New Mexico News Insiders

New Mexico's 2026 Midterm Election is taking shape, and the race for Governor is only part of the story. KRQE Political Analyst & UNM Political Science Professor Gabe Sanchez joins Chris McKee to break down the June primary results and what they reveal about the battles ahead in November. From voter turnout and record-breaking campaign spending, to the key statewide races that could reshape Ne...

The New World screwworm (NWS) was eradicated from the United States 60 years ago. So how did this flesh-eating parasite return? In early June, New Mexico confirmed its first case of NWS in a dog in the southeastern part of the state, raising concerns for ranchers, veterinarians, pet owners, and health officials. While experts stress there's no reason to panic, USDA officials say awareness and earl...

For years, Raul Bujanda led some of New Mexico's highest-profile federal investigations as the FBI's top official in Albuquerque. Now, he's stepping into a newly revived role at City Hall, responsible for overseeing the city's public safety system. Chris and Gabby sit down with Albuquerque's new Executive Director of Public Safety to discuss why he made the move, what he learned from a career in f...

Albuquerque has a new police chief hired from within the ranks. Chief Cecily Barker is the first woman to lead the department in APD's history, and has been a member of the department for 22 years. Chris and Gabby sit down with Chief Barker for an in-depth conversation about her approach to leadership, the future of policing in Albuquerque, and what people can expect under her command. She reflect...

What does it take to run New Mexico's prison system? Chris and Gabby sit down with New Mexico Corrections Department Secretary Alisha Tafoya Lucero to discuss the realities of overseeing the state's eight prison facilities. Tafoya Lucero offers an inside look at the challenges facing corrections today, including staff shortages, contraband smuggling, inmate healthcare, and reflects on what it was...

After eight years leading the University of New Mexico, outgoing UNM President Garnett Stokes sits down with Chris and Gabby for an in-depth exit interview reflecting on the highs, lows, and defining moments of her tenure. The 23rd President and first woman in UNM history to hold the position, Stokes discusses the challenges of leading the Lobos through periods of change, the accomplishments she's...

New Mexico's race for governor is taking shape, and this election could look very different from past primaries. In this special primary election episode, Chris and Gabby sit down with the three Republican candidates running to become New Mexico's next governor: former Rio Rancho Mayor Gregg Hull, small-business owner Doug Turner, and CEO of the cannabis company Ultra Health, Duke Rodriguez. Each...

As Route 66 approaches its centennial, Albuquerque is investing heavily in art, culture, and the future of Central Avenue. Chris and Gabby sit down with Shelle Sanchez, Arts & Culture Director for the City of Albuquerque, to talk about the city's vision for the Route 66 celebration. Sanchez also shares what the city learned from a recent creative economy impact study, and the millions of dolla...

New Mexico's race for governor is heating up. Two Democrats and three Republicans are vying for their parties' nomination to earn a spot on the November ballot. In this special primary election episode, Democratic candidates Deb Haaland and Sam Bregman sit down for in-depth conversations about the issues shaping the campaign. Haaland, the former Congresswoman and U.S. Secretary of the Interior, an...

A New Mexico jury has delivered a landmark verdict against Meta, finding the company knowingly put children and teens at risk, while misleading users about the safety of its platforms. Chris and Gabby break down the trial with on-the-ground reporting from KRQE's Bela Olague, explaining what jurors heard during the six-week trial and why it mattered. Then, New Mexico Attorney General Raúl Torrez jo...

A year-long investigation into New Mexico's child welfare system is raising serious concerns about the agency tasked with protecting children. Why is the state’s Children, Youth, and Families Department (CYFD) in crisis? Attorney General for New Mexico, Raúl Torrez, joins Chris and Gabby to unpack the findings of a sweeping report, revealing systemic failures and often deadly consequences for vuln...

Gas prices are climbing past $4 a gallon in parts of New Mexico. Even in one of the nation's top oil-producing states, locals are feeling the squeeze. Chris and Gabby sit down with Reilly White, Associate Dean of Teaching & Learning at the University of New Mexico, to break down how global conflict with Iran is driving local costs, and the long-term impact of an oil shock like this. Even if pr...

After a breakout year for Lobo football, Head Football Coach Jason Eck sits down with Chris and Gabby for a candid conversation about what comes next, and why fighting complacency might be his biggest challenge yet. He shares details about what sold him on staying at the University of New Mexico, moving his family of seven to Albuquerque, and working to build a program that can sustain winning. Ec...

