New Mexico News Podcast
146 episodes - English - Latest episode: 6 days ago - ★★★★★ - 21 ratingsThe New Mexico News Podcast is a weekly podcast hosted by Gabrielle Burkhart and Chris McKee of KRQE News 13 in Albuquerque, New Mexico. We‘re extending the conversation about news headlines around the state and bringing listeners unique stories from the Land of Enchantment.
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Episodes
A Guilty Verdict In The Only Trial For Victoria Martens’ Murder
August 09, 2022 11:20 - 44 minutes - 60.8 MBAfter three weeks of testimony and just a few hours of deliberation, a jury found Fabian Gonzales, 37, guilty of all nine counts in the only trial tied to the 2016 murder of 10-year-old Victoria Martens. Gonzales, who barely knew Victoria and her mom Michelle now faces decades in prison for one of New Mexico's most notorious murder cases. To be clear: Gonzales was not on trial for murder. He was convicted of reckless child abuse resulting in death, seven evidence tampering charges, and one...
First The Wildfires, Then The Flooding
August 02, 2022 11:20 - 21 minutes - 29 MBWe spent months across spring and summer talking about the impact of wildfires in New Mexico. After record breaking blazes, many of the state's rural communities are now dealing with what they've feared: massive flooding in areas with burn scars. New Mexico's largest fire on record, the Hermits Peak-Calf Canyon Fire has left many people wondering where flood damage will emerge. In late July, we got an answer to that ominous question when a flash flood ripped through an area west of Las Vegas...
Will Gas Prices Continue To Go Down?
July 26, 2022 11:20 - 27 minutes - 38.5 MBYou've probably already noticed a "dip" at the pump, as gas prices have been coming down in New Mexico over the last few weeks. But still, with fuel hovering around $4 a gallon, higher food costs, shifting interest rates, and more, just about everything seems to be costing more these days. When might we see a change for the better? Is this the time to re-think your commute, or ask for a raise from your employer? This week on the podcast, Gabby and Chris talk about the state of the New Mexi...
Jury Finally Hears Testimony About Victoria Martens’ Murder
July 19, 2022 11:20 - 35 minutes - 49.4 MB**Content warning: This week's episode contains discussion of a graphic crime that may be unsuitable for certain ages or hard to listen to. Listener discretion is advised. It’s been six years since one of the most heinous crimes in Albuquerque. But finally now in 2022, a jury is hearing arguments in the case against the only person to go to trial for the death of 10-year-old Victoria Martens. This week on the podcast, we're taking a deeper look at the first week of Fabian Gonzales’ trial....
Behind Albuquerque Police’s New Digital Investigative Team
July 12, 2022 11:20 - 35 minutes - 49.1 MBIt's no secret that communication has moved online. So too has crime. But perhaps to your surprise, it has taken the police a long time to figure out how best to address that connection. Within the last year, Albuquerque Police launched a new digital investigative unit, formally called the Digital Intelligence Team. With just three full-time, civilian investigators (as opposed to sworn police officers), the team is making significant strides in helping solve the city's continually high homic...
How ‘Protected’ Are Abortions In New Mexico?
July 05, 2022 11:20 - 29 minutes - 41.2 MBSince the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe V. Wade, states across the country have responded in different ways. Abortion remains legal in New Mexico, but the Supreme Court decision may have opened the door to a lot of new legal challenges in the state. Are employers protected if they help women travel for an abortion? How might this impact health care access in New Mexico? Could states start suing each other over this issue? This week on the podcast, Chris and Gabby talk to an Albuquerque l...
‘Miscalculations’ Led To Feds Sparking State’s Largest Wildfire
June 28, 2022 11:20 - 27 minutes - 37.7 MBNearly three months after the flames sparked, the Hermits Peak-Calf Canyon wildfire is still burning. A recent federal report outlined how the prescribed burn, started by the U.S. Forest Service, became New Mexico’s largest wildfire. Meanwhile, President Joe Biden has promised that homeowners who lost everything will be compensated fully by the federal government for what they've lost. So what happens from here? Will the government actually follow through in paying for their losses? What n...
Is Downtown Albuquerque On The Rise?
June 21, 2022 11:20 - 34 minutes - 46.7 MBDowntown Albuquerque is the subject of a lot of hot takes. We're pretty sure every NMNP listener has one. Whether you love cruisin' Central or avoid it altogether, the government and private developers see downtown as an important part of Albuquerque. And with that in mind, plenty of groups are spending big money on projects there. What are some of those projects, you ask? Glad you did, because this week's episode is all about what's going up in downtown and the greater downtown area. An ex...
