Albuquerque Media Monitoring
News clips from Wednesday, August 20, include stories about:

* NCAA Disciplines Lobo Football Program
* Ralph Nader Makes Appearance at UNM on Tuesday
* John McCain Holds Town Hall Meeting at NMSU
* UNM Sells Land to CNM for Rio Rancho Campus
* APS Worried About Number of School Transfers
*NM Tech Students Recreate Stunts From Roadrunner Cartoons for Reality Show

2 KASA 9:00 PM                          

THE UNIVERSITY OF NEW MEXICO FOOTBALL PROGRAM IS BEING DISCIPLINED BY THE NCAA FOR ACADEMIC FRAUD. IN 2004 ..TWO ASSISTANT COACHES HELPED ONE PLAYER AND THREE RECRUITS GET CREDIT FROM A CALIFORNIA SCHOOL FOR WORK THEY DIDN'T DO. THE COACHES INVOLVED ARE NOW GONE .. AND THE RECRUITS NEVER CAME TO UNM. PUNISHMENT INCLUDES THREE YEARS PROBATION.. AND A REDUCTION IN SCHOLARSHIPS. VAN TATE HAS MUCH MORE.. LATER IN SPORTS.INDEPENDENT PRESIDENTIAL CONTENDER  RALPH NADER IS ALSO MAKING A STOP IN NEW MEXICO. NADER HAS SCHEDULED APPEARANCES IN ALBUQUERQUE AND SANTA FE NEXT TUESDAY. FIRST... A RALLY AT UNM'S STUDENT UNION BUILDING AT 1:30. THEN AT 5:30 .. A FORUM AT THE COLLEGE OF SANTA FE. NADER THEN HEADS TO DENVER FOR A "SUPER RALLY" ACCORDING TO HIS WEBSITE.. HE'LL BE ACCOMPANIED BY ACTOR VAL KILMER, AND PEACE ACTIVIST CINDY SHEEHAN.THE NCAA STARTING TODAY. THE THREE YEAR PROBATION IS ONLY PART OF THE PENALTIES HANDED OUT BY THE NCAA COMMITTEE ON INFRACTIONS. A PAIR OF FORMER LOBO ASSISTANTS NO LONGER WITH THE SCHOOL HELPED A PLAYER AND THREE RECRUITS GET ACADEMIC CREDIT FOR CORRESPONDENCE CLASSES THAT WERE NOT COMPLETED AT FRESNO PACIFIC UNIVERSITY IN 2004. FRESNO PACIFIC HAS BEEN INVOLVED IN OTHER MAJOR INFRACTION CASES. DURING THE PROBATIONARY PERIOD THE LOBOS MUST REPORT TO THE NCAA HOW THEY ARE AVOIDING ANY MORE ACADEMIC FRAUD. IN ADDITION TO THE PROBATION THE LOBOS WILL LOSE FIVE SCHOLARSHIPS A YEAR. WHEN THE VIOLATIONS FIRST CAME TO LIGHT THE LOBOS SELF IMPOSED PENALTIES ON ITSELF. THOSE TOO WILL STAND.

JOHN GALL AND TEAM USA STAY IN CONTENTION FOR AN OLYMPIC GOLD MEDAL. THE ISOTOPES SLUGGER DROVE IN A RUN BUT WAS TAGGED OUT- MAKING HIM OH FOR FIVE ON THE DAY. TEAM USA'S 4-2 VICTORY IN 11 INNINGS OVER JAPAN EARNS THEM A THIRD SEED. THEY WILL FACE CUBA IN THE SEMIFINALS FRIDAY. THE ALBUQUERQUE ISOTOPES START THE SECOND HALF OF THEIR FINAL HOMESTAND AGAINST NEW ORLEANS. -DEAN TREANOR CUTAWAY -1ST INNING, 1ST N.O. BATTER - JESUS FELICIANO H.R. TO LEFT -NEXT BATTER, 4TN PITCH OF THE GAME, NICK GREEN H.R. TO LEFT, 2-0 ZEPHYRS-BOTTOM 1, TAGG BOZIED STANDUP DOBULE TO CENTER.. TOMMY MURPHY SCORES, 2-1 .

4 KOB 5:00 AM                        

IN JUST A FEW HOURS PRESUMPTIVE REPUBLICAN PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE JOHN MCCAIN WILL BE IN LAS CRUCES FOR AN "INVITATION ONLY" TOWN HALL MEETING. IT COMES ON THE HEELS OF DEMOCRAT BARACK OBAMA'S VISIT MONDAY. TODAY MCCAIN WILL BE AT THE PAN-AM CENTER ON THE NMSU CAMPUS WHERE HE IS EXPECTED TO TALK ABOUT ENERGY AND ECONOMICS. THESE BACK-TO- BACK VISITS BY BOTH PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATES COME AMID GROWING SPECULATION OVER WHO THE TWO CANDIDATES WILL PICK FOR RUNNING MATES. AND AT LEAST ONE V-P ANNOUNCEMENT COULD HAPPEN SOON. KAYLA ANDERSON JOINS US WITH MORE DECISION O8 COVERAGE. WE COULD KNOW AS EARLY AS TODAY WHO SENATOR OBAMA WILL SELECT AS HIS RUNNING MATE ... WHOEVER HE PICKS IS EXPECTED TO APPEAR IN A RALLY SATURDAY IN SPRINGFIELD, ILLINOIS WITH OBAMA. YOU'LL REMEMBER ... THAT'S THE SAME PLACE OBAMA KICKED OFF HIS PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGN. GOVERNOR BILL RICHARDSON'S STAFF TELLS THE ALBUQUERQUE JOURNAL THE GOVERNOR HAS NO SPECIFIC PLANS FOR THE REST OF THIS WEEK, BUT QUOTE, "THAT COULD CHANGE." SO... INTERESTING NOTE THERE. NOW, OTHER SPECULATIVE FRONTRUNNERS INCLUDE DELAWARE SENATOR JOE BIDEN WHO FLAT-OUT TOLD REPORTERS YESTERDAY, "I'M NOT THE GUY." "I WANT SOMEBODY WHO'S NOT IN IT JUST BECAUSE THEY WANT TO HAVE THEIR NAME UP IN LIGHTS OR END UP BEING PRESIDENT. I WANT SOMEBODY WHO IS MAD RIGHT NOW THAT PEOPLE ARE LOSING THEIR JOBS." UNM POLITICAL SCIENCE PROFESSOR TIM KREBS SAYS IF IT'S TOUGHNESS OBAMA IS LOOKING FOR ... JOE BIDEN OR EVEN SENATOR HILLARY CLINTON WOULD BE PLAUSIBLE CHOICES. BUT KREBS SAYS RICHARDSON OFFERS QUALITIES THAT COULD BE JUST AS IMPORTANT: IF HE SELECTS RICHARDSON I THINK IT WILL HELP HIM WITH HISPANIC VOTERS AND SO IT WILL HELP HIM IN THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO AND IT COULD HELP HIM IN THE SOUTHWEST. UHM, AND UH, CERTAINLY IN OTHER STATES LIKE CALIFORNIA WITH LARGE HISPANIC POPULATIONS. IT WILL ALSO HELP HIM I THINK IN TERMS OF WHAT MIGHT BE PERCEIVED AS HIS EXPERIENCE DEFICIT ON FOREIGN AFFAIRS, GIVEN RICHARDSON'S VERY HIGH PROFILE INTERVENTIONS IN FOREIGN COUNTRIES. OTHER NAMES BEING MENTIONED INCLUDE VIRGINIA'S GOVERNOR TIM KAINE AND KANSAS GOVERNOR KATHLEEN SEBELIUS. AND MARLA -- WHEN WE ASKED KREBS FOR A "DARK-HORSE" CHOICE FOR V-P ... HE CAME UP WITH OHIO GOVERNOR TED STRICKLAND. BUT AS HE SAYS -- IT'S ALL SPECULATION AT THIS POINT.

A WARNING IS BEING SENT OUT FOR STUDENTS AT NMSU. CAMPUS POLICE ARE SENDING OUT E-MAILS ADVISING STUDENTS AGAINST A SCHOOL TRADITION: TRAVELLING TO JUAREZ NIGHTCLUBS. MORE THAN 500 PEOPLE HAVE BEEN MURDERED THERE SO FAR THIS YEAR IN THE BORDER TOWN ACROSS FROM EL PASO.

4 KOB 7:00 AM                        

HOURS, REPUBLICAN PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE JOHN MCCAIN WILL SPEAK IN LAS CRUCES. HE'S HOLDING A TOWN HALL MEETING AT NMSU'S PAN AMERICAN CENTER. ABOUT 500 PEOPLE ARE EXPECTED TO ATTEND THE INVITATION ONLY EVENT. MCCAIN IS EXPECTED TO TALK ABOUT ENERGY AND ECONOMICS. THIS WILL BE HIS THIRD NEW MEXICO VISIT THIS YEAR. WE WILL HAVE COMPLETE COVERAGE OF MCCAIN'S TRIP COMING UP IN OUR LATER NEWSCASTS.WE COULD KNOW AS EARLY AS TODAY WHO SENATOR OBAMA WILL PICK AS HIS RUNNING MATE AMONG THOSE ON THE SHORT LIST - GOVERNOR BILL RICHARDSON. WE ASKED UNM POLITICAL SCIENCE PROFESSOR TIM KREBS WHO A GOOD CHOICE WOULD BE - HE SAYS IF IT'S TOUGHNESS OBAMA IS LOOKING FOR ... JOE BIDEN OR SENATOR HILLARY CLINTON WOULD BE GOOD. BUT KREBS SAYS RICHARDSON WOULD GIVE OBAMA A BOOST WITH HISPANIC VOTERS.

