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LETTER: The time for paid family leave is now

Dear editor,  There is nothing more important than our families’ health. But our country needs to live up to its family values. Did you know that even before the pandemic, one in four new moms are forced to return to work within two weeks of giving birth? That’s heartbreaking and insane! I am the proud mother of a 6-week-old, and I have been lucky that I can teach from home, but if we weren’t working from home, I would be in the same boat. And as a teacher, I have seen

‘Re-education’ podcast spotlights campus Black cultural centers

In a time where social justice issues are constantly in the news and at the forefront of our minds, the new podcast “Re-Educated” helps process these concerns and looks at ways to better uplift the Black community. This podcast was released by the New Mexico State Office of African American Affairs on Sept. 17, and is available on YouTube, Spotify and Apple Podcasts. “Re-Educated” is hosted by Danni Golden and co-host Devon Williams. Golden uses her “voice, powerful conversation skills and business connections to uplift her community” and Williams “conducts community outreach for all aspects of the African American community in New Mexico, including collaboration with community stakeholders, programs and initiatives, and policy and advocacy,” according to the podcast’s website.

UNM professor spearheads project to 3D print 5,000 masks for immigrants

Dr. Christina Salas, a University of New Mexico associate professor in the department of orthopaedics and rehabilitation, was given a $15,000 grant at the beginning of September from the Con Alma Foundation to produce about 5,000 masks for the immigrant community — regardless of documentation status — in New Mexico. Salas has been leading a project with UNM staff and students, as well as volunteers, to print masks with a 3D printer since April. The actual distribution of the masks started the first week of May, according to Salas. “It’s a lot easier for us to address the immediate need of protecting people against the pandemic, so that’s why we chose this mask-making effort,” Salas said.

Breonna Taylor grand jury verdict sparks nightly protests in Albuquerque

Joining nationwide protests over the grand jury verdict in the police murder of Breonna Taylor, protesters in Albuquerque have taken to the streets every night since the decision to not indict the officers was announced on Sept. 23.  Taylor was a 26-year-old Black woman killed in her apartment by Louisville, Ky. police officers during the execution of a no-knock warrant in March. A grand jury indicted one officer, Brett Hankison, for wanton endangerment for his actions that night, but none of the three officers who fired shots are facing charges for Taylor’s murder.

‘Alarming’ inaction: Department chair calls for transparent investigation of UNMPD

American Studies Chair David Correia is calling for a community-led investigation of the University of New Mexico Police Department “with a focus on finding alternatives to armed police on UNM’s campus,” per a letter Correia sent to UNM President Garnett Stokes on Friday. The letter was written in part as a response to UNMPD officer Eric Peer, who recently returned to work after two weeks of paid leave following an investigation for a racist TikTok video that featured a “scanning for Mexicans” South Park voice over. University spokesperson Cinnamon Blair said disciplinary action has been taken but wouldn’t say what that disciplinary action was. The Daily Lobo has filed a records request in an attempt to learn the nature of the sanctions levied on Peer.

2nd Albuquerque Junk Jog crowdsources public litter removal

On Saturday, Sept. 19, the City of Albuquerque had its Second Annual Junk Jog where citizens plogged — or picked up litter while jogging — to their heart’s content. What started as a fitness trend in Sweden circa 2016, plogging — from the Swedish word “plokka up,” meaning “to pick up” — has made its way into the United States as a way for communities to come together for the environment and a brisk morning of exercise, according to the Washington Post. Upon arrival at the Junk Jog, ploggers were met by a team from the City of Albuquerque and given trash bags, gloves and a mask. Participants were encouraged to pick their local routes and follow the various health guidelines concerning COVID-19, according to the City of Albuquerque’s website.

Mountain West resuscitates 2020 football season

The Mountain West Conference announced on Thursday, Sept. 24 that college football will return before the spring semester. In a statement released on the Mountain West’s official Twitter, it states that the season will begin on Oct. 24, with the conference championship game on Dec. 19. New University of New Mexico football head coach Danny Gonzales posted a statement to the Lobo football Twitter just after the announcement espousing excitement for the upcoming — and seemingly unexpected — fall season. “We are excited about the opportunity to compete and represent our University, the city of Albuquerque and the great state of New Mexico!” Gonzales said.

Sept 23, 2020 Comics

'Tomorrow we rise:’ Ginsburg’s legacy honored in Albuquerque

Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, known for her judicial fight for women’s equality, passed away Friday, Sept. 18 at the age of 87. In response, an event called “When There are Nine: Remembering RBG and a Call to Action” was held at Tiguex Park on Sunday evening. “If there was ever a moment folx were waiting for to be mad as hell, this is it,” the event page stated, referring to President Donald Trump and Republican Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell’s promise to replace Ginsburg before the imminent election.

