Here’s a look at today’s headlines:
In sports action: after a close first half against Colorado Mesa University on Friday night, the Mustangs lost 83-61 during the second half of the game. Despite being tied with less than two seconds left in the game Saturday night, Westminster shooter Jordan Prior shot a three-quarter court shot to beat the buzzer and claim a win over the Mustangs 74-71. Western will play at Colorado Christian this Friday and Colorado School of Mines on Saturday beginning at 7 pm both nights.
The Lady Mustangs lost to Colorado Mesa University on Friday night 55-43 and, despite a late game rally to close the gap in the fourth quarter against Westminster College on Saturday, lost 66-60. The Lady ‘Stangs are now 7-15 for the season and 5-12 in the RMAC. They host Northern New Mexico tonight beginning at 6 pm.
The WNMU softball teams took a pair of wins on Friday at the Desert Stinger: 4-1 over Augustana, and 3-1 over CSU-Monterey Bay. Despite strong play on Friday, the softball team lost both matches on Saturday, falling to Northwest Nazarene by a 6-2 score, and losing in the fifth inning to Azusa Pacific 9-0. On Sunday, Concordia University won a close 4-3 game against Western, leaving the Lady Mustangs 3-7 for the season so far. WNMU will compete in the Dixie State Tournament this Friday through Sunday.
The WNMU tennis teams played their opening weekend. The men’s team is currently 2-1 for the season, while the women begin the season 0-3 despite leading after doubles on Sunday.
Zika virus disease has been in the news for several weeks now and has many individuals concerned. Zika virus is transmitted to people primarily through the bite of an infected mosquito, though there also have been reports of transmission through sexual contact. The disease can cause fever, rash, muscle aches, joint pain and red eyes. Zika virus disease has also been linked to birth defects, including microcephaly and other poor birth outcomes in some women infected during their pregnancy. There have been no known cases in New Mexico to date.
In legislative action: Senator Bill Sharer (R-Farmington) has introduced SB 242- l this session on late-term abortions that bans the barbaric and inhuman practice of elective abortions after five months until the day of birth in New Mexico. The late-term abortion ban bill has bipartisan support in both the New Mexico Senate and House.
The House of Representatives passed bipartisan legislation to protect employees of the Children, Youth and Families Department (CYFD) while performing their duties to safeguard New Mexico’s children. House Bill 142, sponsored by Reps. Jimmie Hall and Doreen Gallegos, passed the House by a unanimous vote of 67 to 0.
Legislation clarifying regulations to allow ridesharing companies, like Uber and Lyft, to operate in New Mexico passed the House of Representatives by a bipartisan vote of 58 to 8. House Bill 168 is sponsored by Rep. Monica Youngblood.
Today, a bill to include lifesaving skills instruction into the health curriculum for New Mexico students passed the House Floor by a unanimous 67-0 vote. House Bill 104 is sponsored by Rep. Terry McMillan.
Yesterday a bill that would require certain convicted felons to serve at least 85% of their prison sentences passed the House Regulatory and Public Affairs Committee on a 4-3 vote. The bill is sponsored by Reps. John Zimmerman and Alonzo Baldonado.
Senate Democrats John Sapien and William Soules, Chair and Vice-Chair of the Senate Education Committee, voted to table HB 67, which would have ensured New Mexico students could read at grade level before advancing to the fourth grade.
