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OPINION: Why New Mexico Democrats should be terrified of primary challengers

f New Mexico’s Democratic incumbents are sleeping easy, they might want to set an alarm. Across the country, a political undercurrent is turning into a wave — and it’s not coming from the right. In New York City, a progressive insurgent named Zohran Mamdani has proven that establishment Democrats are no longer safe in reliably blue states. That same undercurrent could begin to stir in New Mexico, where young, progressive challengers might be eyeing the 2026 primaries with serious intent — and real potential. On June 24, Mamdani, a 33-year-old democratic socialist and state assemblyman, toppled New York’s ex-governor Andrew Cuomo, a Democratic dinosaur with deep institutional backing, in the New York City Democratic mayoral primary.

Trump administration cuts LGBTQ+ youth crisis hotline

On July 17, the Trump administration will be shutting down a national suicide and crisis hotline intended to assist LGBTQ+ youth, according to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. The service is provided as part of the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, and sometimes known as the press 3 option. It has routed nearly 1.3 million calls since its introduction in September 2022. The 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline will continue to operate without the subnetwork service. LGBTQ+ high school students are over three times more likely to have seriously considered suicide within the last year than cisgender and heterosexual students, according to the Centers for Disease Control’s 2023 Youth Risk Behavior Survey Data Summary and Trends Report.

Guild Celebrates Juneteenth with ‘Summer of Soul (…Or When the Revolution Could Not be Televised)’

On June 19-20, the Guild Cinema hosted a special showing of “Summer of Soul (…Or When the Revolution Could Not be Televised)” in honor of Juneteenth, a federal holiday commemorating the day that news of Emancipation reached Texas — the last state to be informed. “Summer of Soul” focused on the Harlem Cultural Festival, a free summer music and cultural fest that was held during the summer of 1969 in Harlem in New York City. It was hosted by Tony Lawrence and filmed by Hal Tulchin. The festival was recorded, but the footage sat untouched and unseen for more than 50 years, until directors Questlove and Hal Tulchin combined the recording with testimonies from artists, organizers and attendees to create “Summer of Soul.”

Comic, June 23, 2025

New Mexico United dominates San Antonio FC in overtime

On Saturday, June 21, New Mexico United snatched another win — in a heart pounding overtime United surged past San Antonio FC and left the pitch having jumped to first place in the West Conference, after winning the game 4-2. Under the blazing sun United got ready to defend their winning record. The early minutes of the game unfolded slowly. Both teams were locked in a physical battle which resulted in multiple fouls causing United to earn a penalty kick. Jaylin Lindsey calmly stepped up and converted, putting New Mexico on the scoreboard with a confident strike.

Hair braiders to be able to practice without a cosmetology license

Starting July 1, hair braiders will be exempt from the requirement of a cosmetology license to practice hair braiding due to the recently signed “Exempting Hair Braiding from Provisions of the Barbers and Cosmetologists Act.” Four State House Representatives — Rep. Janelle Anyanonu (D-Albuquerque), Rep. Harold Pope (D-Albuquerque), Rep. Patricia Roybal Caballero (D-Albuquerque) and Rep. Pamelya Herndon (D-Albuquerque) — sponsored the bill. The bill would open up the opportunity for many black people to start small businesses in New Mexico, stimulating the local economy, Herndon said.

Bookworks hosts Raha Gopal Bhattar with ‘Queering Constellations’

On June 10, Albuquerque bookshop book works hosted a talk with artist Raja Gopal Bhattar on their latest book “Queering Constellations,”a collection of poetry, prose, coloring pages and interactive activities. Bhattar is a Gender-Queer organizer, speaker and author originally from India. According to their website, they are currently Program Manager for the Social Justice and Career Advancement Academy for Association of California Community College Administrators. Bhattar said that “Queering Constellations” is meant to be a conversation. The book is meant to be explored in any order, creating a unique experience for each reader.

REVIEW: ‘Conclave’ is a blessed viewing experience

Released in Oct. 2024 and propelled back into relevance by the passing of Pope Francis, “Conclave” includes a star-studded cast who elevate the already fantastic story. The film follows Cardinal Lawrence — played by Ralph Fiennes — who must oversee the election of the next pope in his role as Dean of the College of Cardinals.

Thousands denounce Trump’s authoritarianism in ‘No Kings’ protest

On Saturday, June 14, a crowd of approximately 8,000 people braved the afternoon heat at Mariposa Basin Park to participate in a “No Kings” protest, organized by local groups including Albuquerque Indivisible and Third Act NM. The protest was part of a national movement of over 2,000 planned protests with over 5 million participants across the country, according to NPR. The protesters aimed to oppose what they see as an authoritarian turn by the Trump administration. The event occurred on the same day as a military parade in Washington, D.C., which celebrated the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Army and coincided with Trump’s 79th birthday. The protest included music, poetry and multiple speeches, which crowds listened to before commencing in a march around the park. Rep. Melanie Stansbury and Albuquerque Mayor Tim Keller delivered keynote addresses.

Lobos take home national titles at NCAA Track and Field Championship

The University of New Mexico Lobos secured national titles in three separate events over the course of the four-day NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships, which took place in Eugene, Oregon, on June 11-14. The Lobos sent a total of 11 athletes to Eugene. They sent only one athlete in 2024. The Lobos finished fifth nationally on the men's side and ninth on the women's. The Lobos took first and second place in the men's 10,000 meter. Ishmael Kipkurui became the national champion with a time of 29:07.70, and Habtom Samuel finished with a time of 29:08.73 and became the national runner-up after having won the race last season. 

