Newsbreak New Mexico 5p.m. Webcast 1/25/13

Newsbreak New Mexico 5p.m. Newscast with Vanessa Dabovich

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Zozobra burning to stay on Thursday
Rabies count high in Eddy County
Logan battles for Ute Water Project


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Lawmaker introduces legislation for concealed weapons in schools

Schools in New Mexico could allow an employee to carry a concealed handgun on school property under a proposal by a Republican legislator. 

State law prohibits guns on school premises except in limited instances, such as by police and school security guards. 
The legislation by Sen. Sue Wilson Beffort of Sandia Park comes a month after a Connecticut school shooting that claimed the lives of 26 children and school workers. 
Under Beffort's proposal, a school could designate one of its workers to bring a loaded, concealed handgun on campus if the individual was licensed to carry the weapon. 
The National Rifle Association has advocated placing armed guards in all schools. 
President Barack Obama has proposed gun law changes, including a ban on assault-style weapons.


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Abortion proposal sparks controversy

Cathrynn Brown
A Republican lawmaker is under fire for a proposal critics say could lead to felony charges against rape victims seeking an abortion, but the legislator maintains the measure is being misrepresented.  

Rep. Cathrynn Brown of Carlsbad said Thursday she'll revise the bill and had intended to make it a crime for a rapist in cases of incest to force a pregnant victim to have an abortion or to arrange for the abortion. 
The bill says the crime of evidence tampering "shall include procuring or facilitating an abortion, or compelling or coercing another to obtain an abortion of a fetus that is the result of criminal sexual penetration or incest with the intent to destroy evidence of the crime." 
New Mexico's Democratic Party chairman calls it an "atrocious piece of legislation."



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Newsbreak New Mexico 12p.m. Webcast 1/25/13

Newsbreak New Mexico 12p.m. Newscast with Vanessa Dabovich

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Protection for Zuni Bluehead Sucker fish
Proposal for concealed weapons in school
Las Cruces to fine for false alarms


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Zozobra burning to remain a Thursday night event

The burning of the Zozobra, a giant puppet stuffed with scraps of paper, will remain a Thursday night event in Santa Fe

The Kiwanis Club says the annual pre-Fiesta event will take place the evening of Sept. 5 at Fort Mercy Park
There had been talk of moving the burning to Friday night, but organizer Ray Sandoval says the club decided to end uncertainty and set a date. Admission will cost $10, down from $20 last year. 
Sandoval had said a Friday night burning would boost attendance and help avoid a ticket price increase. 
The Sante Fe New Mexican reports that Police Chief Ray Rael said it would be difficult for police to monitor both the burning at the park and gathering of people at the plaza afterward.


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NMSU football coach take NFL coaching position

DeWayne Walker
New Mexico State head football coach DeWayne Walker has stepped down. 

NMSU Athletics Director McKinley Boston announced Thursday that Walker is leaving the Aggies to take a job as an assistant coach with the Jacksonville Jaguars. Officials say he will be a defensive backs coach for the NFL team. 
Walker posted a 10-40 overall record for NMSU in four years. Walker was hired in December 2008 at the same time the University of New Mexico hired former head football coach Mike Locksley. 
The school has not announced plans on its search for a new coach.

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Gov. announces new graduation rate

Gov. Susana Martinez has announced that New Mexico's high school graduation rate has jumped to 70 percent, still far below the national average of about 78 percent.  

The governor said Thursday at a Rio Rancho High School press conference that the 2012 four-year high school graduation rate rose 7 points from last year. 
Martinez said graduate rates also increased for Latino and American Indian students. Federal 2010-2011 data showed New Mexico having a 63 percent four-year high school graduation rate, one of the worst rates in the nation that year.


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Newsbreak New Mexico 8a.m. Webcast 1/25/13

Newsbreak New Mexico 8a.m. Newscast with Vanessa Dabovich

                                     Listen here:


Gov. announces new graduation rate
Abortion proposal sparks debate
NMSU football coach resigns


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