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Bond question four: Public Safety Radio Communications Systems

Shin Thant Hlaing | October 21

The Public Safety Radio Communications Systems Bond Issue on the New Mexico ballot would issue $10 million to improve radio communication systems for first responders in the state if it passes. This type of radio infrastructure is used by first responders — such as police and medical professionals — to stay in contact with people in need of their services and with each other, according to Advanced Network Services. The funds would aim to “plan, design, purchase, install and implement related infrastructure to stabilize and modernize public safety radio communications systems statewide,” according to House Bill 308.

News

Bond question two: Public Libraries

Addison Fulton and Elijah Ritch | October 21

The Public Libraries Bond Issue on the New Mexico ballot would issue $19,305,000 in bonds to fund public libraries if it passes. Bond question two would provide respective departments $6 million for non-tribal public libraries, $1 million for tribal libraries, $6 million for academic libraries and $6 million for public school libraries, according to House Bill 308. Rep. Derrick Lente (D) sponsored the bill in the New Mexico House of Representatives.

News

United States Senate: Martin Heinrich

Lily Alexander and Nate Bernard | October 21

Incumbent Sen. Martin Heinrich (D) is running for reelection against Nella Domenici (R) to represent New Mexico in the United States Senate. Born in Fallon, Nevada, Heinrich has a background in engineering and has been in the Senate since 2013. Here’s where he stands on key issues.

News

United States Senate: Nella Domenici

Lily Alexander and Nate Bernard | October 21

Nella Domenici (R) is running against incumbent Sen. Martin Heinrich to represent New Mexico in the United States Senate. Born in Albuquerque, Domenici is the daughter of former New Mexico Sen. Pete Domenici. She served as chief financial officer for Bridgewater Associates — the world’s largest hedge fund, according to Forbes. Here’s where she stands on key issues.

News

Treatment for opioid use disorder reduces reincarceration, researchers say

Arly Garcia | October 18

In 2005, Bernalillo County implemented a program that allowed people to get treatment for opioid use disorder while incarcerated. Researchers at the University of Mexico have since found evidence that the treatment reduces someone’s likelihood of returning to jail. Robert Agnew’s general strain theory of crime and delinquency suggests that when people experience excessive stress, they seek ways to cope with it, according to the journal “Criminology.” If people lack appropriate resources, they may turn to deviant behaviors as coping mechanisms. Edwin Sutherland’s differential association theory suggests that people learn criminal behavior from their social groups.

Sports

UNM football players reflect on potential of Guardian caps

Izabella Kubiak-Reseigh | October 18

Amid increased scrutiny over player safety, particularly concerning concussions and long-term brain health, Lobo football players weighed the potential introduction of Guardian caps at the University of New Mexico. As the sport of football evolves, so does the equipment used to protect its athletes. One innovation gaining traction is the Guardian cap, a soft-shell helmet cover designed to reduce impact during practices and games. The NFL announced at the beginning of this season that Guardian caps can be used in games.

News

REVIEW: ‘Fresh Kill’ shatters boundaries at Albuquerque’s Guild Cinema

Elijah Ritch | October 14

On Oct. 5, Albuquerque’s Guild Cinema showed a restored 35 mm print of the 1994 film “Fresh Kill.” The screening was a part of a cross-country presentation, according to NPR. At each stop, the film was introduced by its director, Shu Lea Cheang. “Fresh Kill” depicts a group of misfits living in New York City who stumble onto a global conspiracy involving nuclear waste, glowing green fish, lethal cat food and a mysterious corporation with ominous TV commercials. The film is named after the Fresh Kills Landfill, which covered parts of Staten Island from 1948 until it was shut down in 2001, making it the world’s largest landfill at the time, according to the New York Times.

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REVIEW: ‘In the Summers’ featured at Albuquerque’s Guild Cinema

Elijah Ritch | October 14

Starting on Oct. 4 and spanning four days, Albuquerque’s Guild Cinema played Colombian American filmmaker Alessandra Lacorazza Samudio’s debut feature “In the Summers.” The film tells the story of Violeta and Eva, two sisters from Los Angeles who visit their father Vicente in Las Cruces, New Mexico every summer. Their story is told in four chapters that span four different summers, as the sisters grapple with first love, mental health, sexuality and — most importantly — their turbulent relationship with their father, who is an addict.

Culture

A spirited night at Painted Lady Bed & Brew

Addison Fulton | October 14

Painted Lady Bed & Brew in Albuquerque hosted a “Ghosts of Old Town Albuquerque” talk on Thursday, Oct. 10 as a part of its ongoing “Brews and Boos” event series. Cody Polston — an author, paranormal investigator and ghost tour guide — gave a talk to Painted Lady’s patrons on the various ghosts and ghost stories surrounding Old Town Albuquerque. The talk featured and retold several iconic ghost stories from Old Town. One ghost featured was that of Milton Yarberry, New Mexico’s first constable, who was hanged for murder. He haunts the area near where he was hanged, which is now the parking lot behind La Hacienda.

Sports

Football: Lobos dominate against Air Force Academy

Rodney Prunty | October 14

The University of New Mexico football team put on a show as they dominated against the United States Air Force Academy Falcons, beating them 52-37 at home on Saturday, Oct. 13. The Lobos were firing on all cylinders as offensively they could not be stopped, with solid defensive play helping throughout the game. The first quarter was a grind-it-out quarter from both teams. The Lobos had a quick three-and-out on their first possession of the game, which was then followed up by a long nine-minute drive by the Falcons. Despite the long drive by Air Force, the Lobos’ defense held strong, holding them to 3 points.

Culture

Who’s the fattest bear of them all?

