New Mexico News Insiders

Who Will Fix New Mexico's Mental Health Problems?

Lawmakers agree the system isn't working, especially when it comes to how courts handle people with mental illness. A new law promises major reforms and millions in investment toward behavioral health in New Mexico. But what will actually change, and when? This week, Chris and Gabby talk with two insiders tasked with leading reform efforts about what this law means for judges, treatment access, and the long road ahead. 

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. 

The National Guard Is Deploying In Albuquerque

The National Guard is deploying in Albuquerque, aiming to help tackle the city's crime problem by freeing up more police officers. New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham declared an emergency through an Executive Order in April, after receiving a letter from Albuquerque's Police Chief, who requested additional resources to combat what he described as a crime problem that "continues to be an emergency" in the city. APD says integrating Guardsmen and women will allow officers to be more present in high-crime areas, particularly along Central Avenue. But how will this work? What will the National Guard be doing or not doing? Maj. Gen. Miguel Aguilar, the Adjutant General overseeing New Mexico's National Guard, joins Chris and Gabby to explain everything you need to know. 

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. 

Will Albuquerque’s ‘Rail Trail’ Be A Thing?

For years, New Mexicans have heard promises of "revitalization" and "redevelopment" in downtown Albuquerque—but is it actually happening? This week, Chris and Gabby sit down with Terry Brunner, Director of the Metropolitan Redevelopment Agency, to pull back the curtain on how government is working with the private sector to incentivize development. Brunner details housing plans, local business buy-in for increased security, and some long-game, multimillion-dollar projects like the 'Rail Trail.' What is it exactly? And when could people see the Rail Trail in real life?

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. 

Incompetent to Stand Trial? Arrest, Release, Repeat

When someone is deemed 'incompetent' to stand trial, how does New Mexico's criminal justice system respond? It's the subject of a recent Larry Barker investigation that looked at cases involving hundreds of arrests, only for the offenders to be released back onto the streets. People who are mentally ill are committing crimes across the state, getting arrested, and their cases are dismissed without any repercussions or assistance. Barker, along with University of New Mexico Criminal Law Professor Joshua Kastenberg, join Chris and Gabby this week to discuss the complexities of cases like this, and why the justice system isn't set up to help the incompetent suspects or their victims. 

• Watch Larry's recent report: Free rides on the New Mexico justice train 

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. 

Leader Of Albuquerque FBI Steps Down

The leader of the federal agency that investigated the DWI corruption scandal has left his position as Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) in Albuquerque. Now, former SAC Raul Bujanda sat down with KRQE's Anchor, Dean Staley, for an exit interview that covered crime, guns, and the state's biggest police corruption scandal. Bujanda discusses his time with the FBI, youth violence, and speaks candidly about teens' access to guns. What does the former FBI leader believe is the main driver of crime in New Mexico? Will more cops be charged in the corruption scheme?

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. 

Could Raising New Mexico’s Alcohol Tax Save Lives?

Would higher taxes on alcohol reduce alcohol-related deaths in New Mexico? University of New Mexico researchers say yes. But the state hasn’t changed the way it taxes alcohol for decades. This week, Brady Horn, UNM Economics Professor and one of the researchers behind the study, along with Democratic Senator Antonio 'Moe' Maestas, join Chris and Gabby to explain the goal of the alcohol tax research, the state funding behind it, and why it's such a controversial issue in the legislature. What's the best way to tax alcohol in the first place? Could higher taxes impact the local economy in a good or bad way?

Thanks for listening. If you’ve got an idea, send it over to us at chris.mckee@krqe.com or gabrielle.burkhart@krqe.com. On social media, you can find as at @ChrisMcKeeTV and @gburkNM. You can watch or listen to our prior podcasts online at KRQE.com/podcast and our KRQE YouTube channel, or on broadcast TV every Wednesdays at 10:35 p.m. MST on Fox New Mexico. 

New Coaches, New Challenges In Lobo Athletics

New Mexico's flagship university has gone through a lot of changes lately in the athletics department. This week, Fernando Lovo, the Lobo's new VP and Director of Athletics, joins Chris and Gabby to discuss some of the big decisions he's had to make out of the gate - including hiring both a new head football and men's basketball coach. Lovo also discusses how UNM is dealing with major shifts in NCAA policy, including student athletes' use of "name, image, and likeness" (NIL), and the transfer portal. Will the new coaches stick with the Lobos for the long haul? How is Lovo and the department navigating the new college athletics 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. 

What Goes On At Kirtland Air Force Base?

Kirtland Air Force Base in Albuquerque is the fifth largest base in the United States Air Force, and one of the 'crown jewels' of national security. This week, two guests from KAFB join Chris and Gabby to explain some of the critical missions happening on base, the economic impact the 52,000-acre base has in New Mexico, and the upcoming chance the public will have to get up close and personal to the aircraft. Kirtland AFB will host its first air show in six years in May. What should people expect to see? And what makes Albuquerque such a unique training environment for pilots? 

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 Will Voters Do With $1.5 Million?

If you had $1.5 million to build something for your community, what would you spend it on? Voters in Albuquerque will decide just that with the ‘set aside’ fund from Council District 6, thanks to the idea of ‘Participatory Budgeting.’ What does that mean exactly? City Councilor Nichole Rogers is spearheading the movement in her district for the first time. She joins Chris and Gabby this week to explain why she’s doing it, how people are getting involved with plans, and the projects currently on the table. Could this set a trend? 

Voting for the community-inspired projects is open through April 19th, 2025. Learn more about them and how to vote here. 

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.

Gene Hackman’s Legendary Career & Mysterious Death

Two-time Oscar winner and prolific actor Gene Hackman spent his later years in New Mexico with his wife, Betsy Arakawa. And when news of their mysterious death surfaced, a media frenzy ensued. This week on the New Mexico News Insiders Podcast, Chris and Gabby are joined by KRQE Anchor-Reporters Chad Brummett and Annalisa Pardo to discuss Hackman's legacy in the film industry, his time in New Mexico, and the investigation and reporting that followed. Our reporting takes you behind the scenes of the initial 911 call response, and reveals details about what Hackman's neighbors told law enforcement. 

• Watch Annalisa's report on the body camera footage 

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.