News - The Daily Lobo

News

Duck Pond Memorial service held for right-wing commentator Charlie Kirk after fatal shooting

Leila Chapa and Paloma Chapa | September 15

On Saturday, Sept. 13, students and community members gathered on the grass of the University of New Mexico Duck Pond during a memorial for right-wing activist Charlie Kirk, who was fatally shot during a campus event at Utah Valley University on Wednesday, Sept. 10. Participants, including students from the UNM chapter of Turning Point USA, left flowers, candles and photos of Kirk at an altar and delivered speeches to commemorate him. Turning Point USA, a nationwide right-wing political organization with many college chapters, was founded by Kirk in 2012. The event Kirk hosted at UVU was part of the “American Comeback Tour,” organized by TPUSA and headlined by Kirk.

News

Quantum computing could bring new growth to New Mexico

Addison Fulton | September 15

Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham announced in a press release, on Sept. 2, a partnership between the state of New Mexico and the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency to accelerate the development, testing and validation of emerging quantum computing technologies. With the partnership comes the establishment of the Quantum Frontiers Project, which will bring New Mexican private-sector innovators, national laboratories and universities to expand upon quantum computing research, according to the press release. In an interview with the Daily Lobo, Albuquerque Mayor Tim Keller said that the state is putting “skin in the game.” “Usually cities chase a growing industry. That’s what we do in economic development. We’ll be like ‘Oh, renewable energies, we should try to build a work force for that,’” Keller said. “Quantum computing offers a rare opportunity that you almost never see, which is the chance to lead in something that is the source of a bunch of other industries.”

News

United Graduate Workers stage all-day work-in outside Provost office

Leila Chapa and Paloma Chapa | September 15

On Wednesday, Sept. 10, over 100 University of New Mexico graduate workers, including United Graduate Workers of UNM union members, held a work-in from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., as part of a demonstration to present their bargaining priorities, including higher wages, protection for international workers and dental and vision benefits. Workers and students conducted their routine research and coursework in the hallway outside the office of the Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs in Scholes Hall. Some graduate workers held their class office hours seated on the hallway floor and went over assignments with undergraduate students who came to ask questions. A group of UGW members also met with UNM Interim Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Barbara Rodriguez to speak about their priorities.

News

Students and experts reflect on changes to education after coronavirus pandemic

Lexis Lovato | September 8

It has been five years since Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham told New Mexico schools to close for three weeks, which then became 13 months of isolation, forcing students and teachers to move online and participate in school solely through online tools. Jill Holtz, a behavioral health psychologist, said that paranoia about contamination and health was very common at the start of quarantine. Losing loved ones, having limited freedom at home, and moving to online school, altogether, caused great stress for many of the adolescents she worked with at the time, she said.

News

Details shared on fatal dormitory shooting

Nate Bernard and Jaden McKelvey-Francis | September 8

On July 25, a deadly shooting occurred at the University of New Mexico’s main campus within the Casas Del Rio dormitory complex. The shooting took place in a dorm room and 5esulted in the death of 14-year-old Michael Lamotte and the injury of 19-year-old Daniel Archuleta. After an hours-long manhunt, New Mexico State Police apprehended the suspect, 18-year-old John Fuentes. As of Sunday, Sept. 7, Fuentes, who has been charged with murder in the first degree, aggravated battery, aggravated assault and tampering with evidence, is in the Bernalillo County Jail awaiting trial. On Aug. 29, UNM released 255 audio files of calls involving the UNM Police Department on the day of the shooting and a 34-page police report to the Daily Lobo.

News

Thousands march in ‘Workers Over Billionaires’ rally

Leila Chapa and Paloma Chapa | September 8

On Monday, Sept. 1, thousands of people gathered and marched at Civic Plaza in Downtown Albuquerque during the “Workers Over Billionaires" rally on Labor Day. Participants of all ages chanted and carried handmade signs relating to multiple issues including workers rights, immigrant rights, Palestinian rights and disapproval of the Trump administration. Neidi Dominguez, executive director of Organized Power in Numbers, said more than 3500 people attended the march. “We’re one of more than a thousand actions across the country that are saying today, everyday it should be workers over billionaires,” Dominguez said.

