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Culture

Movie Review: "Escape Room" offers exciting mystery film

Tiffani Watteyne | January 24

Since the beginning of 2019, there have been many movies that have piqued the interests of audiences everywhere. One of these movies, “Escape Room,” started out the year right. The movie centers around the drama/mystery genres and brings an entertaining, yet terrifying take to the new real world trend of escape rooms. Its main plot focuses on a group of six strangers — Zoey (Taylor Russell), Ben (Logan Miller), Jason (Jay Ellis), Mike (Tyler Labine), Amanda (Deborah Ann Woll) and Danny (Nik Dobani). All receive a puzzle box that when solved gave them an invitation to the escape room promising the winner a cash prize.

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News

Photo Story: Opening Day of the New Mexico Legislature

Danielle Prokop and Anthony Jackson | January 23

Opening day of the New Mexico State Legislature saw packed hallways, handshakes and lots of kids. The November election brought Democrats control of the governorship and greater control of the House of Representatives. Before opening day, almost 500 bills were pre-filed. Some of those bills are making a second appearance thanks in part to a veto or pocket veto from former-Governor Susana Martinez.

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News

Hemp legalization may boost New Mexican economy

Andrew Gunn | January 22

After a multiple decade-long hiatus from New Mexico’s agricultural fields, industrial hemp is growing anew in state soil. On Dec. 11, 2018, the New Mexico State University (NMSU) Board of Regents voted unanimously to approve the Hemp Cultivation Rule, making it legal once again for New Mexican farmers to cultivate the controversial, but lucrative, crop. Hemp, one of the world’s oldest cultivated plants, is a variety of the Cannabis sativa species without the high levels of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the psychoactive component that causes the “high” when cannabis is consumed recreationally or medicinally. Hemp’s return to the state comes after a nearly 100-year absence, according to Agricultural and Environmental Services Division Director Brad Lewis.

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News

Albuquerque Women's March holds third annual event

Megan Holmen | January 22

Burqueños gathered at Civic Plaza for the 2019 Albuquerque’s Women’s March on Jan. 20. People from all communities and walks of life came together for a common cause — women’s rights. The rally featured keynote speakers including: Samia Assad the Albuquerque Women’s March chair, U.S. Congresswoman Deb Haaland, Public Lands Commissioner Stephanie Garcia Richard, a variety of University of New Mexico professors and other speakers. The Albuquerque Women’s March is held in conjunction with other marches held in cities across the nation, including the national Women’s March in Washington D.C. This was the third year of the march and was dubbed the “Women’s Wave.”

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News

Local museum hosts viewing for blood moon

Luisa Pennington | January 22

On Jan. 20, the New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science opened its doors after-hours for a special viewing of the supermoon total eclipse. Starting at 8:30 p.m., more than 1,000 museum visitors were welcomed into the museum’s campus to view the phenomenon until 11:30 p.m. A lunar eclipse occurs when the moon moves into the Earth’s shadow. When this happens a dark red interior color is reflected. They don’t happen often because normally the moon moves slightly over or under the shadow when it’s on the far side of the Earth from the sun, according to The New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science. At 8:34 p.m. the Partial Eclipse began and guests began to arrive. Crowds began to form on the museum grounds and and on the observatory deck. To get a closer look at the supermoon, telescopes were provided by the museum and Albuquerque Astronomical Society for visitors to enjoy.

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Sports

Volleyball: Lobos find new head coach

Matthew Narvaiz | January 22

After 11 years, it’s a new era for the University of New Mexico volleyball program. Jon Newman-Gonchar was named the head coach of the Lobos, the UNM Athletics Department announced on Tuesday. Newman-Gonchar most recently served as associate head coach at Arkansas for the last three years, but has a history in college volleyball that predates that tenure.

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Culture

Blind Spots tour sheds light on unconscious bias

Justin Garcia | January 22

“This is in a foreign language,” a women said referring to the pre-recorded voice on a telephone at the Check Your Blind Spots Unconscious Bias mobile tour. According to a worker with the tour bus that was, in fact, the point. That was Thursday in Smith Plaza at the University of New Mexico, when the tour equipped with virtual reality headsets, tablets and other technology came to main campus. The bus, which is part of the CEO Action for Diversity & Inclusion, featured several interactive exhibits promoting values of diversity and inclusion.

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Culture

5 and Why: C&J Chair David Weiss' favorite plays

Luisa Pennington | January 22

Interested in society’s relationship with the media, Dr. David Weiss, the Department Chair for the University of New Mexico’s Communication and Journalism Department, spends his time researching media discourse, political and religious communication and the media and popular culture industries. In addition to research, Dr. Weiss is an Associate Professor within the Communication and Journalism Department. There, he teaches courses in strategic communication, political communication and media studies. Weiss got his PhD from UNM in 2005. He is also an alumni of Cornell University and the University of Oregon. Between graduating from college and going back to school for a master's degree, Weiss lived in New York City for 17 years. While in NYC, he was an executive at several of the country's largest advertising agencies. Though he was extremely busy, he did have time to go to several plays. So, when we asked him to name his top five plays and why, this is what he said:

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News

Lujan Grisham kicks off 54th NM Legislature

Danielle Prokop and Anthony Jackson | January 17

The marble halls of the Roundhouse were buzzing Tuesday, the first day of the 54th New Mexico Legislature, as thousands from around the state convened for opening-day festivities. Family members, lobbyists, constituents, journalists and activists came for the swearing-in of legislators, and New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham’s much-anticipated State of the State Address. People jammed the halls hours before noon as security guards searched bags and pockets before allowing people to sit in the House gallery.

