New Mexico News Insiders

Recreational Cannabis Is Legal, Now What?

New Mexico state leaders first started talking about decriminalizing marijuana in 1999. Then-Republican Governor Gary Johnson  suggested the "war on drugs" was a failure, and that lawmakers should have a conversation about the penalties surrounding drug possession. More than two decades later, the state is now poised to open a recreational cannabis marketplace by April 2022. How does New Mexico's recreational cannabis law work? What's legal right now? And what's still left to be decided with the new marketplace? Chris and Gabby talk with KRQE News 13 Investigative Data Reporter Curtis Segarra about the ins and outs of the new law. Plus, a conversation with one of the longtime cannabis legalization stalwarts of the New Mexico Legislature, Senator Jerry Ortiz y Pino (D-Albuquerque,) provides historical context for how we got here. For more on this week's episode, visit KRQE.com/podcasts. Got an idea, comment, or feedback? Send it to chris.mckee@krqe.com or gabrielle.burkhart@krqe.com. 

COVID Boosters, Child Vaccines, and Struggling Hospitals

He's been New Mexico's guiding voice in dealing with the pandemic for 19 months. Dr. David Scrase joins the New Mexico News Podcast this week to talk about a wide range of COVID topics, including how the state is doing with booster shots, and the impending push to vaccinate younger kids ages 5 to 11. Dr. Scrase gets candid about how he talks to vaccine-hesitant patients, and his own family about vaccinating grandkids. Are the right people getting booster shots? Will the state pivot toward more rapid testing as the pandemic marches on? And why are continued COVID infections so problematic for the thousands working in New Mexico's health care system? Those questions and more are answered in this week's episode. If you have an idea, let us know at chris.mckee@krqe.com or gabrielle.burkhart@krqe.com. Check out our webpage for more on each episode at  krqe.com/podcasts.

 

Redrawing New Mexico‘s Political Map

New Mexico's voting boundaries are going through a revamp. For the first time ever, an independent group is tinkering with the state's "political map," hashing out where they think the state should redraw the borders for U.S. Congressional districts, state Senate, and House districts. The process could result in a major shift in which lawmakers represent different areas of New Mexico. What is a political map revamp? How does it work? Who's involved? Why should you care? Chris and Gabby tackle those topics this week on the New Mexico News Podcast with special guests UNM Political Science Professor and KRQE Political Analyst, Gabe Sanchez, and KRQE Investigative Data Reporter, Curtis Segarra. For more on the New Mexico News Podcast, visit our website at krqe.com/podcasts.

Balloon Fiesta Returns

Can you believe it's been two years since Balloon Fiesta took to Albuquerque's skies? After the COVID-19 pandemic shutdown most events in New Mexico through 2020, The Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta is back from an unprecedented "postponement." Chris and Gabby chat with two titans in the Albuquerque balloon scene. Longtime Fiesta spokesman Tom Garrity and well-known balloon pilot, Scott Appelman of Rainbow Ryders talk about what people can expect from this year's event, and how the hiatus impacted the state of New Mexico. For more on the New Mexico News Podcast, visit our website at krqe.com/podcasts

Hello and Welcome

The New Mexico News Podcast is a weekly podcast hosted by Gabrielle Burkhart and Chris McKee of KRQE News 13 in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Look out for episodes publishing every Tuesday, starting October 5, 2021. If you have an idea of something you'd like to hear us cover, email us at gabrielle.burkhart (at) KRQE.com or chris.mckee (at) KRQE.com. More online at KRQE.com/podcasts