Co-hosts Walt Rubel and Peter Goodman opened the program with a discussion of the week’s headlines.
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The big fight in next year’s legislative session is shaping up to be a battle between an unlikeable force and a detestable object.
One one side we have greedy, soulless corporate health care executives. On the other side we have greedy, soulless trial lawyers. Let the low blows begin. Greg Smith welcomes local artist and new KTAL board member Brea Sargent, later joined by her husband Axel McCusker, Operations Manager at the Las Cruces Convention Center. Bria discusses her background in animation, her dream-based fine art, and her work in murals and creative industries, while Axel shares insights into revitalizing the convention center with upgraded technology, new live-music opportunities, chef-driven dining events, and partnerships with local artists and film groups. Together they reflect on their move from Orlando and their shared commitment to strengthening KTAL and the broader creative community in Las Cruces.
Dr. James Rice, Professor of Environmental Sociology at New Mexico State University, walks us through a multi-dimensional exploration of meaningful developments in today's college classrooms. Traditional expectations that students will develop nuanced critical thinking skills, deepen their wisdom and understanding of themselves and the world, and strengthen the muscles of intellectual and emotional resilience are fading. He addresses how contemporary culture wars, news media, social media, and artificial intelligence encourage the drift away from the original intention of higher education. He points directly to the effects of dominant cultural models of engagement that further tribalism, divisiveness, outrage, conspiracy theories, logical fallacies, confirmation bias, and "othering". His nuanced and thought provoking observations remind us that how we think shapes our reality. He urges epistemic humility - reminding us - "Never believe everything you think."
Stuart Kelter interviews Stephen Marche, a Canadian novelist, essayist, and journalist, a scholar of philosophy and literature, and a former teacher of Renaissance drama at the City University of New York, resigning in 2007 to pursue a full-time writing career ever since. He has written five novels, numerous essays for The New York Times, The New Yorker, The Atlantic, and The Guardian, and four works of non-fiction: How Shakespeare Changed Everything published in 2011, The Unmade Bed: The Messy Truth About Men and Women in the Twenty-First Century published in 2017, The Next Civil War: Dispatches from the American Future, published in 2022, and On Writing and Failure: Or, On the Peculiar Perseverance Required to Endure the Life of a Writer, published in 2023.
Local Vibes Live joins forces with KTAL’s Saturday night punk block for a special remote from the Valley Sessions Live music festival at The Hood. Hosts Alex Brinkley and Casey Chacón showcase an intimate set from Era Snow, a dark and cinematic performance from Los Angeles band Velvet Penny, and a high-energy bilingual closer from Papayas Con Chile, along with on-air conversations that dig into songwriting, influences, and the growing Las Cruces arts scene—including a segment with tintype photographer Nick Gialanella of Dead Still Tintype Studio. Johnny Catalog (Catalog) and Tone Deaf (Smear Campaign) also join in and talk about how their Saturday night shows and community radio help listeners discover new punk, hardcore, and underground sounds.
In this reflective episode of Local Vibes Live, hosts Alex Brinkley and Casey Chacón welcome guitarist and composer Santana Garcia, whose intricate finger-style playing creates immersive, meditative soundscapes.
Born and raised near Anthony, New Mexico, Santana shares how growing up among cotton fields and open skies shaped his creative approach to music. Between performances of original pieces, he discusses his evolution from punk and Midwest-emo roots to the expressive acoustic style that defines his solo work today.  Mike and Brian talk with Paulina Mihelich, NMSU’s Assistant Athletics Director for Equipment Operations, about the behind-the-scenes work that keeps Aggie athletics running. Paulina shares how she entered the equipment profession, her path to NMSU, and what it takes to outfit and support a Division I football program - from helmet safety and uniforms to road-game logistics and the new equipment facility.
Russia analyst and former Marine Joe Roach assessed the state of the war in Ukraine, noting Russia’s enormous casualty rates, the limited value of territorial gains like Pokrovsk, and growing internal pressure on Putin’s leadership. He explained how seasonal conditions and battlefield losses have stalled Moscow’s momentum and intensified the Kremlin “blame game.” Roach also outlined the broader geopolitical consequences, including Europe’s move toward greater nuclear independence and U.S. allies in Asia preparing for a more uncertain American role. He predicted that, despite the devastation, Ukraine could eventually attract major investment after a negotiated armistice.
BLM public information officer Bill Wight outlined a full slate of guided hikes and programs planned for December at the Organ Mountains–Desert Peaks National Monument. He highlighted archaeological walks at La Cueva, paleontology hikes at the Trackways, mountain bike outings, and several Friends-led tours that explore ethnobotany, geology, and local history. Wight also noted strong winter visitation, the impact of this year’s unusually wet weather, and the ongoing need for volunteers and site hosts.
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