KRWG News

A former state district court judge is appointed to New Mexico's State Ethics Commission. Also, New Mexico is under a court order to better serve at-risk students, including English language learners. Schools in the state have different approaches to meet the need. This spring marked a shift in Albuquerque Public Schools' approach to the hundreds of refugees and recent immigrants to the district. We hear from Brandon Baca, head of Albuquerque Schools' newcomer support program. He told KUNM's Hannah Colton his priority was to build stronger community relationships with community organizers that serve refugees. Support for KUNM's Public Health New Mexico project comes from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, the McCune Charitable Foundation, and KUNM listeners.

A former state district court judge is appointed to New Mexico's State Ethics Commission. Also, New Mexico is under a court order to better serve at-risk students, including English language learners. Schools in the state have different approaches to meet the need. This spring marked a shift in Albuquerque Public Schools' approach to the hundreds of refugees and recent immigrants to the district. We hear from Brandon Baca, head of Albuquerque Schools' newcomer support program. He told KUNM's Hannah Colton his priority was to build stronger community relationships with community organizers that serve refugees. Support for KUNM's Public Health New Mexico project comes from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, the McCune Charitable Foundation, and KUNM listeners.

The Annie E. Casey Foundation's KIDS COUNT Data Book again ranks New Mexico last in the nation. Also, we visit a memory cafe in San Antonio restaurant that allows guests to provide the music.

Advocates say a new minimum wage law in New Mexico offers stronger protections for domestic service workers. One West Texas company is investing in carbon-neutral gasoline. Also, we get a commentary on clarity in communication.

More of a conversation of efforts to prevent opioid abuse in our region.

People in Las Cruces and across the country plan to hold protests tomorrow calling for impeachment proceedings to begin against President Trump. Also, June is "pride month" for LGBTQ Americans. And now...a Boston group has formed to respond. We get a commentary on the action.

New Mexico bans criminal history questions from initial job applications and a new public charter school is opening in Las Cruces.

More than 200 people are bringing claims of sexual abuse against the Archdiocese of Santa Fe as the church goes through bankruptcy. KUNM's Hannah Colton reports. Support for KUNM's Public Health New Mexico Project comes from the W.K. Kellog Foundation, the McCune Charitable Foundation, and KUNM Listeners. Also in this newscast we get a commentary on Democratic U.S. Representative Xochitl Torres Small's votes in Congress.

A years-long effort to reform "eminent domain" law in Texas fell short yet again this legislative session. Also, we get a preview of a television forum on KRWG Public Media, "Issues and Answers: Immigration."

Former U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson weighs in on the trade war with China. Also, we get a commentary on concern by some that there is a war on science.

A preview of the June edition of "Desert Exposure."

In the last year, a record number of families have arrived at the U.S.-Mexico border seeking asylum. Border Patrol says their holding cells are full, so they've started releasing some families in border communities, and cities like Las Cruces and Deming are sheltering hundreds of families a day.

Former Governor, NMSU Chancellor Garrey Carruthers has been appointed to the state's ethics commission, New Mexico has added new qualifying conditions for enrollment into the state's medical cannabis program. Also, outbreaks of measles are popping up around the country, and more parents in New Mexico are requesting vaccine exemptions for their kids, but KUNM's May Ortega Reports that most kids in the state are getting vaccinated for measles. Support for KUNM's Public Health New Mexico project comes from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, the McCune Charitable Foundation, and KUNM listeners. Also, El Paso police say that four men have been found dead in an irrigation canal near the U.S.-Mexico border.

Authorities are investigating a death a White Sands National Monument. The Texas legislature failed to pass legislation to improve the accuracy of the U.S. Census. Also, 18 Native American law enforcement agencies from across the country met for a training at the Santa Ana Star Casino in May. KUNM's Bryce Dix reports that the training was designed for conservation officers who patrol remote areas and protect wildlife.

Public health officials working in Southern New Mexico hope a federal grant can help better address the opioid crisis.

The annual scorecard for the New Mexico Legislature was released this week by Conservation Voters New Mexico. A surge in migrants from Central and South America has filled shelters in the region. But now, San Antonio is trying to care for a new group of people who've endured a much longer voyage from Africa. Algernon D'Ammassa comments on the question of compassion for strangers.

The 20th annual "Raft the Rio" event will launch on Father's Day, June 15 at 10 a.m. This year's theme is "Pirates of the Rio Grande" with a new event added, an individual kayak race. Emily Guerra spoke with event chairman John Northcutt.

Companies are talking to lawyers in preparation to navigate renewed government efforts to identify undocumented workers. Also, we get a commentary about calls by some Democratic lawmakers that want impeachment proceedings to begin on President Donald Trump.

A GOP Congressman whose district covers the border opposes the Trump administration's plan to raise tariffs on Mexican goods, he says he has better plan. Also, community organizers say restorative justice is one way to work towards safer neighborhoods when community and opportunities disappear.

Legislation to restore methane waste rules designed to reduce toxic and climate-warming emissions is pending in Congress, and we get a commentary on the Las Cruces City Council announcing this week that New Mexico is providing $250,000 to the city for costs incurred sheltering asylum-seekers.

Texas businesses are watching nervously, as President Trump threatens Mexico with tariffs over what he calls its failure to stem the flow of migrants across the border. In more news...after high profile events like Columbine and Parkland shootings, schools are taking a hard look at their security plans. With no definitive evidence of what program or technology works best, school officials have to navigate countless options to find something that works.

Construction of a new border wall is almost complete on a section of border wall in Sunland Park. The project is the first crowd-funded border barrier that is built with private donations, on private land.

City of Las Cruces gets state funding to help with efforts assisting asylum seekers. Also, researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center have developed a new screening approach for rare genetic and metabolic diseases to help diagnose children faster.

KUNM's Hannah Colton reports that thousands of New Mexicans would no longer be able to sign up for childcare assistance under a proposed rule by the Children Youth and Families Department. Also, we hear about a central question in a two-decade federal court case on whether New Mexico's Human Services Department is distributing food assistance and Medicaid fast enough and to the right people. KUNM's Marisa DeMarco talks with New Mexico's Human Services Department Secretary David Scrase about changes he is planning.

Patrick Nolan, Executive Director of the Friends of the Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks talks about connecting the community with the Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks National Monument.

Sunland Park approves construction of a border wall by a non profit group on private land. A judge in Montgomery County, Texas is facing another lawsuit over the issue of prayer in the courtroom, and we get a commentary on leading a healthy life.

The Storytellers of Las Cruces are holding an event at local bookstores. We get a preview on this weekend's event.

A new report says a proposed question about citizenship during the 2020 U.S. Census could lead to under counting Latinos. Also, a commentary on a report suggesting NMSU and UNM team up athletic programs.

A look at how Democratic presidential candidate Beto O'Rourke's new immigration and border security plan compares with fellow Democrat Julian Castro's plan, and we venture into the world of birding.

Construction has started on a new section of border wall in Southern New Mexico. The project is privately funded and it's being built on private land. Also, conservation groups say the Trump administration is not giving the public enough time to comment on plans for oil and gas development on public lands, and we get a commentary on losing those important to us.