Let's Talk New Mexico

Let's Talk New Mexico 2/14 8a: Many people across New Mexico experience homelessness or housing insecurity. We'll look at how local governments and other organizations are working to help those folks get back home. There are immediate needs for some people, but what about long-term solutions? What are the most effective ways to help people get housing? Have you experienced homelessness? What worked best for you? Email LetsTalk@kunm.org, tweet us using the #LetsTalkNM hashtag, or call in live during the show.

Let’s Talk New Mexico 2/7 8a:  Early childhood is a crucial time for learning and development. It’s on the minds of many lawmakers this session, and Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham has declared universal pre-K one of her top priorities. But where will funding for those programs come from? And how can the state better coordinate the various services to ensure kids don’t miss out? We’d like to hear from you! Email LetsTalk@kunm.org, tweet us using the #LetsTalkNM hashtag, or call in live during the show.  

Let’s Talk New Mexico 1/31 8a: Politicians are promising to boost the economy in New Mexico and slow our warming climate with renewable energy and green jobs. It’s being called a Green New Deal. People in New Mexico have heard talk of this before. So what's worked? What hasn't? How about our new governor, and our congressional leaders—many of whom campaigned on green jobs? What green economy promises do you want to make sure don’t die on the vine?

Let’s Talk New Mexico 1/24 8a: Fixing inequalities in New Mexico’s public school system is a top priority for lawmakers this year. This Thursday morning we’ll explore how to do this huge, complicated task and balance the needs of so many diverse students.  Are you an educator, an administrator, a student, a parent? Do you have your own ideas on how to create equity in public schools? We'd like to hear from you! Email LetsTalk@KUNM.org or call in live during the show.

Let's Talk New Mexico 1/17 8a: How is the partial federal government shutdown playing out in New Mexico as it drags on for its fourth week with no end in sight? Over 10,000 federal workers here are either furloughed or working and not getting paid. Residents are also having trouble getting healthcare, selling products, finalizing loans and deciding how much crops to plant this year. How is the shutdown affecting you and people you know? 

Let's Talk New Mexico 1/10 8a: Education is the top priority for New Mexico's new governor and Democratic legislative leaders as the 2019 State Legislature begins a new session next week. What would you like to see lawmakers achieve in the session? What issues are most important to you? And what would you like to see news organizations cover during the session? Our panel of local journalists will discuss the top issues for the session and our coverage priorities. And we'd like to hear from you! Email LetsTalk@KUNM.org, tweet to #LetsTalkNM or call in live during the show. 

Let’s Talk New Mexico 12/20 8a: Sitting down to a delicious meal brings families and friends together on the holidays for good conversation and a connection over something well all have to do, eat! Is there a particular food that brings up fond holiday memories? Does your family have a special holiday tradition of eating turkey, posole, or tamales? Or maybe your holiday favorite eats don’t fit any tradition? What is that one thing that makes your holiday table complete? Email your favorite recipes and food memories to LetsTalk@KUNM.org, tweet #LetsTalkNM, or call in live during the show.

Let's Talk New Mexico 12/13 8a: Doctors recommend getting a flu shot in the fall, but it’s not too late. A record 80,000 people died in 2017 from the flu and the CDC recommends that everyone over the age of 6 months get vaccinated every year. Do you get the flu shot? Does it seem like you get sick anyway? Is it hard to find time or a place? We’ll explore myths about the flu vaccine and its effectiveness. We want to hear from you. Email LetsTalk@KUNM.org or call in live during the show.

Guests:

Let’s Talk New Mexico 11/29 8a: This week, we’re focusing on transgender folks who thrive in our community, the growing acceptance in younger generations, and gains being made around the country. Media narratives often emphasize the discrimination and violence transgender people face. Those are essential stories, but we want to add to the conversation.

Let's Talk New Mexico 11/15 8a: Call now (505) 277-5866. Survivors of clergy sexual abuse continue to come forward in New Mexico, and many people are calling for the Catholic Church to come clean about what they knew and when. On the show, we'll explore what accountability could look like for crimes that happened years or decades ago. What are the effects of Church secrecy around clergy abuse? And how can communities heal from these kinds of trauma? 

We’d like to hear from you. Email LetsTalk@KUNM.org or call in live during the show at (505) 277-5866, Thursday morning at 8 here on 89.9 KUNM.

Let's Talk New Mexico 11/1 8a: The 2018 mid-term election is just days away on Tuesday, November 6, 2018. New Mexico voters will choose our next governor and candidates for U.S. Senate, Congress, and the state Legislature among other offices. What's driving you to the polls this year? What are the issues that you care most about this election? Are you hopeful and excited about the candidates? Or do partisan divisions and nasty campaign ads sour you on the democratic process? Maybe you can't vote, but you'd like to. Or maybe you are choosing not to vote. We'd like to hear from you. Email LetsTalk@kunm.org or call in live during the show. 

Let's Talk New Mexico 10/18 8a: Immigration is a big issue in this year’s midterm election. The border wall, separating immigrant families and reforming the visa system are some of the issues that have politicians taking sides. But Congress has accomplished little on immigration reform and the fate of the Deferred Action for Childhood Action program is still uncertain. Is immigration a major election issue for you? Do you feel you’ve heard enough on immigration from the candidates? We’d like to hear from you – email LetsTalk@kunm.org or call in live during the show. 

Let’s Talk New Mexico 10/11 8am: A record number of women are running for elected office across the country this year and we’ll look at how the national conversation about sexual assault and misconduct is playing into this year’s politics.

