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Culture

Heritage of hair: AFRO brings braiding services to campus

Lexis Lovato | February 16

For generations, students have done hair for other students on campus — in dorm rooms, lounges, staff offices or anywhere else they could set up. The University of New Mexico African American Student Services, also known as AFRO, recently unveiled a new addition to their building: a hair shop that will serve as a designated safe space for students to get their hair done by fellow students who perform cosmetic services on campus. The space adds a sense of security for both stylists and clients, said Kaelyn Moon, a Student Success Specialist at AASS.

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News

REVIEW: ‘BlacKkKlansman,’ a Black History Month must watch

Camillo Cretara | February 16

Of all the Black and African American directors there are, none stand out in history as much as Spike Lee. Lee’s 2018 film “BlacKkKlansmen,” starring John David Washington as Ron Stallworth and Adam Driver as Flip Zimmerman, is a movie based on the story of Colorado Springs’ first African-American detective and his infiltration of the Ku Klux Klan in 1979. Stallworth begins as a filing officer in the Colorado Springs Police Department, filing evidence and paper work until one day, he is moved straight into intelligence. With the movie being set in the 1970s, you can see the stark differences between how detectives gathered information and intelligence then and now. Newspapers were a great way to find things out and were considered more central to the general population.

Sports

Destinee Hooks: Lobo and leader

Rodney Prunty | February 16

Since joining the team in 2024, Lobo guard Destinee Hooks has been an impactful starter for the University of New Mexico. Hooks grew up in Indiana in a predominantly white neighborhood with two older brothers. Hooks was very active as a child, wanting to do everything her older brothers did, and because of that she was able to find her passion for the game of basketball. “My family has always inspired me since I was little, my mom has the best work ethic that I’ve seen, she wakes up early, goes to work, comes back home and does everything she needs to do at home, takes care of us, and supports us and it’s really inspiring,” Hooks said. “My brothers also have a crazy work ethic as well, so if I can get (an) opportunity to make it to the league in a couple of years and retire my family that would be a big blessing.”

News

New BioPark CT scanner progresses animal care

Maria Fernandez | February 16

In December, the ABQ BioPark Zoo became one of a dozen zoos in the U.S. to add an on-site CT scanner to its veterinary care system. CT scanners provide advanced imaging through a series of X-rays, generating a more detailed, 3D rendition of the 2D X-ray information, Carol Bradford, the senior veterinarian at the BioPark, said. “In the past, we would take X-rays or ultrasound here at the zoo, and then if there was something we felt we were not able to diagnose or diagnose properly, we would take the animal off grounds to a veterinary specialty hospital,” Bradford said.

Sports

Sprinter and student Kahari Wilbon perseveres toward goals

Shin Thant Hlaing | February 16

Coming off back-to-back personal bests for 400 meters and entering seventh place on the University of New Mexico’s all time indoor track list, Kahari Wilbon has had a running start to the year. As a sophomore pursuing a Bachelor of Business Administration with a concentration in marketing, his studies and athletic endeavors cross-pollinate, allowing him to achieve successes in both, Wilbon said. “The principles that come within marketing are perseverance, being able to do more than one thing and keep yourself oriented while multi-tasking and making sure you have a strategic and proven plan to make sure you are the most successful you can be,” Wilbon said.

Culture

Black Student Union to create community newspaper

Addison Fulton | February 16

The University of New Mexico Black Student Union will soon publish its own newspaper designed to bring attention to Black history and contributions and resist efforts to erase the impact of Black Americans. The newspaper is part of BSU’s mission to create a community for Black students and preserve and share their history. The President of BSU, Cindy-Esthern Ntolla, said the paper will include reporting on current events and pieces on Black history. “I think as of recent, we’ve struggled with learning from history, and I think utilizing a past event and applying it to a current event is really helpful to identify where we come from and where we’re going,” Ntolla said.

