News - The Daily Lobo

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New regent chosen by Martinez

Denicia Aragon | July 9

Former President and CEO of Albuquerque Hispano Chamber of Commerce Alex Romero has been appointed by Gov. Susana Martinez to fill the open seat on the University of New Mexico Board of Regents. For nearly 50 years Romero has gained experience in New Mexico’s business community. He is a retired bank executive who spent 35 years in the banking industry in the Albuquerque area. Romero is also the former Executive Vice President of Bank of America’s New Mexico Consumer Market Division, making him responsible for the bank’s marketing outreach and its New Mexico Banking Centers.

Lawyers and attendees of the ?Beer with a Barrister? event discuss environmental issues at The Monks? Corner Taproom on June 28, 2017. The event was hosted by the New Mexico Environmental Law Center.

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Local nonprofit provides legal help for environmental issues

Kelly Urvanejo | July 9

The New Mexico Environmental Law Center held their second annual Beer with a Barrister event Wednesday night at Monks’ Corner Taproom to promote their organization as well as thank their supporters. Nonprofit NMELC was founded 30 years ago by Executive Director Douglas Meiklejohn, who defines it as a space that “provides free legal services for protection of communities and the environment in New Mexico.” In the Albuquerque area, the group is working with Kirtland Air Force Base to clean up their fuel spill in a timely and efficient manner. They are also working on a case involving a proposed development on the West Mesa, called Santolina, where more than 90,000 people live without an adequate water supply.

Mark Narvaez, left, and Theresah Napetey, right, discuss the many positive experiences they have had with ?Project for New Mexico Graduates of Color,? also known as PNMGC. PNMGC aims to build a community with underrepresented student groups at UNM.

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UNM cuts minority org's budget

Brendon Gray | June 25

Many UNM grad students have come to rely on the Project for New Mexico Graduates of Color. Now, after a significant budget cut, the student-led group supporting graduate students of color is fighting to keep its influence. After a recommendation from the Student Fee and Review Board last semester, PNMGC funding was cut from $50,160 to $9,907 — a nearly 80 percent decrease. From event programming to assistant salaries, funding pays for everything the group does. The cuts came after an SFRB recommendation that PNMGC “functions more as a student organization and should be classified as such.” The SFRB is a student committee made up of undergraduate and graduate students who determine how student fee revenue should be spent.

Anita sells handmade clothing and accessories on Tuesday June 20, 2017 at PB&J Family Services. in recognition of World Refugee Day PB&J Family Services and Women?s Global Pathways hosted a crafts fair for refugees currently in Albuquerque. The event sought to raise income for each individual's families.

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ABQ celebrates World Refugee Day

Gabriella Rivera | June 25

In celebration of World Refugee Day, an international event voicing support for displaced persons in every community globally, one Albuquerque group hosted a crafts fair where refugee women sold handmade goods. Women’s Global Pathways is a branch of the Immigrant Refugee Resource Village of Albuquerque, whose mission is “empowering the most marginalized populations of New Mexico including refugee, other immigrant local low income women, girls and their families.” Their work aims to help this population with some of the common issues they face, including acquiring transportation, breaking language barriers and securing jobs.

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UNM athletics under financial scrutiny

Gabriella Rivera | June 18

Two weeks after the retirement of Athletic Director Paul Krebs and the naming of Janice Ruggiero as interim director, investigations by state officials into athletic department spending continue. In a letter to President Abdallah, Attorney General Hector Balderas explained he was opening an investigation into “the University of New Mexico Vice President of Athletics, Paul Krebs, and the June 19, 2015, through June 25, 2015, golf trip to Scotland.” State Auditor Tim Keller also opened a special audit into the Spending record of UNM Athletics, which includes the same golf trip. The investigations come after the athletic department reported a $1.6 million deficit over the last fiscal year.

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Pollinating our future

Celia Raney and Celia_Raney | June 18

Kicking off National Pollinator week and the beginning of the summer solstice, the Open Space Visitor Center hosted the Burque Bee City and Pollination Celebration Sunday. Cities across the globe are celebrating National Pollinator week by teaching the public about the benefits of pollinators – and why we can not live without them. “Every insect, intrinsically every living creature has a job to do here and if we continue to disturb the balance of nature, we’re going to pay, and we are paying,” said Lu Lu Sage, local bee lover.

