Multimedia

Education Department launches investigation into UNM for ‘race-exclusionary practices’

On March 14, the U.S. Education Department Office for Civil Rights announced investigations into 45 universities across the country, including the University of New Mexico, for allegedly engaging in “race-exclusionary practices” in their graduate programs. In its announcement, the department alleged that the universities violated Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 by partnering with a nonprofit that supports historically underrepresented candidates in obtaining Ph.D.s. Title VI prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color and national origin in programs and activities that receive federal funding. The Education Department also initiated investigations into six universities for allegedly awarding race-based scholarships, and one university for allegedly having a program that “segregates students on the basis of race.”

Robots dance with DJs and lasers for Albuquerque City Brights celebration

On Feb. 28, the Cafe Entropy in downtown Albuquerque hosted a robot laser show as part of the City Brights and Albuquerque Art Walk events. The event took place through March 7. During this particular night, artist Jordan MacHardy was on hand to discuss the robots and the experiential art exhibit. “We’re building out an experiential art museum here in this whole space,” MacHardy said.

Water, writing and the wild: Bookworks hosts talk with author Zak Podmore

On Feb. 11, Bookworks hosted author Zak Podmore to talk about and sign his recent book “Life After Dead Pool: Lake Powell’s Last Days and the Rebirth of the Colorado River.” Bookseller and partner in Bookworks, D.J. Green, said the event was part of the Writing in the Wild program, which is in partnership with the Leopold Writing Program. The Leopold Writing Program’s website reads that a percentage of proceeds go to the program, in support of its “mission to inspire an ethic of caring for our planet by cultivating diverse voices through the spoken and written word.​”

Men’s basketball: Lobos continue to dance

For the first time since 2012, the University of New Mexico men’s basketball team won a game in the NCAA Tournament, advancing to the next round. This was the Lobos’ second year in a row making an appearance in the NCAA Tournament after falling short against Clemson last year. This year, however, the Lobos went head-to-head against the Marquette University Golden Eagles, beating them 75-66 on Friday, March 21. Both teams felt each other out in the first few minutes of the game. Then, the Lobos got hot offensively as they started to rack up points.

Architecture student talks struggles with wheelchair accessibility at UNM

Jayson Agos, a University of New Mexico junior and architecture student, called attention to  difficulties that students with disabilities can face on campus. When Agos came to UNM, he was still able to walk but was later unexpectedly paralyzed from the waist down, he said. It was then that he began to notice the ways he said UNM was unsuccessful in accommodating students with disabilities. “My first semester here at UNM was a dark semester for me,” Agos said. “I struggled a lot because there was so much that caused me issues just to get to class.”

OPINION: Bobbleheads of the week — NBA, March 9-14

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. Another week of NBA basketball has gone by — and with that, another week filled with bobbleheads.

Albuquerque Isotopes announce ‘City Roots’ alternate identity and five-game series

On Monday, March 10, the Albuquerque Isotopes announced five promotional games for the 2025 season as part of an upcoming “City Roots” series. The new alternate identity features designs by Rebecca Zook, the Isotopes’ manager for digital and social media marketing, with a Zia sun symbol in a “505” emblem and a stylized “Duke City” logo.

UNM celebrates Mardi Gras

On Tuesday, March 4, the University of New Mexico held a Mardi Gras event in the Student Union Building. Mardi Gras celebrations in the United States began in the 18th century when French settlers arrived in Louisiana, marking what is known as “Fat Tuesday,” according to the New Orleans website. Celebrations involve parades, colorful clothing and king cake, according to the website. The SUB event included a live jazz performance by local guitarist Dimian DiSanti and his musical group, mask decorating and traditional Cajun food, including jambalaya and king cake.

Comic, March 10, 2025

New Mexican Ukrainian organization, UNM professor react to Trump-Zelenskyy clash

On Feb. 28, a meeting between President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in the Oval Office grew heated and ended with Zelenskyy leaving early. Following the meeting, a New Mexican Ukrainian organization and a University of New Mexico professor shared their reactions to the clash with the Daily Lobo. During the meeting, Trump told Zelenskyy, “You’re not acting at all thankful” in reference to the support Ukraine has received from the United States since Russia’s invasion. Later in the meeting, Vice President JD Vance accused Zelenskyy of running propaganda tours, campaigning for former Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris in Pennsylvania and being ungrateful for U.S. aid.

Maxwell Museum unveils new fermentation exhibit

On Saturday, March 8, the University of New Mexico’s Maxwell Museum of Anthropology uncorked its newest exhibit. The exhibit, titled “Entangled Cultures: How Humans and Microbes Co-create through Fermentation,” explores how microbes and the process of fermentation have influenced and interacted with humans throughout history. The exhibit, consisting of about 20 items, presents how fermentation — a technique used to extend the shelf life and improve the nutritional value of foods — likely spurred human ancestors' development of larger brains, smaller digestive systems and expansion into new environments. Human interactions with microbes — microorganisms essential for fermentation — are given little attention by anthropology despite their potential major contributions to human evolution, according to Toni Gentilli, archaeologist and Maxwell Museum curator of exhibits.

