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Culture

McKinnon Poetry Contest winners navigate identity, origins through poetry

Nell Johnson | May 8

The three winners of the 2022 McKinnon Poetry Contest hail from different hometowns and academic disciplines, but their poems all explore personal origins and their impact. The contest was coordinated by department head Diane Thiel, and winning poems were selected by faculty judges. In first place was senior Benjamin Tabáček with “Homesick;” second, freshman Ariel Menendez with “La Chicana;” and third, senior Indica Simpson with “Résumé.” The McKinnon Poetry Contest is an annual event involving cash prizes, which are awarded thanks to an $100,000 endowment from UNM alumna Karen McKinnon. Thiel praised her giving nature in an email.

News

Albuquerque community continues to protest leaked Supreme Court draft opinion

Maddie Pukite | May 8

Albuquerque community members took to the streets again on Saturday, May 7 to protest the leaked Supreme Court draft opinion that would overturn Roe v. Wade and Planned Parenthood v. Casey, cases that provide constitutional protection for abortion in the U.S. under the doctrine of privacy granted by the Fourteenth Amendment. The protest was organized by the Party for Socialism and Liberation to continue motivating people to fight back and not fall into apathy while calling for the Democrats in Congress to act to protect abortion rights. “We have to keep up the energy, and we have to remind people that we can't stop just because we came out right after it happened.

News

UNM showcases a range of commencement events

Maddie Pukite | May 8

On May 14 at 9 a.m., the University of New Mexico will be holding its in-person commencement ceremony at the University Arena. The ceremony will be only the second ceremony in which guests are allowed back in person since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. “We're thankful that we can get back to having families and guests there and celebrating our students for this wonderful accomplishment,” University Secretary Nancy Middlebrook said. The event will feature keynote speaker Mark Herman, CEO of Dion's, along with performances by the UNM Brass Choir and the singing of the national anthem by Cameron Smith, a graduate student in the vocal performance program.

News

Leaked Supreme Court draft opinion terrifies, angers ABQ community members

Maddie Pukite | May 3

Protesters gathered at the Pete V. Domenici U.S. Courthouse in Albuquerque on May 3 in light of a leaked draft of a majority opinion from Politico written by Justice Samuel Alito that signifies the court’s decision to overturn Roe V. Wade and Planned Parenthood v. Casey, both landmark cases that provide constitutional protection for abortion in the U.S. under the doctrine of privacy granted by the Fourteenth Amendment. The protests, one in front of the courthouse organized by the Party of Socialism and Liberation and one kitty-corner in front of the Bernalillo County Metropolitan Court organized by Planned Parenthood, were each attended by hundreds of people.

Culture

‘We’re All Going to the World’s Fair’ is a creepypasta coming-of-age gem

Zara Roy | May 2

“We’re All Going to the World’s Fair,” directed by Jane Schoenbrun, is a dizzying, slow-paced horror that uses the language of internet urban legend as a springboard to showcase the supreme loneliness of adolescence. Released April 15, the film follows the reclusive Casey (Anna Cobb) after she embarks in an internet horror game called the “World’s Fair Challenge” and her subsequent mental decline. Clocking in just under 90 minutes, “We’re All Going to the World’s Fair” completely defied my expectations of the formulaic and tried found-footage genre (although, to be fair, this film cannot be neatly classified as found-footage) and showcased the versatility of a genre I previously thought to be a one-trick pony.

Culture

Ukrainian student takes pride in her homeland

Maddie Pukite | May 2

The day before Russia invaded Ukraine, Yuliia Kashuba, an international student at the University of New Mexico from Ukraine, gave a presentation to her class about the fighting that had been going on in eastern Ukraine against Russia, explaining that it was not a full-on invasion, not knowing what would happen in the coming day. “No one deserves to be killed in this way. There's no reason. We used to live independent, we (were), like, pro-European country with our own freedom of speech, freedom of expression. You (could) be wherever you want in Ukraine,” Kashuba said.

Culture

Loboscopes: May general predictions

Zara Roy and Nell Johnson | May 2

The transit of several key planets into Aries this month — Jupiter, Venus and Mars — will precipitate a wealth of ideas and physical blessings. The sun remaining steadfast in Taurus until the end of the month should give flashes of inspiration some staying power, as Aries isn’t known for its follow-through. A Mercury retrograde will begin in Gemini on May 10, adding fuel to the Aries fire burning in the heavens. Beware of backwards movement, like reverting to old habits and communicating with those you’ve left behind. The reckless Ram running rampant across the sky will make this difficult. How will you manage? Read on for more specific advice.

