Regional

By KRWG News

New Mexico – Twenty-one energy projects across New Mexico have been chosen to share more than $8 million in federal stimulus money.

Gov. Bill Richardson says the funds will help counties, cities and towns move forward with energy saving projects like installing solar power and more efficient lighting.

By KRWG News

Truth or Consequences – The Board of Directors of the New Mexico Spaceport Authority (NMSA) has voted to establish a welcome center for Spaceport America in downtown Truth or Consequences (T or C).

With the support of local residents who want the center to be located downtown, the NMSA has agreed to lease an old fire station from the T or C city government.

A welcome center is also planned for the village of Hatch which is on the southern approach to Spaceport America.

By KRWG News

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

By KRWG News

Las Cruces – A public health class at New Mexico State University is working to educate the community about fetal alcohol syndrome. Fred Martino spoke with one of the students involved in the project, Paty Hernandez.

By KRWG News

New Mexico – The peanut harvest is at its halfway mark, and growers are saying this year's yield in eastern New Mexico and West Texas ranks from average to good.

The harvest began in September and most peanuts are expected to be in before Thanksgiving.

Sunland Inc. chief executive Jimmie Shearer says the growers in West Texas that produce peanuts for his company have been seeing above-average yields. He says had the fields received rain in early August, the yield might have set a record.

By KRWG News

El Paso – Immigration and Customs Enforcement personnel are seeking to carve out a bigger role in the deadly border war against Mexican drug gangs.

According to documents obtained by The Associated Press, some ICE agents have blundered in their dealings with informants and other sources.

At least eight agents have been investigated for improper dealings with informants since ICE was created in 2003.

By KRWG News

Taos – Former Marine Larry Whitten arrived in Taos, N.M, in July to resurrect a failing hotel.

Whitten turned around more than 20 hotels in Texas, Oklahoma, Florida and South Carolina, before moving to Taos from Abilene, Texas.

He forbade Hispanic workers at the Paragon Inn from speaking Spanish in his presence -- he thought they'd be talking about him -- and ordered some to Anglicize their names.

His rules and his firing of several Hispanic employees angered workers.

By KRWG News

New Mexico – Gov. Bill Richardson is asking for the public to weigh in on a package of bills passed last week by the Legislature that aims to repair a $650 million budget shortfall.

The governor has 20 days to sign, veto or partially veto the bills.

Lawmakers wrapped up a special session Friday and sent the bills to the governor. The package includes spending cuts of about $253 million this year in public schools, colleges and other government programs.

By KRWG News

Santa Fe – The nonprofit group charged with organizing and promoting Santa Fe's 400th anniversary celebration is laying off its executive director and canceling a public relations and fundraising contract as revenue falls short.

The changes were approved this week by the Santa Fe 400th Anniversary Inc. board. Two full-time staff members were also laid off.

Board president Maurice Bonal says the group couldn't attract the funding for the 2010 commemoration that it needed.

By KRWG News

Grants – Sheriff's officials in Cibola County says two men are dead and one other in custody after a shooting south of Grants.

Sheriff Johnny Valdez says a land dispute may have led to the deaths of Sony Jim and Wayne Johnson. Deputies found them lying next to a pickup truck in the San Rafael area late Friday afternoon. Both men were in their 70s.

Valdez says a suspect was arrested and deputies were interviewing a witness.

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Information from: KRQE-TV, http://www.krqe.com

By KRWG News

Austin – Death penalty opponents, convinced an innocent man was executed in 2004, are rallying at the Texas Capitol to call for a moratorium on capital punishment and to highlight the controversial case of Cameron Todd Willingham.

Willingham was convicted of capital murder for the 1991 deaths of his three children. Forensic scientists have called into question arson evidence used to convict Willingham, who maintained his innocence until his death by lethal injection.

By KRWG News

New Mexico – New Mexico spaceport officials will begin offering paid public tours of the construction site north of Las Cruces. The so-called "hard-hat tours" will begin in December.

The tours at Spaceport America will highlight New Mexico history in the Upham area, spanning from Spanish conquistadors and pioneer rocket research to the new commercial space industry.

Tour participants get a look at the construction site, including the runway and vertical launch facility.

By KRWG News

New Mexico – Lt. Governor Diane Denish has established of a government efficiency hot line.

Callers can leave a message suggesting ways to improve New Mexico government. It's not necessary to leave a name and phone number unless you'd like your call returned.

Denish says in the service industry, the best ideas often come from customers.

She says the same is true in state government, and taxpayers can offer insights into ways to make New Mexico agencies run better because they interact with state employees every day.

By KRWG News

Texas – Fifty years after the Legislature passed the Open Beaches Act, Texans will get a chance to enshrine public access to the coast in the state constitution.

Voters will consider Proposition 9 in the Nov. 3 constitutional amendment election.

Supporters say the plan would help protect beach access from the threat of lawsuits and legislative meddling.

Opponents fear the amendment could erode private property rights along the Texas coast.

Early voting ends Oct. 30.

Copyright 2009 The Associated Press.

By KRWG News

New Mexico – Gov. Bill Richardson has criticized the deficit reduction package New Mexico lawmakers sent him Friday to repair a $650 million shortfall in the budget.

The governor says the cuts to state agencies are excessive and could result in layoffs and reduced services.

He said he will get input from the public and state workers in deciding whether to veto any part of it.

Lawmakers approved the deficit reduction plan before they ended their seven-day special legislative session.