New Mexico News Insiders

'High Levels' Of Microplastics Found In Human Brains

Researchers from the University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center found 'alarmingly high levels' of microplastics in human brains. The amount appears to be a higher concentration of plastic than found in other organs, and scientists say the accumulation is growing over time. So, how did plastic get there in the first place? And what, if anything, should people do about this issue? Dr. Marcus Garcia joins Chris and Gabby to explain the methods used in the study, what researchers learned, and the questions they're still working to answer. He also shares what scientists believe to be the catalyst for plastic entering our food chain. 

• Nature Medicine Article 
• UNM Health Sciences Center Research 

We appreciate our listeners. Send your feedback or story ideas to hosts chris.mckee@krqe.com or gabrielle.burkhart@krqe.com. We're also on X (Twitter), Facebook, & Instagram at @ChrisMcKeeTV and @gburkNM. For more on this episode and all of our prior episodes, visit our podcast website: KRQE.com/podcasts. Also, check out the video version of the podcast on our YouTube channel. Our show also airs on television! Tune into Fox New Mexico on Wednesdays at 10:35 p.m. MST. 

New Mexico’s Human Trafficking Problem

A New Mexico refugee student trafficked by her sponsor family. Young women with no family support, taken advantage of on the streets of Albuquerque. It was personal stories like those and unforeseen encounters with human trafficking victims that led Shelley Repp to an unexpected calling - now leading the New Mexico Dream Center, a nonprofit in Albuquerque focused on outreach, services, and prevention for trafficking victims. Repp was recently recognized for Nexstar Media Group's 2025 'Remarkable Women' contest. She joins Chris and Gabby this week to discuss what led her to this work and how prevalent the issue of human trafficking in New Mexico is. She also offers insight into a part of society online that she claims parents need to know about.

We appreciate our listeners. Send your feedback or story ideas to hosts chris.mckee@krqe.com or gabrielle.burkhart@krqe.com. We're also on X (Twitter), Facebook, & Instagram at @ChrisMcKeeTV and @gburkNM. For more on this episode and all of our prior episodes, visit our podcast website: KRQE.com/podcasts. Also, check out the video version of the podcast on our YouTube channel. Our show also airs on television! Tune into Fox New Mexico on Wednesdays at 10:35 p.m. MST. 

New Mexico's Legal Actions Against The Trump Administration

It has been a busy start to the year for New Mexico's Attorney General, Raúl Torrez. He's embroiled in a legal battle brewing at a New Mexico university, proposing changes in state law during the legislative session, and now tackling national politics in court. AG Torrez joins Chris and Gabby to explain legal actions he's filed to push back against some of the work efforted by President Donald Trump's Administration. Torrez also details what he believes lawmakers should prioritize this session. How do some of New Mexico's federally funded programs stand to change under DOGE and Trump? What are some of the main bills Torrez is backing this legislative session? Is a rehaul of CYFD in the state's future? 

We appreciate our listeners. Send your feedback or story ideas to hosts chris.mckee@krqe.com or gabrielle.burkhart@krqe.com. We're also on X (Twitter), Facebook, & Instagram at @ChrisMcKeeTV and @gburkNM. For more on this episode and all of our prior episodes, visit our podcast website: KRQE.com/podcasts. Also, check out the video version of the podcast on our YouTube channel. Our show also airs on television! Tune into Fox New Mexico on Wednesdays at 10:35 p.m. MST. 

Are There ICE Raids Happening In New Mexico?

President Donald Trump has made it no secret that he plans to shake up the status quo on how the United States operates when it comes to immigration, promising mass deportation efforts. So how are those efforts going so far in New Mexico? This week, Sophia Genovese, Asylum and Detention Managing Attorney with the New Mexico Immigrant Law Center joins Chris and Gabby to provide context and answer some of the main questions and concerns the NMILC is getting from the public. Genovese says their office has been flooded with phone calls under the new presidential administration. Have there been any confirmed ICE raids in New Mexico? What might that look like? And what should someone do if they're approached about their legal status in the country? 

We appreciate our listeners. Send your feedback or story ideas to hosts chris.mckee@krqe.com or gabrielle.burkhart@krqe.com. We're also on X (Twitter), Facebook, & Instagram at @ChrisMcKeeTV and @gburkNM. For more on this episode and all of our prior episodes, visit our podcast website: KRQE.com/podcasts. Also, check out the video version of the podcast on our YouTube channel. Our show also airs on television! Tune into Fox New Mexico on Wednesdays at 10:35 p.m. MST.

DWI Advocate Reacts To Corruption Scheme

It's one of the biggest public corruption scandals in New Mexico, involving money, a defense attorney's office, and drunk driving cases. We've now seen some of the key players in the 'DWI Enterprise' take federal plea deals, admitting the scheme to profit off of DWI dismissals goes back decades. This week, Linda Atkinson, Executive Director of the DWI Resource Center, joins Chris and Gabby to discuss the initial plea deals, and share why she's paid such close attention to DWI court cases over the years. How big of an issue is drunk driving in New Mexico? How does this corruption scandal impact faith in the state's judicial system? 

• Click here for KRQE's continuing coverage of the DWI dismissal scandal 

We appreciate our listeners. Send your feedback or story ideas to hosts chris.mckee@krqe.com or gabrielle.burkhart@krqe.com. We're also on X (Twitter), Facebook, & Instagram at @ChrisMcKeeTV and @gburkNM. For more on this episode and all of our prior episodes, visit our podcast website: KRQE.com/podcasts. Also, check out the video version of the podcast on our YouTube channel. Our show also airs on television! Tune into Fox New Mexico on Wednesdays at 10:35 p.m. MST. 

