Regional

By KRWG News

New Mexico – President Barack Obama is telling lawmakers that he'll work to help pass a bill allowing thousands of young people who attend college or join the military to become legal residents.

Rep. Nydia Velazquez says Obama told her during a White House meeting Thursday that he'll work with the Senate and support Democratic leader Harry Reid of Nevada in trying to get the DREAM Act passed.

By Vanessa Dabovich

Las Cruces, NM – The grants, which total $3.1 million, were awarded to New Mexico, Washington and Pennsylvania by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and will fund pilot projects to increase Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program or SNAP participation among Medicare's Extra Help population.

Extra Help is also known as the Low Income Subsidy and helps low-income individuals or couples with limited resources pay for their Medicare prescriptions.

By KRWG News

Las Cruces – Las Cruces Crime Stoppers is offering up to $1,000 for information that leads to the identity of a man who has been seen trying to entice young girls at several public places.

Las Cruces Police learned that at approximately 8 a.m. on Thursday, Aug. 19, a man in a red pickup drove by the Alma de Arte school at 402 Court Ave. and tried to persuade young girls to accompany him. The girls did not know the suspect and reported the incident to authorities.

By KRWG News

New Mexico – County elections officials say a proposal by the secretary of state's office will fail to protect the secret ballot in New Mexico.

Bernalillo, Santa Fe and Los Alamos county election officials testified Wednesday against a proposed rule to no longer allow public access to the voter roster after Election Day in precincts where there's a risk of compromising ballot secrecy.

It's possible to identify voters and determine which candidates they supported in precincts where only a few people cast ballots.

By KRWG News

Texas – Texas voters probably won't see the top two Texas gubernatorial candidates debate before the Nov. 2 election.

Gov. Rick Perry said he was sticking to his midnight Wednesday deadline of having Democratic challenger Bill White release all of his tax returns for the years he's been in public service.

Perry said in Houston Wednesday, hours before his self-imposed deadline, that without the release of White's financial documents, there will be no debate between himself and white.

By KRWG News

New Mexico – President Barack Obama is calling on Hispanic voters to stick with Democrats this fall despite disappointment in the lack of movement on immigration issues.

Obama was the keynote speaker Wednesday night at an awards dinner sponsored by the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute.

The president says Latinos should not forget who is standing with them and who is standing against them. He blames Republicans for the lack of progress on a comprehensive overhaul of the nation's immigration laws.

By KRWG News

New Mexico – Anglers can fish for free in New Mexico later this month as part of National Hunting and Fishing Day.

The Game and Fish Department said Wednesday that residents of New Mexico and nonresidents can fish without a license at public waters across the state on Sept. 25.

The department has scheduled a variety of activities at Fenton Lake State Park on that day, including instruction on fishing and fly tying as well as archery and air rifle shooting. There will be drawings for prizes involving outdoor sports.

By KRWG News

New Mexico – The New Mexico Taxation and Revenue Department has opened a state fair booth so New Mexico residents can review unclaimed property held by the state.

Taxation and Revenue Secretary-designate Duffy Rodriguez wants New Mexico residents to visit the fairgrounds booth in Albuquerque to determine if any of the $120 million in cash, artifacts, jewelry and collectors' items belong to them.

By Vanessa Dabovich

Las Cruces, NM – THE SMALL BUSINESS JOBS BILL IS INTENDED TO PROMOTE JOB CREATION THROUGH A COMBINATION OF TAX CREDITS, IMPROVEMENT IN THE ABILITY OF THE SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION TO UNDERWRITE LENDING TO SMALL BUSINESSES AND ADDITIONAL SUPPORT FOR COUNSELING AND CONTRACTING PROGRAMS.

By Vanessa Dabovich

Las Cruces, NM – THE ARNOLD AIR SOCIETY WHICH IS AN HONORARY SOCIETY UNDER NEW MEXICO STATE UNIVERSITY'S AIR FORCE ROTC IS HOLDING THE EVENT.

THE VIGIL IS HELD IN CONJUNCTION WITH NATIONAL POW/MIA RECOGNITION DAY AND THE UNITED STATES AIR FORCE'S BIRTHDAY ON SEPT. 18TH. NATIONAL POW/MIA RECOGNITION DAY IS ON THE THIRD FRIDAY IN SEPTEMBER EVERY YEAR AND IS ONE OF SIX DAYS SPECIFIED BY LAW ON WHICH THE BLACK POW/MIA FLAG IS TO BE FLOWN OVER FEDERAL FACILITIES, CEMETERIES, POST OFFICES AND MILITARY INSTALLATIONS.

By KRWG News

Las Cruces – Las Cruces Police have arrested and charged two men for kidnapping and assaulting a teenager this past Sunday evening.

Andrew David Allison, 24, of the 1000 block of Elm Street, and Dominic C. Garcia, 21, of the 1600 block of Dogwood Street, were arrested Monday evening and both are charged with first-degree kidnapping, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, bribery of a witness and contributing to the delinquency of a minor.

By KRWG News

Las Cruces – USDA's National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) today awarded 31 grants to Hispanic-serving institutions (HSI) to enhance the ability of these colleges and universities to serve underserved students and develop a skilled work force. This included a $290,000 award to New Mew Mexico State University.

By KRWG News

Silver City – Enrollment at Western New Mexico University has increased to a record high during the fall 2010 semester.

A 1.12 percent increase in student headcount represents another enrollment record for WNMU, which now has the highest student population since its inception in 1893.

More than 3,300 students are enrolled at the main campus in Silver City and at the four learning centers in Deming, Lordsburg, Truth or Consequences and Gallup. Enrollment numbers also include students who are taking online courses.

By KRWG News

New Mexico – Republican gubernatorial candidate Susana Martinez tapped national GOP donors and oil and natural gas interests for a big fundraising boost in her race against Democrat Diane Denish.

Martinez reported Tuesday that she collected $2 million in contributions during the past 10 weeks, including $500,000 from the Republican Governors' Association.

By KRWG News

Albuquerque – Admission to the New Mexico State Fair in Albuquerque will be just $2 for adults, senior citizens and children on Wednesday.

The fair's Murphy Brothers Carnival is offering game coupons, single rides and a variety of concessions on the midway for $2 this Wednesday as well.

State Fair general manager Craig Swagerty says the fair usually offers some kind of discount every year, but decided this year to offer the lower admission on one of the fair's historically slower days.