Regional

By KRWG News

Silver City – Western New Mexico University in Silver City is making students aware of flu through their university e-mail and on the social networking sites Facebook and Twitter.

Western officials and students have met over the past several months to develop flu awareness programs and inform students about their level of risk for swine flu, also known as H1N1.

Hundreds of students and alumni follow the school's fan page on Facebook, where they receive regular updates on campus events and news.

By Vanessa Dabovich

Las Cruces, NM – Absentee voting in the Las Cruces Municipal election begins this week and seven candidates are set to run for city council positions. As KRWG's Vanessa Dabovich reports district 5 incumbent Gil Jones says improving mistakes made by poor planning is his main concern.

By Melissa Aguilera

Las Cruces, NM – The Town of Mesilla is asking its residents for input on a new ordinance that would create affordable housing for the community. KRWG's Melissa Aguilera has this report.

By Vanessa Dabovich

Las Cruces, NM – Seven candidates are running for city council positions in the Las Cruces Municipal election coming up and as KRWG's Vanessa Dabovich reports----district 5 candidate Gill Sorg says proper development and job growth are his top priorities.

By KRWG News

Las Cruces – From NMSU: New Mexico's wine industry is both nationally recognized and growing. The problem is, little is known about which grapes are most suited for the state's diverse climate regions. That's why researchers at New Mexico State University are studying the issue, and hope to help vineyards make a better product.

By KRWG News

Las Cruces – Fred Martino speaks with Las Cruces Sun News Business Editor Brook Stockberger every Monday on Morning Edition at 7:51am.

By KRWG News

New Mexico – Officials in charge of an annual cross-country gas balloon race have decided to cancel this year's event after strong winds delayed the start of the race Saturday night.

Officials made the decision to call off America's Challenge after a briefing at noon on Sunday.

The event, which coincides with the annual Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta, will not be rescheduled. This is the first time in the race's 14-year history that it has been canceled.

By KRWG News

Texas – Several Republicans with knowledge of the investigation told The Associated Press that the FBI is investigating allegations that Internet hackers deliberately sabotaged Gov. Rick Perry's campaign Web site during a re-election announcement last week.

The Republicans with knowledge of the investigation spoke on condition of anonymity because they weren't authorized to discuss the investigation.

At least two FBI agents specializing in high-tech crimes met with Perry campaign officials on Friday to discuss the incident.

By KRWG News

Las Cruces – A group of neighbors is coming out against a proposed $8 million wastewater treatment plant that would serve more than 5,000 customers in Dona Ana County.

The group is collecting petition signatures and has plans to post signs in opposition to what they fear will be an unsightly, environmentally unsound intrusion.

By KRWG News

Texas – U.S. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison is picking up the coveted endorsement of the Texas Farm Bureau in her race against incumbent Gov. Rick Perry.

Farm bureau leaders are set to endorse Hutchison in stops around the state Monday. The Waco-based group praises Hutchison for her support of private property rights.

Hutchison spokeswoman Jennifer Baker says it's an important endorsement because of the farm bureau's powerful grassroots network.

By KRWG News

Texas – Texas will hire 250 workers to process food-stamp applications at the overwhelmed state public benefits agency, in the aftermath of a warning that federal funding could be cut off.

A state board on Friday approved the hiring of some but not all of the food stamp enrollment workers the Health and Human Services Commission had requested. The commission had requested about 650 workers.

By KRWG News

Alamogordo – Otero County authorities are holding two women and a man on drug and child abuse charges after authorities found drugs in an Alamogordo residence with young children present.

The Alamogordo Department of Public Safety executed a search warrant on a residence Thursday and arrested 24-year-old Maria Candelaria, 28-year-old Sarah Candelaria and 30-year-old Shafic Pena after police found methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia.

According to court records, six children were present between the ages and 1 and 7.

By KRWG News

New Mexico – Spain's Crown Prince Felipe and his wife, Princess Letizia, will visit New Mexico Sunday through Tuesday to recognize the city's 400th anniversary.

The visit will include events in Santa Fe and Albuquerque to commemorate the founding of Santa Fe, "La Villa Real de la Santa Fe de San Francisco de Asis."

A public event is scheduled on the Santa Fe Plaza at 12:30 p.m. Tuesday.

By KRWG News

New Mexico – Human Services Secretary Pam Hyde has been selected for a job in President Barack Obama's administration.

The White House announced Friday that Obama will nominate Hyde as administrator of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration in the Health and Human Services Department.

Hyde runs a state agency that administers Medicaid as well as social services such as food stamps. She has served in the job since 2003, when Gov. Bill Richardson took office.

By KRWG News

New Mexico – The state Health Department says a 17-year-old girl from Chaves County has died from swine flu.

Her death Thursday marks the third death from the illness announced this week and the eighth death in New Mexico from the disease.

The Health Department said Friday that the girl did not have any known chronic health conditions and died at an Albuquerque hospital.

State Health Department spokesman Chris Minnick says the department cannot release which school the girl attended.