Regional

The University of New Mexico has revoked the charter of a fraternity over several violations of the student code of conduct.

School officials made the announcement Friday concerning Sigma Alpha Epsilon, which had been suspended since April when a rape allegedly occurred at the frat house.

Officials say the charter revocation was made because of numerous violations of the student code of conduct at an April 1 party that included the alleged sexual assault and alcohol consumption by minors.

New Mexico State Police say a man found dead inside a Fort Sumner motel last weekend died from blunt force trauma.

They have been investigating the death of 21-year-old Anthony Sandoval since De Baca County Sheriff's deputies discovered the body Sunday at the Coronado Motel.

Investigators say Sandoval and another man had a physical altercation last Friday and Sandoval went back to his motel room.

They say no arrests have been made in the case at this time.

Copyright 2013 The Associated Press.

Arizona and New Mexico are among the states that will receive federal grants to hire young people to help with conservation projects on public lands.

Interior Secretary Sally Jewell announced the funding this week. In all, $4.2 million in competitive grants will go toward hiring more than 600 people between the ages of 15 and 25 to work on 22 projects throughout the West.

In New Mexico, the Rocky Mountain Youth Corps will partner with the State Land Office to restore mule deer habitat in the Wind Mountain area.

The federal government is proposing changes to the process used to transfer land into trust for American Indian tribes.

Officials say the proposal will provide greater notice of land-into-trust decisions and clarify mechanisms for judicial review depending on whether the land is taken into trust by the assistant secretary for Indian Affairs or an official with the Bureau of Indian Affairs.

The public has 60 days to comment on the proposal.

  A man suspected of pulling a gun on a 17-year-old boy and demanding personal property has been arrested for the attempted armed robbery.

Bobby Ray Perea, 21, of the 2100 block of Lester Avenue, is charged with one count each of attempting to commit armed robbery, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and intention child abuse.

The Las Cruces Fire Department has issued an open burning ban within the city limits effective Tuesday, May 28, 2013.

Southern New Mexico, to include the City of Las Cruces, is experiencing severe to extreme drought conditions as indicated by the National Weather Service. Such conditions pose a fire hazard and a significant threat to the health, safety and welfare of the residents of the city.

The Las Cruces Fire Department has determined that it is necessary to restrict open burning within the municipal boundaries.