Rodney Prunty | October 14

Fat Bear Week, an event held every year in Alaska’s Katmai National Park and Preserve to decide who the cutest and fattest bear is before they go into hibernation, kicked off its voting on Oct. 2. The event is a single-elimination tournament where the highest-voted bear gets to advance to the next round, according to Fat Bear Week’s website. This year, 12 bears competed against each other to be crowned the winner of Fat Bear Week. Notable matchups included 128 Grazer vs. 909Jr. on Oct. 4. Grazer, a mama bear and fan favorite, dominated this race with 73,018 votes, compared to 909Jr.’s 16,688. Grazer rode her dominant performance all the way to the championship, as she earned herself a spot.

Sports

UNM men’s basketball team prepares for the season

Izabella Kubiak-Reseigh | October 14

The University of New Mexico men’s basketball team is gearing up for the 2024-25 season, looking to build on a successful previous year in which it claimed the title as Mountain West champion and made an NCAA tournament appearance. The Lobos have bolstered their roster over the off-season with potential key additions, including highly-touted recruits and experienced transfers.

News

Downtown sidewalk obstruction bill fails in City Council meeting

Leila Chapa and Paloma Chapa | October 14

The Albuquerque City Council voted against a bill on Monday, Oct. 7 that would have banned obstructing sidewalks by sitting, laying or sleeping in certain areas of Downtown Albuquerque. Council bill O-24-42 aimed to benefit economic development in Downtown Albuquerque by restricting “visible homelessness” that could deter customers from local businesses, according to City Councilor Joaquín Baca. It would have imposed a $100 fine or community service for obstructing sidewalks. The bill also aimed to address vacant buildings. Baca, who sponsored the bill, was the only one to raise his hand when the Council voted on it; the bill failed 1-8.

News

UNM senior pushes for new crosswalk along Central Avenue

Shin Thant Hlaing | October 14

A senior at the University of New Mexico is spearheading an initiative to get a crosswalk installed on Central Avenue and Buena Vista Drive to minimize risky pedestrian crossing. Jackie Davis is a geography major who regularly crossed at the intersection of Central Avenue and Buena Vista Drive during her junior year. She saw that she wasn’t the only one crossing at the intersection, which doesn’t currently have a crosswalk. The two closest crosswalks are at Yale Boulevard to the east and University Boulevard to the west.

Culture

Balloon Fiesta celebrates the joy of flight

Izabella Kubiak-Reseigh | October 14

The Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta kicked off Oct. 5, filling the skies with vibrance as hundreds of hot air balloons took flight during the world’s largest ballooning event. The festival ran through Sunday, Oct. 13. Thousands of spectators gathered at Balloon Fiesta Park for the annual nine-day festival, which featured daily mass ascensions, “special shape” balloons and nighttime events. This year’s theme, “Embrace the Sky,” celebrated the joy of flight and community. Each morning during the Fiesta as dawn broke, the iconic sound of the balloonists’ burners filled the air. Some of the first balloons launched at 6 a.m., creating a panorama against the Sandia Mountains. Local families and tourists snapped photos, capturing the event's magic, which draws participants from around the globe.

News

UNM students hold walkout for Palestine

Leila Chapa and Paloma Chapa | October 9

On Monday, Oct. 7, protesters at the University of New Mexico rallied and marched from campus to Nob Hill in support of Palestine. Students, faculty members and community members rallied and marched from the Student Union Building to the Q Station space technology hub in Nob Hill. They marched down — and blocked one side of — Central Avenue, carrying handmade signs and chanting “out of your classes and into the streets” and “UNM, your hands are red.” The walkout was sponsored by 16 UNM student organizations, according to UNM Students for Justice in Palestine.

News

REVIEW: Logical fallacies in the vice presidential debate

Lauren Lifke | October 8

On Tuesday, Oct. 1, Sen. JD Vance and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz met in New York for their first and only vice presidential debate. Compared to the presidential debate between Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump, the candidates used far fewer obvious logical fallacies — “reasoning that comes to a conclusion without the evidence to support it,” according to Merriam-Webster. Still, Vance and Walz each used their fair share of fallacies this week.

News

Pro-Palestine protests recognize one year of war in Gaza

Leila Chapa and Paloma Chapa | October 7

On Oct. 4 and 5, two separate pro-Palestine protests took place in Downtown Albuquerque as the one-year anniversary of the Oct. 7 attack on Israel neared. University of New Mexico students, faculty and alums were among those protesting. Friday, Oct. 4 On Friday, Oct 4, pro-Palestine protesters gathered and marched from Civic Plaza to Robinson Park, where members of the group formed a blockade at the roundabout on Eighth Street and Central Avenue. The blockade lasted about five hours.

Culture

UNM hosts AI racial bias webinar with ‘Coded Bias’ director

Addison Fulton | October 7

On Oct. 2, the University of New Mexico hosted a webinar Q&A with filmmaker Shalini Kantayya, the creator of a 2020 documentary about the racial bias of artificial intelligence called “Coded Bias.” “Coded Bias” started with Kantayya’s attempt to empower herself. She intended to make a mirror that would superimpose inspiring images — such as a lion’s head, to channel strength — over her face. However, in trying to make the mirror, she realized that facial recognition technology wasn’t detecting or working on her face. It would, however, recognize an uncanny white mask as a face.

Sports

Students react to Rio Grande Rivalry win

Paloma Chapa | October 7

For the first time since 2021, the University of New Mexico football team beat New Mexico State University in the match known as the “Rio Grande Rivalry.” UNM and NMSU have been football rivals since 1894, according to Source NM. On Sept. 28, the Lobos beat the Aggies 50-40 at NMSU’s home field. Entering the game with no wins this year, the Lobos were favored to win. Despite this, people had their doubts.