Leading News

The state Children, Youth and Families Department has breached its obligation to implement reforms aimed at improving the lives of children taken into state custody, according to an independent arbitrator. Journal Investigative Reporter Colleen Heild breaks down the violation. Plus the Paid Family and Medical Leave Act is back for the sixth year in a row, but will it pass? Journal Assistant Business Editor Megan Gleason joins the show to explain why supporters think it will pass. Blake’s Lotaburger announced Wednesday that it will tack on a $1 surcharge to all menu items that contain eggs due to a national egg shortage. The price increase starts on Thursday.

Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham dedicated most of her 2025 State of the State address to focusing on the state's crime and public safety challenges, drawing praise and criticism from Democrats and Republicans alike. New Mexico is joining other states across the country in suing President Trump over this executive order to stop birthright citizenship. Journal Reporter Oliver Uyttebrouck stops by to provide the latest on the suit. Those stories and the Journal's other headlines are on this episode of The Leading News.

If you enjoy our podcasts, please like and subscribe, and consider becoming a digital subscriber to the Albuquerque Journal to help us continue to bring you more content like this. Follow the link below for a discount on a digital subscription. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.abqjournal.com/subscribe/abqpods/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ To get your digital subscription to the newspaper for $3 per week, normally charged monthly at $12, that’s a savings of $9. Thank you for Supporting The Albuquerque Journal, New Mexico's leading local news source!

Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham focused on crime and public safety legislation during her last 60-day session; Journal Capitol Bureau Chief Dan Boyd shared what she hopes to achieve. Clayborne Carson, a former Stanford University history professor who saw Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. give his famous “I Have a Dream” speech, spoke in Rio Rancho on Monday. Journal Reporter Kevin Opsalh shares what he said. Plus, Albuquerque Sign Language Academy students participated in their annual day of service. Those stories and more on this episode of The Leading News.

Outgoing Interior Secretary Deb Haaland reflects on her legacy with Journal Capitol Bureau Dan Boyd. South Carolina man pleads guilty to murdering New Mexico State Police officer who helped with flat tire. Journal Reporter Matthew Risen provides the latest on plea deals and cases. New Mexico Reentry Center, a nonprofit focused on housing and job placement, opens in Española. Journal Business Reporter Matthew Narvaiz reports on the opening.

If you enjoy our podcasts, please like and subscribe, and consider becoming a digital subscriber to the Albuquerque Journal to help us continue to bring you more content like this. Follow the link below for a discount on a digital subscription. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.abqjournal.com/subscribe/abqpods/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ To get your digital subscription to the newspaper for $3 per week, normally charged monthly at $12, that’s a savings of $9. Thank you for Supporting The Albuquerque Journal, New Mexico's leading local news source!

Albuquerque Police Department’s 2024 homicide stats are discussed by Journal crime beat reporters Matthew Risen and Gregory Hasman. APS approves new graduate requirements, and Education Reporter Kevin Opsahl shares the changes. NM’s high school basketball record for most three-point shots in a single game has been broken is shared by Journal Preps Sports Editor James Yodice.

If you enjoy our podcasts, please like and subscribe, and consider becoming a digital subscriber to the Albuquerque Journal to help us continue to bring you more content like this. Follow the link below for a discount on a digital subscription. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.abqjournal.com/subscribe/abqpods/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ To get your digital subscription to the newspaper for $3 per week, normally charged monthly at $12, that’s a savings of $9. Thank you for Supporting The Albuquerque Journal, New Mexico's leading local news source!

Albuquerque NAACP President Harold Bailey died on Monday, putting to rest a half-century fight against racism and bigotry in New Mexico. He was 78. Journal Reporter Matthew Risen joins the show to discuss Bailey's legacy and how the community will remember him. The Legislative Finance Committee has unveiled its budget proposal for this upcoming session; Journal Capitol Bureau Chief Dan Boyd stopped by to break it down. Those stories and more, on this episode of The Leading News

If you enjoy our podcasts, please like and subscribe, and consider becoming a digital subscriber to the Albuquerque Journal to help us continue to bring you more content like this. Follow the link below for a discount on a digital subscription. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.abqjournal.com/subscribe/abqpods/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ To get your digital subscription to the newspaper for $3 per week, normally charged monthly at $12, that’s a savings of $9. Thank you for Supporting The Albuquerque Journal, New Mexico's leading local news source!

Jury awards $17 million to a woman for a surgical tool left in her abdomen. NM House Democrats outline their health care priorities for the 2025 Legislative Session. Journal Assistance Business Editor Megan Gleason breaks down what they hope to pass. Also, an APS student is suing the district and school officials at Volcano Vista High School, claiming they violated their freedom of speech. Journal Reporter Kevin Opshal drops by to give an update on the case. Those stories and more on this episode of The Leading News.

If you enjoy our podcasts, please like and subscribe, and consider becoming a digital subscriber to the Albuquerque Journal to help us continue to bring you more content like this. Follow the link below for a discount on a digital subscription. ⁠⁠⁠⁠www.abqjournal.com/subscribe/abqpods/⁠⁠⁠⁠ To get your digital subscription to the newspaper for $3 per week, normally charged monthly at $12, that’s a savings of $9. Thank you for Supporting The Albuquerque Journal, New Mexico's leading local news source!

State officials report over $6 million in under-collected cannabis excise taxes since April 2022. Journal Reporter Matthew Narviaz explains the cause. NM House Republicans unveil their 2025 Legislative agenda. Journal Assistant Business Editor breaks down their goals. A woman seeks $45 million in a lawsuit against a Presbyterian & local medical office & doctor.

Journalist Noah Alcala Bach discusses part two of his series on Debra Griego’s housing search. President Biden extended protections for immigrants from destabilized countries, and Gillian Barkhurst discusses its implications for New Mexico. Nakayla McClelland shares the uplifting story of two brothers with muscular dystrophy who received possible life-changing care from UNMH. These stories and more are on this episode of The Leading News.

If you enjoy our podcasts, please like and subscribe, and consider becoming a digital subscriber to the Albuquerque Journal to help us continue to bring you more content like this. Follow the link below for a discount on a digital subscription. ⁠⁠⁠www.abqjournal.com/subscribe/abqpods/⁠⁠⁠ To get your digital subscription to the newspaper for $3 per week, normally charged monthly at $12, that’s a savings of $9. Thank you for Supporting The Albuquerque Journal, New Mexico's leading local news source!

On today's edition of the Leading News, Journal Capitol Bureau Chief Dan Boyd breaks down the NM Supreme Court's unanimous ruling to down anti-abortion ordinances adopted by local governments. Also, fire departments across NM, including Albuquerque Fire Rescue, are sending personnel and fire trucks to LA to help fight the ongoing wildfires. Plus, Journal Business Editor Ryan Botel stops by to discuss upcoming changes to the paper's business second. Lastly, Arts & Entertainment Editor Rozanna Martinez breaks down her profile on Cervantes Restaurant and how the family-owned business has been doing it their way for over 40 years—those stories and more, on this episode of The Leading News.

If you enjoy our podcasts, please like and subscribe, and consider becoming a digital subscriber to the Albuquerque Journal to help us continue to bring you more content like this. Follow the link below for a discount on a digital subscription. ⁠⁠www.abqjournal.com/subscribe/abqpods/⁠⁠ To get your digital subscription to the newspaper for $3 per week, normally charged monthly at $12, that’s a savings of $9. Thank you for Supporting The Albuquerque Journal, New Mexico's leading local news source!