New Mexico News Insiders

How Is New Mexico Attracting New Business?

How is New Mexico attracting new business? From space to film, energy and manufacturing - the state's Economic Development Department Secretary, Rob Black, pulls back the curtain on some of the business dealings behind the scenes. Black shares what's happening at Spaceport America, the future of solar manufacturing in the state, and how EDD is tackling the challenge of 'brain drain.' Is job growth happening in New Mexico? What will it take to keep college graduates and attract new ones into the state? 

Thanks for listening. If you’ve got an idea, send it to us at chris.mckee@krqe.com or gabrielle.burkhart@krqe.com. Give us a follow on social media at @ChrisMcKeeTV and @gburkNM. Watch or listen to our prior podcasts online at KRQE.com/podcast and our KRQE YouTube channel, or on broadcast TV every Wednesday at 10:35 p.m. MST on Fox New Mexico. 

National Championship Air Races Move To Roswell

New Mexico is well-known for the Balloon Fiesta and its State Fair, and this year it’ll be home to another major event: The National Championship Air Races. Organizers describe it as ‘NASCAR in the sky,’ and the historic event spent decades in Reno, Nevada, before development around the airport forced it to find a new home. Chris and Gabby sit down with Tony Logoteta, President & COO of the Reno Air Racing Association, to unpack how Roswell, New Mexico, was chosen from cities across the country, the potential economic boost for the state, and what aviation fans can expect from the high-speed spectacle. How many people will attend? What does this mean for New Mexico in the long term? 

Thanks for listening. If you’ve got an idea, send it to us at chris.mckee@krqe.com or gabrielle.burkhart@krqe.com. Give us a follow on social media at @ChrisMcKeeTV and @gburkNM. Watch or listen to our prior podcasts online at KRQE.com/podcast and our KRQE YouTube channel, or on broadcast TV every Wednesday at 10:35 p.m. MST on Fox New Mexico. 

APS Superintendent Talks School Safety, Education, & Progress

As New Mexico students head into a new school year, families want to know: Are classrooms safe? Will student outcomes improve? And is the state moving up in national education rankings? Chris and Gabby host the leader of the state’s largest school district, Albuquerque Public Schools Superintendent Gabriella Blakey. More than a year into her role, Blakey shares about lessons learned over the last year, new safety measures, and academic goals for the state's largest district. 

Thanks for listening. If you’ve got an idea, send it to us at chris.mckee@krqe.com or gabrielle.burkhart@krqe.com. Give us a follow on social media at @ChrisMcKeeTV and @gburkNM. Watch or listen to our prior podcasts online at KRQE.com/podcast and our KRQE YouTube channel, or on broadcast TV every Wednesday at 10:35 p.m. MST on Fox New Mexico. 

Reporting On Child Abuse In New Mexico

New Mexico continues to contend with heartbreaking cases of child abuse, and mounting criticism of the state agency meant to protect vulnerable kids. KRQE Anchor-Reporter Jessica Garate joins Chris and Gabby to unpack the challenges of reporting on child welfare and the role of the Children, Youth and Families Department (CYFD). Jessica tackles the latest case of a 5-year-old girl in Silver City whose family believes she could have been saved, and addresses broader questions about state oversight. What happens when abuse or neglect is reported by a teacher, family member, or law enforcement? How is CYFD responding? And are family reunification goals sometimes putting children's safety at risk?

• Watch Jessica's story on 5-year-old Xaquie Bynum 

Thanks for listening. If you’ve got an idea, send it to us at chris.mckee@krqe.com or gabrielle.burkhart@krqe.com. Follow your hosts on social media at @ChrisMcKeeTV and @gburkNM. Watch or listen to our prior podcasts online at KRQE.com/podcast and our KRQE YouTube channel, or on broadcast TV every Wednesday at 10:35 p.m. MST on Fox New Mexico. 

Addressing Education With New Mexico's Lt. Governor

New Mexico has long grappled with challenges in education, from teacher retention and recruitment in rural communities, to consistently low national rankings. Lt. Governor Howie Morales, a longtime advocate for education, joins Chris and Gabby to unpack major investments in early childhood, progress made so far, and the looming threat of losing critical federal funding. Are rural programs at risk? How are the state's investments translating to better outcomes for New Mexico students?

Thanks for listening. If you’ve got an idea, send it to us at chris.mckee@krqe.com or gabrielle.burkhart@krqe.com. Give us a follow on social media at @ChrisMcKeeTV and @gburkNM. Watch or listen to our prior podcasts online at KRQE.com/podcast and our KRQE YouTube channel, or on broadcast TV every Wednesday at 10:35 p.m. MST on Fox New Mexico. 

What Happens When The Rio Grande Runs Dry?

The Rio Grande is running dry in the metro once again, for the second time in 40 years. With New Mexico already in a 'water debt' under the Rio Grande Compact, what does this mean for farmers, crops, and the local drinking water supply? Chris and Gabby wade through the complexities with Middle Rio Grande Conservancy District's Chief Engineer & CEO, Jason Casuga. He explains how New Mexico is managing its water, and restrictions around water storage. How does the Rio Grande Compact play a role in the state's supply? And what does this mean for future infrastructure and livelihoods? 

