’s election, with Lujan leading Republican challenger Larry Marker 69.4% to 30.6% of votes counted. Lujan, first elected in 2020, declared victory and pledged to continue working on affordability, food insecurity and health care.

Artesia polls remain open until 7 p.m. for the Nov. 3 General Election, with steady afternoon turnout reported at four voting locations. By late afternoon, 444 people had voted at Central Valley Electric, 598 at Faith Baptist Church and 210 at Trinity Temple Church. Voters are choosing candidates in local, congressional, U.S. Senate and gubernatorial races.

A Ruidoso woman is suing the village and police department, alleging officials violated her civil rights by deleting critical Facebook comments and blocking her from their pages. Cinthia Smoley’s posts criticized public officials and described her experience reporting two stolen vehicles. She seeks an injunction preventing future censorship, along with compensatory damages and attorney’s fees.

Rhonda Hatch appeared poised to retain the Eddy County assessor’s position, leading Democratic challenger Gemma Ferguson 71% to 29% in unofficial results. Hatch, a 21-year assessor’s office veteran, thanked voters and supporters. Ferguson, a former assessor, also expressed gratitude. Uncontested winners included County Clerk Cara Cooke, commissioners Bo Bowen and Henry Castaneda, and several judges.

Most people have life goals and an understanding of at least some of the steps required to achieve them. Those steps include countless decisions and hundreds of actions which under the best set of circumstances might propel us to accomplishing our aim. The expectation of predictability in cause and affect is central and nourishing to us as our good efforts bear good fruit.

Artesia girls soccer team ends season with a loss.

Pastor Houghtaling argues that the Bible assures God’s unconditional love through Christ, which cannot be earned or lost but accepted or rejected. Choosing faith brings freedom, grace, forgiveness, salvation, and purpose in God’s story. He invites readers to give their lives to Jesus and experience that freedom. Ty Houghtaling pastors First Baptist Church in Artesia.

Relentless weekend rain caused additional flooding across northern New Mexico and the Navajo Nation, prompting evacuations near the San Juan, La Plata, Animas and Chama rivers. At least 10,000 homes had already sustained damage. Chama closed roads amid sewage concerns, while outages affected Navajo communities. The state authorized up to $55 million in emergency funds.