New Mexico News Insiders

How Social Workers Are Responding to Crises in Albuquerque

You may have heard about the City of Albuquerque’s unarmed civilian response team. Albuquerque Community Safety, or ACS, has a team of behavioral health responders who respond to mental health crises, homelessness calls, and wellness checks across the city. Nearly a year into the program now, is ACS making a difference? Chris and Gabby talk to ACS Executive Director, Mariela Ruiz Angel about the department’s challenges and its progress. 

How is this data tracked? Will ACS have an impact on homelessness in the city, and police use-of-force incidents? 

KRQE Investigates rode along with ACS responders back in May - check out that story here. ACS also keeps all of its data online, and it's usually updated monthly. For a closer look, visit the ACS Transparency page on CABQ.gov

Got a question, comment, or suggestion? Email us at chris.mckee@krqe.com or gabrielle.burkhart@krqe.com. You can also catch us on Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram at @ChrisMcKeeTV and @gburkNM. For more on this episode and all of our prior episodes, visit our website: KRQE.com/podcasts.

Albuquerque Closes Infamous Homeless Encampment

After making a promise in late July, Albuquerque city officials finally closed arguably the most infamous city park. Right next to Third Street in the shadow of I-40, Coronado Park used to be a typical city park with a dog park and a skate park, too. But in recent years, the park turned into a homeless camp and an increasingly violent place, where drugs were rampant and as many as five homicides took place. 

So what’s next for Coronado Park? Where will the people who’ve refused services go? We're tackling those questions this week with special guest Peter Rice, founder, owner and editor of the Downtown Albuquerque News. Rice helps dig deeper into the park's history and the potential impact of the park's closure on the greater issue of "how to tackle homelessness."

We know you like to listen, but maybe you also like to write? Got a question, comment or suggestion? Email us at chris.mckee@krqe.com or gabrielle.burkhart@krqe.com. You can also catch us on Twitter, Facebook or Instagram at @ChrisMcKeeTV and @gburkNM. For more on this episode and all of our prior episodes, visit our website: KRQE.com/podcasts.

Murders of Muslim Men Terrorize Albuquerque

Albuquerque was thrust into the national spotlight nearly two weeks ago when police officials announced a suspected connection in the murders of three Muslim men. A little more than 24 hours after that announcement, a fourth Muslim man was shot to death. 

By August 9, a suspect was in custody. Muhammed Syed has been charged with the July 26 murder of Aftab Hussein, 41 and the August 1 murder of Muhammad Afzaal Hussain, 27. Syed is also considered the suspect in the November 2021 murder of Mohammad Zahir Ahmadi and the August 5 murder of Naeem Hussain.

A leader in Albuquerque's Muslim community, Ahmad Assad joins the podcast this week. President of the Islamic Center of New Mexico, Assed played a central role in coordinating between the community and investigators while the search for a suspect played out. Assed talks more about the victims, his initial theory on what he thought was behind the killings, and the community's response after the suspect's arrest.

We'd love to hear your feedback. Email us at chris.mckee@krqe.com or gabrielle.burkhart@krqe.com. Tweet at us or send us a DM on Instagram, Twitter or Facebook at @ChrisMcKeeTV and @gburkNM. For more on this episode and all of our prior episodes, visit our website: KRQE.com/podcasts.

A Guilty Verdict In The Only Trial For Victoria Martens’ Murder

After three weeks of testimony and just a few hours of deliberation, a jury found Fabian Gonzales, 37, guilty of all nine counts in the only trial tied to the 2016 murder of 10-year-old Victoria Martens. Gonzales, who barely knew Victoria and her mom Michelle now faces decades in prison for one of New Mexico's most notorious murder cases.

To be clear: Gonzales was not on trial for murder. He was convicted of reckless child abuse resulting in death, seven evidence tampering charges, and one count of conspiracy to commit tampering with evidence. 

While the verdict may offer some answers, there's are still a lot of questions in the case at large and a lot to unpack about how prosecutors earned a conviction. This week, we're taking an extended look at some of the key testimony in the case and summarizing the arguments jurors heard. What’s next for Gonzales? And what's ahead for the two other defendants charged in the crime?

