Waiting months for health care appointments is a common experience for New Mexicans, in part because of a lacking health care workforce. On this week’s Let’s Talk New Mexico, we’ll discuss plans to recruit and retain workers to boost access to quality healthcare.By Taylor Velazquez

Last month, New Mexico experienced the hottest June it has ever had with more records expected to be broken going forward. On this episode we’ll discuss some of the extreme consequences heat has on public health in the Southwest.By Bryce Dix

What is the future of WIPP, which was supposed to be a pilot project, especially with more plutonium pit production planned at Los Alamos National Laboratory? How long will WIPP remain open and will it be expanded? Those are some of the questions advocates have for a town hall that will take place on July 22nd with top officials from the U.S. Depar…

It’s high season for the arts in New Mexico with the Folk Art, Spanish and Indian Markets coming to Santa Fe soon, and more statewide – like the Albuquerque area art festivals this fall. But on the next Let’s Talk New Mexico we’ll discuss how the creative industries are vibrant and an economic boon here year round. Are you an artist, performer or s…

Statistics show New Mexico is getting safer when it comes to road rage confrontations, however it might not feel like that to drivers. Forbes last year found the state was the third most dangerous for fatal crashes. On the next Let’s Talk New Mexico we’ll discuss dangerous and distracted driving. Have you seen more reckless or aggressive drivers la…

Thursday morning on Let’s Talk New Mexico, we get the latest on the South Fork and Salt fires forcing evacuations around Ruidoso in southeast New Mexico. Reports Wednesday show the fire growing to 21,000 acres with 1,400 structures burned. Are you trying to connect with friends and family there? Are you looking for ways to help?…

Juneteenth, the holiday recognizing the release of the last enslaved people more than a year after the end of the Civil War, is coming up soon. Our communities commemorate the day with parades, conferences, and even yoga in the park. On the next Let’s Talk New Mexico we’ll discuss those celebrations and whether the holiday goes far enough to help h…

New Mexico is among the most dangerous states for bicycling. Albuquerque, in particular, accounts for about half of those killed while biking in the state– and has ranked among the most dangerous cities in the US to ride a bicycle. Do you bike to work or peddle for miles on the weekends?By Kaveh Mowahed

The 2024 primary elections are underway with early and absentee voting, but primary election day is Tuesday, June 4 and we’d like to hear from you. Why is voting in primary elections important to you? Do you sit out until general elections or only vote in presidential elections? What kinds of issues or candidates would get you more engaged?…

On the next Let’s Talk New Mexico, we will talk about a unique, one-of-a-kind system meant to offset damage caused by elk and incentivize private land conservation and attempts to reform and properly fund state agencies. We’ll also dive head-first into how the state manages our game and fish.By Bryce Dix

The state Public Education Department recently mandated public schools to operate for 180 days – that’s a 5 day school week. Districts across the state are pushing back with a lawsuit citing lacking funding and transportation, especially in rural areas. Is the mandate overreaching, or, does it fulfill the state’s obligation to students?…

This week on Let’s Talk New Mexico, have you had trouble finding medical care for your pet lately? You’re not alone. There’s a nationwide shortage of veterinarians, especially in rural areas. Meanwhile two-thirds of families now own pets. How do you see the need for more vets playing out in your community? Do you work in a veterinary practice?…

Last summer, the U.S. Supreme Court slashed protections of many waterways and wetlands. Their decision left water advocates and experts alarmed over the potential impact on New Mexico’s streams and rivers. On the next Let’s Talk New Mexico, we’ll discuss a new report labeling the state’s rivers as particularly vulnerable.…

New Mexico has a diverse population with almost 46,000 students participating in Bilingual programs. The goal is to ensure all students learn English as well as their native language and meet academic standards. However, a legislative report says schools may not be hitting those marks.By Taylor Velazquez

James Beard Foundation recognizes greatness in the culinary world. This year six New Mexico chefs are semifinalists in the “Best of the Southwest” category and another four local establishments are semifinalists in national categories like “best new restaurant,” “outstanding bakery,” and “outstanding bar.” The winners will be announced April 3rd.…

