Podcasts about kunm

New Mexico and the U.S. are one step closer to having the first female Native American governor as former Interior Secretary Deb Haaland (Laguna Pueblo) beat out her Democratic opponent Sam Bregman with 72% of the vote Tuesday night in the primary election. KUNM’s Jeanette DeDios (Jicarilla Apache and Diné) was among the attendees at her watch party. Old Town plaza was filled with New Mexicans young and old in support of Democratic gubernatorial candidate Deb Haaland, dressed in a black and white dress with bright red cowboy boots. Haaland told the crowd she would lower costs so that New Mexicans can have better access to health care, education, and safe communities. “I’ve been through hard times. I’m a single mom, I’ve lived paycheck to paycheck, I survived off SNAP and WIC. I’m over 35 years sober. These are the same struggles so many New Mexicans face today, but with the grit, creativity, and persistence that only New Mexicans know, I know a better New Mexico, as possible.” Haaland served as the 54th U.S Secretary of Interior, making her one of the first two Native American women elected to Congress. She said she will put that work into experience. “To combat [President] Donald Trump’s cuts to Medicaid, fight against rising health care costs, and take a stand, so that ICE will not be allowed near schools, places of worship, or public community spaces.” Kalika Tallou (Diné and Ute) works for the nonprofit New Mexico Community Capital and was in the crowd. She says she has heard some reservations from other Indigenous people about Haaland, but she says Haaland has a big voice in the grand scheme of things. “I feel supportive of her and her work in Washington, DC, and internationally, and across the island, and wanting to uplift and support our Indigenous women with the challenges that they're faced with.” Haaland will face Republican candidate Greg Hull on November 3. “If I didn’t earn your vote this primary election, I want you to know I’m going to work every day to earn it now.” Hopi dry farmer Michael Kotutwa Johnson. (Photo: Lauren Gilger / KJZZ) The University of Arizona has released a new report highlighting the huge economic impact of tribal agriculture throughout the Grand Canyon State – including $750,000,000 in total economic output statewide. KJZZ's Gabriel Pietrorazio has details. According to the study, Indigenous farms outnumber all other operations statewide. And while most tribal farms are between one and nine acres in size, they collectively manage more than 80% of Arizona's farmlands during 2022. For Hopi dry farmer Michael Kotutwa Johnson, who is a co-author, this report is an important reminder. “The main story is that Indian people are still doing agriculture since before we were in a state… Maybe doing it in a different form, but we're still here, and we're still doing that, and I think that our contributions have been really unnoticed.” Including how the vast majority of Arizona farms for commodities, like sheep, goats, vegetables, and melons, are owned by Indigenous peoples. Johnson thinks that trend will continue to grow. “So I really would make the claim that in about 20 years the only real agriculture in Arizona will be on Indian reservations.” Get National Native News delivered to your inbox daily. Sign up for our daily newsletter today. Download our NV1 Android or iOs App for breaking news alerts. Check out today’s Native America Calling episode Wednesday, June 3, 2026 — Native child welfare notches wins in a time of adversity

Photo: The All Pueblo Council of Governors were in attendance at a press conference in Santa Ana Pueblo on Wednesday May 20, 2026 in support of Chaco Canyon making the list for America’s 11 Most Endangered Historic Places. (Jeanette DeDios) The National Trust for Historic Preservation has placed the Greater Chaco Cultural Landscape on this year's list of America's 11 Most Endangered Historic Places. The nomination came from the All Pueblo Council of Governors, which supports the preservation and cultural significance of the landscape in the face of increasing threats. KUNM's Jeanette DeDios (Jicarilla Apache and Diné) has more. On the lands of Santa Ana Pueblo, Council members highlighted their ancestral ties to the archaeological and cultural site. Chaco features over 600 rooms built 1,200 years ago with precise geometric masonry and crafted without the use of metal tools. This endangered listing comes after the Bureau of Land Management tried last year to revoke or modify a public order, that currently safeguards over 300 thousands acres of federal land from new oil and gas leasing for 20 years. Pueblo of Acoma Gov. Charles Riley says there's a cultural responsibility to Chaco Canyon. “When we speak of Chaco, we are not merely speaking of ruins, we are speaking of the spirits of our ancestors, who are still present, still teaching, and still carrying and asking us to carry forward what they entrusted to us.” Riley says the Pueblo of Acoma is not opposed to development. “We are opposed to development that proceeds without meaningful consultation, without honest environmental review, and without regard for places that are irreplaceable.” This year's listing is the second time in 15 years that Chaco has been placed on the list. This is the first year that the 11 sites nominated will receive a one-time grant of $25,000 from the National Trust to help with conservation efforts. The council is asking the U.S. Department of Interior to stop the process of dismantling the public land order and make the current ten-mile buffer around Chaco permanent. They are also asking members of the public to contact their Congress in support. A number of Pueblo governors have reached out to Interior Secretary Doug Burgum through letters and invitations to visit Chaco, but he has not responded. Southern Ute Indian Chairman Melvin Baker, left, and Interior Secretary Doug Burgum ink the first-ever Tribal Energy Resource Agreement on May 11, 2026. (Photo: Lowell Whitman / Interior Department / Public Domain) A tribe from the Four Corners region has inked a historic deal with Interior Secretary Doug Burgum advancing the Trump administration's domestic energy agenda. KJZZ's Gabriel Pietrorazio has more. The Southern Ute Indian Tribe in southwest Colorado has entered the first-ever Tribal Energy Resource Agreement (TERA), more than two decades after Congress enacted the law. This allows the nearly 1,500 member tribe to handle its own business without obtaining expressed permission from the Interior Department. Councilman Andrew Gallegos testified before Congress last month. “Having the tribe regulate and be the one that oversees all of our compliances and makes us more sovereign as a tribe, and the economic value that it brings is the health and welfare of our membership.” That will include the leasing of energy projects and issuing of right-of-ways on the 700,000 acre reservation near Durango. Get National Native News delivered to your inbox daily. Sign up for our daily newsletter today. Download our NV1 Android or iOs App for breaking news alerts. Check out today’s Native America Calling episode Monday, May 25, 2026 – Wide disparities persist when encountering ancestors' remains

When a recording session with a storied British heavy metal band leads to murder, it's up to chemistry professor Molly Mevster to solve the case! Website: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100075706605863 Binge on all of our audio shows at atlantafringe.org/fringe-audio or wherever you enjoy podcasts.

