The city council election in Albuquerque’s district three sees challengers Christopher Sedillo, Teresa Garcia and incumbent city councilor Klarissa Peña. Garcia could not be reached in time for publication. District three represents the southwest side of the city.
Delayed by lightning strikes, the University of New Mexico women’s soccer team experienced technical difficulties in their match against the Grand Canyon University Antelopes, but ultimately defied Zeus’ wrath, securing a 4-1 victory. Though the game was delayed, and both teams were challenged to remain ready and warm for some late-night Mountain West play on Thursday, Oct. 9, the Lobos broke out of the game ready to compete. The Lobos immediately defined the game and took control in the first half of play, earning four shots on the goal, compared to one by the Lopes by the 19 minute mark. The aggressiveness paid off for the Lobos, as defensive midfielder Kennedy Brown scored the first goal of the night on an assist from forward Mercedes Morris.
The Balloon Fiesta brought visitors from all over the world to the Land of Enchantment to experience the early morning rush to the park to see the balloons take flight. The event, held between Oct. 4 and Sunday, Oct. 12, featured both new and old crowd favorites that ascended in Albuquerque’s blue skies. April and Autumn Nieto, Albuquerque locals, try to attend the fiesta every year, they said. “I like the special shapes day, it’s the best. It’s always great, especially waking up early in the morning,” Autumn Nieto said.
The city council election in Albuquerque’s district one presents a unique challenge: all candidates on the ballot are challengers. The race is without an incumbent, as previous councilor Louie Sanchez is running for mayor. Those vying for the district one seat — which represents the central west side of Albuquerque — are Daniel Gilber Leiva, Ahren Griego, Joshua Taylor Neal and Stephanie Telles.
The Lobos, still finding their rhythm after some difficult conference matchups, were outmatched in a 3-1 loss. In a match charged with energy from the first serve, the University of New Mexico women’s volleyball team met the University of Wyoming Cowgirls on Saturday, Oct. 4. Set one started off strong for the Lobos with setter Madeleine Miller earning the Lobos an ace for the first point. The Lobos went on a five point run from there, setting an early, hopeful tone. Leading the offensive push, setter Addison France totaled four kills in the first set, forcing the Cowgirls to adjust to her attacks. The Lobos surged in the beginning of the first set, but as it progressed, the Cowgirls matched UNM’s energy, turning the set into a back and forth rally. Even with Wyoming pushing back, the Lobos refused to give up the advantage, staying in the lead the whole frame. The first set closed out with the Lobos winning 25-19.
The University of New Mexico Lobos football team walked into San José looking to improve on their 3-1 start, but instead returned with a second loss. Despite a late comeback effort, they were unable to overcome an early deficit as they fell to the San José State University Spartans 35-28. Coming off a rousing win against their rival, the New Mexico State University Aggies, the Lobos defense came out looking sluggish as they allowed a five-minute and 50-second opening drive that was capped off by Spartans’ freshman Steve Chavez-Soto’s first college touchdown.
Like spidery cracks along the shell of a hatching egg, wire fences and hard-hat zones criss-cross the University of New Mexico Main Campus. The crumbling of walls has become another ambient sound between Zimmerman Library and the Student Union Building, and blocked roads and pathways have become common occurrences. Students are surrounded by the signs of change. UNM Main Campus has four active construction projects: the Center for Collaborative Arts and Technology, the Humanities and Social Sciences Facility, a new UNM Police Department Headquarters and a Reserve Officers’ Training Corps Track, according to UNM Facilities Design and Construction.
The University of New Mexico Lobo Men and Women’s basketball teams returned to The Pit for their opening event of the preseason: The Lobo Howl — the first time in seven years the event has been held. The Howl introduced fans to the new men’s basketball Head Coach Eric Olen, along with the entirely new team he assembled. Fans also met the head coach of the women’s team, Mike Bradbury, and his team of seven new faces and six returners. “It’s a great opportunity to engage with fans, and let them see our players for a little bit. Obviously, we don’t start for another month, but it’s cool to get a little taste of it here in early October,” Olen said.
Albuquerque’s under-construction Rail Trail project — a seven-mile loop connecting Downtown, Old Town and the Bosque — lost $11.5 million in federal grant money. New Mexico was one of at least six states to receive a letter from President Donald Trump’s administration stating that funding for pedestrian and bike trail projects has been withdrawn, according to The Associated Press. City of Albuquerque Metropolitan Redevelopment Agency Director Terry Brunner said the letter he received on Sept. 9 stated that the Rail Trail project “runs counter to the U.S. Department of Transportation’s priority of focusing on projects that promote vehicular travel.”
The University of New Mexico hosted a documentary and a doctor who said he ventured under bridges to not just help the unhoused, but to save the medical profession. Now, across cities and nations, medical teams go on the street to carry out their mission of bringing care to the vulnerable and reconnecting with the outcast. On Thursday, Oct. 2, UNM hosted a screening of “Go To The People,” a documentary following “street medicine” teams that deliver healthcare to people who are unhoused.
