Podcasts about Albuquerque Public Schools

Whatever you think of the recent Blue Origin flight, the fact is that Bezos' technology is far superior to Virgin Galactic's. Paul recently traveled to Gallup: I-40 is a dangerous embarrassment to NM.  The Albuquerque Public Schools 2025-2026 budget is slated to spend an estimated $35,384 per student. As usual Trever of the Journal nails it with his latest cartoon. 9 candidates have declared for mayor. Paul and Wally discuss the latest details. A big tax hike is quietly moving through ABQ City Council. We can discuss this article which had a different title in print. Regardless, the article and the people quoted completely miss the point.

Someone appears to have committed arson at NM GOP HQ. According to a new Wallethub report, New Mexico is dead last when it comes to the Return on Investment (ROI) for taxpayers And, another new Wallethub report places New Mexico first on "most stressed." The best part of what happened in the session is the death of several bad bills. State data on Albuquerque Public Schools finds the District's performance on education metrics wanting which broadly reflects the recent findings of NAEP.  A travel journalist on Youtube named Nick Johnson recently traveled to Albuquerque's Warzone. He called it: "The Most Frightful Neighborhood In America." New Mexico's film industry is in a "lull" but the state expects to pay out $118 million in tax credits in the current fiscal year, while $117 million was paid out last year and $73 million the year before that. 

Fire Chief Emily Jaramillo stops by the Morning Show for our first A.F.R. update of 2025!! Wild fires, open burning in the city, training, and recruitment are just a few topics Bob and Emily discuss on today's show. Fire Chief Emily Jaramillo grew up in rural New Mexico. She achieved a BA in English and Secondary Education at Luther College in Decorah, Iowa in 1999. After returning home to New Mexico, Emily taught and coached for four years at Albuquerque Public Schools before joining Albuquerque Fire Rescue in 2005. During her time at AFR, Emily has served as an officer in both the Paramedic and Fire Suppression Divisions, served on the AFD Safety Committee, taught in the EMS Training Division, and coordinated both the Professional Development and Firefighter Health and Wellness programs, served at the chair of the Operations Planning Committee for ACS, and serves on the board for the Mental Health Response Advisory Committee. In 2015, she was the recipient of the IAFF 244 Outstanding Leadership Award and was nominated as an Albuquerque Business First Woman of Excellence in 2022.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Fentanyl crisis has changed law enforcement's approach to tackling drugs and education. This week, Carlos Briano, Spokesperson for the Drug Enforcement Agency El Paso Division, which covers New Mexico, joins Chris and Gabby to discuss the DEA's mission on the streets, and in schools. What's behind the recent Fentanyl overdose death decline? How are kids learning about drugs in schools? Briano expands on a newly adopted school curriculum by Albuquerque Public Schools, created in collaboration with Discovery Education and the DEA. Plus, hear about the unique challenges New Mexico and Texas are facing when it comes to drug crimes.  We appreciate our listeners. Send your feedback or story ideas to hosts chris.mckee@krqe.com or gabrielle.burkhart@krqe.com. We're also on X (Twitter), Facebook, & Instagram at @ChrisMcKeeTV and @gburkNM. For more on this episode and all of our prior episodes, visit our podcast website: KRQE.com/podcasts. Also, check out the video version of the podcast on our YouTube channel. Our show also airs on television! Tune into Fox New Mexico on Wednesdays at 10:35 p.m. MST. 

How do you become a School Resource Counselor? In this episode of Good Job New Mexico, we dive into the inspiring journey of Lorraine Chavez, also known as Ms. College Career, a college and career readiness resource counselor with Albuquerque Public Schools. Hear her story on how she found her passion for helping students, and her journey to become the person she needed when she was younger.

Gabriella Blakey, the Superintendent of Albuquerque Public Schools, was born and raised in Albuquerque and is dedicated to improving educational outcomes for our kids. In this episode, she shares her favorite walkout song, what she wants to be in her second life, where her favorite "getaway" is in Albuquerque, and so much more. Listen today!

MLG's latest education secretary departs. Paul and Wally discuss the depressing reality of education policy under MLG.  I attended the APS state of the district address. Here's what I saw. Kamala Harris no longer claims to support EV mandates. Is she just lying about her policies at this point?  RGF tracked down the cost of Dona Ana County's new EV charging stations. RGF is hosting two upcoming events (one in Albuquerque and one in Clovis) on the electoral college/voting. It was a deadly August in Albuquerque. Paul saw the Reagan movie over the weekend and really enjoyed it.  We were told that this would be a record-setting hurricane season. Where are all the hurricanes? Also, this was supposed to be a bad monsoon season in New Mexico. So far that has not been the case.   Paul is heading to Ruidoso for a talk tonight. This will be his first time in Ruidoso since the fires this summer. 

This is a re-release episode! We sit down with Scott Elder, the Superintendent of Albuquerque Public Schools. We talk about the ransomware attack they experienced in January 2021.  This discussion is from the perspective of the Superintendent during the attack.  Scott is wildly candid and honest about the experience. iDoc ManagedMethods Extreme Networks Fortinet Oh, and... Email us at k12techtalk@gmail.com Tweet us err X us @k12techtalkpod Visit our LinkedIn page HERE

