Paloma Chapa

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. 

What New Mexicans should know about nationwide lettuce parasite

The phrase “explosive diarrhea” has recently been making national headlines since the cyclospora parasite outbreak began in May, with no confirmed link to any one specific food or supplier.   The parasite causes a corresponding gastrointestinal disease, cyclosporiasis, which has seen an increase in cases since the cyclospora surveillance period began on May 1, with 4,173 confirmed cases and 308 hospitalizations across 41 states, according to July 20 data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 

School of Law Dean Camille Carey to serve second term

On Monday, July 6, University of New Mexico Provost Barbara Rodriguez announced the reappointment of School of Law Dean Camille Carey, who will be serving her second term as dean of the school. Carey’s current term will conclude on June 30, 2027, and her second term will last for three years, beginning July 1, 2027, and ending on June 30, 2030, according to a statement from Rodriquez. 

UNM Law community continues push for new dean over multiple concerns

The University of New Mexico School of Law community is continuing to call for new leadership at the school after pressure for such change peaked this spring when students, faculty and alumni sent letters to UNM leadership, urging them to not recommend the renewal of Dean Camille Carey’s contract.  During a press conference at the UNM School of Law on June 22, alumni spoke about their concerns, including admissions being primarily based on LSAT scores, low numbers of New Mexican and Indigenous students, inability to retain law school faculty and loss of confidence in the school's ability to support students with multiple grievances.    The press conference was held to “demand Provost Barbara Rodriguez reject UNM School of Law Dean Camille Carey's contract renewal,” according to a press release from a representative for the Center for Civic Policy in Albuquerque.  

Community, NM United bring World Cup matches to neighborhood parks

Approximately 400 Albuquerque community members gathered at Montgomery Park on Friday evening to watch the United States and Paraguayan men’s national soccer teams battle in their World Cup opener in Los Angeles. The game was projected on a large viewing screen with a quality sound system, and the park offered space for pick-up games and soccer activities during commercial breaks.  The event was the second of multiple watch parties that are scheduled at local parks throughout the month of June, which are a collaboration between the City of Albuquerque and New Mexico United, according to a press release. 

Multiple officer-involved shootings in one week spark protest, questions

On Friday, June 5, protesters and relatives of Jose Armas and Robert Salas — who were both fatally shot by Albuquerque Police Department officers the week prior — gathered and marched from Robinson Park to APD’s headquarters.  Protesters called for “justice” for Salas and Armas, along with others who have been killed by APD officers in recent years. The march concluded with a vigil on the staircase of the APD headquarters, during which family members spoke to participants, calling for the release of all body camera footage and for police to handle mental health crises differently.

2026 New Mexico primary election results

On Tuesday, June 2, voters in New Mexico decided who would be the nominees for U.S. Senate, governor and lieutenant governor, among other local races during the state’s primary election day.   Here are the election results of the 2026 New Mexico primary elections, according to unofficial results from the New Mexico Secretary of State. 

2026 primary Election Day voting guide

Election Day for New Mexico’s primary elections is on June 2, when voters will have the opportunity to vote at 74 voting center locations across Bernalillo County from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., according to Bernalillo County.  The University of New Mexico’s Student Union Building will also serve as a voting center on Tuesday, with same-day voter registration available.  Here are some of the major races in which Democratic and Republican candidates are running to be on the ballot during the general election in November. 

UNM to launch campus-wide guidelines on ethical AI use

This fall, the University of New Mexico AI Steering Committee will be launching campus-wide guidelines and best practices to address aspects of artificial intelligence use that are considered “urgent,” including ethics and academic integrity, according to College of University Libraries & Learning Sciences Dean and AI Steering Committee Chair Mark Emmons.  The AI Steering Committee is made up of students, staff and faculty from across campus with a variety of expertise in artificial intelligence, and formed because of the large amount of AI use on campus without a coordinated set of policies or strategies to follow, Emmons said.   The committee was charged in late February by Interim Provost Barbara Rodriguez and will integrate AI efforts around campus with both a long-term and a short-term path, according to Emmons, who said the long-term path will involve a town hall that gathers students, faculty, staff and any interested stakeholders to supply guidance that may ultimately end up in policies.  

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