Shin Thant Hlaing - The Daily Lobo

News

Community participates in same-day voter registration at UNM

Shin Thant Hlaing | November 12

After 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 5, a line of students and community members for same-day voter registration voting extended through about half of the Student Union Building’s lower level. The line of voters extended from Louie’s Lounge to the Lobo Food Pantry. Earlier in the evening, the moving line went as far back as the entrance of the Southwest Film Center. Some voters waited in line for up to four hours. This is the first year that same-day voter registration on Election Day was made available in New Mexico, according to the Bernalillo County Clerk website.

News

From ‘concrete pond’ to ‘center of peace’: Students react to Duck Pond renovation

Shin Thant Hlaing | November 11

The University of New Mexico Duck Pond is scheduled for renovations from Nov. 6 until late spring 2025. Originally named University Pond, the Duck Pond was previously an artificial structure built over the area of a parking lot that lacked surrounding foliage. University Pond was perceived as an obtrusive, tacky structure, until the introduction of ducks made it an “instant hit” among students, according to UNM Campus History. The Daily Lobo called the pond the “Concrete Pond” in an article that ran on Oct. 8, 1975. Today’s Duck Pond, as UNM Over the Years put it, is “almost never devoid of student life.”

News

Duck Pond to see renovations; fish, turtles and ducks to be relocated

Shin Thant Hlaing | November 4

The University of New Mexico Duck Pond is scheduled to undergo a renovation that will begin in mid-November and improve aging infrastructure, water quality, safety, accessibility and maintenance demands. The revitalization project will not change the shape or character of the Duck Pond, according to UNM Facilities Design and Construction. The renovation is expected to improve the circulation of oxygen using a new fountain, according to a statement by UNM Institutional Support Services to the Daily Lobo. The pond will be made deeper to reduce sunlight penetration, water temperature and algal growth.

News

Bond question four: Public Safety Radio Communications Systems

Shin Thant Hlaing | October 21

The Public Safety Radio Communications Systems Bond Issue on the New Mexico ballot would issue $10 million to improve radio communication systems for first responders in the state if it passes. This type of radio infrastructure is used by first responders — such as police and medical professionals — to stay in contact with people in need of their services and with each other, according to Advanced Network Services. The funds would aim to “plan, design, purchase, install and implement related infrastructure to stabilize and modernize public safety radio communications systems statewide,” according to House Bill 308.

News

UNM senior pushes for new crosswalk along Central Avenue

Shin Thant Hlaing | October 14

A senior at the University of New Mexico is spearheading an initiative to get a crosswalk installed on Central Avenue and Buena Vista Drive to minimize risky pedestrian crossing. Jackie Davis is a geography major who regularly crossed at the intersection of Central Avenue and Buena Vista Drive during her junior year. She saw that she wasn’t the only one crossing at the intersection, which doesn’t currently have a crosswalk. The two closest crosswalks are at Yale Boulevard to the east and University Boulevard to the west.

News

‘Speaking of Genocide’: Professor of Holocaust and Genocide Studies presents at UNM

Shin Thant Hlaing | October 7

On Sept. 30, Brown University professor of Holocaust and genocide studies, Omer Bartov, delivered a talk at the University of New Mexico about the war in Gaza. Barktov is considered one of the world’s leading authorities on genocide, according to UNM Newsroom. He held the talk, called “Speaking of Genocide: the Holocaust, Israel-Palestine and the War in Gaza since October 7,” at the Anthropology Hall. The hall — designed to accommodate 290 people — was filled with attendees, and more people stood outside in the hallway. The talk was delivered the same day that the Israel Defense Forces began ground operations in southern Lebanon, according to the Washington Post.

Culture

REVIEW: ‘Alligator Bites Never Heal’ sees Doechii in her element

Shin Thant Hlaing | September 16

Rapper Doechii sits poised against a regal green background, dressed in brown, white and lighter shades of green. Beaded cornrows flow past her shoulders with an albino alligator perched on her lap, an homage to her Florida roots. A line from the Doechii’s Spotify bio reads “Did you expect anything less?”

Sports

Isotopes start series strong

Shin Thant Hlaing | September 2

The Albuquerque Isotopes started a series on Tuesday, Aug. 27 against the Reno Aces. The 6-2 win followed a game during which the stadium held its breath. Left fielder Jimmy Herron had a homerun in the bottom of the fifth inning. Later in the seventh inning, first baseman Elehuris Montero — who was named Pacific Coast League player of the month for July — doubled. Herron then sent Montero home with a line drive single to put the Isotopes up 2-0.

Culture

OPINION: Reflecting on the 100th Zozobra as a first-time attendee

Shin Thant Hlaing | September 2

This year, Zozobra — “Old Man Gloom” — turns 100. Zozobra has grown to be a 50-foot marionette, one of the largest functioning marionettes in the world, according to the Zozobra website. He represents the anxiety, hardships and regrets of the people. Every year, slips of paper with the “glooms” of attendees are stuffed into the towering effigy and Zozobra’s arch enemy, the Fire Spirit, sets it alight. Zozobra’s website refers to the burning as “an annual cleansing ritual for the entire community, offering a fresh start and a renewed hope for the coming year.”

News

Communication and journalism department revamps broadcast studio

Shin Thant Hlaing | September 2

The Department of Communication and Journalism has a new revamped live streaming studio that can be used by students and faculty alike at the University of New Mexico. The studio has been available for booking since Aug. 19. Santi Colmenero, audio-visual technician for the communication and journalism department, said they wanted to make use of old dormant equipment lying around. They aimed to create a studio that met modern and contemporary needs, according to UNM Newsroom, and began working on developing the studio space in September 2023.