Leila Chapa

Popejoy highlights roots in early folk and country music

Vocalists and instrumentalists Cristina Vane and Brennen Leigh will take the stage at Popejoy Hall on Sunday, March 22 with an acoustic performance showcasing the expansive music genre with their show “Women of Americana.”   Leigh is one of the lead musicians for the show, playing acoustic guitar and mandolin. Vane is a singer-songwriter; she also plays slide guitar and clawhammer banjo.  Leigh said that Americana as a genre has a deep but sometimes overlooked history.

Community voices opinions on Iran war

One week after the United States and Israel launched military strikes across Iran  on Feb. 28, Albuquerque saw two separate rallies take place on Saturday, March 7, each shining a light on the contrast of perspectives among the community. One rally occurred on Girard Boulevard and Central Avenue at the University of New Mexico monogram where demonstrators, thankful for U.S. and Israeli intervention, called for an Iranian regime change. Another rally took place at Robinson Park, where anti-war protesters rallied against the intervention. 

Over 100 speak against Blackstone’s PNM acquisition during public comment

For nearly six hours in the University of New Mexico Student Union Building, over 100 people took turns speaking to the New Mexico Public Regulatory Commission during a public comment session, with none being in favor of private equity firm Blackstone’s acquisition of the state’s electricity provider, Public Service Company of New Mexico. Several speakers at public comment on Tuesday, Feb. 17, spoke about Blackstone’s major investments in AI data centers, Blackstone CEO Stephen Schwarzman’s ties to pedophile sex offender Jeffery Epstein and criticized the operation of private equity firms as a whole.  Blackstone Infrastructure and TXNM Energy Inc, which owns PNM, announced the $11.5 billion deal last May, and would result in Blackstone taking ownership of TXNM, according to Source NM.

State legislature celebrates local Black history

Black community leaders and lawmakers opened African American Day at the State Legislature with a group performance of “Lift Every Voice and Sing” on the House floor.   Rep. Pamelya Herndon (D-Albuquerque) led the House floor celebration on Friday, Feb. 13, recognizing the “vital contributions of African Americans to the state’s history, culture and progress,” and honoring ten outstanding African American women in New Mexico for their contributions to communities across the state. The NM State Capitol featured a resource fair in the rotunda with Black-led organizations, including the NAACP, New Mexico Black Leadership Council, Juneteenth Renaissance Institute and the University of New Mexico African American Student Services. 

Thousands protest against ICE during ‘National Shutdown’

Thousands marched in Downtown Albuquerque on Friday, Jan. 30, to protest against President Donald Trump’s Administration and Immigration and Customs Enforcement during a nationwide strike that called for no school, work or shopping for the day.  Chants of “Abolish ICE” and “Immigrants are welcome here” echoed throughout the Civic Plaza and streets of Downtown Albuquerue. City of Albuquerque offices in Downtown, including City Hall, closed at 1 p.m. as a result of the protest to “minimize vehicle traffic from Downtown workers,” according to the  City of Albuquerque.  

Sukoon Coffeehouse offers late night study space

Inspired by his wish for a late-night cafe study spot, 22-year old University of New Mexico graduate student, Taha Raad, along with two of his friends, opened Sukoon Coffeehouse over winter break 2025-2026, on the corner of Monte Vista Boulevard and Central Avenue — walking distance from Main Campus. Sukoon Coffeehouse serves a variety of espresso and matcha barista drinks, including traditional options such as the Yemeni latte, Adeni tea and Mofawar, along with a selection of traditional food items such as Honeycomb bread, Baklava and Za’atar Manakeesh. The Coffeehouse opens at 7 a.m. everyday; it closes at 1 a.m. on Friday and Saturday, and 12 a.m. the rest of the week.

Over 1000 march in Albuquerque after Minneapolis nurse killed by ICE

Over a thousand protesters demonstrated in Albuquerque on Sunday, Jan. 25, marching from the Bernalillo Metropolitan Courthouse to Civic Plaza to demand the removal of Immigrations and Customs Enforcement agents from communities around the country and expressing solidarity with Minneapolis, Minnesota, after 37-year-old Alex Pretti was fatally shot by ICE agents the day before.  Pretti was an intensive care nurse who worked for the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs at a VA hospital in Minneapolis. He had participated in protests following the fatal shooting of Renee Good by an ICE agent on Jan. 7, according to the Associated Press. 

