Regional

By Sarah Gustavus

Albuquerque, NM – The New Mexico legislature will open this year's 60 day legislative session Tuesday. The first order of business will be to deal with a projected budget shortfall of at least 450 million dollars. Lawmakers will also consider other proposals on issues like education and drug courts. This year, domestic partnership legislation will be also introduced again in both the House and Senate. KUNM's Sarah Gustavus has this legislative preview.

By Evan Woodward

Las Cruces, NM – This week, New Mexico State University welcomed its students back for the start of the 2009 spring semester, and held its spring convocation ceremony.

By KRWG News

Las Cruces – Campo Street will be closed between Las Cruces Avenue to May Avenue starting tomorrow (Saturday) morning at 7:00.

Businesses along Campo Street will have access to nearby parking areas ..with signs placed along the detour route.

It's anticipated that Campo will be closed for approximately two days.

The closure is necessary .as White Construction undertakes the tower crane dismantling operations on Campo ..as part of the Federal Courthouse Building Project.

By Evan Woodward

Las Cruces, NM – The United States Senate passed a package of bills introduced by New Mexico's Senior Senator Jeff Bingaman yesterday, including the "Prehistoric Trackways National Monument Establishment Act". As KRWG's Evan Woodward reports, the bill seeks to protect over 5,000 acres of land in Dona Ana County's Robledo Mountains.

By Marco Grajeda

Las Cruces, NM – The New Mexico State Police Association is urging lawmakers not to make any cuts to law enforcement funding when balancing the budget. KRWG's Marco Grajeda has this report.

By Marco Grajeda

Las Cruces, NM – Governor Bill Richardson today announced the appointment of attorney Manuel "Mannie" Arrieta to the Third Judicial District Court in Dona Ana County. KRWG's Marco Graejda has this report.

By Charles Comer

Las Cruces, NM – With the current state of the economy --- many small business owners say they are having to tighten their belts to turn a profit--and now minimum wage has created a new hurdle. KRWG's Charles Comer has this report.

By Marco Grajeda

Las Cruces, NM – The New Mexico Environment Department is claiming victory in a seven year long case involving Freeport McMoRan Copper and Gold Incorporated. As KRWG's Marco Grajeda reports, the state agency says a recent decision reaffirms their ability to protect all of the state's groundwater.

By Evan Woodward

Las Cruces, NM – New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson traveled around the state yesterday to discuss his legislative agenda for the 2009 session. The Governor made stops in Roswell, Farmington and Las Cruces--placing particular emphasis on his public safety priorities. As KRWG's Evan Woodward reports, Richardson also talked about the budgetary woes facing state lawmakers.

By Evan Woodward

Las Cruces, NM – New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson traveled around the state yesterday to discuss his legislative agenda for the 2009 session. The Governor made stops in Roswell, Farmington and Las Cruces--placing particular emphasis on his public safety priorities. As KRWG's Evan Woodward reports, Richardson also talked about the budgetary woes facing state lawmakers.

By Gary Worth

Las Cruces, NM – The NMSU library is now home to a very unusual collection of books that is closely intertwined with the history of southeastern New Mexico.. It's now known as the J. Phelps White the Third collection... And as Gary Worth reports it is an important source of information not only about a unique time in history, but also about the two New Mexican men who collected the works..

By Jim Williams

Albuquerque, NM – A lawsuit has been filed over the loss of 90 million dollars from two state investment funds. The plaintiff maintains he was pressured to make worthless investments because of contributions to Governor Bill Richardson's presidential campaign. KUNM's Jim Williams reports.

By Marco Grajeda

Las Cruces, NM – This afternoon, State Auditor Hector Balderas released the findings of a two-year audit of the Regional Housing Authorities which he claims revealed a financial picture rampant with waste, fraud and abuse. KRWG's Marco Grajeda has this report.

By Evan Woodward

Las Cruces, NM – A homeowner on the 6300 block of Chamiso Place in Dona Ana County's East Mesa, came home Tuesday night, only to be greeted by three individuals hiding in his bathroom who assaulted him and demanded money. As KRWG's Evan Woodward reports, the homeowner was able to escape but the Sheriff's Department is asking for help locating the suspects.

By KRWG News

Las Cruces – Scientists at New Mexico State University have identified a potentially damaging fungus on area pistachio trees.

NMSU scientists have discovered Septoria leaf spot, a fungal disease in plants, on Otero, Hidalgo, Luna and Dona Ana County pistachio trees.

The disease is common in other states where pistachios are grown but has never been documented in New Mexico.

NMSU will hold a pistachio growers workshop in Alamogordo to help educate those close to the disease about minimizing its effects.