Students and UNM faculty voice their opinions on topics ranging from budget cuts to other items on the agenda during the public comments portion of the Board of Regents meeting on Tuesday morning in the SUB.

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Regents approve budget for next year

Brendon Gray | June 13

UNM’s $2.9 billion budget was unanimously approved by Regents on Tuesday. The approved budget plans for $833 million in total revenues and an equal amount of expenses, leveling out to a 1.9 percent overall decrease compared to last year. In his administrative report to Regents, Interim President Chaouki Abdallah said decreases in state funding and Lottery Scholarship support were primary drivers of the revenue reduction.

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Photographer Mark Holm: Remembering a true mentor

Diana Cervantes | June 11

Mark Holm was an extraordinary visual storyteller, who with a quiet disposition, steady hand and ready heart captured amazing photographs that have since been published in The New York Times, The Albuquerque Journal and The Guadalupe County Communicator. Holm came on board with the Daily Lobo as a photo coach in 2011, and remained a mentor here until his departure in the fall of 2015.

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Top 5 resources for LGBTQ students

Denicia Aragon | June 11

The Daily Lobo has compiled a list of the top five resources for LGBTQ students and community members: Common Bond For over 20 years, this support group has brought together LGBTQ youth under age 21 to talk about issues and join in activities in a judgment-free environment. Common Bond creates a safe environment every Friday night for those in the Albuquerque LGBTQ community to express themselves and learn while having fun.

Aiden Wear, 8 years old, holds a balloon in support of the Trans Lives Matter Movement and as a tribute to the 49 lives lost last year in the Orlando night club shooting. The Candlelight Vigil was held at Morningside Park on June 8, 2017.

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Pulse Nightclub victims remembered at Pride Week vigil

Celia Raney and Celia_Raney | June 11

As part of Albuquerque’s Pride Week celebrations, a candlelight vigil in remembrance of lost loved ones in the LGBTQ community was held at Morningside Park on June 9. “Over the past 47 years we have been working on this thing that we call pride,” said Neil Macernie, president of Albuquerque Pride. After 41 years of celebrating pride in Albuquerque, this year’s vigil held special importance. On June 12, 2016, an attack on Pulse, a gay nightclub in Orlando, Florida left 49 people dead and 53 wounded.

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Recent UNM grad begins mayoral campaign with community event

Brendon Gray | June 6

After walking across the graduation stage at UNM just weeks ago, Gus Pedrotty is now making a bid for the Mayor’s office. On Sunday afternoon Pedrotty hosted an event to thank his volunteers and reengage with the community. A chemistry and psychology grad, Pedrotty and his team secured a spot on the ballot with 3,000 signed petitions while the semester was coming to a close. Now that his campaign has accomplished their first goal, it’s on to the next phase. “There’s more work to be done,” he said.

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National Briefs for June 6

Celia Raney and Celia_Raney | June 5

Arab countries sever ties with Qatar Accusing Qatar of supporting terrorist groups and backing Iran, Saudi Arabia was one of many Arab powers to sever diplomatic ties Monday with Qatar, moving to isolate the energy-rich nation that is home to a major U.S. military base, the Associated Press reports. Qatar was plunged into chaos after the decision ignited the biggest diplomatic crisis in the Gulf since the 1991 war against Iraq, the AP reports. The U.S. military base in Qatar is home to about 10,000 U.S. troops and the host of the 2022 FIFA World Cup.

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Suggestions for summer reading

Gabriella Rivera | June 4

I know, I know — the majority of us don’t even want to think about reading over summer vacation. After all the assigned reading during the semester, all of the reviews of scholarly articles and required essay writing, the last thing you may want to do is pick up a book—but let me try to convince you otherwise. It can be said that there is a book for everyone, and the summer is a great time to read what you want to rather than something that is required for a course. And if you’re having trouble finding a good one, here are a few suggestions to help you out.