Around 200 graduate workers stopped traffic and rerouted shuttles while picketing at the intersection of Yale Boulevard and Las Lomas Road on Friday, Oct. 3. The picket was organized by United Graduate Workers of the University of New Mexico in conjunction with their final bargaining session that ended with graduate workers earning a 6% raise; one percentage point higher than their previous bargaining negotiation. The union also won an article that protects international workers from disclosing their immigration status information. Noah Mertz, a graduate worker and member of UGW, said that the Union’s actions have worked in creating change with University administration.
Partygoers danced at the University of New Mexico’s University Stadium for the 2025 Silent Lights disco, where students wore headphones programmed with an assortment of DJ sets and music channels to tune into throughout the night. For the first time on Thursday, Oct. 2, Silent Lights took place at the University Stadium rather than Smith Plaza, due to the construction site surrounding the ongoing demolition of the Humanities Building. This year, students had a larger, unfenced, area to dance in, with the DJ stage set up near the stadium’s general admission section.
Historians Amber Lane and Portia Vescio walked visitors through a photographic memory lane of some of the most impactful moments in the University of New Mexico’s history, on Sept. 30, as an excerpt from their book, “University of New Mexico.” The book is a collection of photographs capturing some of the University’s greatest accomplishments and historic events. Lane and Vescio’s book was released in August, and was created using UNM’s Center for Southwest Research and Special Collections. It highlights the influence of Pueblo architecture, the diverse communities within UNM and the historical pathways the University paved.
As the weeks tick down for Albuquerque citizenry to pick their mayor for the next four years, the wide field of candidates met on stage twice to let constituents hear their stances on issues including crime, homelessness, small businesses and immigration. All six candidates still in the race were present at the first forum on Tuesday, Sept. 30: Mayling Armijo, incumbent Mayor Tim Keller, City Councilor Louie Sanchez, Alex Uballez, Eddie Varela and Darren White. White did not attend the second forum due to a family emergency. Former candidate Daniel Chavez, whose name will appear on the ballot, dropped out of the race and did not participate in the forums.
The NFL season is in full swing, and teams are looking to build momentum for the long grind that lies ahead. Where there are winners, there are losers. But not all losers are created equal, as some teams feature players who single-handedly cost them the game. These players are favorably called bobbleheads. Here are the bobbleheads from the NFL’s week three that helped stall any momentum their teams built from the first two weeks.
At the start of the fall semester, the University of New Mexico’s Parking and Transportation Services implemented a free bike valet program, encouraging students and staff to make a greener commute to campus, while deterring the frequent amount of bike theft that occurs on campus. There are 128 slots available for UNM staff and students to keep their bike or other mode of transportation safely secured and monitored at the bike valet. The bike valet is located across from the Student Health and Counseling Center, in between the Student Union Building and the northeast corner of Popejoy Hall.
The undying tradition of torching the Aggie brings students and alumni together to share their collective pride, as a paper mache Pistol Pete is set ablaze, honoring the historic rivalry between the University of New Mexico Lobos and the New Mexico State University Aggies. The two institutions have feuded 115 times, earning titles such as The Rio Grande Rivalry and The Battle of I-25. This year’s game marks the 131st anniversary of the competition since the first football game between the teams, which happened in 1894, 18 years before New Mexico was recognized as a state.
On Sept. 9, the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression released their 2026 College Free Speech Rankings report, which ranks the University of New Mexico at 139 out of 257 universities. This ranking is up from last year, when UNM was ranked 219 out of 251. This year, UNM received an overall score of 57.0 out of 100, and an “F” grade for free speech climate. Both scores are based on student surveys, campus policies and speech-related controversies, according to the FIRE website. FIRE was founded in 1998 by University of Pennsylvania history professor Alan Charles Kors and civil liberties lawyer Harvey Silverglate to advocate for the rights of college students and faculty on matters of freedom of speech and expression, according to the FIRE website.
A decade-long wait is finally over, as the University of New Mexico Hospital Critical Care Tower is set to begin receiving patients on Sunday, Oct. 5. University and Hospital leadership alongside state and federal authorities gathered on Friday, Sept. 26 for a celebration and official ribbon cutting ceremony. The 570,000-square-foot tower features a 68 bed expansion to the Adult Emergency Department, 96 new intensive care beds, a surgical suite with 18 operating rooms and a second helipad. UNM Hospital is the state’s largest teaching hospital and only level I trauma center. The fourth floor of the Critical Care Tower is inaccessible to patients and visitors and will serve as a multi-use space with private rooms, lockers and eating lounges; but much of the space will also be dedicated to meeting rooms for educational purposes.
Solutions by The State News
