Advertise on podcast: New Mexico News Insiders

New Mexico's next governor will help shape the state's future. What would New Mexico's future look like under each candidate? Chris and Gabby host Democratic candidate Deb Haaland, former U.S. Secretary of the Interior under President Joe Biden, and Republican candidate Gregg Hull, longtime mayor of Rio Rancho. We ask both candidates tough, specific questions about their experience, priorities, and plans for leading New Mexico. Haaland and Hull both discuss their approaches to governing, plans for CYFD, potential tax cuts, how to address the cost of living, and how each of them would deal with plans for major data centers like Project Jupiter. How would their policies and priorities impact New Mexicans' everyday lives? Listen to both conversations and decide for yourself who should lead the state's highest office. Election Day in New Mexico is Tuesday, November 3rd. Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. We'll have live Election coverage showing statewide results on air and online at KRQE.com. Thanks for listening. If you’ve got an idea, send it to us at [email protected] or [email protected]. Give us a follow on social media at @ChrisMcKeeTV and @gburkNM. Watch or listen to our prior podcasts online at KRQE.com/insiders and our KRQE YouTube channel, or on broadcast TV every Wednesday at 10:30 p.m. MST on KRQE Xtra (channel 13.2 over the air).

New Mexico is home to an estimated 9,000 black bears. This year, more of them are crossing paths with people. By early August, the New Mexico Department of Wildlife had received 230 bear reports, up from 159 in 2025. So what's driving the increase? A dry winter and unusually dry, hot summer have made it harder for bears to find natural food, pushing them closer to neighborhoods. In August, a 67-year-old man was killed in a bear attack on the Navajo Nation. It was the state's first fatal bear mauling in more than 20 years. To learn more about this anomaly year for bear encounters, Chris and Gabby host Nick Forman, bear biologist and Assistant Chief of Wildlife with the New Mexico Department of Wildlife. Forman explains what's behind this year's surge in encounters, how recent rainfall could impact bear behavior, and how wildlife officials are responding. What should you do if you encounter a bear? From securing food sources to keeping windows closed at night, Forman shares practical tips to help keep families and New Mexico's bears safe. Thanks for listening. If you’ve got an idea, send it to us at [email protected] or [email protected]. Give us a follow on social media at @ChrisMcKeeTV and @gburkNM. Watch or listen to our prior podcasts online at KRQE.com/insiders and our KRQE YouTube channel, or on broadcast TV every Wednesday at 10:30 p.m. MST on KRQE Xtra (channel 13.2 over the air).

The Rio Grande ran dry in parts of New Mexico once again this year, and water managers warn this could be a glimpse of more challenges ahead. Despite recent rains, New Mexico is facing an increasingly limited water supply while demand continues to grow. So who gets the water when there isn't enough to go around? Chris and Gabby host Jason Casuga, Chief Engineer and CEO of the Middle Rio Grande Conservancy District, to talk about the state of the Rio Grande, and what happens when the river can't meet all of the demands placed on it. We also discuss the Rio Grande Compact, which involves three states' long-standing agreement to share water, and what it means if New Mexico fails to meet its court agreement. Casuga explains how water decisions New Mexico makes now could shape the state for generations. How much water will the river have in the future? What can you do about it today?  Thanks for listening. If you’ve got an idea, send it to us at [email protected] or [email protected]. Give us a follow on social media at @ChrisMcKeeTV and @gburkNM. Watch or listen to our prior podcasts online at KRQE.com/insiders and our KRQE YouTube channel, or on broadcast TV on Sundays at 10:30 a.m. on KRQE Fox (channel 13.1 over the air), and Wednesdays at 10:30 p.m. MST on KRQE Xtra (channel 13.2 over the air).

Albuquerque Mayor Tim Keller won an unprecedented third consecutive term. But after eight years in office, what's different this time around? In this episode of New Mexico News Insiders, Mayor Keller joins Chris and Gabby to talk about some of the continued challenges facing Albuquerque. Keller discusses tackling crime under APD's new leadership, homelessness, behavioral health, city finances, economic growth, and the future of Albuquerque's water supply. He says his vision for a third term is rooted in an "abundance over scarcity" mindset, looking for opportunities to grow rather than focusing on what communities and government may lack. We also ask Keller to look back: What progress does he believe the city has made under his leadership? What remains unfinished? And what does he want people to see by the end of his third term? Watch Mayor Keller's State of the City address here  Thanks for listening. If you’ve got an idea, send it to us at [email protected] or [email protected]. Give us a follow on social media at @ChrisMcKeeTV and @gburkNM. Watch or listen to our prior podcasts online at KRQE.com/insiders and our KRQE YouTube channel, or on broadcast TV every Wednesday at 10:30 p.m. MST on KRQE Xtra (channel 13.2 over the air).

