Regional

By Evan Woodward

Las Cruces, NM – New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson traveled around the state yesterday to discuss his legislative agenda for the 2009 session. The Governor made stops in Roswell, Farmington and Las Cruces--placing particular emphasis on his public safety priorities. As KRWG's Evan Woodward reports, Richardson also talked about the budgetary woes facing state lawmakers.

By Gary Worth

Las Cruces, NM – The NMSU library is now home to a very unusual collection of books that is closely intertwined with the history of southeastern New Mexico.. It's now known as the J. Phelps White the Third collection... And as Gary Worth reports it is an important source of information not only about a unique time in history, but also about the two New Mexican men who collected the works..

By Jim Williams

Albuquerque, NM – A lawsuit has been filed over the loss of 90 million dollars from two state investment funds. The plaintiff maintains he was pressured to make worthless investments because of contributions to Governor Bill Richardson's presidential campaign. KUNM's Jim Williams reports.

By Marco Grajeda

Las Cruces, NM – This afternoon, State Auditor Hector Balderas released the findings of a two-year audit of the Regional Housing Authorities which he claims revealed a financial picture rampant with waste, fraud and abuse. KRWG's Marco Grajeda has this report.

By Evan Woodward

Las Cruces, NM – A homeowner on the 6300 block of Chamiso Place in Dona Ana County's East Mesa, came home Tuesday night, only to be greeted by three individuals hiding in his bathroom who assaulted him and demanded money. As KRWG's Evan Woodward reports, the homeowner was able to escape but the Sheriff's Department is asking for help locating the suspects.

By KRWG News

Las Cruces – Scientists at New Mexico State University have identified a potentially damaging fungus on area pistachio trees.

NMSU scientists have discovered Septoria leaf spot, a fungal disease in plants, on Otero, Hidalgo, Luna and Dona Ana County pistachio trees.

The disease is common in other states where pistachios are grown but has never been documented in New Mexico.

NMSU will hold a pistachio growers workshop in Alamogordo to help educate those close to the disease about minimizing its effects.

By Melissa Aguilera

Las Cruces, NM – United States Border Patrol agents at the Highway-70 checkpoint, west of Alamogordo, nabbed a suspect wanted for several outstanding warrants in Las Cruces. KRWG's Melissa Aguilera has more.

By KRWG News

Las Cruces – Do a Ana County will share in a loss tied to the collapse of Lehman Brothers last September.

Do a Ana County's portion of the loss is estimated at approximately
$253,000, which will be prorated over 10 months.

That will reduce the county's investment income from the state during by about $25,000 per month over the period.

By Marco Grajeda

Las Cruces, NM – New Mexico's Congressional District Two Representative Harry Teague has been busy this week. As KRWG's Marco Grajeda reports, the democratic congressman is pushing legislation to create green jobs and spur the economy of rural America.

By Jim Williams

Santa Fe, NM – Governor Bill Richardson's administration is developing a plan to limit greenhouse gas emissions in the state. The plan is based on the recommendations of a climate change panel he put together. But as KUNM's Jim Williams reports from Santa Fe, one prominent environmental advocate who sat on that panel is now pushing a more ambitious proposal of his own.

By Evan Woodward

Las Cruces, NM – The El Paso City Council failed to obtain enough votes Tuesday to override Mayor John Cook's veto of a resolution calling for an "open national debate on ending the prohibition of narcotics". As KRWG's Evan Woodward reports, many of the City Representatives who voted against the resolution this time around said they were afraid the city would lose money if the resolution passed.

By Evan Woodward

Las Cruces, NM – Dona Ana County suffered a $253,000 investment loss as a result of the Lehman Brothers collapse last September. The money had been invested in the New Mexico Local Government Investment Pool. As KRWG's Evan Woodward reports, County Treasurer David Guiterrez is recommending that the county move a portion of their investments out of the state pool and into local banks.

By KRWG News

Las Cruces – Some major construction projects are being planned in the Las Cruces Public Schools.

A community meeting this week centered on a new high school, to be located at the intersection of Dripping Springs Road and Sonoma Ranch Boulevard.

ASA Architects Studio and an Albuquerque design firm are working on schematic drawings for the project, energy and life cycle cost analysis and an extension of Sonoma Ranch Boulevard.

By Marco Grajeda

Las Cruces, NM – Yesterday, United States Senator Jeff Bingaman announced a multi-million dollar proposal aimed at reducing violence along the U.S/ Mexico Border. As KRWG's Marco Grajeda reports, the main goal is combating the illegal flow of weapons across the southern border.

By Evan Woodward

Las Cruces, NM – Tomorrow the El Paso City Council will vote for the second time on a resolution which calls for an "open national debate on ending the prohibition of narcotics"--after the first attempt was vetoed by Mayor John Cook. As KRWG's Evan Woodward reports, the resolution was authored to show the city's solidarity with Ciudad Juarez, where more than 1600 murders occurred last year.