Regional

By KRWG News

Las Cruces – The City of Las Cruces Munson Senior Center, 975 S. Mesquite, is scheduled to re-open on Monday, March 15th. Repairs to the heating system and other building modifications have been completed, with final inspections and clean-up to be completed this week. For updated information on the center's activities call 528-3000.

By KRWG News

Las Cruces – U.S. Senator Jeff Bingaman today announced that the City of Las Cruces has been awarded a $2 million federal loan guarantee to relocate the Museum of Nature and Science in Las Cruces.

Funding will be used to convert the former Rio Grande Bank building, which is located just north of the old downtown mall, into the new location for the Museum of Nature and Science. Specifically, the project involves acquisition, environmental remediation, site improvements, and rehabilitation of the former bank.

By KRWG News

Santa Teresa, NM – An argument turned physical earlier this morning resulting in the arrest of a Santa Teresa man after he allegedly attempted to strangle his wife.

According to Sheriff's Investigators, RICARDO A. GUTIERREZ, age 30, of the 5400 block of Crest Drive, Santa Teresa, allegedly slapped his wife and when she threatened to call police, allegedly struck her several more times, taking the telephone away from her.

By KRWG News

Las Cruces – Every Monday at 7:51 a.m., Fred Martino speaks with Las Cruces Sun News Business Editor Brook Stockberger.

By KRWG News

New Mexico – Gov. Bill Richardson has signed into law legislation aimed at protecting New Mexico automobile dealers if a car manufacturer terminates their franchise.

The governor chose a dealership in Albuquerque for the place where he would sign the legislation.

Richardson says the measure levels the playing field so out-of-state manufacturers can't control the fate of local dealers. He says those dealers play a significant role in New Mexico's economy and deserve protection.

By KRWG News

Los Alamos – Time and concerns about earthquake safety have driven up projected costs for a large nuclear facility now being designed at Los Alamos National Laboratory.

Division leader Rick Holmes says rough estimates for the Chemistry and Metallurgy Research Replacement are now in the range of $4.5 billion, up from an original projection of $600 million, and many analysts assume costs will increase even more.

By KRWG News

Hatch – Hatch's giant pig has gotten a reprieve.

In February, Hatch officials said the fiberglass porker could be an off-premises billboard for owner Teako Nunn's cafe Sparky's Burgers, BBQ & Espresso.

But the next week, the state Department of Transportation decided the pig and a hot dog-shaped sign also owned by Nunn violate state law.

State officials say the signs fall under their jurisdiction because they're off N.M. 26.

By KRWG News

New Mexico – Two national laboratories, the state of New Mexico and a Japanese agency are teaming up to develop smart grid technology that would allow homeowners and businesses to take advantage of more renewable energy sources by better controlling the supply and demand of electric power.

Officials with Japan's New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization, or NEDO, were in New Mexico on Friday to sign a memorandum of understanding that spells out the four-year demonstration project.

By KRWG News

New Mexico – Attorney General Gary King says the secretary of state's office should release a resignation letter by a former elections director alleging ethical violations by Secretary of State Mary Herrera.

King said Friday the letter isn't exempt from the Inspection of Public Records Act.

The Associated Press has requested the letter by A. J. Salazar, who resigned last week as bureau of elections director.

By KRWG News

El Paso – U. S. Customs and Border Protection officers stopped more than 100 pounds of soft Mexican cheese from making a run across the order.

The federal agency announced Friday that officials seized 107 pounds of "queso fresco," which is soft Mexican cheese. The illegal cheese was hidden in false compartments of a vehicle trying to enter the United States across the Bridge of the Americas on Wednesday.

Federal officials permit travelers to import personal quantities of cheese about 11 pounds per person.

By KRWG News

Las Cruces – Las Cruces Crime Stoppers is offering a reward of up to $1,000 for information that leads to the arrest of those responsible for vandalizing an elementary school in Mesquite, N.M.

On Jan. 5, 2010, Dona Ana County Sheriff's Office deputies were called to Mesquite Elementary School where four large windows were broken causing more than $1,700 in damages. Sheriff's investigators believe the vandalism was done on either Sunday, Jan. 3, or Monday, Jan. 4.

By KRWG News

Las Cruces – Las Cruces Police arrested a woman Friday morning after learning that she stabbed her ex-husband several times causing him to be transported to a local hospital.

Gabriela M. Shaw, 27, of the 400 block of McFie Avenue, is charged with three counts of aggravated battery against a household member and one count of battery.

By KRWG News

New Mexico – Friday marks another furlough day for state workers in New Mexico meaning most state offices will be closed and New Mexicans won't be able to do business with them.

It's the third of five furlough days ordered by Gov. Bill Richardson to try to save the state $8.1 million.

Furloughs apply to about 17,000 state employees in agencies controlled by the governor.

Some 4,100 employees in various departments are exempt, including state police officers and corrections and hospital officials.

By Vanessa Dabovich

Las Cruces, NM – This week New Mexico U.S Senator Tom Udall questioned Toyota Motor Company and government officials during a commerce committee probe of the company's safety recall. KRWG's Vanessa Dabovich reports

By Vanessa Dabovich

Las Cruces, NM – This week the Unites States Department of Agriculture announced funding for new broadband service in New Mexico. KRWG's Vanessa Dabovich reports