Culture

The Kooks have lost it, parsed release disappoints

Natalie Jude | May 2

Just over halfway through the quartered release of upcoming album “10 Tracks to Echo in The Dark,” there seems to have been little improvement since The Kooks’ 2018 album “Let’s Go Sunshine,” a tragic release save for two half-hits: “Picture frame” and “No Pressure.” In their earlier days, English rock group The Kooks were fresh. Their unpredictable melodies pulled from post-punk and the best of indie rock. Since the release of their fourth album in 2014, “Listen,” though, they seem to be steady in their decline. The losses of members Max Rafferty and Paul Garred could be to blame for at least a portion of the slump, but with longtime members Luke Pritchard leading vocals and Hugh Harris leading guitar, these recent and absolute failures should have been impossible.

News

Albuquerque undergoes redistricting committee sessions

Maddie Pukite | May 2

The city of Albuquerque is currently undergoing a redistricting process as is required by the city charter following every census, the latest of which happened in 2020. The redistricting committee has been meeting since early March to discuss potential new district lines and hear community input; their latest meeting took place on Wednesday, April 27. Redistricting has a substantial effect on how the city government operates as it ensures that the populations of different districts are equally represented within the City Council. Some districts have grown unevenly in the 10 years since the city was last redistricted. The redistricting process can also be used to ensure that marginalized communities' voices are being adequately represented and heard.

Culture

Andrew Callaghan broadens journalistic endeavors

Maddie Pukite | May 2

Some say journalism is a dying industry; local newspapers often only have a fraction of the staff needed and broadcast journalists are suddenly largely multi-hyphenates. Mainstream channels like CNN and FOX don’t necessarily appeal to younger audiences and show hyperpolarized depictions of the news. The answer to these issues, according to Andrew Callaghan of Channel 5 Action News, is independent, civilian journalism. “The best way to consume media is (through) firsthand clips,” Callaghan said. “You saw that in 2020 the George Floyd video was more powerful than any news anchor bit could have been. (It) reached more people … Just make sure you're not consuming, you know, propaganda and misinformation; just try to be aware.”

News

AAPI Resource Center officially open

Maxwell Minty McGrael / Daily Lobo and Nell Johnson | May 1

April 28 marked a historic event for the University of New Mexico’s Asian American and Pacific Islander community with the official opening of the Asian American Pacific Islander Resource Center (colloquially pronounced as ay-perk). The ribbon-cutting ceremony boasted a large turnout of students, community members and notable guests. Although AAPIRC has been open for some time now, this marks one of the first large public events in the space with socializing and lots of tasty food. Farah Nousheen, the Associate Director of AAPIRC, led the ceremony, opening it with a series of warm welcomes.

News

New Mexico ablaze, wildfire season begins

Maddie Pukite and Elizabeth Secor | May 1

Destruction continues throughout the state as the combined Calf Canyon and Hermit’s Peak fires are currently the largest wildfire in the United States, having burned down 103,908 acres of land as of Sunday, May 1. Across New Mexico, there are currently 49 active wildfires as of Sunday, May 1 caused by severe to exceptional drought conditions, a leading cause of the wildfires that have been ablaze since early April, impacting communities and workers across the state working to keep everyone informed and safe. Intense wind conditions and years of drought have rapidly increased the speed at which the fires have grown, according to KOAT.

Sports

Isotopes split series to Sacramento River Cats 3-3

Thomas Bulger | May 1

The Albuquerque Isotopes split their home series against the Sacramento River Cats 3-3. The series went from Tuesday, April 26 to Sunday, May 1. The Isotopes are now 10-14 and fourth in the Pacific Coast League East. After a tight 7-9 loss on Tuesday, Albuquerque won the Wednesday and Thursday contests 6-3 and 13-2 respectively. The Isotopes were then thrown a curveball on Friday when third baseman Elehuris Montero, one of the team’s best hitters, was pulled up to the Isotopes’ major league affiliate, the Colorado Rockies, to replace Kris Bryant. Missing a key part of their offense, the Isotopes dropped the Friday game 12-8.