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Paul Krebs set to retire at end of month

Gabriella Rivera | June 4

After 11 years as the athletic director of UNM, Paul Krebs has officially announced his retirement effective June 30. The announcement came amid controversy revolving around the efficacy of the athletic department — investigations into the athletic department spending by Attorney General Hector Balderas and State Auditor Tim Keller. It also follows a seemingly unpopular decision among the University and community that cut the UNM ski program, though it has since been reinstated., Despite the timing of the decision, Krebs maintains he is “not running from anything”.

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Higher Education receives bill

Nichole Harwood | June 4

Despite a previous veto on a bill that left funding for higher education in an uncertain state, Gov. Susana Martinez has signed legislation to ensure continued state funding for higher education. Rep. Antonio "Moe" Maestas (D-Bernalillo) serves on the House Appropriations and Finance Committee, which is responsible for the budget. He said there were only two differences between the new budget and the original budget. The new budget will give an extra $1 million dollars to UNM health sciences and another million dollars to tuition assistance, Maestas said.

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No evidence of missing data in UNM Foundation server breach

Nichole Harwood | June 4

The ongoing investigation into UNM's recent server breach that may have compromised the financial information of a large portion of its donors failed to find evidence that any data was taken, said Jennifer Kemp, UNM Foundation APR marketing and communication director. The UNM foundation has secured the vulnerability that allowed the unauthorized individual to gain access to the server, Kemp said. Federal law enforcement has also been notified about the incident, and any further actions would be taken by the law enforcement authorities.

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How to avoid Potato Brain Syndrome over the summer

Celia Raney and Celia_Raney | June 4

You did it! You finally made it through almost nine whole, long, agonizing months of schoolwork, professors and group projects and now you can taste the melting ice cream, feel the sweet sting of sunburns, and smell the many campfires to come. Sounds great, right?

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Lawmakers announce lottery scholarship fund reduction for upcoming school year

Celia Raney and Celia_Raney | June 1

The state scholarship that aids more than 25,000 students annually saw a 30 percent decrease in funds this week. The New Mexico Higher Education Department announced Wednesday morning that the state's legislative lottery scholarship will only cover 60 percent of students’ tuition for the 2017-2018 academic year — falling from 90 percent coverage in the 2015-2016 year and 100 percent as recently as 2014. The decrease in funds is reflected by an increase in tuition costs and a decrease in revenue for New Mexico higher education institutions — as well as overall dwindling scholarship funds.

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After vetoing higher ed funds, Martinez brings them back

Nichole Harwood | May 28

Despite a previous veto on a bill that left funding for higher education in an uncertain state, Gov. Susana Martinez has signed legislation to ensure continued state funding for higher education. Rep. Antonio "Moe" Maestas (D-Bernalillo) serves on the House Appropriations and Finance Committee, which is responsible for the budget. He said there were only two differences between the new budget and the original budget. The new budget will give an extra $1 million dollars to UNM health sciences and another million dollars to tuition assistance, Maestas said. “The big thing is: the revenue projections today are far more hopeful than the revenue projections back in February,” he said. “So, the bill on the governor's desk didn’t change, but the outlook changed, which allowed us to go home with a balanced budget.”

Mayoral candidates gather at the National Hispanic Cultural Center on Tuesday evening for the 2017 Mayoral Realtalk Panel entitled, "Immigration, Public Safety and Albuquerque's Cultural Identity." The Panel was hosted by Unm Malsa and the New Mexico Immigrant Law Center. The panel focused on public safety and immigration topics.

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First public mayoral forum sets stage for unique race

Brendon Gray | May 26

Six candidates competing to be Albuquerque’s next mayor attended the first public mayoral forum at the National Hispanic Cultural Center on Tuesday. Hosted by New Mexico media outlets Weekly Alibi and New Mexico Political Report, the forum had some twists on traditional structure. The candidates were questioned on everything from the legalization of recreational marijuana to their thoughts on Albuquerque's culture. Candidates were posed: introductory questions, questions that were only answered in “yes,” “no” or “it’s complicated” and open questions within a two-minute response time frame.