Regional

By KRWG News

New Mexico – Gov. Bill Richardson has named a 42-member task force to review tax increase proposals that could be considered next year to help solve New Mexico's budget problems.

The governor said Friday that Taxation and Revenue Secretary Rick Homans will serve as chairman of the group. The first meeting is Monday in Santa Fe. Future meetings will be in Albuquerque, Farmington and Las Cruces.

By KRWG News

Las Cruces – The former wife of a Holloman Air Force Base sergeant has been convicted of second-degree murder and child abuse resulting in death by a federal jury after her 3-year-old daughter died of dehydration and malnutrition.

The verdict this week against Rebecca Christie comes almost four years after the January 2006 death of her daughter, Brandi Wulf.

Christie and her former husband, Sgt. Derek Wulf, were charged separately. Wulf was charged with abuse of a child resulting in death.

By KRWG News

El Paso – Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano says many of the benchmarks Congress set in 2007 for border security have been met.

Napolitano told the liberal think tank Center for American Progress that improved border security and tougher enforcement make attaining immigration reform possible. She also said Friday that the Obama administration has made significant enforcement reforms over the past 10 months and that border security has been transformed.

By KRWG News

Las Cruces – A judge has dismissed all charges against twin brothers who were accused of running a dogfighting breeding operation in Chaparral.

Tuesday's order by state District Judge Lisa Schultz dropped 50 combined counts of dog fighting, animal cruelty and conspiracy against Daron and Duryea Scott of El Paso, Texas.

Since the charges were dismissed with prejudice, prosecutors cannot refile the case.

By KRWG News

New Mexico – The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and environmentalists have reached an agreement Friday that scraps a controversial rule the agency had used to kill or permanently remove any wolf that killed three heads of livestock in a year.

Fish and Wildlife spokesman Tom Buckley says the rule "will no longer stand."

He says the agency has ways to deal with livestock kills "and remains committed to assisting the local livestock operators in any negative impacts they may have related to wolves."

By KRWG News

New Mexico – Gov. Bill Richardson is ordering five unpaid furlough days for more than 19,000 workers in executive branch agencies.

Richardson made the announcement as he signed bills Thursday to help the state deal with a $650 million budget shortfall.

The governor signed a budget-cutting bill but vetoed a provision requiring administration agencies to cut spending by 7.6 percent. Richardson said that was too much.

By KRWG News

Las Cruces – Police are asking for the public's assistance in locating a man who has not been seen by family members for the past two weeks.

Eric G. Hale, 80, resides at the Montana Senior Village on 355 Montana Ave. Hale owns two vehicles but both of those cars are accounted for.

Hale's daughter, who lives in Las Cruces, reported to police Wednesday evening that she has not seen or heard from her father for a couple of weeks and it is uncharacteristic for him to leave without informing someone of his intentions.

By KRWG News

El Paso – Police suspect alcohol as a factor in a three-vehicle crash at a far eastern El Paso intersection that killed four people and injured five others.

No identities have been released.

An El Paso police spokesman says a pickup truck slammed into the rear of a compact car carrying five people about 12:45 a.m. Thursday. The compact veered into an oncoming lane and slammed into another car.

By KRWG News

Alamogordo – Shuttle Astronaut Mike Mullane will give two special presentations at the Alamogordo Family Recreation Center gym on Saturday, Nov. 14.

A number of events will also be held at the New Mexico Museum of Space History.

NM MUSEUM OF SPACE HISTORY EVENT SCHEDULE:

9:00 - 9:20 Historic Rockets of White Sands Demonstration

9:20-9:35 Historic NASA Manned Space Vehicles Launch Demonstration

9:35-9:45 Apollo 12 Launch Reenactment

9:45-10:00 Guest Speaker Astronaut Mike Mullane

By KRWG News

New Mexico – The Insurance Division of the state Public Regulation Commission has created a Web site that allows New Mexico consumers to compare premiums for automobile and homeowners insurance.

Consumers shopping for homeowners insurance can select the amount of coverage they need and the deductible they want for the type of residence they own. The site also provides premium quotes for renters and owners of condominiums.

By KRWG News

Texas – Elected officials and business leaders from along the Texas-Mexico border are calling for $6 billion in new funding for infrastructure and technology.

The Texas Border Coalition also wants 5,000 more customs officers at entry points on U.S. southern and northern land borders.

By KRWG News

Texas – Texas cotton producers overcame dry conditions and are expected to harvest 10 percent more of the fluffy fiber than last year.

Estimates released earlier this week by the U.S. Department of Agriculture show that the nation's leading cotton-growing state will produce 4.9 million bales, up from the 4.4 million bales in 2008.

Nationwide, producers forecast production of 12.5 million bales, the smallest crop in 20 years.

By KRWG News

New Mexico – Senate Majority Leader Michael Sanchez wants to use $2 billion from a state endowment fund to help solve New Mexico's budget problems.

Sanchez said Wednesday the money can minimize the need for tax increases and protect against cuts in education and health care for the needy in the next few years. The Belen Democrat says he will introduce the proposal when the Legislature meets in January.

By KRWG News

New Mexico – Gov. Bill Richardson proposes to stop public employees from double-dipping by retiring and later returning to a government job while receiving a pension.

The governor said Wednesday he'll ask lawmakers to approve the measure during next year's legislative session.

A government worker can retire, wait 90 days and go back to work for the state, city or county without the loss of public pension benefits.

By Vanessa Dabovich

Las Cruces, NM – This week the Dona Ana County Commission approved the last step in the process for the community of Anthony, New Mexico to hold an incorporation election. KRWG's Vanessa Dabovich reports