Protesters walk in solidarity with ‘Palestinian right of return’

On June 8, community members marched from the Rio Bravo Riverside Picnic Area to the Rail Yards Market to protest the Israeli blockade of all entrances to the Gaza Strip, where close to half a million people are facing acute malnutrition, starvation, illness and death as of May 12, according to the World Health Organization. Protesters carrying signs with scenes from the war in Gaza took one lane along with vehicles supplied with hydration and medical supplies. When the walk concluded at the Rail Yards Market, protesters confronted and questioned Albuquerque Mayor Tim Keller about Albuquerque's sister city relationship with Rehovot, Israel.

‘Atomic 66’ event makes space for space

On June 10-14, the City of Albuquerque is hosting “Atomic 66” — a multi-day, multi-location exhibition, conference and celebration for space lovers, regardless of their specialties. “Atomic 66” includes scientists, entrepreneurs, historians, activists, artists, filmmakers and enthusiasts. The event served to bring the community together to celebrate New Mexico’s long and unique relationship with space. The cornerstone event — the Space Fiesta — was held on June 11 at the Historic Lobo Theater. The event had music by a robot DJ, interactive art exhibits, speakers, performers and booths where various groups could share their work.

Duck Pond to reopen in August

On Aug. 8, The University of New Mexico Duck Pond is expected to have its long-awaited grand opening that invites students into a lush and vibrant habitat teeming with aquatic life, according to UNM Facilities Design and Construction. The nine month long renovation project is expected to bring improvements in water quality, compliance with ADA guidelines and the return of most of the pond animals. The $4 million renovation project will keep character defining features — the shape of the pond, waterfall and fountains — unchanged from its 2006 condition, according to a Project Overview document provided to the Daily Lobo.

New Mexico Herpetological Society celebrates turtle conservation with ‘Low ‘n’ Slow’ fundraising event

On June 1, Canteen Brewhouse held a fundraiser for the New Mexico Herpetological Society to raise awareness about the turtles, tortoises and other reptiles and amphibians of New Mexico and the Southwest, according to NMHS coordinator Max Havelka. Canteen brewhouse brewed a turtle-themed beer called “Low ‘n’ Slow.” A portion of the beer sales will fund NMHS turtle conservation, Havelka said. The turtle-themed beer can depicts a turtle riding a bike and reads “drink beer, save turtles.”

‘First We Bombed New Mexico’ — New Mexico’s History with Nuclear Fallout

“First We Bombed New Mexico” is a film that captures the nuclear related tragedies occurring within New Mexico communities, which alter the environment, overall health, wellbeing and environment of individuals who live in fallout areas such as those near the Trinity Test Site. Lois Lipman, the director and producer of “First We Bombed New Mexico,” is an award-winning documentarian who has produced numerous social justice films globally. Lipman is regularly based in London, however, for nearly 10 years, she documented Tina Cordova’s experience in New Mexico and Cordova’s work in communities by the Los Alamos Trinity Test Site.

Wildfire season begins in New Mexico

Since April, New Mexico has been experiencing a wildfire season with nearly half the state listed in extreme drought intensity or higher, according to a June 3 U.S. Drought Monitor map. Drought symptoms have intensified across southwest New Mexico with fire activity increasing in late May, according to a national wildfire report released by the National Interagency Fire Center on June 1. Due to very dry fuel conditions in the shrubs and trees as well as above-average grass loading, the potential for significant fires is expected to be above normal across southwest and south central New Mexico in June, according to the report.

OPINION: Bobbleheads of the week — Norway Chess edition

Where there’s a victor, there’s a loser, and sometimes certain athletes contribute to their team’s or their own shortcomings. These athletes are favorably called bobbleheads. Norway Chess saw 12 of the highest-ranking male and female chess grandmasters competing over ten rounds of classical chess games. While some of the players exceeded expectations while others made tremendous blunders, making them the bobbleheads of the week.

Holloway leaves provost position

James Paul Holloway, previously theUniversity of New Mexico’s provost and executive vice president for academic affairs, was selected by the University of Toledo as its new president on May 22, according to an announcement from President Garnett Stokes. He’s set to begin his duties in the position on July 15. Holloway had been in the role of provost since 2019 after he was selected to replace the previous provost, Chaouki Abdallah, after Abdallah left to lead Georgia Tech’s research program the year prior.

OPINION: Bobbleheads of the week — Stanley Cup Conference Finals edition

Where there’s a victor, there’s a loser, and sometimes certain athletes contribute to their team’s shortcomings. These athletes are favorably called bobbleheads. After a long, grueling playoffs, the Stanley Cup Final is set. The Edmonton Oilers and the Florida Panthers will battle for the Stanley Cup for the second year in a row.The Panthers are making their third finals appearance in as many years and the Oilers hope to be the first Canadian team to win the cup since 1993. Here are the bobbleheads who helped book their teams’ late flights to Cancun.

REVIEW: “Sinners” leaves its teeth marks on audiences

On April 18, Ryan Coogler, director of the “Black Panther” franchise released “Sinners”, a vampire musical-horror film set in 1930s Mississippi. The film follows the “Smokestack Twins,” Elijah “Smoke” Moore and Elias “Stack” Moore — both played by Michael B. Jordan — and their younger cousin Sammie — played by Miles Caton — a supremely gifted blues musician as they prepare for the opening night of “Club Juke,” a club for the black townspeople of Clarksdale, Mississippi. The entire film happens over the course of one day and one night. Smoke and Stack are back in Mississippi from Chicago, where they’d conned the Irish and Italian gangs, likely leading to the Saint Valentine’s Day Massacre. They recruit Sammie to play music, but Sammie is more than talented. He is a griot — meaning he has a mystical gift allowing him to pierce through death and time to summon the spirits of his people, past and future.