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News

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

Jaden McKelvey-Francis | June 16

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.

Sports

Lobos take home national titles at NCAA Track and Field Championship

Jaden McKelvey-Francis | June 16

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.

News

Protesters walk in solidarity with ‘Palestinian right of return’

Leila Chapa and Paloma Chapa | June 16

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.

Culture

‘Atomic 66’ event makes space for space

Addison Fulton | June 13

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.

News

Duck Pond to reopen in August

Shin Thant Hlaing | June 13

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.

Culture

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

Paloma Chapa | June 9

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.”

Culture

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

Lexis Lovato | June 9

“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.

News

Wildfire season begins in New Mexico

Maria Fernandez | June 9

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.

Sports

OPINION: Bobbleheads of the week — Norway Chess edition

Jaden McKelvey-Francis | June 8

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.

News

Holloway leaves provost position

Elliott Wood | June 6

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.

Sports

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

Simon Reseigh | June 2

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.

News

REVIEW: “Sinners” leaves its teeth marks on audiences

Addison Fulton | June 2

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.

News

UNM increases student fees to strengthen Lobo Athletics

Shin Thant Hlaing | June 2

On May 20, the University of New Mexico Board of Regents approved a $45 increase in student fees per semester next year and an additional $60, totaling $105 per semester for undergraduates in two years, to fund UNM Athletics for the 2025-26 and 2026-27 academic years. The fee increase is expected to address the athletics funding gaps between UNM and peer universities in the Mountain West Conference, according to a Board of Regents meeting summary document.

Culture

“Lowrider Lifestyle” docuseries highlights NM car culture

Addison Fulton | May 30

On May 28, Guild Cinema held a premier of the first season of “Lowrider Lifestyle,” hosted by Bryant Johnson and Candice Neu. The four part docuseries was centered around the 2024 Lowrider SuperShow hosted at The Albuquerque Convention Center. The SuperShow is an exhibition and competition, allowing members of car clubs to show off their vehicles. Prizes, including best of show, are awarded based on era of car and level of customization. The SuperShow features lowrider cars — which are vintage, highly customized cars with specialized hydraulics allowing the car to ride low to the ground. Lowrider culture emerged in the 1940s in Chicano communities in the Southwest. Many of the first lowriders were servicemen returning from World War II who transferred their skills into working as mechanics at auto shops, according to the documentary. Part of reacclimating to civilian life was customizing their vehicles as a means of self-expression.

Sports

Lobos close regular season with crucial home series

Esmeralda Lozano | May 19

It was a bittersweet moment on Santa Ana Star Field on May 15-17, as the University of New Mexico Lobos played their final regular season series against the Fresno State University Bulldogs. When the series was all said and done the Lobos said goodbye to the regular season and set their eyes on the Mountain West Tournament. The Lobos started the series out with high energy and were ready to make their last home series count, for themselves and fans.

Culture

Paranormal expert teaches aspiring ghost hunters at the Painted Lady Brewery

Addison Fulton | May 19

On Saturday, Feb. 22, the Painted Lady Bed and Brewery hosted a ghostology class with paranormal expert Cody Polston. The class delved deep into the science and history of ghost hunting, then allowed attendees to experiment with various equipment and go on ghost hunts of their own on the Painted Lady Grounds. Cody Polston, an author and paranormal expert, has been investigating ghost sightings since 1985 with his group the Southwest Ghost Hunters association. The presentation covered the science and history of ghost hunting, the traits of compelling evidence of ghosts as well as the various kinds of ghosts.

Sports

OPINION: Is Tony Romo a Hall-of-Famer?

Austin Bishop | May 19

Say what you want about Tony Romo, but it's undeniable Tony Romo is a Hall of Famer. Once you look into his tape, statistics and impact on the National Football League, it’s easy to say he’s possibly one of the most overlooked candidates of his generation. Ask an average football fan if Tony Romo belongs in the Pro Football Hall of Fame, they will probably tell you that “He choked in the playoffs” or some other negatives. The bigger picture is that Romo is one of the most creative and intelligent quarterbacks of the modern era and for that he deserves Hall of Fame consideration.

News

UNM cybersecurity team responds to Western New Mexico hacking

Maria Fernandez | May 19

On April 13, Western New Mexico University's website and digital system were cyberattacked, leading to a two-week disruption in web-based services, including Canvas, the WNMU website, and the University's email system. In the following weeks, news sources including Searchlight New Mexico and Source New Mexico began reporting that a group of foreign hackers, who identified themselves as “Qilin” in messages displayed on University computers, had taken WNMU’s web services hostage, crippling the University’s ability to process payroll, internet access on campus and jeopardizing sensitive employee information.

Opinion

OPINION: Why Breaking Bad is a representation of Albuquerque culture, from the perspective of a UNM Student

Lexis Lovato | May 19

Perhaps the most infamous tourist attractions in Albuquerque are those related to the filming locations of the crime-drama tv series, “Breaking Bad.” “Breaking Bad” is a fictional tv series about an Albuquerque High School science teacher named Walter White who begins cooking and distributing meth with a former student, Jesse Pinkman to support his family after White was diagnosed with lung cancer. White runs into complicated choices as his business grows and he eventually becomes addicted to the act of committing crime and getting away with it.

Sports

Isotopes drop game 2, bounce back with game 3 walk off

Rodney Prunty | May 19

On May 14 and 15, the Albuquerque Isotopes took on the Tacoma Rainiers for games 2 and 3 of the series. The Isotopes lost the series opener 9-1 to Tacoma on May 13 and looked to take a win and tie the series up 1-1 in game 2 on May 14. The Isotopes got off to a good start in game 2 as after a scoreless first inning by both teams. The Isotopes batted in 3 runs with the highlight coming from Sterlin Thompson who had a two run double.