New Mexico News Insiders

Headlines To Watch For In 2022

Happy New Year! So...what's ahead for 2022? This week, Chris & Gabby are forecasting what they expect will be a few of the biggest news stories over the next year. Recreational cannabis is months away from public sales. Tim Keller is sticking around as Albuquerque's mayor, but he faces a new council that could have a different say in the city's agenda. The Midterm Election is also coming in hot, but even that will be preceded by what could be a wild primary for a few races. Stay tuned for those topics and more this week! Also, who could forget about the classic New Year's resolutions? At the end of the episode, Chris reveals one of the "most anticipated events of the year" (that's an opinion) and hear from several others on the KRQE news team about their personal goals in 2022. As always, questions, comments, and suggestions are welcome. Email Chris and Gabby at chris.mckee@krqe.com and gabrielle.burkhart@krqe.com. For more on this episode and the ghosts of episodes past, visit KRQE.com/podcasts.

The Resurgence Of Live Music & Keeping It Alive

For most of 2020 and on into the first half of 2021, it was a quiet time for most of New Mexico's music scene. Amid the pre-vaccine era of the pandemic, public health orders kept mass gatherings and live shows from happening. The state went more than a year without live music in all major venues and most small venues. That put a massive strain on not just local businesses, but also musicians who make a living playing to crowds. But as the restrictions on gatherings have faded away, New Mexico's seen a resurgence in live music. Longtime New Mexico musician Donny Tesso joins Gabby and Chris on the podcast, and opens up about his experience as a full-time professional musician who plays alongside his two daughters in a band called Sorela. What will it take to keep that alive as the pandemic continues? Donny offers his perspective to that question and more.

If you have any comments, questions or suggestions - let us know. Email Chris and Gabby at chris.mckee@krqe.com and gabrielle.burkhart@krqe.com. For more on this episode, visit KRQE.com/podcasts.

The song featured in this episode is called Baila, Bailame / Pirolino," as performed live by Sorela in a 2007 tribute to the late New Mexico music legend Al Hurricane. A special thanks to Atlantis CDS for allowing us to share the song on this week's episode.

Reflecting On Some Good News in 2021

We could all use some good news stories, and as 2021 comes to a close, that’s what we’re focusing on in this week's episode of the New Mexico News Podcast. Two of KRQE News 13's veteran reporters, Brittany Bade and Jami Seymore join Chris and Gabby to talk about some of the most memorable and positive moments they got to cover this year and the people involved in those stories. Their stories feature good Samaritans who stepped in to help save injured Albuquerque police officers, and a local business owner who's partnered with a program that helps children get access to an expensive, life-saving surgery. Got a question, comment, or suggestion? Email Chris and Gabby at chris.mckee@krqe.com and gabrielle.burkhart@krqe.com. For more on this episode, visit KRQE.com/podcasts.

Check out Brittany's story on the life-saving heart surgery for children here. 

Check out Jami's story on the good Samaritans who helped injured APD officers here. 

2021, A Record-Breaking Year Of Homicides

2021 has been a year unlike any other for homicides in Albuquerque. In August, the city broke the record for the most homicides logged in a single year, which used to be 81. By December 1st, 104 people have died of homicide in Albuquerque in 2021. What's fueling this year's surge in violent crime? Are criminals being held accountable? This week, Gabby and Chris have an extended conservation with Albuquerque Police Chief Harold Medina, and Bernalillo County District Attorney Raúl Torrez. The two local law enforcement leaders break down what's behind the "perfect storm" on the heels of the pandemic, their views on the challenges to their respective departments are facing, and their ideas on how to fix it. Got a question, comment, or suggestion? Email Chris and Gabby at chris.mckee@krqe.com and gabrielle.burkhart@krqe.com. For more on this episode, visit KRQE.com/podcasts.

Is Law Enforcement Prepared For Legal Cannabis?

We're wrapping up our four-part series on New Mexico's new recreational cannabis law with a discussion on enforcement this week. New Mexico Sheriff's Association board member and San Juan County Sheriff Shane Ferrari joins the discussion, sharing his questions and concerns about recreational cannabis. How will officers and deputies tell the difference between what’s legal and what’s not allowed? Sheriff Ferrari also shares his prediction about how this new industry may impact local communities, and his department. Got a question, comment, or suggestion? Email Chris and Gabby at chris.mckee@krqe.com and gabrielle.burkhart@krqe.com. For more on this episode, and links to the three other cannabis-focused episodes of the podcast, visit KRQE.com/podcasts.

