Regional

By KRWG News

El Paso – CBP/Border Patrol Agents throughout the El Paso Sector were on high alert battling drug smugglers this past weekend with the most notable events occurring in Lordsburg, New Mexico when agents seized over 500 pounds of marijuana in two separate incidents.

By KRWG News

Texas – A plan to improve the number of Latinos attending college will be considered later this month by the state higher education board.

A recent report from the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board indicates Hispanics are the least likely group to attend college and are "well below" meeting improvement goals, The Dallas Morning News reported Sunday.

State figures also indicate male college graduates also lag behind women across all races.

By KRWG News

New Mexico – New Mexico lawmakers who want tax hikes to be part of a deficit reduction package suffered a setback on Sunday.

A committee of the state Senate ruled that tax hike bills are not relevant for consideration during the ongoing special legislative session.

A majority of committee members said the bills are precluded because Gov. Bill Richardson specified no tax hikes in his official proclamation for the session.

By KRWG News

El Paso – A Mexican human rights official has been placed in U.S. Customs detention apparently for his safety after recently reporting 170 instances in which Mexican soldiers allegedly tortured, abused or killed innocent people while deployed in Chihuahua.

Gustavo de la Rosa Hickerson was taken into custody Thursday night by Customs and Border Protection agents who apparently want him to seek political asylum for his safety. It's a move his attorney, Carlos Spector, calls highly unusual, the El Paso Times reported Saturday.

By KRWG News

New Mexico – A Chaves County teenager with underlying health conditions has died from complications caused by the swine flu.

The state Department of Health says the death of the 15-year-old girl Saturday brings the statewide number of swine flu-related deaths to 13 this year.

The Health Department did not indicate what chronic condition the girl had.

Health Secretary Alfredo Vigil says the girl's death is a reminder that people with chronic health problems should take every precaution to protect themselves.

By KRWG News

New Mexico – Gov. Bill Richardson has proposed a 1.5 percent cut in education spending as New Mexico lawmakers decide how to plug a $650 million hole in this year's state budget.

The proposal on Saturday to cut public schools and colleges by more than $40 million was a turnabout for the governor. He had previously said he wouldn't touch education.

Richardson says his revised proposal reflects the reality of the state's budget problems.

By KRWG News

New Mexico – New Mexico plans to sponsor a float in the 2010 Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasadena, Calif.

New Mexico Tourism Secretary Michael Cerletti says the response from the southern Californian travel market to New Mexican floats in the 2006, 2008 and 2009 parades was tremendous.

Cerletti says a float is a good way to reach potential visitors to New Mexico who live around the world.

The parade is broadcast in 150 countries and nearly 40 million Americans watch it.

By KRWG News

New Mexico – The U.S. Department of Agriculture is accepting applications for grants that will help growers add value to the commodities they produce.

USDA Rural Development state director Terry Brunner says the agency plans to award grants of up to $100,000 and working capital grants of up to $300,000 to successful applicants.

The Value-Added Producer Grant Program helps farmers and ranchers create and market their products.

The grants can be used for business plans, feasibility studies, marketing or for working capital.

By KRWG News

Las Cruces – The Dona Ana County Sheriff's Department this past week ran a "Sting" operation where Sheriff's Deputies placed a bicycle, provided by Outdoor Adventures, in conspicuous public business locations around the County.

The Operation was conducted over three separate days and nights, at different hours, by members of the Sheriff's Department.

Due to the recent rash of bicycle thefts throughout the County, the Sheriff's Department set up the "Sting" in an effort to curtail thefts by netting would-be thieves.

By KRWG News

Las Cruces – Republican Steve Pearce has raised a half million dollars for his bid to regain his former congressional seat, collecting more money than incumbent Democrat Harry Teague during the past quarter, according to the latest federal campaign finance reports.

However, Teague has more money stockpiled in his campaign account than Pearce has accumulated so far.

By KRWG News

Texas – A class-action lawsuit meant to force Texas into processing food stamp applications within the required 30 days has been dismissed.

A federal judge in Austin said the U.S. Department of Agriculture is pursuing action against Texas and that Congress did not give individuals seeking benefits the right to sue.

The San Antonio Express-News reported Friday that the lawsuit was brought on behalf of two women who allegedly had to rely on handouts because of food stamp delays.

By KRWG News

Fort Bliss – The Army has broken ground on a new housing complex for wounded soldiers.

The $56 million complex will house Fort Bliss's Warrior Transition Battalion, an Army battalion made up of wounded soldiers.

The three-building project is being funded with federal stimulus money and is scheduled to open next year.

Once complete, the complex will have a barracks capable of housing 250 soldiers, a family support center and office space for the battalion's leadership.

Copyright 2009 The Associated Press.

By KRWG News

New Mexico – The Legislature is heading back to work for a large patching job on the state's finances.

Lawmakers and Gov. Bill Richardson need to balance the state's $5.5 billion budget, which is running in the red because of a $650 million revenue shortfall. The governor met with lawmakers on Friday to hear their latest budget proposals. Richardson plans to offer a counterproposal Saturday.

By KRWG News

New Mexico – The state Department of Health says fewer New Mexican adults are smokers.

A recent Department of Health survey shows New Mexico's adult smoking rate has dropped to 19 percent for 2008 from 24 percent in 2001.

It's the lowest rate since 2001 and represents 66,600 fewer smokers.

Health Secretary Alfredo Vigil calls the decrease a tremendous accomplishment for those who quit smoking.

The department estimates the reduction in smokers means New Mexicans will save about $160 million in health care costs.

By Melissa Aguilera

Las Cruces, NM – In October 2010 Saturn dealerships will be phased out of the car market. But as KRWG's Melissa Aguilera reports .the local Saturn dealers plan to stay in business by carrying another car brand.