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Biden administration barrs new oil and gas leases around Chaco Canyon

President Joe Biden announced on Monday that his administration will block federal oil and gas leasing within a 10-mile buffer zone around Chaco Canyon, a sacred Indigenous site in New Mexico. A two-year ban on leasing will be enacted in the coming weeks, which will enable the Bureau of Land Management to conduct environmental analysis and public comment. They will then consider a 20-year withdrawal of drilling on public lands in the region.  “The Department of the Interior Secretary Deb Haaland is basically pushing the Bureau of Land Management to do a full environmental assessment of the region, in terms of its impacts relating to oil and gas,” Julia Bernal, director of Pueblo Action Alliance, said. 

UNM men’s basketball emphasizes defense in win against Grambling State

The University of New Mexico men’s basketball team beat Grambling State University 86-61 at The Pit on Monday. The win makes UNM 2-1 in their young season. Six Lobos scored in the game, and guards Jamal Mashburn Jr., Jaelen House, Taryn Todd and Javonté Johnson combined for all but 18 of the Lobos’ points. The first half was chaotic and was more amiable towards Grambling State’s style of play, ending with UNM only up by four points at halftime. However, Grambling State is a turnover-prone team, and once UNM turned up the defensive pressure, they were able to force 10 turnovers in the second half. The Lobos scored 29 points off of turnovers total, and House was able to come up with an incredible eight steals.

Retired UNM professor publishes 60th book

Richard Etulain, retired professor for the history department at the University of New Mexico, published his 60th book this year, “Mark O. Hatfield: Oregon Statesman (The Oklahoma Western Biographies Book 33),” on politician Hatfield, who contributed greatly to Etulain’s philosophy against bipartisanship. Born in eastern Washington and raised on a sheep ranch by his Basque immigrant father and “frontier mother,” Etulain was no stranger to hard work. Growing up, his father consistently reminded him that “anything you set out to do, get ‘er done.” With this in mind, and despite an initial nervousness surrounding writing, Etulain has churned out a book every year since his retirement in 2001.

UNM alumna receives prestigious clean energy award

The recognition of successful women in STEM continues with eyes on University of New Mexico alumna Kate Anderson, chief of staff for energy systems integration at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, a sector of the U.S. Department of Energy. This year, Anderson is the recipient of the C3E Social, Economic, and Policy Innovation Award, which recognizes women in clean energy. “There are not a lot of women in clean energy … but there should be,” Anderson said. “An award like this helps because it helps people see themselves and see that, ‘Oh, that’s something that I could do too,’ and not just view it as a man’s field.”

UNM boasts depth in win against Northern New Mexico

The University of New Mexico women’s basketball team beat Northern New Mexico College 96-40 Friday, Nov. 12 at The Pit. Though largely uncompetitive, the game gave UNM a chance to field some of its younger players. Guard Vianè Cumber started for the first time as a Lobo and shot 7-10 from the field, including 3-5 from three. Cumber scored 17 points — the most on the team — and showcased her ability to shoot while moving. Still, after the game, she said she still feels most comfortable catching and shooting stationary. Cumber is the only UNM player from Albuquerque and was eager to start in The Pit.  “I was really nervous, but I was really excited,” Cumber said.  

Infrastructure law makes investments in local climate, water

President Joe Biden’s $1.2 trillion infrastructure bill was approved by the U.S. Congress in early November and signed into law on Monday, Nov. 15. The bipartisan law, H.R. 3684, is climate-focused and uses a dynamic approach to dispersing funding, with money going to highways, wildfires, electric buses, water and other related projects. New Mexico’s apportionment of the law is $3.7 billion, which will seek to invest in and address vulnerabilities of the state’s water, highway and bridge infrastructure, among other key ventures. University of New Mexico Professor Claude Morelli, scholar of transportation planning and policy at UNM, said the largest cut of New Mexico’s share, $2.5 billion, is going toward highway development. $255 million in the infrastructure package will also address bridge needs across the state as super storms have undermined bridge foundations, causing the collapse of bridges and necessitating more maintenance, according to Morelli.

Stalking cases increase at UNM

  Reports of stalking made by residents living at the University of New Mexico’s student housing increased by 33%, from 9 cases in 2019 to 12 cases in 2020, even though fewer students were on campus. The rise takes place as stalking has become more virtual, experts said. “A lot of this is a virtual type of stalking where people are being threatened or followed through email communication, text messages or as far as a tracking device on someone's car,” said Matt Suazo, compliance and clery coordinator of UNM’s Office of Equal Opportunity. “There’s this sense of anonymity where people are able to engage in this behavior where they’re not able to be identified or confronted.”

REVIEW: ‘Eternals’ marks needed change for Marvel Studios

  “Eternals,” the third film installment in Marvel’s phase four, recently came to theaters and marked a nice change in the studio’s traditional releases. Going into “Eternals,” I was feeling apprehensive due to the poor critic ratings, but the film’s diverse cast and engaging plot signaled a new and better era for Marvel. The film follows a group of eight extraterrestrial beings known as the Eternals, lead by Gemma Chan as Sersi. Each has their own unique powers, who have sworn to protect the Earth from the Deviants (alien monsters who are trying to eat all of human life).

