Regional

By KRWG News

Texas – Records show Texas ranks 49th in federal stimulus funding per resident.

A Dallas Morning News analysis of federal grants and contracts, in Monday's editions, shows Texas has been approved for about $12.9 billion in stimulus grants and contracts. That doesn't include the estimated $4.2 billion that Texans received through the law's main individual tax credit, according to federal estimates.

By KRWG News

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By Melissa Aguilera

Las Cruces, NM – The Environmental Protection Agency has chosen Las Cruces as one of four places to receive assistance from a program to aid communities in achieving their development goals. KRWG's Melissa Aguilera reports.

By Melissa Aguilera

Las Cruces, NM – The Whole Enchilada Fiesta will be held beginning today (Friday) and ending Sunday. KRWG's Melissa Aguilera has all the highlights.

By KRWG News

Las Cruces – Las Cruces city government is initiating an action plan to deal with an outbreak of the H1N1 Flu as the fall and winter flu season draws near.

The Las Cruces Fire Department is scheduled to deliver an in-depth presentation on the action plan at a city council work session Tuesday, September 29th at 2 p.m. at City Hall.

By KRWG News

Silver City – From WNMU: Enrollment increases at Western New Mexico University set a new record for student population numbers during the Fall 2009 semester.

A 16% increase in student headcount has led to the highest enrollment at WNMU since its inception in 1893 with more than 3,200 students enrolled.

Credit hours are up 22% when compared to fall 2008.

By KRWG News

Las Cruces – The unemployment rate for August held steady in Las Cruces, but rose statewide.

The Las Cruces unemployment rate was 7.4 percent, just below the New Mexico's rate of 7.5 percent, a half point increase from July.

While the labor markets remains difficult statewide, the national unemployment rate is significantly worse at 9.7 percent.

By KRWG News

El Paso – Authorities say they have found three human heads along a highway in northern Mexico, and the search continues for the bodies.

A spokesman for the Chihuahua state Attorney General's Office says the heads were placed in three coolers beside a roadside monument known as "The Seven Little Heads". With it was a banner saying, "For those who keep stealing."

Police found the heads after receiving a call.

Soldiers are searching for the bodies.

By KRWG News

El Paso – A 33-year-old El Paso man is in federal custody after U.S. Customs agents stopped him from allegedly leaving the country with almost $90,000 in undeclared cash.

In a statement issued Thursday, U.S. Customs and Border Protection said agents stopped a sport-utility vehicle at the Ysleta (ee-SLEH'-tah) international bridge Wednesday. The driver said he had nothing to declare, but a currency-detecting dog surveyed the vehicle and hit on the front right side of the vehicle.

By KRWG News

New Mexico – The U.S. Forest Service has installed solar-powered reservoir circulators to improve water quality in Quemado Lake.

The circulators pull colder, oxygen-deficient water up from the bottom of the lake and spread it along the lake surface. The cold water then falls back to the bottom of the lake, resulting in continual mixing of the water.

Forest officials plan to monitor water temperature, dissolved oxygen and the acidity or alkalinity levels to gauge the impact of the devices on water quality.

By KRWG News

Texas – The deadline has been extended by one month for those who invested in the state prepaid college tuition program seeking full refunds.

The previous deadline was Oct. 30 for people who paid into the Texas Guaranteed Tuition Plan to request full refunds. The new deadline is Nov. 30.

The Fort Worth Star-Telegram reports letters went on Thursday to investors. A large number of inquiries prompted the extension by the Texas comptroller's office.

By KRWG News

Texas – A Lower Colorado River Authority staff analysis indicates the current drought appears more intense than the dry spell of the 1950s.

The LCRA could seek stricter water restrictions from users after mid-September heavy rains did little to ease the drought.

Staffers this week told board members that the LCRA may ask for "special emergency relief" from the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality for flexibility in managing supplies.