Winter nearing: Winter, along with dropping temperatures, snow, and long nights officially arrives December 22. The first day of winter is the shortest day of the year, bringing with it less then 10 hours of daylight. [Photo by Daniel Zollinger/Independent]

Ton of pot clogs I-40: ABOVE: The bales of marijuana are collected by law enforcement officials. BELOW: A New Mexico Department of Public Safety officer carrying a load of marijuana that was seized at the Gallup Port of Entry earlier on Thursday rolled his vehicle at mile marker 56 near Thoreau. [Photos by Brian Leddy/Independent]