Nate Bernard - The Daily Lobo

News

Details shared on fatal dormitory shooting

Nate Bernard and Jaden McKelvey-Francis | September 8

On July 25, a deadly shooting occurred at the University of New Mexico’s main campus within the Casas Del Rio dormitory complex. The shooting took place in a dorm room and 5esulted in the death of 14-year-old Michael Lamotte and the injury of 19-year-old Daniel Archuleta. After an hours-long manhunt, New Mexico State Police apprehended the suspect, 18-year-old John Fuentes. As of Sunday, Sept. 7, Fuentes, who has been charged with murder in the first degree, aggravated battery, aggravated assault and tampering with evidence, is in the Bernalillo County Jail awaiting trial. On Aug. 29, UNM released 255 audio files of calls involving the UNM Police Department on the day of the shooting and a 34-page police report to the Daily Lobo.

Opinion

OPINION: #NotMyDuckPond

Nate Bernard | August 25

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.

Opinion

OPINION: Why New Mexico Democrats should be terrified of primary challengers

Nate Bernard | June 27

f New Mexico’s Democratic incumbents are sleeping easy, they might want to set an alarm. Across the country, a political undercurrent is turning into a wave — and it’s not coming from the right. In New York City, a progressive insurgent named Zohran Mamdani has proven that establishment Democrats are no longer safe in reliably blue states. That same undercurrent could begin to stir in New Mexico, where young, progressive challengers might be eyeing the 2026 primaries with serious intent — and real potential. On June 24, Mamdani, a 33-year-old democratic socialist and state assemblyman, toppled New York’s ex-governor Andrew Cuomo, a Democratic dinosaur with deep institutional backing, in the New York City Democratic mayoral primary.

News

REVIEW: I have a good feeling about Star Wars’

Elliott Wood and Nate Bernard | May 19

When we first sat down to watch Andor, we were skeptical. The Star Wars universe has been watered down as of late by Disney’s assembly line of turn-your-brain-off content and we were unsure if Star Wars would ever recover. When Disney announced that they would be creating a show centering around one Cassian Andor, we said, “Who?” But, after watching the complete show, we are delighted to say that “Andor” is a must-see and one of Star Wars’ best.

News

Lauren Lifke signs off

Nate Bernard | May 12

After three years chasing answers from University officials, searching through crime data and helping steer the Daily Lobo newsroom through an era of change, Daily Lobo Managing Editor Lauren Lifke is graduating with a bachelor's degree in journalism & mass communication and signing off. Known for her data-driven reporting, dark humor and fun little beverage in hand, Lifke leaves a legacy of accountability journalism and mentorship that helped reshape how student journalists cover the University of New Mexico. Lifke first joined the Daily Lobo her sophomore year with a piece for the 2023 satire issue — a fake article about celebrating Women’s history month by offering free hysterectomies in front of Chick-Fil-A at the UNM Student Union Building.

Culture

White Boy of the Month contest at UNM shut down

Maria Fernandez and Nate Bernard | April 14

The “White Boy of the Month” contest, an event with 21 contestants and over 50 attendees, was abruptly ended by University of New Mexico authorities on Thursday, April 10. The 21 contestants would have competed with impressions, dancing and any audience-suggested options while standing on a stool. Event posters posted around campus, featuring images of Zac Efron, Timothée Chalamet and Justin Bieber, encouraged all to compete.

Culture

UNO tournament deals out fun and funds

Nate Bernard | April 7

On Saturday, April 5, Canteen Brewhouse hosted its third annual UNO Tournament, drawing about 50 card-playing beer lovers and card sharks to their patio for an afternoon of friendly competition, drinks and community support. The event featured a bracket-style UNO competition with winners facing winners until one emerged as the ultimate UNO champion. Meanwhile, attendees enjoyed local brews and tested their luck in a raffle for prizes including T-shirts, water bottles and gift cards. Kenneth Kinderwater, who recently moved to Albuquerque, won both a raffle prize and a spot on the tournament bracket.

News

UNM releases draft changes to affirmative action policies

Lily Alexander and Nate Bernard | April 2

The University of New Mexico released prospective changes to its affirmative action policies on Friday, March 28. The draft policies — which largely remove references to affirmative action — are available on the UNM Policy Office website for the campus community’s review and commentary through Friday, April 4. Affirmative action at UNM seeks to promote race and gender diversity in employment by recruiting qualified women, minorities, people with disabilities and protected veterans, according to UNM Compliance, Ethics, & Equal Opportunity.

Satire

Duck exodus at UNM begins as Stokes surrenders to divine feathered wrath

Nate Bernard | March 31

After weeks of campus chaos brought about by divine poultry intervention, University of New Mexico President Garnett Stokes reversed her decision on the ducks’ exile to UNM Championship Golf Course. The ducks will soon return to the Duck Pond on main campus. Quackses, the former personal duck of Stokes, has emerged as a leader among the duck resistance. In protest of the new policy, Quackses waddled to Stokes’ desk outside Scholes Hall and presented his demands, which Stokes swiftly rejected. “Let my ducklings go” Quackses quacked to Stokes.

News

UNM to change gender, race and ethnicity-based employment policies after federal actions

Lily Alexander and Nate Bernard | March 24

The University of New Mexico reviewed and will revise its policies related to preferential hiring, promotion or compensation decisions based on gender, race or ethnicity following recent U.S. Department of Education guidelines and President Donald Trump’s executive orders. On March 6, UNM updated its website for guidance on federal executive actions to announce the policy review and upcoming revisions. UNM has submitted draft revisions to the Policy Office for review and expects approval and implementation over the next several weeks, according to UNM Chief Marketing and Communications Officer Cinnamon Blair.