At least five Native American men were detained January by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) during raids in Minneapolis, Minn. As other reports of Native Americans being mistaken for undocumented immigrants continue, federal lawmakers have introduced a bipartisan bill to improve the Department of Homeland Security (DHS)'s interactions with Native Americans when they are proving citizenship. KUNM's Jeanette DeDios (Jicarilla Apache and Diné) has more. The Respect Tribal IDs Act would require DHS working with the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) and tribal nations to create training for officers to better detect and respect current tribal IDs. U.S. Sen. Ben Ray Luján (D-NM) says ICE agents are breaking the law. “My Native American brothers and sisters, who are American citizens, are being held by ICE agents because these agents do not recognize tribal IDs, it’s disrespectful, it’s wrong, I would argue, illegal, and that’s why we need this legislation.” Luján says tribal leaders have voiced their concerns about ICE agents detaining their tribal members near their reservations. “I’ll remind you that some of the first awareness that we had about ICE agents going after Native American communities, happened in New Mexico, down in Mescalero and also on the Navajo Nation, and it’s happening in other parts of the country as well.” DHS said in a statement that ICE agents acknowledge and recognize tribal ID cards as proof of citizenship and there have been no ICE operations on tribal lands. Lujan says it is hard to collect data on the number of Native Americans who have been detained by ICE because DHS will not release the data. Meanwhile, some legal scholars are raising concerns about a case brought by the Trump administration that is before the Supreme Court and how it might undermine birthright citizenship among Native Americans. Antonia Commack, left, Abigail Echo-Hawk, Maka Monture Paki. Charlene Aqpik Apok, Tatiana Tiknor, Malia Villegas, Sabrina Dunphrey, and Jessica Black. (Courtesy Data for Indigenous Justice) A national organization called the Courage Project shines a light on acts of bravery, both big and small. This year, a group that works to bring attention to Alaska's missing and murdered Indigenous people (MMIP) is in the spotlight. As KNBA's Rhonda McBride tells us, Data for Indigenous Justice (DIJ) is one of sixteen organizations nationwide to receive this award. The steady beat of the drum is what you hear at many events involving DIJ and while their presence is felt more than seen, they are a force for change. Funders for the Courage Project like the MacArthur Foundation say the award was created to recognize neighbors helping neighbors, people who perform everyday acts of civic courage, that speak to the American spirit and strengthen democracy. “When I first started doing this work, people wouldn’t even meet with me.” Charlene Apok, known by her Iñupiaq name, Aqpik, founded DIJ to bring attention to missing and murdered Alaska Natives. She saw breakdowns and inequities in how law enforcement handled their investigations and pushed for a database to better track those cases and expose systemic failures. “Organizations didn’t want to talk about it. It was too hot. It was too political. It was too uncomfortable. It shouldn’t be courageous to say the things that we’re saying, and to ask the questions that we’re asking. These should be things that are expected for the safety of our people.” Doug Modig, a traditional healer, says it is never easy to speak truth to power, especially for a small organization like Data for Indigenous Justice. “Real lives are at stake her. Real people are experiencing hurt. There aren't many people that have that courage, because it's so rare. It reminds me of a wolverine. They'll take on a bear, a full-grown bear.” Wolverines, Modig says, are fearless when it comes to protecting their territory. “Why don't they just give up? They're not going to make it, because they're so small. But the truth is, courage isn't about size. It's the content of your heart.” Aqpik says heart is exactly what her team brings to their work. Their commitment has helped to uncover critical information about unsolved cases. “I’ve come to learn, with a lot of guidance from my elders, that this role is called being a story keeper.” Aqpik says it is a sacred responsibility to listen to the stories that families share. She says they are the bravest of all. Long after the marches are over and the drumbeats fade, they must live with these stories. Get National Native News delivered to your inbox daily. Sign up for our daily newsletter today. Download our NV1 Android or iOs App for breaking news alerts. Check out today’s Native America Calling episode Tuesday, May 19, 2026 — Native Bookshelf: “Shards of Silence” and “That Which Feeds Us”

Photo: Diné Bizaad is the latest mobile app created by Albert Haskie, the lead developer, who is Diné and from the Navajo Nation. (Courtesy Adoonee) Across the United States, there are over 575 federally recognized American Indian tribes. According to the U.S. Census, Native North American language use fell by 6% from 2013 to 2021, but among those who spoke a Native language, nearly half spoke Navajo. KUNM's Jeanette DeDios (Jicarilla Apache and Diné) spoke to a Diné software developer who has created a mobile app to help preserve the Navajo language. Albert Haskie (Diné) spent two years building the app Diné Bizaad with a group of Navajo employees. “I’m making it for us, and that’s the primary goal.” Haskie says he learned the Navajo language at a young age but in sixth grade he transferred to a non-Navajo language school and that it was a cultural shock for him. “I kind of always missed it and always wanted to figure out how to reintroduce it into my life, but also try to reintroduce it to a lot of other people’s lives.” Haskie says users can build their own curriculum and it includes fun tools like the word of the day. He says the app differs from other language apps because this one has richer content and a practicing Navajo speaker who consulted on every word and phrase. Diné Bizaad was independently built without collaboration of the Navajo Nation. “I’ve showed them multiple times, but they just couldn’t find anything to work with me. I was more than happy to try to figure out working with them. But the reality is, it would have probably not launched within the time I wanted it to be.” A representative from the Department of Diné Education said Haskie talked with members within the department and that they are open to working with interested parties on preserving the Diné language. Haskie says he is in talks with other tribes to create language apps for their members. Whaling captain William ‘Wiyu’ Parks, right, and his wife Crystal on their way back from Punguk Island after a 3-month-long camping trip. (Courtesy Crystal Newhall) Whaling is an essential part of subsistence hunting in Siberian Yupik culture. High school student Tracy Tungiyan in the village of Gambell, Alaska on St. Lawrence Island wanted to understand more about it, so he interviewed a whaling captain from the community, William Parks, nicknamed Wiyu. He spoke to Parks in the library of the Gambell school and asked him whether whaling is easy or difficult. “There’s a degree of difficulty in it. You got to think of how enormous the whale is. You’re in basically a wash tub compared to the size of that whale. Depending on how the whale is moving, it could be pretty straightforward, catch up to it, strike. And there’s some days where the tails are really thrashing. You can’t get close to them. “We use these harpoons that have a barrel on there. We call them Puskaan [Siberian Yupik word]. I don’t know what they’re called in English. I’ve always known them as Puskaan. It has a harpoon, buoy, line buoy, and it fires either a black powder bomb or a penthrite bomb into the whale. Tungiyan asked Parks what hunting means to him and whether it was easier back then. “That’s a good question. To me, hunting is mostly about survival, it’s about tradition, and it’s about feeding family, relatives as a community, which is the most important part of life, in my opinion. You need food to survive. “I think mostly it’s like second nature to me. I don’t even think of how important this is to me anymore, more so that it’s the way I was brought up to live. It’s a part of me. It’s been a part of me since I was two, three years old. “Back then it was- seasons were more predictable. Weather was more predictable. In a way, it was easier. Nowadays, with lack of ice, bigger storms, shorter opportunities to head out. Yeah, I think it’s more difficult now compared to back then. The windows of good weather are getting shorter. “I know that everybody that goes hunting isn’t doing it for fun or sport. They’re doing it (as a) means of trying to harvest food. It's a part of who we are as people, as the community. Hunting is part of our nature. It’s been for thousands of years.” Tungiyan then asked him why catching a whale is so important for Gambell. “I think it’s important mostly because of the size of the catch. There’s enough to feed everybody. Just the sheer size of the whale. It’s an opportunity to feed the community, to have a community gather. Whaling has been part of our culture since the first whale swam and man saw it. It was a means of survival.” Tungiyan produced this story with former KNOM reporter Wali Rana and Alaska Public Media's Rachel Cassandra. Get National Native News delivered to your inbox daily. Sign up for our daily newsletter today. Download our NV1 Android or iOs App for breaking news alerts. Check out today’s Native America Calling episode Monday, May 18, 2026 – Trump administration takes aim at American buffalo