November Is Heating Up...In June
June 14, 2022 11:20 - 30 minutes - 41.4 MBVoters just picked their candidates for the upcoming midterm election... but don't expect any kind of respite from elections. The latest round of political advertising has already begun on TV and radio, so it's a good time to brush up on the campaigns ahead. This week, Chris and Gabby are talking about the November races that are already shaping up, including the race for the offices of the New Mexico Governor and Attorney General. We're also look at both the state and federal House. What ca...
The Intraparty Fight: It’s Primary Election Day
June 07, 2022 11:20 - 22 minutes - 31.5 MBTuesday, June 7th is Primary Election Day in New Mexico, and voters are heading to the polls to choose which candidates they want to represent their political party. Some big decisions could shake things up in the state, particularly in the race for Governor and the state’s Attorney General’s Office. Who will win supremacy within their party? Why has there been so much in-party sniping on the campaign trail? This week on the podcast, Chris and Gabby break down some of the key races to keep a...
Can Targeting Shoplifters Stop Violent Crime?
May 31, 2022 11:20 - 28 minutes - 38.5 MBIf you've shopped in the Albuquerque-metro area anytime in the last few years, you've probably noticed at least a few security changes at most big box stores. Whether its more security guards, police officers or even camera trailers with flashing blue and red lights, a lot of New Mexico's supermarkets, pharmacies and other stores have increasingly been targets for brazen shoplifting. In the summer of 2021, the New Mexico Attorney General's Office announced it would target this issue, calling...
Ranchers Evacuate Largest Wildfire In State History
May 24, 2022 11:20 - 26 minutes - 36.8 MBThe Hermits Peak-Calf Canyon Fire is officially the largest in New Mexico’s history, burning more than 300,000 acres and destroying hundreds of homes. Among those forced to evacuate were some of the state’s ranching community. How did they get horses and livestock to safety? What does this fire mean for the state’s agricultural industry? This week on the podcast, Chris and Gabby hear from a fourth-generation rancher in northern New Mexico who witnessed the prescribed burn-turned wildfire spa...
A Mother’s Mission To Help Ukraine
May 17, 2022 11:20 - 31 minutes - 43.1 MBDiana Horak is determined. Born and raised in Ukraine and now living in Albuquerque, Diana helped evacuate her 82-year-old mother from the war-torn country in March. During that trip to Ukraine, she also took suitcases full of supplies to help other refugees and front-line soldiers. After sharing her story with KRQE's Jessica Garate, Diana started getting support from New Mexicans all over. That support has led to yet another supply run for the people of Ukraine. In the coming weeks, Diana i...
Losing Everything In A Wildfire
May 10, 2022 11:20 - 31 minutes - 42.9 MBHundreds of New Mexicans are dealing with the reality of losing their home to wildfire this season. Dry air, high temperatures, and continued winds through April and the start of May have already led to the destruction of more than 360 homes in communities all over the state. Families in Ruidoso and communities including Las Vegas, Jemez Springs, and Ocate are feeling the impacts, to name a few. What happens after you lose your home and everything inside it? Where do you go? Can families aff...
The Life Of A Wildland Firefighter
May 03, 2022 11:20 - 23 minutes - 31.6 MBWhen a wildfire sparks, our news station usually gives people a birds-eye view of what’s happening in the community via our Sky News 13 helicopter. But what's it like for the men and women who are facing the fire on the ground, chopping down trees and working to stop the flames from spreading? It takes a lot to be a wildland firefighter. This week, Chris and Gabby hear from a longtime Santa Fe Hotshot, a highly skilled and specially trained firefighter, who’s already spent weeks working one ...
Free College For New Mexico
April 26, 2022 11:20 - 31 minutes - 43.4 MBPerhaps it sounds too good to be true: "free college for New Mexico." But the fact is, a freshly expanded state program is ensuring just that. What started in 2020, the state's "Opportunity Scholarship" is now bigger than ever. If you didn't finish college and are seeking your first degree or training in a high-need trade, the state is willing to pick up the cost of your higher education. So how does it work? And why are so many lawmakers willing to support it? Chris and Gabby explore the st...
New Mexico’s Wildfire Season Sparks Early
April 19, 2022 11:20 - 21 minutes - 29.5 MBPlenty of people will argue "there's no end to wildfire season these days in New Mexico." But historically, April is not a typically busy wildfire month for the state. Usually, it's another month before New Mexico's wildfire season peaks. So far in April 2022, destructive wildfires have made their mark near Las Vegas, Belen and Ruidoso. At least two people have died in the wind-whipped McBride Fire in Ruidoso amid 60-90 mph wind gusts. More than 200 homes were also destroyed there before a 7...