This is Part 2 of K12 Tech Talk's engaging journey through the trending topics from CoSN in Miami! Highlights are discussions about AI readiness and CoSN's AI maturity matrix, Secure by Design, enhancing data security in schools, and the dynamic evolution of technology within educational institutions. Interviews include: Josh Olstad - Technology Director, SAU #5, New Hampshire Shahryar Khazei - retired CIO of Los Angeles Unified Jim and Melissa - Future of Privacy Forum Tom Ryan - the man, the myth, the legend... Co-Founder at K-12 Strategic Technology Advisory Group, former CIO of Albuquerque Public Schools, and member of the Council of Great City Schools Keith Krueger, CEO, CoSN Diane Doersch - CoSN Chair - - - - - https://www.youtube.com/@k12techtalk Join the K12TechPro.com Community. Buy our merch!!! * NTP * Howard - Email Seth Shockley - sshockley@howard.com * Extreme - Email dmayer@extremenetworks.com * Fortinet - Excited to announce our next SLED National webinar Connecting the Nation: FCC's Vision for Broadband, Cybersecurity and Digital Inclusion - a Fireside Chat with Commissioner Rachelle Chong and Jim Richberg, hosted by Mike Lauer! DATE: April 18th @ 10amPT/ 1pm ET Key topics: - Digital Equity for all Americans. - Funding Internet connectivity for K-12 schools and libraries, with a focus on cybersecurity.- Proposed Cyber Trust Mark program for enhanced digital security. Registration Link * ClassLink * A4L Summit Oh, and... Email us at k12techtalk@gmail.com Tweet us err X us @k12techtalkpod Visit our LinkedIn page HERE

“Fraud, bribery, money laundering, defrauding the United States government,” legal expert John Day said. Those are just a few of the charges against Sheryl Williams Stapleton, accused of taking money from Albuquerque Public Schools.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Gabriella Blakey comments on some of her priorities as she was selected this week to to be the new Superintendent at Albuquerque Public Schools on News Radio KKOBSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The search for the next superintendent of Albuquerque Public Schools has been narrowed to four candidates. The school board chose Thomas Ahart, Mason Bellamy, Gabriella Duran Blakely and Channell Segura on News Radio KKOBSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's election time and several candidates will be vying for three seats on the Albuquerque Public Schools Board. On the next Let's Talk New Mexico, we'll be asking the candidates their thoughts on the current state of education and what their contributions to the board would be.

This year's back-to-school looks a lot different for many New Mexico families. Some of this school year's changes include free meals for all due to new state law, a new bell schedule for Albuquerque Public Schools, an extended school year calendar, and more time in the classroom. Chris and Gabby sit down with APS Superintendent Scott Elder to break down some of the key changes and how the state's biggest district is handling them. In the second half of the episode, hear from a local parent and school bus driver, Julie Sprunk, about her experience and perspective on the upcoming school year.  What's the biggest challenge? How will the free meal program work? Why are bus drivers crucial to start times?  We like to hear from our listeners! Send your feedback or story ideas to hosts chris.mckee@krqe.com or gabrielle.burkhart@krqe.com. We're also on Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram at @ChrisMcKeeTV and @gburkNM. For more on this episode and all of our prior episodes, visit our podcast website: KRQE.com/podcasts.

On this week's Tipping Point conversation Paul and Wally discuss the complexity of the GRT, changes to the tax going back to the Richardson Administration, and how we need to extend the logic of GRT "pyramiding" changes for health care to other areas of the economy.   New Mexico ranks 34th in Wallethub's best states for health care report. We take some time to dive into this report which focuses on one of the most important economic issues of the 2023 session. Conflict over informing parents on student academic performance at APS highlights fundamental problems with public employee unions, especially in education.  The Deane Waldman interview remains up on Youtube, but NM's attorney general Raul Torrez has put New Mexico on the record in support of government censorship of social media companies in the case of Missouri v. Biden.  It's back to school. A survey sent to New Mexico's 4th graders asks 11 year olds if they're transgender, gay, bi, and if they use ze/hir pronouns.

Some interest groups are lobbying for a public bank in New Mexico. Others want a "green" bank. What's going on with these proposals?  Liability in the event of a disaster. The submarine loss raises questions for New Mexico about Spaceport and whether taxpayers could be on the hook in the event of a disaster. This is especially relevant as the first paying customers are set to fly out of Spaceport America this week.  Tuesday the 27th is the 5th anniversary of the Janus decision. New Mexico government employee unions saw the biggest decline in membership of any state thanks in part to RGF educational efforts.  New Mexico has $70.84 billion invested in various funds. It is not a poor state, but it is a poorly governed state:  ABQ City Council embraced casitas and rejected the "weak mayor" change for local government. Paul and Wally are pleased by the casita decision and understand the lack of willingness to switch governments. Also, RGF helped push Albuquerque Public Schools to publish their recent budgets.  Lujan Grisham wants feds to follow California's lead on zero emission trucks. Here's what that means.

NMiF Senior Producer introduces this week's episode with headlines from around the state including new developments in the deadly 'Rust' shooting case. Plus, republican state Senator Mark Moores of Albuquerque announces he won't run for re-election, and the state's Tax and Revenue Department says it will start distributing tax rebate payments as soon as June 21. Then, Gene Grant and The Line Opinion Panel take over the show. Gene and our panelistsdiscuss the recent developments in the U.S. Interior Department's decision to withdraw oil and gas leases from Chaco Park and the surrounding 10-mile area. Plus, the panel reacts to the protest that disrupted Interior Sec. Deb Haaland's planned visit to the area. Gene and The Line also talk through a planned policy change at Albuquerque Public Schools that would prevent prospective students with past expulsions or other disciplinary issues from enrolling in the district's schools. Our panelists debate some of the concerns surrounding the policy, including the possibility that it could push more kids through the cracks and into the criminal justice system. Finally, the panel takes a look at the state's $500 million settlement with Walgreens over the pharmacy chain's role in the opioid epidemic.   Host: Lou DiVizio Line Host: Gene Grant The Line Opinion Panel:  Martha Burk, political psychologist, author  Shaun Griswold, editor, Source New Mexico  Merritt Allen, Vox Optima Public Relations  For More Information: Protest at Chaco Canyon deters event to celebrate new federal oil and gas leasing ban – Source NM  Protest derails planned celebration of 20-year ban on oil drilling near Chaco national park – The Associated Press   House panel investigates ties between Interior secretary, environmentalists – The Associated Press  Albuquerque Public Schools poised to deny enrollment based on past expulsions, behaviors – Albuquerque Journal  Native students are expelled in New Mexico far more than any other group. This school district is ground zero for the disparity. – New Mexico In Depth  APS funding has increased while enrollment continues to fall, evaluation finds – Albuquerque Journal  With Plunging Enrollment, a ‘Seismic Hit' to Public Schools – The New York Times  The forces underlying the public school enrollment drop - Kappan    New Mexico settles opioid lawsuit with Walgreens for $500 million – Santa Fe New Mexican  Opioid settlement windfall starts trickling into local government coffers – Santa Fe New Mexican  Drug Overdose in New Mexico – New Mexico Department of Health  Relief Routes: With fentanyl deaths on the rise and opioid misuse rampant, does New Mexico have a solid plan to spend settlement cash? – Santa Fe Reporter  NMiF on Facebook  NMiF on Youtube  NMiF on Instagram  NMiF on Twitter    --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/nmif/message