We appreciate you listening and honestly want to hear your feedback. Email us at chris.mckee@krqe.com or gabrielle.burkhart@krqe.com. Tweet at us or send us a DM on Instagram, Twitter or Facebook at @ChrisMcKeeTV and @gburkNM. For more on this episode and all of our prior episodes, visit our website: KRQE.com/podcasts.a

First The Wildfires, Then The Flooding

We spent months across spring and summer talking about the impact of wildfires in New Mexico. After record breaking blazes, many of the state's rural communities are now dealing with what they've feared: massive flooding in areas with burn scars. New Mexico's largest fire on record, the Hermits Peak-Calf Canyon Fire has left many people wondering where flood damage will emerge. In late July, we got an answer to that ominous question when a flash flood ripped through an area west of Las Vegas, NM. In its wake, three people were killed after a home was swept off its foundation.

This week on the podcast, Gabby and Chris talk more about the flood with Travis Martinez, a spokesman for the New Mexico Department of Transportation in northern New Mexico. Martinez offers his perspective on how first responders handled the deadly flash flood in San Miguel County and how the community is continuing to respond to the problem.

Still reading? Email us your feedback at chris.mckee@krqe.com or gabrielle.burkhart@krqe.com. Tweet at us or send us a DM on Instagram at @ChrisMcKeeTV and @gburkNM. For more on this episode and all of our prior episodes, visit our website: KRQE.com/podcasts.

Will Gas Prices Continue To Go Down?

You've probably already noticed a "dip" at the pump, as gas prices have been coming down in New Mexico over the last few weeks. But still, with fuel hovering around $4 a gallon, higher food costs, shifting interest rates, and more, just about everything seems to be costing more these days.

When might we see a change for the better? Is this the time to re-think your commute, or ask for a raise from your employer? This week on the podcast, Gabby and Chris talk about the state of the New Mexico economy and where things might be headed. University of New Mexico Professor Janie Chermak offers her take on the situation. She’s been on the faculty since 1995, and currently serves as the Department of Economics Chair, with research focusing on Natural Resources and Energy Economics.

As mentioned in the pod, here are some links to Chris' recent "breakdown" articles about the New Mexico tax rebates and economic relief payments:

July 6: Check your bank account: New Mexico now sending out July tax rebates
June 2: Haven’t gotten your first New Mexico cash rebate? Here’s why
April 6: New Mexico tax rebates: How much will you get? (Via KRQE's Curtis Segarra)

Send us your feedback. Email us at chris.mckee@krqe.com or gabrielle.burkhart@krqe.com. Tweet at us or send us a DM on Instagram at @ChrisMcKeeTV and @gburkNM. For more on this episode and all of our prior episodes, visit our website: KRQE.com/podcasts.

Jury Finally Hears Testimony About Victoria Martens’ Murder

**Content warning: This week's episode contains discussion of a graphic crime that may be unsuitable for certain ages or hard to listen to. Listener discretion is advised.

It’s been six years since one of the most heinous crimes in Albuquerque. But finally now in 2022, a jury is hearing arguments in the case against the only person to go to trial for the death of 10-year-old Victoria Martens.

This week on the podcast, we're taking a deeper look at the first week of Fabian Gonzales’ trial. Gonzales is accused of placing Victoria Martens in a situation so dangerous that it led to her death. He faces nine counts, including reckless abuse of a child resulting in death, and several evidence tampering-related charges. 

Chris and Gabby detail their respective experiences covering the case when it happened in August 2016. They also take listeners through a detailed history in the case, including the massive shift in charges in 2018. And finally, a recap of the testimony from the first week. What led to the young girl’s death on her 10th birthday? What do we know about the ‘unknown man’ who’s said to have entered her apartment that day Victoria was killed?

Some history: Police initially arrested three people in Victoria's murder. Victoria’s mom, Michelle Martens; her boyfriend, Fabian Gonzales; and his cousin, Jessica Kelley. Both Martens and Kelley took plea deals and agreed to testify against Gonzales at his trial. To date, no one is charged with Victoria’s murder. 

