NEW MEXICO (KRQE) – New Mexico could be on the verge of becoming a national leader in the growing field of geothermal energy. Now, a state lawmaker is proposing a bill aimed at enticing geothermal companies to build power plants. Energy industry experts said the state is uniquely positioned for this kind of growth thanks to […]
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Lawmaker pushes bill to attract geothermal energy companies to New Mexico
Gulf states pushing to avert U.S.-Iran conflict, official says
Several key U.S. allies in the Middle East are aiming to stave off a military conflict between Iran and the United States by engaging in 72 hours of intensive diplomacy, a Gulf official told CBS News.
The countries involved in the diplomatic push include Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Egypt and Oman, according to the Gulf official. The talks have focused on lowering the temperature in public rhetoric and avoiding military action that these states feared could trigger wider regional instability.
To the U.S., the message has been to refrain from strikes on Iran, citing the region’s security and economic vulnerabilities, while highlighting the risk that the U.S. could ultimately be affected as well.
To Iran, the four Arab states conveyed that any counterattack on U.S. facilities in the Gulf would have serious consequences for Iran’s relations with countries across the region.
Thousands of American forces who are stationed in the Gulf region could be targets of potential Iranian retaliation in the event of a U.S. attack on Iran. The U.S. withdrew some personnel from Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar this week as a “precautionary measure,” a U.S. official told CBS News.
Two diplomatic sources told CBS News on Wednesday that Iran explicitly informed a number of countries that they would be targets of an Iranian missile attack if the U.S. were to strike. The U.S. embassies in Qatar and Saudi Arabia told Americans on Wednesday to avoid going to military bases in those two countries.
“Collectively, there’s an agreement that once this spirals into an armed military escalation, there could be lots of consequences,” the Gulf official told CBS News. “Tensions have cooled temporarily, but we’ve still yet to see. The next period will also be crucial.”
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters earlier Wednesday that many stories on Iran “have been based on anonymous sources who are pretending or guessing to know the president’s thinking.” Leavitt said Mr. Trump “continues to closely monitor” the situation in Iran, and will “keep all of his options on the table.”
Asked for comment, the White House referred CBS News to Leavitt’s remarks.
President Trump has repeatedly threatened to take action against Iran if its security forces continue their violent crackdown on the nationwide protests that have gripped the country — which raised expectations that the U.S. could carry out military strikes. Mr. Trump told CBS News on Tuesday the U.S. would “take very strong action” if Iranian authorities began hanging protesters.
The president has been briefed on a range of options that can be used against Iran, including conventional airstrikes as well as cyber and psychological operations aimed at disrupting the country’s communications and state media, CBS News has previously reported.
Meanwhile, Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has warned Mr. Trump against military strikes, urging U.S. officials to “halt their deceitful actions” earlier this week. Iran temporarily closed its airspace overnight on Wednesday, indicating it may have been preparing for possible military action.
But on Wednesday, the president suggested a military strike on Iran may not be imminent, telling reporters he’d heard the “killing in Iran is stopping.” Asked if that means military options are off the table, Mr. Trump said: “We’re going to watch and see what the process is.”
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi spoke on the phone with Qatar’s prime minister and Saudi Arabia’s foreign minister on Thursday, the latter two countries announced on X.
The diplomatic campaign comes seven months after Mr. Trump ordered airstrikes on three Iranian nuclear facilities, amid a days-long conflict between Iran and Israel. That conflict ended in a ceasefire after just under two weeks.
So far, the latest round of diplomacy has not focused directly on any potential U.S.-Iran nuclear deal. The current efforts are aimed at preventing attacks or further escalation, with the goal of creating space for eventual discussions on a nuclear deal and other issues.
NIGEL FARAGE Duped Into Paying Tribute to Disgraced LOSTPROPHETS Singer IAN WATKINS
Nigel Farage has been left red-faced after being tricked into recording a paid tribute to Ian Watkins, the former Lostprophets frontman and convicted child sex offender, via the Cameo platform.