4 KOB 4:00 PM                         

"I BELIEVE THIS IS GONNA BE A CLOSE ELECTION-- I BELIEVE THIS I'M THE UNDERDOG." JOHN MCCAIN STOPS IN LAS CRUCES-- ON THE JOHN MCCAIN STOPS IN LAS CRUCES-- ON THE SAME DAY A NEW POLL SHOWS HE'S GAINING A LOT OF GROUND IN THE NATIONAL RACE. OUR TOP STORY TODAY-- THE ARIZONA SENATOR'S TOWN HALL MEETING AT NEW MEXICO STATE UNIVERSITY. HE TOOK QUESTIONS DIRECTLY FROM NEW MEXICANS. AT THE SAME TIME-- IT LOOKS LIKE HIS MESSAGE IS GAINING GROUND. STUART DYSON IS IN OUR NEWSROOM WITH DETAILS OF THE REPUBLICAN FRONTRUNNER'S LATEST TRIP TO NEW MEXICO-- FOR DECISION 08. IT'S MCCAIN'S THIRD CAMPAIGN TRIP TO OUR STATE - HIS FIRST TO THE SOUTHLAND - AND IT COMES ON THE HEELS OF DEMOCRAT BARACK OBAMA'S VISIT TO ALBUQUERQUE ON MONDAY. IT WAS A TOWN HALL MEETING IN THE PAN AMERICAN CENTER'S ANNEX GYM - PLENTY OF NEW MEXICO STATE STUDENTS ATTENDING - ALONG WITH DIGNITARIES - POLITICOS - AND JUST PLAIN VOTERS - MOSTLY REPUBLICANS THERE TO SEE THEIR GUY UP CLOSE. MCCAIN - IN A BORDER TOWN - TALKING BORDER ISSUES. " IN THIS PART OF THE COUNTRY - NEW MEXICO - TEXAS - ARIZONA - WE VALUE AND CHERISH OUR HISPANIC HERITAGE - BUT WE ALSO UNDERSTAND THAT WE HAVE TO HAVE SECURE BORDERS AND WE HAVE TO DO IT BECAUSE IT'S A NATIONAL SECURITY RESPONSIBILITY - THANK YOU - ." MCCAIN SLAMMED OBAMA FOR HIS POSITIONS ON IRAQ AND ENERGY - THE ARIZONA SENATOR CALLING FOR NUCLEAR POWER - AND MORE OIL DRILLING. " THEY DO IT OFF THE COAST OF LOUISIANA - THEY DO IT OFF THE COAST OF TEXAS - AND WE NEED TO DRILL OFFSHORE AND WE NEED TO DO IT NOW OFF OUR SHORES AND WE CAN BECOME ENERGY INDEPENDENT ." MCCAIN PREDICTING A CLOSE ELECTION - WITH NEW MEXICO BEING A KEY STATE IN DECIDING THE NEXT PRESIDENT. SOME GOOD NEWS FOR MCCAIN TODAY - WHILE MOST POLLS SHOW OBAMA AHEAD OPENING UP A FIVE POINT LEAD - WITH A GOOD DEAL EYEWITNESS NEWS FOUR. DESPITE A POTENTIAL UPROAR, JOHN MC-CAIN MAY SHAKE UP HIS PARTY BY CHOOSING A RUNNING MATE WHO FAVORS ABORTION RIGHTS AND IS A REGISTERED DEMOCRAT. NBC REPORTS THE JOE LIEBERMAN POSSIBILITY IS SO SERIOUS - STATE PARTY CHAIRMEN HAVE BEEN ASKED TO CHECK THE RULES FOR PUTTING A NON-REPUBLICAN ON THEIR STATE BALLOTS. AND TODAY THE REPUBLICAN PARTY ANNOUNCED SENATOR LIEBERMAN WILL SPEAK AT THEIR CONVENTION THIS MONTH. ONE THEORY IS LIEBERMAN'S NAME IS BEING FLOATED ... TO PAVE THE WAY FOR PRO-CHOICE FORMER PENNSYLVANIA GOVERNOR TOM RIDGE. BEFORE THE DAY IS OVER WE MAY KNOW IF GOVENOR BILL RICHARDSON IS BARACK OBAMA'S RUNNING MATE CHOICE. A SOURCE WITH OBAMA'S CAMPAIGN SAYS OBAMA WILL APPEAR ON SATURDAY IN ILLINOIS WITH HIS VICE-PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE. DURING MONDAY'S VISIT TO ALBUQUERQUE -- OBAMA PRAISED RICHARDSON AS ONE OF THE NATION'S BEST GOVERNORS, BUT OTHERWISE GAVE NO HINT AS TO THE GOVERNOR'S FUTURE STATUS. EXPERTS SAY PICKING RICHARDSON WOULD HELP OBAMA PICK UP HISPANIC VOTES... AND HELP BOLSTER HIS LACK OF FOREIGN RELATIONS EXPERIENCE. "IT WILL ALSO HELP HIM I THINK IN TERMS OF WHAT MIGHT BE PERCEIVED AS HIS EXPERIENCE DEF FOREIGN COUNTRIES." RICHARDSON IS ON A SHORT LIST THAT INCLUDES DELAWARE SENATOR JOE BIDEN, KANSAS GOVERNOR KATHLEEN SEBELIUS, INDIANA SENATOR EVAN BAYH AND VIRGINIA GOVERNOR TIM KAINE. OBAMA WILL ANNOUNCE HIS CHOICE IN A TEXT MESSAGE TO SUPPORTERS. 

4 KOB 5:00 PM                         

THE UNM FOOTBALL PROGRAM PENALIZED "ITSELF" AFTER A 2004 SCANDAL INVOLVING COACHES WHO HELPED RECRUITS GET BOGUS SCHOOL CREDITS. BUT TODAY THE NCAA SAID THOSE PENALTIES AREN'T ENOUGH. J-P MURRIETA IS HERE WITH WHAT OTHER PUNISHMENTS WERE HANDED DOWN TODAY. THE GOOD NEWS IS THEY AVOIDED ANY POSTSEASON BAN OR ANY T.V. RESTRICTIONS.. BUT THEY ARE LOSING MORE SCHOLARSHIPS THAN THEY THOUGHT AND HOPED .. SOME FORMER ASSISTANT COACHES TRIED TO ARRANGE CORRESPONDENCE COURSES FOR ONE LOBO AND THREE RECRUITS..THE THREE PROSPECTIVE PLAYERS RECEIVED CREDIT FOR COURSE WORK THEY DID NOT COMPLETE AT FRESNO PACIFIC UNIVERSITY. SO THE NCAA IS PUTTING UNM ON THREE YEARS PROBATION AND REDUCING THEIR SCHOLARSHIPS BY FIVE.. HERE'S A LOOK AT THE OTHER PENALTIES.. UNM MUST REDUCE THE NUMBER OF TWO YEAR COLLEGE SIGNEES BY 50 PERCENT.. AND NOW ONLY SIX COACHES CAN RECRUIT OFF CAMPUS INSTEAD OF SEVEN.. HEAD COACH ROCKY LONG WAS NOT PENALIZED PERSONALLY BUT HE ADMITS HE NEEDS TO KEEP A MORE WATCHFUL EYE ON THINGS.. THE UNIVERSITY PRESIDENT DAVID SCHMIDLEY SAYS THE SCHOOL IS EMBARASSED BY THE WHOLE SITUATION .. WE'LL HEAR FROM HIM TONIGHT AT SIX O'CLOCK .. BACK TO YOU..CONSTRUCTION OF RIO RANCHO'S FIRST COLLEGE CAMPUS CAN NOW BEGIN. CENTRAL NEW MEXICO COMMUNITY COLLEGE FINALIZED A DEAL WITH RIO RANCHO, THE STATE, AND UNM. THE DEAL GIVES C-N-M 40 ACRES TO BEGIN CONSTRUCTION OF THE SCHOOL'S NEW CAMPUS. THAT CAMPUS WILL GO UP NEAR THE SANTA ANA STAR CENTER -- AND IS EXPECTED TO OPEN IN 20-10. C-N-M BOUGHT THE LAND FOR A LITTLE MORE THAN THREE MILLION DOLLARS.