Sports

Women’s Hockey: Lobos close out first season with a sweep weekend

Elizabeth Bolke | February 15

The Lobo women’s ice hockey team finished out their first season with a doubleheader win against the Los Alamos Atomics. UNM left Los Alamos frozen on the ice with a score of 5-1 on Saturday. The next night, Sunday, UNM put up 3 points against Los Alamos’ 1 point. After Sunday night's game ended, the announcer closed out the game with a thank-you to the fans and supporters, along with congratulations to the first of many female athletes who will carve up the ice on the UNM women’s ice hockey team.

Sports

Women’s Basketball: Spartan spears narrowly avoid the Lobo’s hearts

Marley Herndon | February 14

The Lobos women’s basketball team came back to The Pit looking to get back in the win column after their dismantling at the hands of Boise State over the weekend. The University of New Mexico did just that with a 66-61 win over the San Jose State University Spartans on Wednesday, Feb. 11. This game had all the makings of a trap game as San Jose State entered this one with just three wins on the season and kept it close with the Lobos from start to finish, but the Lobos held on and won a close one.

News

UNMPD attempts to rein in vehicle theft

Elizabeth Bolke | February 9

The University of New Mexico Police Department is working to reduce car, bicycle and scooter theft by patrolling the Central Campus more thoroughly, monitoring bike racks and promoting proper security practices. While statistics around bike thefts on campus are not widely available, in 2024, reported 81 instances of motor vehicle theft, a category that includes theft of electric scooters and electric bikes. Recently, UNMPD has been distributing flyers around campus that detail which bike locks to use and how to use them, in addition to increasing patrols covering bike racks around campus.

News

Bill aiming to eliminate green house gas emissions faces questions

Addison Fulton | February 9

One bill making its way through the 2026 legislative session is the Clear Horizons Act — SB 18 — that aims to codify restrictions on carbon dioxide emissions, require greenhouse gas emission reporting and expand the duties of the Environmental Improvement Board. The bill creates limits on CO2 that can be met either by direct reductions or through carbon offsets that remove greenhouse gasses from the atmosphere. The bill’s goals for statewide gas emission limits include at least a 45% reduction by 2030, at least 75% reduction by 2040 and by 2050, 100% less than 2005 levels.

Culture

Albuquerque nominated for ‘Best City for Street Art’

Maria Fernandez | February 9

In Albuquerque, street art covers public buildings, highway underpasses, restaurants, hotels and more, depicting New Mexico’s diverse cultures, political and social issues and history. With its diverse and stunning illustrations has come national recognition that could earn the city the title of being the nation’s very best for street art. In late January, Albuquerque was nominated for USA Today’s “Best City for Street Art” competition, vying for the most votes against cities including Atlanta, Austin, Texas and Chicago. The competition examines street art beyond its eye-catching features and colors, looking instead into the cultural significance that each city’s street art represents.

Culture

UNM Japanese bean scattering brings Spring and good fortune

Shin Thant Hlaing | February 9

In an event bringing both spring and good luck for the upcoming year, Japanese traditions were brought to the University of New Mexico through a bean scattering event open to all. The Monday, Feb. 2, event featured a presentation, followed by an origami box making workshop, tossing soybeans at participant volunteers donning ‘oni,’ or demon masks, and eating roasted soybeans corresponding to their age. The UNM Language Learning Center event featured a presentation by Mami McCrew, UNM Department of Language, Cultures, and Literatures Professor, on the Setsubun festival itself. Setsubun, meaning “seasonal division,” is usually celebrated on the last day of winter or before the start of spring, according to Uwajimaya.

News

Proposed UNM School of Medicine building would fill gaps in states healthcare system

Jaden McKelvey-Francis | February 9

The University of New Mexico hopes to continue its North Campus expansion with the construction of a new $600 million School of Medicine Senate Bill 6, which would provide the necessary funds to the University, was most recently given a “Do Pass” recommendation by the Senate Health and Public Affairs Committee at the time of publication. State Sen. Elizabeth Stefanics (D-39), one of the sponsors of SB 6, said the new facility will help address many aspects of the state’s healthcare provider shortage.

