Regional

By KRWG News

SANTA FE, N.M. – (AP) New Mexico has designated the artifacts left behind at Tranquility Base on the moon in its official registry of historic properties.

The Cultural Properties Review Committee made the designation official last week when it approved a nomination prepared by the committee's vice chairwoman, Beth O'Leary; students at New Mexico State University; and the Apollo 11 Preservation Task Force.

By KRWG News

LAS CRUCES, N.M. – (AP) Tuesday marks the first election for municipal offices in the newly incorporated southern New Mexico community of Anthony.

Voters were electing a mayor, trustees and a municipal judge.

The Dona Ana County clerk's office says more than 2,600 people are eligible to vote.

Residents overwhelmingly approved incorporating Anthony in January.

The new municipality will become official on July 1.

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Information from: Las Cruces Sun-News, http://www.lcsun-news.com

By KRWG News

SILVER CITY, N.M. – (AP) The school district in the southwestern New Mexico community of Silver City will eliminate about 20 jobs.

Silver School District Superintendent Dick Pool and the school board have agreed on a plan that will shrink the district's budget by 9 percent, cutting about $2 million.

State Public Education Department officials are reviewing the proposal.

Pool says he expects the district will lay off about seven people, and that the rest of the jobs will be eliminated through retirements or resignations.

By Vanessa Dabovich

Las Cruces, NM – Dona Ana County is starting a pilot program to see if people will take a taxi rather than get behind the wheel after drinking. KRWG's Vanessa Dabovich has more

By Vanessa Dabovich

Las Cruces, NM – Acclaimed civil rights activist Dolores Huerta will be speaking in Las Cruces this evening. As KRWG's Vanessa Dabovich reports her remarks are a part of the efforts of the New Mexico American Civil Liberties Union or ACLU.

By KRWG News

Las Cruces – Every Monday, Fred Martino speaks with Las Cruces Sun News Business Editor Brook Stockberger.

By Melissa Aguilera

Las Cruces, NM – A Las Cruces arts group is focusing on political issues. KRWG's Melissa Aguilera reports.

By KRWG News

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – (AP) New Mexico dairies are objecting to the proposed groundwater protection requirements.

The industry contends the proposals are so costly up to half of the state's dairies would go out of business or move.

The head of the Dairy Industry Group for a Clean Environment, Alva Carter Jr., says the proposed regulations aren't backed up by sound science.

But the chief of the state Ground Water Quality Bureau, Bill Olson, says the Environment Department's plans are justified.

By KRWG News

MESILLA, N.M. – (AP) Mesilla's revenues have dwindled over the past two years because of the recession, so town clerk and treasurer Juan Fuentes says many employees are glad just to have a job.

The Mesilla board of trustees is reviewing gross receipts tax reports monthly and meeting in closed session to discuss personnel issues. Those personnel issues have routinely focused on Mesilla's ability to continue to provide services to residents without cutting the number of workers too much.

By KRWG News

SILVER CITY, N.M. – (AP) Grant County's Community Health Council says it has been notified by the New Mexico Department of Health that funding for health councils and many prevention programs throughout the state is being eliminated.

The council will lose $195,000 for community health, obesity, teen pregnancy, youth suicide and substance abuse prevention programs starting July 1.

By KRWG News

SANTA FE, N.M. – (AP) New Mexico's homeland security secretary has been named to a federal Preparedness Task Force.

Homeland Security and Emergency Management Secretary John Wheeler joins a council that's responsible for assessing disaster preparedness in the United States and making recommendations to national Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano.

Earlier this month, Wheeler was asked to coordinate New Mexico's law enforcement activities and the National Guard along the border with Mexico.

By KRWG News

SANTA FE, N.M. – (AP) A new disclosure by candidates for governor and other elective offices will show how much money they've raised since last fall.

Candidates and political committees face a deadline Monday for filing reports that disclose campaign contributions and expenditures from October through April 5.

The reports will be available to the public on the secretary of state's Web site.

By KRWG News

CARLSBAD CAVERNS NATIONAL PARK, N.M. – (AP) Carlsbad Caverns National Park is offering free admission from April 17-25 to celebrate National Park Week.

Fees will still be charged for guided tours.

The park in southeastern New Mexico also will offer special programs, such as rope climbing demonstrations.

The nearby community of Carlsbad, in partnership with the park and others, plans a March for Parks at Living Desert Zoo and Garden State Park on April 24.

By KRWG News

SANTA FE, N.M. – (AP) New Mexico Attorney General Gary King says a multistate agreement with Valero Energy Corp. will make it tougher for minors to buy tobacco products at Valero gas stations.

King says that under the agreement, the company will have clerks check the identification of people who appear to be under age 27 and use security videos to monitor how well clerks comply.

King says Valero also agreed to change the terms of its franchises so illegal sales to minors could result in the loss of the franchise.

By KRWG News

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – (AP) Lt. Gov. Diane Denish is proposing a state tax credit for small businesses that create jobs.

Denish announced the proposal Thursday as part of her campaign for the Democratic nomination for governor.

A $2,500-a--job tax credit was among several initiatives she supports to help small businesses and to create jobs in rural areas.