Albuquerque’s Investment In Healthcare For The Homeless

The City of Albuquerque is making a significant investment in the Gateway Center along Gibson, which aims to be a one-stop shop for services. One of the main resources inside the facility, known as 'Medical Respite' will provide primary medical, dental, and behavioral health care for people living on the streets. Rachel Biggs, Chief Strategy Officer for the program, and Kate Morton, Chief Clinical Officer, join Chris and Gabby to explain how the facility will work, who it will serve, and the overall promise to the community. How big of an impact will it make? Is medical staffing a struggle? 

We appreciate our listeners. Send your feedback or story ideas to hosts chris.mckee@krqe.com or gabrielle.burkhart@krqe.com. We're also on X (Twitter), Facebook, & Instagram at @ChrisMcKeeTV and @gburkNM. For more on this episode and all of our prior episodes, visit our podcast website: KRQE.com/podcasts. Also, check out the video version of the podcast on our YouTube channel. Our show also airs on television! Tune into Fox New Mexico on Wednesdays at 10:35 p.m. MST. 

What's Behind The Dip In Fentanyl Overdose Deaths?

The Fentanyl crisis has changed law enforcement's approach to tackling drugs and education. This week, Carlos Briano, Spokesperson for the Drug Enforcement Agency El Paso Division, which covers New Mexico, joins Chris and Gabby to discuss the DEA's mission on the streets, and in schools. What's behind the recent Fentanyl overdose death decline? How are kids learning about drugs in schools? Briano expands on a newly adopted school curriculum by Albuquerque Public Schools, created in collaboration with Discovery Education and the DEA. Plus, hear about the unique challenges New Mexico and Texas are facing when it comes to drug crimes. 

We appreciate our listeners. Send your feedback or story ideas to hosts chris.mckee@krqe.com or gabrielle.burkhart@krqe.com. We're also on X (Twitter), Facebook, & Instagram at @ChrisMcKeeTV and @gburkNM. For more on this episode and all of our prior episodes, visit our podcast website: KRQE.com/podcasts. Also, check out the video version of the podcast on our YouTube channel. Our show also airs on television! Tune into Fox New Mexico on Wednesdays at 10:35 p.m. MST. 

New Mexico’s U.S. Attorney Sheds Light On ‘Secretive’ Job

New Mexico's Top federal law enforcement officer peels back the curtain on what's historically been a pretty secretive job. The state's U.S. Attorney's Office is responsible for prosecuting federal crimes ranging from murder, organized crime, and issues in Indian Country, to investigating and prosecuting public corruption. This week, New Mexico's U.S. Attorney, Alexander Uballez, shares some of his proudest moments serving in this role, cases that have made an impact, and the path he'd like the office to continue during President Trump's administration. He also responds to the latest charges in the DWI dismissal scandal. What’s next for that case? 

We appreciate our listeners. Send your feedback or story ideas to hosts chris.mckee@krqe.com or gabrielle.burkhart@krqe.com. We're also on X (Twitter), Facebook, & Instagram at @ChrisMcKeeTV and @gburkNM. For more on this episode and all of our prior episodes, visit our podcast website: KRQE.com/podcasts. Also, check out the video version of the podcast on our YouTube channel. Our show also airs on television! Tune into Fox New Mexico on Wednesdays at 10:35 p.m. MST. 

Highs, Lows, & Leadership Changes For Lobo Athletics

From an impressive turn-around to losing its head football coach, and now legal challenges amid the basketball team - there have been significant highs and lows for the University of New Mexico's Lobo Athletic Department over the last few months. This week Chris and Gabby sit down with KRQE Sports gurus Van Tate and Jared Chester to drill into the season of Lobo sports. How will the new Athletic Director, Fernando Lovo, fare under the circumstances? What's next for Lobo football under a new head coach? And what do the basketball team and its fans make of the lawsuit filed against its head coach? 

Also discussed, are the impacts of the NIL on college athletics. Van and Jared also share their perspective of covering the Lobos, and how these dynamics have impacted the team turnarounds. 

• Watch Gabby's investigative report and interview with Shane Douma-Sanchez
• Watch KRQE reporting on the lawsuit filed against UNM

We appreciate our listeners. Send your feedback or story ideas to hosts chris.mckee@krqe.com or gabrielle.burkhart@krqe.com. We're also on X (Twitter), Facebook, & Instagram at @ChrisMcKeeTV and @gburkNM. For more on this episode and all of our prior episodes, visit our podcast website: KRQE.com/podcasts. Also, check out the video version of the podcast on our YouTube channel. Our show also airs on television! Tune into Fox New Mexico on Wednesdays at 10:35 p.m. MST. 

What's The Future Of Expo New Mexico Fairgrounds?

What could become of the Expo New Mexico State Fairgrounds? Near the end of 2024, Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham announced a 'Request for Proposal,' or RFP, seeking ideas for a master plan to redevelop 236 acres of state-owned land in the central part of Albuquerque. This week, Chris & Gabby break down what this could mean for the area near the International District with freshman District 6 City Counselor, Nichole Rogers. The governor's announcement is coupled with half a million dollars in state funding and ideas for potential housing development, entertainment venues, and possibly moving the State Fair out of Expo. What do the neighbors want? And what are the next steps? 

We appreciate our listeners. Send your feedback or story ideas to hosts chris.mckee@krqe.com or gabrielle.burkhart@krqe.com. We're also on X (Twitter), Facebook, & Instagram at @ChrisMcKeeTV and @gburkNM. For more on this episode and all of our prior episodes, visit our podcast website: KRQE.com/podcasts. Also, check out the video version of the podcast on our YouTube channel. Our show also airs on television! Tune into Fox New Mexico on Wednesdays at 10:35 p.m. MST.