We want to hear from you! Got an idea? Question? Comment? Suggestion? Email us at chris.mckee@krqe.com or gabrielle.burkhart@krqe.com. Tweet us at @ChrisMcKeeTV and @gburkNM. For more on this episode and all of our prior episodes, visit our website: KRQE.com/podcasts.

Behind Albuquerque Police’s New Digital Investigative Team

It's no secret that communication has moved online. So too has crime. But perhaps to your surprise, it has taken the police a long time to figure out how best to address that connection. Within the last year, Albuquerque Police launched a new digital investigative unit, formally called the Digital Intelligence Team. With just three full-time, civilian investigators (as opposed to sworn police officers), the team is making significant strides in helping solve the city's continually high homicide rate. This week, Gabby and Chris have an extensive conversation with one of the people who helped create APD's new DIT: Kyle Hartsock. Deputy Commander for the Criminal Investigations Division, Hartsock describes how investigators are solving violent crimes using social media and suspects’ digital footprints.

Stay tuned until the end of this episode as Hartsock shares how he handles his own children’s use of social media and devices.

Here's a link to the recent news conference APD held, introducing the DIT to the public. Check out this link as well to a shorter story from KRQE News 13's Ariana Kraft.

We want to hear from you! Got an idea? Question? Comment? Suggestion? Email us at chris.mckee@krqe.com or gabrielle.burkhart@krqe.com. Tweet us at @ChrisMcKeeTV and @gburkNM. For more on this episode and all of our prior episodes, visit our website: KRQE.com/podcasts.

How ‘Protected’ Are Abortions In New Mexico?

Since the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe V. Wade, states across the country have responded in different ways. Abortion remains legal in New Mexico, but the Supreme Court decision may have opened the door to a lot of new legal challenges in the state. Are employers protected if they help women travel for an abortion? How might this impact health care access in New Mexico? Could states start suing each other over this issue? This week on the podcast, Chris and Gabby talk to an Albuquerque local labor attorney, Deena Buchanan, about where she believes the next court room battle lines will be drawn over abortion.

Here's a link to the piece Chris recently wrote about the recent background of abortion access in New Mexico. Here's a link to the full news conference from the Governor regarding her abortion executive order.

We want to hear from you! Got an idea? Question? Comment? Suggestion? Email us at chris.mckee@krqe.com or gabrielle.burkhart@krqe.com. Tweet us at @ChrisMcKeeTV and @gburkNM. For more on this episode and all of our prior episodes, visit our website: KRQE.com/podcasts.

‘Miscalculations’ Led To Feds Sparking State’s Largest Wildfire

Nearly three months after the flames sparked, the Hermits Peak-Calf Canyon wildfire is still burning. A recent federal report outlined how the prescribed burn, started by the U.S. Forest Service, became New Mexico’s largest wildfire. Meanwhile, President Joe Biden has promised that homeowners who lost everything will be compensated fully by the federal government for what they've lost.

So what happens from here? Will the government actually follow through in paying for their losses? What needs to happen to ensure that promise? This week, Gabby is solo hosting the New Mexico News Podcast, interviewing a New Mexico Congresswoman whose district covers the burn area. A Las Vegas, NM native, U.S. Representative Teresa Leger Fernandez (D-Santa Fe) joins the conversation to discuss her feelings on the findings of the federal wildfire report. She also discusses what needs to happen in the government’s next steps responding to the fire, and how she feels about President Biden's promise to New Mexico.

Need help addressing a loss or question related to the Hermits Peak - Calf Canyon Fire? Rep. Ledger Fernandez says people can visit her website at https://fernandez.house.gov. You can also call her office at these two phone numbers: 505-570-7558 or 505-428-4680.

We want to hear from you! Got an idea? Question? Comment? Suggestion? Email us at chris.mckee@krqe.com or gabrielle.burkhart@krqe.com. Tweet us at @ChrisMcKeeTV and @gburkNM. For more on this episode and all of our prior episodes, visit our website: KRQE.com/podcasts.