KRWG News

Environmentalists are challenging a court ruling over the use of the Rio Grande in central New Mexico. A new poll shows U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz holding a lead over Congressman Beto O'Rourke, Andrew Schneider with Houston Public Media has more on the poll and Senate race. Also, Christopher Connelly with KERA reports on a man who was exonerated after spent nearly 20 years in prison for a crime he didn't commit, and we hear a preview of the "Empty Bowls" fundraiser happening in Las Cruces.

Ashley Martinez with the Southwest Environmental Center shares more about the work the organization is involved with and she also shares information with KRWG Public Media's Emily Guerra about an upcoming annual fundraiser.

Las Cruces Crimestoppers offer reward for information on shooting at apartment complex. Also, the City of Las Cruces hosts members from a sister city in Germany. KRWG Public Media's news intern James Puff reports on the international visit.

A tribal casino in New Mexico says it will be the first to offer sports betting, KUT's Ashley Lopez has more on a Kaiser Family Foundation survey that says out-of-pocket costs are on the rise for people who get health insurance through an employer. Also, commentator Walt Rubel with the Las Cruces Sun-News says that New Mexico should restore funding for higher education, but with a system-wide plan.

Los Alamos National Laboratory say they have completed a first shipment of waste from a key area of the lab to the federal government's nuclear waste repository. KUT's Ashley Lopez reports on a voting rights group says that Texas is among the states to watch this November. Also, commentator Peter Goodman shares his thoughts on New Mexico's guardianship program.

New Mexico Republican Gov. Susana Martinez says she's pleased Brett Kavanaugh is now a member of the U.S. Supreme Court, The South Central Regional Transit District says it's ridership is up 61 percent, and KRWG Public Media's Michael Hernandez reports on hundreds of local high school students from Las Cruces who learned and took part in the democratic process.

Las Cruces-area resident Delano Lewis is a former Ambassador to South Africa and served as President of NPR. He also worked for the Peace Corps. He recently spoke with Fred Martino about his new book "No Condition is Permanent."

The State Department set refugee admissions to 30,000 for next year, Elizabeth Trovall with Houston Public Media has more. Also, there are new guidelines for screening for cervical cancer that include the option of HPV testing. KERA's Sam Baker talked with Dr. Matthew Carlson a cancer specialist with UT Southwestern Medical Center.

Las Cruces-area resident Delano Lewis is a former Ambassador to South Africa and served as President of NPR. He spoke with Fred Martino about his new book "No Condition is Permanent."

El Paso Congressman Beto O'Rourke has overwhelming support among black voters in his bid to oust Republican Senator Ted Cruz. KUT's Ashley Lopez reports the growing support is because of his campaign's efforts to not shy away from certain issues.

Planned Parenthood is expanding to West Texas. Mallory Falk with KRWG Public Media reports. Also, we get a preview of a personal and commercial space symposium in Las Cruces.

We've heard about the roughly 2,600 migrant children who were separated from their parents at the border and are slowly being reunited, but there are a other children who weren't included in that count due to them being released from government custody by the time a judge ordered reunification. As KRWG Public Media's Mallory Falk reports, some of those children are still separated from their parents.

President Donald Trump and the president-elect of Mexico spoke over the phone on Wednesday. Jorge Valencia reports from KJZZ's Mexico City Bureau reports that one key topic they discussed was immigration. Also, KUNM's Spencer Beckwith shares news of a new exhibit in Albuquerque that provides a historical perspective on gun violence in America.

A New Mexico State lawmaker convicted of drunken driving is set to face sentencing today, and another state lawmaker announces new gun safety legislation. Roz Brown with Public News Service has more on a new report that shows economic benefits of hunting, angling, and wildlife viewing on BLM land in a dozen states, including New Mexico. Also, commentator Peter Goodman shares thoughts on a local nonprofit ending its operations after more than two decades.

The Albuquerque Journal reports that the largest increase in New Mexico voter registration is among independent voters, Roz Brown with Public News Service shares news on a new report that says New Mexico is missing opportunities to provide support to its 33,000 young parents between the ages of 18 and 24, and commentator Walt Rubel says that the Senate is worse than it was in the Anita Hill days after watching last week's Senate Judiciary Hearings involving sexual assault allegations against Supreme Court Justice nominee Brett Kavanaugh.