The 1945 Trinity nuclear test was conducted in southern New Mexico, but advocates argue its effects lingered long after the bomb detonated. For decades, residents in communities surrounding the test site have pushed the federal government to recognize the health impacts New Mexicans endured in the years that followed. Tina Cordova, a seventh-generation New Mexican from Tularosa, joins Chris and Gabby to discuss the decades she's spent advocating for Trinity Downwinders, collecting data, and documenting the experiences of families across the Tularosa Basin. Her work includes a medical survey examining cancer and other health conditions reported by people who lived in the area around the time of the test. In 2025, the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act (RECA) was expanded to include certain people affected by the Trinity test. Eligible New Mexicans and surviving family members now qualify for $100,000 in federal compensation for certain compensable cancers. Who qualifies? What does the survey reveal about health impacts? Thanks for listening. If you’ve got an idea, send it to us at [email protected] or [email protected]. Give us a follow on social media at @ChrisMcKeeTV and @gburkNM. Watch or listen to our prior podcasts online at KRQE.com/insiders and our KRQE YouTube channel, or on broadcast TV every Wednesday at 10:30 p.m. MST on KRQE Xtra (channel 13.2 over the air).

As the Rio Grande runs dry each year and concerns grow about how much water we're drawing from underground, how secure is Albuquerque's drinking water supply? Chris and Gabby host Mark Kelly, Water Resource Division Manager for the Albuquerque Bernalillo County Water Utility Authority (ABCWUA), to explain how Albuquerque's unique water system works and what it will take to keep the taps flowing for generations. Kelly explains where our water comes from, how the metro's approach to conservation has changed since the 1990s, and the 100-year plan to protect our water supply. What happens when the weather doesn't provide? How prepared is Albuquerque for a drier future?  Thanks for listening. If you’ve got an idea, send it to us at [email protected] or [email protected]. Give us a follow on social media at @ChrisMcKeeTV and @gburkNM. Watch or listen to our prior podcasts online at KRQE.com/insiders and our KRQE YouTube channel, or on broadcast TV every Wednesday at 10:30 p.m. MST on KRQE Xtra (channel 13.2 over the air).

For years, the McKinley County District Attorney's Office was plagued by allegations of misconduct, dropped criminal cases, and a growing backlog that raised serious questions about the county's justice system. Earlier this year, elected District Attorney Bernadine Martin resigned rather than face an unprecedented misconduct trial before the New Mexico Supreme Court. Now, a new DA appointed by the governor is tasked with cleaning up the aftermath and rebuilding an office that had lost the trust of its employees and the community. KRQE Investigative Reporter Ann Pierret traveled to Gallup for the latest chapter in a story she's been following for more than a year. How is new leadership tackling the backlog? Can trust in the system be restored? Stick to the end of the episode for a special message from the KRQE Investigates team.  Thanks for listening. If you’ve got an idea, send it to us at [email protected] or [email protected]. Give us a follow on social media at @ChrisMcKeeTV and @gburkNM. Watch or listen to our prior podcasts online at KRQE.com/insiders and our KRQE YouTube channel, or on broadcast TV every Wednesday at 10:30 p.m. MST on KRQE Xtra (channel 13.2 over the air).

