News

By Staff Writer: Jamiliere Luranc Sweeney Gut health has become a hot topic, with shelves stocked full of kombucha, probiotic snacks, and prebiotic sodas promising digestive and stronger immunity. But what does science actually say about these trends, and how can people support their gut naturally? The gut typically refers to the stomach and intestines,…

By Staff Writer: Kelsie Glenn A weekend spent in Dover felt like stepping into a living postcard. The famous White Cliffs glowed against the late autumn sun, their bright faces standing out boldly against the deep blue of the sea. After spending the morning wandering the rolling hills and cliffside paths, I didn’t realize how quickly the daylight hours were slipping…

By Staff Writer: Kelsie Glenn To witness the Changing of the Guards is to witness centuries-old magic. From watching guards trot through the streets of London on horseback, halting traffic with authority, to the formal ceremony outside the guardhouse, every moment is filled with tradition. Britain is a country shaped by routines and customs passed down through generations. I…

By Staff Writer: Jamiliere Luranc Sweeney Shoulder season—early spring and late fall—is one of the best times to be outdoors, with cooler temperatures, quiet trails, and fewer bugs. But conditions can change fast. A sunny trailhead doesn’t guarantee clear weather miles into the backcountry. The biggest challenge is unpredictability. Temperature swings can make trails icy…

By Staff Writer: Jamiliere Luranc Sweeney Walk down any store aisle or scroll through social media, and you’ll find claims of supplements allowing for better sleep, stronger immunity, glowing skin, and sharper focus. From protein powders and multivitamins to detox teas, supplements have become a part of everyday life for many. But are all of…

By Staff Writer: Kayla Kocher For more than a century, scrapbooking has preserved memories through pages of photos, postcards and handwritten notes, each one glued carefully into albums that became family treasures. But as the digital age continues to expand, the craft is being reimagined for a new generation that prefers cloud storage over craft…

By Staff Writer: Kayla Kocher With the federal government shutdown halting Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits beginning Nov. 1, Portales residents are bracing for financial strain and food insecurity ahead of the holiday season. Nearly 460,000 New Mexicans depend on SNAP, according to Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham’s office. The federal pause has left many…

By Staff Writer: Kayla Kocher When I moved from Ohio to eastern New Mexico in 2022, my creativity took a hit. Back home, I was surrounded by greenery, floral houses and nature parks that made photography easy. Out here, everything felt “crunchy and brown.” It took time to learn that art does not rely on…

By Staff Writer: Kayla Kocher When “Animal Crossing: New Horizons” launched in March 2020, it became the game of the pandemic as players built dream islands and held virtual events from home. Five years later, the hype has cooled, but Nintendo’s new update could spark a return. Launching Jan. 15 alongside a Switch 2 edition,…

By Staff Writer: Julia Simmons Going to a work conference always seemed like a distant, intimidating corporate experience. It felt like something only true adults did—and at 28, I still don’t quite feel like one. So when my employer “voluntold” me that I’d be attending the New Mexico Library Association’s conference in Albuquerque, I was nervously optimistic. I’m still fairly new to my position, and I hoped…