March marks the annual celebration of Women’s History Month. This year it’s centered on women who advocate for equity, diversity, and inclusion. Many New Mexican women paved the way for women today to make their voices heard and make their own history.By Taylor Velazquez

Most Americans have little to no savings so even a small emergency can have catastrophic results. Pilot programs in Santa Fe, Albuquerque and Las Cruces are among those nationwide seeking to help some low income families by providing a modest monthly stipend. It’s called a Guaranteed Basic Income. What do you think about giving people money directl…

A recent series by KFF Health News and the New York Times found that roughly 10,000 baby boomers will turn 65 every day until 2030. Most expect to live into their 80s and 90s as the price tag for long-term care explodes, outpacing inflation and reaching a half-trillion dollars a year. On the next Let’s Talk New Mexico we’ll speak with one of the re…

This year’s legislative session has officially come to an end and when it comes to child welfare the session was uneventful. There were several pieces of legislation proposing many solutions, but little saw movement or were deemed not germane. On this week’s Let’s Talk New Mexico, we’ll discuss what’s next for child welfare in New Mexico.…

Gun violence has more than doubled in New Mexico since 2014. Deaths of children in 2023 led to the Governor’s contentious public health order to keep guns out of many public places. On the next Let’s Talk New Mexico we’ll discuss gun safety, access, and the proposed new legislation making its way through the legislature.…

This week marks the end of our fourth season of Growing Forward! Time has definitely flown by over the course of the last two-plus years, and we appreciate all the support and listenership during our initial seasons. We'll be back again later this Fall as we kick off Season Five. In our final episode of this season, though, we took our show on the …

In our most recent episode, we explored the challenges Native American Tribes and Pueblos face when trying to get into the cannabis industry in New Mexico. Because the plant is still federally illegal, Sovereign Nations are finding creative ways to get in on the business, including the two intergovernmental agreements Governor Michelle Lujan Grisha…

Compacts are a term you may have heard connected to Tribal gaming operations like casinos. They are agreements that Sovereign Nations make with a State government, and often include revenue sharing between the two entities. And now, New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham recently announced intergovernmental agreements with two Pueblos related t…

This week's episode hearkens back to a simpler time in Network Television: the good old fashioned crossover episode. Hosts Andy Lyman and Megan Kamerick are joined by the creative team behind the podcast NM CannaCast to talk about the state of the cannabis industry in New Mexico just a little over one year after the passing of the Cannabis Regulati…

The focus of this podcast has always been to take a look at recreational use cannabis as a legitimate business and industry. And the financial challenges are many. In our most recent episode (Season 4, Episode 5) we looked at the issues news businesses face securing loans and basic banking services when dealing with a product that is still consider…

Getting into the legal recreational-use cannabis industry creates several unique challenges. Maybe none a bigger hurdle than securing financing. As we have touched on before in this podcast, banking options remain limited because of the federal status of cannabis. But that just scratches the surface of the potential financial stumbling blocks for n…

Starting up a new business is a tall order for any entrepreneur. But that challenge is ratcheted up even more in a burgeoning industry and one that is focused on a product still rife with stigma. In this episode of "Growing Forward" we talk to some folks trying to make their way in this new industry, while also elevating diversity and opportunity. …

Now that legal recreational-use cannabis sales are up and running in New Mexico, the spotlight once again turns to the testing process. Co-host Andy Lyman has done a lot of great reporting on a testing dispute that has already made it into the New Mexico courts system. He and Megan Kamerick break down the debate, and summarize the court proceedings…

The day many had been waiting for finally arrived on Friday, April 1st, 2022. That was the day legal recreational-use cannabis sales started in New Mexico, after the state legislature passed the Cannabis Regulation Act in 2021. According to Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham's office, business was indeed booming over the inaugural weekend. The state r…

The clock is ticking to the start of legal recreational-use cannabis sales in New Mexico. April 1st at noon is the first time people can buy cannabis without having a medical card. So, how ready is the state for this new industry? We check in with Kristen Thomson, Director of the New Mexico Cannabis Control Division, to find out. Specifically, the …