On this week's conversation Paul and Wally discuss the contents of the debt ceiling deal. While they agree that it is better than nothing, their "real" interest now shifts to the political battle between the mainstream and left/right in both parties.   Virgin Galactic had a successful launch last week, but their stock plummeted simultaneously. Why?  In education-related news, Albuquerque Public Schools adopted a massive $2.16 billion budget last week. The Associated Press discovers “Mississippi's miracle.” The media (and a new study) falsely claim that pre-k is improving New Mexico education.  There is an impending battle over a massive Santa Fe solar development. Will NIMBY interests or the environmental activists win? 

On this special episode (brought to you by ClassLink), Chris and Eric the Intern take a trip to Austin and spend the week at the CoSN conference! Because they interviewed so many and got such good content, we'll be breaking this into two parts. You'll hear from:   -Eric Nicklas, Program Manager, MOREnet -Don Ringelestein, CTO, Maine Township High School District 207, CoSN Board -Evangelina Mendoza, CTO, San Antonio Independent School District, CoSN Board -Tim Clark & Monica Watts, 1EdTech -Melody Lam, Learning Tools Developer, Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools -Dayna Aravich & Dan Stoneman, Gartner -Shahryar Khazei, retired CIO of Los Angeles Unified, CoSN Board -Tom Ryan, Co-Founder at K-12 Strategic Technology Advisory Group, former CIO of Albuquerque Public Schools, and member of the Council of Great City Schools -Jan Mills, Senior Vice President of Sales, ClassLink -Steve Langford, CIO, Beaverton School District, Retiring CoSN Chair -Marlo Gaddis, CTO, Wake County Public School System -Keith Krueger, CEO, CoSN   ClassLink - Cybersecurity Rubric for Schools https://www.classlink.com/news/groundbreaking-new-cybersecurity-rubric-guides-schools-toward-improved-security-practices   ClassLink – DataGuard https://www.classlink.com/news/classlink-announces-dataguard-and-advanced-iam-tools

On this special episode (brought to you by ClassLink), Chris and Eric the Intern take a trip to Austin and spend the week at the CoSN conference! Because they interviewed so many and got such good content, we'll be breaking this into two parts. You'll hear from:   -Eric Nicklas, Program Manager, MOREnet -Don Ringelestein, CTO, Maine Township High School District 207, CoSN Board -Evangelina Mendoza, CTO, San Antonio Independent School District, CoSN Board -Tim Clark & Monica Watts, 1EdTech -Melody Lam, Learning Tools Developer, Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools -Dayna Aravich & Dan Stoneman, Gartner -Shahryar Khazei, retired CIO of Los Angeles Unified, CoSN Board -Tom Ryan, Co-Founder at K-12 Strategic Technology Advisory Group, former CIO of Albuquerque Public Schools, and member of the Council of Great City Schools -Jan Mills, Senior Vice President of Sales, ClassLink -Steve Langford, CIO, Beaverton School District, Retiring CoSN Chair -Marlo Gaddis, CTO, Wake County Public School System -Keith Krueger, CEO, CoSN   ClassLink - Cybersecurity Rubric for Schools https://www.classlink.com/news/groundbreaking-new-cybersecurity-rubric-guides-schools-toward-improved-security-practices   ClassLink – DataGuard https://www.classlink.com/news/classlink-announces-dataguard-and-advanced-iam-tools

The US Department of Energy now says COVID most likely came from a lab leak at the Wujan Lab in China. This had been discussed and RGF had argued this to be the case, but it is good to see another of our perspectives on COVID proved out. Paul argues that NM should reduce corporate income taxes, not shift them:  Paid Leave bill (SB 11) will soon be voted on by the full Senate. It could undermine any progress this Legislature makes on tax and economic policy reform. We've talked about how Mississippi improved education. The ABQ Journal did a long-overdue article about it. What did the Journal "get" vs. miss and why?  Project Veritas exposes Albuquerque Public Schools' secretive and troubling approach to transgender issues.   HB 400 in the New Mexico Legislature would add more than 100,000 New Mexicans to the Medicaid rolls.  The Biden admin quietly admits White House's 9,000 unused oil permits talking point is wrong.

TELL ME I HAVE AN UGLY BABY!!! This is the second episode in our three part series about enhancing school district cybersecurity posture. Last week we spoke with Scott Elder, the Superintendent of Albuquerque Public Schools about their ransomware attack. This week we speak with Tom Ryan and Lenny Schad. Tom is the former CIO of Albuquerque Public Schools, current CoSN board member, and member of the Council of Great City Schools. Lenny is the former CIO of Katy (TX) ISD, the former CIO of Houston (TX) ISD, and a former CoSN board member. They both help us understand what we can do to make cyber security the responsibility of the entire school district, not just the responsibility of the IT Department. OH, AND TELL ME I HAVE AN UGLY BABY!!! Hang out with us at K12TechPro.com Buy our merch!!! Visit our sponsors: Managed Methods ManagedMethods/EdWeek Research Center K-12 cybersecurity & safety survey white paper download: https://hubs.ly/Q01nRG5l0 SomethingCool.com - Cybersecurity Solutions Provision Data Solutions Extreme Networks - dmayer@extremenetworks.com Jefferson College's success with Extreme Networks Oh, and... Email us at k12techtalk@gmail.com Tweet us @k12techtalkpod Visit our LinkedIn page HERE