OPINION: ‘Red (Taylor’s Version)’ exceeds soaring expectations

  Taylor Swift has been teasing the release of her second re-recorded album, “Red (Taylor’s Version)” for months. On Nov. 12, the 30-song collection finally arrived, and it’s everything that I could’ve hoped for. What makes the album unique from the original are the exquisite “From the Vault” tracks — songs Swift had written for the first version of “Red” but ultimately had to chop when piecing together the final cut. Swift’s first rerecording venture was April 2021’s “Fearless (Taylor’s Version),” and there were really only two vault tracks that I continue to listen to. However, “Red (Taylor’s Version)” has several vault tracks worthy of repeat button notoriety, including the ten minute version of fan favorite “All Too Well.”

EPA seeks to expand regulations on methane

The Environmental Protection Agency released guidance for tightening methane regulations in early November proposing a series of protections to mitigate the impacts of the oil and natural gas industry nationwide. This comes due to methane’s critical role in advancing the warming of the atmosphere, with emissions having the potential to trap about 80 times as much heat as carbon dioxide in the first 20 years following the initial emissions release. To cut down on the methane waste products associated with oil and gas drilling, the EPA seeks to codify actions that would force states to fix leaking production wells and eliminate venting of natural gas for new and existing sites, according to the agency.

UNM volleyball turns around losing streak, beats San Diego State

The University of New Mexico volleyball team beat San Diego State University 3-0 in their last home match of the season at Johnson Center on Saturday, Nov. 13. The Lobos had suffered three losses in a row prior to Saturday but turned it around against the Aztecs, making their record now 18-9 and 9-7 in conference play. “It was a challenging week for us … We had to go through some adversity,” head coach Jon Newman-Gonchar said. “Every time you go through some adversity you learn who you really are, and what you really value. It was great to see them (work) together (to beat) this very good San Diego State team. I’m just very proud of our group.”

Nov. 15, 2021

Women’s basketball wins first game against Lamar

  The University of New Mexico women’s basketball team won their first official game against Lamar University 71-54 on Tuesday at The Pit.  The Lobos led the entire game, but Lamar was able to keep the score close in the first half largely due to two quick fouls on forward Shaiquel McGruder that limited her minutes and uncharacteristically poor shooting from guard Jaedyn De La Cerda, who was 0-7 in the first half. However, both McGruder and De La Cerda came alive in the second half, particularly in the third quarter where they were able to outscore Lamar 18-9 by themselves.

REVIEW: ‘The Harder They Fall’ stumbles on gold

  “The Harder They Fall” is a striking western drama featuring a vast and talented cast that was filmed in Santa Fe. This extravagant tale of the Wild West is well worth a watch. While the film is classic in structure, it’s expertly executed with exciting new twists. Co-written and solely directed by Jeymes Samuel, “The Harder They Fall” packs a punch. At first it seems to revel in its own melodrama, but over the course of 139 minutes, it blossoms into an original tragic story of the cyclical nature of violence and vengeance. 

UNM student fights for climate justice

  The fight for climate justice continues at the University of New Mexico and senior Raven Alcott is standing at the forefront of the action, acting as a voice for Indigenous communities. As a student majoring in environmental science with a minor in Native American studies, Alcott has been fighting for the complete divestment of the University from fossil fuels as a member of the UNM Leaders for Environmental Action and Foresight (LEAF). She even recently contributed to UNM LEAF’s complaint to the state’s attorney general, which called for an investigation of the UNM Foundation’s financial investment in fossil fuel stocks.

New Lobos basketball forward shows promise

  Every junior college transfer has something to prove once they get their chance at a Division I school, but one of the newest additions to the University of New Mexico men’s basketball team already knows that he’s ready to play in front of big crowds at The Pit. Jay Allen-Tovar is one of the newest members of the University of New Mexico men’s basketball team. He transferred over from Salt Lake Community College (SLCC) where he played for two seasons after not having the required grades to go directly to a Division I school.  “(I am) super athletic, so you might see me dunk on somebody,” Allen-Tovar said. “And I can shoot threes.

UNM Spirit Marching Band excels in season of rebuilding

  After missing the 2020 season due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the University of New Mexico Spirit Marching Band is comprised largely of new members since sophomores, along with freshmen, have never had the opportunity to be on the field before. Nonetheless, the band has excelled in their performances at Lobos football games and looks forward to ending their season this month on a high note. The Spirit Marching Band has approximately 90 students, almost half of which are new members, according to Associate Director of Bands Chad Simons. He’s extremely proud of the new group for managing to rebuild with such enthusiasm and care. 

UNM biology student looks to lead in conservation efforts

  With a lifelong commitment and passion for protecting public lands in hand, University of New Mexico senior Kai Hollenberg embraces the challenges of conservation. As a biology major with a focus in conservation who serves as the president of the UNM Wilderness Alliance, her ongoing work with the U.S. Forest Service and National Park Service as well as opportunities to address pressing environmental concerns across the country has prepared Hollenberg for a life of service in the conservation sector. “When I think about how much time the average human spends working, I really want it to be for something I believe in,” Hollenberg said. “Conservation and the health of our planet is definitely at the top of that list for me.”

Comics November 8, 2021

REVIEW: ‘Antlers’ is no fawn

  If you’re looking for a 100-minute long disappointment, a ticket to see “Antlers” is the way to go. From the underwhelming acting of Keri Russell (Julia Weaver) and Jesse Plemons (Paul Weaver) to the excessive gore and misguided use of Native stories, this movie is a bust if there ever was one. Directed by Scott Cooper and produced by Guillermo del Toro, “Antlers” is a horror-drama about drug use and the Native legend of the Wendigo from the perspectives of a child and his teacher. This film attempts to draw parallels between addicts and monsters, but fails miserably in every way.