Thanks to growing financial risks from climate change, property insurance premiums are ballooning, and not just in areas inundated with wildfire and subsequent burn scar flooding. On the next Let’s Talk New Mexico we’ll explore the problem – and possible solutions – as lawmakers try to confront how climate change could reshape the state’s insurance market.
President Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill Act will cut incentives for wind, solar and electric cars and will ease restrictions on fossil fuels which contribute to a warming climate and severe weather. On the next Let’s Talk New Mexico we’ll ask, where does this leave our state as we grapple with renewable energy development while banking on oil and gas?
The growing danger of adolescent gun violence hit close to home at the University of New Mexico last week, as a shooting took the life of one teen, sent another to the hospital, and left a third facing serious charges.On the next Let’s Talk New Mexico, we’ll discuss the impacts on the University’s community and young people facing the persistent threat of gun violence.
Our state's mountains, deserts, caverns and culture draw tourists from around the world, but a changing climate and more severe weather are threatening those places and that important part of our economy. How can we protect our natural and cultural treasures from fires and floods? Should we still visit places after a disaster hits?
Congress passed President Trump’s contentious tax and spending plan referred to as the “Big Beautiful Bill.”Health care, social programs, education, and clean energy will see major cuts to pay for increased spending on immigration enforcement, defense, and tax cuts for the upper class.
Protests over social, economic, and corporate policies have become increasingly contentious, reflecting a society that feels as divided as ever. Still, the act of speaking out has deep roots in our region. On the next Let’s Talk New Mexico we’ll discuss protests. Do they work? Which strategies are most effective? How have they evolved?
On this episode we talk about the promises and threats from private equity ownership in health care. New Mexico has the highest proportion of private equity- owned hospitals in the country and we’ve been named most at risk of further private equity takeovers. That's why lawmakers recently passed an oversight bill on hospital acquisitions and mergers.
On this episode we talk about the promises and threats from private equity ownership in health care. New Mexico has the highest proportion of private equity- owned hospitals in the country and we’ve been named most at risk of further private equity takeovers. That's why lawmakers recently passed an oversight bill on hospital acquisitions and mergers.
Nationwide schools are facing chronic absenteeism, and it’s even worse in New Mexico which saw the largest increase - of 119% from 2019 to 2023.
In 2018 a New Mexico judge ruled the state was failing to provide a constitutionally sufficient and equitable education to at-risk students. Years laters, the state is still out of compliance with that ruling and the plaintiffs have taken the case back to court.
In previous weeks we’ve explored the effects on our state of federal workforce reductions and likely federal funding cuts to Medicaid. Now prominent organizations like the New Mexico Humanities Council are reeling from cancelled federal grants. On the next Let’s Talk New Mexico, how will our non-profits endure big losses of federal funding promised by congress?
About a third of New Mexicans depend on medicaid to pay for health care. While our state legislature has signalled support by passing a bill to create a new medicaid trust fund, the United States congress is debating deep cuts to spending, including on medicaid. On the next Let’s Talk New Mexico, how would federal cuts affect health care in our state?
On the next Let’s Talk New Mexico, we’ll discuss the power of oil and gas in our statehouse and why legislators may not be willing to change rules for the industry that brings about a third of the state’s total revenue while being the top emitter of greenhouse gases.
We’ll reflect on the end of the 2025 legislative session by talking with journalists who followed all 60 days at the Roundhouse.
New Mexico’s Children, Youth, and Families Department has suffered decades of instability and the agency struggling to protect vulnerable youths. The governor and lawmakers are stressing urgency to address long standing issues, but the legislature has shown a break in trust by significantly cutting the agency’s requested budget. On the next Let’s Talk New Mexico, we’ll discuss legislative efforts for child welfare reform.
Psychedelics are gaining momentum as medicines to treat a variety of conditions such as addiction and PTSD, and New Mexico might become the third state to legalize medical psilocybin — the main ingredient in magic mushrooms.
About 22,000 New Mexicans worked for the federal government last year. Many people are nervous about the ongoing reduction in the federal workforce, but how severely could our state be impacted?
James Beard Foundation recognizes top achievements in the culinary world. This year five New Mexico chefs are semifinalists in the “Best of the Southwest” category and another three local establishments are semifinalists in national categories like “outstanding bakery,” “outstanding professional cocktail service” and “outstanding wine and other beverages program.”
Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham has called for easing medical malpractice insurance expenses by having the state step in to help cover gaps. Meanwhile a new Senate bill introduced by the only doctor in the legislature takes a different approach to lowering costs. On the next Let’s Talk New Mexico, we’ll discuss how problems with malpractice insurance affect providers in the state and their patients, along with possible policy solutions.
By law, New Mexico utilities must transition to renewable power with benchmarks starting this year. However, with two large solar projects seeking permits, neighboring communities have voiced concerns over safety. On the next Let’s Talk New Mexico we’ll discuss proposed solar farms near Santa Fe and Albuquerque. Are you concerned about battery storage for solar energy or their proximity to communities?