New Mexico United loses first ‘home’ game of road warrior season

COLORADO SPRINGS — Over 800 New Mexicans took the trip up I-25 to Weidner Field to attend the first “home” game of the season after the Colorado Springs Switchbacks allowed its southern rivals to rent out their stadium.   New Mexico United allocated tickets to United fans and gave the players and fans a “home” game experience on Saturday, Sept. 19. The stadium was set up to adhere to coronavirus guidelines — seats were spaced out, masks were required in and around the stadium, and elbows and fist bumps replaced more up close and personal celebratory gestures. Still, fans were able to come together and celebrate their club for the first time since last October.

Albuquerque Museum’s Third Thursday event continues celebrating virtually

The Albuquerque Museum had its monthly Third Thursday event on Sept. 17 with a variety of organized online events open to the public. Due to the pandemic, the Third Thursday events shifted to live streams via YouTube and Facebook on April 16.  The event began with museum director Andrew Connors showing psychedelic artwork from the 1960’s and 70’s, then a yoga class with YogaZo instructor Elizabeth Kivlighan and ended with a performance by the band “Let it Grow.” Connors said they were fortunate to have the support of the city during the pandemic, but they faced rough patches as well.

Sept 21, 2020 Comics

UNM community urges students to vote

The University of New Mexico community is gearing up for the 2020 general election with in-person and online events for National Voter Registration Day on Tuesday, Sept. 22. An in-person voter registration drive will take place at the Pit from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Tuesday. The organizers — the UNM Athletics department and the Albuquerque City Clerk’s Office — ask that participants bring their state-issued ID or proof of residency, according to a press release from the Athletics department. UNM assistant athletic director of marketing Carlos Ramirez said he wants to reach the student body and the area surrounding campus with the event. He also said that parking at the Pit will be free.

Contact tracers work to slow the spread of COVID-19

A University of New Mexico student received a phone call from the New Mexico Department of Health (NMDOH) late one Wednesday evening. The department was calling to tell her she had tested positive for COVID-19. “I was so shocked when I found out,” she said, “but talking to the contact tracer eased my worries.” Contract tracers play an important role in combating the coronavirus. When a person tests positive for the virus, contract tracers call and inform them of their test result, which begins the case investigation.

OPINION: ‘Avengers’ video game misses the mark by a long shot

  Over the past 10 years, Marvel’s Avengers intellectual property has been one of the most successful franchises in the entertainment industry. So when it was announced in 2017 that Square Enix was developing an Avengers video game, anticipation around the project began to build. The thought of being able to fly like Iron Man, wield Thor’s hammer and throw Captain America’s shield had many chomping at the bit to get their hands on the game. But after playing it, I was left feeling underwhelmed. Sure, taking control of these iconic heroes was a blast, but the sheer amount of lifeless characters, bugs, uninspired gameplay design and endless grinding left me feeling more annoyed than blown away.

Historic Camino Real museum reopens after six month hiatus

El Rancho de las Golondrinas, located near the Santa Fe Plaza, reopened on Sept. 9 after being closed for six months due to COVID-19 measures put in place by Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham. El Rancho de las Golondrinas was active in the 18th and 19th centuries as a stopping point for people who were traveling the Camino Real de Tierra Adentro, a historic trade route between Mexico City and Ohkay Owingeh during the Spanish colonial era. It is now a museum that is dedicated to preserving an important site of New Mexican history. According to the website, the museum is meant to promote and preserve the Hispanic heritage of northern New Mexico.

UNM professor, students celebrate women’s suffrage centennial with art exhibit

The centennial anniversary of women’s suffrage is upon us in 2020, and “A Yellow Rose Project” celebrates the victories and acknowledges the losses of the historic passage of the 19th Amendment through an online photography exhibit. University of New Mexico Honors College associate professor Megan Jacobs was one artist chosen among over a hundred other women to contribute to the project, collaborating with UNM students Hyunju Blemel, Sydney Nesbit, Sierra Venegas and Tilcara Webb. A portion of the exhibit is available to view in person at the Spectra Gallery at the Honors College.

Cutoff to receive absentee ballots just over a month away

With the 2020 general election less than two months away, time is running out for New Mexico voters to obtain absentee ballots. On Aug. 28, New Mexico Secretary of State Maggie Toulouse Oliver announced that voters can apply for absentee ballots through an online portal.  New Mexico is a “no-excuse” absentee ballot state, meaning that any registered voter can obtain an absentee ballot. The deadline to register to vote, either online or by mail, is Oct. 6.  The final day to get an absentee ballot is Oct. 20, and it is suggested that voters mail them back by Oct. 27.

Over a third of UNM students food insecure, even more lack stable housing

In April — just one month into the COVID-19 stay-at-home order — 32% of UNM students reported experiencing food insecurity and almost 42% were unsure about their housing, according to a recent study conducted by the University of New Mexico’s Basic Needs Team.  The team — comprised of researchers from a variety of departments and offices on campus — examined the rates of food and housing insecurity and how they are patterned across different demographic groups at UNM. New Mexico households have the highest rate (16.8%) of food insecurity across the country, according to the study.

Sept 17, 2020 Comics