Zoo Welcomes Baby Orangutan, El Paso Teen Dies In Crash + More News

Same-Sex Debate Continues At State Capitol

The issue of same-sex marriage is up for consideration at the state Capitol again.  Republicans on a Texas House committee have given initial approval to a bill that would ban same-sex marriages in the Lone Star State.  A spokeswoman for a gay rights group says the bill is unconstitutional.  Meanwhile, the U.S. Supreme Court is expected to issue a ruling on same-sex marriages in the next month or so.

GOP Introduces A New Abortion Bill

Republican lawmakers are pushing a bill designed to reduce the number of under age girls allowed to get an abortion without their parents' consent.  Current Texas law allows minors to get court permission for an abortion if they don't live with their parents or their parents are abusive.  House Bill 39-94 would make it harder for minors to use judicial bypass to circumvent parental permission.

El Paso Teen Dies In Crash

An El Paso teenager has been killed in a single-car crash.  The accident happened when 18-year-old Jacqueline Galindo lost control of her 2005 Dodge Neon and crashed into a light pole in the 5000 block of Gateway South.  Police say they're not sure if speed or alcohol played a role in the fatal crash.  However, authorities say the victim was not wearing a seatbelt.

Accident Injuries Five Victims

Five victims have been rushed to the hospital following a rollover accident in  west El Paso last night.   The fire department reports all five victims are males between the ages of 18 and 25.  Their vehicle apparently rolled over and crashed into a ravine on Everest Drive near Castellano around 8 p.m. last night.  At least two of the victims are reported to be in serious condition.

El Paso Hotels Cash In During March

Officials with the hotel industry say March was a record-breaking month in El Paso.  The hotel room occupancy rate broke an all-time record at 74 percent last month, up from 68 percent in March of last year.  Room revenues also set a new record at more than $16.7 million last month.  Officials say the record numbers are due in part to the U.S. Bowling Championships last month that brought in an estimated 60,000 tourists.

Zoo Welcomes Baby Orangutan

There's a new arrival at the El Paso Zoo.  Ibu and Butch are the proud parents of a new baby orangutan.  Ibu and her baby have been taken out of the orangutan exhibit for a few days while zoo officials monitor the baby's progress.  The baby wasn't due until next month, but zoo officials say they still plan to hold a baby shower May 10th.