The Reform UK leader issued a 30-second personalized video on Thursday, January 15 in which he unknowingly praised Watkins, who was serving a 29-year prison sentence for multiple child sex offenses before being killed at Wakefield Prison in October.
In the video, Farage said: “This message is to pay tribute to Ian Watkins, a good man, a really good guy who was very much in contact with me, who loved his children and will be sorely, sorely missed by them forever.”
He continued: “He will always hold a very special place in everybody’s heart. And remember what he always said, ‘mad lolz’ – well, I’ll tell you what, that does just about sum up the world, doesn’t it? Sorry for your grief, but please try and keep some happy memories.”
The video quickly circulated online, prompting widespread backlash once it became clear Farage had been referring to the disgraced musician.
Reacting to the revelation, Farage told Metro: “Thank him for the money. There are lots of Ian Watkins. Tell him to send more. I did alter his request.”
The Cameo request was made by prankster John Smith, who said he was inspired by a similar incident last year in which Farage was tricked into repeating the pro-IRA slogan “up the ra.”
“Getting the video was simplicity itself,” Smith explained. “I just asked him to do a video on behalf of a late friend called Ian Watkins and his family.”
Smith added: “I am concerned that he could not see through my frankly paper-thin deception and his willingness to do anything for money without even a rudimentary check. If he would do this for a small amount of money, what would he do for paymasters with deeper pockets?”
Ian Watkins probably would’ve loved this, but he got stabbed death in prison for being one of the worst people to disgrace this planet.
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Verizon Gets Final California Approval to Secure $9.6 Billion Frontier Deal
The telecommunications company navigated conflicting demands from federal and state officials to close the acquisition.
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Oklahoma quarterback John Mateer to return for Sooners in 2026
The Oklahoma Sooners won’t be searching for a new quarterback for 2026, as the program announced Thursday evening that John Mateer is returning for another season.
The Washington State transfer led Oklahoma to a 10-3 record in 2025. Mateer completed 62.2% of his passes for 2,885 yards, 14 touchdowns and 11 interceptions in 12 games played this past season, and added 431 yards and eight more touchdowns on the ground. The Sooners made the College Football Playoff as the No. 8 seed, but were defeated by Alabama, 34-24. Mateer threw for 307 yards, two touchdowns, one interception and rushed for a touchdown in the playoff loss. It marked his 15th game with a passing touchdown and a rushing touchdown. No other FBS player has more than 12 such games over the last two years.
Mateer’s first season in Norman started off promising, as the Sooners registered victories against Illinois State, No. 15 Michigan and Temple. However, in the 24-17 victory over No. 22 Auburn, Mateer suffered an injury to his throwing hand that required surgery. He missed the following game against Kent State, but returned for the Red River Rivalry less than three weeks later. It ended up being Oklahoma’s first loss of the season, as Mateer threw for 202 yards and three interceptions in a 23-6 defeat to Texas.
Oklahoma finished out the regular season 5-1 following the loss to Texas, but Mateer did not look like the same dynamic offensive threat. He crossed 200 yards passing just twice in the Sooners’ final six games of the regular season, and threw six touchdowns compared to four interceptions. However, Mateer did register 300 yards passing in the final two games of the season, including the playoff loss to Alabama.
One has to wonder what Oklahoma would have looked like had Mateer not sustained that hand injury. Now, he gets another shot to lead the Sooners to glory. Mateer was 247Sports’ No. 1 transfer portal prospect last year. In his final season at Washington State, Mateer completed 64.6% of his passes for 3,139 yards, 29 touchdowns and seven interceptions. As a runner, Mateer put together a historic campaign, rushing 178 times for 826 yards and 15 more scores. His 44 total touchdowns were tied for the most in the FBS with No. 1 overall pick Cam Ward, and he was one of just two FBS quarterbacks to throw for 20 touchdowns and rush for 10 touchdowns.
