Let's Talk New Mexico

  Let’s Talk NM 11/7 8a: It’s getting colder outside, and many New Mexicans will soon be stacking up firewood for heat, or just to give their homes a cheery glow. But where does the firewood come from? Who’s selling it? And why did a federal judge prohibit collection on U.S. Forest Service land earlier this year? We’re talking about the firewood industry in New Mexico - how it's affected by protection of the Mexican spotted owl, the people who make their living harvesting wood, and folks who rely on it for heat. And we want to hear from you! Do you heat your home with firewood? Do you collect your wood from public lands, or do you buy from a wood dealer who does? Email LetsTalk@KUNM.org, tweet using #LetsTalkNM, or call in live during the show.

Let's Talk New Mexico 10/31 podcast feeds at 9:10a: It’s Halloween, and according to folklore, the veil between the worlds of the living and the dead is slipping away. What better time to share ghost stories? We’ll be discussing the paranormal side of New Mexico, from modern visitations to traditional legends, as well as taking a look at why we are so fascinated by these supernatural tales. And we want to hear from you! Have you ever experienced a ghost sighting? What happened? Or do you just love ghost stories and want to share a few of your favorite? Why do you think people find these tales so compelling? Email Letstalk@KUNM.org or tweet us at #LetsTalkNM. We'll be broadcasting special coverage of the House's vote on the impeachment inquiry, so this episode of LTNM will be taped.

Let’s Talk NM 10/24 8a: Members of the Albuquerque Public Schools board control a massive budget and policies affecting more than 80,000 students. Plus, they’ll hire the next superintendent. On Let’s Talk New Mexico, we’ll have the APS board candidates in studio, and we want your questions for them. What inequities do you see in Albuquerque schools? What should district leadership do about disparities related to race, language access, class and ability?

  Let's Talk NM 10/17, 8a:The Day of the Dead has become increasingly high profile in New Mexico over the past few years, with celebrations like Albuquerque’s Muertos y Marigolds Parade attracting thousands of attendees, and traditional practices like the creation of sacred altars to departed loved ones running headlong into not-so-traditional practices like Halloween costumes. But what is the true meaning of Día de los Muertos? And how can people for whom it is not a traditional holiday engage with it in a way that’s respectful of its continued spiritual and religious significance? 

Let's Talk NM 10/3, 8a: New Mexico could become the 2nd state in the country to make college tuition-free at four-year and two-year public institutions for eligible students. Last week, Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham announced a proposal to pay any tuition and fees not covered by the Lottery Scholarship or other grants, regardless of family income. If you're crunching numbers for college, how would this change things? Are expenses like room, board and transportation barriers to higher education for you? Does the governor's proposal do enough to help the students who need financial aid the most? We want to hear from you! Email letstalk@kunm.org, tweet at us with the hashtag #LetsTalkNM. This show was taped on September 26, so we won't be taking live calls. 

Let's Talk NM 9/5, 8a: Communities across New Mexico are trying a new approach to substance use disorder: having law enforcement work with service providers to get people into treatment instead of sending them to jail. We wrap up our summer series on recovery with a discussion of Law Enforcement-Assisted Diversion and similar programs. We want to hear from you! If you've quit using drugs or alcohol, how did interactions with the criminal justice system help or hurt your recovery process? How do these diversion programs make a difference for people who want to quit using? Do they go far enough in treating addiction as a public health issue rather than a criminal issue? Email questions or comments to LetsTalk@kunm.org, or call in live during the show at (505) 277-5866.

Let's Talk New Mexico 8/29 8a: The Trump Administration recently changed Endangered Species Act regulations affecting how species are removed from endangered status and streamlining permits for the oil and gas and ranching industries. Environmentalists say the rules weaken protections. How could the new rules change industry and conservation in New Mexico? We want to hear from you! Do you work in oil and natural gas, mining, or outdoor recreation? How do endangered species affect your livelihood? Are you concerned about the future of endangered species? Email LetsTalk@KUNM.org, or call live during the show.

  Let's Talk New Mexico 8/22 8a: Studies are showing there’s a relationship between whether there’s good street-lighting in an area and crime. Do unlit places in our cities create opportunities for crime? Do local governments spread lighting resources fairly? Are there unlit spots out where you live that become known sites of violence or theft? Have you ever called your local elected officials to ask about more streetlights or long-broken lights? How did it go? Wherever you live in the state, do you feel OK going for a walk in the evening? Sitting on the porch? What would help? Email LetsTalk@kunm.org or call in live during the show.

Let's Talk New Mexico 8/15 8a: New Mexico and green chile seem inextricably linked. How did green chile get here in the first place? We’ll talk about chile verde, its origins in the pre-colonial Southwest, its present as New Mexico's most famous crop, and its future as NASA plans to grow chiles on the International Space Station. We want to hear from you! What are your favorite chile memories? Do you have chile recipes passed down from your ancestors? What do you want to know about the tasty pepper? Email us at LetsTalk@KUNM.org or call in live during the show.

  Let's Talk New Mexico 8/8, 8a: Call in now 505-277-5866. New Mexicans trying to kick an addiction to opioids have limited places to go for treatment. We're talking about options for recovery, and we want to hear from you. If you’ve quit using opioids, what was that like? And what helped? Have you sought out medication-assisted treatment, like a methadone clinic, or used medical cannabis in recovering from opioid addiction? Email LetsTalk@kunm.org, tweet with the hashtag #LetsTalkNM, or call in live during the show at (505) 277-5866.

  Let's Talk New Mexico 8/1 8a: Did you know that there are three regulation-sized boxing rings—plus cardio equipment and heavy bags—at local community center that people can reserve for free? Or that you can take a three-hour class as Esperanza Bicycle Safety Education Center and walk out with a refurbished bike and helmet? Or that Albuquerque has been creating all kinds of no-cost events for teens? We’re bringing back the free stuff show all about what costs $0 around the whole state, and we want to hear your tips. Email LetsTalk@kunm.org, tweet with the hashtag #LetsTalkNM or call in live during the show.

Let's Talk New Mexico 7/25 8a: It’s been a wetter than average year, but in a state like New Mexico wildfire is always a concern. This week we’ll hear about the logistics of firefighting, emergency preparedness, the ecological impact of fires and how climate change will play a role in future fires.

We want to hear from you! How do you prepare for fire season every year? What steps do you take when camping to make sure your pit fires don’t get out of control? Have you or someone you know been affected by a wildfire? Email LetsTalk@KUNM.org or call in live during the show.

Let's Talk New Mexico 7/18 8a: Thousands of New Mexicans with intellectual and developmental disabilities have waited years to get access to group homes, therapies and other services. We’ll discuss the plan Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham announced this month to get everyone off the waitlist for the developmental disability (DD) waiver program over the next six years. Have you or someone you know been on the waitlist? What would it take to get everyone the services they are eligible for in a timely fashion? Email us your thoughts at LetsTalk@kunm.org, or call in live during the show.

  Let's Talk NM 6/27 8a: With Fourth of July weekend just ahead and Pride celebrations ongoing, ‘tis the season for summer parties. And for many, that means being in social situations where the booze is flowing. On the next Let’s Talk New Mexico, we’re talking sobriety this summer. If you’ve quit drinking or using drugs, how has that changed the way you connect with people? What can friends and family do to support their sober loved ones? Email LetsTalk@KUNM.org or call in live during the show.

Let's Talk New Mexico 6/13 8a: New Mexico has rich African American history and culture beginning with the arrival of Spanish explorers, continuing with the Homestead Act, through the Civil Rights era, and into the present day. In celebration of Juneteenth, we'll hear from folks who are working to preserve and share this legacy here.