Leila Chapa

Several NM residents, organizations call for state investment in PNM

Over 50 local organizations and 1400 New Mexico residents are calling on New Mexico’s state leadership and gubernatorial candidates to invest $400 million of state funds in TXNM Energy — the parent company of the Public Service Company of New Mexico, the state’s largest electricity provider. Organizers launched a petition and an open letter — the petition signed by state residents, and the letter by organizations — calling on state leadership to replace Blackstone Infrastructure by instead investing in TXNM.  TXNM recently borrowed $400 million from Wells Fargo to resolve its stock sale to Blackstone subsidiary Troy ParentCo, which the Public Regulation Commission determined had violated state law in 2025 for being completed without required PRC approval, according to non-profit New Energy Economy’s President Mariel Nanasi. 

Students time travel for ‘AI Futures’ exercise during UNM AI Steering Committee event

Students, faculty and community members were guided to envision an “AI future” through participating in a number of questions and exercises to prompt thought and discussion during an event hosted by the University of New Mexico’s AI Steering Committee on Thursday.  UNM Professor of Information and Learning Science Vanessa Svihla moderated the time travel, guiding attendees to a future where AI is heavily present.  “You also notice other time tourists who seem displeased by this future. You hear them mumble something about missed profits, generative AI, and ‘we can change this easily if we just…’” Svihla told the audience, urging them to instead complete the sentence themselves. 

Comic, Aug. 31, 2026

Dry conditions leave bears hungry, vulnerable to euthanasia

As the state’s drought conditions become increasingly severe, bears have turned towards humans to find sustenance, with this decision often resulting in their death, experts say. Due to low availability of food, bear activity has increased in areas where people reside, Natasha Montoya, a spokesperson for New Mexico Department of Wildlife wrote in a statement to the Daily Lobo.   “Once a bear becomes accustomed to humans providing an easy food source, they can become habituated and may return to the same areas,” Montoya wrote. “When they become habituated in this way, humans and pets are put in danger and bears are put in a situation where they must either be relocated or euthanized.”  

Prominent Palestinian pop singer to perform at Popejoy Hall

Mohammed Assaf, a Palestinian pop singer known for winning the second season of “Arab Idol”, a television competition show, will be bringing a taste of Palestinian music and culture to Albuquerque in a live performance on Sept. 6 at Popejoy Hall.  As the ongoing war in Gaza continues to make headlines overwhelmed by a sense of hopelessness, music can bring people together, preserve cultural identity and celebrate perseverance, Albuquerque Palestinian-American activist Samia Assed told the Daily Lobo. Assed and her son Mohammed Jaber, a UNM alum, helped organize the performance through their family’s business, Zahriah Events. 

What New Mexicans should know as nationwide foodborne illness outbreaks surge

If you have been nervous about the food you’re eating lately, you are not alone.  Eggs, blueberries, jalapenos and alfalfa sprouts are among the growing list of foods that have made national headlines recently for being recalled for salmonella, E. coli and other forms of contamination, as the cyclospora outbreak in lettuce continues to chart its own path.   Last week, eggs were updated to the Class I contamination level by the Food & Drug Administration, which warns of a “reasonable probability that the use of or exposure to a violative product will cause serious adverse health consequences or death.” The update was issued to six distribution states, including New Mexico.

Albuquerque sees record consecutive triple-digit temperatures for August

Earlier this month, Albuquerque reached a record of three consecutive days of triple digit temperatures, along with record high temperatures for August, with August 3 and 4 reaching 101 degrees, and August 9 reaching 100 degrees, according to a National Weather Service Albuquerque statement sent to the Daily Lobo.  Three consecutive days of triple digit temperatures for August is a record, according to the statement. Temperatures are recorded at the Albuquerque Sunport, which is the official observation site. 

Frijoles Fire prompts health alerts and evacuation orders

The Frijoles Fire burning north of Santa Fe has grown to cover over 3000 acres in the Pecos Wilderness area and remains 0 percent contained, according to the U.S. Forest Service. The fire originated from a lightning strike on August 4 and has expanded at a rate of hundreds of acres per day.  Santa Fe County issued a mandatory evacuation order on Monday evening, placing residents  on Camino de Cañon Street in Cundiyó under “GO status,” meaning residents should evacuate immediately with an emergency supply kit, according to a Santa Fe County press release.  Santa Fe County Communications Coordinator Shawna Graves   shared an update on the fire’s status with the Daily Lobo after the evacuation order went into effect. 

Blackstone acquisition of PNM faces opposition, gains labor union support

During a July 28 Public Regulation Commission hearing regarding Blackstone’s acquisition of PNM, New Mexico residents filled the UNM Student Union Building ballroom and staged a “mic check” protest, calling the 6-hour hearing a “mockery of the democratic process.”  The PRC determined in June that TXNM — PNM’s parent company — and the private equity firm Blackstone violated state law in 2025 when they conducted a $400 million stock sale connected to the acquisition, according to Source NM.  

Religious leaders address anti-Islamic rhetoric after attack at North Valley church

Leaders from multiple faiths gathered for a press conference on July 29 at the St. Therese of the Infant Jesus Catholic Church to address recent attacks toward the church’s pastor, Father Vincent Paul Chavez, who had previously shown his public support for a proposed mosque in Albuquerque’s North Valley. 

VIDEO STORY: Albuquerque kite-making project honors children killed by Israeli attacks in Gaza

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Children make origami kites to honor children who have been killed in Gaza, displayed at First Unitarian Church for the Community Kite Project for Gaza Press Conference and Open House on April 28.

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