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News

Education prof takes on deanship

Justin Garcia | June 30

Becoming the Dean of the College of Education was never the plan, but that’s where Deborah Rifenbary finds herself for the incoming Fall 2019 semester. Rifenbary is replacing the former dean, Salvador Hector Ochoa, on an interim basis. Ochoa left the University of New Mexico for a provost position at San Diego State University, according to an SDSU news release. He starts July 2. Before Ochoa left, Rifenbary said she was planning on retiring in December. “I think the college is in a transition right now. I think that I am someone who can offer stability. I have always been an advocate for faculty voice, collaboration and collegiality. I am committed to student success,” Rifenbary, who previously held an associate dean position in the college, told the Daily Lobo.

Culture

Fired up for the Fourth

Luisa Pennington | June 30

With temperatures reaching the mid to upper 90s, New Mexico’s summer is in full stride. This means that lake days, barbecues and camping trips are upon us. For many Americans, the Fourth of July is a holiday that is key to the summer experience. This week, communities across the nation will be celebrating America’s Day of Independence. For members of Albuquerque and Rio Rancho communities, the Fourth of July is a holiday where block parties and backyard get-togethers line almost every street. Explosions light up the air decorating the city skyline. Since aerial fireworks are far from legal, instead of risking the danger of the shells yourself, here’s a couple Fourth of July celebrations to attend:

Culture

Lobo's showcased in NM photo gallery

Amanda Britt | June 30

New Mexico Prints celebrated the grand opening of their gallery on Saturday, which showcased New Mexico’s beauty through high quality canvas prints shot by local photographers. Robert Jaramillo and Lyric Moya, the co-owners of the gallery, began planning their gallery a little over a year ago. While only being in the building for three months, they have transformed the space from a concrete shell to a functioning gallery with renovated walls, flooring and lighting. According to Jaramillo, they were inspired to create the exhibit to highlight the beauty of New Mexico, since they believe the media often highlights the negative aspects of Albuquerque.

Culture

UNM team places top five in rocket competition

Makayla Grijalva | June 24

Is it a bird? Is it a plane? Nope, it’s a rocket. Eyes were fixed on the skies this week as more than 120 teams from across the globe gathered in the New Mexico desert to compete in the third annual Spaceport America Cup. University of New Mexico Lobo Launch placed top five in the 10,000 feet Commercial Off the Shelf (COTS) motor category, announced Saturday at the awards ceremony. “It’s about precision and getting as close to that as possible and we were 600 feet off, which with our category is pretty good,” Victoria Ramirez, Project Lead for the 2019 Lobo Launch team, said to the Daily Lobo on Thursday. “We’re optimistic to see the see the results.”

News

Suspect arrested in double homicide; UNM student killed, remembered

Makayla Grijalva | June 24

“She is probably one of the most genuine people I’ve ever met.” UNM Student Shanta Hanish is remembered by her friend Donald Roberts just a couple days after her and her mother Laura Hanish were discovered by Albuquerque detectives stabbed to death in their home. They were found on Friday, June 21. Jesus Cartagena, 20, was issued an arrest warrant for the homicide of the two women on Saturday, June 22. The warrant was issued shortly after Cartagena turned himself into El Paso police claiming he had “done something bad in Albuquerque” according to the official arrest warrant. He is currently being held by the El Paso police department.

Opinion

Column: Transparency is crucial for a healthy university

Makayla Grijalva and Justin Garcia | June 24

“Access to public records is one of the fundamental rights afforded to people in a democracy.” This is the first sentence found within the introductory paragraph of the Inspection of Public Records Act (IPRA) compliance guide published by the office of the Attorney General for the State of New Mexico. In an attempt to exercise this right, the Daily Lobo has actively requested many of these public documents as a recurring and crucial part of our reporting process. We published a story on Monday, June 23, where transparency advocates told the Daily Lobo that blanket redactions of letters between the Custodian’s Office and unknown requestors may have violated the law.

