Las Cruces – The House passed historic health insurance reform legislation on Sunday by a vote of 219-212. Second District New Mexico Congressman Harry Teague was one of 34 Democrats who joined all Republicans in voting against the bill.
AP News Analysis
The initial blush of President Barack Obama's health care triumph immediately gives way to a sober political reality he must sell it to an angry and unpredictable electorate, still reeling from the recession.
Las Cruces – The Las Cruces Fire Department quickly extinguished a bus fire Sunday at E. Amador Avenue and S. Solano Drive.
Fire crews were finishing breakfast at Delicias Restaurant, 9:32 am, when smoke was noticed coming from a westbound bus on Amador. In less than one minute, nine fire personnel were on scene, working to put the fire out.
Las Cruces – The Bataan Memorial Death March is a challenging trek through the high desert terrain conducted in honor of the heroic service members who defended the Philippine Islands during World War II, sacrificing their freedom, health and, in many cases, their lives.
Participants may choose either the 26.2 mile route or the 15.2 mile route.
Las Cruces – Las Cruces Police are asking for the public's help in finding family or friends of a 46-year-old man who was seriously injured in a pedestrian crash Wednesday evening.
At around 11:20 p.m. on Wednesday, March 17, Anthony Santiago was walking on Bataan Memorial East between Sonoma Ranch Boulevard and Mesa Grande Drive when he was struck by an automobile and seriously injured.
New Mexico – The New Mexico Rail Runner Express expects its 3 millionth rider on Monday.
The commuter service says it reached the 2 million mark only nine months ago.
The 3 millionth passenger will be designated at the Rail Runner's downtown Albuquerque station with the arrival of a Monday train around 8:34 a.m.
The rider will receive a "Three Millionth Passenger" certificate and a pass to ride the train free for a year, as well as a basket of Rail Runner souvenirs.
New Mexico – New Mexico has become part of an effort to help the children of military families.
New Mexico this month became the 28th state to adopt the Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity when Gov. Bill Richardson signed a measure passed by the 2010 Legislature.
The agreement is a national initiative to help military children as they move from state to state and enroll in new schools.
It addresses such issues as class placement, transferring records, graduation requirements and the availability of courses.
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.
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.
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."
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.
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.
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.
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.