BEING WARNED TO STAY ON THE AMERICAN SIDE OF THE BORDER. NEW MEXICO STATE UNIVERSITY POLICE SENT AN EMAIL WARNING TO STUDENTS. THE WARNING MENTIONS THE ESCALATING DRUG VIOLENCE IN JUAREZ -- ABOUT 500 PEOPLE HAVE BEEN MURDERED IN JUAREZ THIS YEAR.. SCHOOL STARTS AT NEW MEXICO STATE THIS THURSDAY. HISTORICALLY, LARGE GROUPS OF STUDENTS HEAD INTO JUAREZ THAT NIGHT TO VISIT BARS AND NIGHTCLUBS.A NEW

STUDY FINDS NOT ALL ALBUQUERQUE AREA HOSPITALS ARE EQUAL WHEN IT COMES TO SAVING HEART ATTACK VICTIMS. THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT RELEASED DEATH RATE DATA FROM HOSPITALS THROUGHOUT NEW MEXICO.... AND THE REST OF THE COUNTRY. THE RATES SHOWS THE PERCENTAGE OF PATIENTS WHO DIED OF A HEART ATTACK AT THE HOSPITAL "AFTER" ARRIVING. IN ALBUQUERQUE, THE HEART HOSPITAL HAD THE LOWEST DEATH RATE IN 2007 ....WITH LOWER DEATH RATES THAN PRESBYTERIAN.... LOVELACE AND UNM HOSPITAL. STATEWIDE -- THE HIGHEST HEART ATTACK DEATH RATE WAS AT SAN JUAN REGIONAL IN FARMINGTON. OVERALL -- NEW MEXICO'S HOSPITALS ARE CLOSE TO THE NATIONAL AVERAGE FOR HEART ATTACK DEATH RATES. 

4 KOB 6:00 PM                         

THE NCAA SAYS UNM'S FOOTBALL PROGRAM NEEDS MORE PUNISHMENT FOR THE 2004 SCANDAL INVOLVING COACHES WHO HELPED RECRUITS GET BOGUS SCHOOL CREDITS J-P MURRIETA IS LIVE IN THE NEWSROOM WITH THE NEW PENALTIES HANDED DOWN TODAY. UNM HOPES TODAY'S RULING WILL BRING CLOSURE TO A SAD AND EMBARASSING SITUTATION ... NONE OF THE CURRENT LOBOS WERE INVOLVED AND NONE OF THE CURRENT STAFF FOUND GUILTY OF ANY WRONGDOING.. BUT THE FUTURE MIGHT SUFFER A LITTLE BIT.. THE UNIVERSITY IS PUT ON THREE YEARS PROBATION .. THE LOBOS MUST REDUCE THE NUMBER OF SCHOLARSHIPS BY FIVE AND RESTRICT THE NUMBER OF TWO-YEAR COLLEGE SIGNEES BY 50 PERCENT.. HEAD COACH ROCKY LONG WAS NOT PENALIZED PERSONALLY FOR ANY WRONGDOING.. BUT WHAT SORT OF RESPONSIBILITY DOES HE TAKE IN THIS WHOLE MATTER?.. WE ASKED HIM.. AND YOU'LL HEAR WHAT HE HAS TO SAY COMING UP LATER IN SPORTS.. BACK TO YOU..WE'VE LEARNED ONE OUT OF EVERY EIGHT A-P-S STUDENTS GOES TO A SCHOOL OUTSIDE THEIR NEIGHBORHOOD. BUT A-P-S SAYS ITS NOT FOR THE REASON YOU MIGHT THINK. A-P-S SAYS MOST PARENTS WANT TO TRANSFER THEIR KIDS FROM ONE SCHOOL TO ANOTHER FOR NON-ACADEMIC REASONS. "IT'S PROBABLY FOR REASON OF CONVENIENCE. BECAUSE IN THE ELEMENTARY LEVEL IT SEEMS THAT MOST PARENTS ARE WANTING TO FIND A SCHOOL THAT EITHER CLOSE TO THEIR BABY SITTING NEEDS, GRANDMA'S HOUSE, THEIR JOB, THEIR SCHOOL IF THEY ARE GOING TO THE UNIVERSITY OF NEW MEXICO." THAT MEANS MONTEZUMA, MONTE VISTA, BANDELIER AND LONGFELLOW ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS--- AS WELL AS JEFFERSON MIDDLE--- FILL UP QUICKLY WITH TRANSFER STUDENTS.

AS WE TOLD YOU EARLIER IN THE SHOW.. THE UNM FOOTBALL PROGRAM WAS PUT ON THREE YEARS PROBATION AND WILL LOSE FIVE SCHOLARSHIPS BECAUSE OF TRYING TO GET SOME PLAYERS BOGUS GRADES.. === NONE OF THE CURRENT LOBOS OR ANYONE ON THE CURRENT STAFF WERE INVOLVED.. IT WAS TWO FORMER ASSISTANTS WHO WERE FOUND GUILTY.. SO WHAT RESPONSIBILITY DOES HEAD COACH ROCKY LONG TAKE FOR THE WHOLE MATTER?.. CHASE HOLBROOK IS IN HIS FINAL YEAR WITH THE AGGIES.. THE SENIOR QUARTERBACK IS GETTING SOME NATIONAL ATTENTION.. THE SPORTING NEWS NAMED HOLBROOK AS A SLEEPER .. "QUOTE NFL PEOPLE KNOW WHO HE IS AND REALLY LIKE HIS PASSING SKILLS AND SMARTS..UNQUOTE.. LAST SEASON HOLBROOK THREW FOR ALMOST FOUR THOUSAND YARDS AND 26 TOUCHDOWNS.. CHARLIE DOTSON IS GETTING HIS ELDORADO FOOTBALL TEAM READY FOR THEIR SEASON ELDORADO FOOTBALL TEAM READY FOR THEIR SEASON OPENER IN NINE DAYS.. FIVE OF ELDORADO'S FIRST SIX OPPONENTS MADE THE PLAYOFFS LAST YEAR.. BUT DOTSON'S GOT A SECRET WEAPON.. A NEW WEIGHT ROOM.. HE SAYS IT WAS MUCH NEEDED CONSIDERING THEY WERE STILL USING THE ONE "HE" WORKED OUT IN WHEN HE WAS IN HIGH SCHOOL IN THE 80'S.. ISOTOPES OUTFIELDER JOHN GALL AND THE U-S BASEBALL TEAM PICKED UP AN EXTRA INNING WIN AGAINST JAPAN.. GALL WENT ZERO-FOR-FIVE BUT DROVE IN A RUN IN THE 11TH.. THE UNITED STATES WINS IT 4-2.. THEY WILL FACE CUBA IN THE SEMIFINALS.. KEN GRIFFEY JUNIOR HIT HIS FIRST HOME RUN IN A CHICAGO WHITE SOX UNIFORM TODAY.. THE HOME RUN CAME AGAINST SEATTLE.. GRIFFEY IS NOW TIED WITH SAMMY SOSA FOR FIFTH ON THE ALL- TIME HOME RUN LIST .. NUMBER 609.. WHITE SOX GOT A LOT OF RUNS TODAY.. 15-3 THE FINAL .. THE HOLLY HOLM- MARY JO SANDERS REMATCH IS SET .. THE TWO WILL SQUARE OFF OCTOBER 17 IN AUBURN HILLS MICHIGAN .. BACK IN JUNE HOLM HANDED SANDERS THE ONLY DEFEAT OF HER CAREER WITH A UNANIMOUS DECISION..

4 KOB 6:00 PM                        

IF YOUR CHILD WAS ATTENDING A SCHOOL THAT DID NOT MEET FEDERAL TESTING STANDARDS WOULD YOU TRY TO TRANSFER YOUR STUDENT TO ONE THAT IS? WELL IF YOUR CHILD IS ATTENDING A-P-S THE ANSWER TO THAT QUESTION APPEARS TO BE NO. BUT STILL THOUSANDS OF A-P-S STUDENTS ARE TRANSFERRING EACH YEAR. SHELTON DODSON IS LIVE AT A-P-S HEADQUARTERS WITH THE REASON WHY... SHELTON: A-P-S GRANTED FOUR THOUSAND NEW TRANSFERS THIS YEAR ALONE MEANING ABOUT TEN THOUSAND A-P-S STUDENTS ARE ATTENDING SCHOOL NO WHERE NEAR THE NEIGHBORHOOD THEY LIVE IN. WHY? A-P-S BELIEVES IT HAS MORE TO DO WITH WHERE PARENTS ARE WORKING THAN WHERE THEY ARE LIVING: A-P-S KIDS ARE BACK IN SCHOOL AND FOR ABOUT 10- THOUSAND OF THEM THEY ATTENDING SCHOOL NO WHERE NEAR THEIR HOMES. : "STUDENT SERVICE CENTER, THIS IS TOBY, MAY I HELP YOU." TOBY HERRERA IS THE DIRECTOR OF A-P-S STUDENT SERVICES. HIS DEPARTMENT HAS RECEIVED ABOUT 6-THOUSAND NEW TRANSFER REQUESTS THIS YEAR ALONE AND GRANTED ABOUT 4-THOUSAND OF THEM. AND HERRERA THINKS A LOT OF REQUESTS HAVE A COMMON THEME. : "IT'S PROBABLY FOR REASON OF CONVENIENCE. BECAUSE IN THE ELEMENTARY LEVEL IT SEEMS THAT MOST PARENTS ARE WANTING TO FIND A SCHOOL THAT EITHER CLOSE TO THEIR BABY SITTING NEEDS, GRANDMA'S HOUSE, THEIR JOB, THEIR SCHOOL IF THEY ARE GOING TO THE UNIVERSITY OF NEW MEXICO." THAT MEANS ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS SUCH AS MONTEZUMA, MONTE VISTA, BANDELIER AND LONGFELLOW -- ALONG WITH NEARBY JEFFERSON MIDDLE TYPICALLY FILL UP QUICKLY WITH TRANSFER STUDENTS. MOSTLY BECAUSE THERE PROXIMITY TO DOWNTOWN ALBUQUERQUE WHERE THE STUDENT'S PARENTS WORK AND TO UNM WHERE SOME PARENTS GO TO CLASS. : SANDIA HIGH SCHOOL ALSO GETS A LOT OF TRANSFER STUDENTS AND IT'S ALSO THE ONLY A-P-S HIGH SCHOOL TO MEET THE ADEQUATE YEARLY PROGRESS STANDARDS FOR LAST YEAR. BUT A-P-S SAYS THEY RARELY SEE A TRANSFER REQUEST MADE JUST BECAUSE OF A SCHOOL'S A-Y-P REPORT. : "THEY USUALLY HAVE THEIR OWN REASON AND IT'S NOT A HIGH PERCENTAGE OF THEM WHO SAY I SPECIFICALLY WANT A SCHOOL THAT IS NOT IN NEED OF IMPROVEMENT." SANDIA GETS A LOT OF TRANSFER STUDENTS BECAUSE THE SCHOOL HAS ROOM FOR THEM. THE SANDIA NEIGHBORHOOD IS GETTING OLDER AND LESS AND LESS HIGH SCHOOL AGE STUDENTS NOW LIVE THERE. AS FOR THE SCHOOLS THAT MOST STUDENTS ARE TRANSFERRING OUT OF -- A-P-S SAYS THOSE STATS ARE NOT READILY AVAILABLE. LIVE AT A-P-S HEADQUARTERS... SHELTON DODSON, EYEWITNESS NEWS FOUR.

