Regional

The Census Bureau reports that Lea County, in the heart of southeastern New Mexico's bustling oil patch, was the fastest growing in the state last year but two-thirds of the counties lost population.

Lea County's population grew by 1.8 percent from 2011 to 2012. State demographer Jack Baker attributes much of that to the booming oil field economy

Sandoval County, which includes Rio Rancho, grew by 1 percent last year.

A move to give lawmakers the right to carry handguns anywhere they wish sparked an angry debate in the Texas House of Representatives between Republican lawmakers.

The shouting match erupted Thursday over whether lawmakers should give themselves special privileges not available to all Texans.

Today marks the kick-off of the New Mexico True Reading Challenge of Governor Susanna Martinez.  Martinez will launch the program in Las Cruces at Thomas Branigan Memorial Library on Friday, May 24 at 2:30 p.m.  The programs are sponsored by statewide community partners and offer exciting prizes for winners including hot air balloon rides, family vacations and sporting event tickets.  The program complements existing summer reading programs and provides additional incentives for elementary school children to read this summer. 

At a special Gila Regional Medical Center Board of Trustees meeting this past Tuesday, the board unanimously resolved there would be no changes in the senior management team after plans were announced to slash 70 jobs in half. Edmundo Resendez has the story. 

Authorities say sparks from a grinder being used by a resident in his garage started a fire that burned 160 acres of brush and grass near Silver City before being contained.

Officials say the fire threatened three structures but didn't burn any.

Officials say the fire started when sparks from the grinder flew from the garage into nearby tall grass.

With 100 percent containment Wednesday, crews continue to mop up the burn area and partrol for hot spots.

Copyright 2013 The Associated Press.

Several pueblos in central New Mexico will impose fire restrictions Friday.

Officials with the Southern Pueblos Agency say that despite recent scattered rain showers, persistent drought conditions and high fire danger prompted the decision to impose restrictions.

The restrictions will apply to the pueblos of Cochiti, Santo Domingo, San Felipe, Santa Ana, Sandia, Zia, Jemez, Isleta and Acoma.

A retired Rio Rancho police officer has been appointed by Gov. Susana Martinez to a board that regulates gambling in New Mexico.

The governor named Salvatore Maniaci to the state Gaming Control Board. He replaces former Attorney General David Norvell, whose term expired at the start of the month.

Maniaci has been an investigations sergeant for the board and is retired from the Rio Rancho Police Department. His term will run until 2018, and his appointment is subject to Senate confirmation.

Memorial Day weekend marks the kickoff and 84th anniversary of Carlsbad Caverns' summer bat watching program.

Park rangers have presented summertime bat flight programs since 1929, making Carlsbad Caverns National Park one of the best-known bat colonies in the world.

During the nightly programs, rangers dispel myths and extol the virtues of bats as the nocturnal creatures spiral out of the cavern on their nightly forage for insects.

The nightly number of bats fluctuates depending on weather and temperature.

More than 34,000 active duty troops live at Fort Bliss in El Paso. But a lot of civilians pass through the base as well. That’s – in part – because of its commanding general, Maj. Gen. Dana Pittard, who leaves his post Thursday.

Pittard has served in the military for over three decades, but coming to Fort Bliss about three years ago was coming home. His turned his personal connection into a connection for Fort Bliss.