Regional

By KRWG News

Texas – The Texas labor group bought a manufactured home and suggested Wednesday that Perry lease it for $1 per year. That would save the state nearly $10,000 per month that's being paid for his sprawling rental home.

The Associated Press reported this week that the Republican governor has spent almost $600,000 in public money during the past two years to live temporarily in a private home while the burned Texas Governor's Mansion undergoes repairs.

By KRWG News

Las Cruces – A report of a man entering a woman's home and portraying himself as a police officer is prompting Las Cruces Police to remind residents that they should verify the identification of anyone claiming to be a peace officer or detective.

By Melissa Aguilera

Las Cruces, NM – With summer upon us the New Mexico Department of Health is issuing some recommendations. KRWG's Melissa Aguilera reports.

By KRWG News

Juarez, Mexico – Mexico's federal police say an alleged member of the La Linea drug gang has been arrested in the border city of Ciudad Juarez who allegedly participated in the killing of 10 people.

The Tuesday announcement centers on 28-year-old Juan Padilla (pah-DEE'-yah) Juarez, who's accused of targeting rivals of the gang, which is allied with the Juarez drug cartel. He was captured Monday in Ciudad Juarez, across the border from El Paso, Texas.

By KRWG News

New Mexico – A conservation group has created a new website that highlights the records of candidates for New Mexico governor and lieutenant governor.

A spokeswoman for Conservation Voters New Mexico, Molly Brook, says the stakes are high in this year's elections and the website aims to let voters know where candidates stand when it comes to the environment, land use, clean energy, transportation, air quality and planning for future growth.

By KRWG News

New Mexico – The state Supreme Court will consider a dispute over public financing of statewide judicial races.

The court has scheduled a hearing next Monday on whether Democratic Court of Appeals candidate Dennis Montoya should qualify for public financing of his campaign.

Secretary of State Mary Herrera determined that Montoya didn't qualify because he exceeded a cap on how much "seed money" candidates can contribute to their campaigns. Montoya, a Rio Rancho lawyer, appealed the decision.

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.