New Mexico News Insiders

Will United Build A Stadium At Balloon Fiesta Park?

It’s been a burning question since 2021 when voters turned down a $50 million bond to build a soccer stadium near downtown Albuquerque. Where else might New Mexico United build a venue for their young and popular team? In recent weeks, United's owner Peter Trevisani leaked a big hint: the stadium could go in a place that rhymes with ‘Lagoon Siesta Park.’

So how should we take this news? Will the franchise build a stadium at Balloon Fiesta Park? What more needs to be done before the steel and rebar start going up? This week, Chris and Gabby get the low-down from the team’s owner and president/CEO, Peter Trevisani. He shares his vision for what a stadium would look like, why Balloon Fiesta Park, how it'll get paid for, and his idea on what the possible venue could mean for the city and state.

We also dig into the past with Trevisani, regarding the 2021 bond. Why does he think voters turned down the bond question? What has he learned from the experience?  Those questions and more are all on this week's extended interview.

Do you have thoughts about the show or people you'd like to hear from? Send feedback or story ideas to your hosts  chris.mckee@krqe.com or gabrielle.burkhart@krqe.com. We're also on Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram at @ChrisMcKeeTV and @gburkNM. For more on this episode and all of our prior episodes, visit our podcast website: KRQE.com/podcasts.

 

What New Laws Will Hit New Mexico In 2023?

We're now about one month removed from the end of the latest New Mexico legislative session. Despite it being 60 days long (double the length of last year's session), it seems like this was a "fast and furious" legislative session (see what we did there?)

This week on the podcast, Chris and Gabby host KRQE.com's Digital Data Investigative Reporter Curtis Segarra for a deeper break down of the big bills that passed, and the ones that didn’t make it through. Curtis penned well over 100 stories about happens inside the New Mexico Roundhouse this session, all of which are available for view now on KRQE.com.

Was this a big session for crime? What happened with all of those tax rebates that the Governor talked about? Listen in for an extended conversation about the big topics and some of the other bills affecting the environment, voting rights, school lunches and more.

Finally, here's a write up on some of the big bills the Governor vetoed this session.

Like the show? Let us know. Send feedback or story ideas to your hosts  chris.mckee@krqe.com or gabrielle.burkhart@krqe.com. We're also on Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram at @ChrisMcKeeTV and @gburkNM. For more on this episode and all of our prior episodes, visit our podcast website: KRQE.com/podcasts.

 

A Warning From An IRS Criminal Investigator

Perhaps you've filed your taxes already? Or maybe you're waiting until the last minute? Regardless of your choice, the fact remains that you probably have to file something with the government. This week on the podcast, we're taking a closer look at the process behind tax law enforcement with the IRS. A special agent and public information officer for the IRS' Criminal Investigation Division, Brian Watson joins the podcast.

What are some of the most common tax scams and problems hitting filers in 2023? Are there any new questions from the IRS that you should you watch out for? (Hint: They want to know about your crypto.) Should you be worried about getting audited, or if the federal government will come after you if you make a mistake? Who really took down Al Capone? These questions and more are discussed in this week's extended interview.

We love hearing from listeners! Send feedback or story ideas to your hosts  chris.mckee@krqe.com or gabrielle.burkhart@krqe.com. We're also on Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram at @ChrisMcKeeTV and @gburkNM. For more on this episode and all of our prior episodes, visit our podcast website: KRQE.com/podcasts.

Water Is ’Everyone’s Issue’ In New Mexico

Every year, New Mexicans may see a different sight of the Rio Grande River, depending on how much rain or snow the state gets. And every year, water shortages, restrictions, and conservation efforts occur in the background.

Will the river run dry? How much water does New Mexico owe to Texas under the Rio Grande Compact? How have the state's water woes impacted farmers and ranchers? 

Whether you're in the ag industry, you like plants, or enjoy walks along the Bosque - you won't want to miss this week's conversation with Jason Casuga, CEO of the Middle Rio Grande Conservancy District (MRGCD) about efforts to keep the valley green. 

We love hearing from listeners! Send feedback or story ideas to your hosts  chris.mckee@krqe.com or gabrielle.burkhart@krqe.com. We're also on Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram at @ChrisMcKeeTV and @gburkNM. For more on this episode and all of our prior episodes, visit our podcast website: KRQE.com/podcasts.

Tackling The Teacher Shortage

The teacher shortage is a perennial topic when it comes to education in New Mexico. Over the years, lawmakers and other officials have put stock in loads of different efforts aimed at addressing the shortage, from increasing pay to starting new recruiting programs.

But what makes a good teacher? And why do some teachers leave the profession so quickly? Can something be done differently to fix that? A recent NMSU report indicated the state's teacher vacancies were down by 34% in New Mexico from the year prior, but the state still has a lot of work to do. This week on the podcast, Chris and Gabby are joined by Alan Mather, President of the Golden Apple Foundation in New Mexico. Mather discusses the organization's boots-on-the-ground "Scholars Program," which is aimed at recruiting and retaining teachers to work in the New Mexico communities they're from.

The Scholars Program is now open for applicants. If you know an aspiring teacher who's in high school, university, or community college, you can also refer candidates to the program. For more information, visit the program's website at this link.

Send us a note, a line, or an idea. Reach us via email at chris.mckee@krqe.com or gabrielle.burkhart@krqe.com. We're also on Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram at @ChrisMcKeeTV and @gburkNM. For more on this episode and all of our prior episodes, visit our podcast website: KRQE.com/podcasts.