Tonight we sit down with Scott Elder, the Superintendent of Albuquerque Public Schools. We talk about the ransomware attack they experienced in January 2021.  This discussion is from the perspective of the Superintendent during the attack.  Scott is wildly candid and honest about the experience.   This is the first episode in our three part series. The second episode will be about Organizational Change related to Cyber with Tom Ryan (Board Chair of CoSN) and Lenny Schad (Former Houston ISD CIO). The third episode will be about building your own Cyber Plan with Don Wolf (Portland CIO) and Idris Davis (St. Paul CIO). Hang out with us at K12TechPro.com Buy our merch!!! Visit our sponsors: Managed Methods -Recently hosted a panel discussion on cybersecurity and the future of learning. You can watch that recording on demand https://hubs.ly/Q01nRG4B0 -K-12 Ransomware Security Success Kit: https://hubs.ly/Q01nRG4-0 SomethingCool.com Provision Data Solutions Extreme Networks - dmayer@extremenetworks.com Jefferson College's success with Extreme Networks Oh, and... Email us at k12techtalk@gmail.com Tweet us @k12techtalkpod Visit our LinkedIn page HERE

This week on Generation Justice, we spoke with Alicia Chavez, Associate Director of Food Corps New Mexico, Alheli Caton Garcia, from La Plazita Institute and Mali Nichols-Byll, FoodCorps Service Member at Albuquerque Public Schools. They shared about the new positions opening at Food Corps, about food insecurity and more! We shared the amazing voices of all 2022 graduates ranging from 12th grade to Law school level! THEN we brought you some of the amazing upcoming Pride events! Catch us live every Sunday @ 7:00pm on 89.9 KUNM OR stream on KUNM.org!

On this week's conversation Paul and Wally discuss the Legislative Finance Committee's new report on Albuquerque Public Schools. The report has important information for state and school districts across New Mexico.  Student loan forgiveness as Joe Biden has discussed doing would be highly regressive (AND bad policy). Albuquerque is considering sanctioned homeless camps. Wally and Paul explain why this and other supposed "solutions" are problematic.  Natural gas prices are increasing. Unfortunately natural gas production in the US is declining.  New poll places MLG among least popular Governors in the US, but still slightly above "water."  Paul recently interviewed Congresswoman Yvette Herrell and also sat down with the top GOP candidates for Gov. this week on Tipping Point NM. 

It's a Rio Grande Foundation Friday with Paul Gessing.  Topics include Albuquerque's new city council, Albuquerque Public Schools and will we have a special session of the Legislature? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this week's interview, Paul sits down with Albuquerque Public Schools board member Peggy Muller Aragon. Peggy has been a lone conservative voice on the APS school board, but recently gained some support from a group of more conservative/parent-focused board members. Paul and Peggy talk mask mandates and the latest round of restrictions being imposed on students through the Public Education Department. They discuss what the Board can do about it and what Paul WANTS the Board to do which is to reject ALL forms of masks and "social distancing" immediately.  The two go on to discuss the Sheryl Williams Stapleton situation, new social studies standards, and the use of National Guard (and the Gov. herself) as substitute teachers at this time of need. You don't want to miss this important conversation.   

Welcome to episode 246 (“Metaverse Rising”) of the EdTech Situation Room from January 19, 2022, where technology news meets educational analysis. This week Jason Neiffer (@techsavvyteach) and Wesley Fryer (@wfryer) discussed new Apple rumors about Mac Pro computers and a "portless" iPhone 14. New metaverse patents by WalMart and Meta (the company formerly known as Facebook) as well as the enormous challenges of moderating social media and the emerging metaverse specifically were highlighted. The Democratic bill to address surveillance capitalism by "banning online surveillance advertising" was discussed. A new study showing we're spending a third of of our waking hours looking at our smartphone screens, A really fast ARM processor for Chromebooks, and fast new HP Chromebooks were also highlighted. The health and wellness app "Welltory" and the recent cyberattack against Albuquerque Public Schools were topics rounding out the show. Geeks of the Week included Podchaser.com, the Chrome extension OneTab and the amazing "Moonrise Podcast" from the Washington Post. Our show was live streamed and archived simultaneously on YouTube Live as well as our Facebook Live page via StreamYard.com, and compressed to a smaller video version (about 100MB) on AmazonS3 using Handbrake software. Please follow us on Twitter @edtechSR for updates, and join us LIVE on Wednesday nights (normally) if you can at 10 pm Eastern / 9 pm Central / 8 pm Mountain / 7 pm Pacific or 3 am UTC. All shownotes are available on http://edtechSR.com/links. Please sign up for our NEW SubStack newsletter to receive all our show links each week in your inbox, including links we are not able to discuss on edtechsr.substack.com. Stay savvy and safe!

On this week's podcast, Paul and Wally begin by noting that the Foundation's recent interview with Dr. Deane Waldman was censored by Youtube. The Foundation is currently working to find another video hosting site to host interviews and discussions.  A new report from Yahoo News via the London Telegraph indicates COVID was both man-made AND leaked from a lab and Fauci lied about it. MLG Cancels MLK parade due to COVID, but Comicon goes on as scheduled at the ABQ Convention Center.  Local Christian (private) school, Hope Christian, fined $5,000 by NM PED for not enforcing masks on students.  Novak Djokovic story just keeps getting more bizarre: he won't play in Australian Open and has been deported. Now a new law in France may keep him out of the French Open:  SCOTUS denies Biden's sweeping vaccine mandate on businesses (6-3), but the court allowed a more limited mandate requiring health care workers at facilities receiving federal money to be vaccinated. The vote in the employer mandate case was 6 to 3, with the liberal justices in dissent. The vote in the health care case was 5 to 4, with Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr. and Justice Brett M. Kavanaugh joins the liberal justices to form a majority.  Despite far more restrictive policies New Mexico now exceeds both South Dakota AND (soon) Florida on COVID deaths per population. Here is the latest tally from World o Meters.  Albuquerque Public Schools cancels classes due to a cyberattack. Another bad look for APS. Will APS get back to school on Tuesday? Bernalillo County ALSO suffered from a major cyber-attack recently and Santa Fe Public Schools have canceled in-person learning for the time being.  Councilor Dan Lewis proposes cutting Albuquerque GRT. That's triple the tax cut proposed by MLG.  Eliminate New Mexico's Social Security tax, don't shift the burden. Paul has put together an early list of the worst bills. These were pre-filed in the 2022 session. 

