Regional

By KRWG News

Las Cruces – Sen. Tom Udall says New Mexico ranchers and livestock producers who suffered from droughts and wildfires in 2008 should apply for federal aid before Dec. 10.

The benefits from the Livestock Forage Disaster Program is available to eligible ranchers in Chaves, Dona Ana, Eddy, Harding, Hidalgo, Grant, Lincoln, Luna, Otero, Sierra and Union counties.

New Mexico Farm Service Agency executive director Salomon Ramirez says recent fires and droughts in these regions caused damage to some producers.

By Melissa Aguilera

Las Cruces, NM – Fort Bliss was expecting to see more troops returning to El Paso. But as KRWG's Melissa Aguilera reports .a surge in Afghanistan could change that.

By KRWG News

Texas – An attorney for the Army psychiatrist charged with killing 13 people at Fort Hood says the Army is ordering a mental evaluation for his client.

Attorney John Galligan says he received notice Tuesday night that the Army wants to perform the exam on Maj. Nidal Hasan. Hasan is charged with 13 counts of premeditated murder in the Nov. 5 shooting spree on the Texas post.

The evaluation would determine whether Hasan had mental responsibility at the time of the crime and whether he's competent to stand trial.

By KRWG News

Texas – A proposed $24 million settlement would end a 1997 lawsuit challenging a $5 fee that Texas charged for disabled parking placards.

The Austin American-Statesman reported Wednesday that the settlement to the class action lawsuit, filed against the Department of Transportation, faces final approval from a federal judge.

The lawsuit was part of similar cases nationwide claiming charging drivers with disabilities for the right to access violates the Americans with Disabilities Act.

By KRWG News

New Mexico – The New Mexico Motor Vehicle Division says it's providing better customer service with a new Web site, faster service for seniors and discounts for those who register online.

Taxation and Revenue Secretary Rick Homans says the programs are part of a multiyear focus to improve MVD service.

New Mexicans will get a 5 percent discount for renewing their vehicle registration online.

By KRWG News

El Paso – A former Army nurse will spend 41 months in federal prison for infecting surgical patients with hepatitis C.

Jon Dale Jones pleaded guilty earlier this year to assault and theft charges. He admitted stealing powerful painkillers from patients and infecting them with hepatitis c while anesthetizing them during surgeries at William Beaumont Army Medical Center in El Paso.

Jones, a retired Army major, was working as a civilian when authorities say he infected at least 16 patients.

By KRWG News

New Mexico – New Mexico's senators are asking the Department of Homeland Security to tell New Mexicans whether or not they will need passports on domestic flights after the New Year.

Democrats Jeff Bingaman and Tom Udall say the 2005 REAL ID Act requires New Mexico to tighten drivers' license requirements.

Bingaman and Udall say constituents are worried they will need passports to fly within the country starting Jan. 1.

By KRWG News

El Paso – An El Paso woman and a diabetic man have been rescued after they were stranded in the desert in Hudspeth County in West Texas.

The El Paso County Sheriff's Office says the motorists were located shortly before 1 a.m. Tuesday. Both El Paso residents were healthy and unharmed in their truck.

The sheriff's department says 24-year-old driver Ramon Hill and 41-year-old Melissa Fruge were unfamiliar with the terrain. They had been stranded since Sunday night, but used a cell phone to call for help until the battery weakened.

By KRWG News

Las Cruces – The New Mexico Department of Transportation is working with Law Enforcement with the CLOSURE of US70 in Las Cruces at the San Augustine pass from mile post 160-168. The roads are snow packed and icy, which is creating difficult driving conditions. Please continue to use caution as wet roads continue to exist throughout southern New Mexico. Updates will continue to be posted on the NMDOT web site at www.nmroads.com and information can be retrieved by calling 511, or 1-800-432-4269.

By KRWG News

El Paso – A short-lived snowfall Monday covered parts of El Paso, stalling traffic and forcing officials to close a heavily traveled mountain pass.

The early part of the storm that hit around midday today prompted highway officials to close parts of Trans-Mountain Highway, a state road also known as Loop 375 that connects El Paso's far west side to the northeast and parts of Fort Bliss.

By KRWG News

Las Cruces – Jay B. Jordan, associate vice president for Research, Graduate Studies and International Programs at New Mexico State University, has accepted an appointment as interim provost and executive vice president.

In making the announcement of his selection of Jordan for this new role, NMSU Interim President Manuel T. Pacheco said there were strong and highly qualified individuals considered for this important university position, and he appreciated their willingness to serve. Jordan's appointment will take effect on Jan. 1.

By KRWG News

Las Cruces – Las Cruces Police have arrested the suspect in Sunday evening's incident involving a hit-and-run accident and an officer-involved shooting.

Rudolfo C. Orrantia, 49, of the 1400 block of Burke Road just outside of Las Cruces, is charged with two felony counts of aggravated battery on a peace officer using a deadly weapon, a vehicle, and one count of aggravated driving while intoxicated. Orrantia is being held at the Dona Ana County Detention Center with bond set at $11,000.

By KRWG News

Las Cruces – Exactly how many green jobs are in New Mexico? That's what New Mexico State University's Arrowhead Center is going to figure out.

The effort is part of an 18-month project for the New Mexico Department of Workforce Solutions and funded by $1.25 million from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

By KRWG News

New Mexico – A team of scientists says warming weather has played a role in forest dieback in New Mexico, and new evidence suggests the same thing may be happening around the world.

Droughts come and go, but an international team led by U.S. Geological Survey ecologist Craig Allen has collected evidence suggesting that the added stress of higher temperatures may be taking its toll on forests.

By KRWG News

Las Cruces – Las Cruces Police are continuing to investigate the death of 18-year-old Jessie Angel Torres who was taken to a local hospital Monday morning with a gunshot wound to his back.

At around 10:45 a.m. Monday, Nov. 30, police were called to Memorial Medical Center in Las Cruces where Torres had been taken by private vehicle. Officers arrived to find Torres suffering from a gunshot wound to his lower back.