New Mexico News Insiders

Democratic Primary Showdown: Haaland vs. Bregman

New Mexico's race for governor is heating up. Two Democrats and three Republicans are vying for their parties' nomination to earn a spot on the November ballot. In this special primary election episode, Democratic candidates Deb Haaland and Sam Bregman sit down for in-depth conversations about the issues shaping the campaign. Haaland, the former Congresswoman and U.S. Secretary of the Interior, and Bregman, the Bernalillo County District Attorney, outline their visions for the state and how they would tackle some of New Mexico's biggest challenges, including crime, healthcare, education, the economy, and the future of CYFD.

Chris and Gabby press both candidates on their priorities and policy differences ahead of the primaries. This is the first time in New Mexico where independent voters can cast a ballot in a primary race.

Primary Election Day is June 2, and early voting is already underway. Tune in for our live Q&A on Fox 505 with each candidate at 6 p.m. on May 12, followed by live analysis from Chris and Gabby on the New Mexico News Insiders Podcast - livestreamed on YouTube. Interviews with the Republican candidates for governor will air in a later episode of this podcast.  

Thanks for listening. If you’ve got an idea, send it to us at chris.mckee@krqe.com or gabrielle.burkhart@krqe.com. 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.

New Mexico Vs. Meta: Will Social Media Habits Change?

A New Mexico jury has delivered a landmark verdict against Meta, finding the company knowingly put children and teens at risk, while misleading users about the safety of its platforms. Chris and Gabby break down the trial with on-the-ground reporting from KRQE's Bela Olague, explaining what jurors heard during the six-week trial and why it mattered. Then, New Mexico Attorney General Raúl Torrez joins the conversation to unpack the broader impact: what this decision means for families navigating social media, what comes next in the state's ongoing legal fight against Meta, and whether this case could reshape how a generation of parents thinks about their kids' online lives. Is this a turning point for Big Tech accountability? Will it change how any of us engage online?

Thanks for listening. If you’ve got an idea, send it to us at chris.mckee@krqe.com or gabrielle.burkhart@krqe.com. 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. 

Promises vs. Reality: New Mexico's Broken Child Welfare System

A year-long investigation into New Mexico's child welfare system is raising serious concerns about the agency tasked with protecting children. Why is the state’s Children, Youth, and Families Department (CYFD) in crisis? Attorney General for New Mexico, Raúl Torrez, joins Chris and Gabby to unpack the findings of a sweeping report, revealing systemic failures and often deadly consequences for vulnerable children across the state. Where is the system breaking down? What needs to change? And what should be a top priority for New Mexico's next governor?

• Read the report published by the New Mexico Department of Justice: 'Systemic Failures: How CYFD Endangers the Children It's Meant to Protect
• Read CYFD's response to the NMDOJ report 

Thanks for listening. If you’ve got an idea, send it to us at chris.mckee@krqe.com or gabrielle.burkhart@krqe.com. 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. 

Gas Prices Surge: Why New Mexico Isn’t Immune

Gas prices are climbing past $4 a gallon in parts of New Mexico. Even in one of the nation's top oil-producing states, locals are feeling the squeeze. Chris and Gabby sit down with Reilly White, Associate Dean of Teaching & Learning at the University of New Mexico, to break down how global conflict with Iran is driving local costs, and the long-term impact of an oil shock like this. Even if prices drop soon, White explains the economic ripple effects could last for months. What does that mean for families, businesses, and New Mexico's economy? White also shares practical tips to help you manage your budget during this stretch of higher prices.

Thanks for listening. If you’ve got an idea, send it to us at chris.mckee@krqe.com or gabrielle.burkhart@krqe.com. 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. 

'No Complacency': Jason Eck On Building A Winning Culture at UNM

After a breakout year for Lobo football, Head Football Coach Jason Eck sits down with Chris and Gabby for a candid conversation about what comes next, and why fighting complacency might be his biggest challenge yet. He shares details about what sold him on staying at the University of New Mexico, moving his family of seven to Albuquerque, and working to build a program that can sustain winning. Eck also opens up about the mindset driving this new era of Lobos football, at a time when money talks in college football.

He also has a message for fans: showing up matters more than you think. It's an inside look at the coach bringing new energy and big expectations to New Mexico, and how the locals are responding. 

