New Mexico News Insiders

Why New Mexico’s Attorney General Is Suing Meta, Snapchat

Social media can help people stay connected from anywhere in the world. But it’s also a platform where predators can connect with children more easily than ever before. This week, New Mexico Attorney General Raúl Torrez joins Chris and Gabby to explain why he’s taking internet giants, Meta and Snapchat, to court over what he believes are dangerous platforms for children. Are Meta and Snapchat doing enough to keep adult strangers from accessing children? Are there enough safeguards in place already? Torrez shares why he considers these local court battles as a starting point for bringing about major changes to the worldwide platform. 

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. 

How 2024's Election Could Reshape New Mexico Politics

Election Day 2024 is here. It's been a contentious national election season, and locally, New Mexico could see some big changes. UNM Political Science Professor and KRQE Political Analyst, Gabe Sanchez, joins Chris and Gabby to break down the races to watch in this election. Will a visit from Donald Trump impact voters or local candidates? How much do political ads matter? Locally, it's also the first time both the House and Senate face new voting maps after redistricting, and all 112 seats in the state legislature are up for grabs. How could the new maps reshape the state's political landscape? Plus, could a declining population result in New Mexico losing a congressional seat? 

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. 

Meteorologists Tackle Weather Misinformation

New Mexicans aren’t alone in experiencing more extreme weather events lately. Meanwhile, those responsible for reporting accurate information during a life-threatening disaster are also facing more extreme examples of weather misinformation, or weather 'skeptics.' This week we clear the fog on some common misconceptions and discuss emerging topics like 'cloud seeding,' climate science, and what it takes to give an accurate weather forecast each day. KRQE Chief Meteorologist Grant Tosterud, and KRQE alumni and Meteorologist, Kristen Currie from KXAN in Austin, Texas, each join Chris and Gabby to discuss how they navigate the storm of forecasting the weather while facing a new torrent of weather misinformation online. 

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. 

Why Election Observers Will Be Watching New Mexico Voters

The authenticity and trust in local elections has become a growing topic of discourse, and in some cases, led to disagreements in the United States. In an effort to ensure voters can trust the process, New Mexicans will see nonpartisan ‘Election Monitors’ at polling locations across the state on November 5th. Observe New Mexico Elections Co-Lead, Carmen López, and Associate Director of Democracy, & Peace Programs at the Carter Center, Sarah Cooper, join Chris and Gabby this week to discuss election integrity, and the nonpartisan observation effort to increase transparency across the state’s 33 counties. 

How can regular citizens get involved? Click here to learn more about becoming an election observer or county coordinator. 

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. 

The Investigators Behind Human Smuggling In New Mexico

Between gun trafficking, targeting the fentanyl supply chain, and investigating human smuggling operations, there's an agency operating in the shadows to crack down on illegal activity spilling across New Mexico's border. Special Agent In Charge of Homeland Security Investigations El Paso Division, J.T. Stevens, joins Chris and Gabby this week to discuss the complexities of HSI missions. SAC Stevens shares details about the uptick in human smuggling stash houses, transnational criminal operations in New Mexico, and what HSI is doing to stop criminals. How successful are their missions? Are there enough resources at the border? 

Click here for more information on the Know2Protect campaign mentioned in the show. 

Click here to learn more about Operation Chain Breaker 

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 Police Using Genealogy To Identify Murder Victims

Albuquerque police detectives are using genealogy to solve decades-old cold case crimes. In this latest example, APD and the FBI identified the victims from two cold case homicides using genealogy and DNA research. Despite signs of foul play when their skeletal remains were discovered years ago, the women were only known as 'Jane Doe' until now. Kyle Hartsock, Commander of APD's Criminal Investigation Division, joins Chris and Gabby to discuss how law enforcement is leveraging this technology, a grassroots DNA database, and federal grant funds to solve crimes that have been unsolvable until now.

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 podcast on our YouTube channel. 

We're also now broadcasting the podcast on television! Tune in to an abbreviated version of New Mexico News Insiders on Fox New Mexico every Wednesday at 10:35 p.m.

New Mexico's Black Market Cannabis Problem

While state leaders have celebrated New Mexico's "billion dollar" cannabis industry, more than two years into recreational sales, there's growing concern about the regulatory apparatus tasked with monitoring thousands of licensed cannabis facilities. A recent Larry Barker investigation exposed how New Mexico's Cannabis Control Division has only inspected roughly half of the state's more than 3,000 licensed facilities. Barker's investigation also revealed how some of those operations are openly violating the state's cannabis rules and regulations.

This week on New Mexico News Insiders, Investigative Reporter Larry Barker sits down with Chris McKee and Gabrielle Burkhart to discuss the results of his cannabis industry investigation. Leader of the largest licensed cannabis operator in the state, Ultra Health CEO Duke Rodriguez also shares his perspective on the impact the lack of regulation is having on New Mexico and the state's cannabis industry.

Click here to watch Larry Barker's full investigation, titled, 'The New Mexico Cannabis Cowboys: Modern-day Desperados.'

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 this podcast on our YouTube channel.

We're also now broadcasting the podcast on TV! Tune in to an abbreviated version of New Mexico News Insiders on Fox New Mexico every Wednesday at 10:35 p.m.

Heinrich & Domenici Face Off In 2024 Senate Race

In the run-up to the November election, one of two New Mexico Senate seats is on the ballot. Democratic incumbent Senator Martin Heinrich is seeking another term, facing Republican challenger, Nella Domenici, daughter of the late Pete Domenici. Listeners will hear both candidates share their ideas about policy and changes they'd like to work on for New Mexico. Topics range from the economy, education challenges, and abortion policy, to drug and crime problems.

Click here to watch KRQE's Election Special featuring full interviews with Sen. Martin Heinrich and Nella Domenici

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 podcast on our YouTube channel.

A Closing Chapter In Mysterious Muslim Murders

It's a case that rattled New Mexico's Muslim community after three men were shot and killed seemingly at random in the summer of 2022. Investigators at the time wouldn’t call it a ‘hate crime’ before a suspect was identified. Today, with Muhammad Syed behind bars for the murders, the motive remains a mystery. Syed was convicted earlier this year in one of the murders, then recently took a plea deal in the remaining two killings. This week, Gabby and Chris break down the case that thrust Albuquerque into the national spotlight with KRQE News 13 reporter, Natalie Wadas, and prominent defense attorney, Ahmad Assed. 

• Watch KRQE investigation about the two other murders Syed was investigated for. 
• Link to KRQE report on Syed's recent plea deal.

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 podcast on our YouTube channel.

How New Mexico's Top Cop Is Addressing Crime

Chief Troy Weisler is more than a year in on the job of leading the New Mexico State Police. The NMSP employs around 700 sworn officers across 12 different districts in New Mexico. As a 22-year veteran of one of the state's largest police departments, Chief Weisler shares his perspective with Chris and Gabby on the state's crime problem, and how his department is uniquely positioned to help address it. The Chief also details his thoughts on the lack of traffic enforcement across the state and what he hopes to do with the department under his leadership. 

How is the New Mexico State Police helping to address violent crime? Will there be more officers pulling speeders over on your morning commute? 

Thanks for listening! We'd love to hear from you. Send your ideas to 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 versions of the podcast on our YouTube channel.

We're also now broadcasting the podcast on air! Tune in to an abbreviated version of New Mexico News Insiders on Fox New Mexico every Wednesday at 10:35 p.m.