Regional

By KRWG News

Las Cruces – A report released Thursday by the Pew Hispanic Center found that one in 10 Hispanic students who drop out of high school go on to earn a General Equivalency Development degree.

Educators and students say limited outreach, immigration and pressure to work may be to blame.

Using data from the Census Bureau, researchers found that fewer Hispanic students earn a GED credential than white or black dropouts. Black students earned a GED at a rate of two in 10. For white students, the rate is three in 10.

By KRWG News

Alamogordo – All three of New Mexico's Air Force bases are expected to grow next year.

Democratic U.S. Sen. Jeff Bingaman, who is a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, says the Air Force's fiscal 2011 force structure announcement shows new troops and aircraft for New Mexico's Cannon, Holloman and Kirtland Air Force bases.

The Air Force says Cannon Air Force Base near Clovis is slated to get 365 personnel, three MC-130J aircraft and seven more MQ-9 Reapers.

By KRWG News

Las Cruces – The New Mexico Department of Health has recognized hospitals statewide, including Mountain View Regional in Las Cruces, for efforts to vaccinate newborns for hepatitis B.

Health official Diane Jay says infants infected with hepatitis B virus around the time of birth have a 90 percent risk of chronic infection.

She says up to 25 percent will die of chronic liver disease as adults.

The Health Department recognizes hospitals every two years for their efforts to ensure that newborns receive the vaccine.

By KRWG News

New Mexico – New Mexico officials are warning residents that their addresses may be used by criminals to fraudulently obtain driver's licenses for foreign nationals.

The Taxation and Revenue Department said Wednesday it's working with the U.S. Postal Service and federal authorities to investigate the scam.

By Melissa Aguilera

Las Cruces, NM – A forum held Tuesday in Las Cruces discussed a bill that would prevent the border patrol from accessing a large area near the city. KRWG's Melissa Aguilera reports.

By KRWG News

New Mexico – State and federal agencies will be doing roadblock-style boat inspections during major holiday weekends at popular New Mexico resorts this summer to protect the state's waters from invasive aquatic species.

Invasive species include zebra and quagga mussels, which have been found in adjacent states and are carried from place to place on boat trailers and boats.

Game and Fish aquatic invasive species coordinator Barbara Coulter says the invasive mussels have not been found in New Mexico reservoirs.

By KRWG News

New Mexico – The latest financial reports show that Republican attorney general candidate Matthew Chandler raised more campaign money during the past month than Democratic incumbent Gary King.

Chandler collected almost $42,000 in contributions and King raised about $14,000.

King reported cash-on-hand of about $103,000 as of last week. Chandler had a campaign balance of nearly $99,000.

Both candidates are unopposed in the June 1 primary.

By KRWG News

Juarez, Mexico – Mexican prosecutors say a pile of five bodies has been found in Juarez, with two other corpses discovered nearby.

The seven dead are all apparently young men who were shot or tortured to death.

The Chihuahua state attorney general's office says two men were found dead early Wednesday with their heads bound in duct tape in Nuevo Casas Grandes.

Five more bodies bearing signs of torture and bullet wounds were discovered piled up in another part of town.

By KRWG News

Las Cruces – Dona Ana County road crews will close Dona Ana Road between Plymouth Rock and Harvey Farm roads beginning Thursday, May 13, through Friday, May 14, to repair a collapsed culvert.

Warning signs and detours will be posted. Motorists are advised to use alternate routes where possible and to slow down and expect delays in the construction areas. Motorists also are reminded to exercise caution in all areas where workers are deployed.

By KRWG News

Texas – An expansion of gambling has been suggested as Texas faces a projected shortfall that some lawmakers say could hit $18 billion.

Speaker Joe Straus has told Texas House budget writers that they'll have to handle a state shortfall of at least $11 billion without new taxes.

Straus also raised the possibility of unpaid furloughs and four-day workweeks for state workers.

Details came during a hearing yesterday in Austin by the House Appropriations Committee.

By KRWG News

New Mexico – Thousands of people who receive Medicaid services under New Mexico's Salud Plan are being notified about a security breach of protected health information.

The New Mexico Human Services Department is encouraging all Salud plan and fee for service members to protect themselves by placing fraud alerts on their credit accounts. The department also is providing a toll-free number for concerned clients.

By KRWG News

Deming – A proposed citywide ban on texting and talking on a cell phone while driving in Deming has been tabled for now.

Deming Mayor Andres Silva told The Associated Press Tuesday afternoon the city council wanted to take a further look at possible modifications to the driving while distracted ordinance.

Silva said the proposed ordinance did not address the use of cell phones by public safety personnel while on the job. He also wants to look at similar proposals passed by other cities.

By KRWG News

Las Cruces – Las Cruces Police have arrested the man responsible for intentionally causing an automobile crash on Saturday evening.

Leonard Calvillo, 19, of the 2100 block of Desert Drive, is charged with two counts of aggravated battery with a deadly weapon and one count of intentional child abuse.

By KRWG News

Las Cruces – The redesign and revitalization of the Dry Canyon area located on the western edge of the Sacramento Ranger District is complete. The area Closure Order will be rescinded and the area reopened to public use on Saturday, May 14, 2010.

By KRWG News

Las Cruces – The victim of Sunday afternoon's fire on west Picacho Avenue died shortly after he was transported to a local hospital.

At around 12:15 p.m. on Sunday, May 9, Las Cruces firefighters were called to 2405 W. Picacho Ave. where they found 75-year-old Juan Leyva Jr. unconscious and lying face-down just inside the front door of his apartment. Firefighters pulled Leyva from the building and provided emergency care before he was transported to Mountain View Regional Medical Center.