Regional

By KRWG News

New Mexico – New Mexico health officials are reporting three new swine flu deaths in the past week.

The latest victims are a 47-year-old female from Chaves County who had no known chronic health conditions, a 59-year-old male from San Juan County and a 63-year-old male whose county hasn't been determined. Both men had chronic health conditions that put them at higher risk.

There have been 12 deaths related to H1N1 influenza in New Mexico this year.

By KRWG News

New Mexico – A new revenue forecast shows New Mexico facing a $650 million budget shortfall, which lawmakers will try to solve in a special legislative session starting this weekend.

The gloomy financial report by government economists confirms recent speculation by legislative budget leaders that New Mexico's revenues have continued to weaken because of the recession.

By KRWG News

New Mexico – Gov. Bill Richardson has issued a challenge to New Mexico residents to support a project aimed at collecting photographs of the men and women whose names are listed on the National Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall.

Richardson hopes New Mexico can become the first state to gather all the photos of its soldiers, sailors and airmen who died in the Vietnam War.

The names of 58,261 fallen service members are listed on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall in Washington, D.C. That includes 400 people from New Mexico.

By KRWG News

Alamogordo – Lincoln National Forest is issuing a map that shows where drivers can use their motorized vehicles in the forest.

The Motor Vehicle Use Maps are free and available at forest offices in Alamogordo, Carlsbad, Cloudcroft and Ruidoso and online.

The map will be revised and reissued each year to accommodate changes to trails that are open to motorized vehicles.

Motorized vehicle use is restricted in the southern New Mexico forest to certain designated routes.

By KRWG News

New Mexico – Gov. Bill Richardson ordered flags across New Mexico to be flown at half-staff on Friday and Saturday in honor of Army Sgt. Kenneth W. Westbrook of Shiprock, who died Oct. 7 as a result of injuries sustained last month in the line of duty.

Westbrook, 41, joined the Army soon after graduating from high school in 1987. Over the last 21 years, he served in Operation Desert Storm and more recently in Iraq and Afghanistan. He was assigned to 1st Brigade, 1st Infantry Division, Fort Riley, Kan.

By KRWG News

Las Cruces – New Mexico business leaders are speaking out in favor of climate change legislation moving its way through Congress. Fred Martino reports.

By KRWG News

Las Cruces – Las Cruces Crime Stoppers is offering a $1,000 reward for information that leads to the arrest of the men involved in two unrelated armed robberies that occurred on Tuesday, Oct. 13.

Just before 11:30 a.m. on Tuesday Las Cruces Police were called to the Family Dollar store at 745 north Valley Dr. after two Hispanic men entered the store and demanded cash from an employee. One of the suspects displayed a knife.

By KRWG News

Las Cruces – A free event at New Mexico State University Thursday will examine human rights issues along the border.

The Center for Latin American and Border Studies will host a presentation by Tim Dunn.

Dunn is an associate professor of sociology at Salisbury College in Maryland.

His new book is entitled "Blockading the Border and Human Rights," and it focuses on border enforcement near El Paso.

The event takes place Thursday night from 7 to 9 in Hardman Hall, Room 106.

By KRWG News

New Mexico – New Mexico's veterans will benefit from a $1.9 million federal grant to help those with mental illness or substance abuse problems stay out of jail.

Gov. Bill Richardson says the five-year grant will help New Mexico focus on treatment and increased access to services for veterans, particularly Native Americans and rural residents.

The money will be used to divert people with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and other trauma-related illnesses from the criminal justice system in Sandoval County.

By KRWG News

New Mexico – Central New Mexico's Isleta Casino and Resort is becoming Hard Rock Casino.

The casino south of Albuquerque says it has entered into a licensing agreement with Hard Rock Hotel Holdings LLC.

A news release from the company says the New Mexico casino will include decor, memorabilia and merchandise related to rock and roll music to match the new Hard Rock name.

Copyright 2009 The Associated Press.

By KRWG News

Las Cruces – The Air Force and Boeing Company say an airborne test last month of an advanced tactical laser damaged a moving ground vehicle.

A Boeing spokesman says the Sept. 19 test was aimed at damaging, not destroying, the vehicle.

A C-130H aircraft took off from Kirtland Air Force Base and fired a high-power chemical laser above White Sands Missile Range, about 200 miles south of the Albuquerque base.

By KRWG News

Las Cruces – The Board of Regents of the Montana University System has offered the Montana State University's presidency to Waded Cruzado-Salas.

Cruzado-Salas is currently executive vice president and provost of New Mexico State University.

Negotiations with her will begin immediately.

Cruzado-Salas was selected from more than 60 candidates who applied for the position and was one of three finalists who visited the MSU campus in late September and early October.

By KRWG News

Las Cruces – Police are investigating an armed robbery at a Las Cruces discount store.

Just before 11:30 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 13, Las Cruces Police were called to the Family Dollar store at 745 north Valley Dr. after two men entered the store and demanded cash from an employee. One of the suspects is said to have displayed a knife.

By Vanessa Dabovich

Las Cruces, NM – A public forum will be held next week to discuss the progress of the space industry in southern New Mexico and various community factors that impact Spaceport America. KRWG's Vanessa Dabovich has more

By KRWG News

Alamogordo – The White Sands Soaring Association is celebrating its 50-year anniversary this month.

The club, based at Alamogordo-White Sands Regional Airport, is for glider enthusiasts. Treasurer Art Davis says there are about 27 members right now, ranging in age from 14 to about 65 years old.

Gliders are lightweight aircraft that get into the air with a tow by a motorized plane. Once it's airborne, the glider sails high into the air.

The aircraft can stay up for eight or nine hours if conditions are favorable.