Regional

By KRWG News

New Mexico – The state Supreme Court has ruled it's constitutional for a judge to determine whether juvenile offenders can be sentenced as adults for certain violent crimes.

The justices issued a 4-1 ruling on Tuesday overturning a 2009 decision by the state Court of Appeals, which held that a jury rather than a judge should make the sentencing decision.

Justice Edward Chavez dissented, saying juvenile offenders are entitled to the same constitutional jury protections given to adults.

By KRWG News

New Mexico – Gov. Bill Richardson says there's no need to make more budget cuts based on a new revenue forecast.

The Legislative Finance Committee is to receive projections Wednesday showing revenues down about $40 million in the current fiscal year. But that's partly offset because last year's revenue is more than $20 million higher than expected.

Spending cuts of 3 percent were implemented in September to close a budget shortfall this year.

By KRWG News

New Mexico – The state Insurance Division has been awarded a $226,000 federal grant to bolster customer service at the agency.

The funds from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services will be used to help consumers with the filing of complaints and appeals and to provide information to those consumers interested in health insurance coverage.

By KRWG News

Texas – Democrat Bill White has accused appointees of Gov. Rick Perry of pressuring Texas teacher retirement system managers to make potentially risky investments.

White alleges the moves gave state business to politically connected companies.

Perry, campaigning at Abilene Christian University, dismissed the accusations.

A 2009 government whistleblower memo released yesterday by White's campaign for governor describes a series of alleged ethical lapses and insider deals at the $100 billion Teacher Retirement System of Texas.

By KRWG News

Las Cruces – Members of the Las Cruces City Council will have to put away their cell phones during meetings.

The council has adopted a resolution that prohibits them from using cell phones and other electronic equipment during council meetings, sending or receiving text messages or e-mails and playing electronic games.

The move is being applauded by the general counsel of the New Mexico Municipal League and the New Mexico Attorney General's Office.

By KRWG News

Las Cruces – Few Americans have ever seen the effects of polio, or are even aware the disease still exists. A native of India, Rahul Tangirala knows a lot about polio. He's a graduate student studying economics at New Mexico State University. He's also trying to raise awareness about the disease while raising money to help those affected by it in his home country.

By KRWG News

Las Cruces – The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee has scaled back spending on television advertising for Rep. Harry Teague, choosing to focus in New Mexico on helping another first-term Democrat, Albuquerque-area Rep. Martin Heinrich.

Heinrich, D-N.M., is in a tight race against Republican businessman Jon Barela, while Teague, D-N.M., is facing a close contest for the southern New Mexico seat against former three-term Republican Rep. Steve Pearce.

It means The DCCC will air more ads for Heinrich and fewer for Teague.

By KRWG News

Hatch – First came the huge fiberglass pig.

Now, it's the giant rooster.

The owners of a restaurant in Hatch, Teako and Josie Nunn, have created T-shirts with the slogan "Save the Rooster," similar to what they did 10 months ago when the fate of their huge fiberglass pig was uncertain.

The fiberglass rooster sits about 12 feet up, atop a '64 Chevrolet pickup truck.

By KRWG News

Las Cruces – City officials in Las Cruces have approved a land lease near the Las Cruces Airport for SunEdison to build a solar power plant, with the possibility there could be another plant built.

Along with the deal approved Monday by the City Council, there's an agreement between the solar energy company and El Paso Electric for SunEdison to provide 24 megawatts annually. A megawatt is equal to 1,000 kilowatts or 1 million watts.

By KRWG News

Silver City – A Silver City woman who faced evidence that she killed a McDonald's co-worker will spend 13 years at a mental health facility in Las Vegas, N.M.

The question of whether 33-year-old June Maldonado was competent to stand trial in the Dec. 21, 2008, stabbing death of 16-year-old Javier Ramos has been at the center of the case.

By KRWG News

New Mexico – The government and American Indian farmers who say they were denied farm loans have agreed on terms for a $680 million settlement of a long-running lawsuit.

The two sides agreed on the deal after more than 10 months of negotiations. The government and the Indian plaintiffs met Tuesday in federal court in Washington to present the settlement to U.S. District Judge Emmet Sullivan.

By KRWG News

Las Cruces – Forty years ago, a gallon of gas cost 35 cents, Richard Nixon was in the White House and Professor Clarence Fielder started teaching at New Mexico State University. Fielder, a decorated Korean War veteran who is described as a dedicated heritage preservationist and a cherished educator, will be honored at 2 p.m. Friday, Oct. 29, in the Otero Room of NMSU's Corbett Center Student Union.

By KRWG News

El Paso – The Socorro Independent School District and the Ysleta Independent School District won a collective $500,000 in college scholarships for their students as finalists for the 2010 Broad Prize, The Eli and Edythe Broad Foundation announced today.

U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan joined philanthropist Eli Broad at the Museum of Modern Art to announce that Gwinnett County Public Schools outside Atlanta won the 2010 Broad Prize, the largest education award in the country that carries with it $1 million in college scholarships.

By KRWG News

Las Cruces – A 27-year-old man was arrested after threatening to run over his wife late Sunday evening.

Manuel Pando Valdez Jr., 27, is charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, battery against a family member and criminal damage to property.

By KRWG News

Juarez, Mexico – Gunmen have stormed two homes and killed nine people in a neighborhood of the Mexican border city of Ciudad Juarez.

The Chihuahua state Attorney General's Office says gunmen burst into a home where a family was having a party. Three women and two men died at the scene Sunday night, and a man and a woman died at the hospital.

The statement Monday says gunmen attacked a second home in the neighborhood minutes later, killing two men.

Police had no suspects and did not give a possible motive.