Dona Ana County, NM– On Thursday at about 2:11 p.m., the New Mexico State Police investigated a double fatal crash involving two vehicles on NM Highway 26, near Mile Post 44, west of Hatch, NM.  

The initial investigation indicated a 2008 Chrysler driven by Jerry Douglas Livingston (76) of Tucson, AZ was traveling east on NM Highway 26.  For unknown reasons the Chrysler crossed over the center line, into oncoming traffic of the westbound lane and struck the left side of a Commercial Motor Vehicle’s trailer that was traveling west.

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — State environmental regulators are teaming up with New Mexico State University to study how waste water from the booming oil and gas industry can be treated and reused.

State officials announced the formation of a new consortium Thursday. The group is charged with filling in scientific gaps and researching technological solutions for dealing with what's known in the oilfield as produced water.

Some oil companies already have been reusing the waste water in their operations to cut down on fresh water use.

  WASHINGTON (AP) — For a few moments anyway, there was a sense of what people once called "Beto-mania."

Former Texas Congressman Beto O'Rourke delivered a debate performance on Thursday in Houston that at times reminded a national audience why he became a Democratic star last year — even as he lost a Senate race.

“People complain that they don’t see us out working, except what they can’t see from their car is that we’re working deep in a trench,” explained Ryan Tafoya, New Mexico Department of Transportation (NMDOT) District One project manager for the Valley Drive construction. He said, “Just because you see the trucks standing still, doesn’t mean there’s not a whole group of us in the trench installing storm drains and underground utility pipes.”

  ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — A popular New Mexico restaurant was the first business to be targeted Thursday in a state and local push to enforce wage laws.

Officials said they were suing Hacienda Del Rio and its owners over allegations that the Albuquerque eatery violated state law and city ordinances.

The case was prompted by dozens of complaints over the past two years. Officials accused the business of failing to pay for overtime worked, taking unlawful payroll deductions and giving workers bad checks.

  EL PASO, Texas (AP) — A man accused of gunning down people at a busy Walmart in El Paso last month was indicted Thursday for capital murder, prosecutors announced.

Patrick Crusius, 21, of Allen, Texas, was indicted on one count in connection with the Aug. 3 mass shooting that left 22 dead in the border city, District Attorney Jaime Esparza said. El Paso prosecutors are seeking the death penalty for Crusius, who remains jailed without bond.

The City of Las Cruces Economic Development Department today announced the launch of a new outdoor public Wifi network at the Plaza de Las Cruces accessible to all users at no cost. The City hopes to encourage more downtown visits and longer visits to the Plaza.

  RIO RANCHO, N.M. (AP) — New Mexico law enforcement agencies are prepping for an upcoming President Donald Trump rally three years after previous ones sparked turmoil in Albuquerque.

Police say they will be prepared Monday for the Trump event in the Albuquerque suburb of Rio Rancho as protesters vow to step up acts of civil disobedience and demonstrations.

Police say several law enforcement agencies will help with security at the Santa Ana Star Center.