Thanks for listening. If you’ve got an idea, send it to us at chris.mckee@krqe.com or gabrielle.burkhart@krqe.com. 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. 

New Mexico Takes On PFAS: Faster Detection & New Label Requirements

New Mexico is taking on forever chemicals. Sandia National Laboratories scientists Ryan Davis and Nathan Bays join Chris and Gabby this week to explain their breakthrough that dramatically speeds up PFAS testing, helping detect contaminated water faster and cheaper than ever before. It’s a step that could ultimately help the public and regulators better understand whether harmful chemicals are in water systems. Also in this episode, New Mexico Environment Department Secretary James Kenney breaks down new state rules requiring products containing PFAS to be labeled in stores. What does this mean for consumers & manufacturers? What kinds of consumer products still have PFAS?

• Read more about rapid PFAS testing
• Read more about new PFAS label requirements
• KRQE News 13's Bela Olague reports on New Mexico's upcoming PFAS labeling requirements.

Thanks for listening. If you’ve got an idea, send it to us at chris.mckee@krqe.com or gabrielle.burkhart@krqe.com. 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. 

Inside The Roundhouse With Speaker Javier Martinez

What happened during New Mexico's most recent legislative session? The short answer is: a lot. This week on the New Mexico News Insiders Podcast, Democratic House Speaker Javier Martinez joins Chris and Gabby to break down some of the biggest moments inside the Roundhouse you might have missed - from funding the state's universal childcare program, to medical malpractice reforms, the Immigrant Safety Act, and the ongoing debate over juvenile crime. Martinez also looks ahead, explaining what's next for lawmakers in a politically turbulent time, and shares what he hopes to see in New Mexico's next governor.

What laws were actually passed? And what should lawmakers focus on next?

Thanks for listening. If you’ve got an idea, send it to us at chris.mckee@krqe.com or gabrielle.burkhart@krqe.com. 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. 

Where Did Winter Go? New Mexico's Record Warm Start To 2026

New Mexico has had an unusually warm start to 2026, with far less snow than we typically see. What happened this winter? And what could it mean for the months ahead? KRQE Chief Meteorologist Grant Tosterud joins Chris and Gabby to break down the data, comparing how this winter stacked up against previous years, and how New Mexico ski resorts fared this season. Grant also shares what an early spring could mean for wildfire season, whether it's signaling a hotter summer ahead, and the records already broken so far this year. 

Thanks for listening. If you’ve got an idea, send it to us at chris.mckee@krqe.com or gabrielle.burkhart@krqe.com. 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. 

The McKinley County DA Meltdown

For months, complaints about the justice system in McKinley County painted a troubling picture. Criminal cases were falling through the cracks, prosecutors left the District Attorney's Office citing a hostile work environment, and crime victims were left in limbo. KRQE investigative reporter Ann Pierret joins Chris and Gabby to explain the dysfunction she uncovered inside the office of former McKinley County District Attorney Bernadine Martin. Martin resigned just days before a historic trial before the New Mexico Supreme Court, after State Attorney General Raúl Torrez petitioned to remove her from office. Ann shares what led to this breaking point, and what evidence the public may never see, now that the unprecedented case has come to an abrupt end. What’s next for McKinley County? 

Thanks for listening. If you’ve got an idea, send it to us at chris.mckee@krqe.com or gabrielle.burkhart@krqe.com. 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. 

Build Fast, Test Often: Hypersonic Missile Investment In New Mexico

The global race for hypersonic weapons is accelerating, and New Mexico is becoming part of it. Castelion, a private defense startup, is investing in a new missile manufacturing facility near Rio Rancho, with an unconventional philosophy: build fast, test often. In this episode, Gabby and Chris sit down with company leaders to talk about their mission to help the U.S. close the gap with global adversaries. Castelion leaders also discuss the hundreds of engineering and construction jobs promised to New Mexico, and the environmental concerns raised by nearby residents as the project moves forward. Will taking this risk ultimately help the U.S. Military? How big a role is New Mexico playing in global defense? Learn more about Project Ranger and the plans already underway. 

Thanks for listening. If you’ve got an idea, send it to us at chris.mckee@krqe.com or gabrielle.burkhart@krqe.com. 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.