The American Indian Program at New Mexico State University aims to enable Native American Students to successfully achieve their post-secondary goals, producing graduates who, according to the program’s website, are self-actualized, successful role models who are viable, contributing members to the health, welfare, and peace of tribal communities and humanity. The program’s director, Michael Ray, joins KC Counts to discuss these issues by examining our past, present, and future.

On this episode, we will hold a discussion with City of Las Cruces Housing and Neighborhood Services Manager Natalie Green. The discussion will be centered around affordable housing issues within Las Cruces, how the local government is working to address the issue, how to best respond to the issue of the growing population of people experiencing homelessness, and issues of food insecurity.

True crime has captured the imagination of many. Right here in the borderland, KVIA news anchor Stephanie Valle has been producing a podcast about local crimes that have shocked, saddened, and angered us. Valle discusses some cases, including the Las Cruces Bowling Alley massacre, which is still unsolved after over 30 years.

Thousands of migrants have been living in dangerous conditions, waiting for their chance to make a claim for asylum in the U.S. KC Counts spoke with El Paso Times Border Reporter Lauren Villagran about her coverage over the years, and what we might expect after the end of Title 42.

On this episode, we learn about an organization working to receive compensation from the federal government for damages caused by the Trinity Nuclear Test in 1945. Tina Cordova, the founder of the Tularosa Down Winders Consortium, will be joining the program.

At the beginning of April, New Mexico marked one year as one of 21 states with legal adult-use cannabis sales. Since then, $300 million in sales have been made. The Executive Director of the New Mexico Cannabis Chamber of Commerce, Ben Lewinger, will join KC Counts to help us understand what that means for the state’s economy and to offer his perspective on the future of the industry.

New Mexico ranks between 48th and 50th in animal welfare according to Animal Advocates for Change. The organization was founded to address the policy side of the problem including laws to reduce abuse and neglect, increase compliance with existing ordinances, enhance population management, reduce the risk of injury, and more. AAFC Co-founders Kathe Stark and Geri Wheelis join KC Counts on Newsmakers to discuss their efforts and we’ll hear from Michel Munier, the founder of Action Programs for Animals, who will tell us about efforts from the rescue perspective.

The Las Cruces International Film Festival takes place April 12th-16th featuring films, workshops, an awards ceremony, and VIP Party. Giancarlo Esposito of Breaking Bad fame will accept the award for Outstanding Achievement in Entertainment. The festival’s Executive Director Ross Marks joins KC Counts on Newsmakers to discuss this year’s festival and its impact on the community.

After allegations of hazing, NMSU Chancellor Dan Arvizu canceled the rest of the season for men’s basketball. Those allegations came on the heels of a shooting involving a player that left a UNM student dead. On this episode of Newsmakers, KC Counts talks with longtime Sportstalk host Steve Kaplowitz from El Paso’s ESPN Radio affiliate, KROD, about the incidents, the investigations, and the future of the program.

The New Mexico Legislature has been considering several pieces of legislation regarding firearms during the 60-day session in Santa Fe. Miranda Viscoli, the Co-President of New Mexicans to Prevent Gun Violence, joins KC Counts to explain the organization’s position on the proposed legislation. KRWG Public Media Multi-Media Journalist Jonny Coker talks to interested parties on all sides of the issue.