Regional

By KRWG News

Texas – Gov. Rick Perry wants the federal government to reimburse Texas for the cost of holding illegal immigrants in state prisons.

Perry said Wednesday that Texas spends $13.5 million each month holding illegal immigrants who are either serving their sentences or awaiting deportation. He also called for programs to speed identification of suspects who enter the country illegally.

By KRWG News

New Mexico – New Mexicans could renew their driver's licenses online or over the telephone under legislation approved by the Senate.

The change is to make it more convenient for people to renew their license than going to a Motor Vehicle Division office, which can have long lines and delays.

State law allows license renewal by mail but that hasn't been implemented by the state.

The bill cleared the Senate on a 39-2 vote and goes to the House for consideration.

By KRWG News

New Mexico – The House has rejected a proposal being pushed by the Richardson administration that aimed to crack down on polluters.

The measure would have given state regulators the power to deny new air permits or revoke existing permits if companies have a track record of air quality violations.

State laws that govern water, solid wastes and hazardous materials already include a so-called "bad actor" clause, but the air quality act does not.

The measure was defeated on a 33-to-32 vote.

By KRWG News

El Paso – The U.S. Border Patrol says agents found a stash of marijuana coming across the border in El Paso in an unusual spot: tucked behind a framed portrait of Jesus.

A Border Patrol statement issued Wednesday says the bust was made just before 3 p.m. Tuesday at the Bridge of the Americas in El Paso. A 22-year-old Mexican woman arrived at the port of entry from Ciudad Juarez, Mexico, in a sport-utility vehicle. According to the statement, she told agents that she had nothing to declare but some framed art.

By Melissa Aguilera

Las Cruces, NM – The tragic death of a young woman from New Mexico could result in a new federal law. KRWG's Melissa Aguilera reports.

By KRWG News

Las Cruces – A Federal Judge has rejected an attempt by the U.S. Bureau of Land Management to dismiss a lawsuit filed by a number of conservation groups.

The lawsuit was filed last year by a variety of groups, including the Southwest Environmental Center in Las Cruces.

It seeks to require the BLM to account for the climate change impacts of its oil and gas leasing decisions.

In particular, the lawsuit seeks to compel the BLM to require oil and gas companies to help keep methane out of the atmosphere.

By KRWG News

New Mexico – The House has revived a tax increase proposal that failed last week.

The procedural move allows the House to again debate and vote on a bill to raise $90 million by eliminating a state income tax deduction. However, there's no timetable for when the House will take up the measure.

The House last week narrowly rejected the proposal as lawmakers considered other tax bills to balance the state budget.

By KRWG News

New Mexico – Lawmakers have approved a proposal to provide financial protections to New Mexico automobile dealers if a car manufacturer terminates their franchise.

The legislation came in response to General Motors and Chrysler dropping dealerships last year as part of a restructuring of the financially troubled auto industry.

By KRWG News

New Mexico – High school students could take a financial literacy class to help meet mathematics requirements for graduation under legislation approved by the House.

Supporters of the legislation contend it will provide students with more options for meeting their high school math requirements. The financial literacy classes can help students learn about investments, mortgages and balancing their bank accounts.

By KRWG News

New Mexico – The Senate has overriden a veto by Gov. Bill Richardson of legislation to overhaul the State Investment Council.

The legislation was vetoed last year and would have weakened Richardson's influence over the Investment Council, which oversees New Mexico's permanent funds.

The Senate voted 33-to-4 on Tuesday to override the veto.

To enact the bill over the governor's objections, the House also must vote by a two-thirds majority to override the veto.

By KRWG News

New Mexico – The House has approved a tax increase on oil to help finance remediation of a brine well that could collapse in Carlsbad.

Rep. John Heaton, a Carlsbad Democrat, says the tax will generate $2 million a year.

A higher tax rate will apply on oil production when prices exceed $70 a barrel.

A brine well has created a giant cavern beneath part of Carlsbad. There's a risk of a cave-in that could damage a highway, a church, a trailer park, businesses and an irrigation canal.

By KRWG News

Columbus, NM – Border Patrol agents seized more than 250 pounds of marijuana after tracking a group of drug smugglers who crossed illegally into the United States.

The bust occurred Monday night near Columbus, N.M.

Two illegal immigrants were apprehended and turned over to Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents. Others in the group fled back into Mexico.

Copyright 2010 The Associated Press.

By KRWG News

Truth or Consequences – State police have recovered a military explosive after a traffic stop in Truth or Consequences.

The state police's explosive ordnance officers were alerted Monday after a a request for assistance from the T or C Police Department. The explosive was seized during a traffic stop.

State police say the town's police officer found the ordnance and secured it until the state police team arrived and store the explosive away for destruction.

By KRWG News

Las Cruces – Construction on the new federal courthouse in Las Cruces is wrapping up Wednesday.

U.S. District Judge Robert Brack says crews are working to see that the deadline is met.

The $91.2 million project began in January 2007. The building won't open to the public until March 16 because federal offices must still be furnished.

Until then, Brack says the federal court will continue operating from its site in the Harold L. Runnels Federal Building.

By KRWG News

Albuquerque – Solar Distinction, Inc., plans to build a photovoltaic manufacturing plant in Albuquerque that is expected to employ 300 workers within the first two to three years and eventually grow to 500 employees.

Gov. Bill Richardson said Tuesday the company's decision shows New Mexico is "becoming the center of North America's solar industry."

Solar Distinction plans to initially operate a 25-megawatt solar panel manufacturing plant, then expand to 50-megawatts within two years.