Let's Talk New Mexico

Let's Talk New Mexico 5/28, 8a: Many of the people protesting COVID-related restrictions around New Mexico are white, while the virus has disproportionately impacted Native communities. This week on Let’s Talk New Mexico, we look at how whiteness plays into anti-shutdown responses in towns that border tribal communities.

Let's Talk New Mexico 5/21, 8a: Keeping our communities and public spaces clean is life-saving work as we fight viral spread. On this week's call-in show, we'll hear from those essential workers about the conditions they face during the pandemic. Do you work in sanitation or on a hospital cleaning crew? Do you clean homes or other businesses for a living? Are you a home health care worker? We want to hear from you about how things are going. Or do you have a special story or gratitude shoutout for someone who cleans the spaces you inhabit? Email LetsTalk@kunm.org or call in live during the show.

Lets Talk New Mexico 5/14, 8a: K-12 schools across the state closed in late March and students have been finishing up their last months online. Many youth have had their extracurriculars cancelled and aren’t able to leave the house or see their friends. This week, we hear from the generation of young New Mexicans impacted by the COVID-19 health crisis. As they approach the end of the semester, we’ll hear from middle and high school students about what the shutdown’s been like for them and what they think the future might hold.

Lets Talk New Mexico 4/30, 8a: Some New Mexicans are talking about reopening businesses in defiance of Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham’s stay-at-home order, and mayors of 19 municipalities in the state recently signed on to a letter requesting that the governor allow them to reopen. However, health care workers say that could make things worse for those on the front lines of the COVID pandemic. This week, we’re talking about calls to reopen the economy, what that timeline could look like, and what it might mean for New Mexicans. 

Let's Talk New Mexico 4/23, 8a: More health care workers in New Mexico are testing positive for COVID-19 as the state approaches an expected peak in cases later this spring. Hospitals are laying off workers as the ban on elective surgeries and other procedures slams their bottom lines. On this week’s call-in show, we’ll hear about how prepared the state’s health care system is for a surge of coronavirus patients. Are workers getting the protective equipment they need? How would hospitals handle potential shortages of intensive care beds and ventilators? To join in the conversation, email letstalks@kunm.org or call in live during the show on Thursday morning.

Lets Talk New Mexico 4/9, 8a: Many New Mexicans have been living with the strictures of social distancing for several weeks, and we have to wonder what kind of effect that is having on mental and emotional health. This week on the call-in show, we’ll talk about life in the stay-at-home age and ask how well the practice is working to limit the spread of COVID-19. We want to hear from you! How are you dealing with the ways that social distancing has changed your life?

Let's Talk New Mexico 3/27, 8a: The COVID-19 pandemic has deeply shaken many of our basic systems in just a few weeks. Changes that once seemed unthinkable to many, like releasing prisoners, closing entire school districts, or disallowing evictions, have now come to pass. How are people and institutions adapting to provide necessities during this crisis? What might a post-coronavirus world look like? We want to hear from you. Email LetsTalk@kunm.org or call in live during the show at (505) 277-5866. 

Let's Talk New Mexico 3/26, 8a: Life's normal pace seems to be grinding to a halt for many New Mexicans, but some things never change. Babies are born, loved ones pass away, couples get hitched -- so what do those big, life-changing celebrations and events look like in the time of quarantine? On our next KUNM call-in show, we'll speak with folks who are navigating births, deaths, and marriages during the pandemic, and helping others do the same. And we want to hear from you! Email letstalk@kunm.org or call in during the show at (505) 277-5866. 

Let's Talk New Mexico 3/25, 8a: The coronavirus has now reached 11 counties in New Mexico, with 100 cases of COVID-19 now confirmed mostly in the Albuquerque, Santa Fe, and Las Cruces areas. "Non-essential" workers are now staying home. Amid all this fearful uncertainty, it's heartening to hear how communities are building new ways to care for each other. We're spending our mornings this week taking your calls about the coronavirus pandemic, and we want to hear what's happening in your home or neighborhood. How are you coping with the anxieties and sudden lifestyle changes? How are you staying busy and getting creative about keeping up with loved ones from a distance? Email LetsTalk@kunm.org or call in live during the show at 277-5866. 

Let's Talk New Mexico 3/24, 8a: Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham went live before tens of thousands of New Mexicans on Monday afternoon with a new public health order in response to the coronavirus outbreak: close all "non-essential businesses," limit public outings to groups of five, and stay at home as much as possible. The order says violators "could lose licenses to operate and face civil or criminal penalties." How does this change life for you and your loved ones? What worries you most about the pandemic in your town, and what kinds of things do you want to hear from your elected leaders? We're continuing our daily call-in shows about COVID-19 in New Mexico, and we want to hear from you. Email letstalk@kunm.org anytime or call in live during the show at (505) 277-5866 or 1-877-899-5866.

