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UNM researchers make discovery about human sleep using fly brains

Arly Garcia | November 4

Last month, a research team led by University of New Mexico professor Mubarak Hussain Syed uncovered a link between neural stem cell development and adult sleep behaviors. Using research from fly brains, researchers found evidence to support the idea that sleep problems in humans are rooted in adolescent development. “We wanted to know what makes sleep neurons ‘sleep-promoting neurons,’” Syed said. Stem cells are unique because they can self-replicate and differentiate into different types of cells. Neural stem cells are crucial to understanding the neural circuits of the brain, according to the UCLA Broad Stem Cell Research Center.

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Students respond to McDonald’s E. coli outbreak

Rodney Prunty | November 4

As of Wednesday, Oct. 30, 90 people across 13 states, including New Mexico, have gotten sick with E. coli after eating food containing onions from McDonald’s, according to the Associated Press. The New Mexico Department of Health released a public health alert declaring the intent to investigate the situation after identifying five cases, including one hospitalization, in Bernalillo County. There are no current additional suspected cases in the state, David Morgan, New Mexico Department of Health public information officer, wrote in an email to the Daily Lobo.

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Protesters march against Trump's Albuquerque visit

Leila Chapa and Paloma Chapa | November 4

On Thursday, Oct. 31, protesters marched at CSI Aviation in Albuquerque, where former President Donald Trump was making a campaign stop. The protest was organized by the Albuquerque Party for Socialism and Liberation in rejection of Trump’s visit to New Mexico. It focused on criticizing Trump’s stance on immigration, uplifting the working class and ending the war in Gaza. The group of about 40 protesters marched down Clark Carr Road toward where Trump was speaking, until a line of Albuquerque Police Department officers blocked off the road. Protesters chanted and rallied there before marching back.

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Duck Pond to see renovations; fish, turtles and ducks to be relocated

Shin Thant Hlaing | November 4

The University of New Mexico Duck Pond is scheduled to undergo a renovation that will begin in mid-November and improve aging infrastructure, water quality, safety, accessibility and maintenance demands. The revitalization project will not change the shape or character of the Duck Pond, according to UNM Facilities Design and Construction. The renovation is expected to improve the circulation of oxygen using a new fountain, according to a statement by UNM Institutional Support Services to the Daily Lobo. The pond will be made deeper to reduce sunlight penetration, water temperature and algal growth.

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Trump lands in New Mexico claiming he won the state twice

Lily Alexander , Addison Fulton and Nate Bernard | November 1

Former President Donald Trump held a rally in Albuquerque on Thursday during which he claimed he has won New Mexico in two elections and will win again. He shared the stage with United States Senate candidate Nella Domenici (R) and New Mexico 2nd Congressional District candidate Yvette Herrell (R). The rally took place at CSI Aviation near the Albuquerque International Sunport. Event organizers initially faced complications with parking but announced a new plan the day before the rally, according to the Santa Fe New Mexican.

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Officers on leave after fatally shooting a man in handcuffs

Leila Chapa and Paloma Chapa | October 28

On Oct. 18, an Albuquerque Police Department officer fatally shot 39-year-old Matthew “Solo” Garcia while he was handcuffed in the back of a police car outside the Tewa Lodge, according to body camera footage shared by the Albuquerque Journal. Garcia’s father, Fred Garcia, told the Daily Lobo that he spoke with his son the day before the incident. “I got to tell him I love him one last time, but I wish it would have never been just one more time,” he said. “I would have given anything for it to be forever.”

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Daily Lobo wins four New Mexico Press Association awards

Nate Bernard | October 28

On Saturday, Oct. 26, the Daily Lobo won four awards for investigative, news and opinion writing at the New Mexico Press Association Better Newspaper Contest. All awards were in the Weekly Class II category, which encapsulates weekly newspapers throughout New Mexico that have a circulation of less than 6,000. The Daily Lobo won first and second place for investigative reporting. The awards were for coverage on the University of New Mexico Police Department’s lack of body cameras, as well as coverage on noncompliance with a federal crime transparency law — the Clery Act. Both stories were written by now-editors Lily Alexander and Lauren Lifke.

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Pro-Palestine speakers question new public comment rules for Regents meetings

Leila Chapa and Paloma Chapa | October 28

On Thursday, Oct. 17, the University of New Mexico Board of Regents held its second open session of the semester on South Campus, after which protesters chalked the sidewalks and delayed two officials from driving off the premises. Prior to the meeting, some people who had signed up to speak at public comment received rejection emails from the Regents office. The emails informed them that public comment was allowed from seven speakers per topic, and that the seven slots were already filled.

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ASUNM passes legislation as rules delay funding for UNM Black Engineers chapter

Elliott Wood | October 28

The Associated Students at the University of New Mexico passed five appropriations and one bill during the full senate meeting on Wednesday, Oct. 23. Among the appropriations passed was funding for events for student organizations like Tau Beta Pi, the Bangladeshi Student Association and the Professional Sales Association. After some initial confusion regarding the venue and a change in ballrooms at the Student Union Building, all legislation from the agenda was passed, with five senate absences. Bill 11F, proposed by Sen. Shin Thant Hlaing of the Steering and Rules Committee, sought to redefine “demerit” as laid out in the ASUNM Lawbook.

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New Mexico’s 3rd Congressional District: Teresa Leger Fernández

Lily Alexander | October 23

Incumbent Rep. Teresa Leger Fernández (D) is running for reelection against Sharon Clahchischilliage (R) to represent New Mexico’s 3rd Congressional District, which encapsulates northern New Mexico and parts of eastern New Mexico. Born in Las Vegas, New Mexico, Leger Fernández is a former attorney who was first elected in 2020. Here’s where she stands on key issues. Education Leger Fernández supports reducing “the burden of student debt” and eliminating undergraduate tuition at public colleges and universities for most students, according to her campaign website.

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New Mexico’s 3rd Congressional District: Sharon Clahchischilliage

Lauren Lifke | October 23

Sharon Clahchischilliage (R) is running against incumbent Rep. Teresa Leger Fernández (D) to represent New Mexico’s 3rd Congressional District, which encapsulates northern New Mexico and parts of eastern New Mexico. From the Shiprock area, Clahchischilliage was a New Mexico state representative from 2013-18. Here's where she stands on key issues. Education Clahchischilliage has a bachelor’s degree in secondary education from Eastern New Mexico University, according to her website. She is a former teacher and a member of the New Mexico Public Education Commission, where her term will expire in December 2026. She cosponsored the Equal Educational Access Scholarship Act in 2016, which was postponed indefinitely. If passed, the act would have helped with funding educational scholarships for low-income students to attend non-public schools.

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New Mexico’s 2nd Congressional District: Yvette Herrell

Leila Chapa | October 21

Yvette Herrell (R) is running against incumbent Rep. Gabe Vasquez (D) to represent New Mexico’s 2nd Congressional District — which encompasses most of southern New Mexico, including the United States-Mexico border. Herrell was in the New Mexico House of Representatives from 2011-19 and was U.S. representative for New Mexico's 2nd Congressional District from 2021-23, according to the Biographical Directory of the U.S. Congress. Herrell did not respond to the Daily Lobo’s requests for an interview through her website and via email.

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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.

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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.