THE UNM FOOTBALL PROGRAM PENALIZED "ITSELF" AFTER A SCANDAL INVOLVING COACHES WHO HELPED RECRUITS GET BOGUS SCHOOL CREDITS. BUT TODAY THE N-C DOUBLE A SAID THOSE PENALTIES AREN'T ENOUGH. BACK IN 2004 -- SOME ASSISTANT COACHES TRIED TO ARRANGE CORRESPONDENCE COURSES FOR ONE LOBO AND THREE RECRUITS.. THE THREE PROSPECTIVE PLAYERS RECEIVED CREDIT FOR COURSE WORK THEY DID NOT COMPLETE AT FRESNO PACIFIC UNIVERSITY. BECAUSE OF THAT -- THE N-C DOUBLE A IS PUTTING UNM ON THREE YEARS PROBATION AND REDUCING THEIR SCHOLARSHIPS BY FIVE .... HEAD COACH ROCKY LONG WAS NOT PENALIZED PERSONALLY -- BUT HE ADMITS HE NEEDS TO KEEP A MORE WATCHFUL EYE ON THINGS.. ON TOP OF THE PENALTIES WE JUST MENTIONED -- UNM MUST ALSO REDUCE THE NUMBER OF TWO YEAR COLLEGE SIGNEES BY 50 PERCENT .. AND NOW ONLY SIX COACHES CAN RECRUIT OFF CAMPUS INSTEAD OF SEVEN.. UNM PRESIDENT DAVID SCHMIDLEY SAYS THE SCHOOL IS EMBARASSED BY THE WHOLE SITUATION.

4 KOB 10:00 PM                       

THE N-C DOUBLE A HANDS DOWN ITS PUNISHMENT TO THE LOBO FOOTBALL PROGRAM FOR A 2004 SCANDAL INVOLVING COACHES WHO HELPED RECRUITS GET BOGUS SCHOOL CREDITS. WHILE UNM DISCIPLINED ITSELF--- THE NC-DOUBLE-A WANTED MORE---PUTTING THE PROGRAM ON 3 YEARS PROBATION, REDUCING THE NUMBER OF SCHOLARSHIPS BY 5 OVER THAT PERIOD AND RESTRICTING THE NUMBER OF TWO-YEAR COLLEGE SIGNEES BY 50 PERCENT. NO CURRENT LOBOS OR COACHES WERE FOUND GUILTY OF ANY WRONGDOING. J-P WILL HAVE MORE ON THIS STORY IN SPORTS.

4 KOB 10:00 PM                        

LOBO FOOTBALL ASSISTANTS SAD AND EMBARASSING.. BUT NOW THEY HOPE THE MATTER IS BEHIND THEM.. AS WE TOLD YOU EARLIER .. THE NCAA PUT THE LOBO FOOTBALL PROGRAM ON THREE YEARS PROBATION AND REDUCED THEIR SCHOLARSHIPS BY FIVE.. HEAD COACH ROCKY LONG SAYS HE WAS PREPARED FOR THE PUNISHMENT AND AS LONG AS THEY DIDN'T TAKE AWAY BOWL APPEARANCES AND T.V. TIME.. THEY'LL SURVIVE..

7 KOAT 5:00 AM                         

THE POLITICAL SPOTLIGHT IS ONCE AGAIN SHINING ON THE LAND OF ENCHANTMENT.. REPUBLICAN PRESIDENTIAL HOPEFUL-- JOHN MCCAIN WILL LAND IN NEW MEXICO IN JUST A FEW HOURS. THIS IS HIS 3RD STOP HERE ON THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL-- AND RIGHT ON THE HEELS OF BARACK OBAMA'S VISIT ON MONDAY.. MCCAIN WILL HOST A TOWN HALL MEETING IN LAS CRUCES AT NEW MEXICO STATE UNIVERSITY. DOORS OPEN AT 8:30 TO INVITED GUESTS. AND BE SURE TO WATCH ACTION 7 NEWS LIVE AT 5, 6 & 10 FOR COMPLETE COVERAGE ON MCCAIN'S VISIT.AN INAUGURAL CONFERENCE HONORING SENATOR PETE DOMENICI BEGINS TODAY AT THE NMSU CAMPUS. ACCORDING TO THE ALBUQUERQUE JOURNAL-- THE DOMENICI PUBLIC POLICY CONFERENCE IS  EXPECTED TO DRAW STATE AND NATIONAL LEADERS. THE EVENT IS PART OF THE PETE DOMENICI LEGACY PROJECT TO HONOR THE LONGTIME REPUBLICAN SENATOR.         

7 KOAT 5:00 AM                         

THE SECOND PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGN 2008 COVERAGE THIS MORNING... THE SECOND PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGN VISIT TO NEW MEXICO IN THREE DAYS. REPUBLICAN JOHN MC-CAIN HEADS TO LAS CRUCES THIS MORNING... THAT'S WHERE ACTION SEVEN NEWS REPORTER CHRIS RAMIREZ HAS MORE ON WHAT'S AHEAD. IN JUST A FEW HOURS, NMSU WILL BE HOST TO JOHN MCCAIN'S NEXT VISIT TO NEW MEXICO. MCCAIN'S CAMPAIGN HEADQUARTERS ISN'T RELEASING MANY DETAILS. THEY WILL SAY MCCAIN WILL HOLD A TOWNHALL MEETING BEGINNING AT 10 O'CLOCK. DOORS OPEN AT 8-30 TO INVITED GUESTS. THIS IS MCCAIN'S FIRST TRIP TO LAS CRUCES AS THE PRESUMTIVE REPUBLICAN NOMINEE. MCCAIN'S VISIT IS TIMELY AFTER A WEEK WITH DEMOCRATS IN THE STATE. HILLARY CLINTON WAS IN ESPANOLA ON SUNDAY AND DEMOCRATIC PRESIDENTIAL HOPEFUL BARACK OBAMA WAS IN ALBUQUERQUE ON MONDAY. THE CAMPAIGN IS EXPECTING SEVERAL HUNDRED PEOPLE IN ATTENDENCE THIS MORNING. COMING UP LATER ON ACTION 7 NEWS LIVE AT FIVE, WE WILL HAVE COMPLETE COVERAGE OF THE TOWNHALL MEETING WITH TEAM COVERAGE.