Let's Talk New Mexico 3/23, 8a: The coronavirus outbreak has everyone talking and thinking about the same thing, so each morning this week, we'll be coming to you live with special call-in shows all about local responses to COVID-19. We want to hear how you're holding up. What questions or concerns do you have about the way New Mexico agencies are addressing this public health crisis? How are you staying safe and caring for your community during this time of social distancing? Email letstalk@kunm.org, tweet at us with #LetsTalkNM, or call in live during the show at (505) 277-5866. If you're outside of the ABQ Metro area, the number is 1-877-899-5866. 

  Let's Talk NM 3/12, 8a: In 2019, Albuquerque was listed as one of the top ten places for women in technology fields, with nearly 30% of tech jobs here filled by women. This week on Let’s Talk New Mexico, we’ll speak with women who work in science and technology -- from CNM's coding bootcamp program, to Los Alamos National Labs, to Girls Who Code clubs. What’s the outlook for women who want to get into a tech job, whether straight out of high school or as a mid-career switch?

  Let's Talk New Mexico 3/5 8a: Lobbyists spent more than $195,000 on events, meals and giveaways for state legislators during the 2019 legislative session, working out to more than $6,500 a day. Ethics advocates worry that this kind of spending influences those legislators’ decisions in the Roundhouse, and think the public has a right to know exactly what’s going on.

Let’s Talk New Mexico 2/27 8am: It’s near the end of Black History Month, and we’re going to be talking about the impact of black people on the culture of New Mexico. From historical contributions to the present day, African Americans have been fundamental in the development of the rich traditions of the state. 

  Let's Talk New Mexico 2/20 8a: The 2020 legislative session finishes up Thursday. As those final hours close in, we’ll discuss where high-profile proposals stand – like the red-flag firearm bill, and recreational cannabis – as well as the fate of some important bills that you may have not heard of.

And we want to hear from you. Which proposals were you happy to see pass? Which stalled bills frustrated you? Email LetsTalk@kunm.org, tweet using #LetsTalkNM, or call in live during the show.

NEW: We're partnering with NMPBS to livestream video of the Thursday call-in show. Watch live at New Mexico PBS or KUNM on Facebook, or listen as always on 89.9 FM or KUNM.org.

  Let's Talk New Mexico 2/13 8am: It’s Valentine’s Day and we’re going to be talking about love. From how a baker and chocolatier’s creations come from a place of affection and care, to how a spectacular annual Valentine in an Albuquerque neighborhood shows love for more than just its recipient—and even how love itself can be a radical act.

  Let's Talk New Mexico 2/6 8a: The 2020 Census begins in April, and it will determine New Mexico's congressional representation and the allocation of federal dollars for programs like Medicaid, CHIP and SNAP. This week, we’ll discuss why it's hard to get a complete count here, and what organizers are doing to reach communities that have historically been undercounted. Do you have concerns about how the federal government use your information? Do you benefit from a program that uses Census data for funding purposes? Email Letstalk@KUNM.org, tweet us at #LetsTalkNM, or call in live during the show.

  Let's Talk New Mexico 1/30 8a: State officials say 37,000 people will lose their eligibility for federal food assistance after the Trump administration starts enforcing new work requirements in April. This week, we'll discuss the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and how the new rules will change life for New Mexicans who depend on it.

  Let's Talk NM 1/23 8a: New Mexico has seen a dramatic increase in the number of people experiencing homelessness, according to a 2019 report to the US Congress. On this week's show, we’ll discuss homelessness and what our state and local governments should be doing to help.

  Let's Talk New Mexico 1/16 8a: We’re going to look back at the local news stories that affected New Mexicans last year and at how they might develop in the year ahead. And we’re going to talk about how these topics will impact the upcoming legislative session. Our guests will walk us through their picks for the most notable, important or interesting news stories they covered in 2019—from immigration to liver transplants to education—and how it made a difference to the people who live in our state.

And we want to hear from you! What New Mexico news stories stood out for you in 2019? Or what national events affected your life? Email Letstalk@KUNM.org, tweet us at #LetsTalkNM, or call in live during the show.

Let's Talk New Mexico 1/9 8a: Iran launched missiles against U.S. bases in Iraq on Tuesday, Jan. 7, after a U.S. airstrike days earlier killed top Iranian military commander Gen. Qassem Soleimani. This week on our live call-in show, we're hearing local perspectives about the growing conflict between Iran and the United States. We'll also be speaking with an expert to understand the history and context of these tensions. And we want to hear from you. What do you think of the U.S. actions in Iran? Do you fear fast escalation? Did President Trump make the right call?

  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.