New Mexico News Insiders

What Did New Mexico Look Like Pre-Dinosaurs?

Ever wonder what New Mexico looked like before dinosaurs roamed the earth? Local paleontologists have been studying fossils and renovating a new space at the New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science to bring visitors a first-hand look at the prehistoric southwest. This week, the museum’s Curator of Paleontology, Dr. Spencer Lucas, joins Chris and Gabby to talk about their latest exhibit “Ancient Life,” painting a picture of some never-before-seen collections and creatures that’ll soon be on display. 

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. 

Tent Rocks National Monument Reopens With New Fees & Rules

More than four-and-a-half years since the pandemic-related closure of the Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks National Monument, the Bureau of Land Management and Cochiti Pueblo announced the monument is now reopened to the public. The long-awaited reopening, however, comes with several new conditions, processes, and higher fees. Former UNM Professor and longtime geologist Dr. Gary Smith joins Chris and Gabby to discuss the monument's historical significance, some of the new conditions put in place, and how the two agencies are working together to preserve the unique, millions-of-years-old landscape. 

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 State Auditor Explains Accounting ‘Crisis’

Plenty of industries are in need of staff, but did you know New Mexico has an accounting crisis? That’s according to State Auditor, Joseph Maestas. When local governments can’t hire a good accountant, the ripple effect on local economies can be damaging. Auditor Maestas shares what his industry is doing to try and recruit fresh talent, retain workforce in New Mexico, and improve how the state manages its money.

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.

Do you prefer video with your podcasts? Check out the video version of the show on our YouTube channel. Our show also airs on television! Tune into Fox New Mexico on Wednesdays at 10:35 p.m. MST. 

Why Are New Mexico’s Children At Risk?

When it comes to overall child well-being in New Mexico, the state ranks 50th in the nation according to a 'Kids Count' report. But that ranking doesn't even include child abuse and neglect data. What sort of indicators are used to measure child welfare? And how can New Mexico move out of last place? Bernalillo County Sheriff's Office Lieutenant Amy Dudewicz has had a long career in local law enforcement dealing with cases of child abuse. Lt. Dudewicz and KRQE Investigative Reporter Ann Pierret join Chris and Gabby to discuss the complexities of the state's system of holding child abusers accountable and some of the biggest challenges for law enforcement. 

• Watch Ann's investigation: Inside the complex system of holding child abusers accountable 

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. 

More Seniors & Fewer Children: The Future of New Mexico

With an aging population and fewer children being born, New Mexico could head toward a concerning decline, according to UNM researchers. Geospatial & Population Studies (UNM-GPS) Senior Research Scientist Jacqueline Miller joins Chris & Gabby to discuss her projections based on 2020 Census numbers. While the numbers aren’t set in stone, Miller explains what this could mean for the state’s economic and political future. Will migration trends continue with young people leaving New Mexico? What’s the key to growth?

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 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.