Paloma Chapa

Graduating Daily Lobo cartoonist Avery Silfer illustrates a powerful legacy

For the past year, Daily Lobo readers could always count on seeing a — very often cat-inspired — positive or thought-provoking comic strip on the last page of the weekly paper.  Daily Lobo Cartoonist Avery Silfer’s weekly comics have the ability to make readers smile and boost self-worth, or reflect on tragedy and political tension.  This semester, Silfer is graduating with her bachelor’s degree in art studio with a minor in journalism, after having produced over 100 illustrations for the paper. 

Haaland talks data centers, free graduate tuition during Law School visit

During a Q&A style conversation at the University of New Mexico Law School on Monday, April 27, Law Students spoke to New Mexico gubernatorial candidate from the Pueblo of Laguna Deb Haaland about a variety of topics including data centers, economic stimulus, healthcare and the Israel and Palestine conflict.  Haaland opened her remarks by recalling her “depression and frustration” over not passing the  bar exam after graduating from the UNM Law School.  “You do all the work, and the Creator makes you take a sharp right turn or a left turn, and you have no clue why,” Haaland said. “I feel very strongly that if I had passed my bar exam, I wouldn't be standing here as the Secretary of the Interior.”  

City Nature Challenge puts local biodiversity on the map

The Albuquerque City Nature Challenge, taking place from April 24-27, is inviting everyone to become citizen scientists through documenting the city’s biodiversity in Bernalillo, Sandoval and Valencia Counties, as part of a global collaborative effort to document wildlife observations of all kinds.  R.H. Mallory Center for Community Geography Associate Director Laurel Ladwig said the City Nature Challenge is a way to get people to know the nature around them while helping create an urban biodiversity map using the iNaturalist app or website, and that Albuquerque has participated in the challenge since 2019. Ladwig said that habitat is everywhere in the city, citing her experience with some trees in a restaurant parking lot along I-25. 

UNM Sustainability Expo showcases resilience initiatives

The University of New Mexico Cornell Mall transformed into a growers’ market as dozens of local organizations, businesses, UNM departments and student groups lined the mall with booths, displaying and highlighting sustainability initiatives at the annual campus Sustainability Expo. On Thursday, April 23, Hundreds of students passed through the expo and networked with different vendors, some leaving with plants and fresh eggs. Freshman Avah Trujillo and sophomore Taylor Alwin said it was their first time at the expo and they both enjoyed the Lobo Garden table, which was handing out fresh herbs.

Meet Gwich'in elder, caribou protector Sarah James

Albuquerque’s final annual Gathering of Nations Pow Wow drew over 100,000 participants and attendees from tribes across the country to Expo New Mexico on April 24-25.  One of the attendees was Neets’aii Gwich’in elder Sarah James from Arctic Village, who came from Alaska for the Pow Wow. James is internationally-known for her efforts to protect the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge from oil and gas development.  She won the Goldman Environmental Prize in 2002, and is among multiple Native women authors in the book “Worlds within Us: Wisdom and Resilience of Indigenous Women Elders.” 

Attorneys claim client mischaracterized by former Law School Dean

On Wednesday, April 8, attorneys Julio Romero and Kelly Sanchez sent a letter to University of New Mexico leadership addressing  inaccuracies and alleged “mischaracterizations” of their client by former UNM Law School Dean Sergio Pareja in a letter he sent to UNM leadership on March 31.  Romero, Sanchez and the ACLU represented a former law student who raised due process violations against the law school after meeting with Vice Dean Steven Homer on Nov. 19, 2024, regarding what the client alleged was retaliatory  allegations of misconduct made against her by another law student. Romero and Sanchez wrote that the law school received audio of the Nov. 19 meeting with the student and Homer over the disciplinary violation that captured Homer “prematurely interrogating the student and telling the student he had already decided the student’s truthfulness,” before giving her an opportunity to select between a formal or informal investigation. 

Experts warn against permitted killing of Mexican wolves

On Feb. 24, the United States Fish and Wildlife Service released a now-expired document authorizing designated individuals in Catron county to kill a Mexican wolf on private land or “in the act of biting, killing, or wounding livestock on Federal land.” Some experts warn the permitted killings fail to save cattle and could threaten the endangered species.  The permit’s duration spanned from Feb. 19 through April 4, or until a wolf was taken, stating that it be done “as quickly and humanely as possible.” No wolves were reported to have been killed under the permit, according to New Mexico Conservation Lead for WildEarth Guardians Leia Barnett.  Senior Conservation Advocate with the Center for Biological Diversity and author of the book “Predatory Bureaucracy” Michael Robinson said persecution of the Mexican grey wolf by the federal government has historically occurred on behalf of the livestock industry. 

Protesters rally, Trump threatens death of Iran’s ‘whole civilization’

On Tuesday, April 7, protesters gathered at the corner of Central Avenue and University Boulevard in response to President Donald Trump’s threats to wipe out the Iranian civilization if the country didn’t reopen the Strait of Hormuz by his 8 p.m. deadline.  “A whole civilization will die tonight, never to be brought back again. I don’t want that to happen, but it probably will. However, now that we have Complete and Total Regime Change, where different, smarter, and less radicalized minds prevail, maybe something revolutionarily wonderful can happen, WHO KNOWS? We will find out tonight, one of the most important moments in the long and complex history of the World. 47 years of extortion, corruption, and death, will finally end. God Bless the Great People of Iran!” Trump wrote on Truth Social.  The war between Iran and the U.S. had been ongoing for six weeks before the two countries agreed on a two-week ceasefire less than two hours before the deadline, according to CBS News. 

Law school faces alleged failure to protect students against sexual misconduct

After law students sent an open letter on March 2 raising concerns about the University of New Mexico Law School administration, the University continues to face pressure with renewing Law School Dean Camille Carey’s contract.  The letter alleges multiple failures, including protecting students and ensuring accountability in disciplinary matters involving Associate Dean Steven Homer and Carey, including a case of sexual misconduct. On Feb. 26, the ACLU wrote a letter to the Provost’s Office alleging that “problems at the law school are serious and merit attention.”   

ChatGPT to replace UNM libraries

Last week, University of New Mexico Libraries announced that the generative AI chatbot ChatGPT will be replacing all libraries on Main Campus. The change comes after the majority of books in libraries were found to be more useful for paper-eating silverfish and booklice than for students. On a single flier posted on Zimmerman, UNM Libraries announcement stated that books are now “dead weight” and by switching to ChatGPT, students have access to information in seconds rather than having to roam the stacks to find a book. UNM librarian Rita Book said replacing UNM Libraries with ChatGPT would streamline the library system and ultimately save space on campus when the libraries are demolished.  

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: Thousands take part in Albuquerque's second 'No Kings' march

Thousands marched in Downtown on Oct. 18 to protest against the Trump administration and its policies.  Eve Padilla-Salazar⁩ is a freelance videographer for the Daily Lobo. She can be reached at multimedia@dailylobo.com or on X @dailylobo  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: 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: 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.

VIDEO STORY: At UNM Hanging of the Greens, students project messages in support of Palestine

VIDEO STORY: Albuquerque community marches against Trump's reelection