Democrats in the New Mexico Legislature will soon have to choose between good government and good politics. On the side of good government is the New Mexico Citizen Redistricting Committee, a seven-member board headed by former Supreme Court Justice Edward Chavez, which has been holding public meetings throughout the state to gather input from residents to guide the redrawing of political district maps, as required every 10 year after the census. more

Vote. Make your voice heard. Participate in democracy. In recent years, election officials have made it easier and easier to vote. Early voting, mail voting, convenience centers and other improvements demonstrate that municipalities recognize the busy nature of American life in the 21st Century. more

Do you ever give much thought to where your weaner steers and heifers go when you load’em on the truck or take’m to the sale? more

Early voting began for local elections on Oct. 5. As you prepare to vote, you need reliable information to determine which candidates best represent your values. more

In addition to an array of candidates for local elections, your Nov. 2 ballot will feature two questions regarding the Las Cruces Public Schools. more

I’ve got a mule deer hangin’ on my wall from northern New Mexico so I could relate to Rafael’s story. more

Every four years, Americans flock to the polls in droves to elect a new president. Last year, more than 155 million people cast their ballots, most of them just happy that the campaign was finally over, at least for a minute. more

Where will you sleep tonight? Chances are, you’ll sleep in the same comfortable bed you slept in last night? more

Astrology is one of those wonderful pseudo-sciences like naturopathy or cattle futures that anybody with an imagination can rapidly become an expert in. more

For more than a year and a half now, we’ve all wanted things to get back to normal. This week, right here in Doña Ana County, you can experience one of the most normal, traditional, American, New Mexican events of all: the Southern New Mexico State Fair. more

I try not to make this column too educational but sometimes there is a need that can’t be ignored. When ranchers and cowmen work their cowherd, they are often under pressure to cull cows that they have developed a peculiar fondness for. more

The actor-director-movie star Clint Eastwood is always good for a quote. Some of the famous ones are “You just gotta ask yourself one question: ‘Do I feel lucky?’ Well do ya, punk?!” from 1971’s “Dirty Harry,” or “Go ahead, make my day!” from 1983’s “Sudden Impact,” or “Get off my lawn!” from 2009’s “Gran Torino.” more

Now and then I get to thinkin’ I should quit this feedlot job. Go and ride with Buster, what’s-his-name, his Texas wagon mob. more

The Big Dog is gone. Neil McCarthy died in his sleep last Sunday after living for 81 years. more

Following each decennial census, the seats in the U.S. House of Representatives are reapportioned so that rapidly growing states gain representation and states with slower growth lose. Then, the states draw new district boundaries (redistricting) to reflect shifts in population within the state. more

“What?!” “Are you telling me the Cruces-Mayfield game is THIS Friday? And you’re talking about the Las Cruces High School-Mayfield High School FOOTBALL game?” more

When you take a seat in the waiting room of a veterinary clinic, a feedlot office or an animal health store, you occasionally notice a body sitting there who looks out of place. more

1. If the new boss’s hat isn’t sweat stained, you can pretty much figger whose will be. 2. Phrases like, “My dad never paid me a dime till I was 25,” or “I haven't had a day off since dad’s funeral in 2017,” should put you on guard. more

As I think back to the morning of Sept. 11, 2001, my primary memory is one of confusion. I was the editor of an afternoon newspaper in Kansas and was almost finished with the front page. I’ll be forever grateful to the publisher who convinced me to tear it up and start over. more

Twenty years ago, on a Tuesday, I was getting my boys ready for school, shaking them out of their sleep and gently encouraging their eyes to open when from the other room I heard, “Elva, get in here quick!” more