Regional

By KRWG News

New Mexico – A new law will allow the state to acquire conservation easements from ranchers and landowners to ensure property isn't developed.

Gov. Bill Richardson signed legislation into law on Monday that supporters say can help protect land in New Mexico, improve wildlife habitat and provide for open space for communities or recreation.

By KRWG News

Silver City – Spring runoff is expected to be higher than normal on southwestern New Mexico's Gila and San Francisco rivers.

The New Mexico Natural Resources Conservation Service says runoff on the two rivers between now and May is expected to be 2 times the normal spring volume.

In addition, the agency expects runoff on the Mimbres River to be more than 4 times the historical average.

The forecast is based on the amount of snow in the mountains, which has been well above average this winter.

By Vanessa Dabovich

Las Cruces, NM – A program designed to provide safe routes to local schools for children has proven to be successful. KRWG's Vanessa Dabovich has more

By Vanessa Dabovich

Las Cruces, NM – The Las Cruces City Council discussed the possibility of taking over the Las Cruces Country Club property during a work session Monday. KRWG's Vanessa Dabovich reports

By KRWG News

Las Cruces – A widely known philanthropist and entrepreneur will speak in Las Cruces this week.

You may have seen him on a popular AT&T commercial or during a profile on 60 Minutes.

Blake Mycoskie, the founder and "chief shoe giver" of TOMS Shoes, will be the featured keynote speaker at the 2010 Innoventure competition, sponsored by New Mexico State University's Arrowhead Center.

The yearly competition will be held Thursday at the Hotel Encanto in Las Cruces, with Mycoskie speaking at 7 in the evening.

By KRWG News

Las Cruces – The City of Las Cruces Munson Senior Center, 975 S. Mesquite, is scheduled to re-open on Monday, March 15th. Repairs to the heating system and other building modifications have been completed, with final inspections and clean-up to be completed this week. For updated information on the center's activities call 528-3000.

By KRWG News

Las Cruces – U.S. Senator Jeff Bingaman today announced that the City of Las Cruces has been awarded a $2 million federal loan guarantee to relocate the Museum of Nature and Science in Las Cruces.

Funding will be used to convert the former Rio Grande Bank building, which is located just north of the old downtown mall, into the new location for the Museum of Nature and Science. Specifically, the project involves acquisition, environmental remediation, site improvements, and rehabilitation of the former bank.

By KRWG News

Santa Teresa, NM – An argument turned physical earlier this morning resulting in the arrest of a Santa Teresa man after he allegedly attempted to strangle his wife.

According to Sheriff's Investigators, RICARDO A. GUTIERREZ, age 30, of the 5400 block of Crest Drive, Santa Teresa, allegedly slapped his wife and when she threatened to call police, allegedly struck her several more times, taking the telephone away from her.

By KRWG News

Las Cruces – Every Monday at 7:51 a.m., Fred Martino speaks with Las Cruces Sun News Business Editor Brook Stockberger.

By KRWG News

New Mexico – Gov. Bill Richardson has signed into law legislation aimed at protecting New Mexico automobile dealers if a car manufacturer terminates their franchise.

The governor chose a dealership in Albuquerque for the place where he would sign the legislation.

Richardson says the measure levels the playing field so out-of-state manufacturers can't control the fate of local dealers. He says those dealers play a significant role in New Mexico's economy and deserve protection.

By KRWG News

Los Alamos – Time and concerns about earthquake safety have driven up projected costs for a large nuclear facility now being designed at Los Alamos National Laboratory.

Division leader Rick Holmes says rough estimates for the Chemistry and Metallurgy Research Replacement are now in the range of $4.5 billion, up from an original projection of $600 million, and many analysts assume costs will increase even more.

By KRWG News

Hatch – Hatch's giant pig has gotten a reprieve.

In February, Hatch officials said the fiberglass porker could be an off-premises billboard for owner Teako Nunn's cafe Sparky's Burgers, BBQ & Espresso.

But the next week, the state Department of Transportation decided the pig and a hot dog-shaped sign also owned by Nunn violate state law.

State officials say the signs fall under their jurisdiction because they're off N.M. 26.

By KRWG News

New Mexico – Two national laboratories, the state of New Mexico and a Japanese agency are teaming up to develop smart grid technology that would allow homeowners and businesses to take advantage of more renewable energy sources by better controlling the supply and demand of electric power.

Officials with Japan's New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization, or NEDO, were in New Mexico on Friday to sign a memorandum of understanding that spells out the four-year demonstration project.

By KRWG News

New Mexico – Attorney General Gary King says the secretary of state's office should release a resignation letter by a former elections director alleging ethical violations by Secretary of State Mary Herrera.

King said Friday the letter isn't exempt from the Inspection of Public Records Act.

The Associated Press has requested the letter by A. J. Salazar, who resigned last week as bureau of elections director.

By KRWG News

El Paso – U. S. Customs and Border Protection officers stopped more than 100 pounds of soft Mexican cheese from making a run across the order.

The federal agency announced Friday that officials seized 107 pounds of "queso fresco," which is soft Mexican cheese. The illegal cheese was hidden in false compartments of a vehicle trying to enter the United States across the Bridge of the Americas on Wednesday.

Federal officials permit travelers to import personal quantities of cheese about 11 pounds per person.