Culture

Senior games boost economy

Alyssa Martinez | June 24

The biennial National Senior Games have brought visitors from all 50 states to the Land of Enchantment for two weeks of competition and community building. This year’s games are the largest in history, with 13,712 registered athletes spanning across 20 sporting events.The games have brought around 25,000 visitors to the city and local restaurants are feeding the demand. According to Tania Armenta, CEO and director of Visit Albuquerque, the games are projected to bring in at least $17 million in direct spending, and over $30 million in economic impact. One of the restaurants impacted is Frontier, a staple restaurant in Albuquerque best known for their breakfast dishes, green and red chile, flour tortillas and sweet rolls. Dorothy Rainosek, co-owner of the landmark restaurant, seems delighted to be giving visitors a taste of what the city has to offer.

Music

Review: "Doom Days" offers enticing musical story

Chris Mather | June 24

British band, Bastille, released their third studio album on Friday, June 14. This is the band’s first venture into concept albums. Exploring the themes of escape, “Doom Days” narrates what may happen when things might not be going as well as they could be. Beginning with “Quarter Past Midnight,” and ending with “Joy,” the album follows the path of a night out at a party while the world outside is in turmoil. Each of the 11 tracks represents a time during the night, going from 12:15 a.m. with ‘Quarter Past Midnight’ to 8:34 a.m. with ‘“Joy’.” Though each song is intertwined with one another through the main narration, the musical styles vary greatly, going from a somber ballad in “Divide” to the gospel choir assisted euphoric sound of “Joy.” Some songs feature the simple sounds of a plucked guitar, while others feature lead vocalist Dan Smith’s self harmonization. Some even have an ‘80s style synthesizer.

News

UNM: Border fence around campus? Not so fast

Danielle Prokop | June 17

University officials said a decision on the proposed campus perimeter fence isn’t coming anytime soon. In addition, the group set to review the proposal doesn’t have all of its members. President Garnett Stokes told the Daily Lobo that the newly announced Campus Safety Council would recommend action on the proposal, but not until the fall semester. “[A barrier] was just one piece of everything we needed to think about, but it got out there as something imminent, and no way is it in that category,” she said. When asked if UNM is taking the proposal seriously, Stokes told the Daily Lobo the decision is still a long way from being made.

News

Political organization rallies for abortion

Amanda Britt | June 17

“Ain’t no power like the power of the people, ‘cause the power of the people don’t stop,' ” chanted participants of a pro-choice abortion rally Friday afternoon. Around 50 people gathered at Central and First Street to spread awareness and support for reproductive rights. The demonstration was organized by the Party of Socialism and Liberation (PSL). “Even though it’s a smaller turnout tonight, the energy is really great,” said Karina Rodgers, 24, a member of PSL. “There’s a lot of new faces here, and a lot of young faces as well. It’s really inspiring because this is just the beginning of protests, rallies and the movement for reproductive rights.” “In Soviet Russia, quotes pull YOU”

News

NMAG Letter: UNM withholding public records

Makayla Grijalva | June 17

The New Mexico Office of the Attorney General released a letter Friday which informed the University of New Mexico that they are in violation of the state’s “sunshine laws” by withholding documents that should be public information. “We conclude this determination by, yet again, reminding ...

Opinion

Column: Conference focuses on student residence life

Chris Mather | June 17

Last weekend, in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, between 2,000 and 2,500 college students congregated on the campus of Louisiana State University for the National Association of College and University Residence Halls Annual Conference. The NACURH Annual Conference focuses on student leadership within residence halls and offers as a place for students to develop as leaders to better serve their university. As the National Communications Coordinator for The University of New Mexico Residence Hall Association, I was able to experience the conference first-hand along with a delegation of nine other passionate student leaders and one incredible advisor. The conference presented us with many opportunities to find out who we are as leaders and how we could bring leadership skills back to Albuquerque to serve the residence community on UNM’s campus.

Culture

ABQ Folk Festival offers good music

Luisa Pennington | June 17

Albuquerque’s annual Folk Festival brought melodious tunes to Bosque School this Saturday, June 15. In this all-day festival, patrons were welcomed to purchase items from local vendors, participate in educational sessions, enjoy live performances and eat from a variety of food trucks. This was the first year the festival was held at Bosque School, as it was originally held at Balloon Fiesta Park. The day officially began at 10 a.m. as attendees lined up outside of the school's doors. Walking in, a group of local performers played classic folk songs. Here, patrons could also ask for assistance in signing up for workshops, signing up for Band/ Dance Scramble, and locating any one of the three large stages.

