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Culture

OPINION: Fourth of July: ‘What is there to celebrate?’

Elizabeth Secor | July 6

Ask a patriot, and they’ll tell you that the United States, like other countries, is built from a complicated web of ideas and values that have shaped the country since its very inception — freedom, equality and independence for all. Even though the “all” has never really included everyone, these values still supposedly take priority. Each year, we even celebrate when the U.S. first established these ideas as the guiding principles of our constitutional republic, on the day we declared our independence from Great Britain: the Fourth of July.

Culture

‘Mad God’ impresses with hopelessness, nauseates with skill

Spenser Willden | July 6

Phil Tippett’s “Mad God” released its final part on June 16 to Shudder, showcasing 30 years of top-tier stop motion work in a confusing, unsettling film not comparable to anything else I’ve ever seen. Though at times the screenplay stutters in the depth it perceives of itself, the skill behind the animation is undeniable and further cements Tippett’s place as the “Mad God” of stop motion. “Mad God'' doesn't have a traditional plot and, as a result, can be difficult to describe to readers. Initially released in three parts (like a Cronenberg-directed Dickens novel), “Mad God'' generally follows distorted, mutated figures as they attempt to carry out their violent goals in a war-torn underworld seemingly intended to mirror our world.

News

In aftermath of shootings, Lobo Village residents fear for their safety

Maddie Pukite | July 1

On June 11 and 19, shootings occurred at 11:15 p.m. and 12:15 a.m., respectively, on the premises of Lobo Village, a University of New Mexico student housing apartment complex located on South Campus. The shootings and response have brought up safety concerns among residents. No one was injured during either shooting, although there was property damage reported.

News

Redistricting committee concludes meetings, maps off to city council

Maddie Pukite | July 1

The redistricting committee met for the final time on the evening of Wednesday, June 29, voting to send all eight proposed maps to the Albuquerque City Council for consideration. The committee also sent a ranked vote of the eight maps to the council, with concept map A having the most support. The maps and rankings will not be heard by the full City Council until their first meeting in September. Councilors do not have a deadline on a decision, and could still alternatively create their own map, according to Petra Morris, associate director of planning and policy development.

Culture

REVIEW: ‘Umbrella Academy’ season 3 highlights an approaching end

Elizabeth Secor | July 1

Season three of “The Umbrella Academy” hit Netflix on June 22; by the end of the day, I had watched all ten episodes. I rather enjoyed this new season, but it left me wondering if it might be time for “The Umbrella Academy” to wrap up and have the series finale it’s earned.

Culture

UNM, Albuquerque community reacts to Roe overturning

Spenser Willden | June 29

On Friday, June 24, the Supreme Court announced their ruling in the Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization case, overturning the constitutional right to abortion decided in Roe v. Wade, 1973, and further protected in Planned Parenthood v. Casey, 1992. The decision kicked off a weekend of protests from abortion rights activists and allies across the nation. In Albuquerque, hundreds of protesters, University of New Mexico students and other community members gathered in Tiguex Park Friday night to express their anger at the decision. UNM student Joliana Davidson expressed her anger over the decision and how it will affect people with uteruses’ bodily health.

News

Grad union continues bargaining process with UNM

Maddie Pukite | June 29

The United Graduate Workers of the University of New Mexico met with the University's bargaining team on June 23 through 25 to further discuss the Union’s contract. Pushback from the University continued with further debate over a nondiscrimination clause, employee contracts and disciplinary discharge. “(A nondiscrimination clause) is codifying certain protections that, as we can see with Roe v. Wade being struck down and all these other Supreme Court (cases), (are not) guaranteed rights … We know that despite UNM’s claims, federal and state laws can’t take the place of (a) solid nondiscrimination clause in the contract,” Union member Joe Ukockis said.

News

UNM receives prestigious Department of Energy awards

Zara Roy | June 29

Nuclear energy research is set to explode at the University of New Mexico as several nuclear engineering professors’ projects were awarded grant money as a part of the Department of Energy’s Nuclear Energy University Program. Directly awarded to UNM was an estimated $625,000 over five years to fund nuclear engineering professor Minghui Chen for his research proposal, “Advanced Reactors Integral and Separate Effects Tests,” where he will perform safety tests to validate the usage of two different types of reactors. Chen hopes the research will support “the expanded use of clean nuclear energy worldwide,” and aims to emphasize training for underrepresented minorities.

News

Keller looks toward Albuquerque’s horizon in State of the City address

Spenser Willden | June 27

On Saturday, June 25, Albuquerque residents gathered at the newly refurbished Rail Yards to listen to the annual remarks on the state of the city by Mayor Tim Keller. His remarks focused on the city’s recent efforts toward combating crime, homelessness and climate change in response to the last few years of national and local instability. In response to an increase in criminal incidents over the COVID-19 pandemic, Keller’s administration has increased funding to the Albuquerque Police Department this year by $50 million. This money is to be used for new technology such as automated speed cameras, gunshot detection technology and digital crime enforcement, according to Deputy Chief of Police Cecily Parker.

Culture

Community organizations showcase Albuquerque at Expo and Celebration

Spenser Willden | June 27

Over 40 community organizations gathered in the Blacksmith Building at the Albuquerque Rail Yards on Saturday, June 25, for the city’s Community Expo and Celebration prior to Mayor Tim Keller’s State of the City address. These organizational partners showcased the work they’ve done, the opportunities they afford and the roles they play in the greater Albuquerque community — as well as their opinions on the current state of the city. Joey Wilson, warehouse coordinator for the Albuquerque Public Schools Title I McKinney-Vento Homeless Program, which supports unsheltered youth and their families to help them attend school and get an education, expressed concern with the city’s handling of the unhoused population, specifically the youth.

