Romo Predicts Super Bowl Win, Las Cruces Schools Face Budget Deficit + More News Headlines

Weekend Traffic Stalls On I-10

Traffic should be flowing normally again today on I-10 near downtown El Paso, but that wasn't the case over the weekend.  The highway department reports huge traffic jams, and long delays because of construction on I-10 eastbound near Schuster and westbound near Porfirio Diaz.  Three lanes that were closed for construction in each direction were originally scheduled to reopen Saturday afternoon, but that timetable was pushed back to Sunday afternoon.

House Approves Breast-Feeding Measure

Lawmakers have given initial approval to a bill that would require public employers to accommodate breast-feeding mothers.  House Bill 786 would require state agencies, local governments and public schools to make "reasonable accommodations" for female employees who need to pump breast milk at work.  Current federal law already provides for some accommodations for breast-feeding mothers, but exempts salaried government workers.  The new bill, sponsored by Democrat Armando Walle of Houston, would close that  loophole.

Water Is Flowing Again For Tornillo Residents

Water service has finally been fully restored to about 35-hundred residents in Tornillo.  County Commissioner Vince Perez says residents still had to boil their water for a while over the weekend after a broken pump was repaired. But, Perez says the boil order has been lifted, and the water is safe to drink again.  The town had been without water service for several days before the problem was finally fixed.

Las Cruces Schools Face Budget Deficit

Public Schools in Las Cruces are facing a six-million-dollar budget deficit.  Superintendent Stan Rounds says plans are in the works to cut the deficit by cutting teachers and staff through attrition and retirement.  Rounds says the cuts will take place from the classroom to the administration, but because of attrition and retirement, no one is expected to lose their jobs.

Truck Driver Dies In Fiery Crash

A truck driver is dead after crashing his gasoline-filled tanker  near Guadalupe Mountains National Park. Authorities say 33-year-old Alberto Arzarte was driving too fast and missed a curve.  He managed to escape after his tanker burst into flames, but not before he was burned over 90 percent of his body.  He was rushed to a nearby hospital, but died over the weekend.

Romo Predicts Super Bowl Win

Dallas Cowboys Quarterback Tony Romo is predicting "America's Team" will win the Super Bowl next year.  Romo made the bold prediction while accepting a lifetime achievement award in Dallas.  The 35-year-old Q-B restructured his contract during the off-season to make more salary cap room for the Cowboys for the upcoming season.  Romo led the Cowboys to a 12-and-four record last season, and a first-round win in the playoffs.