7 KOAT 5:00 PM                         

FOR THE THIRD TIME SINCE MEMORIAL DAY -- JOHN MCCAIN PAID A VISIT TO NEW MEXICO. DF THIS TIME, IN LAS CRUCES... BUT THERE WERE SIMILARITIES TO HIS EARLIER NEW MEXICO VISIT. ACTION 7 NEWS REPORTER CHRIS RAMIREZ WAS THE ONLY ALBUQUERQUE T-V REPORTER AT THE MCCAIN EVENT, AND EXPLAINS THE RESEMBLANCES IN THIS COMMITMENT 2008 REPORT. WITH A JUMP START BY THE POPULAR REPUBLICAN DONA ANA COUNTY D-A SUSANA MARTINEZ SUSANA MARTINEZ, :45-:49 YOUR NEXT PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. IT WASN'T LONG BEFORE PRESIDENTIAL HOPEFUL JOHN MCCAIN JUMPED INTO KEY ISSUES.STARTING WITH ENERGY MCCAIN 17:22-34 SENATOR OBAMA SAYS HE WANTS ENERGY INDEPENDENCE, BUT HE'S OPPOSED TO NEW DRILLING AT HOME AND HE'S OPPOSED TO NUCLEAR POWER. FRIENDS, WE HAVE TO HAVE NUCLEAR POWER. NUCLEAR POWER HAS GOT TO BE PART OF OUR WAY OF BEING ENERGY INDEPENDENT. MCCAIN QUICKLY DEFINED HIS POSITION ON IRAQ. HE PROMISES TROOPS WILL COME HOME, BUT NOT UNTIL AMERICA HAS QUOTE-SECURED OUR NATION FIRST. MCCAIN 20:25-:38 YESTERDAY SEN OBAMA GOT A LITTLE TESTY ON THIS ISSUE. HE SAID I WAS QUESTIONING HIS PATRIOTISM. LET ME BE VERY CLEAR. I AM NOT QUESTIONING HIS PATRIOTISM, I AM QUESTIONING HIS JUDGEMENT. CHRIS STANDUPS: 1:14:10-18 AND WITH THE REPUBLICAN CONVENTION JUST A WEEK AND A HALF AWAY, THE AUDIENCE TODAY COULDN'T HELP BUT ASKHAS MCCAIN CHOSEN A VICE PRESIDENT YET? MCCAIN, 42:22 I WILL NOMINATE A VICE PRESIDENT WHO SHARES MY PRINCIPLES, MY VALUES, AND MY PRIORITIES BUT WHO THAT PERSON IS-MCCAIN WOULDN'T SAY. THE REPUPLICAN CONTENDER HAS LESS THAN 80 DAYS TO CONVINCE AMERICA HIS STANCE ON NATIONAL ISSUES ARE BEST FOR THE COUNTRY. EVEN MCCAIN ADMITS, HE HAS MANY CHALLENGES AHEAD OF HIM. IN LAS CRUCES, CHRIS RAMIREZ, KOAT A7N. DF SOME GOOD NEWS FOR JOHN MCCAIN TODAY ... C.N.N. LOOKED OVER A NUMBER OF POLLS, AND FOUND OBAMA'S LEAD OVER THE ARIZONA SENATOR, IS DOWN TO ONE POINT... 45 PERCENT TO 44 PERCENT. JUST 5 WEEKS AGO, JULY, OBAMA LED MCCAIN BY 8 POINTS. LOTS OF EXCITEMENT IN LAS CRUCES TODAY OVER SENATOR MCCAIN'S VISIT. ACTION 7 NEWS REPORTER DREW RUDNICK CONTINUES OUR TEAM COVERAGE WITH REACTION FROM THE CROWD. DEMOCRATIC PRESIDENTIAL HOPEFUL BARACK OBAMA HAS BEEN A ROCK STAR ON COLLEGE CAMPUSES NATIONWIDE THIS ELECTION SEASON "I DON'T THINK THAT COLLEGE STUDENTS THINK ENOUGH ABOUT WHAT THEY'RE SAYING AND JUST VOTE FOR WHOEVER THE COOL PERSON IS TO VOTE FOR." TODAY... REPUBLICAN NOMINEE JOHN MCCAIN GOT HIS SHOT HERE IN SOUTHERN NEW MEXICO...TAKING CENTER STAGE IN LAS CRUCES. "SENATOR MCCAIN'S VISIT TO THE NMSU HERE IN LAS CRUCES ATTRACTED HUNDREDS BUT NEARLY A QUARTER OF THOSE WERE COLLEGE STUDENTS." "IT'S VERY IMPORTANT. WE NEED ALL THE SUPPORT WE CAN GET. WE GOT TO KNOW WHAT WE'RE GETTING OURSELVES INTO BEFORE WE CAN EVEN LIKE SELECT A CANDIDATE. IT'S SO IMPORTANT... THIS IS OUR FUTURE. BUT WHILE COURTING THE COLLEGE VOTE IN HIS THIRD CAMPAIGN STOP TO NEW MEXICO...THE ARIZONA SENATOR DIDN'T FORGET TO KEY ON HIS TRADITIONAL CONSERVATIVE VOTERS "I THOUGHT HE WAS GREAT. HE'S BETTER IN PERSON." " WELL I'M PRETTY MUCH IN AGREEMENT WITH HIS POSITION ON MOST OF THE ISSUES. I THINK WE REALLY NEED TO GET THIS COUNTRY ON TRACK IN EDUCATION AND SECURITY." ONE IMPORTANT POINT SENATOR MCCAIN DID STRESS IN HIS SPEECH IS THAT HE CONSIDERS HIMSELF THE UNDERDOG IN THE FIGHT THE FOR THE WHITE HOUSE...NEEDING ALL THE VOTES HE CAN GET ...ESPECIALLY FROM NON-TRADITIONAL REPUBLICAN VOTERS. FOR COMMITMENT 2008...IN LAS CRUCES ...DR...A7N WE ASKED FOR A ONE-ON-ONE INTERVIEW WITH THE ARIZONA SENATOR; WE WERE TOLD, HE DIDN'T HAVE TIME DURING THIS TRIP, BUT WHEN MCCAIN DOES HAVE TIME, HE'LL BE HAPPY TO MEET WITH US. WE LOOK FORWARD TO THE OPPORTUNITY. AND WITH JUST DAYS TO GO BEFORE THE DEMOCRATIC CONVENTION, SUSPENSE OVER BARACK OBAMA'S RUNNING MATE IS GETTING STRONGER. OBAMA IS CAMPAIGNING IN VIRGINIA, ONE OF THE TRADITIONALLY RED STATES DEMOCRATS HOPE TO TURN BLUE IN NOVEMBER. THE STATE'S GOVERNOR, TIM KAINE IS THOUGHT TO BE ON OBAMA'S VICE PRESIDENTIAL SHORT LIST. A LIST THAT SHOULD FINALLY SHRINK TO ONE ON SATURDAY, WHEN OBAMA PLANS TO RALLY IN SPRINGFIELD, ILLINOIS WITH HIS RUNNINGMATE AT HIS SIDE. MAKE SURE YOU STAY WITH ACTION 7 NEWS FOR CONTINUING COVERAGE OF THE PRESIDENTIAL RACE. DOUG FERNANDEZ WILL HAVE LIVE REPORTS FROM THE DEMOCRATIC CONVENTION IN DENVER, STARTING ON SUNDAY. HE'LL ALSO HAVE THE LATEST FROM THE REPUBLICAN CONVENTION IN MINNEAPOLIS/ ST. PAUL BEGINNING AUGUST 31ST.

7 KOAT 6:00 PM                          

NEW MEXICO STATE STUDENTS ARE BEING WARNED, NOT TO GO TO CIUDAD JUAREZ . THE MEXICO BORDER CITY IS TRADITIONALLY A PLACE NMSU STUDENTS GO TO PARTY ON THE FIRST THURSDAY OF EACH SEMESTER. FALL SEMESTER STARTS TOMORROW. BUT CONTINUING VIOLENCE ON THE BORDER HAS PROMPTED SCHOOL OFFICIALS TO DISCOURAGE TRAVEL.

7 KOAT 6:00 PM                         

NMSU STUDENTS COULD HAVE GONE TO JOHN MCCAIN'S TOWNHALL MEETING THIS MORNING. THE PRESUMPTIVE REPUBLICAN PRESIDENTIAL NOMINEE WAS ON CAMPUS, TALKING TO A CROWD OF ABOUT 300. MCCAIN IS LOOKING TO WIN OUR SWING STATE ... AND WASN'T SHY ABOUT COVERING ISSUES IMPORTANT TO NEW MEXICANS. IN OUR COMMITMENT 2008 COVERAGE, CHRIS RAMIREZ WAS THE ONLY ALBUQUERQUE REPORTER IN LAS CRUCES. WITH A CROWD MADE UP OF NEW MEXICANS---IT'S NO SURPRISE REPUBLICAN PRESIDENTIAL HOPEFUL JOHN MCCAIN FIELDED A NUMBER OF QUESTIONS OF ISSUES ON THE MINDS OF MANY SECURING THE BORDERAND ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION FOR STARTERS. MCCAIN, 59:30-40 WE VALUE AND CHERISH OUR HISPANIC HERITAGE, BUT WE ALSO UNDERSTAND WE HAVE TO SECURE BORDERS AND WE HAVE TO DO IT BECAUSE IT IS A NATIONAL SECURITY RESPONSIBILITY. AS A SENATOR FROM ARIZONA, MCCAIN IS PLUGGED INTO BORDER ISSUES HE SAYS SECURITY HAS TO BE A JOINT EFFORT WITH MEXICOPART OF THAT EFFORT IS TO STOP THE ILLEGAL DRUG CARTEL. MCCAIN 57:25-40 HERE IN NEW MEXICO AND IN ARIZONA-THERE IS A STANDARD PROCEDURE. THEY SEND A 100 OR ILLEGALS ACROSS THE BORDER. CALL THE BORDER PATROL AND THE BORDER PATROL ROUNDS UP THE ILLEGALS AND THEN THE DRUG DEALERS COME ACROSS. CHRIS STAND UP 1:14:53-02 WHILE MCCAIN ADMITS HE IS AN UNDERDOG IN THIS RACE, HE DOES THINK THIS RACE WILL BE A TIGHT ONEA RACE THAT MAY ULTIMATELY BE LEFT UP TO NEW MEXICO. MCCAIN, 1:04:04-15 I BELIEVE NEW MEXICO WILL BE ONE OF THOSE FEW STATES THAT WHEN WE ARE UP LATE, WE SAY, WOW, WE'RE STILL WAITING FOR NEW MEXICO TO COME IN TO SEE WHO THE NEXT PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES IS. MCCAIN PLEDGED TO KEEP NEW MEXICO'S MILITARY BASES AT FULL FORCE AND COMMENDED THE NATIONAL GUARD'S MISSIONS AROUND THE STATE AND AROUND THE WORLD. WHILE MCCAIN IS WORKING TO WIN THE VOTES AROUND THE NATION, HE MAY HAVE WON LOYALTY OF SOME NEW MEXICANS THIS MORNING IN LAS CRUCES, CHRIS RAMIREZ KOAT A7N. DOUG WE DID NOT GET THE CHANCE TO HAVE A ONE ON ONE INTERVIEW WITH THE ARIZONA SENATOR TODAY. WE WERE TOLD THERE WAS NOT ENOUGH TIME, BUT WOULD HAVE ANOTHER OPPORTUNITY. AND ACCORDING TO A NEW POLL BY REUTERS, MCCAIN IS LEADING OBAMA AMONG LIKELY U-S VOTERS BY 46 TO 41 PERCENT. BARACK OBAMA HAS REPORTEDLY CHOSEN A VICE-PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE... AND WILL ANNOUNCE THAT PERSON'S NAME, IN A MASS TEXT MESSAGE TO SUPPORTERS IN THE NEXT FEW DAYS. THE FRONT RUNNERS FOR THE JOB APPEAR TO BE VIRGINIA GOVERNOR TIM KAINE AND INDIANA SENATOR EVAN BAYH. BUT, GOVERNOR RICHARDSON'S NAME IS STILL BEING MENTIONED ... AND NO ONE IS COUNTING OUT A SURPRISE PICK, OF HILLARY CLINTON. STAY WITH ACTION NEWS, WE'LL LET YOU KNOW OBAMA'S CHOICE, AS SOON AS HE MAKES IT.

