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Is Sabrina Carpenter ‘Man’s Best Friend’ on her new album?

On Friday, Aug. 29, Sabrina Carpenter released her seventh studio album, “Man’s Best Friend.” The album sticks to the fun, playful pop sound and some-what simple lyrics and rhymes that Carpenter is known for. It’s raunchy, though, not shying away from innuendo or explicitness, and building both sonically and thematically on her previous album “Short n' Sweet,” exploring sex, relationships and men. It’s strange then, that such an inoffensive pop album and generically adorable pop-star have been the center of so much discourse.

Lawsuit targets HSI grants

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.

Hypnosis show entrances students

On Thursday, Aug. 28, hypnotist Zach Pincince performed at the University of New Mexico showcasing his abilities in hypnotizing students. After avid interest from the crowd, Pincince chose to hypnotize the entire group at once, asking students to shut their eyes, listen to the sound of his voice and breathe. During the performance, students entered a hypnotic state, in which any idea Pincince supplied to those hypnotized would become their experience of reality, and that anything he told them would be “unquestionably true” in that state, Pincince said.

Lobo volleyball sweeps invitational, starts season 3-0

The Lobos won their first match of the Lobo Invitational, sweeping the Manhattan Jaspers in three sets. The Lobos faced Northern Arizona University next in the invitational, where it came down to the wire. The final match against Houston Christian University, ending with another three-set sweep from the Lobos. The invitational took place at Johnson Gym, Aug. 29-30. In the first set versus NAU, the Lobos went back and forth competitively, with a tough start to the first set which tied 16-16. NAU then began to pull away, ultimately concluding the first set 25-17.

United struggle at home vs Sacramento Republic FC

On Saturday, Aug. 30, New Mexico United lost to Sacramento Republic FC at home 2-0, achieving field dominance, but come up empty in front of the goal.  United came into the game 8-8-3, in seventh place in the Western Conference and in need of a positive performance against a tough, defensive, Sacramento who sat in second in the conference at 8-5-7. Offense was a struggle in the first half for United with approximately 200 passes but only one shot that was not on target, opposed to three shots with two on target for Sacramento.  Along with a lack of shots, both teams accumulated a lengthy number of fouls: nine in the first half for United and 10 for Sacramento. 

Lobos howl but Michigan prevails

The University of New Mexico Lobo football team kicked off the 2025 season at the Big House in Ann Arbor, Michigan, on Saturday Aug. 30. The Lobos came into the game as underdogs, led by their new Head Coach Jason Eck, hoping to spoil the University of Michigan’s freshman Quarterback Bryce Underwood’s debut. Instead, Underwood led Michigan's offense, throwing for 251 yards and a touchdown, helping the 14th-ranked Michigan Wolverines beat the Lobos 34-17. The Lobos struggled from the get-go, as the Wolverine offense made it to mid-field on the first drive, after which Michigan Running Back Justice Haynes took it 56 yards to the house. Following a Lobos three-and-out, Haynes was able to find the endzone again on a 5-yard touchdown run. The first quarter ended with the Wolverines up 14-0.

Comic, August 25, 2025

United Graduate Workers demonstrate at ice cream social

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.

Lobos tie 3-3 after comeback lead slips in second half

On Sunday, Aug. 24, the University of New Mexico women’s soccer team played against the Colorado School of Mines, tying the game after leading 3-2 from three comeback goals.  Colorado forward Bella Campos scored two early goals, giving the Orediggers a 2-0 lead until the 24th minute when Lobos forward Nicole Anderson scored the Lobos’ first goal of the game. After their first goal, the Lobos became a threat to the Orediggers’ lead, dominating their half and taking more shots — some of which were close range but deflected off of the Mines defense.

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

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.

Isotopes split series against Las Vegas Aviators

The Albuquerque Isotopes stole game four from the Las Vegas Aviators with a 8-7 win on Friday, Aug. 22 at Isotopes Park. The Isotopes came into the game down 2-1 in the series, as they won the  opening game,  but dropped games two and three. The Isotopes were able to return from the back-to-back losses and tie the series at two-a-piece.  Similar to game three of the series, the beginning of the game did not start out so well for the Isotopes, who found themselves down 6-0 by the time the bottom of the third rolled around. This was mainly due to shaky pitching and sloppy play in the field; however, in the bottom of the third, the Isotopes started to pick things up with outfielder Zac Veen’s two run homer, making the score 6-2. 

