NM to offer veteran drivers licenses

New Mexico is adding a feature on its driver's licenses to indicate that someone is a veteran. 

State officials say the designation will make it easier for veterans to provide proof they served in the military without needing to carry copies of their discharge papers. Veterans sometimes qualify for discounts at businesses. 

There's no extra cost to have the designation on a license. People with a currently valid license must pay an $18 replacement or renewal fee to get a new license, including one with the veteran's designation. 

To obtain the veteran's license, individuals need to provide the state with a form showing they were discharged from the military or they can provide a U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs medical identification, military retiree card or National Guard identification.

NM to offer veteran drivers licenses

Newsbreak New Mexico 12pm Webcast 11/19/12

Newsbreak New Mexico 12pm Newscast with Vanessa Dabovich

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Fort Sill Apache tribe continues fight for casino
First flu case in NM confirmed
New UNM president inaugurated 
ABQ man arrested for voting twice

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Newsbreak New Mexico 12pm Webcast 11/19/12

Ski season starts in NM

Ski season is officially under way in New Mexico.

 Sipapu Ski and Summer Resort opened slopes on Saturday, marking the 11th consecutive year it was the first of the state’s ski areas to open. Red River is scheduled to open Wednesday, followed by Taos Ski Valley on Thanksgiving Day. 

As of Friday, Ski Santa Fe and Ski Apache, near Ruidoso, were also shooting for Thanksgiving Day openings, but may need some help from Mother Nature. The state’s other ski areas don’t plan to open until mid-December. 

While many turn to sophisticated forecast models to gauge the weather, Sipapu General Manager John Paul Bradley said he also relies on the Farmers’ Almanac as a guide.

Ski season starts in NM

MIlk shortage causes jail riot

A message registered loud and clear for the officials who run the prison in Farmington; do not run out of milk. 

When the prison ran out of milk this weekend it caused chaos. Maximum security inmates were angered when milk ran short during breakfast at San Juan County Jail and began refusing to obey orders.  Some started yelling at jail guards. Officers were forced to shoot tear gas.  Local and state police also called to help jailers control the situation.  

Jail officials say all the inmates got their allotted 20 ounces of milk, but there was not enough Saturday for every inmate to get seconds.

MIlk shortage causes jail riot

Fort Sill Apache tribe continue fight for casino

One year after being granted reservation status in New Mexico, the Fort Sill Apache Friday raised their flag on their 30-acre plot of land in the Akela Flats of southern New Mexico. 

But tribal Chairman Jeff Haozous says it will likely take generations to re-establish a true presence on the tribe's homelands.

 Key to the plans is resolution of the tribe's long-standing battle to build a casino on the reservation, an area where the tribe has made little progress in the last year. Haozous says the casino is necessary for the tribe to be able to make money to expand the reservation and create the jobs necessary to lure tribal members back. 

But Gov. Susana Martinez still opposes the casino and has declined to meet with the tribe. 

Fort Sill Apache tribe continue fight for casino

First case of flu confirmed in NM

This season's first case of influenza has been confirmed by the New Mexico Department of Health. 

 Health officials made the announcement Friday, saying the first case to be reported involves a woman from Santa Fe County. 

Officials are urging New Mexicans to get vaccinated as soon as possible. State Epidemiologist Michael Landen says getting a flu shot is the best protection against the spread of the disease, especially for children and those at high risk. 

The Health Department says it doesn't track every case of flu in New Mexico. However, it does track influenza-like illness at several locations around the state to estimate the amount of flu activity.

First case of flu confirmed in NM

UNM President inaugurated

Bob Frank

Although he's been on the job since last summer, Bob Frank was officially inaugurated Sunday as the University of New Mexico's 21st president.

 Frank is an UNM alumnus and previously served as provost at Kent State. A native of Las Cruces, he says that he is honored to lead the state's flagship university.

 Frank took time to honor his father during the ceremony, telling the crowd that his dad would be proud that he has returned to his alma mater. 

Frank started his five-year term as UNM president in June.

UNM President inaugurated

Newsbreak New Mexico 8am Webcast 11/19/12

Newsbreak New Mexico 8am Newscast with Vanessa Dabovich

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Coyote hunting contest kills around 50
Las Cruces Council to hear strip club appeal
ABQ man arrested for voting twice

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Newsbreak New Mexico 8am Webcast 11/19/12

Las Cruces City Council to hear strip club appeal

The Las Cruces City Council will serve as an appeals board during its regular meeting today to hear an appeal of the Planning and Zoning Commission’s decision to deny a special use permit that would have allowed the establishment of an adult entertainment business in Las Cruces.

 The business, known as The Bronx, would be located at 2221 Westgate Court. 

The P&Z denied a special use permit at its September 25th meeting. According to the City’s zoning code, the City Council will be serving as an appellate body, therefore no public participation will be allowed.

Las Cruces City Council to hear strip club appeal

Less than 50 coyotes killed in weekend contest

More than 100 hunters fanned out across New Mexico in search of coyotes this weekend.

Gunhawk Firearms didn't have an exact number on how many coyotes were killed, but say they believe it was less than 50. 

Practically everyone in New Mexico had something to say about this weekend’s coyote-killing contest, from animal activists to rangers who want to protect their livestock. 

Animal Protection of New Mexico Executive Director Lisa Jennings said her group is working to try and get a law passed against such an event. There is currently no law against holding such a hunting event. The only restrictions are that hunters can not shoot the coyotes on state or federal land. Several hunters and ranchers said the hunts are the only way to keep some livestock alive.

 At least three other similar events are being planned in New Mexico. Gunhawk owner Mark Chavez says the pelts collected during the contest will be sold for $50 each, and the money will go to a scholarship fund for an agriculture student.

Less than 50 coyotes killed in weekend contest