A Hualapai tribal leader is being remembered for her impact on economic development and tribal sovereignty. Louise Benson, former chairwoman of the Hualapai Tribe in Arizona, has died at the age of 83. The tribe announced her death April 18. Benson helped lead the development of Grand Canyon West, including the creation of the Grand Canyon Skywalk, a major tourism destination that supports the tribe's economy. According to the Hualapai Tribe, she also worked on infrastructure and water access issues for her community. Gov. Katie Hobbs (D-AZ) said in a statement: “I am deeply saddened by the passing of former Hualapai Tribal Chairwoman Louise Benson. As a dedicated leader for the Hualapai Tribe, championing critical infrastructure, and regional water security. Chairwoman Benson spent her life serving her people with unwavering commitment. My condolences go out to the Hualapai Tribe and all those who knew her.” In its statement, the Hualapai Tribe says Benson's legacy will continue through the economic foundation she helped build for future generations. Republican Native American voters Jen Thomasik and Brandy Ross stand outside a 2024 rally for Donald Trump held in Albuquerque, NM. (Photo: Jeanette DeDios / KUNM-FM) The Trump administration issued an executive order last month that seeks to restrict mail-in voting. KUNM's Jeanette DeDios (Jicarilla Apache and Diné) has the details on how this could impact Native American communities. The order seeks to use federal data to create a list of adult U.S. citizens in each state who would have to show proof of eligibility before voting. States would be able to review and suggest changes. But many tribal members living in rural areas rely on mail-in voting in order to participate in elections because of long travel times to polling places. Jacqueline De León (Isleta Pueblo), senior attorney for the Native American Rights Fund, says the Supreme Court is currently considering a case called  Watson v. Republican National Committee about whether or not ballots received after election day can be counted. “And we know that that is especially important in Indian Country, where mail delivery can be slow and unpredictable, that our ballots be able to be counted even if they arrive after Election Day, if they were cast before Election Day.” She says tribal nations are facing a consequential moment in history. “Protecting tribal sovereignty is something that I think every Native person needs to take seriously, and they need to make considerations when they’re voting as to which candidates are going to do that for their tribal nation.” Attorneys general in 23 states, including New Mexico, are suing to block the Trump order. Candlelight vigil for Kelly Hunt in Anchorage, Alaska. (Courtesy Data for Indigenous Justice / Facebook) Community members gathered in Anchorage this week to honor the life of Kelly Hunt. A candlelight vigil was held Wednesday at 2522 Arctic Boulevard, where family, friends, and advocates came together to remember the 19 year old from Shaktoolik. The event included traditional dance groups and songs, as attendees paid tribute and called for justice. (Courtesy Data for Indigenous Justice / Facebook) Hunt disappeared earlier this year while on her way to college. Her body was found April 20 in a Spenard neighborhood. The vigil was supported by Data for Indigenous Justice, as community members continue to call for answers and accountability. Alaska Native leaders and advocates will gather in Anchorage next month for a summit focused on the Missing and Murdered Indigenous People (MMIP) crisis. The Alaska MMIP Justice Summit is scheduled for May 27 and 28 at the Dena'ina Civic and Convention Center, followed by a Red Dress Gala on May 29. Organizers say the event will focus on raising awareness, sharing resources, and building solutions to address violence impacting Indigenous communities. Get National Native News delivered to your inbox daily. Sign up for our daily newsletter today. Download our NV1 Android or iOs App for breaking news alerts. Check out today’s Native America Calling episode Thursday, April 30, 2026 – Reflecting on the milestone pipeline protest movement at Standing Rock

Photo: U.S. Department of Interior building. (Kmf164 via Wikimedia) Tribal leaders are raising concerns about a possible overhaul of the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) that could lead to more staff cuts. During a congressional hearing last week, National Congress of American Indians (NCAI) president Mark Macarro warned lawmakers a proposed reorganization could reduce positions critical to delivering funding and services to tribal nations. He says the plan is moving forward without meaningful consultation. Macarro told lawmakers, “this action has been done without consultation with tribal nations and without consideration of the impact it will have on the delivery of programs and services.” A recent Government Accountability Office (GAO) report found workforce reductions have already caused delays and left gaps in services across Indian Country. Federal officials say the changes are intended to improve efficiency, but tribal leaders warn the impacts could be far reaching. Native children playing outside at the Iselta Head Start. (Photo: Jeanette DeDios / KUNM-FM) The Pueblo of Isleta could lose federal funds for its Head Start program because online betting and prediction markets are hurting the tribe's gaming revenues. U.S. Rep. Gabe Vasquez (D-NM) met with tribal leaders last week to discuss the importance of preserving early education programs on sovereign Native lands. KUNM's Jeanette DeDios (Jicarilla Apache and Diné) has more. At the Isleta Head Start, which serves children ages three to five at the pueblo, the program offers both educational and cultural learning like traditional dancing and language learning. Native American communities must do a 20% non-federal match for their Head Start programs in order to receive the remaining 80% of their budget from the federal government, so Isleta Pueblo uses revenues from its casino gaming for the match. But tribal officials say that is now at risk because online gaming platforms use federal regulatory loopholes to offer gambling-like services nationwide, while avoiding state gaming compacts under which tribal casinos must operate. Charles Jojola , 1st Lieutenant Governor for the Pueblo of Isleta, says that every gaming Pueblo has similar concerns. “Coming into our state, unregulated. They’re not sharing any of their revenues. What people gamble, what they make, they’re walking away, you know, from the state with all that money. And as far as Indian tribes go, you know, we’re required.” The Trump administration has eased Biden-era regulations on prediction markets. Rep. Vasquez introduced an amendment to prohibit sports betting using prediction market models. He also co-sponsored another bill that would prohibit members of Congress and the administration from entering into contracts. He says if they do not prohibit this it is going to lead to corruption issues. “Because now you’re able to make predictions or bets on things like world events, on legislation, passing on what the President is going to do tomorrow, on what the Supreme Court case is going to decide on a case that they have before them.” Councilwoman for the Pueblo Eulalia Lucero says this will directly impact the Pueblo's children. “This is the forefront of the foundation of their future, and it’s developing their knowledge, their awareness, so that they can be stronger as they go into the next phases of education.” Vasquez says that online gaming is a clear violation and overstep of the rules that currently exist and it will be one of his top priorities this year. Get National Native News delivered to your inbox daily. Sign up for our daily newsletter today. Download our NV1 Android or iOs App for breaking news alerts. Check out today’s Native America Calling episode Wednesday, April 8, 2026 – Tribes scramble to save critical healthcare funding