Cold mornings with warming afternoons
Cold mornings ahead with warming afternoons
BRIBERY IN SPORTING CONTESTS AND CONSPIRACY TO COMMIT WIRE FRAUD. ALL RIGHT. WE CONTINUE TO ENJOY ABOVE AVERAGE TEMPERATURES. AND, OLGA, YOU’RE TRACKING TEMPERATURE SWINGS AND SOME WIND OUT EAST. YES. THINGS ARE VERY DIFFERENT DAY TO DAY, ESPECIALLY AS WE PASS THROUGH THE WEEKEND. WE HAVE A COLD FRONT SWINGING THROUGH NOW. WE’LL SEE ANOTHER ONE TOMORROW. AND YES, SOME FLUCTUATION IN TEMPERATURES FOR SURE. SO FAR, HERE’S WHAT WE’VE SEEN AS FAR AS OUR PEAK WIND GUSTS OVER THE LAST 24 HOURS. NOT SO BAD, YOU SAY, BUT AS WE MOVE FORWARD TONIGHT INTO TOMORROW, THAT’S WHEN WE’RE GOING TO SEE SOME MORE OF THAT GUSTING OCCUR, ESPECIALLY ACROSS SOME OF OUR SOUTHERN ZONES. HERE ARE WHERE THE WIND GUSTS ARE CURRENTLY DURING THE 5:00 HOUR, PREDOMINANTLY IN THAT CENTRAL EASTERN PORTION OF THE STATE. FAST FORWARD A BIT INTO EARLY TOMORROW MORNING. WE’LL SEE THAT SHIFT PUSH OFF TOWARD THE EAST TONIGHT. THEN OVERNIGHT WE’RE GOING TO RAMP UP SOME OF THAT WIND, ESPECIALLY ACROSS THE EASTERN BORDER OF NEW MEXICO WITH TEXAS. AND THAT’S WHERE WE COULD SEE SOME PRETTY TROUBLESOME WINDS IN AND AROUND TUCUMCARI, CLOVIS AND EVEN HOBBS GETTING IN ON SOME OF THAT ACTION INTO THE EARLY MORNING HOURS LOOKS LIKE BY THE TIME WE GET TO FRIDAY, EVERYBODY IS IN THE CLEAR, SO THINGS WILL BE OKAY BY FRIDAY, MIDDAY AND AFTERNOON. RIGHT NOW IT’S A PRETTY NICE EVENING FOR US HERE IN THE ALBUQUERQUE METRO. WE HAVE 55 AT THE SUNPORT, 51 IN SANTA FE, LOWER 50S FOR RIO RANCHO. BUT THAT SUNSET, IT IS A BEAUTY. TODAY. WE’VE KEPT OUR WINDS BACK QUITE A BIT, MAINLY OUT OF THE SOUTH AND THE SOUTHEAST. OUR WINDS FEELING PRETTY COMFORTABLE HERE IN THE ALBUQUERQUE METRO, AND WE WON’T FEEL TOO MUCH OF AN EFFECT FROM THE FRONT THAT’S SWINGING THROUGH WHERE WE HAVE SEEN SOME COOLER AIR, THAT POCKET OF COOL AIR OFF TOWARD THE NORTH, KEEPING TEMPERATURES IN THE 40S. MOST OF US THIS EVENING ARE SITTING IN THE 50S, AND WE DEFINITELY HAVE SOME 60S ACROSS THE EAST. IT’S BEEN A PRETTY MILD EVENING, BUT IT’S GOING TO BE A COLD NIGHT TONIGHT. WINDS WILL STAY UNDER TEN MILES PER HOUR WITH CLEAR SKIES. THOSE TEMPERATURES, THEY ARE GOING TO DIP. SO BE PREPARED. IF YOU’RE STARTING OUT EARLY TOMORROW MORNING. LET’S GET YOUR FUTURE TRACK PLANNER GOING OVERNIGHT TONIGHT FROM 10 P.M. TO 7 A.M. HERE COMES THE FRONT. THE BACK END OF THAT BACK DOOR FRONT REALLY WHIPPING UP SOME OF THE WINDS ACROSS THE EASTERN HALF OF THE STATE. WE MIGHT SEE A FEW HIGH THIN CLOUDS SHOW UP, BUT YOU