Local, Regional & State News

~Anne Boswell Holy Hades, It's Hot! It's "Satan's Convection-Oven-Like Hot" and you've probably been regretting seeing your electric bill. There are things you can do to lower your monthly bill, like setting your thermostat higher and using ceiling fans to circulate air. However, you might consider learning more about how that reliable and safe electricity is delivered to you by keeping up with the operations of the folks that bring it to you. I know, it's a lot, but seriou

If you were ever feeling like you don't understand the law and the legal system in the United States, you wouldn't be alone. Most of us didn't attend law school and just watching Law and Order hardly prepares us for anything we might encounter in the legal system. Whether you're just wanting how to do better research or wanting to dive deeper and learn more, the Library of Congress offers FREE webinars on many subjects. The U.S. Law Webinars page is part of the Law Library of

By Norman Kincaide Otero County Republican Party Central Committee held its regular monthly meeting in conjunction with a Town Hall held by Senator Rod Pelton, Senate District 35 and Rep. Ty Winter, House District 47 on July 6, 2026 at 5 P.M. Pelton and Winter provided an overview of bills they sponsored that were passed and those that were killed. They discussed SB26-121, Overtime Threshold for Agricultural Employees that raised the threshold for overtime to 56 hours per wee

One week ago today, you were likely wondering who won what race. The primaries are where parties get to narrow down their field of candidates to just one to face the other parties in the general election in November. The Colorado Secretary of State has released some numbers. We thought you might find it interesting. Overall, Democrat votes far outnumbered Republican votes. The Unaffiliated votes coming in were not impressive considering that now more than half of Colorado

UPDATE: (Thursday, July 9, 2026) The court hearing set for today, Thursday, July 9th, as earlier recorded in the court docket has now been rescheduled to Friday, July 31st at 2:30 for the plea and sentencing. See story and related links below. (Story published this week--update above) This week, a local family in Las Animas hopes to get some closure, also some justice. A plea hearing is scheduled for Thursday, July 9th at 2:30 pm in Las Animas for Tina Tallman, who asked, al

It seems that rural America to include us, here in Southeast Colorado could soon have better access to training when it comes to dementia care. A bill that has been introduced in the US House has passed committee unanimously. And while it still will have to pass a few hurdles, the unanimous vote out of committee gives us hope it will advance and be signed into law. It allocates more funding to better train rural providers on treating those with dementia and Alzheimer's thro

La Junta City Council is expected to have a full meeting tonight, Monday, July 6th. According to the agenda, there will be talk on the parking lot of the Brick and Tile Park, a presentation from the American Legion post 9 by Rick Ward and Dr. Timothy Snyder, and there will be a report from the Library Advisory Board. Other business set for discussion on the agenda includes an audit report/presentation and a review of the 2026 Financial Statements. At a city council meeting l

(news release from the Colorado Secretary of State) On June 17, 2026, a resident and registered elector of the Town of Hartman submitted an application to the Secretary of State’s Office for a determination stating that the Town of Hartman has been abandoned. According to the application submitted by a town resident, the Town of Hartman no longer has a Board of Trustees or Town Clerk and is unable to hold a town election. The application states that the Town of Hartman owns a

~Norman Kincaide With the advent of the second Trump administration, priorities within the Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management will be shifting to a less restrictive approach to how the lands they currently occupy will benefit the American people. At the R-CALF convention on June 18, 2026, Attorney Hayden Ballard, gave a presentation: A Primer & Update on Federal Land Grazing. Ballard is a 6th generation rancher in southern Utah and founder of Great Western Resources

~Anne Boswell The news is all over our phones, when we want it so why shouldn’t weather forecasting happen the same way? Meteorologist Matt Meister felt that serving his community would be creating a way to make this happen. And Peaks2Plains was born. We caught up with Matt Meister and opened the interview just talking about how it all came to be, which seemed like where we should start. "Just given how information flows nowadays and where we expect information to be, in the

