Shin Thant Hlaing - The Daily Lobo

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ASUNM President announces transportation, AI initiatives

Shin Thant Hlaing | February 2

The Associated Students at the University of New Mexico kicked off the spring semester with a number of announcements from ASUNM President Andrew Norton on executive priorities at the first full senate meeting of the year on Wednesday, Jan. 28. Many of the initiatives involved student transportation, both for those with and without a personal vehicle. Among these initiatives were the creation of a student parking committee, an “alternative parking system” and an increase in funding for parking and the potential for a partnership with Uber. The Uber partnership would be focused on providing free or reduced fares for students using the app within a 10-mile radius of the campus.

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Student government previews legislative priorities

Shin Thant Hlaing | January 26

On Wednesday, Feb. 4, students and staff from the University of New Mexico will participate in “UNM Day,” an annual event at the state legislature meant to increase the University’s lobbying presence at the capitol. This year, the legislative priorities of the Associated Students at the University of New Mexico are the “Basic Needs Fund,” an upcoming bill meant to address non-academic barriers to education access, and a Capital Outlay request to improve parking security for T-Lot and P-Lot.

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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.