For more than two decades, Sheryl Williams Stapleton was a powerful force in New Mexico politics. She was the first African American woman elected to the state Legislature, served as Democratic House Majority Floor Leader, and sponsored hundreds of pieces of legislation, many focused on education. But in 2021, her political career came crashing down. Federal investigators accused Stapleton of using her positions at Albuquerque Public Schools and in the Legislature to steer $1.15 million in taxpayer-funded contracts meant for Albuquerque students, for her personal use. After years of investigation and legal delays, the case finally went to trial in federal court. Stapleton and her co-conspirator, Joseph Johnson, were convicted of fraud, money laundering, and bribery. KRQE reporter Bela Olague was in the courtroom nearly every day, and joins Chris and Gabby to unpack the evidence and arguments that ultimately led to federal convictions. It's a closer look at the rise and fall of one of New Mexico's most notable political figures. Watch Larry Barker's 2021 investigation  Thanks for listening. If you’ve got an idea, send it to us at [email protected] or [email protected]. Give us a follow on social media at @ChrisMcKeeTV and @gburkNM. Watch or listen to our prior podcasts online at KRQE.com/insiders and our KRQE YouTube channel, or on broadcast TV every Wednesday at 10:35 p.m. MST on Fox.

There's no question that fentanyl is killing New Mexicans. But how is it getting onto our streets, and what can law enforcement do to stop it? Chris and Gabby talk with Albuquerque Public Safety Director and former FBI Special Agent in Charge, Raul Bujanda, about the city's fight against fentanyl and the role of the border in drug trafficking. Bujanda shares his perspective on what law enforcement is doing to combat a crisis that continues to devastate communities. We also dig into a recent Associated Press investigation that raised troubling questions about DEA agents allowing massive fentanyl shipments to continue moving through New Mexico as part of investigations into larger trafficking networks. The reporting has sparked public outrage and calls for investigations and accountability from state leaders. When does a law-enforcement strategy designed to catch major traffickers put the public at risk? And who's responsible for protecting New Mexicans from deadly fentanyl? Thanks for listening. If you’ve got an idea, send it to us at [email protected] or [email protected]. Give us a follow on social media at @ChrisMcKeeTV and @gburkNM. Watch or listen to our prior podcasts online at KRQE.com/insiders and our KRQE YouTube channel, or on broadcast TV every Wednesday at 10:35 p.m. MST on Fox.

Crypto or Bitcoin ATMs are everywhere, including laundromats and grocery stores across New Mexico. But as scammers increasingly use cryptocurrency to steal money from victims, cities and states are taking a closer look at the machines. New Mexicans reported millions in cryptocurrency fraud losses last year, and Albuquerque City Councilors are now considering an ordinance to remove crypto ATMs from city limits. Chris and Gabby dive into the topic with Brian Watson, a Community Outreach Specialist with R.O.S.E. and former IRS Criminal Investigator. Watson explains how crypto ATM scams work, why scammers often target older adults, and the devastating losses he's seen firsthand. How is AI changing the way scammers target financial information? What can you do to protect yourself and your family? Are crypto ATMs a convenience, or a tool scammers are exploiting?  Thanks for listening. If you’ve got an idea, send it to us at [email protected] or [email protected]. Give us a follow on social media at @ChrisMcKeeTV and @gburkNM. Watch or listen to our prior podcasts online at KRQE.com/insiders and our KRQE YouTube channel, or on broadcast TV every Wednesday at 10:35 p.m. MST on Fox New Mexico.

A southeast New Mexico newspaper in operation for more than 120 years announced its sudden closure in July. But within days, a local publishing company stepped in to save it from extinction. The Roswell Daily Record's new ownership argues that local news isn't dead, but the business model of legacy newspapers is in crisis. Pat Davis, a former longtime Albuquerque City Councilor turned news junkie, is making the case to save local publications one newspaper at a time. With the recent purchase of the Daily Record, Davis' company CTRL+P Publishing now owns eight news outlets in rural parts of New Mexico, helping save those communities from becoming news deserts. Davis explains why he believes access to local journalism is crucial for healthy communities. He also shares his vision for creating a sustainable future for community journalism. Can local newspapers survive and thrive in the digital age?  Thanks for listening. If you’ve got an idea, send it to us at [email protected] or [email protected]. Give us a follow on social media at @ChrisMcKeeTV and @gburkNM. Watch or listen to our prior podcasts online at KRQE.com/insiders and our KRQE YouTube channel, or on broadcast TV every Wednesday at 10:35 p.m. MST on Fox New Mexico.