CAN COUNT ON A VERY COLD START TO FRIDAY MORNING. THEN FRIDAY MIDDAY INTO THE AFTERNOON, MAINLY CLEAR. WE’LL GET A LOT OF SUNSHINE THAT’S GOING TO HELP THESE MIDDAY TEMPERATURES BUMP UP INTO THE 50S AND 60S AGAIN. BUT NOTICE THE DIFFERENCE OFF TOWARD THE EAST BECAUSE OF THAT FRONT. THIS IS ONE OF THOSE TEMPERATURE DIPS WE’RE GOING TO HOLD BACK TOMORROW AFTERNOON AND TOMORROW EVENING FOR A LOT OF OUR EASTERN LOCATIONS. NOW LOOKING FAR INTO THE FUTURE, GOING TO THIS TIME NEXT WEEK, WE’VE GOT OUR EYES OUT FOR THE NEXT STORM POTENTIAL COMING OUR WAY. NOT VERY IMPRESSIVE RIGHT NOW, BUT WE COULD SEE SOME RAIN POSSIBILITIES. MAYBE LATE THURSDAY NIGHT INTO FRIDAY, BUT OVERALL, IT LOOKS LIKE THIS WILL BE A PRETTY QUICK MOVE FOR WITHOUT A TERRIBLE AMOUNT OF IMPACT FOR CORNERS. YOU ARE HEADED FOR A COLD NIGHT TONIGHT. TEENS AND 20S, BUT THEN NOT SO BAD. HOVERING NEAR THE 50 DEGREE MARK ALMOST ALL OF NEXT WEEK AND DEFINITELY KEEPING THAT RAIN AWAY. SOUTHWEST PORTIONS OF NEW MEXICO WILL DEFINITELY SEE SOME SUNSHINE, BUT WE’LL MIX IT UP WITH SOME CLOUD COVER PUSHING IN ON SUNDAY AND MONDAY, BUMPING OUR TEMPERATURES WITH A WESTERLY WIND FLOW BY MONDAY UP INTO THE 60S. SO FEELING A LITTLE BIT MORE LIKE SPRINGTIME. HERE IS THE DIP WE’VE BEEN TELLING YOU ABOUT FOR THE SOUTHEAST TOMORROW 55 ON FRIDAY, 49 BY SATURDAY. SHORT LIVED THOUGH, WE’LL GET ANOTHER DIP AND DIVE THROUGH THE REMAINDER OF THE WEEKEND. IT’S GOING TO BE A QUIET STRETCH. WE LIKE IT THAT WAY FOR LAS VEGAS, RATON AND RED RIVER, WHERE TEMPERATURES MODERATE JUST A LITTLE BIT, ESPECIALLY WITH THAT HIGH TEMPERATURE ON SUNDAY. COLD MORNING STARTS ARE GUARANTEED, BUT WE WILL GET THE SUNSHINE GOING FOR SANTA FE TOMORROW, SO BE PREPARED FOR PRETTY NICE WEEKEND ON TAP AND FOR THE ALBUQUERQUE METRO. WE’RE FINISHING OFF THE WORKWEEK WITH HIGHS IN THE 50S.
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ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. —
Be sure to download the KOAT App to receive customized weather alerts. You can watch the latest forecast on the app, too.
Tanzania president remorseful over internet shutdown on election day
Tanzania’s president has, for the first time since the disputed October election, commented on a six-day internet shutdown that disrupted operations as the country went through its worst postelection violence
DODOMA, Tanzania — Tanzania’s president has, for the first time since the disputed October election, commented on a six-day internet shutdown as the country went through its worst postelection violence.