A lawsuit claims negligence against Washington Middle School, the principal, Board of Education for Albuquerque Public Schools, the superintendent, and the parents of the alleged shooter Juan Saucedo Jr., BV asks who is responsible on News Radio KKOB

Over 3000 children per week in Albuquerque Public Schools alone are food insecure. Feed New Mexico Kids Founder Holly Slade talks with us about how, together, WE CAN FEED KIDS IN NEED THROUGHOUT NEW MEXICO! Caller, Wanda Golson, a volunteer with High Desert United Methodist ... The post Holly Slade appeared first on ABQ Connect.

On this week's conversation, Paul and Wally discuss the New Mexico Oil and Gas Association conference that Paul attended. Gov. MLG also made headlines with her talk of hydrogen as an energy source.  After a year hiatus, Albuquerque's International Balloon Fiesta is back. They stood up to the Gov. on vaccine mandates. Paul and his family attended the Balloon Glow Saturday and Paul shares what he saw. Early voting kicks off statewide United Stadium appears to be unpopular despite a slick ad campaign. It's important to understand that bonds are debt and are paid back through taxes.  Albuquerque Public Schools is looking for a property tax on this fall's ballot. COVID cases have dropped 35%. The New York Times acknowledges the "Virus" operates on 2 month cycles.  New social studies requirements from the Public Education Department (PED) were released recently and they are rife with critical race theory. Additionally, PED Secretary Kurt Steinhaus claimed in testimony recently that for New Mexico teacher salaries to be competitive they'd have to DOUBLE. We question that. 

This week I had the honor to speak with Melani Buchanan-Farmer. She is a former teacher, she's worked in Language and Cultural Equity at Albuquerque Public Schools, and is currently a professor at New Mexico Highlands University. Through all of this she has created Running 505, a non-competitive wellness group for kids in 5th through 8th grade. Running 505 collaborates with the community to encourage youth to live healthy lifestyles. Listening to Melani's story was so fun for me and I love hearing what other educators are doing to inspire children beyond the classroom. The story of how Running 505 came into existence speaks a lot about Melani's passion.  I hope you enjoy our talk and are inspired to participate in Running 505. Race season is coming up, so hydrate, prepare, and keep running, New Mexico.

The ripples of the investigation into now former New Mexico Rep. Sheryl Williams Stapleton continue to expand. This week, The Line opinion panelists discuss her quick decision to resign her seat in the House of Representatives. Stapleton still denies her involvement in an alleged scheme to funnel nearly $1 million from Albuquerque Public Schools to accounts and businesses she controlled. In addition to vacating a legislative seat, her resignation has also resulted in a hole in leadership in the House. APS has suspended nearly a dozen employees as the investigation continues. After a long year of learning from home, students across New Mexico are heading back to the classroom in droves. Due to a rise in cases of the Delta variant of COVID-19, school supplies will once again include masks. At the same time, colleges like UNM and NMSU have instituted vaccine mandates for people on campus. The panelists discuss the new restrictions as well as the polarized reaction to those safety procedures. The Line opinion panel also discusses the controversy over Rachel Gudgel, who heads The Legislative Education Study Committee. Her comments about Native students have spurred calls for her ouster and an emotional plea for action from Wilhelmina Yazzie, one of the women who filed (and won) a groundbreaking suit over education equity in New Mexico. Host: Gene Grant Line Guests: Tom Garrity, The Garrity Group Laura Sanchez, attorney Eric Griego, former state senator For More Information: Sheryl Williams Stapleton resigns – NM Political Report Two APS officials, 8 teachers placed on leave – Albuquerque Journal Mask guidance divides parents heading into new school year – Santa Fe New Mexican

The Line opinion panel offers reaction to the kickback scandal now enveloping state lawmaker Sheryl Williams Stapleton. Stapleton is the House Majority Floor Leader and has served in the Roundhouse for years. The current scandal, now under investigation by the Attorney General Hector Balderas involves her job with Albuquerque Public Schools. If the accusations are true, it could have wide-ranging impacts in state government. The Line panel also talks about the return of masks – even for vaccinated people – in some indoor environments, as well as how schools will handle the CDC's new recommendation. New Mexico's Public Education Department has mandated masks in elementary schools. School districts, however, can make their own – and stricter – rules, as has the Albuquerque Public Schools board, which voted 5-1 this week to require masks indoors regardless of vaccination status. The group also weighs in on a proposed $50 million bond measure to fund a stadium primarily for the New Mexico United soccer team. Mayor Tim Keller is all-in on the idea, but is public financing the right way to go about paying for it? Is it a sweetheart deal for team owners? And can such a project revitalize downtown Albuquerque? Host: Gene Grant Line Guests: Dede Feldman, former state senator Dan Foley, former state representative Kristelle Siarza, Siarza Social Digital For More Information: COVID-19 Response Toolkit for New Mexico's Public Schools – NM Public Education Dept. APS board votes 5-1 to require masks indoors regardless of vaccination status – KOB City releases feasibility study on sites for New Mexico United stadium – KOB Mayor makes his case for a new soccer stadium – Albuquerque Journal 12 APS employees on leave amid Rep. Williams Stapleton investigation - KRQE

Albuquerque Public Schools is getting ready to start in-person learning in a couple of weeks. APS' COO, Dr. Gabriella Blakey gives us the details on the plans.

