Regional

By KRWG News

Las Cruces – Federal authorities have arrested two brothers who are documented gang members and wanted in New Mexico for various offenses.

U.S. Marshals say they took Christopher Valdivia and Gabriel Valdivia into custody Wednesday. One was found at a Las Cruces home and the other was located at a girlfriend's house in El Paso, Texas.

By KRWG News

New Mexico – The Census Bureau reports that nearly two-thirds of New Mexico households returned their census forms by mail.

The 65 percent mail-in participation rate for New Mexico was unchanged from the 2000 census.

Nationally, 75 percent of households filled out and mailed in their census forms for this year's population count.

The Census Bureau sent workers door to door to interview people who didn't return their questionnaires.

By KRWG News

Las Cruces – A 20-year-old man has been sentenced to a maximum term of nine years in prison for his role in the drug overdose death of his one-time girlfriend.

Zach Baker was sentenced Thursday in Las Cruces in the death of 16-year-old Brianna Lilley, who consumed a toxic mix of cocaine and Tylenol on Jan. 5.

Prosecutor Scot Key says Baker has shown no remorse for his actions, even after pleading guilty in August to charges of child abuse and contributing to the delinquency of a minor.

By KRWG News

Las Cruces – Virgin Galactic's Sir Richard Branson, New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson, prospective astronauts and dozens of others interested in making commercial space travel a reality are gathering Friday in the New Mexico desert to mark a major milestone.

They're celebrating completion of the runway at Spaceport America, the world's first purpose-built commercial spaceport.

The nearly two-mile long runway is designed to support almost every aircraft in the world, day-to-day space tourism and payload launch operations.

By KRWG News

Las Cruces – Dennis Prescott, vice president and special adviser to the president for advancement at Baylor University, has been selected as New Mexico State University's vice president for university advancement and president of the NMSU Foundation.

By KRWG News

New Mexico – Federal and tribal officials are looking to a new law to bolster safety for American Indians.

About 150 judges, tribal leaders and law enforcement officials are meeting Wednesday in Albuquerque as part of a national symposium on implementing the Tribal Law and Order Act, signed by President Obama in July.

By KRWG News

Juarez, Mexico – Authorities say a 21-year-old Texas National Guard soldier was one of two men killed on a street in the violent border city of Ciudad Juarez, Mexico.

Spokesman Arturo Sandoval of the Chihuahua state attorney general's office says family members identified the soldier as 21-year-old Jose Gil Hernandez of El Paso.

By KRWG News

Las Cruces – Las Cruces Police are investigating a Wednesday afternoon armed robbery that resulted in the victim being transported to an area hospital with stab wounds.

At around 1 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 20, Las Cruces Police were called to an area just south of Apodaca Park, just off Madrid Avenue, where a 60-year-old man received lacerations to his face and arms. The victim told police that a small amount of cash was taken from him, as well.

By KRWG News

Santa Teresa – Vigilance paid off in two separate incidents for U.S. Border Patrol Agents in the Santa Teresa area after they arrested a sex offender illegally in the U.S. and seized $188,368 worth of marijuana.

By KRWG News

New Mexico – The state Supreme Court has ruled it's constitutional for a judge to determine whether juvenile offenders can be sentenced as adults for certain violent crimes.

The justices issued a 4-1 ruling on Tuesday overturning a 2009 decision by the state Court of Appeals, which held that a jury rather than a judge should make the sentencing decision.

Justice Edward Chavez dissented, saying juvenile offenders are entitled to the same constitutional jury protections given to adults.

By KRWG News

New Mexico – Gov. Bill Richardson says there's no need to make more budget cuts based on a new revenue forecast.

The Legislative Finance Committee is to receive projections Wednesday showing revenues down about $40 million in the current fiscal year. But that's partly offset because last year's revenue is more than $20 million higher than expected.

Spending cuts of 3 percent were implemented in September to close a budget shortfall this year.

By KRWG News

New Mexico – The state Insurance Division has been awarded a $226,000 federal grant to bolster customer service at the agency.

The funds from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services will be used to help consumers with the filing of complaints and appeals and to provide information to those consumers interested in health insurance coverage.

By KRWG News

Texas – Democrat Bill White has accused appointees of Gov. Rick Perry of pressuring Texas teacher retirement system managers to make potentially risky investments.

White alleges the moves gave state business to politically connected companies.

Perry, campaigning at Abilene Christian University, dismissed the accusations.

A 2009 government whistleblower memo released yesterday by White's campaign for governor describes a series of alleged ethical lapses and insider deals at the $100 billion Teacher Retirement System of Texas.

By KRWG News

Las Cruces – Members of the Las Cruces City Council will have to put away their cell phones during meetings.

The council has adopted a resolution that prohibits them from using cell phones and other electronic equipment during council meetings, sending or receiving text messages or e-mails and playing electronic games.

The move is being applauded by the general counsel of the New Mexico Municipal League and the New Mexico Attorney General's Office.

By KRWG News

Las Cruces – Few Americans have ever seen the effects of polio, or are even aware the disease still exists. A native of India, Rahul Tangirala knows a lot about polio. He's a graduate student studying economics at New Mexico State University. He's also trying to raise awareness about the disease while raising money to help those affected by it in his home country.