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Free entrance to national parks on Saturday, Sept. 25

  In celebration of National Public Lands Day (NPLD) and to promote conservation efforts, the National Park Service is forgoing entry fees to sites across the country on Saturday, Sept. 25.   For New Mexicans, this means you can take the day to visit any number of the highly-regarded public institutions in the state without cost, including Carlsbad Caverns National Park, Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument, the beloved White Sands National Park and many others, according to the park service.  Beyond New Mexico, there are more than 400 parks total in the park service's catalog, all of which are “fee-free” this Saturday. 

COVID-19 cases spur a series of shutdowns of in-person operations across campus

  The University of New Mexico’s Student Activities Center and their Student Government Accounting Office have made the decision to suspend in-person operations until Sunday, Sept. 26; similarly,  UNM’s Greek life has placed a restriction on in-person activities until Friday, Sept. 24. These decisions came after confirmed COVID-19 cases within SAC, the Associated Students of the University of New Mexico and Greek life. Though these organizations have struggled to pinpoint a source for the recent cases, the two confirmed positive cases in ASUNM are believed to have resulted from students who tested positive then failed to follow up with Student Health and Counseling, according to ASUNM President Greg Romero. 

Albuquerque City Council eliminates bus fares city-wide

  On Monday, the Albuquerque City Council passed a pilot zero-fare bus program that will remove fares on all city buses for every passenger for the duration of a calendar year starting on January 1, 2022. To address concerns brought up in the three previous deferrals of the program, the Metro Security Division within the Department of Municipal Development gave a presentation regarding the program’s safety. They said there would be additional security measures implemented, including funding to add 10 more security officers to the transit department.

Former UNM professor recounts his road to ethicality in animal testing

  Growing up taking in stray dogs off the streets, bioethicist John Gluck has always been an animal lover. However, things changed for this former University of New Mexico professor when he started researching experimental psychology on mostly non-human primates and his own actions within this field caused him to reflect on the ethicality of the work he was undergoing at UNM. Gluck started at UNM in 1971 after being hired under the late Frank Logan, a former chair of the psychology department; part of Logan’s hope was that Gluck would start a primate laboratory at UNM, which he did. However, after creating this lab and doing his own research there, ethical questions started popping up for Gluck.

Irene Vasquez emphasizes the importance of Latinx history in education

  Irene Vasquez is the director of the Chicana and Chicano Studies department at the University of New Mexico. Vasquez started the position in 2013 and from there helped UNM establish not only the department but also the ability to obtain a bachelor’s degree in CCS as well. Vasquez’s passion for collegiate-level teaching stemmed from her experiences as a child and the lack of adequate publications on communities of color, and she is continually working to educate further on marginalized groups.  Vasquez found limited material available on communities of color while teaching as a middle school substitute teacher during her master’s program. 

September 20, 2021 Comics

The Lobo photographers’ perspectives on nature

  Nature can mean many things to many people. For some, nature is trees, grass and rivers. For others, nature is a specific place or even a feeling. For these four Lobo photographers, though, nature mainly serves as a source of inspiration and an escape from the stress of everyday life. Menaul Trailhead The Menaul Trailhead at the Sandia Foothills is my favorite nature spot in the city. Being 15 to 20 minutes away from the University of New Mexico, it really allows me to take a step back and clear my head. My favorite time to be here is at night with a couple friends. 

OPINION: Sparse tree canopy in International District indicates environmental racism

  The International District, one of the least affluent areas of Albuquerque, might as well be the poster child for environmental injustice. This ethnically diverse area is knee-deep in the cruxes of climate change, seen by way of the urban heat island effect, which comes to fruition through substantial infrastructure development such as concrete buildings and asphalt in cities. The effect causes cities to absorb and trap heat in areas like the International District, which is an area between Lomas, Eubank, Gibson and San Mateo. This trapped heat results in hotter temperatures during the day and less cooling at night, which is particularly impactful on the most densely populated neighborhood in New Mexico. 

Loose Leaf Farm bolsters local food systems

  From growing food with her grandmother as a young child to owning Loose Leaf Farm in Albuquerque’s North Valley, Sarah Robertson has had a long history of understanding the critical role of farming in global food systems and climate change. Robertson graduated from the University of New Mexico in 2012 with a degree in communications. Shortly thereafter, she started working in a management position for La Montañita Co-op Food Market, where she began to seriously consider farming as a career option.  Robertson said La Montañita was where she was able to work closely with local farmers, which set in motion profound conversations with her now-husband about local food.  

2021 Daily Lobo Nature Photo Contest Finalists

  For this yearu2019s special nature issue, the Daily Lobo issued a challenge to photographers willing to answer the call: photographers needed to submit their highest-quality nature photo for their chance at being on its cover. All submissions were fantastic and showcased the talent of student photographers, but these top three finalists truly stood out. Growing into Beauty Brianna Drapeau As an upcoming photographer I sought to capture the beauty of the natural landscape. As a Native American, it is important to represent our culture.  I chose to photograph my cousin Jacey in traditional native wear as a way to capture Navajo culture and to represent the contrast of colors/beauty in our culture.