Ashley Moyer aka Saywut?! is originally from Albuquerque, New Mexico. Widely known for her unique talent of Beatboxing (producing sounds and beats through her mouth), Ashley is an award winning female beatboxer. She has been a fixture in the hip hop scene from coast to coast performing for Federal and state educational, environmental, and humanitarian aid workshops through the use of non-traditional, alternative music outlets. Ashley's performances and workshops are directed towards community awareness and development through education and acceptance of alternative music outlets. Her social and cultural workshops include Sequoia Adolescent Treatment Center, Albuquerque Public Schools, Santa Fe Public Schools, The Girls Ranch, Santa Fe Indian School, the YDDC (ABQ Youth Detention Center), and New Mexico Youth Organized. She toured Europe in 2011 with CocoRosie as their beatboxer and was a guest of La MaMa Theater in Manhattan, NY during their annual North American Human Beatbox Festival both years of 2010 & 2011. More recently she was featured in Tom Tom Magazines Museum takeover of MoMa PS1 in Queens, NY and the Brooklyn Museum for The Verbal History Of Female Drummers. Ashley also taught incarcerated teen girls in 2013 how to produce, write and record their own music which was released through the non-profit New Mexico Jazz Workshop. She currently performs and lives in Albuquerque, New Mexico and recently started her own skincare business, Beatbox Beauty Company. https://www.beatboxbeauty.com This episode first aired June 07, 2021 for Broken Boxes on Radio Coyote, a project initiated by Raven Chacon and CCA Wattis Institute, on the occasion of Chacon's 2020-21 Capp Street Artist-in-Residency. Radio Coyote is currently produced by Atomic Culture and will transition to new programming on July 16, 2021. www.radiocoyote.org

Ashley Moyer aka Saywut?! is originally from Albuquerque, New Mexico. Widely known for her unique talent of Beatboxing (producing sounds and beats through her mouth), Ashley is an award winning female beatboxer. She has been a fixture in the hip hop scene from coast to coast performing for Federal and state educational, environmental, and humanitarian aid workshops through the use of non-traditional, alternative music outlets. Ashley's performances and workshops are directed towards community awareness and development through education and acceptance of alternative music outlets. Her social and cultural workshops include Sequoia Adolescent Treatment Center, Albuquerque Public Schools, Santa Fe Public Schools, The Girls Ranch, Santa Fe Indian School, the YDDC (ABQ Youth Detention Center), and New Mexico Youth Organized. She toured Europe in 2011 with CocoRosie as their beatboxer and was a guest of La MaMa Theater in Manhattan, NY during their annual North American Human Beatbox Festival both years of 2010 & 2011. More recently she was featured in Tom Tom Magazines Museum takeover of MoMa PS1 in Queens, NY and the Brooklyn Museum for The Verbal History Of Female Drummers. Ashley also taught incarcerated teen girls in 2013 how to produce, write and record their own music which was released through the non-profit New Mexico Jazz Workshop. She currently performs and lives in Albuquerque, New Mexico and recently started her own skincare business, Beatbox Beauty Company. https://www.beatboxbeauty.com This episode first aired June 07, 2021 for Broken Boxes on Radio Coyote, a project initiated by Raven Chacon and CCA Wattis Institute, on the occasion of Chacon's 2020-21 Capp Street Artist-in-Residency. Radio Coyote is currently produced by Atomic Culture and will transition to new programming on July 16, 2021. www.radiocoyote.org

Albuquerque Public Schools backtracked this week on a promise to give bonuses to teachers that worked during the pandemic. Do teachers deserve hazard pay for their work during the pandemic? Guest host Buck Burnett says no and takes your phone calls on News Radio KKOB.

Albuquerque Public Schools is losing students and money, so now they want to advertise but BV asks what do they have to offer? On News Radio KKOB

Albuquerque Public Schools is facing a $45 million deficit in funding, a lot of which is due to a decline in enrollment during the pandemic. Guest host Jim Villanucci discusses why parents are taking their kids out of APS and takes your phone calls on News Radio KKOB.

Eldorado High School is back to online learning for two weeks due to covid positive cases. However, Vaccines have now begun for some high school students and will be rolled out for more soon. We get details from Dr. Gabriella Blakey, COO at Albuquerque Public Schools.

This week, New Mexico in Focus features reaction to confirmation hearings for Interior Secretary-designate Deb Haaland. The New Mexico congresswoman spent parts of two days this week in front of the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources defending her stance on fossil fuel production and parrying thrusts from conservative senators, some of whom called her environmental stance “radical.” Correspondent Antonia Gonzales speaks to a group of prominent Native women about the hearings, then The Line opinion panel offers its thoughts. The combination of a limited housing supply and a high demand for rental properties in Albuquerque is causing a surge in rental prices, which is frustrating some tenants who are looking for somewhere to live that fits both their needs and their budget. NMiF Correspondent Megan Kamerick talked with tenant Thomas Hughes about his difficulty finding somewhere suitable to live, and to UNM Law Professor Serge Martinez about how these increases are especially problematic for younger and lower-income people. The Line opinion panel also looks at the choices in front of school boards across the state as they decide whether to return students and educators to school buildings for the remainder of the school year. The recent decision by Albuquerque Public Schools to allow a limited return, but stay mostly online made headlines, but the APS board’s choice doesn’t stand alone among New Mexico school districts. The group also looks at the advancement of the budget on the House side of the Legislature. After a disastrous prediction as the pandemic settled in, the state’s economy has bounced back somewhat and lawmakers are looking to spend more than they did last year. Host: Gene Grant Line Panelists: Merritt Allen, Vox Optima public relations Eric Griego, former state senator Kristelle Siarza, Siarza Social Digital Segments: Native Community Reacts to Haaland Hearing Correspondent: Antonia Gonzales Guests: Kiera Toya, National UNITY Council Co-President, Jemez Pueblo Shayai Lucero, Floral Designer/STEM Expert, Acoma/Laguna Pueblo Holly Cook Macarro, Spirit Rock Consulting, Red Lake Nation Pandemic Compounds Housing Problems Correspondent: Megan Kamerick Guests: Thomas Hughes, rental tenant Serge Martinez, UNM Law School professor

After last week's decision to continue virtual learning for the remainder of the school year, Albuquerque Public Schools has asked Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham to "decouple" athletics from hybrid learning and allow spring sports to be played. Should athletics be played if APS has deemed it "unsafe" to return to hybrid learning? Guest host Buck Burnett gives his take and takes your calls.

