New Mexico News Insiders

The Rio Grande ran dry in parts of New Mexico once again this year, and water managers warn this could be a glimpse of more challenges ahead. Despite recent rains, New Mexico is facing an increasingly limited water supply while demand continues to grow. So who gets the water when there isn't enough to go around? Chris and Gabby host Jason Casuga, Chief Engineer and CEO of the Middle Rio Grande Conservancy District, to talk about the state of the Rio Grande, and what happens when the river can't meet all of the demands placed on it. We also discuss the Rio Grande Compact, which involves three states' long-standing agreement to share water, and what it means if New Mexico fails to meet its court agreement. Casuga explains how water decisions New Mexico makes now could shape the state for generations. How much water will the river have in the future? What can you do about it today? 

Thanks for listening. If you’ve got an idea, send it to us at [email protected] or [email protected]. Give us a follow on social media at @ChrisMcKeeTV and @gburkNM. Watch or listen to our prior podcasts online at KRQE.com/insiders and our KRQE YouTube channel, or on broadcast TV on Sundays at 10:30 a.m. on KRQE Fox (channel 13.1 over the air), and Wednesdays at 10:30 p.m. MST on KRQE Xtra (channel 13.2 over the air).

Albuquerque Mayor Tim Keller won an unprecedented third consecutive term. But after eight years in office, what's different this time around? In this episode of New Mexico News Insiders, Mayor Keller joins Chris and Gabby to talk about some of the continued challenges facing Albuquerque. Keller discusses tackling crime under APD's new leadership, homelessness, behavioral health, city finances, economic growth, and the future of Albuquerque's water supply. He says his vision for a third term is rooted in an "abundance over scarcity" mindset, looking for opportunities to grow rather than focusing on what communities and government may lack. We also ask Keller to look back: What progress does he believe the city has made under his leadership? What remains unfinished? And what does he want people to see by the end of his third term?

Thanks for listening. If you’ve got an idea, send it to us at [email protected] or [email protected]. Give us a follow on social media at @ChrisMcKeeTV and @gburkNM. Watch or listen to our prior podcasts online at KRQE.com/insiders and our KRQE YouTube channel, or on broadcast TV every Wednesday at 10:30 p.m. MST on KRQE Xtra (channel 13.2 over the air).

The 1945 Trinity nuclear test was conducted in southern New Mexico, but advocates argue its effects lingered long after the bomb detonated. For decades, residents in communities surrounding the test site have pushed the federal government to recognize the health impacts New Mexicans endured in the years that followed. Tina Cordova, a seventh-generation New Mexican from Tularosa, joins Chris and Gabby to discuss the decades she's spent advocating for Trinity Downwinders, collecting data, and documenting the experiences of families across the Tularosa Basin. Her work includes a medical survey examining cancer and other health conditions reported by people who lived in the area around the time of the test. In 2025, the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act (RECA) was expanded to include certain people affected by the Trinity test. Eligible New Mexicans and surviving family members now qualify for $100,000 in federal compensation for certain compensable cancers.

Who qualifies? What does the survey reveal about health impacts?

Thanks for listening. If you’ve got an idea, send it to us at [email protected] or [email protected]. Give us a follow on social media at @ChrisMcKeeTV and @gburkNM. Watch or listen to our prior podcasts online at KRQE.com/insiders and our KRQE YouTube channel, or on broadcast TV every Wednesday at 10:30 p.m. MST on KRQE Xtra (channel 13.2 over the air).

As the Rio Grande runs dry each year and concerns grow about how much water we're drawing from underground, how secure is Albuquerque's drinking water supply? Chris and Gabby host Mark Kelly, Water Resource Division Manager for the Albuquerque Bernalillo County Water Utility Authority (ABCWUA), to explain how Albuquerque's unique water system works and what it will take to keep the taps flowing for generations. Kelly explains where our water comes from, how the metro's approach to conservation has changed since the 1990s, and the 100-year plan to protect our water supply. What happens when the weather doesn't provide? How prepared is Albuquerque for a drier future? 

Thanks for listening. If you’ve got an idea, send it to us at [email protected] or [email protected]. Give us a follow on social media at @ChrisMcKeeTV and @gburkNM. Watch or listen to our prior podcasts online at KRQE.com/insiders and our KRQE YouTube channel, or on broadcast TV every Wednesday at 10:30 p.m. MST on KRQE Xtra (channel 13.2 over the air).

For years, the McKinley County District Attorney's Office was plagued by allegations of misconduct, dropped criminal cases, and a growing backlog that raised serious questions about the county's justice system. Earlier this year, elected District Attorney Bernadine Martin resigned rather than face an unprecedented misconduct trial before the New Mexico Supreme Court. Now, a new DA appointed by the governor is tasked with cleaning up the aftermath and rebuilding an office that had lost the trust of its employees and the community. KRQE Investigative Reporter Ann Pierret traveled to Gallup for the latest chapter in a story she's been following for more than a year. How is new leadership tackling the backlog? Can trust in the system be restored? Stick to the end of the episode for a special message from the KRQE Investigates team. 

