New Mexico News Insiders

‘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.

Is Downtown Albuquerque On The Rise?

Downtown Albuquerque is the subject of a lot of hot takes. We're pretty sure every NMNP listener has one. Whether you love cruisin' Central or avoid it altogether, the government and private developers see downtown as an important part of Albuquerque. And with that in mind, plenty of groups are spending big money on projects there.

What are some of those projects, you ask? Glad you did, because this week's episode is all about what's going up in downtown and the greater downtown area. An expert on the subject matter, founder, writer, and editor of the Downtown Albuquerque News, Peter Rice joins the podcast this week for a frank discussion about the state of downtown ABQ. What's next for a possible soccer stadium? What's Space Valley all about? Could a new bike and pedestrian trail take shape soon? More apartments? A new hotel? And what would YOU do with 10 billion dollars for Albuquerque's downtown? We're talking about it all this week in what one could call a "Downtown Albuquerque nerdcast."

Check out the Downtown Albuquerque News at www.downtownalbuquerquenews.com and reach out to Peter at downtownabqnews@gmail.com

What's on your mind? Like something we did? Got an idea for an episode? Let us know. Email us at chris.mckee@krqe.com or gabrielle.burkhart@krqe.com. We're also on Twitter at @ChrisMcKeeTV and @gburkNM. For more on this episode and all of our prior episodes, visit our website: KRQE.com/podcasts.

November Is Heating Up...In June

Voters just picked their candidates for the upcoming midterm election... but don't expect any kind of respite from elections. The latest round of political advertising has already begun on TV and radio, so it's a good time to brush up on the campaigns ahead. This week, Chris and Gabby are talking about the November races that are already shaping up, including the race for the offices of the New Mexico Governor and Attorney General. We're also look at both the state and federal House. What can we expect for politics inside the Roundhouse? Will the state’s federal delegation change again? UNM Professor and Political Science Analyst, Gabe Sanchez, provides analysis and perspective about the simmering and soon to boil November election.

What's on your mind? Like something we did? Got an idea for an episode? Let us know. Email us at chris.mckee@krqe.com or gabrielle.burkhart@krqe.com. We're also on Twitter at @ChrisMcKeeTV and @gburkNM. For more on this episode and all of our prior episodes, visit our website: KRQE.com/podcasts.

The Intraparty Fight: It’s Primary Election Day

Tuesday, June 7th is Primary Election Day in New Mexico, and voters are heading to the polls to choose which candidates they want to represent their political party. Some big decisions could shake things up in the state, particularly in the race for Governor and the state’s Attorney General’s Office. Who will win supremacy within their party? Why has there been so much in-party sniping on the campaign trail? This week on the podcast, Chris and Gabby break down some of the key races to keep an eye on, with analysis from UNM Political Science Professor, Tim Krebs.

KRQE.com will have a full slate on live election coverage. Once results start rolling in after poll close at 7 p.m. Chris will be live streaming with Curtis Segarra to talk about the election outcomes. Gabby will be out in the field among other KRQE reports. Results will also play out on KRQE News 13 at 6 and 9 on Fox New Mexico and 10 p.m. on KRQE News 13 CBS. Looking for even more background on the big races? KRQE also previously aired a GOP primary candidates special and an Attorney General Democratic Primary debate.

What's on your mind? Like something we did? Got an idea for an episode? Let us know. Email us at chris.mckee@krqe.com or gabrielle.burkhart@krqe.com. We're also on Twitter at @ChrisMcKeeTV and @gburkNM.  For more on this episode and all of our prior episodes, visit our website: KRQE.com/podcasts.

Can Targeting Shoplifters Stop Violent Crime?

If you've shopped in the Albuquerque-metro area anytime in the last few years, you've probably noticed at least a few security changes at most big box stores. Whether its more security guards, police officers or even camera trailers with flashing blue and red lights, a lot of New Mexico's supermarkets, pharmacies and other stores have increasingly been targets for brazen shoplifting. In the summer of 2021, the New Mexico Attorney General's Office announced it would target this issue, calling it "organized retail crime," while dispelling the idea that the suspects are "just petty thieves."

So is that new approach making shopping safer? Investigative Reporter Ann Pierret joins Gabby and Chris on the podcast to discuss her recent KRQE News 13 Investigation, featuring a ride-along with agents from the AG’s Office and the Albuquerque Police Department. 

What's on your mind? Like something we did? Got an idea for an episode? Let us know. Email us at chris.mckee@krqe.com or gabrielle.burkhart@krqe.com. We're also on Twitter at @ChrisMcKeeTV and @gburkNM.  For more on this episode and all of our prior episodes, visit our website: KRQE.com/podcasts.

