A new prison gang has formed according to officials at the state Department of Corrections. They say "Los Burquenos" or the Burqe Boys are challenging for control of state prisons and they're using the New Mexico Lobo logo to help identify members. The group is made up of members from different street gangs. Authorities say the gang charges inmates rent and it will likely grow outside of prison into various cities and towns. Prison officials say membership of "Los Burquenos" has increased statewide from 170 last year to now 240 members.

The Public Regulation Commission has approved a $21.5 million rate increase for New Mexico Gas Co. The rate hike, which starts today, was $13 million less than what the utility initially requested. Commissioners say they approved the lower rate to ease the burden on low-income customers. New Mexico Gas officials say residential customers will see their monthly bills increase by an average of $3.19, or about $38 a year.

State Police made an arrest in a murder case in Springer. 21-year-old John Martinez of Springer was arrested yesterday on suspicion of murder. Investigators say 45-year-old Troy Ledoux of Raton was shot to death.....his body was found late Saturday night. According to a statement given by Martinez, Ledoux stole an some drugs from him and Martinez allegedly confronted the victim at his home.

A woman from Santa Fe has pledged $1 million to help a community food bank build a new warehouse and other facilities. The donation from Barbara Hall goes to Food Depot to help the non profit organization accept and store more perishable food items and accommodate more volunteers. The Food Depot is in the middle of a $3.6 million fund raising campaign. The group serves nine counties in northern New Mexico, including Taos, and provides food to 120 nonprofits. The Food Depot distributes an average of 300,000 pounds of food and household products each month.