New Mexico Green Amendment to enter next legislative session

  Environmental advocates in New Mexico are gearing up for the next legislative session in January, where they will aim to pass the Green Amendment for the second time in the New Mexico Senate. The amendment would establish a constitutional right to clean air and water, as well as preservation of the land for the state. The amendment as presented in the previous session said it would aim to protect “environmental rights, including the right to a clean and healthy environment and the right to the preservation of the environment, and directs the state to protect environmental resources for the benefit of all the people.”  The idea for this amendment was first proposed by Maya K. Van Rossum. 

UNM ranks 99 in top public schools

  The University of New Mexico was ranked in the top 100 public universities for the second consecutive year in a 2022 best colleges rankings report by U.S. News and World Report. This accomplishment, ranking 99 out of 100 schools, comes after a series of critical transitions for the University over the past few years, including the installment of President Garnett Stokes in 2018 as well as the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. “Parents and students still look at and consider college rankings,” Vice President of Enrollment Management Dan García said. “A student who may not have considered UNM is going to see us listed (in the top 100 public universities) and dig in further, and that’s important.”

REVIEW: Sally Rooney’s new novel serves to reinforce her place among the greats

  “Beautiful World, Where Are You,” Sally Rooney’s third novel, is a marvelous display of deft description and skillful storytelling. It’s safe to say that Rooney’s smash hit, “Normal People,” wasn’t her last masterpiece; rather, it was clearly just the beginning of her (hopefully) long lasting and successful career. “Beautiful World” tells the story of best friends Alice Kelleher and Eileen Lydon from college to early 30s; they live apart but stay connected over email, and are forever intertwined through lasting friendship. Of course there are other characters, like both women’s respective love interests, as well as Eileen’s chaotic sister Lola, but Alice and Eileen are the main focus of the novel.

Shanti Rosen works tirelessly to support UNM community at Agora Crisis Center

  With a fierce passion for helping those in need, University of New Mexico senior Shanti Rosen works at the Agora Crisis Center on campus to uplift students and community members, especially during the trying times of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Rosen, who is double majoring in psychology and sociology, realized they wanted to work at Agora in high school, when information cards were being “passed around like candy.” They were inspired by the idea of helping people by giving them the support they wouldn’t otherwise get. Speaking on the importance of looking after one’s mental health, Rosen emphasized that surviving isn’t thriving.

Cheerleader Jordan Sanchez represents UNM with passion

 From the moment she picked up her pompoms at three years old, Jordan Sanchez had found a love that would continue throughout her entire life. With a passion for helping others and lifting spirits, Sanchez has been shining at the University of New Mexico as a member of the All-Girl Cheer Squad. As a cheerleader and member of the squad for four years now, Sanchez is proud to represent UNM in the best way possible. “I love the sense of community in (cheerleading), how you can be kind of a representative for your school or your team, and some people look to you for great spirit … It’s something that I think is a true honor and blessing,” Sanchez said.

September 13, 2021 Comics

UNM Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology sees patient increase after Texas abortion ban

  In light of the recent abortion ban in Texas, abortion providers in New Mexico have seen an influx of patients as many individuals travel across state lines to receive safe healthcare. The ban in Texas prohibits all abortions six weeks after the individual’s last menstrual cycle, which is before many people even know they are pregnant at all. The law also allows anyone in the state to enforce it; individuals can sue anyone aiding in the abortion process for up to $10,000. Eve Espey, chair of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynocolgy at the University of New Mexico, spoke to the Daily Lobo about what the neighboring state’s ban means for abortion providers in New Mexico.

REVIEW: “Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings” is more than just another Marvel success

This review contains spoilers. Each time I find myself in a theater gearing up for Marvel’s newest offering, I can’t help but prepare for the worst. As the lights dim and that iconic Marvel opening plays, I shield my eyes from the screen, prepping myself for the impossible: a disappointing Marvel movie. But just from the first few minutes of “Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings,'' I quickly realized that Marvel has another hit on their hands.  What I didn’t realize until the credits started rolling, though, was to what scale this film might have an impact on Asian representation in film.

City council defers zero bus fare and speed camera decisions

  At the Albuquerque city council meeting on Sept. 8, councilors voted to defer two key issues that would have individually eliminated local bus fares and placed traffic cameras to fine speeders in the city. The deferral of the zero bus fares amendment is the second time this specific action has been deferred; the first deferment happened on Aug. 2. The amendment would be a year-long pilot program that the city has already budgeted for and funded, allowing everyone who wishes to ride a city bus to do so free for a year. The deferral came after lots of debate in the meeting over the safety of the program and anti-homeless rhetoric. 

Injured turtle at Duck Pond dies after animal bite

  Freshman ReElle Snyder came across an injured turtle at the Duck Pond at the University of New Mexico on Aug. 27 who had a mangled hind leg that was actively bleeding. This wound, which was caused by an animal bite, eventually led to his death, and sparked questions about how the wildlife on campus is being taken care of. When Snyder found the turtle during a class scavenger hunt, the red-eared slider affectionately named ‘Ed’ continued suffering while she struggled to quickly find someone on campus who could provide care. Two hours after calling Bernalillo County Animal Services, an animal control officer arrived and carried Ed away in his makeshift home, a cardboard box.