KUNM's Jeanette DeDios sits down with three state senators who kickstarted an investigation into the state's long history of forced sterilization of Indigenous women and other women of color. Later, Jeanette asks the table how difficult it is for Native women to find a doctor in their community who specializes in reproductive health care. Podcast Host: Lou DiVizioCorrespondent: Jeanette DeDios Guests: NM Sen. Linda Lopez, D-AlbuquerqueNM Sen. Shannon Pinto, D-TohatchiNM Sen. Antoinette Sedillo Lopez, D-Albuquerque 

A new report by the Urban Institute based in Washington D.C. is looking closely at Native American tribes and their continued challenges with broadband infrastructure. KUNM's Jeanette DeDios (Jicarilla Apache and Diné) spoke with Amanda Hermans, a research associate for the report, on how sovereignty comes into play. Hermans says, as sovereign nations, Native American tribes have the right to govern their own digital infrastructure, which in the past was not possible. “This was rooted in a history of you know them not having the ability to take sovereignty over their access to things like broadband and other utilities.” Hermans said broadband providers in the past have not allowed tribes a seat at the table when it came to making decisions on how to serve their communities with internet, but, she says, that's changing and tribes are building expertise in broadband construction — and taking back control of these plans. That does not mean they have to do it by themselves. “Some tribes, depending, you know, on their priorities, may not have the desire or the capacity to do that all themselves and there’s also a lot to be gained by partnering with knowledgeable industry experts and maybe contracting out some of those services or roles to bolster their capacity.” She says building broadband infrastructure on tribal lands is crucial on many levels — and can help bring in revenue and create jobs for tribal members. Old growth forests with just modest exposure to fire are now most at risk for severe wildfires, according to scientists with Oregon State University (OSU) and the U.S. Forest Service (USFS). As KLCC's Brian Bull (Nez Perce) reports, part of the problem is lack of Native stewardship. Researchers say three-fourths of the Pacific Northwest's forests that historically saw low and mixed severity fires are highly vulnerable to devastating blazes today. Part of this vulnerability came after Indigenous people were driven out and therefore unable to practice controlled burns to reduce slash and pests, as well as rejuvenate the landscape. Meg Krawchuk is OSU fire ecologist and forestry professor. “There’s a reawakening of that knowledge and movement forward in terms of indigenous fire stewardship, but there are so many parts of the landscape that are not ready to receive fire well, and that require additional care and tending to bring back fire to our landscape.” Pockets of landscape less susceptible to crown fire called fire refugia may help buffer these sensitive forest areas, and reduce severe fire risk by up to 20 percent. A playground near the permanent tribute for 14-year-old Emily Pike within Fitch Park. (Photo: Gabriel Pietrorazio / KJZZ) Spring training is in full swing at Fitch Park, home of the A's. Near the baseball diamonds and a playground, the city has planted a tree. Next to the sapling is a plaque with an image of Emily that reads, in part, “No more stolen sisters.” Beside that is a metal bench, engraved with a bloody handprint. This is all a few miles south of Mesa Drive and McKellips Road – the intersection where Emily was last seen alive – and where the makeshift shrine was erected. Her family is now asking everyone to leave that old spot alone. Get National Native News delivered to your inbox daily. Sign up for our daily newsletter today. Download our NV1 Android or iOs App for breaking news alerts. Check out today’s Native America Calling episode Thursday, March 5, 2026 — Taxes, roads and law enforcement: how tribes are asserting their sovereign rights

Photo: Crews install the final stages of a new fiber-optic internet network across four tribal nations in northern New Mexico. (Courtesy NMPBS) The New Mexico Office of Broadband Access and Expansion has announced more than $900 million in investments towards broadband infrastructure, with the help of both federal and state support. Some of the funds will go to the Navajo Nation. KUNM's Jeanette DeDios (Jicarilla Apache and Diné) has more. Among the 17 projects announced, the Navajo Nation was awarded $111 million. That is the largest single supported project from the Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment (BEAD) program. Sonia Nez manages the Navajo Nation Broadband Office. She says the project will affect 11,000 households across New Mexico's portion of the Navajo Nation. She also says an effort to bring broadband to the community like this has never been done before. “Telehealth, education across the whole spectrum, lifts the people up to a new level where there was no connectivity before, but now they will have connectivity at the home, and so just opens the whole door of opportunity for the people, businesses, entrepreneurship, education, across the whole spectrum.” Nez says tribal members continue to face challenges without broadband. “So without internet connection, for example, you have to go either to get college education, you have to go off the reservation, you have to go to the cities, you know. So this will give them opportunity to have school right there at home and not have to leave the Nation.” Nez says the BEAD program will help more homes have broadband service. She also says Navajo Nation is working to establish broadband in all chapter houses and install 5G towers for mobile internet. A few dozen people gathered in Anchorage on January 31, 2026, while several dozen more joined virtually, to discuss whether to rebuild or relocate Kipnuk. (Photo: James Oh / Alaska Public Media) Kipnuk was one of the Western Alaska villages hit hardest by the remnants of Typhoon Halong in October. Residents are starting to vote on whether they want to rebuild their community, or relocate to higher ground. The Alaska Desk's Alena Naiden from our flagship station KNBA reports. Rayna Paul sits in an Anchorage office, scrolling through a spreadsheet filled with hundreds of names of Kipnuk tribal members. “We are just on As…” (laughs) Paul is in charge of the village's voting process. Over the next several days, she and her team will call every single adult tribal member — that's about 900 people — and ask them: Do they want to rebuild the village in its current location or move to higher ground? “It’s very important for us to find out what the tribal members from Kipnuk want.” Last fall's disastrous winds and flooding destroyed homes and infrastructure and contaminated land and water. Most of Kipnuk's residents remain evacuated, including Paul. She says she wants the future Kipnuk to be safe. “We love our community. We miss our community. We’re doing it for our future generations to come, because they might not know what to do when this happens again. I think we’re just going to be hit with many, many storm events.” The first community meeting about whether to relocate happened about a week ago. The decision to start voting followed swiftly. Sheryl Musgrove directs the climate justice program under the Alaska Institute for Justice. She says the village needs to act fast to make the most of both the short construction season and the available funding for disaster recovery. “They don’t have decades. They need to do it immediately. … That’s my hope is they can show other communities that are going to be faced with this in the future, that you can rebuild someplace else– if that’s what they decide– on a short timeline as the disaster recovery process.” Right now, Kipnuk leadership is looking at two sites for relocation. Both spots are located on higher ground. During the voting process, Paul and her team of four are also asking residents if they want to suggest any other sites. Get National Native News delivered to your inbox daily. Sign up for our daily newsletter today. Download our NV1 Android or iOs App for breaking news alerts. Check out today’s Native America Calling episode Thursday, February 19, 2026 – The growing AI appropriation threat