Sports

Isotopes player Montero called up to major leagues

Zara Roy | April 29

Editor’s Note: This article was updated on May 1. Elehuris Montero, previously an infielder and designated hitter for the Albuquerque Isotopes, was called up to play for the Colorado Rockies, taking the place of injured Rockies’ infielder Kris Bryant, on Friday, April 29. Montero is listed as available off the bench and is expected to make his major league debut this weekend during the Rockies’ three-game series opener against the Cincinnati Reds. Montero was a long-standing top prospect for the Rockies. In his time with the Isotopes, he proved to be an astounding hitter for the team, batting a personal record 28 homers in the 2021 season between his time with the Hartford Yard Goats and the Isotopes.

Culture

Environmental journalist paves way for truth, diversity in work

Megan Gleason | April 25

Walking along the river or basking in the New Mexico sun you can probably find Laura Paskus, a journalist who’s devoted decades of her life to reporting on the environment in New Mexico. Not only committed to exposing the scientific views of these topics, Paskus wants people to connect to their landscapes and communities. Paskus flourishes outside and loves “learning about the world around us.” Currently working as a correspondent and producer for New Mexico PBS, Paskus explores a variety of environmental-related work on the air. From studio interviews to field pieces, Paskus said the goal is to help people “understand things like climate change or community resilience.”

Culture

REVIEW: ‘The Northman’ takes viewers to Valhalla and back

John Scott | April 25

As I took my seat in a dimly lit theater on Friday, April 22, I thought my anticipation for acclaimed writer and director Robert Eggers’ latest work couldn’t be any higher. After having to sit through a series of previews that was almost entirely made up of sequels, though, an unflinching, brutal and thoroughly original $90 million Viking spectacle sounded like just the right type of medicine for my blockbuster blues. Of course, that isn’t to say that the only thing going for this film was its refreshing originality; given my utter adoration for Eggers’ past work with “The Witch” and “The Lighthouse” in tandem with an absolute beast of a cast (most of which have appeared in Eggers’ previous work)

Culture

Albuquerque Animal Welfare Department seeks donations for incoming surge of kittens

Zara Roy | April 25

‘Tis the season to care for cats and canines, and the Albuquerque Animal Welfare Department is holding a “puppy and kitten shower” through April 30 to accrue much needed supplies to accommodate for the nearly 2,000 kittens and 400 puppies they expect to take in during the warm months. In previous years, “kitten season,” the time of year in which the shelter gets their vast majority of incoming orphaned or abandoned kittens, has only extended through summer months. But increasingly warm winters have greatly widened the window during which these animals are reproductively active.

Culture

‘Not Yet and Yet’ showcases graduate art, emphasizes process

Nell Johnson | April 25

For second-year Master of Fine Arts students, the juried graduate exhibition “Not Yet and Yet” has been more than just an opportunity to showcase their work at a museum; the exhibition, which opened on March 11 and consists of MFA and Graduate Art Association artwork, ushered students back into an in-person art world. Since they began their study at UNM amid quarantine in fall 2020, remote critiques and the inability to interface with their peers’ art directly made things difficult, according to GAA member and artist in the show Eleonora Edreva. “Some things are physical and you want to be there; you want to see it. Having the opportunity to show work together in person has been really wonderful.

Culture

Local independent bookstore bound to collections and community

Zara Roy | April 25

As Independent Bookstore Day on April 30 draws near, Albuquerque mainstay Page 1 Books is hoping to bring in some like-minded lexophiles for a celebration of small business and great reads. As the store is still practicing masking requirements, they will be commemorating Independent Bookstore Day with a COVID-safe celebration. Store manager Ian Carrilllo said independent bookstore day is a welcome way for community members to show support for these stores which help the community to thrive. “It’s a reminder that we exist and independent bookstores are a vital part of the community,” Carrillo said.

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Opinion

LETTER: New Mexico’s postpartum Medicaid expansion supports parents and newborns

Divya Shiv | April 25

On top of the extraordinary mental and physical changes one faces after having a baby, one thing that shouldn’t have to change is one’s health care coverage. Fortunately, new mothers who qualify now have a full year of postpartum Medicaid coverage in New Mexico so they can focus on what really matters: taking care of their babies and their own health concerns. After all, nothing is more foundational for our next generation than the well-being of mothers and infants. Before this past legislative session, people who enrolled in Medicaid for pregnancy- and birth-related care received just two months of postpartum Medicaid coverage.