Regional

By KRWG News

Las Cruces – Virgin Galactic announced that its commercial manned spaceship, VSS Enterprise, Monday successfully completed its first "captive carry" test flight, taking off at 07.05 am (PST) from Mojave Air and Spaceport, California.

By KRWG News

New Mexico – This year's New Mexico State Fair will be closed Mondays and Tuesdays to save money.

The fair's general manager, Craig Swagerty, says those two days are historically the slowest days of the fair.

He says closing on those two days will reduce costs considerably.

State Fair Commission Chairman David Sanchez says it's a big change, but those closures make the most sense given current economic circumstances.

By KRWG News

New Mexico – State and federal officials have renewed a partnership to help veterans who own small businesses in New Mexico.

The memorandum was signed last week by representatives of the New Mexico Department of Veterans' Services and the U.S. Small Business Administration.

The two agencies share a mission of helping veterans start, maintain and expand small businesses.

By KRWG News

Texas – Attorney General Greg Abbott says Texas and other states will legally challenge the federal health care legislation Congress has passed.

Abbott issued a statement late Sunday night after the U.S. House approved the measure. He said the legislation violates the U.S. Constitution and unconstitutionally infringes upon Texans' individual liberties.

By KRWG News

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.

Voters may not buy it.

By KRWG News

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.

By KRWG News

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.

The 26.2-mile Bataan Memorial Death March Course

By KRWG News

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.

By KRWG News

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.

By KRWG News

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.

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.