New Mexico News Insiders

Unwrapping Some Good News In 2025

As 2025 comes to a close, we're unwrapping some of the stories that brought joy to New Mexico and the reporters who helped tell them. KRQE anchor-reporters Annalisa Pardo and Madison Conner take us behind the scenes of their favorite 'good news' stories of the year, the people who inspired them, and why these feel-good reports stuck with them long after the camera stopped rolling. What advice does a 66-year-old piccoloist impart to her young bandmates? And what can others learn from a homeless man who was given a second chance?

• Watch Annalisa's inspiring story from March Madness here.
• Watch Madison's uplifting report about a Duke City Ambassador here.

Thanks for listening. If you’ve got an idea, send it to your hosts 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.

Can Albuquerque Reimagine The Fairgrounds?

Chances are at this point, you've probably heard about the Governor's idea to "reimagine" the New Mexico State Fairgrounds in Albuquerque's International District. Now one year since that project kicked off, Chris and Gabby are sitting down with former Albuquerque Mayor Marty Chavez, who's serving as the "state-appointed advisor" on the project. Chavez is tasked with leading the charge on the effort that could overhaul EXPO New Mexico site. He shares why he believes the current statue quo isn't working, both financially and as a major tourist draw. He also lays out current plans, the millions of dollars in funding needed for the project, and addresses the controversial idea of moving the iconic New Mexico State Fair out of EXPO.

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 Generational Problems Of CYFD

New Mexico's Children, Youth, and Families Department (CYFD) was created to protect the state's most vulnerable kids. Instead, too many children have slipped through the cracks. In this episode of New Mexico News Insiders, our KRQE colleagues Ann Pierret and Jessica Garate take us inside their hour-long news special about the agency's origins, its intended mission, and why it keeps failing families generation after generation. For decades, both Democratic and Republican leadership have made promises, but there's a continued theme of the children getting hurt or dying under CYFD's radar. Should the state's Governor continue picking a CYFD Secretary? Is staff turnover to blame for failures in the system? 

• Watch CYFD: A Generational Problem on the KRQE Now streaming app on your smart TV. Later available on the KRQE YouTube channel & KRQE.com

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/podcast and our KRQE YouTube channel, or on broadcast TV every Wednesday at 10:35 p.m. MST on Fox New Mexico.

Keller Vs. White: Albuquerque Mayoral Runoff

In one of their final appearances before Albuquerque's mayoral runoff Election Day, Chris and Gabby host incumbent Mayor Tim Keller and former Bernalillo County Sheriff Darren White. The two candidates answer questions about crime, their strategies for handling homeless encampments and city policing, and their sharply personal critiques of each other's records. Each candidate is given 20 minutes to discuss their plans, policy clashes, and what's at stake for the city on December 9th. Do voters believe the city is on the right track? Or will new leadership change the metro's trajectory? 

Early voting in Albuquerque is December 1st-6th. Runoff Election Day is Tuesday, December 9th. 

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/podcast and our KRQE YouTube channel, or on broadcast TV every Wednesday at 10:35 p.m. MST on Fox New Mexico. 

Justice On Hold: A Funding Crisis In Federal Court

A funding crisis is going on behind the scenes in federal courtrooms across the country. It's one that was intensified by the recent federal shutdown, and especially felt in New Mexico, where tribal clients make up a significant portion of indigent defendants in federal court. More than 50 attorneys who went without paychecks for months, announced in November that they can no longer take new cases, leaving violent crime prosecutions and immigration cases at risk of grinding to a halt. This week on the New Mexico News Insiders Podcast, Chris and Gabby host CJA Counsel Representative Ryan Villa to break down what the CJA panel is, how the funding dried up, and what this means for the local justice system, criminal cases, and federal immigration priorities going forward.

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/podcast and our KRQE YouTube channel, or on broadcast TV every Wednesday at 10:35 p.m. MST on Fox New Mexico. 

What Happens In New Mexico When Washington Stops?

Despite the federal government reopening, New Mexico will still feel the sting of the longest government shutdown in U.S. history. Federal dollars and government jobs keep much of the state running, so when Washington shuts down, the effects are often immediate and far-reaching. UNM finance professor Reilly White joins Chris and Gabby to walk through the trickle-down economics in New Mexico, whether the state stepping in to cover SNAP benefits avoided a crisis, and what the last 43 days reveal about the state's dependence on the federal government.  

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/podcast and our KRQE YouTube channel, or on broadcast TV every Wednesday at 10:35 p.m. MST on Fox New Mexico.

What The Weather's Telling Us

When it comes to New Mexico weather, there's no such thing as ‘normal.’ While communities are still reeling from wildfire devastation, this year saw powerful monsoon storms that devastated the Village of Ruidoso, a record amount of dust storm warnings and tornadoes, as well as stretches where the Rio Grande ran dry. Chief Meteorologist Grant Tosterud joins Chris and Gabby to break down the biggest weather moments of 2025, what they mean for the state's climate future, and what we can expect heading into winter.

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/podcast and our KRQE YouTube channel, or on broadcast TV every Wednesday at 10:35 p.m. MST on Fox New Mexico. 

Are Small-Town Newspapers Making A Comeback?

Can small-town newspapers make a comeback? In Albuquerque, hyper-local outlets like Downtown Albuquerque News and Nob Hill News are proving there's still an appetite for neighborhood reporting. As traditional news media adapt to changing habits of how people get their information, independent journalists are filling in some of the gaps in local "news deserts." Nob Hill News publisher Lindsay Wood joins Chris and Gabby to talk about the process behind the small-town theory of journalism, and why she believes reader-funded newsletters are key to community engagement. 

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/podcast and our KRQE YouTube channel, or on broadcast TV every Wednesday at 10:35 p.m. MST on Fox New Mexico. 

High Levels Of Toxic PFAS Found In Blood

Could you be exposed to toxic pollution, and does it trace back to the U.S. military? The New Mexico Environment Department is trying to find out. Newly released data shows nearly everyone tested who lives or works near Cannon Air Force Base in Clovis, has elevated levels of toxic PFAS "forever chemicals" in their blood. New Mexico Environment Department Secretary James Kenney and Dr. Eric Chapman join Chris and Gabby to break down what this means for people living near the polluted area, and what the state is doing to help. Is the federal government doing enough to clean up the toxic mess? What health risks are people facing?

• PFAS exposure at Holloman Lake survey

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/podcast and our KRQE YouTube channel, or on broadcast TV every Wednesday at 10:35 p.m. MST on Fox New Mexico.

Hear From The 2025 Albuquerque Mayoral Candidates

Six candidates are vying to lead Albuquerque for the next four years. Incumbent Mayor Tim Keller is seeking a third term, facing five challengers: small business owner Mayling Armijo, retired firefighter Eddie Varela, former U.S. Attorney for New Mexico Alex Uballez, City Councilor Louie Sanchez, and former Bernalillo County Sheriff Darren White. Chris and Gabby sit down with each candidate, giving them equal time to answer the same questions on crime, homelessness, the economy, immigration, and the future of Albuquerque.

Election Day is November 4th, and early voting is underway. If no candidate earns more than 50% of the vote, the top two candidates will move to a December runoff. What issues matter most to voters? In this non-partisan election, how much are party lines shaping voters' decisions?

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/podcast and our KRQE YouTube channel, or on broadcast TV every Wednesday at 10:35 p.m. MST on Fox New Mexico.