In this episode, we will be speaking with the Director of the Empowerment Congress and board member of Borderplex Connect Daisy Maldonado. The topic of conversation will be around federal funds for broadband expansion in rural areas, and the overall need for internet services in Southern New Mexico and West Texas communities.

The New Mexico Legislative Finance Committee met in Las Cruces recently to discuss water policy and other issues facing our state. On the last episode of “Newsmakers”, we heard from State Senator Joe Cervantes, who shared his thoughts on the topic. This week, State Engineer Mike Hamman joins the program. His office is responsible for water management in the state. We get his thoughts on water issues in general and the agreement reached to settle Texas v. New Mexico, the case that’s been before the U.S. Supreme Court since 2013.

The New Mexico Legislative Finance Committee met in Las Cruces recently to discuss water policy and other issues facing our state. KC Counts sits down with State Senator Joe Cervantes to get his thoughts on water issues in general and the agreement reached to settle Texas v. New Mexico, a case before the U.S. Supreme Court, which has serious implications for water use in our region.

UTEP Professor and Author Dr. Jonna Perrillo examine the history of how children of Nazi scientists were educated in El Paso and compares that education to that received by Mexican American children in the community post-WWII. KC Counts talks with Dr. Perrillo about her book Educating the Enemy: Teaching Nazis and Mexicans in the Cold War Borderlands, which has been awarded the Southwestern Book Award by the Border Regional Library Association and the Bolton-Cutter Prize from the Western History Association. We’ll also take a trip down memory lane with another important part of El Paso's history – its famous streetcars, which began operating again a few years ago.

June is Pride Month and on this episode of Newsmakers, KC Counts will be joined by State Senator Carrie Hamblen and PFLAG Las Cruces Chapter President Ryan Steinmetz to discuss issues facing the LGBTQ+ community and how the state of New Mexico addressed some of those issues during this year’s legislative session. We’ll also hear about the significance of Pride Month and its history as well as what Pride Month activities mean to the community.

Several organizations including ProgressNow New Mexico came together to criticize the failure of several climate initiatives this past legislative session. They included measures to incentivize individuals to turn to products they can use in their everyday lives that rely more on renewable energy and less on fossil fuels. It’s no secret that New Mexico is incredibly reliant on revenue from the fossil fuel industry for the state budget. ProgressNow New Mexico’s Energy Policy Director Lucas Herndon joins KC Counts to discuss what happened during the session and what New Mexico’s energy future may look like.

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.