Audio available by 12 p.m. EST For decades, Native women and other women of color were subjected to forced sterilization by the federal Bureau of Indian Affairs and the Indian Health Service. New Mexico lawmakers introduced a memorial last week to create a truth and reconciliation commission that would conduct a study into the history, and continuing impacts of this abuse. KUNM's Jeanette DeDios (Jicarilla Apache and Diné) has this report. Senate memorial 14 includes research dating to the 1970s which shows between 25%-50% of Indigenous women ere sterilized, with some of the highest incidents occurring in New Mexico. The memorial would develop a plan to create a state truth and reconciliation commission to research and find all cases of sterilization in the state, gather survivor testimony, and review and recommend educational policy. Keely Badger is a human rights advocate who wrote her dissertation on the forced sterilization of Native women. Lawmakers asked her about challenges finding and accessing records. “I do think that the requests have to come from an official state body, official agencies, to get to the heart of this information. It is going to be more than one person’s ability to accumulate this information.” She says this may have been intentional by the states. “At a national level, they have sealed some of these records for a reason, in the same way that a lot of the information about the boarding school system was very challenging; took decades and decades of research to accumulate to get to a point where we could have a national apology. “I believe that this is one of those situations where it is going to require real political will and advocacy from civil society groups to get to the real heart of this from a national perspective.” If the memorial goes into law, New Mexico would be the first state in the nation to formally investigate and acknowledge these violations. The memorial will head to the senate floor for a vote and if passed, will go to the House of Representatives. White Mountain Apache Chairman Kasey Velasquez speaks about the significance of the Apache trout in Mesa, Ariz. on September 4, 2024. (Photo: Gabriel Pietrorazio / KJZZ Thousands of members from the White Mountain Apache Tribe went to the polls last week to vote in a primary election that resulted in the sitting chairman losing his chance at another term. KJZZ's Gabriel Pietrorazio reports. In a three-way race, Chairman Kasey Velasquez earned a little over 400 votes, while his challengers both received nearly four times as much, according to the tribe's election commission. In the end though, longtime Whiteriver school board member Orlando Carroll got the most votes by a margin of more than 50 ballots. He will face off against Councilman Gary Alchesay in the April general election. Also on Wednesday, the tribe announced that a special prosecutor declined to criminally charge Velasquez under tribal law for allegations of sexual harassment against the HR director. A civil investigation by the tribe is still ongoing. And you will be seeing lots of commemorative Seahawks swag now that Seattle's NFL team has won Super Bowl 60. The ‘hawks beat the New England Patriots 29-13. The BBC reports that many Native American and First Nations people appreciate the team's logo. Turns out, it is based on a carved transformation mask from the Kwakwaka’wakw Nation from the late 1800s. The logo was chosen by the Seahawk's manager in the 1970s. Seattle's Burke Museum traced the origins of it to a photo of a ceremonial mask in an old art book. This led them to the Hudson Museum in Maine. The mask was loaned to Seattle for a ceremony with tribal members and team representatives. The BBC reports that, unlike other major league sports teams, the Seahawks logo has not sparked backlash because it respectfully borrows from Indigenous culture and does not resort to racist stereotypes. Some Indigenous people from Canada and the U.S. say it has inspired them to learn more of their own culture. A ceremony and parade for the Seahawks will be held in Seattle Wednesday morning. Get National Native News delivered to your inbox daily. Sign up for our daily newsletter today. Download our NV1 Android or iOs App for breaking news alerts. Check out Native America Calling’s special coverage of the 2026 State of Indian Nations address Monday, February 9, 2026 – 2026 State of Indian Nations

