Regional

By KRWG News

Las Cruces – New Mexico State University has partnered with the Bureau of Reclamation on a $5 million cooperative agreement to develop technologies that will provide the citizens of New Mexico and the southwestern region with more affordable, potable water.

By KRWG News

New Mexico – Advocacy groups say President Barack Obama has assured them that he remains committed to a comprehensive overhaul of U.S. immigration laws. But what can be accomplished on the issue this year remains unclear.

At the White House on Thursday, the president spent more than an hour discussing his promise to rewrite U.S. immigration laws. He was to meet later Thursday with New York Sen. Chuck Schumer, a Democrat, and South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham, a Republican. The lawmakers are drafting a bill on the issue.

By KRWG News

Texas – Customs officials are telling Congress that Mexican drug cartels are infiltrating federal law enforcement agencies along the southwest border. And those charged with weeding them out say they don't have the money to catch all the corrupt agents.

By KRWG News

Texas – An effort to require Texas students to learn about congressional Medal of Honor recipients turned into an emotional debate about race for the State Board of Education.

By KRWG News

New Mexico – New Mexico's unemployment rate was 8.5 percent in January, up from December's 8.2 percent rate and the 5.9 percent rate of January 2009.

The state's unemployment rate is at a 22-year high.

State labor officials say New Mexico's economy has been on a downward trajectory since job growth peaked at 3.5 percent in June 2006. Job growth bottomed out last fall at negative 4.9 percent and now stands at negative 3.3 percent.

By KRWG News

New Mexico – Mexican and state officials will gather in Santa Fe on Friday for the inaugural meeting of the New Mexico Sonora Commission.

Gov. Bill Richardson will chair the meeting.

Richardson and Gov. Guillermo Padres Elias of Sonora will hear recommendations from commissioners about health and security issues and opportunities for the two states to work together on economic development, tourism and education.

By Vanessa Dabovich

Las Cruces, NM – Census Day is fast approaching and local officials and representatives are working throughout southern New Mexico to make the census count. KRWG's Vanessa Dabovich reports

By Vanessa Dabovich

Las Cruces, NM – THIS WEEK GOVERNOR BILL RICHARDSON SIGHNED LEGISLATION ALLOWING SUPERVISED MINORS TO SERVE AS PRECENCT POLL WORKERS.
THE LEGISLATION SPONSORED BY REPRESENTATIVE JEFF STEINBORN OF LAS CRUCES STIPULATES THAT EACH MINOR POLL WORKER MUST BE AT LEAST SIXTEEN YEARS OLD, BE A U.S CITIZEN AND HAVE APPROVAL FROM A PARENT OR GUARDIAN. THE ALSO MUST ATTEND AT LEAST ONE POLL WORKER INSTRUCTION SEMINAR.

By Melissa Aguilera

Las Cruces, NM – New Mexico State University Student Regent Chris Anaya was named the vice chair of the board this week. KRWG's Melissa Aguilera reports.

By KRWG News

El Paso – A federal jury has convicted two men federal prosecutors say have ties to Mexico's Sinaloa drug cartel on charges of conspiracy to smuggle marijuana into the U.S.

Fernando Ontiveros Arumbula, 40, was convicted in El Paso federal court Wednesday of conspiracy to distribute and import more than 1,000 kilograms of marijuana. He was also convicted of possession with intent to distribute more than 100 kilograms.

By KRWG News

New Mexico – A former state pension investment officer, who is suing several national financial firms over failed New Mexico investments, says the state now has lost $228 million, up from $90 million claimed in the initial filing.

Frank Foy filed a lawsuit in 2008 under the Fraud Against Taxpayers Act. Plaintiff's attorney Victor Marshall says an amended complaint this week reflects new totals that include dividends and interest the state was told it would receive when the investments were made.

By KRWG News

Silver City – Silver City's utilities director says a leak in a transmission line cost the southwestern New Mexico community 3 million gallons of water.

But Robert Esqueda tells the Town Council measures have been taken so crews can respond faster to such leaks in the future.

Esqueda says that when the city's new control system found that water tanks were full Saturday, it shut down a valve to them, causing a shock wave that slammed back through the pipe.

By KRWG News

New Mexico – New Mexicans can participate in an online survey by the New Mexico Department of Health to measure the most important issues in their communities.

The anonymous survey from the agency's Family Health Bureau covers basic demographic information and asks people to rank the importance of 25 health issues.

Those include such things as prenatal care, youth violence, child abuse, asthma and access to care.

The survey is available at http://www.nmhealth.org/titlev/survey/index.html

By Vanessa Dabovich

Las Cruces, NM – A flight safety bill introduced by New Mexico U.S Senator Tom Udall last summer is finally getting some attention in Congress. KRWG's Vanessa Dabovich reports

By KRWG News

Las Cruces – The Las Cruces Police Department has issued 77 citations since the inception of the city's new ordinance that prohibits the use of cell phones while driving.

The law prohibits drivers from using a cell phone without a hands-free device. It went into effect Feb. fifth.

Violations require a mandatory appearance in municipal court. Penalties include a fine of $25 for the first offense, $50 for the second offense, and up to 90 days in jail or a $500 fine, or both, for any subsequent violation.