MEXICO CITY - The arrest of a drug cartel lieutenant as he stepped off a private plane - fresh from a brazen baptism party held by his boss - has sparked a debate about whether Mexico is winning the drug war or facing a fearless enemy.

Western Refining Co.’s planned purchase of a Scottsdale oil company took a giant step forward Tuesday.

DENVER — Democratic Party leaders say they are on a roll in the West and hope to extend the gains they've made over the past six years.

Rebuffed by the Department of Defense, Gov. Jan Brewer is taking her call for more National Guard troops on the border to Congress. And this time she's got help.In a letter released Friday, Brewer and her counterparts in California, New Mexico and Texas ask the top Democratic and Republican leaders in the House and Senate to "fully fund the National Guard Counter-Drug Program."

A Texas oil company said Monday it is buying Scottsdale-based gas refiner and retailer Giant Industries for an estimated $1.5 billion in cash and debt assumption.

Planning a trip to Mexico? Forget it.

CANCUN, Mexico - President Bush said Friday the United States believes it is important to enforce laws protecting borders and told the leaders of Mexico and Canada that was crucial to keeping prosperity alive.

Having to locate a new 2006 season-opening opponent after New Mexico State suddenly backed out of an agreement to play, Arizona State had to make the most of an undesirable situation.

Having to locate a new 2006 season-opening opponent after New Mexico State suddenly backed out of an agreement to play, Arizona State had to make the most of an undesirable situation.

America West Airlines will begin once-a-day service Monday to Monterrey, Mexico, the nation’s third largest city with enough industry that Valley economic officials hope to expand trade between the two markets.

OHKAY OWINGEH, N.M. - Aspiring screenwriters David and Kevin Linke don't have to go to Hollywood to try to break into the business. It came to them.

GHOST RANCH, N.M. - Sandstone cliffs rise from the desert floor in layers of orange, pink and yellow, limited only by the expansive blue sky that pushes down on the sprawling northern New Mexico ranch from above. Save for a few birds chirping and a breeze whistling through cedar trees, it's quiet here.

Gov. Janet Napolitano and governors from four other western states signed an agreement Monday to cut greenhouse gas emissions in the region they believe has been hit hard by global warming.

MEXICO CITY - Mexico and major shipping interests are bolstering Pacific ports south of the border, hoping to catch future runoff as an increasing tide of Asian cargo sails toward already clogged ports in California.

Guest commentary by Jose de la Isla

MEXICO CITY - President Felipe Calderon's war on drug trafficking has led to his own doorstep, with the arrest of a dozen high-ranking officials with alleged ties to Mexico's most powerful drug gang, the Sinaloa Cartel.

Originally they were inexpensive children’s baubles, poor toys for poor people.