Counties are moving in the right direction on COVID with rates dropping and restaurants opening. San Juan County missed going Yellow by .01% We hope we’re moving the right direction, but obviously a shift backward and yet another closure could harm restaurants.  Albuquerque Mayor Tim Keller says we won’t get to Green until summer.  CDC director had said schools should reopen regardless of teacher vaccinations, but the Biden Administration’s union-friendly politics got in the way. According to ABQ Journal: 47 districts currently open for hybrid at elementary schools. And 41 of the state’s 89 districts had secondary students on campus through that mixed learning approach. But opening was not mandated and Albuquerque Public Schools and Santa Fe Public Schools are among the districts that are teaching virtually for now despite the governor’s recent action. Will school open “normally” this fall?  The State has asked the federal government to skip standardized testing.  Discussing education and the pandemic, the UNM Lobo athletic department budget has been devastated by the pandemic and shutdowns.  Paul and Wally discuss the good, bad, and ugly of New Mexico's 2021 “virtual” session. An anti-fracking bill SB 149 was heard over the weekend and passed its first Committee. The bill heads to Senate Judiciary Committee next.  Washington/NM anti-energy policies will harm the US economy w/o helping the environment. Texas windmills have frozen due to cold weather.  Paul and Wally discuss HB 4, New Mexico’s Civil Rights Act.  Is the DOJ settlement with Albuquerque causing crime to increase?

Esports is the new “hook” to keep students working in other subjects despite being remote or partially physically attending schools in some sort of hybrid schedule.  LeiLani discusses the emerging ultra-significance of esports and gaming in K12 education with Dr. Miles Harvey, 8th Grade Video Game-Based Learning and Esports Coach, Albuquerque Public Schools and Luke Stebick, Account Executive at TIG.  Hear them talk about the real-life workings of student attendance and engagement because of esports, getting started as a school, and what sort of life-long opportunities are out there for students.  

This time on The Children's Hour, the kids want to know more about school in the middle of a pandemic. To learn more, the Kids Crew talked with New Mexico Public Education Secretary Dr. Ryan Stewart. New Mexico Public Education Department Secretary Dr. Ryan Stewart We find out what it will take to allow all schools to open for in person education. Then, Dr. Anthony Fauci from the National Institute of Health sat down with the Kids Crew to explain why Covid-19 is so dangerous, and when kids can expect they will be getting the vaccine. Dr. Fauci talking with the Kids Crew on Zoom This show is packed with great information! Learn with us! Resources: The Children's Hour is in production of a musical based on kids' experiences during the pandemic. We are having an art contest for kids 17 and younger to express what their pandemic experience has been like. Send us your art! Find all the info at this link.  The New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham recently announced that schools may open again at 50% capacity on February 8th. The ultimate decision is up to the individual school districts. Learn more from the NMPED by clicking here. New Mexico's largest school district, Albuquerque Public Schools, has opted not to re-open in person for most students. The pandemic is still raging out of control in most of New Mexico, and the United States as a whole. Official Statement from NIH about Covid-19 and Kids Click to Learn about clinical studies with children Do you know myth from fact? Take this quiz to see if what you believe is actually factual. Download this! Here is a poster to help kids understand Covid-19 precautions, why we are doing them, and what it means for kids. titleartistalbumdurationlabel Little HandsThe Cuddly KoalasLittle Hands - Single02:212020 The Cuddly Koalas Mask-UpWendy and DBMask-Up - Single02:242020 Wendy Morgan Virtual SchoolMarsha and the PositronsVirtual School - Single03:102020 2510757 Records DK My First Multiverse (Instrumental)Secret Agent 23 SkidooInfinity Plus One01:002016 Underground Playground Virtual SchoolZuke & LackSmiling with My Eyes: Songs About Covid-19 Safety - EP02:202020 Zuke & Lack Heroes and AngelsSilly BusHeroes and Angels - Single03:392020 Silly Bus The Health and Happiness ShowChumbawambaWYSIWYG00:492000 Chumbawamba My ShotLin-Manuel Miranda, Anthony Ramos, Daveed Diggs, Okieriete Onaodowan, Leslie Odom, Jr. & Original Broadway Cast of 'Hamilton'Hamilton: An American Musical (Original Broadway Cast Recording)00:282015 Hamilton Uptown, LLC under exclusive license to Atlantic Recording Corporation for the United States and WEA International Inc. for the world outside of the United States. Together We CanTree Tree 123Together We Can - Single02:342020 Tree Tree 123 Mouse ShowerAndrew Dahl-BredineAll I Know03:462006 Andrew Dahl-Bredine Make It Through (feat. As'ad Motawh, Nabila Razali, Alyssa Dezek, Wafiy, Reshma, Ning Baizura, Tilla Hanna, Adam Sang, Jay C, Nanasheme, Syada Amzah, Ellya Keesha & Jestinna Kuan)Zee Avi & Faizal TahirMake It Through (feat. Nabila Razali, As'ad Motawh, Nanasheme, Alyssa Dezek, Wafiy, Ning Baizura, Jay C, Adam Sang, Jestinna Kuan, Tilla Hanna, Reshma, Ellya Keesha & Syada Amzah) - Single03:092020 XENO Music KRQE's Interview View our feature on KRQE's website about our interview with Dr. Fauci!

After Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham's State of the State Address announced schools could reopen for in person learning on February 8th, Albuquerque Public Schools announced that they won't be reopening on that date. Aaron "Buck" Burnett gives his reasoning for why he believes students should get back to school as soon as possible and takes phone calls from teachers and parents.

Another homicide in Albuquerque on Thursday, I-25 and Sunport blvd was the location of a fatal crash and Albuquerque Public Schools voted to stay with online learning through the fall semester.

