Tim Keithley
For the Artesia Daily Press

Here we are in the middle of January again wondering when the next major winter storm will next appear–or not.

“Well, do you want the truth, or shall I try to keep it positive?” Meteorologist Ron Roberts quipped. He’s the weatherman for New Mexico-based MTD Radio’s group of local stations and KAMC-TV in Lubbock.

“Both,” I replied. “Is there even a hint of at least something down the road?”

“Frankly, no,” Ron said. The National Weather Service’s Climate Prediction Center has determined that we’re back in a ‘La Nina’ weather pattern that should keep this region basically dry through the spring.”

Ron said that doesn’t mean that it’s possible to get more snow this winter. However, the chances of a major snowstorm are remote based on the latest forecast models.

“It all has to do with the Pacific Ocean water temperatures and right now that remains cold,” Ron said. That means we’re not seeing a lift of warm water to become evaporation in the atmosphere and that’s keeping the precipitation chances down throughout the southwest region.”

Ron regularly studies weather-related documents historically dating back to when conditions were recorded even a hundred years ago for New Mexico and west Texas. He points to statistics that show this area is receiving about half of the snow accumulation it once received just a few decades ago.

“The Ruidoso area is getting about half of the snow accumulation it once received even fifty years ago. I know there are some locals who remember those major storms and wonder why we’re not seeing them anymore.”

It’s because the climate in New Mexico remains consistently warmer on average, he said. The area is likely to receive the same amount of precipitation, but it comes in the form of rain, not snow.

“Nothing would make me happier than to be the guy forecasting tons of snow for Ruidoso this winter,” Ron said. “I understand how important snow is for the local tourism industry. However, the models indicate that the jet stream will remain dry and cross primarily to the north of southern New Mexico and west Texas.”

“The chances of there being more snow isn’t zero,” he said. “Let’s just say the chances continue to be limited until there is a change in those water temperatures over in the Pacific Ocean.

Ron warned that recent dry conditions and a lack of snowpack also can mean the increase in wildfire danger when the winds typically strengthen around springtime.

“This is something that will need our attention,” Ron said. “The minimal snowpack should dramatically impact local conditions for potential forest fires in the spring. It’s all connected.”

Ron’s forecasts are available daily on local MTD Radio stations daily along with his regular Facebook posts. He has nearly 40 years of experience forecasting and broadcasting the weather for KAMC-TV in Lubbock.

Ruidoso News columnist Tim Keithley writes about the people and events in the community. If you have a story idea, contact Tim at tkeithley@zianet.com.

Alex Ross
El Rito Media
aross@elritomedia.com

New Mexico Sen. Jim Townsend of Artesia was appointed to the powerful Senate Judiciary Committee on Tuesday, as newcomer Sen. Rex Wilson of Lincoln County was tapped for his first assignments.

The announcements came on the first day of budget-focused lawmaking session convened Jan. 20 in Santa and running until Feb. 19.

New Mexico Senate Republicans announced late Tuesday in a press release that Townsend (R-34) was assigned to the Senate Judiciary Committee “effective immediately.”

The committee, like others in the legislature meets throughout the session to debate and vote to pass bills on for further review before being sent either to the House for more debate or to the desk of Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham to be signed into law. Bills must gain approval from both chambers before they can be signed.

The Senate Judiciary Committee is tasked with reviewing bills and issues related to constitutional rights, law enforcement, courts and civil rights. It is frequently the second stop on a bill’s path through the Senate, meaning its members will often finalize legislation for the House’s consideration.

Townsend, whose district encompasses parts of Eddy and Otero counties, said in a Tuesday statement announcing his appointment that the work done by the Judiciary Committee is “critically important to my district and state.”

“My priority has always been to serve where I can do the best for the people who elected me,” Townsend added. “The work done in the Judiciary Committee directly impacts the safety and rights of every citizen, and I am ready to get back to work.”

As a result of his membership on the Senate Judiciary Committee, Townsend will be stepping down from his position on the Senate Conservation Committee, which oversees legislation related to energy, the environment and natural resources.

Townsend, 68, a retired executive with Holly Energy, was elected to the Senate in 2024, following nine years representing House District 54, which covered sections of Chaves, Eddy and Otero counties. During his time in the House, Townsend was the House minority floor leader and served on the House Judiciary Committee and the Energy, Environment and Natural Resources Committee.

Wilson tapped for health, tax committees

The Senate’s newest member, Rex Wilson, a Republican from Ancho, also received his committee assignments.

According to the Legislature’s website, Wilson, a former Lincoln County Commissioner was tapped to be on both the Senate Health and Public Affairs Committee and the Senate Tax, Business and Transportation Committee.