Thanks for listening. If you’ve got an idea, send it to us at [email protected] or [email protected]. Give us a follow on social media at @ChrisMcKeeTV and @gburkNM. Watch or listen to our prior podcasts online at KRQE.com/insiders and our KRQE YouTube channel, or on broadcast TV every Wednesday at 10:30 p.m. MST on KRQE Xtra (channel 13.2 over the air).

For more than two decades, Sheryl Williams Stapleton was a powerful force in New Mexico politics. She was the first African American woman elected to the state Legislature, served as Democratic House Majority Floor Leader, and sponsored hundreds of pieces of legislation, many focused on education. But in 2021, her political career came crashing down. Federal investigators accused Stapleton of using her positions at Albuquerque Public Schools and in the Legislature to steer $1.15 million in taxpayer-funded contracts meant for Albuquerque students, for her personal use. After years of investigation and legal delays, the case finally went to trial in federal court. Stapleton and her co-conspirator, Joseph Johnson, were convicted of fraud, money laundering, and bribery. KRQE reporter Bela Olague was in the courtroom nearly every day, and joins Chris and Gabby to unpack the evidence and arguments that ultimately led to federal convictions. It's a closer look at the rise and fall of one of New Mexico's most notable political figures.

Thanks for listening. If you’ve got an idea, send it to us at [email protected] or [email protected]. Give us a follow on social media at @ChrisMcKeeTV and @gburkNM. Watch or listen to our prior podcasts online at KRQE.com/insiders and our KRQE YouTube channel, or on broadcast TV every Wednesday at 10:35 p.m. MST on Fox.

There's no question that fentanyl is killing New Mexicans. But how is it getting onto our streets, and what can law enforcement do to stop it? Chris and Gabby talk with Albuquerque Public Safety Director and former FBI Special Agent in Charge, Raul Bujanda, about the city's fight against fentanyl and the role of the border in drug trafficking. Bujanda shares his perspective on what law enforcement is doing to combat a crisis that continues to devastate communities. We also dig into a recent Associated Press investigation that raised troubling questions about DEA agents allowing massive fentanyl shipments to continue moving through New Mexico as part of investigations into larger trafficking networks. The reporting has sparked public outrage and calls for investigations and accountability from state leaders. When does a law-enforcement strategy designed to catch major traffickers put the public at risk? And who's responsible for protecting New Mexicans from deadly fentanyl?

Thanks for listening. If you’ve got an idea, send it to us at [email protected] or [email protected]. Give us a follow on social media at @ChrisMcKeeTV and @gburkNM. Watch or listen to our prior podcasts online at KRQE.com/insiders and our KRQE YouTube channel, or on broadcast TV every Wednesday at 10:35 p.m. MST on Fox.

Crypto or Bitcoin ATMs are everywhere, including laundromats and grocery stores across New Mexico. But as scammers increasingly use cryptocurrency to steal money from victims, cities and states are taking a closer look at the machines. New Mexicans reported millions in cryptocurrency fraud losses last year, and Albuquerque City Councilors are now considering an ordinance to remove crypto ATMs from city limits. Chris and Gabby dive into the topic with Brian Watson, a Community Outreach Specialist with R.O.S.E. and former IRS Criminal Investigator. Watson explains how crypto ATM scams work, why scammers often target older adults, and the devastating losses he's seen firsthand. How is AI changing the way scammers target financial information? What can you do to protect yourself and your family? Are crypto ATMs a convenience, or a tool scammers are exploiting? 

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

A southeast New Mexico newspaper in operation for more than 120 years announced its sudden closure in July. But within days, a local publishing company stepped in to save it from extinction. The Roswell Daily Record's new ownership argues that local news isn't dead, but the business model of legacy newspapers is in crisis. Pat Davis, a former longtime Albuquerque City Councilor turned news junkie, is making the case to save local publications one newspaper at a time. With the recent purchase of the Daily Record, Davis' company CTRL+P Publishing now owns eight news outlets in rural parts of New Mexico, helping save those communities from becoming news deserts. Davis explains why he believes access to local journalism is crucial for healthy communities. He also shares his vision for creating a sustainable future for community journalism. Can local newspapers survive and thrive in the digital age? 

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

For years, New Mexico has been the backdrop for thousands of movies and TV shows, attracting filmmakers while generating millions for the state's economy. But this summer, many local crew members are feeling a slowdown as productions have become harder to find. This week on the New Mexico News Insiders Podcast, KRQE's own film buff, Anchor-Reporter Chad Brummett joins Chris and Gabby to unpack what's happening behind the scenes of New Mexico's film industry. From the rise of streaming and independent filmmaking, to fierce competition from production incentives in Canada and Saudi Arabia, the conversation explores current challenges in New Mexico's film industry. 

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