Shin Thant Hlaing - The Daily Lobo

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City councilor, UNM Researchers collaborate on food security research

Shin Thant Hlaing | October 13

How long would it take you to access fresh food? How much money for gas would be added to the cost of your groceries? How much time would you spend walking, or on buses? For residents of Albuquerque’s International District the answer is unfortunately simple: too long. But now, that could change for the better. On Oct. 2, a collaboration between district six City Councilor Nicole Rogers and researchers from the University of New Mexico based in the Sustainability Studies Department was announced.

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New Instagram Map feature draws backlash from attorneys general, legislators and users

Shin Thant Hlaing | August 25

On Aug. 13, New Mexico Attorney General Raúl Torrez and Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr co-led a letter to Instagram regarding its new live location sharing maps feature. Among Torrez and Carr, 35 other attorneys general signed onto this letter, which claimed the feature raised “public safety and data privacy concerns — particularly for vulnerable users, including children and survivors of domestic violence,” the letter reads. This feature was intended to be a “lightweight” way to connect with each other and is automatically turned off unless users choose to opt in, according to Meta. The feature allows users to share their location with people they follow back. Users can also hide their location from certain people or hide their location when they are in certain places.

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REVIEW: New music from Marina is introspective yet flashy

Shin Thant Hlaing | July 30

After ten years of waiting, Marina fans have finally gotten what they asked for — the release of the 12th track written for “FROOT,” Marina’s third album — on its tenth anniversary. This release follows a new album by Marina, titled “Princess of Power,” on June 6. Marina — formerly known as Marina and the Diamonds — is most widely known for songs like “Prima Donna Girl,” “How to be a Heart Breaker” and “Bublegum Bitch,” popularizing overtly campy, quirky and over-the-top music and aesthetics.

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Harvest Market soon to come to International District

Shin Thant Hlaing | July 21

Construction for an outdoor grower’s market coming to the International District has broken ground this summer with hopes of revitalizing the area. The project will be allocated approximately $1 million to support the market, which would feature vendors of produce and art. The funding for the project comes from City Councilor Nicole Rogers’ Government Obligation bond for 2025. A Government Obligation Bond is $1.5 million that a City Councilor has the ability to spend on a project of their choice.

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REVIEW: Lindy’s Diner is historic … ally mediocre

Shin Thant Hlaing | July 18

Lindy’s Diner is a historic restaurant that has been featured in thirty movies and TV shows, but the food was hardly showstopping. In the mood for a heartier breakfast that day, I got steak and eggs, with hash browns, toast and a side of green chile. I was asked if I wanted the green chile in sauce form or chopped. I thought about asking for it in sauce form, but went with chopped. I was picturing some diced pieces of green chile in a salsa-type of situation.

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Affordable Housing in Albuquerque; what’s being done

Shin Thant Hlaing | July 9

Lack of affordable housing is a modern-day hydra in many American cities — Albuquerque is no exception. In 2022, the median affordable home price for a renter with a median household income was $163,000. The median home price in Albuquerque that year was $315,000, 93% more than the median affordable home price, according to the City of Albuquerque’s Housing Needs Assessment. The causes of this crisis range from income not keeping up with rent or property prices to low supply of properties available to people, according to Housing New Mexico and the City of Albuquerque.

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Hair braiders to be able to practice without a cosmetology license

Shin Thant Hlaing | June 20

Starting July 1, hair braiders will be exempt from the requirement of a cosmetology license to practice hair braiding due to the recently signed “Exempting Hair Braiding from Provisions of the Barbers and Cosmetologists Act.” Four State House Representatives — Rep. Janelle Anyanonu (D-Albuquerque), Rep. Harold Pope (D-Albuquerque), Rep. Patricia Roybal Caballero (D-Albuquerque) and Rep. Pamelya Herndon (D-Albuquerque) — sponsored the bill. The bill would open up the opportunity for many black people to start small businesses in New Mexico, stimulating the local economy, Herndon said.

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Duck Pond to reopen in August

Shin Thant Hlaing | June 13

On Aug. 8, The University of New Mexico Duck Pond is expected to have its long-awaited grand opening that invites students into a lush and vibrant habitat teeming with aquatic life, according to UNM Facilities Design and Construction. The nine month long renovation project is expected to bring improvements in water quality, compliance with ADA guidelines and the return of most of the pond animals. The $4 million renovation project will keep character defining features — the shape of the pond, waterfall and fountains — unchanged from its 2006 condition, according to a Project Overview document provided to the Daily Lobo.

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UNM increases student fees to strengthen Lobo Athletics

Shin Thant Hlaing | June 2

On May 20, the University of New Mexico Board of Regents approved a $45 increase in student fees per semester next year and an additional $60, totaling $105 per semester for undergraduates in two years, to fund UNM Athletics for the 2025-26 and 2026-27 academic years. The fee increase is expected to address the athletics funding gaps between UNM and peer universities in the Mountain West Conference, according to a Board of Regents meeting summary document.

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Elizabeth Secor graduates with leadership and journalistic skills

Shin Thant Hlaing | May 12

Student journalist Elizabeth Secor has touched most bases when it comes to journalism as an undergraduate. A former multimedia editor for the Daily Lobo, a former editor for New Mexico News Port and a member of The New York Times Corp mentorship program, Secor is graduating this semester with a bachelor’s degree in journalism & mass communication and a minor in professional writing. Secor started writing for the Daily Lobo her freshman year and served as the multimedia editor from January to June 2023. “I’ve always enjoyed being able to write,” Secor said. “In college, unless you’re getting internships, it’s kind of hard to go find stories and be able to write for a publication.”