New Mexico Hospitals Declare ‘Crisis‘

Over the last month, at least six New Mexico hospitals have declared "crisis standards of care" (CSC) for their facilities amid a continued high number of COVID-19 cases and sick patients more than a year into the pandemic. New Mexico reported 9,892 COVID cases between 11-16 and 11-22, and an additional 4,991 cases over the Thanksgiving holiday weekend. CSC is a rare and serious designation, allowing for hospitals, in part, to pick and choose who they provide medical care for and cancel or delay "non-medically necessary procedures." So far, New Mexico facilities say they're not rationing or "deallocating care," but what would it take to get there? What does Crisis Standards of Care actually mean for our local facilities? This week, Chris and Gabby interview Dr. Jason Mitchell, Chief Medical Officer for the state's largest healthcare provider, Presbyterian Healthcare Services. Mitchell explains how Presbyterian is using the CSC designation, if he foresees a time when the hospitals have to ration medical care, and provides a detailed picture of the grim reality inside New Mexico's hospitals. Got a question, comment, or suggestion? Email Chris and Gabby at chris.mckee@krqe.com and gabrielle.burkhart@krqe.com. For more on this episode, visit KRQE.com/podcasts.

New Mexico‘s Recreational Cannabis Producers Seek Green Light

More than 2,000 people have already started the process of trying to become recreational cannabis producers in New Mexico. What does it take to become a cannabis producer? Who are the people applying for licenses? What motivates some of them? Chris and Gabby breakdown the numbers and demographics behind who's applying with the help of KRQE's Investigative Data Reporter Curtis Segarra. Also, hear from a young father who left his job as a truck driver to dive head-first into the state’s budding new industry. This is the third episode in a four part series on the podcast, looking into the state’s unfolding recreational cannabis industry set to launch sales by April 1, 2022. For more on this episode and links to news stories mentioned in this podcast, visit our website at KRQE.com/podcasts. Got an idea, comment, or a suggestion? Email Chris and Gabby at chris.mckee@krqe.com or gabrielle.burkhart@krqe.com.

The Challenges With Cannabis In Colorado

With recreational cannabis legalization in New Mexico and retail sales on the horizon, KRQE News 13 recently looked to our neighbors in Colorado for perspective on some of the challenges that state has dealt with since its legalization effort. Anchor/reporter Dean Staley traveled to Colorado to interview a prosecutor, sheriff, and educator - and shares what they've seen in their communities in the nearly nine years since cannabis became legal. Gabby, Chris, and Dean dive into some of the cautionary tales from Colorado, and some of the challenges that could make their way to New Mexico. Got an idea for the podcast or some feedback? Email us at chris.mckee@krqe.com or gabrielle.burkhart@krqe.com. We've posted links to all of Dean's Colorado cannabis stories in the post tied to this episode on KRQE.com/podcasts.

‘Rust‘ Shooting Fallout & The Use of Guns On Movie Sets

The tragic shooting on the film set of ‘Rust’ in Santa Fe sparked lots of discussion about the use of real weapons in movie productions. Investigators say actor Alec Baldwin fired a long colt revolver while rehearsing a scene at Bonanza Creek Ranch, killing cinematographer Halyna Hutchins, and injuring the film’s director, Joel Souza. How did a real bullet get on set and go unnoticed? Should film productions stick with visual effects from now on instead of using real functioning firearms? What is the role of an armorer on a film set? Gabby and Chris tackle these topics and more with a New Mexico military veteran who’s spent part of his career working with weapons on film sets as an armorer. Cory Wilde shares first-hand knowledge about using guns on movie sets, and why he believes education is key to keeping people safe. For more on this and other episodes, visit our website at krqe.com/podcasts. Got a question, comment or suggestion? Email us at chris.mckee@krqe.com or gabrielle.burkhart@krqe.com.

Election Day 2021

It's Election Day in New Mexico and the November ballot is stacked with issues that could alter the direction of the state's biggest city. Chris and Gabby dive into the heated mayoral race in Albuquerque, a $50 million soccer stadium bond, and city council races. Plus, no incumbents are running to keep their seat on APS' Board of Education (the school board) after the pandemic fueled contentious debates with parents over COVID-related issues. Do voters know who their school board candidates are? Will a soccer stadium revitalize the state's metropolis, or could it cause problems for historic neighborhoods? KRQE Political Analyst and UNM Political Science Professor, Gabe Sanchez, weighs in on these issues and more in this week's episode.

Don't forget to join us for election night coverage on KRQE.com, and KRQE News 13 at 4, 5:30 and 10 on CBS and 6pm and 9pm on FOX New Mexico. Chris will also be livestreaming election results on KRQE.com starting around 7:30 p.m. alongside special guests including Gabe Sanchez and News 13 Investigative Data Reporter Curtis Segarra.

Got an idea? Let us know at chris.mckee@krqe.com or gabrielle.burkhart@krqe.com. Check out more on this episode and past episodes at our website, krqe.com/podcasts.