Culture

Community Expo takes doggy detour

John Scott | June 27

On Saturday, June 25, dozens of community members, politicians and local organizations gathered for the Community Expo and Celebration at the Albuquerque Rail Yards in conjunction with the State of the City address. While their owners were listening to Mayor Tim Keller detail his plans for the city, a select group of canine companions took time to enjoy the newly renovated Rail Yards and the slightly overcast weather. Desiree Cawley, marketing manager for the city’s Animal Welfare Department, welcomed the crowd of furry friends from community members joining in on the celebration as well as animals up for adoption brought by the department.

News

Roe v. Wade overturned, hundreds take to streets in Albuquerque

Maddie Pukite and Zara Roy | June 25

Hundreds of community members gathered to express their outrage on the evening of Friday, June 24 over the Supreme Court ruling to reverse Roe v. Wade and Planned Parenthood v. Casey, overturning the constitutional right to abortion and making it possible for states to ban abortions outright. The march was organized by numerous grassroots groups including New Mexico Women's March, Planned Parenthood, the New Mexico Black Central Organizing Committee, Indigenous Women Rising and the New Mexico Stronger Together Coalition.

News

UNM institutes mask recommendation in response to COVID-19 uptick

Zara Roy | June 24

On Monday, June 20, the University of New Mexico administration announced that three-ply surgical masks or better are now recommended, but not required, indoors for all students, faculty and staff at the Albuquerque, Gallup and Valencia campuses, effective June 21. This new recommendation comes in response to the three respective counties the campuses are located in reaching “high COVID-19 community levels” as categorized by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. This recommendation applies to all indoor events at the University unless otherwise indicated, including the ongoing New Student Orientation sessions throughout the summer, according to UNM spokesperson Cinnamon Blair.

News

Councilors call for further policing of unhoused community

Maddie Pukite | June 24

On the evening of Wednesday, June 22, the Albuquerque City Council met with city officials from the Department of Family and Community Services to discuss the ongoing crisis of the high number of unhoused people in the city, mainly focusing on an ordinance to define the rules and regulations around creating city-sanctioned encampments. The safe outdoor space ordinance, which previously passed through the council, will allow city-run camps for unhoused individuals to live in with public facilities for them to use. These spaces will be permitted in Albuquerque come Aug. 1. However, the ordinance discussed at the meeting on Wednesday that would define the implementation of these spaces and other rules or regulations failed in council.

Culture

Santa Fe gallery showcases emerging UNM artists

Zara Roy | June 24

Anna Rotty and Rosalba Breazeale, two graduate students at the University of New Mexico, are set to be featured as new Emerging Artists at the Santa Fe Strata Gallery’s second annual Group Member Exhibition, running from July 26 to Aug. 20. The Group Member Exhibition will host a collection of works in various mediums from 16 established gallery members and five newly selected emerging artists and will allow visitors to walk through an eclectic mix of ideas.

Culture

UNM students respond to gun violence in their communities

Alizay Chavez | June 22

Gun violence is a growing concern across the nation, as in recent years the number of mass shootings annually has grown considerably, from 417 in 2019, to 700 in 2021, with 2022 on track to match last year’s high, according to the Washington Post. In Albuquerque, there have been 51 deaths related to guns in 2022 alone, according to Gun Violence Archive. Though New Mexico’s government has taken steps toward greater levels of gun control, it’s still not enough, according to Cheryl Haase, social media lead for Moms Demand Action, an organization of mothers devoted to ending gun violence in their communities.

Culture

REVIEW: ‘Cha Cha Real Smooth’ never quite finds its rhythm

John Scott | June 22

Cooper Raiff announced a strong presence in the indie film scene in 2020 with his breakout debut “Shithouse.” Made on a mere $15,000 budget, it was enough to garner the attention of one Dakota Johnson, who produced and stars in Raiff’s latest outing, “Cha Cha Real Smooth,” for which Raiff won not only an Audience Award out of this year’s Sundance Film Festival, but also a $15 million distribution deal with Apple TV+. The film may not be enough to get everyone to clap their hands like its title-inspiring song, but it might be enough to get you to bob your head with the beat.

Culture

5 and Why: 5 suggestions for restful summer activities

Spenser Willden | June 22

The middle of summer can be a nerve-wracking time for students. With half of break near gone and the next semester fast approaching, it can often feel as though we’ve wasted our free time and not done all that we’d planned. However, summer is also a time of rest and relaxation to recharge for the coming semester: the only time in a year where students have the opportunity to be alright with not accomplishing anything. Incoming University of New Mexico senior Alli Arend offered us five activities she uses to relax over the summer.

News

Medical cannabis lawsuit seeks to ensure insurance coverage

Maddie Pukite | June 20

Six medical cannabis patients and Ultra Health Dispensaries have filed a class-action lawsuit against health insurance providers in the state of New Mexico. The lawsuit would require health insurance companies to cover the entire cost of medical cannabis due to its use to treat trauma spectrum disorders like post-traumatic stress disorder. “Legislation was passed which very specifically says that any insurer who offers behavioral health care coverage in New Mexico shall offer it with no copay, co-insurance deductible, i.e. no co-share,” Ultra Health CEO Duke Rodriguez said.

Culture

Albuquerque celebrates Juneteenth

Natalie Jude | June 20

The city of Albuquerque celebrated Juneteenth this weekend in Civic Plaza with numerous speakers, musicians, community leaders and artists. Leading the organization of this event was Nichole Rodgers, the city of Albuquerque’s African American community and business liaison with the Office of Equity and Inclusion. City Council member Klarissa Peña helped introduce the festivities with a proclamation regarding the city’s celebration of Juneteenth and the need for continual support of the Black community.