Opinion | Las Cruces Bulletin

Is spending by Project Jupiter doing it more harm than good?

The recent Supreme Court ruling removing the last campaign finance restrictions still in place following the Citizens United decision of 2010 is a good thing. At least it will bring a modicum of honesty to the process. In a 6-3 ruling, the court... more

Walt Rubel
For the Las Cruces Bulletin | 8/20/26

Aimpoint: savior to tour pros or intrusive putting process?

Many folks are puzzled by watching tour golfers shuffling both feet along their putt line and squinting while holding up one or more fingers. They are looking at a growing trend in reading the greens called “AimPoint.” AimPoint is a structured... more

Charlie Blanchard
For the Las Cruces Bulletin | 8/20/26

How many shoulda’s should it take?

Facts on Project Jupiter · proposed $165 billion data center & fuel cell project – Santa Teresa, NM · four AI hyperscale data center... more

Lisa Silva
Environmental Educator, Corrales, NM | 8/20/26

Stepping outside the echo chamber

One of the most difficult things about running a community newspaper is accepting the stories we can’t cover. With a limited staff and a weekly publication schedule, we make choices every day between being a mile wide and an inch deep or taking... more

Kurt Johnson
Las Cruces Bulletin | 8/20/26

Stand against Project Jupiter’s violence

For months, local organizers have shown up to Doña Ana County Board of County Commissioners’ meetings and engaged in public comment calling for transparency surrounding Project Jupiter’s hasty and secretive development, and for months our concerns... more

Stop Project Jupiter | 8/14/26

Las Cruces isn’t safe for families anymore

Las Cruces shouldn’t be like this. Last week, I was driving down Main Street by Albertson’s at lunch time and there was a guy stumbling down the sidewalk. I looked to see what was going on and made the mistake of making eye contact. He was... more

Sarah Smith
New Mexico Freedoms Alliance | 8/14/26

Flying with the window shade up

Everyone has heard of the phrase “glass half full”. It has become a universal analogy. Today, I wish to create a new common-place analogy: flying with the window shade up. I have always been content to keep my feet firmly planted on the ground. I... more

Shawna Pfeiffer
For the Las Cruces Bulletin | 8/13/26

Feds work against NM effort to find Zorro Ranch truths

At the same time that Todd Blanche was being confirmed as U.S. attorney general, his Justice Department was working to thwart the only active criminal investigation in the country seeking to bring a small measure of belated justice to the women... more

Walt Rubel
For the Las Cruces Bulletin | 8/13/26

Are you ruining your golf by overthinking?

Standing over your golf ball, what are you thinking just moments before you swing at it? If you’re like most recreational golfers, it goes something like this: “Don’t slice it!” ‘Don’t hit it in the water.” Or the longer version goes: “Keep head... more

Charlie Blanchard
For the Las Cruces Bulletin | 8/13/26

Virtual visits are not enough

In late July, a 15-year-old boy born in New Mexico — a good kid who had been placed in temporary foster care — was taken to the Paso del Norte border crossing and left there so he could “reunite” with a mother in Mexico that he had not had a... more

State Rep. Doreen Gallegos, (D)-Dona Ana County | 8/6/26

32,000 reasons to rethink education in New Mexico

New Mexico has an incredible opportunity to rethink what education can look like by starting with listening to young people. From Aztec to Carlsbad, thousands of comments from young people are telling us what would keep them connected to school... more

Dr. Kim Lanoy-Sandoval and Kenneth Stowe
Future Focused Education | 8/6/26

Democratic Party’s ineptitude invites DSA revolution

The Democratic Party is old, weak and broke. The Democratic National Committee is $2.2 million in debt heading into the midterm elections. At a time when the sitting president has monetized the Oval Office to rake in some $2.4 billion during his... more

Walt Rubel
For the Las Cruces Bulletin | 8/6/26

Create your best golf with imagination

One of the least understood aspects of golf is the role of imagination. This concerns the ability to be creative, resourceful and inventive when it is required, especially with golf shots that are unusual and difficult. Using the mind to enhance... more

Charlie Blanchard
For the Las Cruces Bulletin | 8/6/26

Avoiding the easy button

The general election is Nov. 3, 2026, three short months away. The representative for House District 37, Joanne Ferrary, announced earlier in the year that she would not seek re-election. The primaries have passed, and candidates for both major... more

Shawna Pfeiffer
For the Las Cruces Bulletin | 8/6/26

August is National Make a Will Month

For many people, estate planning feels like something to put off until "someday." Many assume it's only for retirees, those with significant wealth, or people nearing the end of life. However, the truth is that creating a plan for your future is... more

Megan Chavarria
Community Foundation of Southern New Mexico | 8/6/26

Dems’ presidential circus to roll through NM

New Mexico Democrats, get ready to be courted. It was announced last week that New Mexico will be the fourth state in the nation to vote in the 2028 Democratic primary election for president. South Carolina will go first, followed by Nevada, New... more

Walt Rubel
For the Las Cruces Bulletin | 7/31/26

Fending off confirmation bias

One of the most disturbing things about modern life is how easy it has become to surround ourselves with opinions that reinforce what we already believe. The technology we use has a tendency to lock us into a world in which we not only don't... more

Kurt Johnson
Las Cruces Bulletin | 7/31/26

New Mexico Supreme Court Chief Justice Julie J. Vargas

The right information can change everything

As Chief Justice, one of my priorities is to ensure that access to justice is not just an abstract ideal, but a reality for the people of our state. Nearly half of all newly filed civil cases in district courts in the past three fiscal years... more

New Mexico Supreme Court Chief Justice Julie J. Vargas | 7/30/26

Utah monuments were first; will OMDP be next?

Well, that didn’t take long. In late 2025, I wrote a column headlined, “Pearce is not a fit steward for our public lands.” I warned that if former U.S. Rep. Steve Pearce, who owned an oilfield services company in Hobbs that he sold for $12... more

Walt Rubel
For the Las Cruces Bulletin | 7/23/26

No strategy in strategic planning

The city is once again hosting a series of public meetings on the Las Cruces Strategic Plan. The theme: What changes could the City of Las Cruces make next year to improve your quality of life? Sounds encouraging; they want to hear from us about... more

Shawna Pfeiffer
For the Las Cruces Bulletin | 7/23/26