Regional

By KRWG News

New Mexico – Former Interior Secretary Stewart Udall is being remembered as an inspiration to those fighting to protect the environment.

He died of natural causes Saturday at his Santa Fe home surrounded by his children and their families. He was 90.

By KRWG News

Las Cruces – Second District New Mexico Democratic Congressman Harry Teague released the following statement, explaining his decision to vote against the health insurance bill pending in Congress.

By KRWG News

Las Cruces – Kalin Lucas scored a career-high 25 points and Raymar Morgan emerged from a quiet night by hitting key shots down the stretch as fifth-seeded Michigan State edged No. 12 New Mexico State 70-67 on Friday in the first round of the NCAA tournament.

Morgan broke a late tie with four straight points, then made two free throws with 18.6 seconds remaining with the aid of a lane-violation call.

By KRWG News

New Mexico – Allegations of ethics violations by Secretary of State Mary Herrera have been swirling for more than two weeks after a scathing resignation letter by a former elections director was leaked and eventually posted online.

Herrera's office has now released a redacted version of A.J. Salazar's letter in response to several public records requests and addressed his allegations in a written statement.

Herrera says there's no validity to his claims and the points in his resignation letter "turn out to have no basis in fact."

By KRWG News

New Mexico – Gov. Bill Richardson says he's skeptical of an "excessive, big brother approach to public safety" and supports a New Mexico Transportation Commission decision to ban red-light cameras on roads it controls.

The commission voted unanimously Thursday to prohibit red-light cameras and mobile enforcement vans on state or federal roads over which it has jurisdiction. It gave cities 60 days to remove any cameras operating in those areas.

By KRWG News

New Mexico – The New Mexico Taxation and Revenue Department says it has received 300 false state income tax returns totaling more than $716,000 since Feb. 12.

The department's Tax Fraud Investigations Division intercepted 281of those bogus returns but 19 returns totaling about $32,000 were processed and paid.

Officials say they are working with the Internal Revenue Service and federal law enforcement agencies to bring charges against the filers of the fake tax returns.

By KRWG News

Las Cruces – Las Cruces Crime Stoppers is offering a $1,000 reward for information that leads to the arrest of the suspect in the sexual assault that occurred Thursday morning on New Mexico State University's main campus.

New Mexico State University Police are investigating the incident that occurred at around 1:55 a.m. Thursday, March 18, in family housing on the south side of campus. NMSU detectives learned that the suspect was wearing a dark jacket and dark pants, and what was described as a wrestling-style mask over his face.

By KRWG News

El Paso – Gov. Rick Perry has ordered Texas National Guard helicopters to the border to support law enforcement efforts to block any spillover of Mexican border violence.

A statement issued by Perry's office Thursday says the Texas Military Forces OH-58 Kiowa and UH-72 Lakota helicopters are part of the initial phase of his spillover violence contingency plan. The statement says the aircraft will fly between Brownsville and El Paso, but their "number and exact location will not be disclosed for operational security purposes.

By KRWG News

El Paso – A 29-year-old Fort Bliss soldier from Tyler is dead after a vehicle rollover while serving in Iraq.

The Defense Department says Staff Sgt. Richard J. Jordan died Tuesday of his injuries from the crash.

He was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 36th Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division at Fort Bliss, Texas.

Copyright 2010 The Associated Press.

By KRWG News

Las Cruces – Gov. Bill Richardson says he would support an effort to consider national monument status for southern New Mexico's Otero Mesa.

The governor's comments come in a letter sent Thursday to Interior Secretary Ken Salazar.

An internal Interior Department document lists 14 sites, including Otero Mesa, that could be designated as national monuments through the federal Antiquities Act. The act gives presidents the authority to designate monuments without congressional approval.

By KRWG News

El Paso – Federal authorities have announced the indictment of seven people in connection with kidnapping of a Texas man later found slain in a Mexican street with his arms chopped off.

Rafael Vega, 26, of Tornillo, and Cesar Obregon-Reyes, 21, and Omar Obregon-Ortiz, 21, both Mexican citizens living in Tornillo, were charged with kidnapping and conspiracy in the death of Sergio Saucedo, officials said Thursday.

By KRWG News

New Mexico – New Mexico regulators have denied a motion by Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Mexico to dismiss the suspension of health insurance premium increases for a dozen plans.

The denial from the Public Regulation Commission's Insurance Division was issued Wednesday, about a week after it called for a hearing to give the public a chance to comment on the rate increases sought by the company.

By KRWG News

New Mexico – Military personnel in New Mexico will be able to buy a general hunting and fishing license at a discount under a new state law.

The license will cost $28 rather than the $59 charged for most residents of New Mexico.

The license is good for hunting deer, squirrel, game birds and for fishing. License buyers also must pay $3 for a big game depredation stamp.

There are about 7,000 military personnel in New Mexico, according to the state Department of Veterans' Services.

By Vanessa Dabovich

Las Cruces, NM – Several County and City officials and staff are sacrificing their hair to help New Mexico children with cancer. KRWG's Vanessa Dabovich reports...

By Vanessa Dabovich

Las Cruces, NM – New Mexico State University's American Indian Program will host a variety of events to celebrate American Indian Week in the beginning of April. KRWG's Vanessa Dabovich reports...