KRWG Public Media's Michael Hernandez reports on a Mayfield High School graduate who is fulfilling her passion of being a welder at NASA's White Sands Test Facility.

Elizabeth Trovall with Houston Public Media has more on a new report that sheds light on flaws in the US Asylum system, and we hear about research that finds strenuous exercise while angry can raise the risk of a heart attack for some people. KERA's Sam Baker talks with cardiologist Dr. Anand Rohatgi to find out more about the study.

Career and technical education programs help high school students gain hands on experience. KRWG Public Media's Michael Hernandez shares the story of one NMSU student who has benefited from a audio and video production program at Chaparral High School.

NMSU has special services available for students. KRWG News intern James Puff reports on the program MVP which works to help military and veterans learn more about resources available while attending NMSU.

Federal offcials say a new grant will help provide independent monitoring at two national labs and at an underground nuclear waste repository in Southeastern New Mexico. Also, we learn about how a researcher in San Antonio is trying to figure out if tweaking a medicine used to treat a certain type of brain cancer may prolong lives. We also hear about how a national non-profit organization has been in Las Cruces for over 45 years.

We preview the final episode of an education documentary from American Public Media that airs Saturday evening at five.

A recent report by Georgetown University and University of North Carolina shows that Texas has the highest rates of uninsured adults in the nation. KUT's Ashley Lopez reports. In a recent forum of Secretary of State candidates in New Mexico, candidates shared their thoughts on open primaries in New Mexico. Currently, the state has closed primaries. The candidates shared thoughts on this issue at a recent forum on KRWG Public Media. We listen to a preview.

New Mexico is being sued by single mothers and advocacy group claming New Mexico's Children, Youth, and Families Department is illegally denying child care assistance to families with incomes of over 150% of the federal poverty level. We also get a preview of the New Mexico State Auditor's forum airing on KRWG Public Media on television at 7 p.m. tonight.

A new FBI report says New Mexico ranks among the most dangerous states. Gun safety advocates are apploading a decision by Albququerques mayor to end a police shooting championship sponsored by the NRA, Roz Brown with Public News Service reports. Also, commentator Peter Goodman shares his thoughts on the allegations involving Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh that have raised questions.

New Mexico's Spaceport Authority is seeking an increase to it's annual money from the state. Also, with a low unemployment rate some employers are having a hard time finding good employees, Texas Public Radio's David Martin Davies reports on a West Texas help wanted ad that tells the story. Also, commentator Walt Rubel with the Las Cruces Sun-News shares his thoughts on attack ads airing in New Mexico as national parties pour in cash to the US House District 2 race.

Federal funding is set to run out on what industry experts are calling a crucial safety net program for farmers. As Texas Public Radio's Ryan Poppy reports...the latest developments all depend on legislation that mandates new requirements for certain SNAP food benefit recipients. In more news...The Trump Administration's new trade deal with Mexico is designed to encourage car companies to make more of their products in the United States. However, with the North American Free Trade Deal, manufacturers have turned to the cheaper labor pool south of the border for more affordable cars and auto parts. So is this a win for the U.S. and a loss for Mexico? From the Fronteras Desk, Jorge Valencia reports.

A financial accountability group gives New Mexico a poor grade due to the state's high debt burden. Also, in other news...due to a shortage of hearts available for transplants, doctors have had to change standards for what's considered acceptable. KERA's Sam Baker talks with Dr. Shelley Hall, Chief of transplant cardiology at Baylor University Medical Center to learn more research and clinical trials being done there of donor hearts from people who have hepatitus C.

There's a lot at stake for New Mexico with the 2020 Census. KUNM's Hannah Colton shares more on how important the data from the U.S. Census is to the state. In more news...Many students and families are affected by the Trump administration's immigration rhetoric, and teachers are seeing the effects in their classrooms. KUNM's Marisa DeMarco reports that The New Mexico Dream Team recently held a training for University of New Mexico faculty and staff regarding the issue.

Emily Guerra with KRWG Public Media brings us a story about two community non-profit organizations working together for a musical fundraiser to help local children's arts and food programs. Also, NMSU's new leadership is taking on a number of challenges. Fred Martino sat down with NMSU President Dr. John Floros to learn more about how the university is facing those challenges.