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Opinion

OPINION: UNM should increase intercollegiate fellowship programs

Shin Thant Hlaing | July 5

As a current participant in an intercollegiate fellowship at the University of New Mexico, I would like to see UNM more involved in similar programs for undergraduate students — either at neighboring institutions or beyond. I am participating in the Emerging Security Studies Fellowship, hosted by Emory University, funded by the Carnegie Corporation of New York, and involving students from Georgia State University and UNM. The fellowship is a paid learning experience that involves six weeks of classes and a remote internship.

Culture

REVIEW: Normani’s ‘Dopamine’ is a refreshing return to music

Shin Thant Hlaing | July 5

The summer of 2024 is for female artists who have complicated relationships with fame, and Normani is no exception. In fact, Normani’s debut album “Dopamine,” released on June 14 after a six year hiatus from music, takes the cake. “Dopamine” feels like sipping a tall, sleek can of sparkling mineral water. There’s no strong, particular flavor but it feels cool, refreshing and bubbly. Upon first listen, the album as a whole is sonically cohesive. However, it may feel too cohesive and strike some audiences as predictable and boring.

Culture

Sundance short films hit the Guild

Addison Fulton | July 5

From June 23 to June 27, the 2024 Sundance Film Festival Short Film Tour – created by the nonprofit Sundance Institute – came to the Guild Cinema in Albuquerque. The showcase featured seven short films spanning genre and medium, from animation to documentary. Three of the seven films received awards. “Bug Diner,” directed by Phoebe Jane Hart, won the Jury Award for animation. “Bug Diner” follows three stop-motion couples: a pair of praying mantises in an unhappy marriage, an anteater pining after a squirrel who does not feel the same and a fly in love with a mole with a “hot ass.” The film culminated in an explicit and chaotic ending – especially for a claymation film – as Hart pushed the medium to its limits.

News

Study shows pollutants may contribute to low birth weight in New Mexico

Addison Fulton | July 3

One of New Mexico’s biggest economic industries may also be endangering its youngest residents. The oil and gas industry contributes over $2 billion to the New Mexican economy, according to the Carlsbad Department of Development. However, those industries are significant contributors of “health-damaging air pollutant emissions,” according to PSE Healthy Energy. Oil and gas may also contribute to low birth weights among New Mexican infants, a new University of New Mexico study published in the "Journal of Environmental Management" shows.

Culture

Two days, 27 films, one prop guitar

Maria Fernandez | July 3

On Friday, June 21, the 48-Hour Film Project (48HFP) in Albuquerque held its 2024 “best of” screening and awards ceremony. During the opening ceremony of the 48HFP, participants are each given a random movie genre and a required prop. Then, the 48-hour clock starts, during which the filmmakers write, film, edit and musically score their films for submission. The top 12 films submitted are shown at the “best of” event for the season’s judges and an audience to watch. This year, competitors made 27 films total.

News

What Biden’s debate performance means for New Mexicans

Addison Fulton and Nate Bernard | July 3

On Thursday, June 27, President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump faced off in the first debate of a tense presidential race. The ripple effects of Biden’s performance in the debate could impact New Mexicans and local political races. Biden underperformed compared to Trump, voters say: 67% of those who watched the debate said they believed Trump performed better, according to a CNN poll. This is an uptick compared to the 2020 debates, when 39% of voters believed Trump won. Biden seemed unfocused and unenergetic through much of the debate, offering a “shaky performance,” according to the Washington Post.

News

UNM invests in funds with shares in Israeli companies

Lily Alexander and Nate Bernard | July 1

The University of New Mexico invests in at least two mutual funds that own shares in Israeli companies, according to a list of investments within the funds obtained by the Daily Lobo through a public records request. UNM also holds bonds in a weapons manufacturer that supplies the Israel Defense Forces — the national military of Israel. This information comes amidst calls by pro-Palestine activists for UNM to divest from companies based in Israel or companies that indirectly aid the Israeli military. The mutual funds — Axiom International Small Cap Equity Fund and BlackRock ACWI ex USA Index — together own shares in 15 companies based in Israel, including defense company Elbit Systems Ltd.

