Regional

By KRWG News

El Paso – Authorities are investigating after an off-duty El Paso police officer shot another motorist.

Two off-duty officers in one vehicle were struck from behind on Thursday, according to release. When the officers got out of their vehicle and approached, the driver tried to flee and struck one of the officers, a woman who became pinned underneath the vehicle.

By KRWG News

Las Cruces – White Sands National Monument is offering summer workshops on everything from photography to the unique animals and plants that live in the glistening gypsum sand dunes.

It will be the second year that the southern New Mexico national monument has offered the field seminars under its White Sands Institute.

They are taught by experts in the field and focus on the unique ecology, history, and wonders of the national monument and surrounding Chihuahuan desert.

By KRWG News

New Mexico – Eight public housing authorities in New Mexico will share more than $554,000 from the federal government to provide job training for low-income families.

The funds from the U.S. Housing and Urban Development Department will allow the housing authorities to work with welfare agencies, schools, businesses and other partners to help participants develop the skills and experience needed to obtain a job with a living wage.

By KRWG News

New Mexico – Most state offices are closed Friday because it's an unpaid furlough day for workers.

This is the fourth of five furlough days ordered by Gov. Bill Richardson to save about $8 million to deal with state budget problems.

The furloughs apply to about 17,000 employees in agencies under the control of the governor. They do not affect schools, colleges or other branches of government such as the courts. However, some schools and local governments are closed because it's Good Friday.

By KRWG News

New Mexico – Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano has announced a $25,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of whomever is responsible for the murder of southeastern Arizona rancher Robert Krentz last weekend.

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement is offering the reward.

A Homeland Security spokesman says the department continues to work with state and local law enforcement officials to solve the crime.

By Vanessa Dabovich

Las Cruces, NM – The New Mexico State University board of regents has voted to increase tuition, housing, meal plan and parking rates for next year. KRWG's Vanessa Dabovich reports

By Vanessa Dabovich

Las Cruces, NM – The board of regents of New Mexico State University voted to increase tuition for the upcoming fiscal year. KRWG's Vanessa Dabovich reports

By Melissa Aguilera

Las Cruces, NM – Local and State law enforcement agencies have strict codes to follow when it comes to handling any combative person. KRWG's Melissa Aguilera reports.

By KRWG News

New Mexico – The New Mexico State University Board of Regents approved an 8-percent increase in tuition and fees for resident undergraduate students at the main campus in Las Cruces for 2010-2011.

The Regents indicated that decisions on such increases are made only after discussions and input from the student government.

By KRWG News

Las Cruces – Maria Teresa Cerqueira will speak as a part of the New Mexico State University College of Health and Social Services' Jeffrey E. and Mary T. Brandon Distinguished Lecture Series Monday, April 5, at the New Mexico Farm and Ranch Heritage Museum. Hors d'oeuvres will be served at 6:30 p.m. and the lecture will begin at 7 p.m.

By KRWG News

Las Cruces – Las Cruces Police are investigating the theft of more than 100 cell phones from a business inside the Mesilla Valley Mall.

Shortly before 10 a.m. Wednesday, March 31, Las Cruces Police were called to the AT&T Cellular Store inside the Mesilla Valley Mall where 105 cell phones were reported missing.

By KRWG News

Las Cruces – Faculty and staff at New Mexico State University whose research projects generated funding of $1 million or more during the 2008-2009 fiscal year were honored this month.

The plaques and certificates were awarded by NMSU President Barbara Couture and Vimal Chaitanya, NMSU's vice president for Research, Graduate Studies and International Programs.

By KRWG News

New Mexico – The state is providing additional financial help to New Mexicans for winter heating bills.

The Human Services Department said Wednesday that qualified families on average can get an extra $40 from the low-income home energy assistance program.

About 60,000 New Mexicans have received benefits of averaging $151 per household. The state is offering more assistance because money remains available in the program.

By KRWG News

Silver City – The Western New Mexico University (WNMU) Board of Regents has approved a 6.19 percent increase in tuition and fees for the 2010-2011 academic year.

Full-time undergraduate resident students currently pay $1,794.25 per semester. Students enrolling in the fall will pay $1,905.25 per semester for 12 to 18 credit hours resulting in a 6.19 percent tuition and fee increase.

By KRWG News

Texas – Rio Grande levees in Presidio are being raised by as much as 3 feet and repaired in areas eroded by a 2008 flood that swamped part of the border city's Mexican neighbor.

The International Boundary and Water Commission, which maintains the border levees in Texas, announced Wednesday that it has approved a plan to raise the border levees from zero to 3 feet and make other repairs along the U.S. side of the river.