Strong new-vehicle sales figures are causing industry analysts to revise their forecasts for North American production levels in 2013, with J.D. Power & Associates and LMC Automotive predicting 16 million units will be produced — a mark not hit since 2002.

More than 1,157,000 new vehicles are projected to be sold in May, the third month in a row to top the 1 million level. The growth is being helped by strong demand for full-sized pickups, which represent more than 11 percent of retail sales, according to a news release from J.D. Power.

At a special Gila Regional Medical Center Board of Trustees meeting this past Tuesday, the board unanimously resolved there would be no changes in the senior management team after plans were announced to slash 70 jobs in half. Edmundo Resendez has the story. 

Ahead of his much-anticipated speech Thursday afternoon at the National Defense University, there's word that President Obama:

Drones

David Greene talks with Morning Edition film critic Kenneth Turan about some of the movies at this year's Cannes Film Festival in France. They include a standout from American director Alexander Payne called Nebraska. Turan first covered the movie festival 42 years ago.

Authorities say sparks from a grinder being used by a resident in his garage started a fire that burned 160 acres of brush and grass near Silver City before being contained.

Officials say the fire threatened three structures but didn't burn any.

Officials say the fire started when sparks from the grinder flew from the garage into nearby tall grass.

With 100 percent containment Wednesday, crews continue to mop up the burn area and partrol for hot spots.

Copyright 2013 The Associated Press.

Several pueblos in central New Mexico will impose fire restrictions Friday.

Officials with the Southern Pueblos Agency say that despite recent scattered rain showers, persistent drought conditions and high fire danger prompted the decision to impose restrictions.

The restrictions will apply to the pueblos of Cochiti, Santo Domingo, San Felipe, Santa Ana, Sandia, Zia, Jemez, Isleta and Acoma.

A retired Rio Rancho police officer has been appointed by Gov. Susana Martinez to a board that regulates gambling in New Mexico.

The governor named Salvatore Maniaci to the state Gaming Control Board. He replaces former Attorney General David Norvell, whose term expired at the start of the month.

Maniaci has been an investigations sergeant for the board and is retired from the Rio Rancho Police Department. His term will run until 2018, and his appointment is subject to Senate confirmation.

Memorial Day weekend marks the kickoff and 84th anniversary of Carlsbad Caverns' summer bat watching program.

Park rangers have presented summertime bat flight programs since 1929, making Carlsbad Caverns National Park one of the best-known bat colonies in the world.

During the nightly programs, rangers dispel myths and extol the virtues of bats as the nocturnal creatures spiral out of the cavern on their nightly forage for insects.

The nightly number of bats fluctuates depending on weather and temperature.