THEY BROKE THE RULES AND NOW THE FOOTBALL PROGRAM AT THE UNIVERSITY OF NEW MEXICO WILL BEGIN PAYING THE PRICE.. THE VIOLATIONS OCCURRED BACK IN THE 2-THOUSAND-4 AND 2-THOUSAND-5 SEASONS WHENTWO UN-NAMED ASSISTANT COACHES, WHO ARE NO LONGER WITH THE PROGRAM, HELPED ONE STUDENT-ATHLETE AND 3 PROSPECTIVE STUDENT ATHLETES OBTAIN CLASS CREDITS FROM CORRESPONDENCE COURSES THAT WERE NEVER COMPLETED... WELL, TODAY THE NCAA HANDED DOWN PENALTIES FOR THOSE RULES VIOLATIONS WITH THE BIGGEST HITS COMING IN THE FORM OF A 3-YEAR PROBATION PERIOD AND A REDUCTION IN LOBO FOOTBALL SCHOLARSHIPS.. GOING BEYOND UNM'S SELF-IMPOSED SANCTIONS THAT WERE PUT INTO PLACE LAST YEAR, THE NUMBER OF SCHOLARSHIPS HAS BEEN REDUCED FROM 85 TO 80, WITH THE NUMBER OF YEARLY FOOTBALL SCHOLARSHIPS HANDED OUT REDUCED FROM 25 TO 20.. SANCTIONS ALSO INCLUDE A REDUCTION IN RECRUITING VISITS PAID FOR BY THE UNIVERSITY, WITH THE NUMBER OF COACHES ALLOWED TO RECRUIT OFF-CAMPUS LOWERED FROM 7-TO-6.. NO VERBATEM THE FOCUS NOW TURNS TO FOOTBALL, BECAUSE IN JUST TEN DAYS THE LOBOS HOST T-C-U IN THEIR SEASON OPENER...

7 KOAT 10:00 PM                    

U.N.M. WILL PAY THE PRICE.. HERE WITH MORE ON TODAY'S NCAA SANCTIONS IS KOAT SPORTS DIRECTOR BOB BROWN. THE VIOLATIONS OCCURRED SOME YEARS AGO WHEN TWO UN- NAMED ASSISTANT COACHES, WHO ARE NO LONGER WITH THE PROGRAM, HELPED SEVERAL STUDENT ATHLETES OBTAIN CLASS CREDITS FROM CORRESPONDENCE COURSES THAT WERE NEVER COMPLETED AND TODAY THE NCAA HANDED DOWN PENALTIES FOR THOSE VIOLATIONS... TOPPING THE LIST IS 3-YEARS PROBATION AND A REDUCTION IN FOOTBALL SCHOLARSHIPS .. SANCTIONS ALSO INCLUDE A REDUCTION IN RECRUITING VISITS THAT ARE PAID FOR BY THE UNIVERSITY AND THE NUMBER OF COACHES THAT WILL NOW BE ALLOWED TO RECRUIT OFF-CAMPUS.. COMING UP IN SPORTS WE'LL HAVE MORE ON TODAY'S NCAA PENALTIES INCLUDING REACTION FROM COACH ROCKY LONG AND ATHLETIC DIRECTOR PAUL KREBS.

RIO RANCHO WILL BE GETTING IT'S FIRST COLLEGE CAMPUS, DUE TO A LAND SALE. CENTRAL NEW MEXICO COMMUNITY COLLEGE HAS OBTAINED 25 ACRES OF STATE-OWNED LAND, NORTH OF THE RIO RANCHO CITY CENTER. U.N.M, WILL ALSO SELL 15 ACRES OF LAND IN THE AREA, TO C-N-M. THE COLLEGE IS PAYING ALMOST THREE-POINT-ONE-EIGHT MILLION, FOR THE LAND.

7 KOAT 10:00 PM                       

NOW, ACTION 7 SPORTS WITH BOB BROWN." THEY TRIED CHEATING THE SYSTEM.. THEY GOT CAUGHT.. AND TODAY THE UNIVERSITY OF NEW MEXICO FOOTBALL PROGRAM RECEIVED ITS PUNISHMENT.. THE VIOLATIONS OCCURRED BACK IN THE 2-THOUSAND-4 AND 2-THOUSAND-5 SEASONS WHEN TWO UNM-NAMED ASSISTANT COACHES, WHO ARE NO LONGER WITH THE PROGRAM, HELPED ONE STUDENT-ATHLETE AND 3 PROSPECTIVE STUDENT ATHLETES OBTAIN CLASS CREDITS FROM CORRESPONDENCE COURSES THAT WERE NEVER COMPLETED ... NOW THE BIGGEST HITS HANDED DOWN BY THE NCAA TODAY WAS A 3-YEAR PROBATION PERIOD FOR THE LOBOS AND A REDUCTION IN FOOTBALL SCHOLARSHIPS .. GOING BEYOND UNM'S SELF-IMPOSED SANCTIONS THAT WERE PUT INTO PLACE LAST YEAR, THE NUMBER OF SCHOLARSHIPS HAS BEEN REDUCED FROM 85 TO 80, WITH THE NUMBER OF YEARLY FOOTBALL SCHOLARSHIPS HANDED OUT REDUCED FROM 25 TO 20.. SANCTIONS ALSO INCLUDE A REDUCTION IN THE NUMBER OF RECRUITING VISITS THE UNIVERSITY CAN NOW PAY FOR AND THE NUMBER OF COACHES ALLOWED TO RECRUIT OFF-CAMPUS NOW HAS BEEN LOWERED FROM 7-TO-6.. NO VERBATEM READY OR NOT, THE LOBOS HOST T-C-U IN THE SEASON OPENER AH WEEK FROM THIS SATURDAY...

13 KRQE 12:00 PM                        

REPUBLICAN PRESIDENTAL HOPEFUL, JOHN MCCAIN, MADE HIS FIRST VISIT TO LAS CRUCES. TWO HOT TOPICS... THE ENERGY CRISIS AND IRAQ WAR. NEWS 13'S CRYSTAL GUTIERREZ JOINS US LIVE FROM THE NEWSPLEX ... CRYSTAL, MCCAIN SAYS NEW MEXICO WOULD PLAY A VITAL ROLE IN SOLVING THE ENERGY CRISIS? THAT'S RIGHT... SENATOR MCCAIN SAYS IF HE IS ELECTED PRESIDENT, HE WILL LOOK INTO ALTERNATIVE METHODS FOR ENERGY. ONE OF THOSE BEING SOLAR POWER. ITS NO SECRET, OUR MOST VALUEABLE RESOURCE IN NEW MEXICO IS THE SUN. MCCAIN, SPOKE IN FRONT OF A CROWD OF HUNDREDS AT NEW MEXICO STATE UNIVERSITY, THIS MORNING. ITS HIS FIRST CAMPAIGNING VISIT TO LAS CRUCES AND HE TOOK FULL ADVANTAGE OF IT. MCCAIN CRITICIZED OBAMA'S REMARKS ABOUT BRINGING TROOPS HOME FROM IRAQ. SAYING HE DOESN'T QUESTION OBAMA'S PATRIATISOM, HE QUESTIONS OBAMA'S JUDGEMENT. HE'S MADE THESE DECISIONS NOT BECAUSE HE DOESN'T LOVE AMERICA BECAUSE HE DOESN'T THINK IT MATTERS WHETHER AMERICA WINS OR LOSES. I'M GOING TO END THIS WAR AND I'M GOING TO BRING THEM HOME WITH HONOR AND VICTORY." MCCAIN SAID THERE HAS BEEN A SURGE IN IRAQ AND HE BELIEVES VICTORY IS NEAR. IT'S A COMMENT NOT EVERYONE AGREES WITH AND THAT MAY COST MCCAIN SOME VOTES. MCCAIN TOLD THE CROWD HE ASKED SENATOR OBAMA TO JOIN HIM IN LAS CRUCES FOR A TOWN HALL MEETING SETTING. MCCAIN SAYS, OBAMA DID NOT ACCEPT HIS OFFER.