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News

Here's who might be UNM's next Student Regent

Kyle Land | January 17

The process for selecting a new Student Regent differs from the process of selecting of any other person for the Board, with both the Associated Students of UNM and the Graduate and Professional Student Association producing nominees for the position. UNM President Garnett Stokes then interviews the candidates and sends the list to the Governor’s Office. Lujan Grisham will then pick one student as her official nominee, which acquires approval by the Senate.

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News

CJ Department cancels required class for semester

Makayla Grijalva | January 17

Video Journalism, CJ 360, was cut from the course schedule due to low enrollment. David Weiss, Communications and Journalism department chair, said only four students had registered for the course prior to its cancellation. Weiss said in order for the College of Arts and Sciences to keep a course scheduled there must be a minimum of at least 15 students to register for the class. However, sometimes exceptions can be made if enrollment is close to that amount.

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News

ASUNM holds first meetings of the semester

Justin Garcia | January 17

As students settle back into normal class routines, senators of the Associated Students of the University of New Mexico held their first round of committee meetings for the Spring 2019 semester. Before the meeting, Vice President Emily Wilks appointed new leaders to ASUNM’s three committees. Sen. Holly Gallegos was appointed chair the Finance Committee, Sen. Mohammed Assad to the Steering & Rules Committee and Sen. Emerald Goranson to chair the Outreach & Appointments Committee.

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News

UNM alumni open bookstore in Nob HIll

Megan Holmen | January 17

A brand new books-without-batteries bookstore has opened in the Nob Hill area. Family owned, Organic Books recently opened its doors in a part of town that hasn’t had a bookstore in decades. The Brewer family owns and operates the shop. Seth Brewer, who graduated from the University of New Mexico last spring, said the idea for the store’s name came from the value of reading physical paper books and not just picking up a tablet or a phone to consume literature.

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Music

Big music releases set to drop this weekend

Shayla Cunico and Macey Rose | January 17

With a new year comes new music. Starting off a series of releases dropping this Friday, January 18, are projects put together by Toro y Moi, Future and James Blake. Ariana Grande also made her newest release Instagram official a week ago, with “7 Rings” album art that was very on brand for the artist. These new projects will lead us into a year of anticipated music and surprising releases to entertain the masses. Let’s take a closer look on what 2019 has to offer in the beginning of the new year.

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News

Regents remain a hot topic in government

Danielle Prokop | January 17

It’s no secret that one of the more pressing issues facing New Mexico is education. In higher education specifically, Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham has an unprecedented number of university governing positions to fill. At the University of New Mexico, she will have to replace five of seven regents whose terms have expired.

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News

UNM opens semester with Welcome Back Day

Megan Holmen | January 17

Welcome Back Day is a long standing UNM tradition where students can learn more about departments, Greek life, student services and even jobs. On Jan. 16, students gathered in the Student Union Building atrium for complimentary drinks, snacks, free glam and a plethora of different information.

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News

Mayor Keller gives first State of the City Address

Anthony Jackson and Justin Garcia | January 14

As the opening riff to Metallica’s “Master of Puppets” thundered throughout the room, Albuquerque Mayor Tim Keller walked to the lectern, giving his first State of the City Address. Keller lauded what he said were many accomplishments of his administration, including improved crime rates, police reforms and an improved economic outlook. “We woke up a few years ago to a city that had gradually slipped behind, worked our way to the top of the bad rankings and bottom of the good,” Keller said. He cited Albuquerque’s 2018 crime statistics which saw a nearly 30 percent decrease in auto burglaries, a 30 percent decrease in auto theft, and an almost 20 percent decrease in commercial and residential burglary. Homicide and robbery saw about a 10 percent decrease according to a 2018 report compiled by the City of Albuquerque.

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News

UNM Athletics hires risk management firm

Danielle Prokop | January 14

Beebe runs a firm offering services for universities to analyze policies and procedures. The firm also provides training, assessment and consulting services to deal with alleged discrimination, retaliation, bullying, sexual misconduct, hazing, NCAA violations, academic fraud and financial impropriety.

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News

How the NM Legislature might affect UNM

Madison Spratto | January 14

The first session for the 54th New Mexico Legislature will have its opening day Jan. 15, beginning at noon.

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Culture

Political cartoonist and UNM alum tackles immigration

Justin Garcia | January 14

Political cartoonist Eric Garcia is not afraid to speak his mind. He’s not afraid to draw it either. On January 10, Garcia stopped by the National Hispanic Cultural Center to speak about his life drawing against oppression. About 80 people were in attendance as the University of New Mexico alumni began his talk. Throughout the talk, Garcia (no relation to the writer) belabored that his cartoons, one of which portrayed Former Attorney General, Jeff Sessions as a Ku Klux Klan member, were more than just a quick buck.