New Mexico is taking on forever chemicals. Sandia National Laboratories scientists Ryan Davis and Nathan Bays join Chris and Gabby this week to explain their breakthrough that dramatically speeds up PFAS testing, helping detect contaminated water faster and cheaper than ever before. It’s a step that could ultimately help the public and regulators better understand whether harmful chemicals are in...

What happened during New Mexico's most recent legislative session? The short answer is: a lot. This week on the New Mexico News Insiders Podcast, Democratic House Speaker Javier Martinez joins Chris and Gabby to break down some of the biggest moments inside the Roundhouse you might have missed - from funding the state's universal childcare program, to medical malpractice reforms, the Immigrant Saf...

New Mexico has had an unusually warm start to 2026, with far less snow than we typically see. What happened this winter? And what could it mean for the months ahead? KRQE Chief Meteorologist Grant Tosterud joins Chris and Gabby to break down the data, comparing how this winter stacked up against previous years, and how New Mexico ski resorts fared this season. Grant also shares what an early sprin...

For months, complaints about the justice system in McKinley County painted a troubling picture. Criminal cases were falling through the cracks, prosecutors left the District Attorney's Office citing a hostile work environment, and crime victims were left in limbo. KRQE investigative reporter Ann Pierret joins Chris and Gabby to explain the dysfunction she uncovered inside the office of former McKi...

The global race for hypersonic weapons is accelerating, and New Mexico is becoming part of it. Castelion, a private defense startup, is investing in a new missile manufacturing facility near Rio Rancho, with an unconventional philosophy: build fast, test often. In this episode, Gabby and Chris sit down with company leaders to talk about their mission to help the U.S. close the gap with global adve...

What's really in the Epstein files? In this in-depth conversation, U.S. Rep. Melanie Stansbury joins Chris and Gabby to discuss her reaction to the Epstein file release, including what she says she saw in the unredacted documents. The Congresswoman explains why she supports creating a Truth Commission to investigate Epstein's ties to New Mexico and examine how state laws may have allowed him to op...

She thought she was protecting her money. Instead, a New Mexico widow lost more than $50,000 to criminals who may never be held accountable. Chris and Gabby sit down with longtime investigative reporter Larry Barker, who takes listeners inside his latest report, ‘The Cruelest Con Game of All.’ A wire fraud victim shares how scammers convinced her to drain both her checking and savings accounts, an...

Nearly four years after New Mexico's most destructive, government-sparked wildfire, many families are still waiting to be made whole from the Hermits Peak Calf Canyon wildfire. Chris and Gabby sit down with two lead attorneys representing victims to break down the ongoing delays in the FEMA claims process, the growing controversy surrounding the New Mexico Claims Office Director, and the calls fro...

Two years into Albuquerque's DWI dismissal scandal, the fallout is still unfolding. Chris and Gabby sit down with KRQE Investigates reporter Ann Pierret to break down her latest reporting, revealing how many accused drunk drivers reoffended after getting a free pass due to their arresting officers losing credibility in court. The KRQE Investigates team also brings listeners up to speed on where th...

What really happens after someone is arrested for a serious crime? Chris and Gabby sit down with Bernalillo County District Court Judge Cindy Leos for a rare, behind-the-bench look at what goes on inside Albuquerque courtrooms. Judge Leos breaks down how the justice system works, what accountability and rehabilitation can look like in practice, and challenges the idea that harsh punishment is stop...

Albuquerque's bus system is undergoing its biggest overhaul in decades. This week on the New Mexico News Insiders Podcast, ABQ RIDE leaders break down what they're calling a 'once-in-a-generation plan to improve transit' in New Mexico's biggest city. The system-wide redesign is designed to enhance access, efficiency, and the overall ridership experience. Two leaders from ABQ RIDE, Deputy Director...

Reporting sexual assault is challenging, and holding offenders accountable can take years. This week, Chris and Gabby sit down with Haley Murphy, a Deputy District Attorney in Santa Fe's Violent Crimes/Special Victims Unit, to discuss the realities of prosecuting sex crimes in New Mexico. From breakthroughs in forensic DNA technology that help solve cold cases, to crime lab staffing shortages and...