13 KRQE 12:00 PM                       

NEW MEXICO STATE UNIVERSITY'S FALL SEMESTER BEGINS TOMORROW AND SCHOOL OFFICIALS HAVE A WARNING FOR STUDENTS ... AUTHORITIES WANT TO CAUTION STUDENTS ABOUT TRAVELING TO THE MEXICAN BORDER CITY OF JUAREZ BECAUSE OF CONTINUING VIOLENCE THERE. THE FIRST THURSDAY OF EACH SEMESTER IS TRADITIONALLY WHEN STUDENTS HEAD TO JUAREZ NIGHTCLUBS.

A SHORT TIME AGO, THE NCAA HANDED OUT DISCIPLINARY ACTION AGAINST THE UNIVERSITY OF NEW MEXICO FOOTBALL PROGRAM FOR ACADEMIC FRAUD. THE LOBOS GOT INTO TROUBLE WHEN IT WAS DISOVERED SEVERAL COACHES HELPED PROSPECTIVE PLAYERS GET CREDIT FOR SCHOOL WORK THEY DIDN'T DO. THOSE COACHES ARE NO LONGER AT UNM AND THE ATHLETES NEVER ATTENDED THE SCHOOL. TODAY, THE NCAA RULED THAT: . . . EARLIER, UNM PLACED SELF- IMPOSED PENALTIES WHICH INCLUDED A REDUCTION IN SCHOLARSHIPS AND RECRUITING VISITS. UNM OFFICIALS WILL DISCUSS THE PENALTIES AT A NEWS CONFERENCE LATER THIS AFTERNOON.

13 KRQE 4:00 PM                         

TODAY THE NCAA PENALIZED LOBOS FOOTBALL. PART OF THE PUNISHMENT FOR RULES VIOLATIONS: A THREE YEAR SUSPENSION AND REDUCTION IN SCHOLARSHIPS. SPORTS DIRECTOR VAN TATE IS HERE WITH MORE ON THE STORY. THE NCAA SAYS THEY TAKE ACADEMIC FRAUD VERY SERIOUSLY AND THAT IS WHY THEY ADDED TO THE LOBOS SELF IMPOSED PENALTIES. THE NCAA COMMITTEE ON INFRACTIONS DECIDED THAT TWO FORMER LOBO ASSISTANT COACHES COMMITTED ACADEMIC FRAUD WHEN THEY HELPED A PLAYER AND THREE RECRUITS IN 2004 GET ACADEMIC CREDIT FOR CORRESPONDENCE COURSES IN WHICH THE WORK WAS NEVER COMPLETED. DURING THE PROBATION PERIOD THE LOBOS MUST REPORT TO THE NCAA HOW THEY ARE AVOIDING ANY MORE ACADEMIC FRAUD. ANOTHER VIOLATION WOULD MEAN MORE PUNISHMENT. IN ADDITION TO THE PROBATION THE LOBOS WILL LOSE FIVE SCHOLARSHIPS A YEAR. WHEN THE VIOLATIONS FIRST CAME TO LIGHT THE LOBOS SELF IMPOSED PENALTIES ON ITSELF. THOSE TOO WILL STAND. WE'LL HAVE MORE ON THIS STORY IN SPORTS...COMING UP ON NEWS 13 AT 5:30. THE LOBOS REITERATED DURING THE PRESS CONFERENCE THAT THEY COOPERATED FULLY WITH THE NCAA AND THAT COACH ROCKY LONG WAS NOT INVOLVED. WE WILL HAVE MORE IN SPORTS ON KRQE NEWS AT 5:30.A LESS TALKED ABOUT PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE WILL ALSO BE MAKING A STOP IN NEW MEXICO THIS WEEK. INDEPENDENT RALPH NADER IS SCHEDULED TO MAKE APPEARANCES IN ALBUQUERQUE AND SANTA FE NEXT TUESDAY. NADER IS SCHEDULED TO ATTEND A RALLY AT UNM'S STUDENT UNION BUILDING AT 1:30. LATER THAT NIGHT AT 5:30 HE'LL ATTEND A FORUM AT THE COLLEGE OF SANTA FE. NADER WILL THEN MOVE ON TO DENVER FOR A "SUPER RALLY" ACCORDING TO HIS WEBSITE HE'LL BE ACCOMPANIED BY VAL KILMER, AND PEACE ACTIVIST CINDY SHEEHAN.

13 KRQE 5:30 PM                         

CARE FOR VETERANS. REPUBLICAN PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE JOHN MCCAIN TACKLED THEM ALL TODAY IN A CAMPAIGN STOP AT NEW MEXICO STATE UNIVERSITY IN LAS CRUCES. IT'S HIS FIRST VISIT TO WHAT IS SHAPING UP TO BE A CRUCIAL BATTLEGROUND FOR HIM. NEWS 13'S CRYSTAL GUTIERREZ IS LIVE IN THE NEWSPLEX WITH MORE ... DEMOCRATS HAVE A LARGE VOTER REGISTRATION EDGE IN DONA ANA COUNTY. AND, IT'S ONE OF THE FASTEST GROWING PARTS OF THE STATE. SENATOR MCCAIN KNOWS IF HE WANTS TO PULL IN NEW MEXICO, HE NEEDS TO WIN VOTERS IN THAT AREA. HE TOLD THE CROWD THIS MORNING THAT HE WLL ADDRESS THE ENERGY CRISIS BY LOOKING INTO ALTERNATIVE METHODS OF ENERGY...LIKE SOLAR POWER. HE SAYS, NEW MEXICO WILL PLAY A VITAL ROLE IN HIS PLAN. MCCAIN ALSO TOUCHED ON THE POOR HEALTH CARE FOR VETERANS, SAYING IT SHOULD NEVER HAPPEN AGAIN. THEN THE TOPIC TURNED TO THE IRAQ WAR. MCCAIN CRITICIZED OBAMA FOR WANTING TO PULL TROOPS OUT OF THE GULF TOO EARLY. HE SAYS, HE WILL FINISH THE WAR AND BRING THE TROOPS HOME WITH HONOR... MCCAIN NOT ONLY TALKED ABOUT HIS AGENDA... HE ALSO TOOK QUESTIONS FROM THE AUDIENCE. ONE QUESTION THAT STUMPED THE ARIZONA SENATOR. WHO WILL HE PICK AS HIS RUNNING MATE? I HEARD A RUMOR THAT YOU'RE GOING TO PICK A PRO-LIFE VP. IS THAT TRUE? ARE YOU GOING TO PICK A VICE PRESIDENT THAT CONSERVATIVES CAN ACTUALLY RALLY AROUND IN THE FUTURE OR ARE YOU GOING TO GIVE US SOMEONE THAT WILL CAUSE TO WANT TO STAY HOME. MCCAIN SIDE- STEPPED THESE QUESTIONS AND NEVER GAVE A STRAIGHT FORWARD ANSWER. HOWEVER, HE DID SAY THE VICE PRESIDENT PICK WAS AN IMPORTANT ONE. BACK TO YOU...

13 KRQE 5:30 PM                          

THE THREE YEAR PROBATION IS ONLY PART OF THE PENALTIES HANDED OUT BY THE NCAA COMMITTEE ON INFRACTIONS. A PAIR OF FORMER LOBO ASSISTANTS NO LONGER WITH THE SCHOOL HELPED A PLAYER AND THREE RECRUITS GET ACADEMIC CREDIT FOR CORRESPONDENCE CLASSES THAT WERE NOT COMPLETED AT FRESNO PACIFIC UNIVERSITY IN 2004. FRESNO PACIFIC HAS BEEN INVOLVED IN OTHER MAJOR INFRACTION CASES. DURING THE PROBATIONARY PERIOD THE LOBOS MUST REPORT TO THE NCAA HOW THEY ARE AVOIDING ANY MORE ACADEMIC FRAUD. IN ADDITION TO THE PROBATION THE LOBOS WILL LOSE FIVE SCHOLARSHIPS A YEAR. WHEN THE VIOLATIONS FIRST CAME TO LIGHT THE LOBOS SELF IMPOSED PENALTIES ON ITSELF. THOSE TOO WILL STAND.  