Ranchers Evacuate Largest Wildfire In State History

The Hermits Peak-Calf Canyon Fire is officially the largest in New Mexico’s history, burning more than 300,000 acres and destroying hundreds of homes. Among those forced to evacuate were some of the state’s ranching community. How did they get horses and livestock to safety? What does this fire mean for the state’s agricultural industry? This week on the podcast, Chris and Gabby hear from a fourth-generation rancher in northern New Mexico who witnessed the prescribed burn-turned wildfire spark at Hermits Peak. A Las Vegas-area rancher, Lydia Kyle describes hauling her horses, husband, and three young children out of harm's way in the dark as they witnessed 300-foot flames. 

What's on your mind? Like something we did? Got an idea? Let us know. Email us at chris.mckee@krqe.com or gabrielle.burkhart@krqe.com. We're also on Twitter at @ChrisMcKeeTV and @gburkNM.  For more on this episode and all of our prior episodes, visit our website: KRQE.com/podcasts.

A Mother’s Mission To Help Ukraine

Diana Horak is determined. Born and raised in Ukraine and now living in Albuquerque, Diana helped evacuate her 82-year-old mother from the war-torn country in March. During that trip to Ukraine, she also took suitcases full of supplies to help other refugees and front-line soldiers. After sharing her story with KRQE's Jessica Garate, Diana started getting support from New Mexicans all over. That support has led to yet another supply run for the people of Ukraine. In the coming weeks, Diana is planning to travel with a team of people (including her daughter) to help shuttle around 900 pounds of much-needed gear in a mission she calls "Bras, Boots, and Babies." This week on the podcast, hear about the mission from Diana herself.

What's on your mind? Like something we did? Got an idea? Let us know. Email us at chris.mckee@krqe.com or gabrielle.burkhart@krqe.com. We're also on Twitter at @ChrisMcKeeTV and @gburkNM.  For more on this episode and all of our prior episodes, visit our website: KRQE.com/podcasts.

Losing Everything In A Wildfire

Hundreds of New Mexicans are dealing with the reality of losing their home to wildfire this season. Dry air, high temperatures, and continued winds through April and the start of May have already led to the destruction of more than 360 homes in communities all over the state. Families in Ruidoso and communities including Las Vegas, Jemez Springs, and Ocate are feeling the impacts, to name a few. What happens after you lose your home and everything inside it? Where do you go? Can families afford to rebuild?

This week, Gabby and Chris speak with Karen Roach, whose family home burned to the ground on the first day of the McBride Fire in mid-April. Before her interview, hear from Kerry Gladden, a longtime spokeswoman for the Village of Ruidoso who was a core part of getting the word out about the emergency response to the wildfire. Gladden helps shed light on the broader response the village still faces in the wake of the McBride wildfire.

We want to hear from our listeners! Like something we did? Feel like there's something we missed? Got an idea? Email us at chris.mckee@krqe.com or gabrielle.burkhart@krqe.com. We're also on Twitter at @ChrisMcKeeTV and @gburkNM.  For more on this episode and all of our prior episodes, visit our website: KRQE.com/podcasts.

The Life Of A Wildland Firefighter

When a wildfire sparks, our news station usually gives people a birds-eye view of what’s happening in the community via our Sky News 13 helicopter. But what's it like for the men and women who are facing the fire on the ground, chopping down trees and working to stop the flames from spreading? It takes a lot to be a wildland firefighter. This week, Chris and Gabby hear from a longtime Santa Fe Hotshot, a highly skilled and specially trained firefighter, who’s already spent weeks working one of the biggest wildfires of the season.

What's on your mind? Like something we did? Got an idea? Let us know. Email us at chris.mckee@krqe.com or gabrielle.burkhart@krqe.com. We're also on Twitter at @ChrisMcKeeTV and @gburkNM.  For more on this episode and all of our prior episodes, visit our website: KRQE.com/podcasts.

Free College For New Mexico

Perhaps it sounds too good to be true: "free college for New Mexico." But the fact is, a freshly expanded state program is ensuring just that. What started in 2020, the state's "Opportunity Scholarship" is now bigger than ever. If you didn't finish college and are seeking your first degree or training in a high-need trade, the state is willing to pick up the cost of your higher education. So how does it work? And why are so many lawmakers willing to support it? Chris and Gabby explore the state's free college offer this week. Hear from New Mexico's Department of Higher Education Secretary Stephanie Rodriguez in the first half of the episode. Later on, a discussion with a Republican lawmaker: Senator Cliff Pirtle (R-Roswell) talks about why he supports what some may argue is a major government spending program. 

Need a further breakdown of how the Opportunity Scholarship works? Check out Curtis Segarra's news resource or FAQ-style article titled: "Understanding New Mexico's 'free college' offer."

What's on your mind? Like something we did? Got an idea? Let us know. Email us at chris.mckee@krqe.com or gabrielle.burkhart@krqe.com. We're also on Twitter at @ChrisMcKeeTV and @gburkNM.  For more on this episode and all of our prior episodes, visit our website: KRQE.com/podcasts.