DENVER – Today, the Rural Opportunity Office within the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade (OEDIT) announced the recipients of the Rural Ready seed grants. Ten recipients across rural Colorado have each been awarded a $2,500 seed grant to support local economic development initiatives. “Rural communities are the heartbeat of Colorado, and our Rural Ready Seed Grants are an investment in Colorado’s future. By putting resources directly into the h

~Norman Kincaide Dr. Lora Bledsoe, DVM, serves as Policy Advisor within the Health, Food and Agricultural Resiliency Directorate at the Office of Health Security, Department of Homeland Security. She earned her doctorate in Veterinary Medicine from Colorado State University in 2013. She has over a decade of food animal veterinary practice. Her family raises cattle and quarter horses on the Bledsoe Ranch near Hugo, Lincoln County, Colorado. Dr. Lora Bledsoe, DVM, R-CALF Conven

The Colorado Secretary of State has prepared some graphics that show who is re turning ballots in this month's primary election. It shows that Democrats are in the lead for voting. You have until June 30th to get your ballot to your county clerk and recorder's office or place your ballot in a drop box in multiple locations around your county.

~Anne Boswell Bent County is looking for the next Fair Queen, Princess, and Tiny Tot Princess to represent the fair, the county, and the region. This year, the Bent County Fair Board voted to open the contest to neighboring counties to allow for more participation. My daughter participated in a Fair Queen program and really loved it. The experience of riding and working with your horse, the poise learned through clinics, collaborations with other county programs improved her

Fire Chief of La Junta Brad Davidson stated on the record before La Junta City Council that this is not the year for fireworks in La Junta. Davidson said it is a tough thing to go after but he met with Sheriff Shawn Mobley and decided to suspend the selling of fireworks within the city limits. "We are at a point where we are very dry," Davidson told of a recent fire near Delhi that he helped on. He said it could've been much bigger due to the drought and severe lack of rai

~Anne Boswell (La Junta, CO) -- Colorado Representative Ty Winter and State Senator Rod Pelton expressed concern before La Junta City Council Monday night. They stopped by to stand before the council to explain legislation they worked on to benefit Southeast Colorado and small rural communities such as this one. Senator Pelton explained that life is becoming more difficult for people to stay and live in these communities in which they were raised. "Our tax rates are just s

By Norman Kincaide There was a fairly full parking lot at Auggie’s Market Grand Opening, June 14, 2026. There was a raffle for gift baskets. Free beverages. The chance to win an electric scooter. There was face painting outside. Nolan Brown and his wife, Amanda, greeted patrons, who found full stocked shelves. Coming soon is the kitchen-like deli section. Nolan Brown is working on opening the pharmacy. There is a bakery with an expresso machine. The Floral section has been ex

(News release from the Colorado Bureau of Investigation) Joint Investigation by Colorado Bureau of Investigation, DEA, 5th Judicial District Attorney’s Office and the State Attorney General’s Office Targets High-Volume Designer Drug Enterprise and Related Financial Crimes June 12, 2026 – CBI – Eagle County, CO –The Colorado Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the 5th Judicial District Attorney's Office in conjunction with the Colorado Attorney General’s Office today announced

The following is a news release from the Bent County Fair Board (Las Animas, CO) -- With just over a month to go, excitement is building as Bent County prepares for another memorable county fair. The 2026 Bent County Fair runs July 23 through August 1 and will feature several new additions alongside longtime favorites. One of the biggest highlights this year is the debut of a community talent show, set for Monday night of fair week. Fair board members say they’re excited to

~Norman L. Kincaide, Ph.D. When the federal government is allowed to create another federal government land designation (Wild & Scenic River, Wilderness, National Heritage Area, National Conservation Area), the residents are allowing it to further exploit its power, influence and control over property which affects the surrounding region. They are also mechanisms for nonprofits or nongovernmental organizations to flourish and defraud the taxpayers of the United States. Furthe