This week on The Forum, political analysts Dr. John Lawrence of the University of California’s Washington Center and Dr. Cal Jillson of Southern Methodist University examined how Texas and California have moved to gerrymander congressional districts outside of the regular U.S. decennial census. In a pre-recorded interview, New Mexico Senate Majority Leader Peter Wirth offered his perspective on these developments and explained the role of the state’s Citizens Redistricting Committee in redrawing congressional districts after the 2020 Census.

Historian and author John Lawrence joins The Forum Plus to discuss his new Sherlock Holmes pastiche, The Case of the Revolutionary’s Daughter, exploring the mysterious death of Karl Marx’s youngest daughter and the enduring appeal of Holmes

Meet the leaders bringing a different approach to homelessness in Santa FeThis week on The Forum, we heard from two leaders of Urban Alchemy about their first six weeks managing Pete’s Place, renamed Agape House, Santa Fe’s homeless shelter on Cerrillos Road. Earlier this summer, the City awarded the California-based nonprofit a one-year, $1.5 million emergency contract, a decision that stirred debate since the previous manager, Interfaith Community Shelter, enjoyed strong community support.

This week on The Forum, former 7-Eleven and Blockbuster CEO Jim Keyes joins co-host Peter Smith and host Jim Falk to explore how education can unlock opportunity for every American. Keyes shares insights from his new book Education is Freedom and his MEGA initiative—Make Education Great Again—which aims to harness technology to strengthen learning and reverse declines in U.S. student performance.

The Forum Plus, KSFR’s occasional spotlight on fascinating people, Great Books, timely issues, and noteworthy events.A Conversation with Paul Andrew Hutton, Professor Emeritus of History, University of New Mexico and author Of The Undiscovered Country: Triumph, Tragedy and the Shaping of the American West.

In celebration of Labor Day, The Forum features acclaimed blues artist and composer Zac Harmon in conversation with hosts Jim Falk and Talitha Arnold. Together they explore how songs of work and struggle not only offered comfort to workers but also became rallying cries that fueled union movements. Before each performance, Harmon and Arnold provide the historical context behind the songs, enriching our understanding of the evolution of nation’s labor movement.

A conversation with Dr. Christine Griffin, Superintendent & Money Matters: Why Financial Literacy Belongs in Every School

A growing crisis in Santa Fe is the lack of affordable housing. In response, ten local organizations have come together to form the Housing for Santa Fe Coalition. The August 4th episode of The Forum explored the Coalition’s newly released policy platform—PIP: Protect, Invest, and Permit—a bold plan aimed at addressing the city's housing challenges. This conversation is the second in a two-part series, following that show.

In The Forum Plus, UMass historian Stephen R. Platt shares the untold story of Evans Carlson — a WWII Marine commander, secret confidant of FDR, and pioneer of U.S. special forces. Drawing on exclusive access to Carlson’s family letters, journals, and military archives, Platt reveals a hero celebrated for introducing “gung-ho” to America but later vilified during the McCarthy era for his admiration of China. This conversation explores Carlson’s daring intelligence work, his quiet influence on Roosevelt, and his vision for a better U.S.–China relationship that might have changed history.

As football season kicks off, the thrill of the game is increasingly tied to the lure of sports betting. But for many—especially young men—that wager comes with a hidden price: addiction, debt, and damaged lives. In this Forum, leaders from Stop Predatory Gambling and an SMU business professor reveal the true cost of legalized sports betting.