Protesters pressure lawmakers during NM legislature opening day

On Tuesday, Jan. 20, over 1,000 protesters marched throughout the chilly morning from Santa Fe Plaza to the New Mexico State Capitol on the opening day of this year’s legislative session and Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham’s State of the State address.    The march was organized by Youth United for Climate Crisis Action and sponsored by 25 organizations, including University of New Mexico Leaders for Environmental Action and Foresight, New Mexico No False Solutions Coalition, New Energy Economy and Tewa Women United, according to a YUCCA press release.   The protest was part of the “We Got Us” mass mobilization that aimed to “put forward a people-centered vision for the future, show up for one another in the face of systemic failure and make our movements’ collective power impossible to ignore,” the press release reads.  

Immersive show encourages Popejoy to sing

“Sing-A- Long Broadway” is a unique show which invites audience members to an opportunity to celebrate Broadway music, from a variety of shows, through a guided sing-along stage experience on Sunday, Jan. 25. According to a Popejoy press release, the show is designed to include attendees of all ages and levels of experience to participate in the show. “Hosted by a two-person emcee team, the duo will lead the audience through musical highlights, thematic medleys, and interactive moments,” the press release reads.

Elected officials condemn Trump administration in Albuquerque ‘Free America Rally’

Hundreds gathered at Civic Plaza on Sunday, Jan. 18  to express their disapproval of President Donald Trump’s administration, including Immigration and Customs Enforcement detentions, the fatal shooting of Renee Nicole Good by an ICE agent in Minneapolis, Minnesota and Trump’s “fascism,” according to the event flyer.   Among those who spoke at the rally were New Mexico gubernatorial candidate Deb Haaland, U.S. Rep. Melanie Stansbury (D), New Mexico Women’s March Founder and Chair Samia Assed and community organizer Selinda Guerrero.  Haaland was one of many rally speakers who encouraged attendees to vote in this year’s midterm elections. 

VIDEO STORY: Thousands in Albuquerque protest against ICE during 'National Shutdown'

Thousands of people gathered at Civic Plaza before marching in Downtown, Albuquerque to protest against the Trump Administration's immigration tactics, including the detention of 5-year-old Liam Conejo Ramos and the fatal shooting of 37-year-old Alex Pretti in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

VIDEO STORY: Over 1000 march to NM State Capitol during 'We Got Us' mobilization

On Tuesday Jan 20, over 1000 protesters, including several young people, marched from the Santa Fe plaza to the NM State Capitol on the opening day of the New Mexico legislative session. Leila Chapa is the photo and social media editor for the Daily Lobo. She can be reached at socialmedia@dailylobo.com or on X @lchapa06 Paloma Chapa is the multimedia editor for the Daily Lobo. She can be reached at multimedia@dailylobo.com or on Twitter @paloma_chapa88

VIDEO STORY: Downtown Growers Market hosts furry fashion show with Dogboo costume contest

Leila Chapa is the social media editor for the Daily Lobo. She can be reached at socialmedia@dailylobo.com or on X @lchapa06

VIDEO STORY: Labubus come to ABQ Food Park

On Aug. 23, during a windy evening, the ABQ Food Park was overtaken by all kinds of Labubus, which are a form of plush doll. Vendors had booths with original Labubu dolls, others had artisan Labubu crafts made by local artists through mediums like crocheting and 3D printing. Labubu keychains, thermoses, purses, backpacks and other merchandise were everywhere on display. Leila Chapa is the social media editor for the Daily Lobo. She can be reached at socialmedia@dailylobo.com or on X @lchapa06

VIDEO STORY: Over a thousand march in ‘Albuquerque Against ICE’ protest

On Friday, June 20, approximately 2000 people marched in Downtown Albuquerque to protest President Donald Trump’s immigration policies and call for the abolition of Immigration and Customs Enforcement The protest began at 5pm at Civic Plaza, during which mariachi performers sang and played songs, and organizers gave speeches to the crowd before the march. The protest concluded at Civic Plaza around 8:15 PM.

VIDEO STORY: Walkout during ‘Higher Education Week of Action’

April 17, 2025.

VIDEO STORY: Albuquerque youth and community march for immigrant rights

VIDEO STORY: Black History Month kicks off at UNM with Pan-African flag raising ceremony

VIDEO STORY: Actions held in Albuquerque in response to Trump's inauguration

VIDEO STORY: Lobo men's hockey battles rivals NAU in close back-to-back games

On Friday, Dec. 6, the Lobos lost 3-2 in a close game against Northern Arizona University. The next day, the Lobos managed to hold a 3-3 draw before ultimately losing 6-4 to NAU.