Why Does New Mexico’s Drought Matter?
April 12, 2022 11:20 - 35 minutes - 48.4 MBNew Mexico is dry. No kidding, right? But have you ever asked yourself how dry is too dry? Or why that actually matters? This week, we're hearing from two people who keep a close watch on the water and the weather in New Mexico. John Fleck is a professor at the University of New Mexico and the Director of Water Resources in the university's Economics Department. John breaks down why it matters when New Mexico gets less rain and snowpack, and shares his concerns over the future of the state's...
Cash Payments For New Mexicans
April 05, 2022 11:20 - 34 minutes - 48 MBIt is back to Santa Fe, again, for New Mexico's lawmakers. Another special session has been called by Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham. This time it's all about money. Lawmakers are considering sending checks to most New Mexicans to help pay for rising costs brought about by high gas prices and inflation across the U.S. This week on the podcast, Gabby and Chris talk to two prominent lawmakers, one from each side of the aisle. How much money could these proposed cash payouts bring about for ev...
Recreational Cannabis Is Here
March 29, 2022 11:20 - 29 minutes - 40.9 MBRecreational cannabis sales go live in New Mexico on April 1, 2022, a little more than a year since the state passed the law that your parents maybe never thought had a prayer of passing decades ago. Times have changed. So, what can people across the state expect on day one? How many stores will open up and where will they be concentrated? Are any tiny towns getting in on the action? What are some of the rules you maybe hadn't considered? This week, friend of the podcast and frequent guest, ...
’I Didn’t Hesitate’: New Mexico Doctor Helping In Ukraine
March 22, 2022 11:20 - 22 minutes - 31.2 MBThe quote in the title of this week's episode comes from a New Mexico doctor who dropped everything in recent weeks to head to Ukraine and offer help. Dr. Matthew Wilks is the Chief Medical Officer at UNM Sandoval Regional Medical Center, and part of a disaster relief medical volunteer group called Team Rubicon. Wilks shares why he traveled across the globe to help, what he's seen, and also describes the growing humanitarian crisis at the border, where Ukrainian families are at times waiting...
How The Russia-Ukraine Conflict Impacts New Mexico
March 15, 2022 11:20 - 27 minutes - 38.3 MBAs a humanitarian crisis unfolds with Russia’s continued invasion of Ukraine, here at home, New Mexico is feeling some effects of the continued conflict. The rising cost of gas is easily one of the most noticeable changes, but where else might some of the economic effects of the war emerge? Could New Mexico's military industry feel an impact in the negative or positive? How bad could the economic hits get and for how long, and what might this mean for families trying to rebound from a pandem...
West Mesa Murders, Part 2
March 08, 2022 12:20 - 26 minutes - 36 MBThis week, we're continuing our two-part series on Albuquerque's notorious West Mesa murders. It's now been 13 years since the remains of 11 missing women and an unborn child were discovered on an undeveloped plot of land in the southwest part of the city. Since then, police have never formally named a suspect in the case and the search for answers continues. In the second and final episode of the series, Chris and Gabby speak with a woman who's made it her life's work to make sure another c...
West Mesa Murders, Part 1
March 01, 2022 12:20 - 34 minutes - 48 MBIt’s one of the largest crime scenes ever found in the United States, on the west mesa of Albuquerque. 13 years ago, the first bodies were found in the the West Mesa Murder case, kicking off an investigation into the deaths of 11 missing women, one of whom was pregnant. Today, the case remains unsolved. Is the serial killer or killers already dead? Will new technology help crack the cold case? In part one of our series, hear from the contract investigator working with Albuquerque Police to t...
Masks No Más
February 22, 2022 12:20 - 22 minutes - 30.4 MBNew Mexicans got the surprise green light from the Governor last Thursday that it's OK to shed your face mask if you're indoors. It's a major shift in the state's policy, one that Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham announced without warning during a news conference at the end of the legislative session last Thursday. Just a week earlier, the state's top doctor and Acting Health Secretary Dr. David Scrase said, "When things cool down in the hospital, we’re planning on rescinding the mask order.”...
Do Voting Rights Need To Change?
February 15, 2022 12:20 - 33 minutes - 45.7 MBIt could be a major shift in the rules surrounding who and how people can vote in New Mexico. Just days away from the end of the legislative session in Santa Fe, lawmakers are weighing the future of the New Mexico Voting Rights Act. The bill could carry some monumental changes surrounding things like absentee voting, felons' voting rights and more. But some opponents are worried about a handful of changes. Does the bill benefit one party over another? This week, Chris and Gabby break down th...
