New Mexico State Senator Carlos Cisneros died Tuesday. He was 71. A Democrat from Questa, Cisneros served in the Legislature for 35 years, much of it as a key negotiator on state budget matters. Cisneros' death Tuesday from a heart attack was confirmed by Legislative Council Service Director Raúl Burciaga. Cisneros first won election to the Senate in 1984 and went on to play a leading role in annual budget negotiations and legislation on tax policy.

Wake Up Call Segment Host/Producer MK Mendoza speaks with long time advocate and veteran of Health and Human Services, expert Lauren Riechelt about her view on the opioid epidemic, not just in the country but specifically Rio Arriba County where she serves and the Health and Human Services Director and where the opioid epidemic all began. They discuss how and why it continues and what's needed to move the needle on improving the situation for New Mexicans. 

Since 2008, New Mexico has had one of the highest rates of drug overdose deaths in the United States. In some counties, more than five times the national rate. The New Mexico Department of Health estimates that in 2007 alone - prescription opioid abuse, and misuse cost New Mexico $890 million.

September's Community Matters public affairs program on KSFR features Foundation CEO Bill Smith with Patty Keane, the Hunger Initiatives Coordinator with the Office of Governor Michele Lujan Grisham.

KSFR News Director Tom Trowbridge is joined by Jessica Baxter, Founder and Director of the CloudTop Comedy Festival and Brian Awis to discuss exciting upcoming festival.

To find out more, see link below: 

https://www.cloudtopcomedy.com

KSFR’s John Shannon talks with Dog Trainer David Crosby who shares his ideas on stemming the epidemic of school gun violence.

KSFR News Director Tom Trowbride chats with The New Mexican's Steve Terrell about political developments and remembering the late New Mexico Chief Justice Charlie Daniels.

KSFR News Director Tom Trowbridge brings in Kerry Jones of the National Weather Service to talk about Summer's weather and the outlook for Autumn.

See link below for more information: 

https://www.weather.gov

KSFR News Director Tom Trowbridge speaks with Organizational Leaders Hanna Negusie and Lisa Faithorn from the Academy for the Love of Learning to discuss their Continuing Education Series: The Teacher Renewal Series and the overall organization’s goals and activities.

For more information on the academy, see link below: 

https://aloveoflearning.org