Gov. Lujan Grisham, a Democrat, appointed Wilson on Jan. 7 to complete the unexpired term of Sen. Nicholas Paul (R-33) of Alamogordo. Paul resigned from the Senate in October 2025 citing health reasons. The district encompasses parts of Chaves, Lincoln and Otero counties.

Wilson, who served on the Lincoln County Board of Commissioners from 1997 to 2003, is a rancher and former southern regional director for Presbyterian Medical Services.

Under state law, Wilson will have to run in the Nov. 3 election this year to retain the seat.

Here are the committees other southeast New Mexico lawmakers were assigned to.

Senate

Sen. David Gallegos (R-41), Eddy and Lea counties

Health and Public Affairs

Senate Rules

Sen. Candy Spence Ezzell (R-32), Chaves and Eddy Counties

Senate Conservation

Senate Education

Sen. Larry Scott (R-42), Chaves, Eddy and Lea counties

Senate Conservation

Senate Health and Public Affairs

House of Representatives

Rep. John Block (R-51), Otero County

Consumer and Public Affairs

Government Elections and Indian Affairs

Rep. Cathrynn Brown (R-55), Eddy and Lea counties

Transportation, Public Works and Capital Improvements

House Appropriations and Finance

Rep. Jon Henry (R-54), Eddy, Chaves and Otero counties

House Energy, Environment and Natural Resources

House Taxation and Revenue

Rep. Harlen Vincent (R-56), Lincoln and Otero counties

House Appropriation and Finance

House Education

House Rules and Order of Business

Rep. Jimmy Mason (R-66), Eddy, Lea and Chaves counties

House Commerce and Economic Development

House Rural Development, Land Grants and Cultural Affairs

Alex Ross
El Rito Media
aross@elritomedia.com

Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham delivered her eighth and last State of the State address Tuesday in Santa Fe, opening the 30-day legislative session.

The governor, who is term limited at the end of 2026, urged lawmakers to act on an agenda led by child care, healthcare, public safety and infrastructure.

The address marked the start of the 30-day, budget-focused lawmaking session and is likely the final chance for Lujan Grisham, a Democrat, to see multiple longstanding priorities enacted into law. The session ends Feb. 19.

During her hour-long address, Lujan Grisham reflected on her administration’s achievements.

“We’ve taken real action and delivered real results. And we’ve done it by moving together, all at once, on the biggest issues and opportunities facing our state,” she said.

“With one year left, there’s still work to do, and progress to make. Let’s double down and do it all.”

‘Our kids will be better prepared’

Chief among Lujan Grisham’s proposals was an initiative she announced last November to provide no-cost child care to all New Mexico households regardless of income.

“Our investment in child care means our kids will be better prepared when they start school,” she said.

In her address, the governor called for the Legislature to authorize a $160 million recurring funding increase to the Early Childhood Education and Care Department’s budget to pay for the universal child care measure. That amount is significantly larger than the $13.7 million funding boost the Legislative Finance Committee recommended.

The Legislative Finance Committee warned in its budget proposal last December that the program could “create additional demand” for child care assistance without the revenues necessary to implement it.

On education, the governor touted state investments in structured literacy and the construction of a new literacy center but said more needs to be done to improve student outcomes.

“I’m calling for proven best practices in classrooms, a ban on cell phones that distract from learning, accountability that supports progress in our public schools, and an Office of Special Education so families don’t have to fight the system,” Lujan Grisham said.

Improving the state’s health care system was also top-of-mind for the governor, as she discussed her administration’s work to improve access to Medicaid, invest $130 million in the state’s rural health delivery fund and fill gaps created by the expiration of federal tax credits for those who purchase health insurance on the state’s exchange.

The governor stated that in this legislative session she wants to see lawmakers take up bills on interstate medical licensure compacts, medical malpractice reform and eliminating the state’s gross receipts tax on medical services.

The medical compacts as proposed would allow physicians licensed in other states within the compact to practice in New Mexico, intending to cut down on doctor shortages throughout the state. Similar agreements are currently in place for nurses.

“We’ve done as much as possible to protect healthcare coverage; now we need to do more to expand healthcare access,” Lujan Grisham said.

Crime and public safety

Lujan Grisham, who has supported increased law enforcement funding while in office, also called for stiffer penalties to certain crimes, and other public safety reforms.

That could mean a rewrite of the state’s juvenile code to address youth crime, an assault weapons ban and enhanced penalties for felons found in possession of firearms, Lujan Grisham said. She also called for “gun dealer accountability measures” to reduce the risk of firearms falling into the hands of criminals.