News

UNMH workers picket for better pay

Danielle Prokop and Lissa Knudsen | June 12

A group of University of New Mexico Hospital (UNMH) health care workers and their union representatives picketed against the Hospital Wednesday morning. The protesters, around 20 employees and representatives from the National Union of Hospital and Health Care Employees, Local 1199, are accusing UNMH management of proposing a new contract they said is worse than their current contract. Media relations for UNMH, Mark Rudi, told the Daily Lobo that the Hospital’s Budget Office could not comment during negotiations, nor could the hospital according to UNMH policy. “UNM Hospitals continues to negotiate with the union. We appreciate and value our employees and are dedicated to putting our patients first in everything we do,” Rudi wrote in a statement provided to the Daily Lobo.

News

APD arrests man allegedly behind crosswalk vandalism

Justin Garcia | June 11

The Albuquerque Police Department arrested a man they believe to have vandalized the rainbow-colored crosswalks. Anthony Morgan is believed to be the rider in the video that showed dozens of motorcycles burning out their tires and leaving skid marks along a recently installed rainbow-colored crosswalks on Morningside and Central in Nob Hill. According to the warrant for Morgan’s arrest, APD utilized tips from the Crimestoppers hotline and Morgan’s social media to identify him as one of the riders. According to the arrest warrant, police connected three videos obtained on social media with Morgan’s Instagram account. They said the make and model of the motorcycle, and tattoos visible in the videos allowed them to identify Morgan as one of the motorcyclists who vandalized the crosswalk

News

ABQ parades to celebrate Pride

Beatrice Nisoli | June 10

Albuquerque gathered to celebrate 2019 LGBTQ Pride parade this past Saturday. This year was the 50th anniversary of Stonewall — the riots that largely impacted the LGBTQ movement and continues to resonate to this day. Despite the intense Albuquerque heat, a crowd of thousands of people gathered along Central Avenue. The Daily Lobo profiled people who attended and participated in this year’s event.

News

Vigil commemorates Stonewall Riots

Lauren McDonald | June 10

Albuquerque PrideFest held a candlelight vigil for the LGBT community on Friday evening, June 6 at Morningside Park. The vigil was held in remembrance of the Stonewall riots in 1969 and ended up experiencing a protest of its own. A group of protesters chanted over the national anthem and a few speakers at the event. It is unclear if they were affiliated with a local organization. Otherwise the vigil went on as planned.

News

Albuquerque unveils rainbow crosswalk

Lauren McDonald | June 10

The city unveiled their display for the Pride crosswalks painted rainbow colors on historic Route 66, at the intersection of Morningside Drive and Central Avenue — but that display was then vandalized a few days later. A video uploaded to Facebook showed a group of motorcyclists taking turns skidding on the crosswalk. Mayor Tim Keller called the actions of the motorcyclists a “symbolic act of hate,” and said they “will not be accepted.”

Culture

"Rocketman" offers inspiring take on Elton John's life

Amanda Britt | June 10

“Rocketman”, an impressive musical fantasy directed by Dexter Fletcher, tells the uncensored story of Sir Elton John’s breakthrough years, his struggle with addiction and finding the purest form of love from those close to him. The story begins with John (Taron Egerton) admitting he’s an alcoholic, a drug addict, a sex addict and a shopaholic at a group therapy session. He then tells his story to fame and fortune through biopic scenes and musical numbers set in his hometown of Pinner, England. Egerton is terrific as the singer in the movie – bringing an electrifying energy and high-level performance with him each time he goes on stage. Although he plays a character troubled by self-loathing and insecurities, Egerton does a great job of making the character multi-dimensional. Egerton’s commitment to the role shows as he effortlessly portrays the conflict John faces between his inner diva and pure musical genius.

Sports

Men's Basketball: Mathis heading west to play for Oregon Ducks

Robert Maler | June 6

Former University of New Mexico men's basketball player Anthony Mathis recently announced he had entered the NCAA transfer portal. He didn't stay there for very long. Multiple reports have confirmed that Mathis has given a verbal commitment and apparently found a new basketball home — his old one.