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How does lobbying work at UNM?

Lily Alexander and Nate Bernard | November 18

The University of New Mexico, like many other educational institutions across the country, lobbies the local and federal government to advance its interests. Lobbying is the attempt to influence a legislative decision or an official action by a state official or state agency, board or commission, according to the New Mexico Office of the Secretary of State. UNM employs five lobbyists, including two contract lobbyists, who are hired to work on a certain issue for a certain period of time, according to Mike Puelle, chief government relations officer and lobbyist at UNM.

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New Mexico experiences warmest October in more than a century

Jaden McKelvey-Francis | November 18

In October, New Mexico experienced an average temperature of 60.8 degrees Fahrenheit — the highest for the month since the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration began keeping records in 1895. The high temperatures in the fall are expected to continue throughout the winter as well, according to a recent report from NOAA. Throughout the United States, above-average winter temperatures will likely occur across the east coast, the Gulf of Mexico and the Southwest, according to the report. Along with the warmer temperatures in these areas, NOAA predicts lower-than-average levels of precipitation over the next few months. Drought conditions are expected to persist in the southern part of New Mexico, according to the report.

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Community participates in same-day voter registration at UNM

Shin Thant Hlaing | November 12

After 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 5, a line of students and community members for same-day voter registration voting extended through about half of the Student Union Building’s lower level. The line of voters extended from Louie’s Lounge to the Lobo Food Pantry. Earlier in the evening, the moving line went as far back as the entrance of the Southwest Film Center. Some voters waited in line for up to four hours. This is the first year that same-day voter registration on Election Day was made available in New Mexico, according to the Bernalillo County Clerk website.

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Winter storm leaves thousands of New Mexicans without power, trees damaged

Leila Chapa and Paloma Chapa | November 11

On Thursday, Nov. 7, a winter storm caused 50,000 people to lose power throughout the northern half of New Mexico. Impacted areas included Albuquerque, Valencia County, Santa Fe County and Sandoval County, according to Public Service Company of New Mexico spokesperson Jeff Buell. The University of New Mexico and Albuquerque Public Schools were closed on Nov. 7 due to the snow. Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham declared two statewide emergecies Nov. 7, providing $1.5 million to state agencies that were responding to the impacts of the storm, according to a press release.

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From ‘concrete pond’ to ‘center of peace’: Students react to Duck Pond renovation

Shin Thant Hlaing | November 11

The University of New Mexico Duck Pond is scheduled for renovations from Nov. 6 until late spring 2025. Originally named University Pond, the Duck Pond was previously an artificial structure built over the area of a parking lot that lacked surrounding foliage. University Pond was perceived as an obtrusive, tacky structure, until the introduction of ducks made it an “instant hit” among students, according to UNM Campus History. The Daily Lobo called the pond the “Concrete Pond” in an article that ran on Oct. 8, 1975. Today’s Duck Pond, as UNM Over the Years put it, is “almost never devoid of student life.”

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ASUNM denies Lawbook amendment

Elliott Wood | November 11

On Wednesday, Nov. 6, the Associated Students at the University of New Mexico passed 10 appropriations and one bill after ultimately denying a bill that would have, in part, created a new role in ASUNM. Bill 12F would have amended the ASUNM Lawbook to create a position for a student advocate who would have represented any student acting as a defendant in an ASUNM case. The bill also would have allowed for more extensive questioning of witnesses in court procedures.

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Students react to Trump's election

Elizabeth Bolke and LaKya Brents | November 11

On Wednesday, Nov. 6, former President Donald Trump was reelected as president of the United States. Students at the University of New Mexico met the news with mixed reactions. Freshman Arykah Melton and chairperson of student organization Powerful Movement of Educated Sistas, said she is saddened and worried by the election results. She said before the election, she believed Vice President Kamala Harris would win and become the first president who is a woman of color. “There wasn’t a doubt in my mind until I started watching the polls,” Melton said.

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Students evacuate from Mitchell Hall after skateboard catches on fire

Lauren Lifke | November 7

At about 11 a.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 6, University of New Mexico students evacuated from Mitchell Hall after an electric skateboard inside the building caught on fire. It is unclear who owned the skateboard or how the fire started, according to UNM Chief Marketing and Communications Officer Cinnamon Blair. Classes will not be held in Mitchell Hall until at least Thursday, Nov. 7 while officials make sure the area is safe, she said. UNM was closed Nov. 7 due to weather.

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New Mexico Election Day recap

Lily Alexander , Addison Fulton , Nate Bernard and Paloma Chapa | November 6

Former President Donald Trump won the presidential election on Wednesday, Nov. 6, after winning enough electoral college votes. Vice President Kamala Harris won New Mexico by about 50,000 votes, according to The Associated Press. Republicans also took control of the United States Senate. Control of the U.S. House of Representatives had not been called by 8 a.m. Wednesday. Here’s how the U.S. Senate and congressional races went in New Mexico.

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New Mexicans vote to pass all bonds on ballot

Maria Fernandez | November 6

Along with the presidential and congressional races on Tuesday’s ballots, New Mexicans had the chance to vote for bonds. The results are as follows, according to the New York Times: Bond question one, which would issue $30.75 million to upgrade facilities for senior citizens, had a 70% vote in favor as of 3 a.m. Wednesday morning.

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What issues do our readers care about the most this election season?

Lauren Lifke | November 5

In August, the Daily Lobo partnered with other newsrooms throughout the state to create a survey that asked readers which issues they care about the most this election season. There were 27 responses to the Daily Lobo survey. Participants were given the option to rank the top three most important issues to them during the upcoming election. Out of the 22 options, the “economy/cost of living” category was deemed most important based on a ranked-choice analysis. The second most important issue to voters was democracy. Climate change was third, followed closely by abortion, international policy, health care and LGBTQ+ rights.

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Albuquerque City Council moves forward with AI policy implementation

Addison Fulton | November 4

On Oct. 21, the Albuquerque City Council voted on a resolution to establish a working group designed to develop an artificial intelligence policy for the City of Albuquerque. Resolution R-24-81 allocates $50,000 to supporting the creation of an Artificial Intelligence Policy Working Group, which will go toward addressing an AI policy for the City. This includes creating a “prioritization matrix” — identifying potential uses and misuses of AI, according to the resolution. The group will also be charged with creating clear and universally understood definitions of “key terms related to AI development and implementation.”

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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.