Can you trust local news? KOB 4 evening anchor and broadcast journalist Tessa Mentus joins Noah Vargas on (Improvised) Intelligence for an inside look at how local journalism really works in New Mexico.

We discuss media bias, political influence, investigative reporting, newsroom accountability, the difference between local and national news, COVID-19 coverage, and the responsibility of journalists to verify information before reporting it. Tessa also shares her experiences covering New Mexico politics, interviewing political candidates including Deb Haaland, and navigating the challenges of modern broadcast journalism.

How are stories selected? Are local reporters given political talking points? And why are fewer people entering the journalism profession? We get into all of it in this candid conversation about the media, politics, and the importance of questioning what you hear.

GUEST: Tessa Mentus @tessamentus on InstagramKOB 4 Evening News Anchor

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Produced by Royal Tier Productions LLC

Intro/Outro Theme written by Toby Gomez

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What does the future of New Mexico look like when it comes to crime, immigration, border security, healthcare, and economic development?

In this episode, we sit down with Greg Cunningham, a congressional candidate in New Mexico’s 2nd Congressional District, for a wide-ranging conversation about the challenges facing the state and the policies he believes could make a difference.

Cunningham brings experience as a U.S. Marine Corps reconnaissance Marine, an Albuquerque police officer for 20 years, and a DEA task force officer. He shares how his military and law enforcement background shapes his views on public safety, border security, government accountability, and the role of Congress.

In this episode, we cover:

• Crime in New Mexico: Repeat offenders, Albuquerque’s public safety challenges, and Cunningham’s ideas for improving coordination between local law enforcement and federal agencies.

• Immigration and border security: Immigration enforcement, ICE, Border Patrol, cartel activity, and the distinction between people pursuing legal immigration and violent offenders.

• New Mexico’s future: The debate over large data centers, including Meta in Los Lunas and Project Jupiter, with a focus on water use, electricity demand, jobs, and community oversight.

• Rural healthcare: The Rural Health Transformation Act, the funding Cunningham discusses for New Mexico, and the importance of accountability in how resources are distributed.

• Gas prices and taxes: Fuel costs, excise taxes, and the financial pressures facing New Mexico families.

• Political independence and accountability: Party loyalty, endorsements, voter confidence, and whether elected officials are putting their constituents first.

We also discuss Cunningham’s background, his reasons for running for Congress, and what federal lawmakers can realistically do to address issues affecting communities across New Mexico.

Whether you follow New Mexico politics, the congressional race, crime policy, immigration, or the debate over water and energy use in the Southwest, this conversation takes a closer look at the issues shaping the state’s future.

Join the conversation: What is the biggest issue facing New Mexico right now? Listen to the episode and share your perspective.

Follow the podcast on Spotify for more interviews and conversations about politics, public policy, and the issues affecting New Mexico.

Follow Greg Cunningham on Instagram @cunninghamfornm

Greg's website cunninghamfornm.com

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nstagram: @improvisedintelligencepod @noahvargas2🎙️Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/46eFKCrHGNkWejeT8XpcjT

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Produced by Royal Tier Productions LLC

Intro/Outro Theme written by Toby Gomez

Support the podcast here! https://choppedchileco.com/#GregCunningham #NewMexicoPolitics #CongressionalRace #Albuquerque #BorderSecurity #NewMexico #DataCenters #NMCD2

What happens when a small-business owner and pharmacist decides to challenge an entrenched incumbent in Congress? Congressional candidate Didi Okpareke joins the podcast for a candid conversation about New Mexico's future, Washington's priorities, and what it really takes to represent the people.

Running as a Republican against incumbent Democrat Melanie Stansbury in New Mexico's 1st Congressional District (NM-01), Didi brings her experience building and operating a compounding pharmacy to a wide-ranging discussion about healthcare, economic opportunity, government accountability, and American foreign policy.

🎙️ IN THIS EPISODE:

🇺🇸 The Congressional Race in New Mexico — Why Didi Okpareke decided to run for Congress, what she learned on the campaign trail, and her first debate against Melanie Stansbury.

🏥 Healthcare Access & Rural Hospitals — New Mexico's healthcare challenges, the cost of care, rural medical services, and how federal funding could help underserved communities.

💧 AI Data Centers & New Mexico's Water Crisis — The growing debate over data centers, water consumption, desalination infrastructure, and protecting New Mexico's natural resources while pursuing economic growth.

💼 Small Businesses & Economic Opportunity — Didi's journey as a pharmacist and entrepreneur, government red tape, permitting delays, access to capital, and how Congress can support small businesses.

🌎 The Iran War, Israel & America's Foreign Policy — Didi's views on ending the war, balancing international alliances, foreign spending, and prioritizing the needs of Americans at home.

🔎 The Epstein Truth Commission & Government Accountability — Questions about transparency, investigations, political accountability, and whether elected officials are delivering the answers the public deserves.

🏛️ Term Limits, Political Elites & Voter Turnout — Why Didi believes new leadership is needed, why young professionals are leaving New Mexico, and how voters can hold their representatives accountable.

Didi also explains how she believes an independent-minded Republican can work across government, advocate for New Mexico, and focus on practical results rather than party politics.

Is Washington putting America's priorities first? Can New Mexico solve its infrastructure and economic challenges? And what should voters expect from the people they elect?

Watch or listen to the full conversation and decide for yourself.

🗳️ Learn more about Didi Okpareke:
Website: https://didiforcongress.com
Facebook & Instagram: Didi for Congress

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