13 KRQE 10:00 PM                       

NEW MEXICO TECH WILL SOON BE GETTING SOME NATIONAL EXPOSURE -- ON A REALITY SHOW. THE CHALLENGE -- BRINGING CARTOONS TO LIFE: 3, 2, 1, GO...CRAZY THE PRODUCERS OF "MAN VERSUS CARTOON" CHALLENGED STUDENTS AND RESEARCHERS TO RECREATE WILE E. COYOTE'S ILL-FATED INVENTIONS FROM THE "ROADRUNNER" CARTOONS. THE RESULT OF ALL THAT HARD WORK...SOME SUCCESS, SOME FUN, AND A LOT OF EXPLOSIONS: BANZAI...IT'S GONNA WORK...MAYBE "MAN VS. CARTOON" PREMIERES THE LAST WEEK OF JANUARY ON TRU-TV. 

13 KRQE 10:00 PM                        

THE NCAA SLAPS A THREE YEAR PROBATION PENALTY ON LOBOS FOOTBALL FOR RULES VIOLATIONS. THAT'S ONLY PART OF THE PUNISHMENT HANDED DOWN TODAY BY THE NCAA INFRACTIONS COMMITTEE. A PAIR OF FORMER LOBO ASSISTANTS NO LONGER WITH THE SCHOOL HELPED A PLAYER AND THREE RECRUITS GET ACADEMIC CREDIT FOR CORRESPONDENCE CLASSES THAT WERE NEVER COMPLETED. THE SCHOOL NAMED IN THE 2004 VIOLATIONS IS FRESNO PACIFIC. THE LOBOS HAVE MADE CHANGES TO MAKE SURE IT DOESN'T HAPPEN AGAIN. AS PART OF THEIR PROBATION THE SCHOOL MUST SEND THE NCAA ANNUAL REPORTS ON THEIR PROGRESS. IN ADDITION TO THE PROBATION THE LOBOS WILL LOSE FIVE SCHOLARSHIPS A YEAR. COACH LONG SAYS HE WILL HAVE TO BE MORE SELECTIVE IN PICKING RECRUITS.

THE 19TH RANKED LOBO MEN'S SOCCER TEAM START THE EXHIBITION PART OF THEIR SCHEDULE AGAINST THIRD RANKED NOTRE DAME. -LOBO TEAM CUTAWAY -1ST HALF, NO SCORE, JUSTIN DAVIS ON THE FREE KICK, GREAT SHOT, GOALIE SAVES IT. - HE'D GET ANOTHER CHANCE, LATE 1ST HALF, ON A LONG THROW, BALL LOOSE IN FRONT, DAVIS POUNDS IT HOME, GREAT GOAL, 1-0 LOBOS. THE LOBOS HOLD THE FIRST HALF BEFORE LETTING NOTRE DAME SCORE IN THE SECOND HALF AND THE GAME WINNER IN DOUBLEOVERTIME. TWO TO ONE NOTRE DAME IS THE FINAL. .

41 KLUZ 5:00 PM                         

NUEVO MEXICO VUELVE A SER EL FOCO DE ATENCION NACIONAL CON LA VISITA DEL CANDIDATO REPUBLICANO A LA PRESIDENCIA JOHN MC CAIN...EL SENADOR MC CAIN SE PRESENTO ESTA MAQANA EN UN EVENTO PUBLICO EN LA UNIVERSIDAD ESTATAL DE NUEVO MEXICO DE LA CIUDAD DE LAS CRUCES.... ANTE CIENTOS DE SIMPATIZANTES, MC CAIN  HABLO DE LA GUERRA EN IRAK, LA ECONOMIA DEL PAIS, LOS IMPUESTOS Y SOBRE TODO CRITICO AL CANDIDATO DEMOCRATA BARACK OBAMA POR TRATAR DE REGRESAR LAS TROPAS NORTEAMERICANAS DE IRAK....ESTA FUE LA PRIMERA VISITA DEL SENADOR MC CAIN A LA CIUDAD DE LAS CRUCES POR SU PARTE EL PARTIDO REPUBLICANO CONFIRMO QUE EL SENADOR "JOE LIEBERMAN" , QUIEN FUE CANDIDATO A LA VICEPRESIDENCIA POR EL PARTIDO DEMOCRATA EN EL 2000, HABLARA EN LA CONVENCION NACIONAL REPUBLICANA...."LIEBERMAN" QUIEN ES UNO DE LOS MAS FIRMES PARTIDIARIOS DE "MC CAIN" , PRONUNCIARA UN DISCURSO EN LA CONVENCION REPUBLICANA QUE TENDRA LUGAR EN ST. PAUL, MINNESOTA... "LIEBERMAN" DE 66 AQOS ENFURECIO A MUCHOS DEMOCRATAS POR SU APOYO INCONDICIONAL A LA GUERRA DE IRAK Y POR RESPALDAR LA POSTULACION DE MCCAIN A LA CASA BLANCA. DE ACUERDO A ALGUNAS ENCUESTAS...EL SENADOR JOHN MC CAIN ADELANTA POR 5 PUNTOS A BARACK OBAMA EN LA CARRERA A LA CASA BLANCA...PERO OTRA FUENTE NOTICIOSA COLOCA A OBAMA POR ENCIMA DE MC CAIN...FERNANDO PIZARRO NOS AMPLIA DESDE LA CAPITAL DEL PAI.... EL SENADOR JOHN MCCAIN AVENTAJA POR 5 PUNTOS A BARACK OBAMA, SEGUN UNA NUEVA ENCUESTA.EL SONDEO DE REUTERS Y ZOGBY MUESTRA AL CANDIDATO REPUBLICANO CON 1.46 % CONTRA 1.41% DEL SENADOR DEMOCRATA. LA ENCUESTA TIENE 1 MARGEN DE ERROR DE 3 PUNTOS PORCENTUALES. LOS DEMOCRATAS ARGUMENTAN QUE OBAMA ESTUVO DE VACACIONES MAS DE UNA SEMANA Y MCCAIN APROVECHO ESA AUSENCIA.MARIA CARDONA -- ANALISTA DEMOCRATA "... NO CREO QUE TIENE GRAN IMPORTANCIA, NO TIENE UN SIGNIFICADO MUY GRANDE POR UNAS CUANTAS COSAS.  PRIMERO A ESTA ALTURA DE LA CAMPAQA ES TODAVIA MUY TEMPRANO.  TENEMOS QUE TENER EN CUENTA QUE EN GENERAL LA CAMPAQA NO HA COMENZADO.  ESTO COMIENZA SINO HASTA LUEGO DE QUE LAS 2 CONVENCIONES SE LLEVEN A CABO Y TODAVIA NO HEMOS EMPEZADO LA CONVENCION DEMOCRATA."MCCAIN TAMBIEN HIZO FUERTES DECLARACIONES LUEGO DE LA INVASION RUSA A GEORGIA.  PERO LA VENTAJA EN ESTA ENCUESTA TAMBIEN SE REFLEJA EN QUE MUCHOS CONSIDERARON A MCCAIN COMO UN MEJOR ADMINISTRADOR DE LA ECONOMIA. HESSY FERNANDEZ -- PORTAVOZ CAMPAQA DE JOHN MCCAIN "... NO HAY UN ELEMENTO DE POR SI.  LA REALIDAD ES QUE EL SENADOR JOHN MCCAIN HA ESTADO VIAJANDO DE ESTADO EN ESTADO.  HA TENIDO FOROS PUBLICOS EN QUE DIRECTAMENTE LE HABLA A LOS ELECTORES Y SABEN CUAL ES SU PROPUESTA, SABEN CUALES SON LAS SOLUCIONES PARA ENFRENTAR LOS RETOS DE ESTA NACION. Y EL PUEBLO ESTADOUNIDENSE SABE QUE ES UNA PERSONA QUE VA A PONER EL BENEFICIO DEL PAIS, QUE CUMPLE LO QUE DICE A DIFERENCIA DEL SENADOR OBAMA." LA EMPRESA ENCUESTADORA SEQALO QUE LA CAIDA DE OBAMA FUE EN TODOS LOS GRUPOS DEMOGRAFICOS DE VOTANTES.FERNANDO PIZARRO -- WASHINGTON, D.C."... TRADICIONALMENTE LOS CANDIDATOS SUBEN EN LAS ENCUESTAS LUEGO DE LAS CONVENCIONES, POR LO QUE SEGURAMENTE SE REFLEJARAN CAMBIOS A FINES DE LA PROXIMA SEMANA CUANDO FINALICE LA CONVENCION DEMOCRATA, Y DESPUES DEL 5 DE SEPTIEMBRE CUANDO TERMINE LA REPUBLICANA. DESDE WASHINGTON, FERNANDO PIZARRO, UNIVISION." Y RECUERDE QUE SI USTED ES CIUDADANO PODRA VOTAR EN LAS PROXIMAS ELECCIONES PRESIDENCIALES ...SI NECESITA INFORMACION, PUEDE ACUDIR A LA PAGINA DE INTERNET QUE PARECE EN PANTALLA EN DONDE ENCONTRARA INFORMACION COMPLETA Y EN ESPAQOL SOBRE EL PROCESO ELECTORAL QUE SE REALIZARA EL PROXIMO MES DE NOVIEMBRE .. RECUERDE QUE SU VOZ ES SU VOTO ...