For years, New Mexico has been the backdrop for thousands of movies and TV shows, attracting filmmakers while generating millions for the state's economy. But this summer, many local crew members are feeling a slowdown as productions have become harder to find. This week on the New Mexico News Insiders Podcast, KRQE's own film buff, Anchor-Reporter Chad Brummett joins Chris and Gabby to unpack what's happening behind the scenes of New Mexico's film industry. From the rise of streaming and independent filmmaking, to fierce competition from production incentives in Canada and Saudi Arabia, the conversation explores current challenges in New Mexico's film industry.  What does a slowdown in summer production mean for the crews, businesses, and communities that rely on TV and film? Has Netflix Studios made the intended economic impact in New Mexico? Stick around to the end as your hosts share some of their favorite movies and TV shows filmed right here in the Land of Enchantment. Click here to watch Gabby's referenced interview with Jesse Eisenberg Thanks for listening. If you’ve got an idea, send it to us at [email protected] or [email protected]. Give us a follow on social media at @ChrisMcKeeTV and @gburkNM. Watch or listen to our prior podcasts online at KRQE.com/insiders and our KRQE YouTube channel, or on broadcast TV every Wednesday at 10:35 p.m. MST on Fox New Mexico.

When New Mexico became the first state in the nation to offer free childcare for families regardless of income, it made national headlines and sparked a major question: How will this work? Since the program's launch on November 1, 2025, thousands of families have enrolled, but the rollout hasn't been without its challenges. ECECD Secretary Elizabeth Groginsky joins Chris and Gabby to discuss the state of New Mexico's universal childcare program, including provider shortages, access gaps in rural communities, recent legislation aimed at ensuring long-term sustainability, and the biggest successes so far. How many childcare providers does New Mexico still need? Where will the money come from long-term? Are other states planning to follow New Mexico's lead? We take a closer look at whether the nation's first universal childcare program is delivering on its promise. Curious about eligibility and how to apply? Click here.  Thanks for listening. If you’ve got an idea, send it to us at [email protected] or [email protected]. Give us a follow on social media at @ChrisMcKeeTV and @gburkNM. Watch or listen to our prior podcasts online at KRQE.com/insiders and our KRQE YouTube channel, or on broadcast TV every Wednesday at 10:35 p.m. MST on Fox New Mexico.

Chef Marie Yniguez has become one of New Mexico's most recognizable chefs, earning national attention through appearances on Chopped, Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives, and recognition as a James Beard Award semifinalist. But behind the success is a reality local restaurant owners know all too well. Chef Marie joins Chris and Gabby for a heart-to-heart about her decision to close her downtown Albuquerque restaurant, My Moms, on July 31st. She shares the challenges of running a small business amid rising food costs, increasing expenses, and a changing restaurant industry. A New Mexico native, Chef Marie also reflects on how she fell in love with cooking in her mom's kitchen, the inspiration behind her authentic New Mexican comfort food, and what makes our state's cuisine so special. She also explains why this chapter isn't the end of her story. It's a candid conversation about passion, perseverance, community, and what's next for one of New Mexico's most celebrated chefs. After July 31, you can catch Chef Marie running her SRB Sangwich food truck at Marble Brewery in Albuquerque.  Thanks for listening. If you’ve got an idea, send it to us at [email protected] or [email protected]. Give us a follow on social media at @ChrisMcKeeTV and @gburkNM. Watch or listen to our prior podcasts online at KRQE.com/insiders and on our KRQE YouTube channel, or on broadcast TV every Wednesday at 10:35 p.m. MST on Fox New Mexico.

High school is changing in Albuquerque. New Mexico's biggest school district, Albuquerque Public Schools, is expanding its Academies of Albuquerque initiative, which blends traditional academics with hands-on learning and career pathways in fields like STEM, health science, culinary arts, and skilled trades. As public schools face declining enrollment and growing competition from charter and private schools, districts are looking for new ways to keep students engaged and prepare them for life after graduation. Kenneth Salazar, Associate Superintendent of High Schools at APS, joins Chris and Gabby to explain how the program works, what's changing in year two, and why APS believes this is the future of high school education. Is career-focused learning giving students a head start, or asking them to choose a path too soon? How is industry connecting with New Mexico students at a younger age?  Thanks for listening. If you’ve got an idea, send it to us at [email protected] or [email protected]. Give us a follow on social media at @ChrisMcKeeTV and @gburkNM. Watch or listen to our prior podcasts online at KRQE.com/insiders and our KRQE YouTube channel, or on broadcast TV every Wednesday at 10:35 p.m. MST on Fox New Mexico.