Maleeka “Mollie” Boone, a Navajo girl who'd gone missing in the community of Coalmine near Tuba City, Ariz. marks the second time an alert system has been used in search of a Native American since its implementation last year. As KJZZ's Gabriel Pietrorazio reports, that search is now over. The FBI Phoenix Field Office confirmed that Boone's body was found on Friday following a multiagency search that included law enforcement authorities from the Arizona Department of Public Safety, U.S. Marshals Service, Coconino County Sheriff's Office, and Flagstaff Police Department. “To learn that this search has ended in loss is a pain beyond words.” Navajo Nation President Buu Nygren took to social media to share his condolences – not just for Maleeka, but also 3-year-old Karson Apodaca, who was killed during a Christmas parade. “In just the past few weeks, with the tragedy in Kayenta and now this heartbreaking news from Coalmine, our Nation has endured tremendous pain. These moments remind us just how sacred our children are and how deeply connected every life is within our Navajo community. May we honor Maleeka's spirit by cherishing and protecting every child across the Navajo Nation.” The investigation into Maleeka's death is being handled by the FBI and Navajo Department of Criminal Investigations. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Jonathan Juárez (@pueblobaddie) On the opening day of the New Mexico legislative session Tuesday, a protest was held at the state capitol in Santa Fe. KUNM's Jeanette DeDios (Jicarilla Apache and Diné) spoke to Indigenous people at the event. Hundreds of New Mexicans rallied and marched up the steps towards the Roundhouse. Oglala Sioux Nation member John Swift Bird led the march with other Native drummers. “The energy always, always gets to the people. People have always resonated to the singing and to the energy of it.” He's been advocating back and forth between New Mexico and South Dakota ever since the 2016 protests in Standing Rock against the Dakota Access Pipeline. Longtime activist Elder Kathy Sanchez (San Ildefonso Pueblo) gave a blessing and told attendees to not give up. “Every thing that is brought forth in a good way will survive, because all of us are not giving up on each other.” Siihasin Hope from the Mescalero Apache and Diné Nations is an advocate for the Southwest Solidarity Network and Revolutionary 2 Spirit Collective. Hope is advocating for land and water protections and says  it's important for Indigenous people to understand and exercise their rights. “It’s the only reason that we have them, is because people before us, our ancestors before us, have fought for us to be here. Have fought for us to have the right to, you know, live.” She wants lawmakers and the governor to continue upholding tribal consultation on Native issues and says she and other advocates will continue to fight for tribal rights. Photograph and MMIP activist Amanda Freeman stands before two portraits on January 14, 2026. (Photo: Brian Bull / KLCC) The founder of a Missing and Murdered Indigenous People organization is sharing the faces of those affected by the crisis. KLCC's Brian Bull (Nez Perce) reports on a new exhibition in Salem, Oreg. Amanda Freeman founded Ampkwa Advocacy and has displayed nearly three dozen photos of Native people who have lost a relative or have suffered domestic violence or addiction. It's titled, “Ampkwa: munk lush nsayka shawash tilixam”, which means “Healing our Indigenous relatives.” Red hand prints and a long red trailing dress adorn the walls and wrap around each portrait. Freeman says she wants visitors to leave with one impression. “I would like them to remember that we're not disposable. And actually leave with the mindset of, “Let me share this information because I had no idea. Because any awareness is good awareness.” A reception and artist's talk will be held January 28. The exhibit runs through February 6 at the Gretchen Schuette Art Gallery at Chemeketa Community College. Get National Native News delivered to your inbox daily. Sign up for our daily newsletter today. Download our NV1 Android or iOs App for breaking news alerts. Check out the latest episode of Native America Calling Wednesday, January 21, 2026 – Native activists prepare for ongoing resistance and documentation as federal crackdowns expand

The Arctic continues to warm faster than other parts of the world — and is experiencing record high temperatures and record low levels of sea ice. That’s according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), which released its annual report card for the region Tuesday. As The Alaska Desk's Alena Naiden from our flagship station KNBA reports, those findings directly affect Alaska Indigenous communities. The Arctic Report Card has been documenting changes in snow and sea ice cover, as well as air and ocean temperatures in the northern part of the globe for the past 20 years. It has shown that, in that time, the Arctic's annual temperature has increased at more than double the global rate of temperature changes. Hannah-Marie Ladd is the director of Indigenous Sentinels Network. “These changes cascade directly into people’s lives, affecting fisheries, coastal safety, and subsistence harvests. We are no longer just documenting warming. We are witnessing an entire marine ecosystem, which is tied to our economies and culture, transform within a single generation.” The report highlights an emerging phenomenon called rusting rivers. That's when permafrost thaw causes ground water to seep deeper and interact with mineral deposits, which likely turns some streams and rivers to a rusty orange color. Abigail Pruitt says that, in Alaska, over 200 streams turned orange in recent years. “Within Kobuk Valley National Park, we observed the complete loss of juvenile Dolly Varden and Slimy Sculpin, in a tributary to the Akillik river when it turned orange. Beyond the effects on fish, rusting rivers may impact drinking water supplies to rural communities as well.” The report highlights how Indigenous communities have been observing the changes in their environments and wildlife and collaborating with scientists to better understand those changes. Ladd describes one example of such work. She says that St. Paul residents collect samples of harvested traditional foods like seabirds, marine mammals, and halibut. Those samples are tested in a tribally owned lab and analyzed for contaminants like mercury. “Indigenous leadership, local workforce development, and community driven observing are not optional. They’re essential to understanding the Arctic that we have today and preparing for the Arctic we are moving into.” In response to a question about how federal cuts to climate science might affect the future of the Arctic Report Card, NOAA officials said that they will continue their efforts to observe the changing environment. Two tribal communities in New Mexico will be receiving $200,000 in state grants for high-speed internet development. KUNM's Jeanette DeDios (Jicarilla Apache and Diné) has more. Santa Clara Pueblo and the Fort Sill Apache tribe will each receive a planning grant of $100,000 through the New Mexico Grant Writing, Engineering, and Planning Program.  In a release, the state's Broadband Policy and Programs Bureau Chief, Andrew Wilder, said the funding will help start important projects in tribal regions that lack high-speed internet. Santa Clara will use its grant to build fiber lines connecting homes and provide Wi-Fi service. Fort Sill plans to create a high-speed broadband network connecting unserved homes. The tribe has already secured $500,000 in infrastructure funding for fiber, equipment, and trenching.  The state's office of broadband has already issued 36 awards totalling $3.5 million to 17 tribal communities, 15 local governments, and four rural electric and telephone businesses. The broadband office stated that $1.5 million are still available in planning grants. The awards are assistance-based, not merit-based, so entities do not compete for funding. No matching funds are required. Get National Native News delivered to your inbox daily. Sign up for our daily newsletter today. Download our NV1 Android or iOs App for breaking news alerts. Check out the latest episode of Native America Calling Wednesday, December 17, 2025 – Saving historic architecture and other important places

This week on GJ! Allen Sanchez shares about Common Spirit St. Joseph's Children sobriety program. Jen Stephenson a playwright and actor shares about the new Vortex Theater production, Big Fat Mess and the Conservator. Catch us live every Sunday at 7 PM on KUNM!

Learn about the 6 C's of PYD and hear from Dr. Theresa Cruz and Yvonnie Baik as they answer your burning questions on injury & violence prevention and the UNM Prevention Research Center. Every Sunday at 7 PM on 89.9 KUNM FM or visit KUNM.org!

This week, Law Professor Maryam Ahranjani gives her expert knowledge on the juvenile justice system and reforms that could be done to rehabilitate youth. We share a presentation from retired Judge John Romero, who discussed the myths and truths about the juvenile justice system and the justice code. Catch us live Sundays at @ 7:00 pm on 89.9 KUNM OR stream on KUNM.org!

