Regional

By KRWG News

Las Cruces – Repair work and modifications to the Munson Senior Center heating system are nearly complete and the center is scheduled to reopen on or about Tuesday, February 16th.

The center was closed January 25th after a carbon monoxide leak associated with the heating system boiler was discovered.

"Once repairs and modifications conclude, final inspections and a thorough cleaning of the facility will follow. When all that is done, the center will reopen," said Senior Programs Administrator Shelley Modell.

By KRWG News

New Mexico – Public employees who disclose governmental misconduct will be protected from retaliation under a bill passed by the Senate.

Whistleblower protections also will be given to workers who testify as part of a governmental investigation into wrongdoing.

More than two dozen states have similar laws, according to Sen. Sue Wilson Beffort, a Sandia Park Republican who sponsored the measure.

A worker who faces retaliation can bring a lawsuit for damages, reinstatement to their job and back pay with interest.

By Melissa Aguilera

Las Cruces, NM – Starting on Friday, when you're driving in Las Cruces, you will only be able to use hands-free communication devices. KRWG's Melissa Aguilera reports.

By Vanessa Dabovich

Las Cruces, NM – New Mexico U.S Senator Tom Udall has introduced an amendment designed to curb the impact of special interests on political campaigns. KRWG's Vanessa Dabovich

By Vanessa Dabovich

Las Cruces, NM – The ban on using hand held communication devices while driving goes into effect tomorrow (Friday) in Las Cruces. KRWG's Vanessa Dabovich reviews the consequences violators will face

By KRWG News

Las Cruces – Las Cruces Crime Stoppers is offering up to a $1,000 reward for information that leads to the arrest of the man who attempted to steal cash from two stores early Tuesday morning and, in the process, received injuries during both attempts.

By KRWG News

New Mexico – A House committee has approved a $5.6 billion state budget that requires tax increases and extra federal aid to balance the spending plan for next year.

The measure goes to the full House for consideration later this week.

The proposed spending is about 1 percent below this year's levels.

By KRWG News

New Mexico – Sen. Jeff Bingaman is asking the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to crack down on criminals who smuggle stolen cars from the United States to Mexico.

Bingaman says seven of the 10 metropolitan statistical areas with the worst motor vehicle losses are on or along the U.S.-Mexico border.

He says the thefts raise car insurance premiums for everyone.

Bingaman has asked DHS to deploy license plate readers at outbound inspection stations at all the international ports of entry in New Mexico and El Paso, Texas.

By KRWG News

El Paso – A judge in El Paso accused of offering court favors in exchange for cash and sex did not testify before the defense rested in his federal trial.

Closing arguments were scheduled Wednesday in the trial of 54-year-old State District Judge Manuel Barraza. Both sides rested Tuesday.

Barraza, who took office in early 2009, was arrested in April after law officers received a tip that led to the undercover investigation.

By KRWG News

Las Cruces – The U.S. Bureau of Reclamation will begin releasing water Thursday from Elephant Butte Reservoir to prepare for irrigation season in southern New Mexico, West Texas and Mexico.

The bureau will release about 700 cubic feet per second of water from Elephant Butte Dam to flow into Caballo Reservoir 20 miles downstream for storage.

The water will be available for agricultural and other Rio Grande Project demands throughout the irrigation season.

By KRWG News

New Mexico – The state Supreme Court has granted an emergency petition by Attorney General Gary King to temporarily halt exchanges of state trust lands for private land in northern New Mexico's White Peak area until the court can consider legal arguments.

King asked the justices Monday to rule on whether Land Commissioner Patrick Lyons can constitutionally go through with the trades, which have been strongly criticized by sportsmen's groups.

By KRWG News

Las Cruces – About three quarters of voters approved a $65 million dollar bond issue and two mill capital improvement levy for the Las Cruces Public Schools.

The bond will pay for construction projects at nearly every school in the district.

The mill levy will help pay for improvements to school buildings and will purchase property for future schools.

The district says the tax rate will remain the same. That's because the district continues to pay off bonds approved by voters in previous years.

By KRWG News

Las Cruces – The Las Cruces City Council has approved penalties for violations of the city ordinance that prohibits the use of cell phones while driving, without the use of hands free devices that becomes effective Friday, Feb. 5th.

Penalties are:

First offense: Fixed fine of $25.
Second offense: Fixed fine of $50.
Third or subsequent offense: Up to a maximum of 90 days in jail and a $500 fine, or both.

All violations will require a mandatory court appearance before a municipal court judge.

By Vanessa Dabovich

Las Cruces, NM – President Barack Obama's proposed budget for 2011 contains several measures to protect the environment. KRWG's Vanessa Dabovich reports

By Vanessa Dabovich

Las Cruces, NM – New Mexico U.S Senator Jeff Bingaman says President Obama's proposed budget could benefit the state in many ways. KRWG's Vanessa Dabovich reports