News

Lobos-turned-lobbyists at ‘UNM Day’

Jaden McKelvey-Francis | February 9

Cherry, silver and turquoise coated the Roundhouse in Santa Fe as students, staff and administrators of the University of New Mexico journeyed up to the State Capitol for “UNM Day” on Wednesday, Feb. 4. “It’s just been an amazing day. I think no matter what happens, our students are having fun and they’re learning, and that’s very important to me, so that’s one of the reasons I love doing UNM Day,” the Executive Director of Associated Students at UNM Governmental Affairs, Alana Baca, said. ASUNM held meetings with lawmakers throughout the day to lobby for their legislative priorities, encapsulated in HB 170; the UNM Basic Needs Project that requests $1.4 million from the state.

Culture

Alum-run local business brings international viral treats to Albuquerque

Lexis Lovato | February 9

People who consider themselves chronically online and can’t get the newest trend out of their head — such as Labubus or fruit-shaped ice cream — may find fulfillment from the exotic snack shop, Monaco Market. Monaco Market imports rare ingredients, drinks and prepackaged snacks that aren’t easy to find anywhere else. The store is open Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. University of New Mexico students receive a 10% discount when they present their student ID.

Culture

UNM Speaker advocates against superstitious killings in Africa

Addison Fulton | February 9

Even today, killings based on superstition persist in several sub-Saharan African nations. To bring attention and advocate for a stop to the killings, the founder of Advocacy for Accused Witches, Leo Igwe, spoke to an audience at the University of New Mexico Continuing Education Building on the history, causes and impacts of witch hunts in Africa. AFAW has responded to over 300 cases of witch hunts and ritual attacks in the past few years, Igwe said. Igwe said he was inspired to intervene in witch hunts after finishing his PhD in African studies in Germany and being told that he must study with distance and detachment.

Sports

Women’s Basketball: Broncos rattle Lobos in Boise

Rodney Prunty | February 9

The Lobos women’s basketball team took a trip up to Boise, Idaho, for a much anticipated matchup against the Boise State University Broncos. Coming into the game on Saturday, Feb. 7, both teams were riding high as they sparked up winning streaks with the Lobos’ four straight games and the Broncos’ eight. Adding to the game’s suspense, the last time these two teams met up, the University of New Mexico handled business at The Pit, defeating Boise State 70-63 in December 2025. In a game that had the making of a heavy weight bout between two Mountain West foes, it resembled more of a one-sided affair as the Broncos knocked down the Lobos 63-35.

Sports

Mens Basketball: Lobos drop second straight in tight battle with Broncos

Alex Joe | February 9

The Lobos men’s basketball team aimed to get back on track after a blowout loss to Utah State University as they hosted the Boise State University Broncos in The Pit. But in the end, their defense was not up to task again as the University of New Mexico lost 91-90 at home for their second straight defeat on Saturday, Feb. 7. Lobos Head Coach Eric Olen was disappointed in the loss but proud of his team’s effort, he said.

Sports

Lobo men’s basketball gets handed first home loss of the season by Utah State

Marley Herndon | February 8

The University of New Mexico Lobos men’s basketball team started February with a loss, returning to The Pit for a showdown with the Utah State University Aggies as the two teams were tied for second in the Mountain West Conference. The Lobos came in on a four game winning streak, and the Aggies came in on a three game winning streak of their own. One team had to give in, which meant an 86-66 point loss for the Lobos, as Utah State handed UNM its first loss at The Pit this season.

Sports

Lobo women's basketball lassos Cowgirls, running past Wyoming

Wyatt S. Padilla | February 8

Sitting at about 7,220 feet above sea level, the University of Wyoming is one of the toughest places in the country to play, with the highest altitude gym in Division I. The Lobos all- time are 15-27 in Laramie, and are 4-4 under Head Coach Mike Bradbury when visiting Wyoming. But on Wednesday, Feb. 4, the Lobo Women’s basketball team threw those stats aside and put Wyoming to the test, surging past the Cowgirls in the second quarter to take control of the game, and winning 58-51.