Regional

By KRWG News

Las Cruces – On Thursday, August 12, 2010 at approximately 9:25 pm, an unknown individual(s) in a white pickup truck approached a young girl on Williams Street in South Campus Housing and shouted to her to "get into the truck". The girl fled from the area, whereupon the truck turned and left the scene.

Police officers have searched the area, and thus far have not been able to locate the truck. The description of the truck is as follows:

Newer model (2005-2010) Chevrolet pickup, white in color, 4-door (crew cab) model

By KRWG News

Juarez, Mexico – An anonymous, twentysomething blogger is giving Mexicans what they can't get elsewhere an inside view of their country's raging drug war.

In less than six months of operating from behind a thick curtain of computer security, Blog del Narco has become Mexico's go-to Internet site at a time when mainstream media are feeling pressure and threats to stay away from the story.

By KRWG News

New Mexico – The New Mexico Environment Department says it doesn't object to Public Service Company of New Mexico's request for more time to respond to a proposal that would require more emissions controls at one of its coal-fired power plants.

But the department is questioning claims by PNM that new equipment for controlling nitrogen oxides emissions at the San Juan Generating Station would cost between $750 million and $1 billion.

PNM has said the state's proposal would result in significant costs for its 500,000 customers.

By KRWG News

New Mexico – New Mexico is offering pregnant women and new mothers a new text message service called text4baby.

The state Department of Health says the mobile service presents health information for pregnancy and the first year of their baby's life.

The medical director for the department's Family Health Bureau, Dr. Elizabeth Matthews, says it's an opportunity for women to get free health information that can help them stay healthy during pregnancy and the critical first year for their baby.

By KRWG News

Alamogordo – Members of the 49th Security Forces Squadron had a chance to fine-tune their law enforcement techniques during two days of training with the FBI's Albuquerque division.

Agents from an FBI SWAT team worked with Holloman defenders, practicing close-quarters battle, breaching techniques and ballistic shield work.

Training coordinator Rich Price says to goal was to build partnerships involving the military, local-level law enforcement and the FBI.

By KRWG News

Las Cruces – The Las Cruces Police Department conducted a traffic enforcement operation Thursday that netted 26 citations for drivers who violated the city's cell phone ordinance and another 31 tickets for various other traffic offenses.

The operation was conducted between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 12, on north Telshor Boulevard. Traffic officers also arrested two individuals who had misdemeanor warrants issued for their arrest.

By KRWG News

Las Cruces – Faculty, staff, students and the public are invited to attend a group discussion to learn about the international programs and opportunities available at New Mexico State University and how these programs fit into President Barbara Couture's vision.

The "New Era of Excellence through International Programs & Partnerships" forum is Aug. 18 and coincides with the celebration of the inauguration of Couture as the 25th president of NMSU. The forum is free and open to anyone who wishes to attend.

By KRWG News

Albuquerque – New Mexico's largest electric utility is asking state regulators for more time to respond to a proposal by the state Environment Department that would require more emissions controls at one of its coal-fired power plants.

Public Service Company of New Mexico says in its filing with the Environmental Improvement Board that the state's plan would result in significant costs for its 500,000 customers.

By KRWG News

Texas – Democratic gubernatorial candidate Bill White is again pressing Republican Gov. Rick Perry to debate, but Perry says White first must release more financial records.

White pushed the issue as both appeared Thursday before the Texas Association of Broadcasters.

White says Perry's handlers don't want him to have to answer questions in a debate.

By KRWG News

New Mexico – The state Board of Finance has approved a budget-cutting plan by Gov. Bill Richardson's administration that will trim spending for most program and agencies by 3 percent this year.

The board gave its approval Thursday to the cutbacks, which will be implemented starting next month.

Public schools will largely escape the reductions along with services to the developmentally disabled and Medicaid, which provides health care for the poor and uninsured children.

By KRWG News

Las Cruces – A measure co-sponsored by U.S. Senator Jeff Bingaman aimed at strengthening border security has been approved by Congress and will now be sent to the President to be signed into law.

By Vanessa Dabovich

Las Cruces, NM – New Mexico State University is helping teachers find ways to get young students interested in science, technology, engineering and math. KRWG's Vanessa Dabovich reports

By Vanessa Dabovich

Las Cruces, NM – A program at New Mexico State University is giving students a head start to the school year by helping them conduct research and choose a career path. KRWG's Vanessa Dabovich reports

By KRWG News

Texas – State sales tax receipts in Texas for July were up 2.2 percent compared to last year.

Comptroller Susan Combs said Wednesday that revenue increased $1.69 billion from July 2009, when Texas was in the middle of a 14-month sales tax slump.

The increase marks the fourth consecutive month of gains for Texas.

Combs says sales tax collections in the major sectors retail, the oil and natural gas industry and construction are up from a year ago.

Sales tax receipts make up the state's largest revenue stream.

By KRWG News

Albuquerque – Republican gubernatorial candidate Susana Martinez says she would take money from the educational bureaucracy in New Mexico and put it into classrooms.

Flanked by a group of teachers, Martinez on Wednesday outlined her educational plans at a news conference in Albuquerque.

Her plan would put an additional 4 percent of current education dollars into classrooms instead of bureaucratic functions.