The Most Challenging School Year Yet
February 08, 2022 12:20 - 29 minutes - 40.9 MBAt best, COVID made for a tough 2020-21 school year for nearly all New Mexico kids. By summer 2021, state and school leaders were adamant: kids needed to be back in the classroom. While that message continues into 2022, keeping schools open has been a major challenge. High case counts have helped expose major issues in New Mexico schools with having enough teachers and support staff to keep the buildings running. This week, Chris and Gabby speak with the superintendent and COVID response-cza...
COVID Intensifies Backlog In New Mexico’s Justice System
February 01, 2022 12:20 - 36 minutes - 49.8 MBBy now, there’s a good chance you’ve either seen or felt the impact COVID-19 has had on businesses, schools and government just to name a few. But for anyone wrapped up in legal issues, the pandemic has been monumentally disruptive. From criminal trials to civil cases, defendants have seen their court hearings suddenly postponed or seemingly delayed indefinitely. This week on the podcast, Chris & Gabby talk to some of the people working through what they’re calling a ‘crisis-level’ backlog o...
Roundhouse Roundup: Crime, Education & Healthcare
January 25, 2022 12:20 - 19 minutes - 26.9 MBThey're back at it again. New Mexico's 112-person volunteer legislature has returned to Santa Fe for another legislative session. This time, it's just a short 30 days to address lots of issues that have clearly been on the minds of most New Mexicans. Crime, education, taxes, health care investments, environmental issues and more. What have lawmakers accomplished so far? What's the outlook? And how will the Governor steer the legislative process over the next month? Chris and Gabby tackle the...
Omicron Is Sweeping Across New Mexico
January 18, 2022 12:25 - 24 minutes - 33.8 MBIf one thing’s constant in this pandemic, it’s that things are constantly changing. It’s hard to keep up with quarantine requirements, school schedules, work-life, and public health updates. Now, with the omicron variant, COVID-19 is spreading like never before. This week on the podcast, New Mexico’s top doctor once again joins Chris and Gabby to answer questions about the state of the pandemic. Department of Health Secretary, Dr. David Scrase discusses how this variant impacts the body, COV...
The Long Wait For Justice In Victoria Martens’ Case
January 11, 2022 12:30 - 21 minutes - 29.8 MB**Content warning: This week's episode contains discussion of a graphic crime that may be unsuitable for certain ages or hard to listen to. Listener discretion is advised. On August 24, 2016, 10-year old Victoria Martens was murdered in her Albuquerque apartment. That night, three people were arrested in connection with the crime, including the girl's mother Michelle Martens, a woman named Jessica Kelley, and a man named Fabian Gonzales. Of those three, Gonzales is the only suspect who's ca...
Headlines To Watch For In 2022
January 04, 2022 12:30 - 23 minutes - 32 MBHappy 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 th...
The Resurgence Of Live Music & Keeping It Alive
December 28, 2021 12:30 - 22 minutes - 30.3 MBFor 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 Mexic...
Reflecting On Some Good News in 2021
December 21, 2021 12:30 - 25 minutes - 35.6 MBWe 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 ...
2021, A Record-Breaking Year Of Homicides
December 14, 2021 12:30 - 39 minutes - 54.5 MB2021 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 ...
Is Law Enforcement Prepared For Legal Cannabis?
December 07, 2021 12:30 - 22 minutes - 30.5 MBWe'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 communiti...
New Mexico Hospitals Declare ‘Crisis‘
November 30, 2021 12:30 - 19 minutes - 26.8 MBOver 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 d...
New Mexico‘s Recreational Cannabis Producers Seek Green Light
November 23, 2021 12:30 - 26 minutes - 36.3 MBMore 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 buddin...
The Challenges With Cannabis In Colorado
November 16, 2021 12:30 - 25 minutes - 35 MBWith 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 cau...
‘Rust‘ Shooting Fallout & The Use of Guns On Movie Sets
November 09, 2021 12:30 - 26 minutes - 36 MBThe 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? Wh...
Election Day 2021
November 02, 2021 11:30 - 24 minutes - 33.2 MBIt'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 ...
Recreational Cannabis Is Legal, Now What?
October 26, 2021 11:30 - 23 minutes - 32.1 MBNew 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...
COVID Boosters, Child Vaccines, and Struggling Hospitals
October 19, 2021 11:30 - 25 minutes - 35.7 MBHe'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 mo...
Redrawing New Mexico‘s Political Map
October 12, 2021 11:30 - 23 minutes - 32.7 MBNew 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 tackl...
Balloon Fiesta Returns
October 05, 2021 11:45 - 23 minutes - 32.3 MBCan 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 ...
Hello and Welcome
September 30, 2021 22:42 - 1 minute - 2.31 MBThe 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