Regional

SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham's administration is working on regulations to increase oversight of boarding homes for people with mental illnesses.

The administration plans to propose rules in coming weeks that include requiring the homes to be licensed and inspected, the Albuquerque Journal reported Tuesday.

  HOUSTON (AP) — In early June, twin brothers from Guatemala let their sister in California know they were about to cross the U.S.-Mexico border. Then they vanished for almost a month.

She couldn't find them in online databases and the local Guatemalan consulate had no information. She feared they had been kidnapped or killed.

  SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — One of two Native American women in Congress has endorsed Democratic presidential candidate Elizabeth Warren.

U.S. Rep. Debra Haaland of New Mexico on Tuesday announced her endorsement in social media posts that describe Warren as a great friend and partner on policies that affect Indian Country.

  Mayor Ken Miyagishima announced today, July 30, 2019, he has authorized placing on the agenda for the August 5 Las Cruces City Council meeting the following resolution:

A resolution to authorize a budget transfer of $100,000 to the Transit Fund, reducing the Dial-A-Ride service senior fee to $1 and ADA riders to $1 for the City’s 2020 fiscal year. 

ROSWELL, N.M. (AP) — Officials in southeastern New Mexico say they won't stop fighting to keep the lesser prairie chicken off the federal protected list despite a pending federal lawsuit.

The Roswell Daily Record reports Chaves County Board of Commissioners chair Will Cavin said last week officials protest the listing because it could affect grazing rights and other issues in New Mexico.

A community of 350 people in Guatemala now have secured access to water with the help of New Mexico State University Aggies Without Limits (AWL) who funded, designed and built a potable water system. Consisting of a reservoir tank, pipelines and tap stands, the system distributes water to 55 families in the Mayan village of San Jose Lote 19, in the northwestern part of the country.

Previously, families walked up to 8 kilometers round trip in mountainous terrain to access water. Some springs available only one hour a day, every other day. 

  KRWG Public Media features interviews with the Las Cruces Mayor's Top Teens in between programs on KRWG-TV. KRWG is also featuring Top Teens on its website. 

Henry Gatica-Gutierrez, Oñate High School,  was recognized as a Hispanic National Merit Scholar. He has lettered in academics and maintained a rigorous course load while participating in extra-curricular activities. He is a member of the Science Olympiad team, the baseball team as well as the Marching and Symphonic band.

  SUNLAND PARK, N.M. (AP) — A former New Mexico city manager fired for alleged misconduct has settled his wrongful termination lawsuit.

KVIA-TV in El Paso, Texas, reports former Sunland Park city manager Bob Gallagher said last week he's been vindicated thanks to a $211,000 payout from the city over his August 2017 termination.

Sunland Park is not admitting to any fault and city officials declined to comment on the settlement.

  ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — A new law and regulations are requiring more retired New Mexico teachers to limit the amount of time they spend in a classroom or take off a year.

The Albuquerque Journal reports legislative and Educational Retirement Board rule changes altered eligibility requirements for retirees who go back to work in education while collecting a pension.

EL PASO, Texas (AP) — Three Indian nationals seeking asylum in the U.S. have been forced to receive IV drips at a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility in Texas as they approach their third week of a hunger strike, according to their attorney.

Lawyers and activists who spoke with the men fear that force-feeding may be next.

  ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — A judge has rejected a company's proposal to pump billions of gallons of water annually from an aquifer in west-central New Mexico to the middle Rio Grande Valley.

The Albuquerque Journal reports that state District Judge Matthew Reynolds on Thursday approved motions for summary judgment dismissing Augustin Plains Ranch LLC's's application for a permit to provide cities and businesses with water from the remnants of a lake under the San Augustin Plains.

It was a tour of the Las Cruces Utilities’ (LCU) Jacob Hands Wastewater Treatment Facility that first sparked an interest in the mind of a local youth. Dustin Arriola remembers the class trip to tour the facility that left him wondering if this could be the start of his career.

“It was the chemistry component, specifically in the wastewater side that I found interesting,” he said. “How we convert wastewater into clean water, the whole process uses biology in a real way and keeps it environmentally sustainable.”

  ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — Las Vegas police are investigating the shooting death in the northern New Mexico city of a man who testified against prison gang members last year.

The Albuquerque Journal reports that police made no immediate arrests in the killing Monday night of 48-year-old Leroy "Smurf" Lucero in front of his home.

Police investigator Caleb Marquez said police hadn't determined a motive but there was no reason to believe anybody else was in danger.

  ESPAÑOLA, N.M. (AP) — It'll be one giant leap for chile-kind.

A hybrid version of a New Mexico chile plant has been selected to be grown in space as part of a NASA experiment.

The chile, from Española, New Mexico, is tentatively scheduled to be launched to the International Space Station for testing in March 2020, the Albuquerque Journal reports .

  WASHINGTON (AP) — The Supreme Court cleared the way Friday for the Trump administration to tap billions of dollars in Pentagon funds to build sections of a border wall with Mexico.

  ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — New results show less than a third of all New Mexico students are proficient in reading and only about 1/5th are proficient in math.

New Mexico education officials Friday afternoon released results from a revamp test in 2019 that show a small jump in reading from the year before but a drop in math.

The results come days after Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham fired Public Education Secretary Karen Trujillo, sparking questions from lawmakers and confusion among educators.

  The 7th Annual Las Cruces Country Music Festival returns to the City of Crosses for another legendary weekend of country fun this October 11, 12, & 13 and the star-studded lineup is here.

The Festival kicks off on Friday, October 11 with Main Stage acts: Big & Rich with Cowboy Troy, Casey Donahew, and Frank Ray. The Friday night trio has accounted for dozens of country hits and awards including Big & Rich’s “Save A Horse (Ride a Cowboy)”, “Lost in This Moment”, “Wild West Show”, “That’s Why I Pray”, “Holy Water” and many more. Donahew’s hits include “White Trash Story,” “Double Wide Dream,” and “One Star Flag” among many others. Former Las Cruces Police Officer and recent national USA television REAL Country contestant Frank Ray is coming home to Las Cruces. Ray’s Texas Country chart hits have included “Every Time You Run” and “The Drive”.

Following a critical shortage among the number of volunteer firefighters in Doña Ana County, the agency that evaluates and grades the county fire districts for residential and commercial insurance premiums announced improvements spearheaded by Doña Ana County translated to significantly better ratings. Those ratings take effect Aug. 1, meaning property owners should see lower rates from their insurance companies.

The Domenici Public Policy Conference, held at New Mexico State University since 2008, will not be held in 2019, but the university is working to bring the event back for 2020.

“No one did more for New Mexico than Sen. Pete Domenici,” said NMSU Chancellor Dan Arvizu. “That’s why we’re so proud of this conference and what it means for our community. We’re working with the Domenici family to create a plan that respects the late senator’s interests and aligns with NMSU’s new strategic plan.”