Opinion | Las Cruces Bulletin

When the math doesn’t add up

Five hundred million dollars. That is how much a Legislative Finance Committee report says New Mexico has spent on housing initiatives, aimed at combatting homelessness, within a span of three years, most specifically in New Mexico’s three most... more

Shawna Pfeiffer
For the Las Cruces Bulletin | 6/4/26

New Mexico is at a crossroads, Doug Turner is the governor we need

I've spent many years in public service to this state. I was born and raised in the North Valley, served in the New Mexico House of Representatives, and had the privilege of serving two terms as lieutenant governor. I also served as President... more

John A. Sanchez | 5/28/26

Coming to grips with the yips

One of the strangest and most troubling phenomena in golf is something known as “the yips.” It’s time to take a close look at the reality of common putting yips. Basically, when yips occur it signifies an odd loss of ability to execute certain... more

Charlie Blanchard
For the Las Cruces Bulletin | 5/28/26

My school choice

My children finished their last day of public school. Next year, we have made the decision to pursue private education for them. This is a difficult and costly decision that was made over many months and lots of research. Thankfully, we are... more

Shawna Pfeiffer
For the Las Cruces Bulletin | 5/28/26

Should the increased use of dirty words be alarming?

I heard an old phrase for the first time in decades recently when a fellow volunteer at the community radio station said she was bothered by how casually young people use profanity these days, especially “in mixed company.” I was probably five or... more

Walt Rubel
For the Las Cruces Bulletin | 5/28/26

The small agency with a funny name powering energy transmission

I’d like to tell you about a state authority probably never heard of. It started almost 20 years ago, and it’s got a funny little acronym — RETA. It stands for the New Mexico Renewable Energy Transmission Authority, and I’ve had the privilege of... more

Robert “Bob” Busch | 5/22/26

Unchecked behavior problems in schools foster juvenile crime

Following another teen shooting, policymakers aim to strengthen New Mexico’s juvenile crime laws. To be proactive, though, we need to fix behavior issues in NM’s public schools. Parents and teachers should teach kids from a young age that it’s... more

Sarah Smith | 5/22/26

Myths of the mental game could hurt your golf

The late Bobby Jones, golf psychologist Dr. Bob Rotella, famed teacher Jim Flick and Jack Nicklaus have all perpetuated the myth that golf is mostly mental — often putting the figure at 90% — with Flick going as far as putting the number at... more

Charlie Blanchard
For the Las Cruces Bulletin | 5/22/26

Nation is again at war as we honor the fallen

Another Memorial Day with our nation at war. There have thus far been 15 U.S. service members killed and 530 wounded in our war with Iran. It’s estimated that about 3,400 Iranians have been killed by U.S. and Israeli airstrikes. This will be the... more

Walt Rubel
For the Las Cruces Bulletin | 5/22/26

Mental health can’t wait: break the silence, ignite change

May is Mental Health Awareness Month, a national observance that has been recognized since 1949, but its message has never been more urgent. In the United States, nearly one in five adults is living with a mental health condition, and more than... more

Anna Laliotis
CEO, Mesilla Valley Hospital | 5/22/26

Your choices for Dona Ana County sheriff

Dona Ana County finally has some great competition for an elected office, with a field of quality candidates for voters to choose from. In a region where incumbents run unopposed far too often or sling mud at the first opportunity, it is immensely... more

Shawna Pfeiffer
For the Las Cruces Bulletin | 5/21/26

Superintendent Ignacio Ruiz, Las Cruces Public Schools

Wrapping up the school year with gratitude and purpose

As another school year comes to a close, I want to thank the students, families, educators, staff and community members who make Las Cruces Public Schools a place where all learners thrive. The final weeks of school are always filled with... more

Ignacio Ruiz
Superintendent, Las Cruces Public Schools | 5/14/26

An engineer would build a desalination plant

I want to talk about water — specifically about why New Mexico keeps solving the same problem the wrong way. The Rio Grande Compact has governed water sharing between Mexico, New Mexico, and Texas since 1938. For decades New Mexico has taken more... more

Matt Channon | 5/14/26

A heartwarming story of perseverance

Popular PGA Tour golfer Gary Woodland’s win at the Texas Children's Houston Open on March 29 exemplified perseverance in golf and life. It was Woodland’s first win since his 2019 win at the U.S. Open at Pebble Beach, six years, nine months and 13... more

Charlie Blanchard
For the Las Cruces Bulletin | 5/14/26

AI brings fatalism to a new generation

There were two emergency drills conducted at the start of each new school year during my childhood, the fire drill and the duck-and-cover drill. For the fire drill, we were instructed to calmly and quietly line up behind the teacher and then walk... more

Walt Rubel
For the Las Cruces Bulletin | 5/14/26

You are not alone in this

If you’re not from Albuquerque, you may not know my story. If you’ve been watching what’s happened in Las Cruces; the loss of Chris Carnero, the tragedy at Young Park, you may feel like those things are happening in isolation, like the violence... more

Rep. Nicole Chavez
R-Albuquerque, New Mexico House District 31 | 5/14/26

Taxpayer-funded virtue signaling

Regardless of your politics, whether you love or hate the president of the United States, New Mexico has chosen to sign the taxpayers up for an extremely expensive fight. We will all now pay for the state legislature to feel good about standing up... more

Shawna Pfeiffer
For the Las Cruces Bulletin | 5/14/26

Mother’s Day and balancing time

There was a time when Mother’s Day was quieter. Not necessarily easier, not necessarily simpler, but quieter. It was a day built around phone calls home, crowded restaurant waits, handmade cards, flowers carried out of grocery stores by... more

Kurt Johnson
Las Cruces Bulletin | 5/7/26

New Mexico can lead on term limits and restoring trust

Trust in government is under real strain. Across New Mexico, from Silver City to Albuquerque to Las Cruces, I hear from families, small business owners, and working parents who want a system that feels more responsive, transparent, and... more

Siah Correa Hemphill
New Mexico State Chair, U.S. Term Limits | 5/7/26

Thanks to candidates trying to beat the odds

With early voting starting this week, I want to thank the men and women who are directly responsible for the continuation of our democracy, the candidates running for office in this year’s election. Especially those who are running for the first... more

Walt Rubel
For the Las Cruces Bulletin | 5/7/26