New Attorney General Plans For An Overhaul

New Mexico has a new Attorney General. In November, voters picked Democrat Raúl Torrez to lead the state's top prosecutorial office. Now in his third month on the job, Torrez recently sat down with Chris and Gabby to talk about how he plans to reshape the New Mexico AG’s office. His plans include adding staff and new divisions, including a Civil Rights Division for the state. Torrez explains what that division could do, including holding New Mexico's beleaguered Children Youth and Families Department (CYFD) accountable. 

We also discuss the recent legislative session and whether or not Torrez thinks lawmakers have passed any meaningful crime bills in 2023. What's the AG's main goal this year? Will he continue the prior AG's work addressing Organized Retail Crime?

Send us a note, a line or an idea. Reach us via email at chris.mckee@krqe.com or gabrielle.burkhart@krqe.com. We're also on Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram at @ChrisMcKeeTV and @gburkNM. For more on this episode and all of our prior episodes, visit our podcast website: KRQE.com/podcasts.

 

Evacuee Returns To Ukraine A Year Since Invasion

More than one year since Russia invaded Ukraine, the war continues to impact New Mexicans. From evacuating her mother from a war-torn country and making several trips back to help, this week Chris and Gabby check in with Diana Horak. She’s a Ukrainian-born, Albuquerque mother of two who’s been involved with helping her home country since day one. And one year since her elderly mother was evacuated, Horak describes the tough decision to return her mom home to Kyiv. 

Listen through the end to hear Diana’s message to her Albuquerque neighbors, and head to our post about this episode on KRQE.com to see the video of her mother’s return to Ukraine and the love of her life. 

We welcome your episode ideas and feedback. Holler at us via email at  chris.mckee@krqe.com or gabrielle.burkhart@krqe.com. We're also on Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram at @ChrisMcKeeTV and @gburkNM. For more on this episode and all of our prior episodes, visit our podcast website: KRQE.com/podcasts.

Dr. Scrase Is Retiring. His Thoughts On New Mexico’s Pandemic Response

The state’s top doctor who helped guide New Mexico through the COVID-19 pandemic - is officially retiring at the end of February. Referred to as New Mexico’s own ‘Dr. Fauci,’ Dr. David Scrase eventually led two departments, serving as the Secretary of the Human Services Department and Acting Secretary of the Department of Health. Ahead of his departure from state government, Dr. Scrase sits down with Gabby and Chris one more time to reflect on his role over the last few years. 

How does he feel about the state’s pandemic response? Is there anything he regrets or would have done differently? What made him want to retire? Stick around for those questions and a lot more on this week's episode.

We welcome your episode ideas and feedback. Contact us at chris.mckee@krqe.com or gabrielle.burkhart@krqe.com. We're also on Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram at @ChrisMcKeeTV and @gburkNM. For more on this episode and all of our prior episodes, visit our podcast website: KRQE.com/podcasts.

The Special Agent In Charge Of Albuquerque’s FBI

Guns, fentanyl, and violent crime are some of New Mexico’s biggest problems that federal agents are tackling right alongside local law enforcement. This week, Chris and Gabby have a candid conversation with Raul Bujanda, the Special Agent in Charge of Albuquerque’s FBI field office, about what the feds have accomplished and what they’re focused on this year. 

What’s happened since the FBI made its largest fentanyl bust in bureau history? How do the feds address the idea of 'whack-a-mole' when it comes to arresting the bad guys? Also, stick around for the end when the SAC shares about the musical easter eggs he’s been dropping during some press conferences. 

We talked about a few news stories in this episode. The FBI's Albuquerque office had a record fentanyl bust in September, followed up by a second connected bust in early February. We also mentioned KRQE Investigative Reporter Ann Pierret's 2022 investigation into Albuquerque bank robberies. And finally, here's more on the recent crash that New Mexico State Police first responded to, which lead to a major fentanyl seizure.

Got a question, comment, or story idea? Contact us at chris.mckee@krqe.com or gabrielle.burkhart@krqe.com. We welcome your ideas and feedback. Also, find us on social media, including Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram at @ChrisMcKeeTV and @gburkNM. For more on this episode and all of our prior episodes, visit our podcast website: KRQE.com/podcasts.

 

School Meals Could Be Free For All New Mexico Kids

A $30 million dollar proposal could reshape school meals in New Mexico. State lawmakers are considering a bill that would pick up the breakfast and lunch tab for all K-12 public and charter schools. If it passes, the bill would give every student the option to get free food at school twice a day, regardless of their family's income.

This week on the podcast, Chris and Gabby discuss the state proposal with three guests, including an expert on the new bill and two people who could be affected by it. The Food and Hunger Coordinator for the Office of the Governor, Kendal Chavez, joins the podcast alongside a parent and school worker, Luis Ramos, and a New Mexico high school junior named Fernando.

How would the bill work? Why is it a priority for some? And how could this benefit schools without their own kitchens? Those questions and more are part of this week's discussion. If you want to take a closer look at the bill, here's a link to the text of Senate Bill 4. And here's a link to a KRQE News 13 story on the proposal.

Got a question, comment, or story idea? Contact us at chris.mckee@krqe.com or gabrielle.burkhart@krqe.com. We welcome your episode ideas and feedback. Also, find us on social media, including Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram at @ChrisMcKeeTV and @gburkNM. For more on this episode and all of our prior episodes, visit our podcast website: KRQE.com/podcasts.