Is 2018 going to be the next "Year of the Woman"? Are you satisfied with what you are hearing from women candidates this year? Do you know women who’ve decided to get political now because of sexual violence and discrimination? We’d like to hear from you. Email LetsTalk@kunm.org, tweet #LetsTalkNM, or call in live during the show. 

Let’s Talk New Mexico 10/4 8am: Around the country, voter participation is surging, and people are predicting the midterms in November will see a big turnout. Still, plenty of eligible people—even folks who are registered—don’t cast their ballots. Are you planning not to vote? Do you distrust politicians, government and the two-party political process? Are you tired of extreme rhetoric and ideological divisions? Do you dislike negative campaign ads? Are you frustrated with who’s on your ballot?

Let's Talk New Mexico 9/20 8 am: Prisons in New Mexico don’t have enough medical staff, and advocates say this means people don’t get the help they need—even when their injuries and illnesses are severe. Are you incarcerated? Or do you have friends or family members in state prisons? Are you concerned about their health? Email LetsTalk@kunm.org, tweet #letstalkNM or call in live during the show on Thursday morning: 277-5866.

Let's Talk New Mexico 9/13 8 am: What do you do to keep the environment clean? Do plastic bans, eating less meat, taking fewer plane trips or carrying reusable silverware really matter? We'll talk about how to make choices that are good for the environment. We'll also look at lessons from tribes and communities across the region that have lived sustainably for generations. 

Let's Talk New Mexico 8/30 8a: We talk a lot about the need to bring more jobs to New Mexico, but what about remote workers? There are more opportunities for people to find jobs with outside companies and stay rooted in their own community here. But working from home or outside of an office requires internet access and specific skills to be successful. We'd like to hear from you. Email LetsTalk@kunm.org or call in live during the show.

Let's Talk New Mexico 8/23 8a: Allergies to foods like nuts, milk and seafood are on the rise, and they can be life-threatening. As New Mexico students settle into a new school year, we'll look at what teachers and school staff are doing to look out for all children.

Do your kids have allergies? How does it go for them at school? Have you been able to access life-saving medication like an EpiPen? Email LetsTalk@kunm.org or call in live during the show at 277-5866.

Let's Talk New Mexico 8/16 8a: Did you know that you can check out cake pans, WiFi hotspots and ukuleles from Albuquerque Public Libraries? You can skip expensive gym bills and work out for free—lift weights, get on a cardio machine—at some community centers. What do you know about that's free? What free resources do you find useful? What do you wish was offered for free? Email LetsTalk@kunm.org, tweet with #LetsTalkNM or call in live during the show. 

Let's Talk New Mexico 8/9 8a: One way to help make cities more affordable and accessible is to increase density. If housing is close to businesses, schools and entertainment, people can utilize public transportation and take advantage of new amenities. But some neighborhood leaders in Albuquerque worry that new development in the city may push out existing residents. How can we balance both needs? We'd like to hear from you! Email LetsTalk@kunm.org, tweet with #LetsTalkNM, or call in live during the show. 

Let's Talk New Mexico 8/2 8a: Research shows that learning about one's own history and culture can keep students engaged and lead to better educational outcomes. A recent court ruling found New Mexico's Public Education Department is failing its Native American students, in part by not providing adequate culturally relevant materials. Did you have access to Native American Studies or classes taught in your Native language?

Let's Talk New Mexico 7/26 8a: A new chapter in the fight over educational equity in New Mexico has begun. On July 20, 2018, a judge ruled that the state has violated the rights of at-risk students by failing to provide an adequate education. We'll speak with advocates and lawmakers about what the landmark decision means. What does an adequate education mean to you? And how can the state provide it to all students? 

Let's Talk New Mexico 7/12 8a: Adults aren’t the only ones looking for jobs in New Mexico. Many teens are seeking employment, both in the summer and during the school year. Teens not only need to gain crucial job skills and experience but they may be helping contribute to the immediate financial needs of their families. New Mexico’s youth unemployment rate has ranked among the highest in the nation in recent years.

• Did you work as a teen? What did you learn from that experience?

Let's Talk New Mexico 6/29 8a: When the weekend rolls around, New Mexicans have many options for entertainment and fun. Festivals offer up an opportunity to break out of the weekend monotony of movies and restaurants. Fermented foods, lavender, Greek culture, and of course hot air balloons are just a few items on the New Mexico festival menu. 

Let's Talk New Mexico 6/21 8a: Many New Mexicans don’t make enough money to comfortably pay rent or a mortgage, even while working a full-time job. What’s the housing situation for middle-to-low-income people in New Mexico? What’s being done to address a lack of affordable housing? We want to hear from you! Email LetsTalk@KUNM.org, tweet #LetsTalkNM or call in live during the show.

Let's Talk New Mexico 6/14 8a:  Research shows when students learn about their own culture and history in school, it can keep them engaged, boost self-esteem, and improve academic performance. Some public schools offer Mexican-American Studies and Chicana and Chicano Studies courses to a small number of students, but most of New Mexico’s Hispanic and Latino students still don’t get that opportunity. Did you take classes like these? What did that mean for your educational experience? Are public schools in New Mexico doing enough to offer those types of classes? We’d like to hear from you! Email LetsTalk@KUNM.org, tweet #LetsTalkNM or call in live during the show.

Let's Talk New Mexico 5/24 8a: Poverty is a persistent topic in New Mexico, from news coverage of the latest statistics to legislative hearings on proposals to address high poverty rates in our communities. Nearly 20 percent of New Mexicans are considered to be living in poverty according to the U.S. Census. Are these numbers accurately capturing the real experiences of people across the state? How can we talk about poverty differently, in a way that doesn't define people by their income? What do you think makes someone poor? Email LetsTalk@KUNM.org, tweet #LetsTalkNM, or call in live during the show.