let $c$ be a curve over a finite field and let $\rho$ be a nontrivial representation of $\pi_1(c)$. by the weil conjectures, the artin $l$-function associated to $\rho$ is a polynomial with algebraic coefficients. furthermore, the roots of this polynomial are $\ell$-adic units for $\ell \neq p$ and have archemedian absolute value $\sqrt{q}$. much less is known about the $p$-adic properties of these roots, except in the case where the image of $\rho$ has order $p$. we prove a lower bound on the $p$-adic newton polygon of the artin $l$-function for any representation in terms of local monodromy decompositions. if time permits, we will discuss how this result suggests the existence of a category of wild hodge modules on riemann surfaces, whose cohomology is naturally endowed with an irregular hodge filtration.