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Lobo Louie wants YOU to vote!

Nate Bernard | October 21

For many students at the University of New Mexico, this year’s presidential election will be the first they can vote in. To combat the stress of first-time voting, the Daily Lobo has prepared a guide. When can I vote? Early voting began Oct. 8. Twenty-one early voting convenience centers offer expanded voting that began on Saturday, Oct. 19 and will be open until Nov. 2. These voting locations are located on the Bernalillo County County Clerk website.

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New Mexico’s 2nd Congressional District: Gabe Vasquez

Paloma Chapa | October 21

Incumbent Rep. Gabe Vasquez (D) is running for reelection against former Rep. Yvette Herrell for New Mexico’s 2nd Congressional District — which encompasses most of southern New Mexico, including the United States-Mexico border. Vasquez is a former Las Cruces city councilor. Vasquez is running for his second term in Congress this year after defeating former congresswoman Yvette Herrell by just over 1,200 votes during the 2022 midterm election, according to Source NM.

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New Mexico's 1st Congressional District: Steve Jones

Lily Alexander and Nate Bernard | October 21

Steve Jones (R) is running for election against incumbent Rep. Melanie Stansbury (D) to represent New Mexico’s 1st Congressional District — which encapsulates central New Mexico, including parts of Bernalillo County. Born in Cisco, Texas, Jones is an army veteran with experience as a certified public accountant and a chief financial officer in the energy industry. In 2020, he ran as an Independent for New Mexico’s 2nd Congressional District and lost. Here’s where he stands on key issues.

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I’m OpenAI and I approve this message

Addison Fulton and Elijah Ritch | October 21

On Aug. 18, former President Donald Trump posted a series of images to Truth Social, one of which was real. The rest were AI-generated images of Taylor Swift fans endorsing and supporting him. The post was captioned, “I accept!” This is not the first instance of AI being used to distort information regarding the election. Also on Aug. 18, Trump's official X account posted an AI-generated image of a Kamala Harris rally decorated with communist symbols and regalia. The post has over 81 million views.

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New Mexico’s 1st Congressional District: Melanie Stansbury

Lily Alexander and Nate Bernard | October 21

Incumbent Rep. Melanie Stansbury (D) is running for reelection against Steve Jones (R) to represent New Mexico’s 1st Congressional District — which encapsulates central New Mexico, including parts of Bernalillo County. Born in Farmington, Stansbury was a New Mexico state representative from 2019-21 until she ran for her current position. Here’s where she stands on key issues.

News

Bond question one: Senior Citizens Facilities

Leila Chapa and Paloma Chapa | October 21

The Senior Citizens Facilities Bond Issue on the New Mexico ballot will issue $30.75 million to upgrade facilities for senior citizens if it passes. Funds would go to the New Mexico Aging & Long-Term Services Department to upgrade senior citizen facilities across the state. Upgrades would include meals, building renovations, equipment installation and transportation services, according to House Bill 308.

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Bond question three: Public Education

Maria Fernandez | October 21

The Public Education Bond Issue on the New Mexico ballot will issue $230 million in bonds to fund higher education if it passes. The funds would be dispersed among New Mexico’s public higher education colleges, special schools and tribal schools. Institutions — including the University of New Mexico, New Mexico State University, Eastern New Mexico University, San Juan College and Navajo Technical University — will split the funding if the bond is approved by voters, according to House Bill 308.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.