News

ASUNM fails to provide notice of first fall Full Senate meeting

Elliott Wood | September 1

On Aug. 20, the Associated Students at the University of New Mexico Senate held a publicly unannounced full senate meeting prior to previously scheduled and announced committee meetings. This meeting included the passing of a bill and confirming the appointment of three new senators. This failure to alert the public to the existence and circumstances of a meeting where business regarding legislation could take place is in violation of the New Mexico Open Meetings Act, as well as the ASUNM Lawbook. The New Mexico Open Meetings Act is part of the state’s Sunshine Laws that provide statutory guidelines for conducting public meetings, and ensure that public policy is made in meetings that are open to the public where members thereof are permitted to attend and listen to the deliberations and proceedings, according to UNM School of Law and the New Mexico Department of Justice.

News

Albuquerque mayoral candidates react to Keller ‘State of the City’ address

Addison Fulton | September 1

On Nov. 4, Albuquerque municipal elections will be held for city offices, including the mayor's office. There are currently seven candidates running for mayor: Mayling Armijo, Eddie Varela, Darren White, Tim Keller, Louie Sanchez, Alex Uballez and Daniel Chavez. On Aug. 23, incumbent Tim Keller hosted the annual State of the City address at the Albuquerque Biopark Botanic Garden. This State of the City address fell during an election year, with voting in Albuquerque for mayor beginning Oct. 18. Some of Keller’s challengers — Armijo, Sanchez and Uballez — shared their reaction to Keller’s address. Keller could not be reached after multiple requests for comments by the Daily Lobo.

News

Lawsuit targets HSI grants

Maria Fernandez | September 1

In a memo written to Congress on Friday Aug. 22, the Justice Department declined to defend the Hispanic-Serving Institution designation for U.S. colleges and universities in a lawsuit filed by the state of Tennessee and activist group Students for Fair Admissions. In the memo, the Justice Department said it agreed with the lawsuit’s goals to strike down grants that are reserved for HSI’s, according to the Associated Press. The HSI designation within the Higher Education Act provides grant funding to postsecondary institutions to assist with strengthening institutional programs, facilities and services to expand the educational opportunities for Hispanic Americans and other collegiate underrepresented populations, according to the Department of Education.

News

United Graduate Workers demonstrate at ice cream social

Elliott Wood and Addison Fulton | August 25

On Aug. 18, the University of New Mexico hosted Ice Cream Social and Departmental Informational Day with UNM President Garnett Stokes as part of the University’s “Welcome Back Days”. The United Graduate Workers of UNM, a union representing graduate workers, demonstrated at the event, hoping to raise awareness for their efforts and get face time with the University President. The demonstrators were hoping to secure higher wages, vision and dental insurance and contractual protections for international grad students against having their immigration status exposed or weaponized, UGW Stewards Noah Mertz and Lee Ferrin, said.

News

Mayor Tim Keller speaks to Albuquerque in “State of the City” address

Addison Fulton | August 25

On Aug. 23, Tim Keller hosted the 25th Annual State of the City address at the Albuquerque BioPark Botanic Garden. The State of the City is a time for the mayor to reflect on the city’s progress and goals. Keller, Albuquerque's 31st mayor, has served since 2017 and was reelected in 2021. Keller’s speech focused on Albuquerque’s struggles with issues such as addiction, homelessness, and city protections for immigrants, and the work that’s been done to resolve them.

News

New Instagram Map feature draws backlash from attorneys general, legislators and users

Shin Thant Hlaing | August 25

On Aug. 13, New Mexico Attorney General Raúl Torrez and Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr co-led a letter to Instagram regarding its new live location sharing maps feature. Among Torrez and Carr, 35 other attorneys general signed onto this letter, which claimed the feature raised “public safety and data privacy concerns — particularly for vulnerable users, including children and survivors of domestic violence,” the letter reads. This feature was intended to be a “lightweight” way to connect with each other and is automatically turned off unless users choose to opt in, according to Meta. The feature allows users to share their location with people they follow back. Users can also hide their location from certain people or hide their location when they are in certain places.

News

APS responds to immigration concerns

Jaden McKelvey-Francis | August 17

As concern grows nationally over federal immigration enforcement activity, Albuquerque Public Schools is taking proactive measures to ensure the safety of its students. Before most students returned to the classroom on Aug. 7, APS released a statement addressing community concerns regarding the possibility of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement activity on school grounds. The article affirms that every student deserves a safe, supportive learning environment, that U.S. citizenship is not a requirement to attend public school and that immigration officials “shall not be on campus at any time.”

