Regional

By KRWG News

New Mexico – The New Mexico Court of Appeals has overturned the convictions of a former state worker for secretly videotaping teenage girls in a bathroom.

Ronald Myers, a former employee of the Department of Transportation, had been convicted of sexual exploitation of children for videotaping girls in a bathroom next to his Santa Fe office in 2004. One of the girls was a 16-year-old intern and another was a 17-year-old daughter of a department employee.

By Melissa Aguilera

Las Cruces, NM – Hundreds of people were on hand at New Mexico State University Tuesday looking for a government job. KRWG's Melissa Aguilera reports.

By Melissa Aguilera

Las Cruces, NM – "Green" jobs are gaining momentum in the Las Cruces area. KRWG's Melissa Aguilera reports.

By KRWG News

Texas – Authorities are warning northern Texas parents that Mexican drug cartels are recruiting new soldiers and killers through gangs at border-area schools and possibly throughout the state.

The director of the Texas Department of Public Safety, Steven McCraw, says gangs are now being used by the cartels "on both sides of the border for hit squads, human smuggling and countersurveillance."

Dallas officials say they've seen no direct cartel influence in local schools but say they often use gangs to distribute drugs.

By KRWG News

New Mexico – Nearly three dozen tax increase proposals to help the state with a budget shortfall are under consideration by a task force formed by New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson.

The group will submit a report to the governor by Dec. 21, but it won't recommend specific tax measures that should be adopted by Richardson and the Legislature. Instead, the group's report will outline the pros and cons of each measure.

By KRWG News

Las Cruces – The opening of the new City Hall in Las Cruces will happen later than officials initially anticipated.

City councilors have approved a change in construction of the $26 million municipal building, pushing move-in plans for city workers to mid-February. Originally, the projected date was Jan. 11.

The change order allows the contractor to install audio and visual equipment and Internet technologies for the Public Information Office.

The added equipment will be used to televise public meetings and special events.

By Vanessa Dabovich

Las Cruces, NM – New Mexico U.S Senator Jeff Bingaman says undocumented immigrants receiving services is one area of controversy in the health care reform legislation that will soon reach the Senate floor. KRWG's Vanessa Dabovich reports

By Vanessa Dabovich

Las Cruces, NM – This week the Las Cruces City council discussed a proposal to ban cellular telephone use while driving. As KRWG's Vanessa Dabovich reports a vote on the ordinance has been scheduled.

By KRWG News

Texas – Texas' insurance commissioner is ordering State Farm Lloyds to pay home insurance policyholders $310 million in refunds and interest for overcharges going back as far as 2003.

Insurance Commissioner Mike Geeslin says in a statement Monday that the order completes reforms started six years ago by Texas lawmakers.

State Farm spokesman Kevin Davis says the company's rates have always been fair, adding the ruling "threatens the free market place."

It has 10 days to appeal.

By KRWG News

New Mexico – Gov. Bill Richardson says flags around the state will be lowered to half staff through next Monday in honor of former Gov. Bruce King.

King died at his ranch in Stanley Friday morning at the age of 85. King served a total of 12 years as governor in separate terms that spanned three decades.

Richardson says flags already have been lowered since King's death.

King will lie in state at the State Capitol on Friday and his funeral will be Saturday.

Copyright 2009 The Associated Press.

By KRWG News

Sandia Pueblo, NM – Educators and community members from across New Mexico will meet Tuesday to find out why education is failing boys.

The New Mexico Men's Council for Boys and Young Men will hold its second annual conference at Sandia Resort and Casino. The gathering will focus on closing the achievement gap for boys in education.

Conference organizers say dropout data from 2008 show that fewer than half the boys in New Mexico graduate from high school and only about 42 percent of students in colleges and universities are male.

By KRWG News

Las Cruces – In a move that city officials believe promotes safety, the Las Cruces City Council will consider a proposal to ban cellular telephone use while driving.

The council is scheduled to take it up Dec. 7.

There was consensus Monday from the council to discuss and consider approval of an amendment to the city traffic ordinance.

Las Cruces Mayor Ken Miyagishima initiated plans for the ban in August after results of an informal e-mail poll of residents show support for tighter control of cell phone use while driving.

By KRWG News

El Paso – A 7-year-old boy who attended school in El Paso has been slain in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico, in shootings that also left his father dead.

Officials with Glen Cove Elementary School confirm third-grader Raul Xazziel Ramirez-Ramirez was killed. Counselors are on hand to help students and staff. A letter about the killing was sent home to parents on Monday.

By KRWG News

Las Cruces – Las Cruces Police located and arrested a man who knocked a woman to the ground and took her purse Sunday afternoon.

Christopher Michael Hale, 26, is charged with a felony count of strong armed robbery. Police also learned that Hale had an outstanding warrant for his arrest. Hale is being held at the Dona Ana County Detention Center with bond set at $30,000.

By KRWG News

Las Cruces – A Las Cruces Police officer has been relieved of his duties after an internal investigation revealed he provided false information about an off-duty traffic accident.

LCPD patrol officer Daniel Benoit, 21, was charged with falsifying a police report, a misdemeanor, and one traffic citation for due care collision after the Oct. 1 crash on University Avenue.

Benoit had been with LCPD since June 8, 2008.