Regional

By KRWG News

New Mexico – Helena Chemical Co. will pay $208,331 to the state of New Mexico to settle Environment Department allegations of 10 violations of Helena's air quality permit for a fertilizer plant at Mesquite.

The state Environment Department said Wednesday the agreement resolves violations listed in a compliance order issued against the Tennessee-based business in July 2008.

The agency says violations included not doing testing and monitoring to ensure air quality standards were met and failing to maintain records.

By KRWG News

Deming – State police say a 71-year-old Deming man was killed when a pickup truck hit his bicycle.

He was identified as Armando Pereiro.

Police say he was riding east on a rural road near Deming early Wednesday when the pickup truck hit him from behind.

Authorities say the driver told them the rising sun was shining in his eyes and couldn't see. They say he stopped and called 911 when he realized he had struck a bicyclist.

Copyright 2009 The Associated Press.

By KRWG News

New Mexico – School leaders are asking for possible changes in state law to give them more flexibility to manage their budgets if the Legislature cuts spending on education.

Superintendents from New Mexico larger school districts met Wednesday with legislators and officials in Gov. Bill Richardson's administration on how to deal with the state's more than $400 million budget deficit.

By KRWG News

Las Cruces – Farmers from around the Southwest showed support for Hispanic farmers in a discrimination lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Agriculture during Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack's visit to New Mexico.

Vilsack took questions from the crowd Wednesday during a stop in Las Cruces.

Some farmers wore white T-shirts that said "USDA" in the front with a line through the letters and "Stop Discrimination" on the back. Vilsack also met privately with Hispanic farmers.

By KRWG News

Texas – A massive West Texas wind farm billed as the largest in the world is up and running.

German company E.ON Climate and Renewables on Thursday announced the completion of the 100,000-acre wind farm near Roscoe that spans four counties.

The company says the 627-turbine wind farm is now producing energy. It has the capacity to generate 781.5 megawatts, enough electricity to power more than 230,000 homes.

Texas is the nation's top wind power-producing state.

Roscoe is about 220 miles west of Dallas.

By KRWG News

New Mexico – New Mexico Tech says it's expanding its law enforcement education program to include a new initiative for officers stationed along the U.S.-Mexico border.

The university won a competitive grant for $994,000 from the Department of Justice to educate non-federal law enforcement officers in New Mexico and Arizona to combat drug trafficking and related violence in border areas.

By KRWG News

New Mexico – A program started by the federal government will help law enforcement agencies in Bernalillo County accurately identify and remove dangerous illegal immigrants from the community.

The Secure Communities program, administered by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, uses biometrics to help determine whether an individual arrested by a participating state or local law enforcement agency is a dangerous criminal illegal immigrant who may be deported.

By Melissa Aguilera

Las Cruces, NM – The H-1-N-1 flu virus is in Dona Ana County and the Las Cruces Public School District is preparing for a possible outbreak. KRWG's Melissa Aguilera reports.

By KRWG News

Las Cruces – Fred Martino speaks with Las Cruces author Mary Paulson about her historical novel, "The Swedish Gypsy."

By KRWG News

Las Cruces – Las Cruces Crime Stoppers is offering a reward of up to $1,000 for information that leads to the arrest of the person who kidnapped and raped a woman in June.

The Dona Ana County Sheriff's Office is investigating the incident that occurred just before 11 p.m. Monday, June 1, near the 1000 block of Burke Road off of west Picacho Avenue.

By KRWG News

Las Cruces – Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack visited the Southern New Mexico State Fairgrounds Wednesday.

Vilsack's visit on the first day of the of the Southern New Mexico State Fair was part of a national 'Rural Tour' to discuss efforts by the Obama Administration to revitalize rural America.

Vilsack discussed how the agriculture department is working to promote a sustainable food supply while fighting climate change.

By KRWG News

New Mexico – State Auditor Hector Balderas says 90 governmental bodies including school districts, counties and municipalities are late in submitting financial audits required by law.

Balderas told a legislative committee on Tuesday that some agencies are years behind in completing their audits. He called it a serious financial problem because more than $1 billion in taxpayer money is going unaudited. More than 800 governmental agencies are required to submit audits annually.

By KRWG News

Texas – A published report says some Texas medical examiners rely on medical school interns, unlicensed doctors and others with questionable expertise even in capital murder cases.

The Fort Worth Star-Telegram reported Wednesday that some offices use work by physicians who repeatedly failed certification exams or were disciplined for poor work. Growing caseloads and a shortage of licensed forensic pathologists could be to blame.

By KRWG News

New Mexico – The Navajo Partnership for Housing will be able to help more American Indian families get access to home loans thanks to $470,000 from the federal government's Community Development Financial Institutions Fund.

The Gallup organization will use the funds to expand access to home mortgages, home improvement and construction loans as well as development services for families living on or near the Navajo Nation.