President Samia Suluhu Hassan on Thursday expressed “sympathy” to diplomats and foreign nationals living in the country, saying the government would strive to ensure there is never a repeat of the same.
Hassan won the October election with more than 97% of the vote after candidates from the two main opposition parties were barred from running and the country’s main opposition leader remained in prison facing treason charges.
Violence broke out on election day and went on for days as the internet was shut down amid a heavy police crackdown that left hundreds of people dead, according to rights groups.
Hassan blamed the violence on foreigners and pardoned hundreds of young people who had been arrested, saying they were acting under peer pressure.
Speaking to ambassadors, high commissioners and representatives of international organizations on Thursday in the capital, Dodoma, she sought to reassure envoys of their safety, saying the government would remain vigilant to prevent a repeat of the disruption.
“To our partners in the diplomatic community and foreigners residing here in Tanzania, I express my sincere sympathy for the uncertainty, service restrictions and internet shutdowns you experienced,” she said.
Hassan defended her administration, saying the measures were taken to preserve constitutional order and protect citizens.
“I assure you that we will remain vigilant to ensure your safety and prevent any recurrence of such experiences,” the president told diplomats on Thursday.
Tanzania has, since the October elections, established a commission of inquiry to look into the violence that left hundreds dead and property worth millions of shillings destroyed in a country that has enjoyed relative calm for decades.
Foreign observers said the election failed to meet democratic standards because key opposition figures were barred.
Carter Faith’s Music Crosses Genres + Decades
Carter Faith is one of country music’s sharpest rising singer-songwriters, and that’s why Taste of Country has chosen her as one of our RISERS: 2026 Artists to Watch.
Who Is Carter Faith?
Carter Faith is one of the most diverse and promising young artists in country music in 2026.
The 25-year-old country singer has made major inroads since moving to Nashville from her native North Carolina, releasing a string of well-received songs independently before signing a deal with MCA.
Faith’s appeal lies in her diversity.
Her biggest influences include Taylor Swift, Lana Del Rey and Kacey Musgraves, but she also leans toward traditional country influences in a way that sets her up as a latter-day Loretta Lynn — an artist who’s not afraid of dealing out the hard truth in her songs, even if it’s sometimes leavened with humor.
READ MORE: 25 Modern Female Artists Changing Country Music
She released her debut album, Cherry Valley, in October of 2025, and will spend 2026 promoting that project by touring, both on her own and supporting several major-name artists.
What Are Carter Faith’s Top Songs?
Cherry Valley is chock-full of great songs, including “Grudge,” “Bar Star,” “Sex, Drugs & Country Music” and “If I Had Never Lost My Mind.”
Fans also point to some of her earlier, indie work on songs including “Greener Pasture” as favorites.
What Are Carter Faith’s Career Highlights?
The rising young artist has drawn raves for her debut album from publications including Rolling Stone, Billboard, Taste of Country, American Songwriter, the Tennessean, the Nashville Scene and Holler.
She’s opened shows for major artists including Little Big Town, Marcus King and Noah Cyrus, as well as appearing on the ACM Honors and The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon.
In 2025, she earned accolades as an Amazon Music Breakthrough Artist and a Music Row 2025 Discovery Artist of the Year.
What’s Next for Carter Faith in 2026?
She’s set to tour extensively in support of Cherry Valley in 2026, both on her first headlining tour and as a support act for Kelsea Ballerini, Tucker Wetmore and Post Malone.
Faith will also make her movie debut in 2026 as part of an upcoming Netflix movie titled Heartland, which stars Jessica Chastain.
The Top 10 Carter Faith Songs
Carter Faith is bubbly enough to write a pop-country hook, and gritty enough to sing about smoking cigarettes and dosing her morning coffee with whiskey.
