Regional

By KRWG News

New Mexico – A New Mexico law that went into effect Tuesday is aimed at companies that charge homeowners and make fraudulent promises to help them get their loans modified to protect their homes against foreclosure.

Attorney General Gary King says there's been an alarming increase in mortgage rescue scams as a result of the U.S. housing crisis.

He says many of the companies targeted by the Mortgage Foreclosure Consultant Fraud Prevention Act operate from outside the state.

By KRWG News

Las Cruces – A Las Cruces metal sculptor has been cited on a charge of warehousing materials in an unsanitary yard, but she argues it's art.

Susan Fray says she should be able to own as much stuff as she wants and display it in her yard.

City codes enforcement spokesman Danny Acosta says there's too much of it.

He says Fray first came to the attention of code enforcement officers two years ago after rain left the yard full of weeds and standing water, which were a concern because of West Nile outbreaks.

By KRWG News

Las Cruces – A decomposed body was discovered in the Organ Mountains near Organ on Monday. Due to the advanced decayed state of the body, Investigators have yet to determine the sex, cause and manner of death.

The body was sent to the office of the Medical Investigator, Albuquerque, late Monday evening, where an autopsy will be performed.

The Dona Ana County Sheriff's Department is continuing to investigate and no other information is available at this time.

By Vanessa Dabovich

Las Cruces, NM – Today the City of Las Cruces will host a sustainability forum on recycling in the region. KRWG's Vanessa Dabovich has more

By Vanessa Dabovich

Las Cruces, NM – The City of Las Cruces has been awarded a grant to install solar panels to the new convention center. KRWG's Vanessa Dabovich reports

By KRWG News

New Mexico – New Mexico will do an in-depth study of what 18 other states require for someone to get a license to carry a concealed weapon.

Officials want to see if requirements in those states are as strict as New Mexico's.

Last month, New Mexico stopped recognizing Utah's concealed carry licenses because its standards were significantly less than New Mexico's for having a concealed handgun.

By KRWG News

Juarez, Mexico – The Mexican army says it has detained an alleged lieutenant of the Ciudad Juarez-based Carrillo Fuentes cartel who escaped from a U.S. prison two decades ago.

The Defense Department says Crispin Borunda was arrested after crashing his bullet-resistant vehicle into a light pole while trying to escape.

A statement issued Monday says Borunda tried to flee on foot and fired at soldiers before being caught last week in the capital of the border state of Chihuahua. Soldiers seized another suspect and five weapons.

By KRWG News

Texas – Experts blame declining Medicare reimbursement for hundreds of Texas doctors dropping out of the federal health care program for senior citizens.

The Houston Chronicle reported Tuesday that more than 300 Texas doctors have dropped the program in the last two years, including 50 in the first three months of 2010.

The Texas Medical Association, which did the survey, said the numbers far exceeded their assumptions.

By KRWG News

Las Cruces – The City of Las Cruces was notified that a request for an extension to continue operating the southbound traffic enforcement camera at Valley Drive and Avenida de Mesilla, was denied by the New Mexico Department of Transportation (NMDOT).

The camera, which is on the state's right-of-way, will be deactivated 5/17 at 11:00 p.m. by Redflex Traffic Systems. The City and NMDOT will explore the opportunity for a possible road exchange that will allow the City to fully operate the camera in the future.

By KRWG News

Las Cruces – Every Monday, Fred Martino speaks with Las Cruces Sun News Business Editor Brook Stockberger.

By KRWG News

New Mexico – The U.S. Department of Homeland Security is releasing $1.87 million in grants to support emergency preparedness efforts in New Mexico.

The grants include $800,677 to the state of New Mexico to help improve security of driver's licenses and state-issued identification cards to reduce fraud and improve their accuracy.

The state also will get $334,000 for statewide communications used to respond to natural disaster or terrorism.

By KRWG News

New Mexico – State Treasurer James Lewis has a new policy that will allow a greater investment of state money in certificates of deposit with New Mexico banks.

Up to $400 million can be invested in bank CDs. The investment cap was increased by $50 million.

By KRWG News

Texas – Texas Gov. Rick Perry has spent almost $600,000 in public money during the past two years to live in a sprawling rental home in the hills above the capital.

That's according to records obtained by The Associated Press.

To live in the exclusive neighborhood, Texas' longest-serving governor is billing the state more than $10,000 a month for rent, utilities and upkeep on the five-bedroom, seven-bath mansion that has pecan-wood floors and three dining rooms.

By KRWG News

Las Cruces – More than 230 radios meant to improve safety for southern New Mexico ranchers and other residents in remote areas near the Mexican border remain stacked in a storage shed, five years after their purchase.

Dona Ana County Sheriff's Cpl. Jim Hash says a big problem is that the area lacks radio towers to relay transmissions to emergency responders.

Hash says even sheriff's officers are not able to talk to the county dispatch center in places along N.M. 9, which parallels the border.

By KRWG News

Las Cruces – The Las Cruces Police Department's most recent annual crime statistics show 2009 was the third straight year in which the crime rate has increased.

The statistics show crime overall in the city increased 3 percent from 2008 to 2009. However, rape and aggravated assault decreased and police made arrests in more violent crimes.

Officer J.R. Stewart says a growing city and a continuing recession no doubt contributed to the increase in crime, which saw rising levels of thefts and other property crime.