News

Fusion energy company considers Albuquerque for $1 billion nuclear fusion facility

Leila Chapa | August 11

Energy company Pacific Fusion has selected Albuquerque as one of two cities, along with Fremont, California, to expand its operations by building a 225,000-square-foot facility in Mesa del Sol to develop nuclear fusion energy. Fusion reactions are what power the sun, with strong gravitational forces creating conditions where two light nuclei fuse together into one larger nucleus, releasing fusion energy due to the total mass being less than the mass of the two original nuclei, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. Scientists are attempting to generate this energy on earth through fusion machines to be used for electricity, according to the DOE.

News

How the “One Big Beautiful Bill” could impact New Mexico’s renewable energy infrastructure

Maria Fernandez | August 11

The One Big Beautiful Bill Act — signed into law on July 4 by President Trump — furthered the Trump administration’s cutdowns on renewable energy sources in favor of producing natural energy resources using federal lands and waters. The bill introduces changes to tax credits intended to incentivize the expansion of renewable energy companies building solar and wind farms across the U.S. The effects of the bill are likely to directly affect New Mexicans, Rep. Melanie Stansbury (D) said. “New Mexicans could be looking at a price hike in their electric bills of more than $400 a year because of this bill. It is going to have a direct effect on the overall modernization of our infrastructure, as well as the bottom line for families and paying their utilities,” Stansbury said in an interview with the Daily Lobo.

News

Students reflect on fatal UNM dormitory shooting

Paloma Chapa | August 11

On July 25, the University of New Mexico’s main campus was closed and under a shelter-in-place directive due to a fatal shooting at the Casas del Rio dormitories.The shooting resulted in the death of 14-year-old Michael Lamotte and an injury to a 19-year-old. The UNM Police Department responded to the call at 1:36 a.m and the shooting’s perpetrator was taken into custody at around 2:30 p.m. the same day — approximately 13 hours after the police first responded on the scene. Although campus has now resumed normal operation, the shooting has left some students feeling unsafe — according to a Daily Lobo Instagram story post asking for UNM students’ thoughts on campus safety — and hoping UNM will do more to prevent such occurrences. Sophomore Roger Apodaca, wrote that he was sleeping in the dorm across from where the shooting occurred.

News

The UNM shooting: what we know now

Jaden McKelvey-Francis | July 28

On Friday, July 25, there was a deadly shooting at the University of New Mexico’s main campus. The incident occurred in one of the rooms of the Casas Del Rio dormitory complex and resulted in the death of a 14-year-old boy and the injury of a 19-year-old in the room. After an hours-long manhunt, New Mexico State Police apprehended the suspect, 18-year-old John Fuentes. A group of four people, including Fuentes, the 19-year-old and 14-year-old, were playing video games in the dorm room. The fourth person said in court documents filed by state police that Fuentes appeared to be on drugs before the incident occurred. After the shooting had begun, the fourth person and 19-year-old, escaped through the dorm room window before eventually making their way to UNM Hospital.

News

Video of Walmart ICE arrest sparks protest, city response

Leila Chapa and Paloma Chapa | July 28

On July 20, approximately 100 protesters picketed outside the Walmart on Coors Boulevard and Interstate 40, where Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers arrested a man around two weeks prior. A video of the incident shows masked immigration officers tasing a man as he screams for help. The man in the video is identified as 33-year-old Deivi Jose Molina-Pena, a delivery worker who came to the United States from Venezuela under Temporary Protected Status two years ago, according to Source NM. His current whereabouts within ICE custody remain unknown. A representative of Walmart, where the arrest took place, declined to comment on the incident, as well as national Walmart Media Relations.

News

Dorm shooting leaves 1 dead, 1 injured

Jaden McKelvey-Francis | July 25

The University of New Mexico has issued a shelter-in-place order and closed its main campus after gunshots were reported near Casas del Rio early in the morning on Friday, July 25. Reporting officers found two victims, one dead and the other with non-life-threatening injuries. There is no information yet about what circumstances led to the shooting, according to Steve Carr, UNM’s director of communications.

News

Artificial relationships are becoming real

Dylan Anthony | July 25

As generative artificial intelligence engines continue to increase in usage and sophistication, there have been growing numbers of headlines about people having romantic relationships with these models. In June, Chris Smith, a father living with his partner and their two-year-old daughter, made headlines after proposing to an artificial intelligence voice-based chatbot named “Sol” that he created using ChatGPT. Smith started using ChatGPT to mix music, but later trained the bot to help him with his hobbies and have a “flirty personality,” according to CBS Saturday Morning.