Tune in to this special program as you will hear GJ's very own 2025 Summer Cultivating Leaders as we celebrate the end of this summer and the growth of each of our young leaders! Don't miss this amazing program! Listen at 7 PM on 89.9 KUNM FM or visit KUNM.org

Generation Justice brings you Damien Flores. An educator committed to the excellence of education for Burque youth. You can tune in this Sunday at 7 PM on 89.9 KUNM FM or visit KUNM.org

Generation Justice brings you two amazing interviews! You will hear from Jeff Pope, the new general manager of KUNM-FM, our beloved community public radio station. And Reverend Mike Angell, the reverend of St. Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church in Albuquerque. And a doctoral student in Christian Spirituality at the Virginia Theological Seminary. Catch us live at 7 PM on 89.9 FM or visit KUNM.org!

The Radical Brownies, a group of young leaders, share their legislative journey and the “Traveling with Dignity Act.” Sunday, 6/22, on KUNM!

We continue our look at the state of local public media as Host Nash Jones sits down with the new general manager of KUNM, Jeff Pope. Nash returns to their former workplace to meet the new boss and hear Pope's first impressions and vision for the future. We dive into how KUNM can meet the moment while potentially weathering significant funding cuts.NMiF Show Host: Nash JonesGuest: Jeff Pope, General Manager, KUNM 

The legendary doloreshuerta shares wisdom from her lifelong journey as an activist and organizer. We hear from MediaJustice, a national organization dedicated to building power to challenge how corporations and governments use media and technology to shape our collective future. Tune in to Generation Justice every Sunday at at 7 pm on KUNM!

Today marks the 30th anniversary of Native America Calling's first national radio broadcast. Started in the studios in Albuquerque public radio station, KUNM, NAC has been the daily voice for Native issues, politics, entertainment, and arts ever since. Tribal leaders, activists, educators, bureaucrats, aunties, presidents, and everyday people have all made their way onto the airwaves on NAC, all with one common thread: to talk about the things that are important to Native Americans from a Native point of view. We'll mark the occasion by hearing from some of the voices associated with Native America Calling over the years.

“The Hidden Atrocities of Unit 731” is an award-winning documentary by a group of 4 local New Mexican high schoolers. Masara Algburi and Tam Pham talk about their production process and a message for fellow NM youth! Don't miss GJ every Sunday at 7pm on KUNM!

PODCAST! Sen. Linda López (District 11) updates us on the legislation she sponsored during the 2025 Legislative Session, what passed and what still needs support, and youth participation in the legislative process. Catch us Live every Sunday at 7 pm on 89.9 KUNM FM or KUNM.org!

Our Podcast is ready! Tune in for a special discussion on the recently signed Open Primaries Bill from New Mexico Open Elections' Executive Director Sila Avcil and Deputy Director Perry Radford. Stay tuned for a Community Calendar, Vaccine Equity segment, and music! Catch us live on Sundays @7PM on KUNM 89.9FM or KUNM.org!

This week on GJ! Senator Harold Pope has updates from the 2025 Legislative Session and why it's important for youth to engage with legislative processes. Rodrigo Rodriguez from the Albuquerque Justice for Youth Collaborative shares the organization's mission and discusses the youth incarceration cycle in New Mexico and solutions. Catch us live every Sunday at 7pm on KUNM!

The 2025 Legislative Session has ended. Rep. Eleanor Chavez has updates on the bills she supported and ways for the community to remain engaged. NMVC's Gabrielle Uballez and Mónica Otero discuss the impact of federal cuts on NM families and legislative updates. Catch us live on Sundays at 7 pm on 89.9 FM KUNM or KUNM.org!

Podcast alert! Representative Eleanor Chavez from District 26 tells us about the victories and lessons from the 2025 Legislative Session. Legislation not acted upon by the governor by this Friday, April 11, 2025, will be pocket vetoed. Catch us live on Sundays at 7PM on KUNM!

The AfroMundo Festival will be from April 12 – 19, 2025. It's a weeklong cross-cultural celebration! Tune in to hear more from AfroMundo's Founder and Executive Director, Maritza Perez, and featured artist/ AfroMundo Fellow Lauryn Mills Bohannon. Stay tuned for a Community Calendar. Catch us live every Sunday at 7PM on 89.9 KUNM fm or KUNM.org!

Native Health Initiative's Associate Director Jules McCabe discusses the organization's important Vaccine Equity efforts. Teeniors are young adults who help others learn technology.Tune in to learn more from founder Trish Lopez! Catch us live every Sunday at 7PM on KUNM!

KUNM's Megan Kamerick interviews Emily Kaltenbach, the state's top official focused on aging, who tells us how officials are preparing financially for an expected boom in our elderly population.Host: Lou DiVizioCorrespondent: Megan KamerickGuest: Emily Kaltenbach, Secretary Designate, NM Aging and Long-Term Services Department 

Golden Apple Program: Julie Lucero and Bailey Rutherford discuss how you can apply for their program and the future of NM educators! Valley Community Interpreters: Cecilia Portal shares details about VCI's history and the significance of interpreters in New Mexico. Catch us live every SUNDAY at 7PM on KUNM

Lou DiVizio introduces a conversation between KUNM's Megan Kamerick and Chip Conley, an expert on aging. Conley reframes what it means to grow old and contribute to society and explains what an expected boom in New Mexico's elderly population could mean for our state.Host: Lou DiVizioCorrespondent: Megan KamerickGuest: Chip Conley, Founder, Modern Elder Academy 

KUNM's Megan Kamerick speaks with journalist and author Kyle Paoletta about multiculturalism in New Mexico and his new book, "American Oasis: Finding the Future in the Cities of the Southwest."Host: Lou DiVizioCorrespondent: Megan KamerickGuest: Kyle Paoletta, Journalist and Author, “American Oasis: Finding the Future in the Cities of the Southwest” 

First, the young leaders from the Radical Brownies share why they're supporting the Traveling with Dignity Act and how you can support! Then, NM Representative Eleanor Chavez shares her top priority bills for this 60-day legislative session, including the Traveling with Dignity Act and Dignity Not Detention Efforts. Next, Eduardo Esquivel Gonzalez, Co-Director of NM Dream Team, shares the mission of the organization and its legislative priorities. Tune in LIVE every SUNDAY on 89.9FM or steam KUNM.org

First, GJ youth share their intentions, core values, and discuss the GJ tradition/training for setting up intentions! Then, in honor of MLK Day, we are airing segments from his speech: Beyond Vietnam - A Time to Break Silence. This historic speech was made by King and is an example for everything that he stood for! Catch us live on Sundays @ 7 PM 89.9FM or steam KUNM.org!

This week we bring you an interview with Sophia Genovese, the Managing Attorney at NMILC. She discusses the legislative priorities, resources, and upcoming opportunities of the organization. Don't miss Generation Justice every Sunday at 7 PM on KUNM 89.9FM or stream on KUNM.org!