UNM experts react to Trump DEI overhaul efforts

Since President Donald Trump’s reelection, he has repeatedly targeted federal diversity, equity and inclusion programs that seek to increase diversity within the government. These efforts could have negative impacts, including in New Mexico, according to UNM experts. Executive orders on Jan. 20 and Jan. 21 directed federal agencies to terminate their DEI programs, before a federal judge largely blocked the orders on Feb. 21, according to The Associated Press. While the executive orders did not specifically define DEI programs, DEI refers to “programs that ensure people from different backgrounds, cultures, identities, and experiences feel accepted in their environments, whether at school, work or other organizations,” according to The Columbus Dispatch.

OPINION: Men’s basketball — Mountain West Championship predictions

Starting on Wednesday, March 12, the Mountain West Championship will be must-see TV. With five teams that conceivably have a shot at the title and a few more teams looking to make some noise, the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, Nevada is sure to be packed with excitement. Two teams I would look out for are Nevada and Wyoming. They have both had very close games against some of the league's best teams, but haven’t quite been able to get over the edge and secure victories. Wyoming especially is fueled by one of the league's top players: Obi Agbim. Either team could get a few upsets and make a run deeper into the tournament.

REVIEW: Lady Gaga returns to her roots on new album ‘MAYHEM’

On Friday, March 7, Lady Gaga released her seventh studio album “MAYHEM.” The record has been touted as a return to the eccentric, dark-pop sounds of her early work after a decade of experimentation with various other genres, including jazz and country. The album’s lead single “Disease” is a boisterous track with influences from industrial music and EDM. In both its content and mood, the song is reminiscent of Gaga’s 2009 project “The Fame Monster,” with lyrics about healing a wounded lover and a dark, passionate eroticism. Thanks to its frenetic production and Gaga’s unabashed confidence, “Disease” is easily her best lead single since “Born This Way.”

Women’s basketball: Lobos take down Air Force 77-74 in final home game

On Tuesday, March 4, the University of New Mexico women's basketball team defeated Air Force Academy 77-74 in the final home game of the season before heading to the Mountain West Championship. There was an electric atmosphere in The Pit, as both teams were filled with high intensity and determination. The first quarter was rocky for the Lobos in certain areas, mainly on the defensive end. The Falcons took the lead and ended the quarter 24-19. The Lobos’ rebounding was solid for the majority of the second quarter. Both teams battled hard offensively. On the defensive side, the Lobos tightened up a bit, only allowing 14 points in the quarter. The Lobos led 42-38 at the end of the second.

White House takes control of press pool

On Feb. 25, the White House broke decades of precedent by announcing that the administration will now select which news outlets can cover events with President Donald Trump. This changes who is allowed into the Oval Office, Air Force One and some other meetings and conferences, according to Politico. This decision followed the Feb. 14 White House banning of The Associated Press from the press pool for not changing its editorial standards to refer to the Gulf of Mexico as the Gulf of America — the recognized name of the gulf by the United States government — according to CNN.

Men’s basketball: Lobos close out regular season with a win over UNLV

The University of New Mexico Lobos became Mountain West regular season champions for the first time in over 10 years on Friday, March 7 in front of a sold-out crowd at The Pit. The men’s basketball team finished their final regular season game against the University of Nevada Las Vegas 81-67. Offense was the name of the game for both teams, and when the game tipped off, neither looked back. The Lobos came in offensively, disrupting things in the paint as center Nelly Junior Joseph was unguardable down low. Junior Joseph did it all in the paint — whether it was scoring, rebounding or defending the rim. He finished the first half with 18 points, seven rebounds and two blocks.

Albuquerque experiences driest winter on record

This year, Albuquerque saw its driest winter season on record with total precipitation amounting to 0.12 inches at the Albuquerque Sunport, according to the Albuquerque National Weather Service. In a statement to the Daily Lobo, NWS Albuquerque wrote that the average high temperature in February was also the second hottest on record, with the first being in 1907. John Fleck, writer in residence at the Utton Transboundary Resources Center — a University of New Mexico center that promotes equitable and sustainable natural resource management — said that the extremely dry and warm weather is a “double whammy.”

OPINION: Bobbleheads of the week — NHL playoff push

As the NHL season rages on, teams from each conference continue to make their push toward the playoffs as each game becomes more important. While some players will be the reason for their team’s success, others will be the reason they spend April on the couch. These athletes are favorably called bobbleheads. Here are this week’s bobbleheads who didn’t help their teams’ case for any playoff optimism.

Velocity Irish Dance to tour at Popejoy Hall for the first time

On Saturday, March 8 at 7:30 p.m., Velocity Irish Dance will travel from Ireland to perform at Popejoy Hall for the first time, according to a Popejoy press release. “Velocity Irish Dance is renowned for its innovative fusion of tap dance and multimedia design, incorporating projections, spoken word, and immersive soundscapes to create a visually stunning and emotionally resonant experience,” the press release reads. Velocity is led and choreographed by James Devine, Guinness World Record holder for “The Fastest Feet in the World,” and David Geaney, five-time world champion Irish dancer, according to Velocity’s website.