She’s also self-reflective enough to sing a heartbreak song about not being able to trust her own mind.
You’ll clearly hear influence of the genre-straddling female songwriters who shaped Faith’s early passion for music — Taylor Swift, Kacey Musgraves, Lana Del Rey — in Faith’s songs, but this performer’s identity is much more than just the sum of who inspires her. She blends hooky pop riffs with honky tonk rhythms, and bounces seamlessly between quirky humor and devastating vulnerability.
Keep reading for Taste of Country’s roundup of the 10 best Carter Faith songs to listen to if you’re just tuning in to her music.
Gallery Credit: Carena Liptak
Star Wars Gets New Leader for Franchise’s Next Era
Kathleen Kennedy exits as Disney’s Lucasfilm refocuses on making movies. Veteran filmmaker Dave Filoni has been named president and chief creative officer.
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A Look at the Sandhills Stock Show and Rodeo, Thus Far
Held in Odessa, Texas, the Sandhills Stock Show and Rodeo unofficially kicks off the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association’s (PRCA) annual “Texas Swing”, marking the beginning of a stretch filled with multi-week livestock shows, unique, indoor pens, and some of the most lucrative rodeos of the 2026 season.
While the new year has just begun, the PRCA season officially launched back in October 2025. With some of the largest payouts of the year on the line, the coming months will prove critical for athletes chasing qualifications for the 2026 National Finals Rodeo (NFR).
With stakes elevated, fans and competitors alike have turned their attention to West Texas, hoping to strike it rich in the petroleum-powered Permian Basin.
As the Sandhills Stock Show and Rodeo nears its final days of competition, it is already providing an early preview of the talent set to shape the 2026 season. Including several athletes coming off strong performances at the 2025 NFR, highlighted by reigning All-Around Cowboy Wacey Schalla.
Schalla is looking to start 2026 strong in both bareback riding and bull riding. He currently leads the bareback riding in Odessa after an impressive 89-point ride aboard Beutler & Son Rodeo’s Guitar Town. Fresh off a bareback riding victory at the Cinch World’s Toughest Rodeo in Des Moines, Iowa — worth $6,430 — Schalla aims to carry that momentum through the remainder of January.
In steer wrestling, Travis Munro leads the two-head aggregate with a combined time of 9.0 seconds. The Australian native finished the 2025 season inside the top 30 of the world standings and is looking to open his 2026 campaign on a strong note.
Team ropers Dustin Egusquiza and J.C. Flake captured the first-round win with a time of 4.1 seconds, earning $2,213 each. The duo also leads the aggregate with a combined time of 8.3 seconds on two head. After Flake narrowly missed qualifying for the 2025 NFR, while Egusquiza made his NFR appearance with Levi Lord, the reunited pair enters 2026 as a team to watch throughout the Texas Swing.
Reigning world champion saddle bronc rider Statler Wright currently tops the standings in Odessa after scoring 80 points aboard Beutler & Son Rodeo’s Holy Water.
Calf roper Kincade Henry is also building on his 2025 NFR success. The 24-year-old, four-time NFR qualifier leads the event with a two-head aggregate time of 17.7 seconds, making the Mount Pleasant, Texas, native one to watch as the Texas Swing moves through his home state.
In barrel racing, French-Canadian cowgirl Julie Plourde continues her strong start to the season, leading the event with a time of 14.38 seconds in the heart of West Texas.
Bull rider Boudreaux Campbell opened his 2026 season in impressive fashion, scoring 90 points aboard Powder River Rodeo’s Sour Patch to lead the event. After missing the 2025 NFR, the five-time NFR qualifier is looking to reassert himself during the Texas Swing and at the Sandhills Stock Show and Rodeo.
With $72,000 in added money, the Sandhills Stock Show and Rodeo also serves as the first stop in the Cinch Playoffs Series. Competition continues through Jan. 17, with coverage available across The Cowboy Channel’s broadcast and digital platforms.