Traffic backs up at the Allison crossing as two BNSF trains pass through Gallup June 20. The Munoz overpass is nearing completion which should help alleviate some of the traffic problems across town. An overpass has been proposed for the Allison crossing. [Photo by Matt Hinshaw/Independent]

TOO HOT TO HANDLE?: Kara Iyott plays on a concrete slab near the home of Teddy Nez in the Red Water Pond Road community Tuesday. The soil around where she plays was recently replaced by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency because of radium contamination. The EPA suspects the radium originated from the mining waste pile in the upper right corner of the photo. [Photo by Brian Leddy/Independent] Full Story

Las Cruces cowboy Miguel Cisneros digs in his heels Thursday morning while attempting to wrestle a steer to the ground during the chute dogging event in the seventh performance of the Wrangler Junior High Finals Rodeo at Red Rock Park. Cisneros was not able to pin his steer down and had to settle for a no time. [Photo by Jeff Jones/Independent]