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Culture

PHOTO STORY: Local band festival comforts the community with music and vibes

Alex Joe | August 20

Some of Albuquerque’s very own took the stage on Saturday, Aug. 15 for New Mexico Jam Band Fest at the Sid Cutter Pavilion at Balloon Fiesta Park to provide hip vibes for the community. The event featured over 60 artisan vendors as well as multiple local bands for entertainment. Food trucks were located outside the pavilion as well, including Raven Sisters Baking Company, Bar X Beef Jerky and a vendor selling chocolate-covered pretzels.

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News

Keller introduces ‘abundance agenda’ during ninth ‘State of the City’ address

Elliott Wood | August 17

Mayor of Albuquerque Tim Keller sought to foster a new “abundance agenda” during his ninth State of the City address on Saturday, highlighted by multiple policy announcements he said were meant to grow the city government’s role in “reducing the pain of everyday life” for Albuquerque residents.  Among the new policies was a new “say yes first” approach to certain types of permitting requests, offering up unused city properties and lengthening the operating hours of others. Keller also announced a “backyard exchange” stocked by homegrown goods and produce volunteered by city residents and an expansion of mental health and drug treatment programs. 

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Sports

OPINION: Men's basketball season preview

Rodney Prunty | August 17

Last season, the New Mexico Lobos came into the year with a lot of questions surrounding them. Those questions were quickly answered by new head coach Eric Olen and his squad, exploding onto the scene, posting a 26-11 record and finishing third in the Mountain West while making a deep run in the NIT ...

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News

Albuquerque sees record consecutive triple-digit temperatures for August

Leila Chapa and Paloma Chapa | August 17

Earlier this month, Albuquerque reached a record of three consecutive days of triple digit temperatures, along with record high temperatures for August, with August 3 and 4 reaching 101 degrees, and August 9 reaching 100 degrees, according to a National Weather Service Albuquerque statement sent to the Daily Lobo.  Three consecutive days of triple digit temperatures for August is a record, according to the statement. Temperatures are recorded at the Albuquerque Sunport, which is the official observation site. 

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Sports

OPINION: Football season preview

Edge Garcia | August 17

Since the last season ended, hardly a day has passed without the words “Mountain West Championship” and “New Mexico Lobos” sharing the same conversation. In his first season, head coach Jason Eck led UNM to its first bowl game since 2016 and just the sixth nine-win season in program history. ...

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News

Project Jupiter: where the AI data center project stands in NM

Penelope Loyd Sment | August 17

The proposed hyperscale AI data center Project Jupiter has sparked controversy across New Mexico since it was first announced in February 2025. The massive endeavour that was approved 4-1 by the Doña Ana Board of County Commissioners in September 2025 is projected to cover 1,400 acres in Santa Teresa and emit more greenhouse gases than Albuquerque and Las Cruces combined, according to Source NM. Stack and BorderPlex Digital Assets are constructing and developing the project, with an estimated price tag of $165 billion. It is actively under construction, but facing legal obstacles after being denied permission to build the “robust natural gas pipeline” needed for the project by Commissioner of Public Lands Stephanie Garcia Richard and an active investigation by the NM Department of Justice for fraudulent public comment submissions.

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Sports

OPINION: Women's basketball season preview

Rodney Prunty | August 17

Following a 62-61 loss to the Boise State Broncos in the Mountain West Tournament in March, the New Mexico Lobos decided to part ways with long-time head coach Mike Bradbury. While consistent, Bradbury never delivered in the big games, going 3-10 in Mountain West Tournament play while never making the NCAA Tournament during his decade-long tenure at the helm. With Bradbury out the door, the Lobos ushered in the new era of Lobo basketball when they hired  Amy Eagan to take over as head coach. 

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Sports

FOOTBALL: Day 9 Fall Camp report: Sibley flashes home-run potential; Fa’avae’s strong showing in scrimmage

Edge Garcia | August 16

On Day 9 of the Lobos’ fall football camp, the whistles sounded the same, but the collisions didn’t. After eight practices of wrapping and tagging, the Lobos finally got to hit at full speed during their scrimmage Saturday. Quarterbacks Luke Moga and Toa Fa’avae left their usual gray practice jerseys in the locker room, instead sporting red ones that signal to the defense they weren’t off-limits anymore. 

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Culture

PHOTO STORY: ‘Drum Unity’ provides musical boost in peace and energy

Alex Joe | August 14

Music has long been a way for people to connect and let go of unwanted energy. Local musician Chris Martinez hosted one of his Drum Unity community events at the Fusion Theater on Sunday, Aug. 9, to do just that.  “I do these community drum circles to help the community, bring the vibes up. Our main thing with the drum circle is that we have the intention of peace and well being,” Martinez said. “We mix in the drums with the meditation and by doing that, it actually amplifies the effects of the drums.”