Our podcast is ready! Teresa B.G, the Senior Political Education Director at Media Justice, discusses their mission, current agenda, and taking back tech! Rodrigo Rodriguez and John S. discuss their collaborative op-ed article, “Culturally appropriate diversion programs can break the cycle of youth incarceration”. Catch us Live every Sunday @ 7PM 89.9FM or stream from KUNM.org!

In 2018, Generation Justice had the honor of interviewing Fred Harris, former US & State Senator, about his experience serving on the Kerner Commission. With the unfortunate recent passing of Fred Harris, we shared his insightful interview once more to continue his legacy and spread his wisdom. You can catch GJ LIVE every Sunday @ 7 PM on KUNM 89.9FM or stream on KUNM.org!

We interviewed the Santa Fe Dreamers Project. Executive Director Miles T. and Fully Accredited Representative Sarah S. share insight into their organization's mission and plans for 2025!

Podcast!!! We speak to Author and Assistant Professor Dr. Rafael M. He shares how his journey as a first-generation immigrant and undocu-scholar influenced his book “Illegalized”! Speaking with Gabrielle U., the Executive Director at NM Voices for Children, we learned what challenges the children of New Mexico are currently facing and how NMVC is addressing them!

Lou DiVizio opens up the podcast with headlines from around the state, many of which focus on the upcoming 60-day legislative session. Tonight, Nov. 18, Albuquerque City Council will meet to finalize its priorities heading into the session. You can watch that meeting live or after the fact here. Another topic on the agenda for lawmakers at the roundhouse next year will be regulating artificial intelligence. This week, KUNM's Megan Kamerick speaks with two computer science experts about their work pushing elected officials to create privacy guardrails on artificial intelligence. Dr. Cris Moore tells us how AI algorithms and social media can be a perfect storm to spread misinformation on a massive scale. Dr. Melanie Moses considers how a lack of transparency from technology companies could lead to loopholes when crafting laws regulating AI. Host: Lou DiVizio Correspondent: Megan Kamerick Guests: Dr. Melanie Moses, Ph.D., Professor, UNM Department of Computer Science Dr. Cris Moore, Ph.D., Professor, Santa Fe Institute 

Before you vote, take the time to consider the youth perspective! We asked GJ youth members to share their election messages with voters, what issues they want to see addressed, and what their core values are as individuals. We have an obligation to listen to our youth as voters, and be their voice in the electoral process! Stay tuned for Progress Now's Disinformation Digest, a segment that ends the spread of disinformation. Hosted by Joe Cardillo. All of this, our Vaccine Equity segment, and more! Catch us live on Sundays at 7 PM on KUNM 89.9 FM or KUNM.org

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This week on GJ, we spoke to Marshall Martinez and Nathan Saavedra from Equality New Mexico about EQNM's mission, the stakes facing the LGBTQ+ community this election season, local civic engagement opportunities, & more! In our interview with Jessica Herrera from Supermajority, she shares the findings from her study on young women voters, the effects of disinformation in our current age, & more!

Lou DiVizio kicks off the podcast with headlines from around the state, including news New Mexico is failing to leverage Medicaid dollars for home visiting programs. Then, Whitney Holland, president of New Mexico's chapter of the American Federation of Teachers, is one of 45 delegates who attended this month's Democratic National Convention in Chicago. KUNM's Nash Jones catches up with Holland for a look at what happened inside the convention hall and some perspective on how the party platform could impact New Mexicans. After that, we explore minimum wage rates around our state. Senior Producer Lou DiVizio speaks with New Mexico Department of Workforce Solutions Secretary Sarita Nair on state protections for minimum wage employees and tipped workers. Then, Lou asks New Mexico Restaurant Association CEO Carol Wight whether businesses consider a city's minimum wage rate for tipped workers before opening a new location. Later, Marcela Díaz of Somos Un Pueblo Unido tells Lou about the many barriers standing in the way of minimum wage workers who are trying to climb the economic ladder. Segments: New Mexico's Role at the Democratic National Convention Correspondent: Nash Jones Guest: Whitney Holland, NM Delegate, President, American Federation of Teachers - NM Secretary Sarita Nair on State Protections for Minimum Wage Workers Correspondent: Lou DiVizio Guest: Sarita Nair, Secretary, NM Department of Workforce Solutions NM Restaurant Association CEO on Paying Tipped Workers Correspondent: Lou DiVizio Guest: Carol Wight, CEO, New Mexico Restaurant Association Economic Barriers Minimum Wage Workers Face in NM Correspondent:  Lou DiVizio Guest: Marcela Díaz, Founding Executive Director, Somos Un Pueblo Unido For More Information: City Council votes down updating the city's minimum wage – City Desk ABQ  “New Mexico's Democratic delegates head to Chicago to advocate for policy” - KUNM  

This month we are excited to have Talaya Trigueros, on-air talent/host of Sirius XM Watercolors Channel 66 (Monday through Saturday) and occasionally of Real Jazz Channel 67. In this episode, Talaya discusses the beginning of her radio career at the University of New Mexico's KUNM playing Latin Jazz and Salsa, followed by a move to San Francisco where KRE-AM, a legendary Jazz station in Berkeley, quickly hired her. There she was given her own show, Sabor y Salsa, and due to her stellar ratings in the Bay Area, the company transferred her to Los Angeles to launch The Quiet Storm at KUTE. While there she was the first in the country to interview Sade and play "Smooth Operator,” a favorite artist and song from fans alike. In 1988, The WAVE hired her in Los Angeles where she remained for many years. As a consummate professional, Talaya has received numerous awards including the inaugural 1998 R&R Industry Achievement Award for Smooth Jazz On-Air Personality, the GENII Award for Excellence in Radio from Alliance for Women in Media, the National Hispanic Media Coalition along with honorary recognitions from the Los Angeles County and City Board of Supervisors and the prestigious Angelus Award. Her genuine happiness is spending time with her husband Tony of 46 years, two children, and five grandchildren. We are very excited to have Talaya on this month's episode because, for over 30 years, her success has been unmatched and she is still figuring out ways to get us to love the radio format and music. Find out why and how she's had such longevity in the business. Talaya is a true Trailblazer. Find out how you can become one too if you want to follow in her footsteps.

Katie Stone is Executive Director and Producer of The Children's Hourradio show and podcast and has been described as the “Mr. Rogers ofpublic radio.” She began producing The Children's Hour 22 years ago asa volunteer at her local NPR affiliate, KUNM-fm. In 2018 Katie started anonprofit, The Children's Hour Inc. and has taken the radio show tointernational syndication. Katie and her husband live and work inAlbuquerque, New Mexico in a handmade adobe home on a solarpowered organic farm near the Rio Grande.