On this week's discussion podcast, Paul and Wally begin by discussing the fact that a judge in New Mexico issued an order to reopen indoor dining at restaurants for 10 days. That opinion was published immediately prior to the podcast being recorded. Unfortunately, the State Supreme Court reversed the decision later that afternoon.    Education issues loom large in this episode as Albuquerque Public Schools and other districts have released their "back to school" plans. Wally and Paul discuss the details and why Paul and his family have made the decision to homeschool their children. Is David Scrase holding our kids hostage to keep parents at home?  A powerful state representative says New Mexico's Permanent Fund is "racist." And in education-related news, New Mexico falls slightly in latest per student spending data from Census Bureau. Finally, RGF recently produced an explainer video to show how most areas of NM have been minimally impacted by the COVID 19 Virus. An astonishing 11 of New Mexico's 33 counties (including some population centers) have had zero deaths from the Virus. An additional 11 counties have had death numbers in the single digits per 100,000 residents.   

Two lawsuits are shining a harsh light on New Mexico’s learning environments for Native American students. The American Civil Liberties Union of New Mexico is suing the Albuquerque Public Schools after a allegedly called a Navajo student a “bloody Indian.” Another maintains the state has not made enough progress in correcting inequities for Native students as ordered by a court in a previous lawsuit. We’ll hear about both of these cases and explore what hopes there are for providing an equitable public education for all students.

TJ looks at public schools with Monica Armenta from Albuquerque Public Schools on News Radio KKOB.

Albuquerque Public Schools spokesperson Monica Armenta gives information on the 3 week shut down of APS and all NM public schools on News Radio KKOB.

Omaha Tribe offers counseling following death of woman on reservation Native student sues Albuquerque Public Schools for 2018 racism incident First Peoples Fund selects artists and culture bearers as 2020 fellows

We’ve got another quick interview from Dude University 2019. This one is with John Dufay, Executive Director of Operations for Albuquerque Public Schools, to talk about how he uses data for decision-making and budgeting to improve their operations. SHOW NOTES: Register for Dude University 2020! See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Albuquerque Public Schools adopts big pay hikes, especially for its superintendent who is receiving an 11% pay hike. Will these pay hikes result in better outcomes? Is the money even being used to attract and retain high-quality teachers? What would actually help with NM's student achievement? KrisAnne Hall wow's the crowds with her direct take on the US Constitution. Reading the plain text of the Constitution, KrisAnne Hall explains how the federal government is overreaching. What SHOULD the federal government do? What SHOULD the states including New Mexico do? Wally and Paul discuss. The Foundation's video of this event can be found here.    Where's Amazon's presence in New Mexico?  Is New Mexico's GRT to blame? Is it just a problem of the State's small population? Regardless, New Mexico is the only Southwestern State lacking a fulfillment center.  Paul and Wally discuss some interesting data from the City of Farmington on New Mexico's GRT and what it means in terms of potentially reforming the tax. Paul discusses the recent CBO report and the information it contained relating to a $15/hour minimum wage.   Finally, RGF releases a new video on film subsidies. Listen to the audio, but you can watch the full video here. 

Chorus, band, orchestra, drama, mariachi, art, and even steel drums - the fine arts in the Albuquerque Public Schools are reaching all students from elementary to high school. Join Mark Goodrum as he speaks with APS students and their teachers about the importance of a fine arts education. Mark Goodrum speaks with APS Fine Arts Director, Gina Rasinski, former APS Fine Arts Director, Luis Delgado, retired music educator, Ron Lipka, and APS students and their teachers about the wide-ranging fine arts programs offered at APS schools.

The Children's Hour broadcasted live from the Los Griegos Library in Albuquerque's historic Los Griegos neighborhood. Dive into the Summer Reading program, hear storytellers Scott and Johanna Hongell Darsee, and learn about Albuquerque Public Schools' Refugee and Newcomers Program.  With musical guest, Maya Falcón from The Children's Hour Kids Crew.

In Episode 1 the Hallway Renegades sit down with Dr. Gabriella Blakey, Associate Superintendent for Albuquerque Public Schools to talk about trust in schools. Dr. Blakey oversees forty schools and is helping to foster a larger cultural shift. She wants to see trust enter back into the equation at all schools. She advocates for trusting teachers to be instructional leaders. She also shares a message of hope: we all can impact trust at our schools.

Today we take a look at Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez's Green New Deal, as well as the Albuquerque Public Schools mail in election! --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/pitradio/support

Dr. Karen Sanchez-Griego, Superintendent of the 'To’Hajiilee Community Schools on the Navajo Nation, in New Mexico. Karen previously worked with The New Mexico Public Education Department as Assistant Director of Educator Quality, and Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction with the Arlington Public Schools, in Arlington Virginia. Karen also served as principal, assistant principal, high school and middle school teacher, with the Albuquerque Public Schools.  Karen was instrumental in the development of one of the first Small Learning Community programs in New Mexico and in the country.  Karen was selected as one of New Mexico’s 20 Women Making a Difference in Education; and was selected as a recipient for the Governors Award for Outstanding New Mexico Women.

DaVinci Code Roundtable w/Kyle, Michael, Jonquilyn - Lucia . Also an interview w/Daisy Thompson Director of Indian Education Department of Albuquerque Public Schools- by our YR member, Mariah Gonzales

With school board elections and the hiring of a new superintendent just around the corner, Albuquerque Public Schools is in a moment of tremendous transition..is this moment one of challenge or one of opportunity? On this Sunday’s show, we featured community voices from the Families United For Education Town Hall, as well as thoughts and commentaries from education advocates about what these leadership changes could mean for APS and the students and families it serves.

Anpao Duta Flying Earth is the Outreach and Community Programs Coordinator for an Albuquerque Public Schools magnet school, the Native American Community Academy. He is a member of the Lakota Sioux Tribe, and talks about how he navigated the shifting worlds he encountered growing up on a reservation is South Dakota, attending an Ivy League university, returning to the reservation, and his work now with Native American students in Albuquerque. His talk at UNM was sponsored by University Libraries Indigenous National Library Program.