Regional

By KRWG News

Texas – Texas has awarded the first grant from a fund created to provide emergency assistance to veterans across the state.

The $1 million grant, announced by Gov. Rick Perry during a visit to Houston on Wednesday, has been given to the Texas Veterans of Foreign Wars.

The group will use the grant to provide veterans and their families emergency assistance with household, vehicle, childcare, medical and personal expenses. Awards can be for up to $1,000.

By KRWG News

Las Cruces – A company that won a $32.5 million contract for construction at Spaceport America received credit for being a New Mexico company, but questions have come up over how much of a presence the firm maintains.

According to a copyright story Wednesday in the Albuquerque Journal, Summit West appears to have two offices, one of which contained nothing but an unplugged telephone this week.

By KRWG News

Las Cruces – The Associated Students of New Mexico State University along with ROJO Apparel and Feed My Starving Children have teamed up to host the "Big Meal Packing Event" in an effort to package more than 100,000 meals to be sent to the earthquake victims in Haiti.

Hundreds of volunteers will gather to package meals to feed thousands of starving children in the developing world at Saturday, April 10, at Dickerson's Barn off of West Picacho Avenue.

By KRWG News

New Mexico – The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has denied a petition by environmentalists who were seeking endangered species protection for a stonefly and a mayfly found in the Southwest.

The agency says the petition did not present substantial information indicating that listing either species may be warranted.

By KRWG News

Texas – Texans have a new incentive to buy energy-efficient appliances.

The state began accepting rebate reservations Wednesday for the Texas Trade Up Appliance Rebate Program, to purchase select Energy Star appliances.

Texas is using $20 million in federal stimulus funds. The program is restricted to replacement of existing appliances.

By KRWG News

Las Cruces – Temple Beth-El will host two events this coming weekend, April 10th and 11th. On Saturday April 10th, Dottie Indyke, Executive Director of Creativity for Peace, will speak at 12:15 pm on her work to bring Israeli Jewish and Arab and Palestinian young women together to develop mutual respect, understanding and to build leadership for peace in their region.

Creativity for Peace is an organization committed to a time of peace when people and nations coexist by understanding and respecting each other.

By KRWG News

Las Cruces – The Animal Service Center of the Mesilla Valley (ASCMV) is in need of adoptions and foster homes for the hundreds of puppies at the center.

There currently are 119 puppies under the age of six months old. Many of them need good, loving homes. There are also several newborn puppies which need foster care until they can be adopted.

By KRWG News

New Mexico – New Mexico will contribute hospital discharge information to a national database on health care research and policy analysis.

The state Department of Health and the New Mexico Health Policy Commission say the partnership with the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality also will provide them with information.

The national project maintains the largest U.S. collection of hospital care databases, allowing research on various health care issues.

By KRWG News

New Mexico – State-sponsored workshops will be held later this month to train Hispanic, Native American and African American residents of New Mexico in how to audition for roles in films.

Gov. Bill Richardson on Monday said the workshops will be held during the week of April 19 in Albuquerque, Espanola, Gallup, Las Cruces and Roswell. Applications and other information will be available on the New Mexico Film Office Web site, www.nmfilm.com

By KRWG News

New Mexico – Three female assistant attorneys general are suing the New Mexico Attorney General's Office over claims of pay inequality between men and women who work for the office.

The women's attorney, Dan Faber of Albuquerque, has filed a civil lawsuit in federal court. It names as defendants the office as well as Attorney General Gary King.

By KRWG News

Las Cruces – During the test, the alarms will sound simultaneously for one minute beginning at noon and the NMSU emergency notification system will send out alerts. Subscribers to the emergency notification system will receive phone calls, text messages and/or emails with a "test" message outlining a weather emergency.

By KRWG News

El Paso – Texas Rangers are investigating the shooting death of a 14-year-old West Texas boy who died in a shootout with police.

Investigators said the boy was shot and killed Sunday night after reportedly firing several shots at Hudspeth County deputies and Texas Parks and Wildlife game wardens. The officers were searching for him after he was reported missing earlier in the day.

By KRWG News

New Mexico – The Census Bureau reports that about 47 percent of New Mexicans have so far returned their Census forms by mail.

That's among the lowest participation rates of any state and below the national rate of 56 percent.

New Mexico and three other states are below 50 percent in returning Census forms. Alaska is at 42 percent, Texas is 48 percent and Louisiana, 49 percent.

Census spokeswoman Veronica Reyes said Monday it's unclear why New Mexicans are lagging behind on the Census.

By KRWG News

Las Cruces – Fred Martino speaks with economist Dr. Ken Martin of New Mexico State University about the financial markets. Martin is one of the panelists at tonight's Chamber Economic Forum at 7:00pm at KRWG-TV Studios. The event is free and open to the public.

By KRWG News

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