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Sports

Isotopes melt Sugar Land

Elizabeth Bolke and Alex Joe | August 12

The Albuquerque Isotopes returned home red hot last week, as they swept the Chihuahuas in El Paso during their six-game series at the end of July. They  looked to build on their streak as they challenged the Sugar Land Space Cowboys, and while the Isotopes were tested throughout this series, they came out on top, winning four of six games, including the last two.

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Sports

FOOTBALL: Day 5-6 Fall Camp report: ‘As long as there’s not a fight, fall camp hasn’t really started’

Edge Garcia | August 12

To say things got chippy Tuesday night would be an understatement. It’s hard to imagine head coach Jason Eck’s bingo card for this week had “break up a fight” on it, but when the pads come on, the competitive nature turns up a few notches — maybe a few too many notches. The Lobos are closing in on a full week's worth of practices after equipping the full set of pads under the lights Tuesday night. The Lobos invited a batch of referees to practice for live team periods, the first of which so far during camp.

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Sports

FOOTBALL: Day 3-4 Fall Camp report: A dynamic duo at TE; where does the receiver room stand?

Edge Garcia | August 11

The pads — well, just shoulder pads— have been equipped for Days 3-4 of Lobos fall camp. While four days isn’t enough to deem a surefire starter at quarterback, nor at any other position without a clear-cut starter or starters, there’s more than enough to feel confident about heading into the second season under head coach Jason Eck.

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News

Frijoles Fire prompts health alerts and evacuation orders

Leila Chapa | August 11

The Frijoles Fire burning north of Santa Fe has grown to cover over 3000 acres in the Pecos Wilderness area and remains 0 percent contained, according to the U.S. Forest Service. The fire originated from a lightning strike on August 4 and has expanded at a rate of hundreds of acres per day.  Santa Fe County issued a mandatory evacuation order on Monday evening, placing residents  on Camino de Cañon Street in Cundiyó under “GO status,” meaning residents should evacuate immediately with an emergency supply kit, according to a Santa Fe County press release.  Santa Fe County Communications Coordinator Shawna Graves   shared an update on the fire’s status with the Daily Lobo after the evacuation order went into effect. 

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News

Blackstone acquisition of PNM faces opposition, gains labor union support

Leila Chapa and Paloma Chapa | August 10

During a July 28 Public Regulation Commission hearing regarding Blackstone’s acquisition of PNM, New Mexico residents filled the UNM Student Union Building ballroom and staged a “mic check” protest, calling the 6-hour hearing a “mockery of the democratic process.”  The PRC determined in June that TXNM — PNM’s parent company — and the private equity firm Blackstone violated state law in 2025 when they conducted a $400 million stock sale connected to the acquisition, according to Source NM.  

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Culture

PHOTO STORY: Antique show attracts collectors and supporters of New Mexico arts

Alex Joe | August 10

The Great Southwestern Antique Show made its way to Expo New Mexico on Aug. 1-2, to the delight of many attendees there to sell their wares or peruse the items on offer. The event showcased collectors pawning off their many treasures they have either found or made themselves. Along with antiques, the event also featured many pieces of art for sale. Apparel such as hats and shirts were available as well. 

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News

Religious leaders address anti-Islamic rhetoric after attack at North Valley church

Leila Chapa and Paloma Chapa | August 7

Leaders from multiple faiths gathered for a press conference on July 29 at the St. Therese of the Infant Jesus Catholic Church to address recent attacks toward the church’s pastor, Father Vincent Paul Chavez, who had previously shown his public support for a proposed mosque in Albuquerque’s North Valley. 

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Sports

FOOTBALL: Day 1-2 Fall Camp report: Layne out for ‘the near future’; Karhu, Levells return

Edge Garcia | August 6

Running back Cameron Mathews approached the practice field Wednesday at approximately 8:45 a.m., shouting and yelling with excitement. But he wasn’t as loud as offensive lineman Malik Aliane, who roared “let’s go” as he jogged onto the field. Lobo football is back in action.  The New Mexico Lobos have completed the first two days of fall camp, including their second under head coach Jason Eck. The biggest takeaways from the first two practices may not entirely include action on the field, but rather who is back on it.

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Culture

REVIEW: Fourth Holland Spider-Man really feels like a ‘Brand New Day’

Elliott Wood | August 5

Editor's note: This review contains spoilers If you listened to a comic book fan gush about the first trailer for “Spider-Man: Brand New Day” after it was released in March, you might think they were crazy. 

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Sports

Behind the scenes of The Enchantment’s chaotic TBT run: ‘I had never experienced such things’

Edge Garcia | August 3

For most observers, The Enchantment’s TBT run was just another ordinary three-game series resulting in disappointment. But for the players, it felt like a month's worth of adversity packed into five days. 

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Sports

United shut out the Switchbacks

Alex Joe | August 3

After their match versus Birmingham Legion FC was postponed last week, New Mexico United were eager to be back at home against the Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC in USL Championship action. New Mexico won a physical battle as goalkeeper Kris Shakes delivered another clean sheet for United to prevail 1-0. Much of the game was anything but clean though, as there were 33 fouls and 24 total tackles combined between the two squads.