Sports

Tough sledding for the Rockies and Isotopes halfway through the season

Rodney Prunty | July 1

Editor’s note: The statistics in this story are current as of Sunday, June 30. The Colorado Rockies and the Albuquerque Isotopes have not found much success halfway through both of their respective seasons so far. The Rockies are last in the National League and second-to-last in the entire MLB. The Isotopes finished at the bottom of the barrel in the first half of the Pacific Coast League season, going 26-49.

Sports

Isotopes start second half with a series split

Thomas Bulger | July 1

The Albuquerque Isotopes started the second half of their season on Monday, June 24 against the Salt Lake Bees. The Isotopes finished last in the Pacific Coast League first half with a record of 26-49. When asked about what he liked about the first half of the season, Isotopes Manager Pedro Lopez said he liked how often the team got on base. But finding hits with runners in scoring position is the next step, he said. “We definitely ran the bases really well in the first half and that allowed us to be in a lot of games but unfortunately we just couldn't get that big hit,” Lopez said.

Culture

‘Nuclear Communities of the Southwest’ exhibit challenges the narrative of nuclear history

Maria Fernandez | June 28

From March to September of this year, the Albuquerque Museum, located in Old Town, is displaying “Nuclear Communities of the Southwest,” an exhibit that tells the story of the history of nuclear science and the people it continues to affect. The exhibit features historical objects and artist reactions to New Mexico’s involvement in nuclear development, according to the City of Albuquerque website. The 2023 release of the film “Oppenheimer” brought renewed interest to Los Alamos and the nuclear history of New Mexico.

Opinion

OPINION: Box office bombshell

Addison Fulton | June 26

On July 21, 2023, there was an explosion at the box office. Two highly anticipated films, Greta Gerwig’s hot pink daydream “Barbie,” and Christopher Nolan’s gritty wartime biopic, “Oppenheimer,” were released on the same day. While films frequently share release dates without anyone noticing, the contrast between the aesthetics of these two made them an instant source of amusement. People passed around memes with fake “Barbenheimer” electoral maps and promotion campaigns, comparisons to friends with opposite aesthetics and jokes about the juxtaposition.

News

South Fork and Salt fires burn 40 square miles in south-central New Mexico

Addison Fulton | June 26

The South Fork and Salt fires have burned nearly 40 square miles in south-central New Mexico near Ruidoso and the Mescalero Apache Reservation as of Tuesday, June 25. Ruidoso residents were allowed to return on Monday, June 24, as 29 people remained unaccounted for, Mayor Lynn Crawford said during a local radio program that day. The South Fork Fire was 54% contained and the Salt Fire was 38% contained as of June 25, according to New Mexico Fire Information. Over 1,000 personnel are assisting.

News

Pro-Palestine protesters arrested during April SUB occupation begin trials (updated)

Leila Chapa and Paloma Chapa | June 26

On Monday, June 17, the pro-Palestine protesters who were arrested during the April 29-30 occupation of the Student Union Building began their virtual bench trials at the Bernalillo County Metropolitan Court. All 16 University of New Mexico students and community members who were arrested during the SUB occupation were charged with criminal trespass and wrongful use of public property — with the exception of UNM alumni and former Kiva Club vice president Siihasin Hope, who was additionally charged with criminal trespass involving damage. The UNM Dean of Students Office said the SUB sustained $40,000 in damages during its occupation, according to a letter written by the office and distributed to protesters. According to a post by the UNM Palestine Solidarity Camp Instagram, liability for these damages has been placed on Hope.