State Rep. John Block (R-51) of Alamogordo, an ardent critic of Lujan Grisham, slammed proposals for an assault weapons ban and more regulation on gun dealers, calling them “backdoor gun control.”

Aside from gun regulations, Lujan Grisham also revived her call for the Legislature to make changes to New Mexico’s pretrial detention law, so that suspects charged with a dangerous or violent felony can remain incarcerated pending trial, unless they can prove they are not a danger to the public.

“Any serious approach to public safety starts here: people who are committing dangerous, violent crimes must be held accountable – without hesitation, and without exception,” Lujan Grisham said.

Environment and pollution

The governor also said she wants the Legislature to codify her executive orders curbing air pollution emissions. In 2019, Lujan Grisham issued an executive order directing the state to reduce emissions by 45% by 2030, and to reach net-zero emissions by 2050.

In December, the administration released a 45-point climate action plan to achieve those objectives by reducing emissions generated by industry, making buildings more energy-efficient, decarbonizing the electricity grid and improving management of natural resources to curtail wildfire risks.

Lujan Grisham said such efforts must not come at the expense of affordable energy.

“That’s why I’m calling for a blue-ribbon commission to develop a strategy to leverage and utilize private and public investments, grow our economy and protect consumers and businesses, while meeting exploding energy demands with more clean power,” she said.

House Minority Floor Leader Gail Armstrong (R-49) of Magdalena argued that the governor’s proposal will drive up utility bills and burden industry.

“House Republicans will not support reckless energy mandates that drive up costs, chase jobs out of the state and leave working families paying the price,” Armstrong said in a press release issued after the governor’s address.

Other proposals mentioned in the address included a $1.5 billion bonding bill to upgrade state roads and $110 million for new housing units and to address homelessness.

Legislative reporter Alex Ross can be followed on X @alexrosstweets.

Rebecca Hauschild
For the Artesia Daily Press

Artesia city officials voiced support for Xcel Energy as the utility provider sought an exemption from a state law aimed at reducing carbon emissions from energy production.

Hayley Klein, city administrator, said at the City Council’s Tuesday, Jan. 13, meeting that Xcel was planning to apply for the exemption through the Public Regulation Commission, the state agency that oversees utilities throughout the state.

City councilors took no official action on the matter at their recent meeting, but could vote at a future meeting to send a letter of support for Xcel to the state of New Mexico.

At issue is the Energy Transition Act, a signature piece of legislation pushed by New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham and signed into law in 2019. The bill called for New Mexico energy production to be 100% “carbon-free” by 2045.

The bill also called on the state’s administration, namely the New Mexico Environment Department and Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department, to pursue projects such as renewable energy intended to reduce air pollution in the state.

Xcel sought to be exempted from such requirements as the company seeks to increase natural gas production in the Permian Basin region, both in New Mexico and Texas.

The company planned to build a transmission line this year from its power plant in Gaines County, Texas, across the state line into New Mexico, and requested an exemption from the state to allow for associated emissions.

Mayor Jon Henry and city officials said the booming southeast New Mexico oilfields were in need of more power as fossil fuel production, and that a lack of electricity could lead to wells being shut in.

“Right now, a lot of the power in the oilfield is coming from diesel generators,” Klein said.

Election day in March

March 3 will be election day in Artesia. The deadline for candidates to file was Tuesday, Jan. 13.

Early voting will take place Feb. 3-28 at the City Clerk’s Office, 511 W. Texas Ave. Absentee ballots can be requested from the clerk’s office until Feb. 24.

Election day polling places will be the City Clerk’s Office; the Artesia Senior Center at 202 W. Chisum Ave.; and Faith Baptist Church at 401 S. 20th St.

Other business

The council agreed to spend $40,000 to finish the mural on Eagle Draw and to add $500,000 to a housing incentive program that provides up to $10,000 per rooftop to developers.

Another $4 million was budgeted for overall city infrastructure construction, including road repairs, sewer lines and other city services.

Councilors also approved $580,309 in start-up costs for the Artesia Recreation Center.

Infrastructure Director Byron Landfair reported there are 196 days remaining on the 26th Street project. City staff was completing curb and gutter work, he said, with paving expected in mid-February.

Artesia Police Chief Kirk Roberts reported a 20% reduction in violent crime such as robbery, murder, robbery, rape, sexual assaults, child abuse and domestic battery in the last five years. The Artesia Police Department answered 24,376 calls for service in 2025, which is an average of 2,026 calls per month or 67 calls per day, Roberts said.

Also in 2025, Roberts said, the department received 959 requests for records and hired 12 officers from a pool of 108 applicants.

Fire Chief Kevin Hope reported the department experienced a 5.5% increase in total call volume in 2025, compared with the year before.