Thanks for listening. If you’ve got an idea, send it to us at chris.mckee@krqe.com or gabrielle.burkhart@krqe.com. Give us a follow on social media at @ChrisMcKeeTV and @gburkNM. Watch or listen to our prior podcasts online at KRQE.com/podcast and our KRQE YouTube channel, or on broadcast TV every Wednesday at 10:35 p.m. MST on Fox New Mexico.

Ruidoso's Deadly Flash Flooding

Ruidoso, New Mexico, is reeling once again. After enduring destructive wildfires, the mountain community is facing an uphill battle of recovery after deadly flash flooding killed a man and two children. The Rio Ruidoso surged to a record-breaking 20 feet, five feet higher than last year's record, catching even prepared emergency crews off guard. Chris and Gabby speak with the Village Fire Chief Cade Hall, a lifelong Ruidoso resident, about what happened, and the heartbreak of not being able to save everyone. Chief Hall explains how the community is also bracing for more rain. With recovery setbacks, tourism threatened, and continued risks, will people rebuild? Is the village re-thinking its alert system? 

Thanks for listening. If you’ve got an idea, send it to us at chris.mckee@krqe.com or gabrielle.burkhart@krqe.com. Give us a follow on social media at @ChrisMcKeeTV and @gburkNM. Watch or listen to our prior podcasts online at KRQE.com/podcast and our KRQE YouTube channel, or on broadcast TV every Wednesday at 10:35 p.m. MST on Fox New Mexico. 

PFAS: The Most Contaminated Waters In New Mexico

New Mexico is home to the most highly polluted body of water in the world, according to University of New Mexico researchers. PFAS, a group of toxic 'forever chemicals' linked to health problems, is showing up in water, wildlife, and everyday products. Secretary James Kenney, of the New Mexico Environment Department, joins Chris and Gabby to discuss the scope of contamination in New Mexico, the federal government's response, and what people can do to mitigate risks. How do you know if you've been exposed? Which bodies of water are considered hazardous? Are big game hunters at risk of eating contaminated meat? And what sort of health problems do PFAS cause? 

• Read the environmental report on PFAS in New Mexico 

*Special note: We recorded this episode just days before the Holloman Air Force Base announced its choice to close public access to the area surrounding Holloman Lake, or what the Air Force calls the "Holloman Evaporation Pond." Due to concerns about PFAS contamination, the area is expected to close on August 14, 2025. You can read more about the decision on KRQE.com.

Thanks for listening. If you’ve got an idea, send it to us at chris.mckee@krqe.com or gabrielle.burkhart@krqe.com. Give us a follow on social media at @ChrisMcKeeTV and @gburkNM. Watch or listen to our prior podcasts online at KRQE.com/podcast and our KRQE YouTube channel, or on broadcast TV every Wednesday at 10:35 p.m. MST on Fox New Mexico. 

A Dysfunctional District Attorney’s Office

What happens when there are zero prosecutors for a community of nearly 70,000 people? A breakdown is unfolding in Gallup, New Mexico, and the fallout has the community demanding change. This week, KRQE investigative reporter Ann Pierret joins Chris and Gabby to share her reporting on the dysfunction inside the McKinley County District Attorney's Office, including her attempts to get answers from the DA herself. She explains how a state senator's unprecedented move to defund the office is sparking political and legal turmoil, and why state officials are now stepping in. How did it get to this point? What happens next? Watch Ann's reporting on what's unfolding in Gallup at the linked stories below: 

• State Senator defunds District Attorney
• McKinley County DA hangs onto control for now
• DA no-shows in court, multiple cases dismissed 

Thanks for listening. If you’ve got an idea, send it to us at chris.mckee@krqe.com or gabrielle.burkhart@krqe.com. Give us a follow on social media at @ChrisMcKeeTV and @gburkNM. Watch or listen to our prior podcasts online at KRQE.com/podcast and our KRQE YouTube channel, or on broadcast TV every Wednesday at 10:35 p.m. MST on Fox New Mexico. 

'The Sky Is Not The Limit': Space Force In New Mexico

The sky is not the limit in New Mexico, especially when it comes to the mission of the U.S. Space Force. This week, Chris and Gabby talk with two guests leading innovation, tech development, and national security efforts with the USSF in Albuquerque. Gabe Mounce, Director of the Tech Engagement Office with the Air Force Research Lab New Mexico, and Matthew Fetrow, Senior Scientist with the USSF, explain what the newest military branch is focused on. How are private companies teaming up with the government to launch the future of space defense? And could space tourism really take off in our lifetime? Listen to the full discussion to learn why New Mexico is becoming a key player in the space race. 

• Watch Gabe's TED Talk mentioned in the episode 
• Read more about how start-up companies are paired with USSF and DoD 

Thanks for listening. If you’ve got an idea, send it to your hosts at chris.mckee@krqe.com or gabrielle.burkhart@krqe.com. Give us a follow on social media at @ChrisMcKeeTV and @gburkNM. Watch or listen to our prior podcasts online at KRQE.com/podcast and our KRQE YouTube channel, or on broadcast TV every Wednesday at 10:35 p.m. MST on Fox New Mexico.