Regional

By KRWG News

Wharton, TX – Authorities say two suspects wanted for questioning in the death of a Houston teacher were arrested while entering the U.S. from Mexico.

Department of Public Safety spokesman Tom Vinger says 24-year-old Monica Perez and 23-year-old Michael Moreno, both of Wharton, were detained at an international bridge in Brownsville on Friday night.

By KRWG News

New Mexico – New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson has created a new committee whose members will be charged with finding ways for government to save money.

The new Committee on Government Efficiency is expected to look for ways of saving money by streamlining, consolidating or eliminating areas of government that aren't needed.

By KRWG News

Columbus, NM – U.S. Senators Jeff Bingaman and Tom Udall applauded today's announcement that a planned biorefinery in Columbus, New Mexico, will receive a $50 million economic recovery grant and up to $54.5 million in guaranteed loans to build the facility and develop algae-based biofuels for use in jet fuel and diesel.

By KRWG News

Las Cruces – Las Cruces Police are investigating an armed robbery that was reported Thursday evening at an area hotel.

Just before 9 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 3, police were called to the Teakwood Inn and Suites at 2600 south Valley Drive. Officer learned that a man entered the hotel lobby, threatened a clerk with a screwdriver and demanded cash from the register. The man then left the hotel on foot.

No injuries were reported.

By KRWG News

New Mexico – New Mexico's revenue outlook continues to weaken, aggravating the state's budget problems.

The Legislative Finance Committee received a new financial forecast Thursday that says revenues will be $53 million lower next year than previously expected.

There's a potential budget gap of $500 million to $600 million next year. That's what would be needed to maintain a flat budget with no growth next year.

By KRWG News

Truth or Consequences – A 45-year-old man is dead in a fire in a recreational vehicle in Truth or Consequences.

State police spokesman Lt. Eric Garcia identifies him as Jack Horner.

Investigators say a neighbor walking by Horner's RV just after 2 p.m. Thursday noticed smoke coming from the vehicle.

Authorities say the neighbor and the landlord tried unsuccessfully to rescue Horner.

The cause of the blaze is under investigation.

Copyright 2009 The Associated Press.

By KRWG News

New Mexico – The U.S. Energy Department says it will spend close to $600 million to help build renewable energy plants that will turn wood chips, cornstalks and algae into fuel...and plants are planned for New Mexico and Texas.

The government will team up with private companies to create 19 biorefinery projects in 15 states. Federal officials announced the undertaking at a news conference Friday in Toledo, Ohio, where a pilot plant will turn agriculture and forest waste into diesel fuel.

By KRWG News

Texas – Houston Mayor Bill White is shifting gears, abandoning his campaign for U.S. Senate in favor of a run for Texas governor.

White is considered the Democrats' strongest candidate with $4 million in a Senate campaign account that he can now switch to the governor's race.

He hinted at his plans two weeks ago when said he would consider a gubernatorial run after Tom Schieffer, the leading Democratic contender, pulled out.

By KRWG News

New Mexico – Some legislators are asking whether a Hispanic Education Act proposed by Gov. Bill Richardson this week is even necessary.

Public Education Secretary Veronica Garcia says the proposed act is needed to close an achievement gap for Hispanics. They make up 56 percent of New Mexican students.

Should the proposal become law, the Public Education Department says it would be the first of its kind in the nation.

By Melissa Aguilera

Las Cruces, NM – This week the United States Census Bureau kicked off the opening of its office in Las Cruces. KRWG's Melissa Aguilera reports.

By KRWG News

Rio Rancho – Hewlett-Packard Co. has opened a customer service and technical support center in Rio Rancho, making good on a commitment to provide 1,300 jobs that pay at least $40,000 in exchange for more than $20 million in incentives.

Gov. Bill Richardson and HP president and CEO Mark Hurd led a ribbon-cutting ceremony Wednesday in front of the three-story, 218,000-square-foot building as politicians, business leaders and employees of the computer firm waited in the cold.

By KRWG News

New Mexico – Gov. Bill Richardson's administration is laying off 59 appointive state government employees to help solve a budget shortfall.

The governor's office announced Wednesday that workers have been told their jobs are eliminated effective Jan. 8. That will save about $8 million in the current budget year

Richardson spokesman Gilbert Gallegos says the job losses will occur in about 20 agencies, but he does not have a breakdown of the cuts.

By KRWG News

New Mexico – New Mexico Health Department officials say two more people have died from swine flu, bringing the statewide total this year to 42 deaths.

The latest deaths include a 78-year-old woman from Bernalillo County with chronic medical conditions and a 59-year-old woman from Luna County whose medical history has not yet been determined.

By KRWG News

El Paso – A federal appeals court in San Francisco says a court procedure used for some criminal immigration cases is unlawful.

A three-judge panel with the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled Wednesday that simultaneously accepting guilty pleas from 50 to 100 defendants accused of crossing the border illegally violated federal court rules. Those rules require that each defendant be read their rights and given an explanation of what it means to plead guilty.

By KRWG News

Las Cruces – Sen. Tom Udall says New Mexico ranchers and livestock producers who suffered from droughts and wildfires in 2008 should apply for federal aid before Dec. 10.

The benefits from the Livestock Forage Disaster Program is available to eligible ranchers in Chaves, Dona Ana, Eddy, Harding, Hidalgo, Grant, Lincoln, Luna, Otero, Sierra and Union counties.

New Mexico Farm Service Agency executive director Salomon Ramirez says recent fires and droughts in these regions caused damage to some producers.