Regional

By Melissa Aguilera

Las Cruces, NM – The political action committee, MoveOn, and several other civic groups are hosting a vigil tonight to support health care reform. KRWG's Melissa Aguilera reports.

By Vanessa Dabovich

Las Cruces, NM – The new Las Cruces City hall is nearly complete, but as KRWG's Vanessa Dabovich reports it won't open until at least the beginning of next year.

By KRWG News

New Mexico – Gov. Bill Richardson proposes to use $135 million in short-term bond proceeds for government operations to help plug a budget deficit.

The proposal is part of $444 million deficit reduction plan the governor outlined Tuesday to a group of legislators. The meeting was to prepare for a special legislative session, which likely will be held next month.

By KRWG News

New Mexico – New Mexico's largest water utility has announced a plan aimed at keeping pharmaceuticals out of the state's longest water way, the Rio Grande.

The announcement by the Albuquerque Bernalillo County Water Utility Authority follows a recent discovery of caffeine in the river, where Albuquerque draws its drinking water.

While it was only a trace amount, the water authority said it wanted to step up testing of both raw and treated water to determine the amount of pharmaceuticals in the water.

By KRWG News

New Mexico – The state Supreme Court has upheld a $34 million electric rate increase for New Mexico's largest utility.

The Public Regulation Commission granted the increase for Public Service Company of New Mexico last year, but the utility appealed the order.

The utility requested a $77 million rate increase and objected that regulators had rejected costs for reclamation of coal mine sites near power plants.

The court ruled Tuesday the rate decision was reasonable.

By KRWG News

New Mexico – The National Latino Alliance for the Elimination of Domestic Violence has been awarded $516,204 in a U.S. Department of Justice grant aimed at combating domestic violence.

The Albuquerque nonprofit, known as Alianza, will use the funding to provide training and technical assistance to domestic violence and sexual assault coalitions.

By KRWG News

Las Cruces – Fred Brown of Las Cruces read a book and took a nap during his morning commute.

And he got to work on time.

Brown works at Wells Fargo Bank in downtown El Paso, Texas. He was among the first Las Cruces residents to try the New Mexico Park-and-Ride program that started commuter bus service Tuesday between Las Cruces and El Paso.

Brown says he expects to save about $90 a month in gasoline and parking costs.

As the service started, the number of commuters on the bus was small -- only a handful of riders.

By Vanessa Dabovich

Las Cruces, NM – At an energy conference at New Mexico State University this week, U.S Secretary of Energy Dr. Steven Chu said a new industrial revolution is needed for America. KRWG's Vanessa Dabovich reports

By KRWG News

Las Cruces – Dona Ana County is warning property owners about a scam.

The county says .at least a dozen property owners have reported receiving letters from a company calling itself National Deed Service, Incorporated.

Each letter offers a certified copy of the property-owner's deed as recorded at the county clerk's office for a fee of $59.50.

The Dona Ana County Clerk's Office says .the letter is a scam, and any property owner who wants a certified copy of a deed can get one from the clerk's office for two dollars.

By Vanessa Dabovich

Las Cruces, NM – Lt. Governor Diane Denish spoke at an energy conference at New Mexico State University this week.As KRWG's Vanessa Dabovich reports Denish says green jobs, training and education are the key to making the state a leader in the new economy.

By KRWG News

New Mexico – New Mexico has been awarded $382,000 in federal stimulus funds to better plan for emergency disruptions in the state's energy supply.

The state plans to use the money to strengthen and expand the State Energy Emergency Plan, including how to best incorporate new energy sources and smart grid technology into reducing potential supply disruptions.

State officials said Monday the plan would address everything from downed power lines to blizzards that stop the delivery of propane in rural areas.

By KRWG News

New Mexico – Thousands of New Mexicans have signed up as organ donors following the unveiling of a new Web site and online donor registry.

The site and registry were created with a $115,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. It's a collaborative effort between the state Motor Vehicle Division, New Mexico Donor Services and New Mexico Lions Eye Bank.

By KRWG News

Las Cruces – Border law enforcement agencies along the New Mexico-Mexico border are getting $375,000 from the federal government to curb smuggling, drug trafficking and other crime.

U.S. Sen. Jeff Bingaman announced the funding Monday.

The New Mexico Democrat said the funding will provide much needed support given that agencies in southern New Mexico continue to see their resources and manpower stretched thin due to ongoing drug and smuggling activity in the area.

By KRWG News

Alamogordo – Alamogordo city commissioners have chosen a McAlester, Okla., man as the new city manager in the southern New Mexico city.

Roath, who was selected Monday, was one of four finalists.

He will begin the job Oct. 5.

Mayor Ron Griggs says Roath seemed like the best fit for the community.

Roath has been city manager in McAlester since February 2007. Previously, he was city manager in Wylie, Texas; North Port, Fla.; and Oxford, Ohio.

By KRWG News

Las Cruces – California and New Mexico companies are planning to build a $130 million, 22-megawatt photovoltaic solar plant near Elephant Butte.

The plans by San Francisco-based BP Solar and EnergyNovo of Elephant Butte were announced Monday.

They say the plant could be in operation by next year, employing 50 to 100 people.

Officials say the 160-acre site will be BP Solar's first New Mexico plant.

The companies hope to serve Spaceport America and other commercial and residential areas.