Regional

By Melissa Aguilera

Las Cruces, NM – The first steps in attracting cross-border businesses to southern New Mexico are underway with improvements to the state's international ports of entry. As KRWG's Melissa Aguilera reports, officials hope the projects, paid for with stimulus money, will spur interest in New Mexico's border region.

By KRWG News

El Paso – The Defense Department says a 19-year-old Fort Bliss soldier from Ohio has died in Maysan Province, Iraq and his death is under investigation.

The military said Wednesday that Pvt. Keiffer P. Wilhelm, of Plymouth, Ohio, died Tuesday from a noncombat related incident which is being investigated. No other details were provided.

By KRWG News

Las Cruces – The New Mexico Crime Victims Reparation Commission has been awarded more than $3.4 million in federal funding to help victims of crime.

The funding from the U.S. Department of Justice was announced Wednesday by Sen. Jeff Bingaman, D-N.M.

The commission will use the money to provide grants to organizations throughout the state to enhance, expand and develop new programs to serve victims. That could include counseling services, housing, crisis intervention and assistance with court proceedings.

By KRWG News

Las Cruces – A Dona Ana County jury has convicted a Las Cruces woman of 21 embezzlement counts after she was accused of taking almost $11,000 from her employer, a title loan company.

Elizabeth Marie Martinez, 34, took payments from customers and doctored records to hide it for 15 months in 2006 and 2007, prosecutor Richard Wellborn said.

The theft was discovered in September 2007 by corporate officials in Atlanta. Despite being the only employee at the Las Cruces office, Martinez claimed someone had framed her.

By KRWG News

Deming – As Deming prepares for the 30th annual Great American Duck Race, officials are feeling the pinch of tough economic times.

Lead organizer Dave Johnson, known as the Publicity Quacker, says the event usually attracts about 20,000 people. This year, he says vendors have cut back and he worries there won't be as many participants.

The duck race is scheduled Aug. 20-23.

By Marco Grajeda

Las Cruces, NM – Recently announced cohort graduation rates for New Mexico offered a grim picture of the state's education system. Statewide just over fifty percent of students successfully cleared high school, and in southern New Mexico the Las Cruces Public School District's completion rate was among the lowest. KRWG's Marco Grajeda has this report.

By KRWG News

Las Cruces – A number of national figures will be at New Mexico State University for a September conference.

U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano, Joint Chiefs of Staff Vice Chairman Gen. James Cartwright and former Sen. Pete Domenici himself are just a few of the speakers lined up for the 2009 Domenici Public Policy Conference.

The conference takes place Sept. 16 and 17 at New Mexico State University's Corbett Center.

This is the second year of the conference, hosted by NMSU's Domenici Institute.

By Vanessa Dabovich

Las Cruces, NM – This week an avionics company out of Florida successfully launched a low-altitude rocket at New Mexico's Spaceport. As KRWG's Vanessa Dabovich reports, spaceport officials say the launch will serve as the gateway for additional projects and investments.

By Copyright KUNM

Albuquerque, NM –
New Mexico U.S. Senator Tom Udall says the so-called "Cash for Clunkers" federal vehicle-trade-in-rebate has "turned out a lot better on the fuel-efficiency front than anybody thought".

The Democrat says the program has provided a 61 percent increase in fuel economy, as car buyers dump their old inefficient vehicles. Udall says that's saving consumers money and creating jobs for U-S car manufacturers.

By Copyright KUNM

Albuquerque, NM – New Mexico U.S. Senator Tom Udall says his meeting with President Obama Tuesday left him feeling optimistic about the future of healthcare overhaul legislation in Congress.

By Marco Grajeda

Las Cruces, NM – A Carlsbad man with a long criminal record died early Tuesday morning after a high speed police pursuit around in and around the city. KRWG's Marco Grajeda has this report.

By KRWG News

Las Cruces, NM – It won't be the funnest activity for your kids but health officials says it's well worth it.

The Department of Health announced a number of back to school immunization clinics taking place in Las Cruces beginning Monday.

Public information officer for the department of health, Chris Minnick, says many of the free immunizations are required to enter school. He adds that they're the best way to protect children from serious, preventable diseases.

By Vanessa Dabovich

Las Cruces, NM – This week the Las Cruces City Council approved a contract awarding funds for the design of a new swimming pool at the regional aquatics center. KRWG's Vanessa Dabovich has the details

By KRWG News

Las Cruces, NM – A missing Las Cruces woman returned home Tuesday after disappearing for over a week.

Las Cruces Police Sergeant Kiri Daines says Judith Elizabeth Flores returned on her own and was unharmed. She is currently being interviewed by police investigators.

The twenty-year old woman had been missing since July 25, when she told acquaintances she was on her way to El Paso, Texas to make extra money dancing.

Police officials are not releasing additional information on her disappearance at this time.

By Melissa Aguilera

Las Cruces, NM – Over the weekend, Customs and Border Protection officers in New Mexico seized close to a ton of marijuana in just one day. KRWG's Melissa Aguilera reports