Regional

By KRWG News

Juarez, Mexico – Military offensives against the drug cartels and turf battles among crime syndicates have pushed the war into areas of Mexico once considered quiet.

Thousands of Mexicans make up an internal diaspora trying to escape drug violence that seems to migrate rather than cease, with more than 45,000 troops fighting cartels and more than 40,000 dead by many counts.

By KRWG News

Alamogordo – Police in Alamogordo say they arrested a husband and wife on prostitution charges during an undercover operation at an Alamogordo area hotel.

Sheriff Benny House tells the Alamogordo Daily News (http://bit.ly/v5wEaw ) that 54-year-old Stephen Pzszkowski (Pris-KOW-ski) and 41-year-old Julie Darnold were taken into custody on Friday. The couple were arrested after members of the county's narcotics enforcement task force followed up on a website advertisement offering sex in exchange for money.

By KRWG News

New Mexico – Drivers are battling tough conditions on many New Mexico highways in the wake of a winter storm that dropped snow on the state's mountains and plains.

The state transportation department says many roads in the northern part of the state are seeing snowy and icy conditions. There are no major interstate closures, but the conditions are slick and crews are spreading cinders and salt to try to improve conditions.

Drivers are encouraged to slow down and even avoid travel if possible.

By KRWG News

Albuquerque – An Albuquerque restaurant employee says he's now seen it all: three men leaving his diner with rolls of toilet paper nabbed in the parking lot by police.

Burgers, Dogs and Wings employee Josh Flannery-Stewart tells KOAT-TV (http://bit.ly/rtVXdL ) in Albuquerque that he was immediately suspicious of the men when they came in Saturday because they weren't talking and appeared "messed up."

By KRWG News

Texas – Imperiled towns around drought-ravaged Texas are finding short-term fixes to water supply problems, and some are coming just in time to avert a crisis.

Massive yellow pipes are being pieced together as part of a $250,000 pipeline project in the Central Texas city of Groesbeck, which was expected to run out of water by Tuesday. The pipeline will bring water from a rock quarry seven miles away, but it's only a six-month supply.

By KRWG News

New Mexico – Public Service Co. of New Mexico wants a federal appeals court to set aside a decision requiring it to upgrade pollution controls at its San Juan Generating Station outside Farmington.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has ordered PNM to begin installing expensive equipment to cut emissions at the coal-fired plant. PNM says it will cost $750 million to install the new haze-cutting equipment while the EPA estimates about a third of the cost.

By KRWG News

Las Cruces – A juvenile who is believed to have stabbed a man during a fight at an area convenience store on Thursday evening has been arrested.

Angel Linares, 17, is charged with one count of aggravated battery with a deadly weapon. The 26-year-old victim of the stabbing was airlifted to University Medical Center of El Paso with two stab wounds to his chest. His injuries were not life-threatening.

By Vanessa Dabovich

Las Cruces, NM – Alfalfa breeders at New Mexico State University have been developing varieties of alfalfa since 1918, but researchers are now combining high-tech genetic analysis with traditional plant breeding practices.

NMSU's Alfalfa Breeding and Genetics Program is searching for more drought-resistant varieties called "DNA marker-assisted selection."

By KRWG News

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – Mention New Mexican cuisine and mouths start watering. Giant breakfast burritos and enchiladas all laced with green chile or drenched in red.

With their distinct flavor, New Mexico's chile peppers are part of the state's cultural identity. However, some are worried about the future of New Mexico's signature crop because of disease, labor costs and cheap imports.

By KRWG News

LAS CRUCES, N.M. – New Mexico State University employees can take a retirement deal by leaving now and getting a cash payout of at least 25 percent of their annual salary on top of other benefits.

An NMSU administrator says the program is strictly voluntary.

University officials say the effort of enticing faculty and employees to retire with a cash bonus will continue a similar retirement incentive last year that officials say saved $1 million.

By KRWG News

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – A new state proposal for funding colleges next year may use competition to award a share of $577 million, the same amount as this year.

Winners and losers would be decided using a series of proposed college performance measures, such as student course completions and number of degrees awarded. The schools that fall short could see their state dollars cut by as much as 2 percent, with the money going to reward other colleges that have done a better job of meeting the goals.

By KRWG News

Las Cruces – The New Mexico Spaceport Authority (NMSA) Board of Directors has unanimously approved plans developed by the NMSA staff for a vertical launch complex.

By KRWG News

Las Cruces – Las Cruces Police have arrested two teenagers who are believed to have used stolen firearms during a Thursday morning shooting at a home on Hadley Avenue.

Raymond Paul Garces, 17, and Pablo Antonio Dimas, 16, are charged with one count each of shooting at an inhabited dwelling, conspiracy and receiving stolen property. Both are being held without bond at the Dona Ana County Detention Center.

By KRWG News

Las Cruces – Dona Ana County Sheriff's deputies have charged three teens in connection with a string of burglaries in the Gadsden School District that occurred while the schools were closed for the Thanksgiving break.

Deputies responded to a call Nov. 28 after school personnel at Mesquite Elementary School returned from the holiday break to find several items missing, including some electronics. After the stolen items were reported, a student came forward with a possible suspect, Francisco Medina, 15.

By KRWG News

Las Cruces – A Chaparral man who claimed to have been the victim of domestic violence after being burned with boiling water finds himself facing multiple charges, including aggravated battery, kidnapping, arson and aggravated assault.