Regional

By KRWG News

Texas – State Farm Insurance is heading to court in a disclosure battle with regulators over the state publicizing its rates.

A court hearing is scheduled Thursday in Austin over the lawsuit, filed in late March by the state's largest property insurer.

State Farm, after filing twice in eight months for higher rates, seeks to block the Texas Department of Insurance from publicizing documents related to the increases.

By KRWG News

Anthony, NM – The southern New Mexico community of Anthony has elected its first officials, including its first mayor, 59-year-old Ramon S. Gonzales.

About 24 percent of the community's more than 2,600 registered voters went to the polls Tuesday in the inaugural municipal election for the Dona Ana County community, which was incorporated in January.

Gonzales is a retired teacher who was born and raised in Anthony.

Voters also chose four trustees and a municipal judge.

By KRWG News

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – (AP) A state district judge has issued a decision that temporarily puts the brakes on an environmental group's effort to petition New Mexico regulators for a greenhouse gas emissions cap.

New Mexico's largest utility, three state lawmakers and other industry groups sued in January to stop a state regulatory panel from considering a petition by New Energy Economy for an emissions cap in New Mexico.

The group countered with a motion to dismiss the lawsuit.

By Vanessa Dabovich

Las Cruces, NM – The Global Wind Energy Council reports China is moving up in the ranks when it comes to wind power production. As KRWG's Vanessa Dabovich reports, New Mexico U.S Senator Jeff Bingaman says the United States needs to create more incentives to stay competitive.

By Melissa Aguilera

Las Cruces, NM – A new study says teen births are down. And as KRWG's Melissa Aguilera reports experts say communication is the key to maintaining the improvement.

By KRWG News

FORT STANTON, N.M. – (AP) Lincoln County volunteer firefighters have contained a blaze that burned 30 acres of public land near Fort Stanton in southern New Mexico.

Officials with the Bureau of Land Management say the fire was sparked Monday by a vehicle that appeared to be having brake problems. The fire was near the intersection of state highways 380 and 220.

Firefighters responded quickly and were able to contain the flames despite windy conditions.

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.