OPINION: Will James Harden be a Hall of Famer?

When basketball fans talk about three point shooters, Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson and Larry Bird usually dominate the conversation. However, over a sixteen year career, James Harden has proven that he belongs in the conversation with the best. Even though his stats are impressive, Harden has no ring and several playoff disappointments, a challenge to his Hall of Famer candidacy.  The numbers don’t lie, James Harden is number 14 as an all-time scoring leader, 2018 MVP, 11- time all star and six-time NBA First Team. Harden in recent memory has led his team to multiple playoff runs and even carried his teams numerous times.

OPINION: #NotMyDuckPond

When the construction fences came down around the University of New Mexico’s Duck Pond on Aug. 4, students expected the return of a refreshed campus landmark. The dearly missed duck pond was a place where students could breathe, study and watch the ducks and turtles float lazily by. What students found instead looked less like an oasis and more like a Cold War set piece. The newly renovated pond doesn’t look like a sanctuary; it looks like brutalist architecture in miniature. Stark concrete borders, harsh angles and the erasure of natural flow have left the space cold and unwelcoming. What was once a green, organic centerpiece of campus life now feels more like a monument to efficiency and bureaucracy rather than beauty and community.

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

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.

Lobo Volleyball wins exhibition match vs New Mexico Highlands

The University of New Mexico’s Lobo Women’s Volleyball went against the New Mexico Highlands Cowgirls in an exhibition match on Saturday, Aug. 23, marking their first match of the season.  The exhibition hit off with a bang, with the first point of the match being a kill by outside hitter Naomi Chankoumi. The Lobos kept up the pressure, serving strong and sharp. Setter and outside hitter Addison France made the second kill in the first set leading 2-0. There was not much fight from New Mexico Highlands in the first set, but the Cowgirls began to pick up as the last set was closing. Even though the Lobos were ahead, they did not slow down. The Lobos closed out the first set with a massive total of twelve kills, quickly leading the Lobos to a 25-7 victory.

OPINION: NFL 2025 division winner predictions

The long wait is almost over. The NFL season is set to kick off Sept. 4 with the defending Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles facing their division rival, the Dallas Cowboys. The NFL is often the most unpredictable league in sports, but here are predictions for each division winner for the 2025–26 season.  AFC North: Baltimore Ravens (14-3) The Ravens are coming off a heartbreaking playoff loss in January to the Buffalo Bills and will look to take the AFC crown.

REVIEW: “Peacemaker”: A look back and forward

Did you watch “Superman” and wonder what was up with the John Cena cameo where he’s on a talk show wearing a bucket on his head? That’s Peacemaker.  He’s the titular character of James Gunn’s HBO Max original series: “Peacemaker,” which released its first season in 2022, and dropped the first episode of its second season on Thursday, Aug. 21. Season one of “Peacemaker” follows Christopher Smith — aka Peacemaker — joining a black ops mission fighting off an alien invasion in order to avoid being sent back to Belle Reve prison. Smith, a trained killer, was raised from birth to kill by his father, a neo-Nazi supervillain known as the White Dragon. Smith battles with the way he was raised, the trauma he endured, and his growing desire to be a better person and a real hero. 

Isotopes dominate in series opener versus Las Vegas, then fall in next two games

The Albuquerque Isotopes take on the Las Vegas Aviators again this week, coming home after splitting the series with the Oklahoma City Comets last week. The Isotopes were looking for a win in game one to start the series. Isotopes Manager Pedro Lopez said he feels the team could have won 4 out of the six against Oklahoma City.  “Unfortunately, it didn't happen. We ended up splitting, but it’s nice to be home and get the first one out of the way,” Lopez said.

Comic, August 19, 2025

OPINION: Why Albuquerque needs ranked-choice voting

The case for the implementation of ranked-choice voting is a simple one. To have the most democratic elections possible, Albuquerque needs ranked-choice voting. As local voters prepare to head to the polls this November for Albuquerque’s municipal elections, many wonder if the system still truly works for them and advocates for the issues they care about. According to Pew Research Center polling, trust in American government and institutions has faced a steady decline since 1964 — regardless of which political party is in control of the government — highlighting the need to focus our efforts on giving citizens more of a voice and a choice in the people who govern them.