Sports

Greg Hurst is an influential part of the NM United family

Leila Chapa | June 24

Before he was the club’s top goal-scorer, Greg Hurst had a journey representing many clubs. In 2023, he committed to representing the black and yellow. Born and raised in Stirling, Scotland, Hurst grew up playing soccer with his family, starting at an early age. “Soccer has always been something that’s been in my family. My brother played, my dad played, so just out in the backyard playing with my brother and my dad, I fell in love with it. At that point and from then on, I figured that’s what I wanted to do with the rest of my life, hopefully,” Hurst said.

Sports

New Mexico United falls short in heated international friendly vs. FC Juarez

Paloma Chapa | June 24

On the gusty evening of Wednesday, June 19, New Mexico United battled it out with FC Juarez in what became a close and physical match in front of over 10,000 fans. United fought to keep the score close, but ultimately lost 4-2 when FC Juarez was awarded a late penalty kick from a hand-ball call – which sparked criticism of the referee by both players and fans. Midfielder #17 Manuel Castro scored the penalty kick in the 86th minute. FC Juarez presumably sealed their victory with three first-half goals, making the score 3-0 at half time. The match grew tense when United closed the score margin to 3-2 in the second half. Multiple players from both teams received yellow cards, and one United player and a team staff member were given red cards.

News

Heat advisories issued throughout New Mexico as monsoon season begins

Shin Thant Hlaing | June 22

Heat advisory warnings have been issued in several parts of New Mexico as a heat wave bakes the Southwest United States. Albuquerque reached 101 degrees Fahrenheit on June 13 – the third time the city has hit 100 degrees so far in June, according to the National Weather Service. Monsoon season, marked by a change in wind direction that brings more rain and storms to the Southwest, began Saturday, June 15 and will last through September 30. This year’s monsoon season will be hotter than average, according to KRQE.

Sports

RECAP: Habtom Samuel runs past competition his freshman year

Thomas Bulger | June 21

The 2023-24 academic year was an incredible one for University of New Mexico runner Habtom Samuel. After he arrived at UNM, he wasted no time dominating the scene. His freshman year came to a close with an NCAA Championship, but he picked up many other accomplishments along the way. Cross country Sept. 22, 2023 Samuel ran his first race as a Lobo and made a statement by winning the Roy Griak Invitational. Samuel won the 8K race by 24 seconds, kicking off the cross country season strong. It was the fastest winning time since 2011, according to a news release by the UNM cross country team, and a sign for things to come.

Culture

This is a fluff piece

Addison Fulton | June 21

Is there anything more “purr-fect” than a night at the cinema? The fifth annual Feline Film Festival hosted by Animal Humane New Mexico occurred on Saturday, June 15. This year’s festival line-up featured seven short films spanning genres, mediums and nations – but all were focused on one thing: cats. A documentary on Australia’s feral cat problem, an homage to old detective noirs such as “Casablanca,” slice-of-life animations and films, as well as pieces on love, loss and time all found their place on the screen. In addition to the films, the event offered kitten yoga and a cat-lover cocktail hour.

Sports

Three Team USA boxers punch their tickets to the Olympics

Rodney Prunty | June 17

The USA boxing team set to compete in the 2024 Paris Olympics is a talented and skilled group that includes established fighters Omari Jones, Jennifer Lozano and Jahmal Harvey. Omari Jones Jones is from Orlando, Florida, and is a speedy technician in the ring. He’ll throw a flurry of combinations – catching his opponents often while also displaying quick defensive skills. Jones originally found boxing inspiration in Muhammad Ali, he said.

News

UNM researchers discover new species, answer Darwinian question

Marcela Johnson | June 17

Previously considered all one species, the giant hummingbird group is actually made up of two distinct species, according to a study published last month. The study, published in the journal “PNAS” in collaboration with the University of New Mexico and the Museum of Southwestern Biology (MSB), answered centuries-old questions about giant hummingbirds. In 1834, naturalist Charles Darwin wrote about not knowing where the birds went after they bred, according to lead researcher Jessie Williamson. “This has been a question that has been outstanding in the literature for a very, very long time,” Williamson said. “Darwin was the first person to actually note it in a publication.”