It's been while since we checked the ratings for ABQ's top radio stations so let's take a look at the December Nielsen book:

Coming in at #1 is 94 Rock (KZRR-FM) with a strong 5.8 share. Second place is held by Top 40 station KKSS-FM with a 5.4; #3 belongs to talker KKOB-AM-FM with a 4.7; Fourth place belongs to country station KBQI-FM with a 4.6; Classic hits station KABG-FM takes fifth with a 4.6 share and it's public radio station KANW 89.1 FM (where we do Election Night results) in sixth with a 4.1 share.

The ratings are for the 6 a.m. to Midnight time frame and measure listeners 12 and older.

In another notable radio note, after nearly 100 years of broadcasting New Mexicans will no longer hear an announcer intone: "This is 770 KKOB-AM." The 50,000 watt station isn't going off the air but will no longer be promoted because so much of the audience has moved to the FM band.

KKOB is also broadcasting at 96.3 FM which is heard in ABQ/Santa Fe. Cumulus, the station's owner, wants to move all of the audience to the FM frequency and away from the fading AM band.

KKOB-AM traces its roots to Las Cruces where it began broadcasting in 1922. It is heard in 17 states at night and is one of the original high power AM stations in the nation. But time and tastes change--even after nearly a century.

MEAN STREETS

We quoted retired undercover DEA agent Michael Vigil Monday as saying ABQ has mean streets. Readers responded, including Caleb Gluck:

Combined with rampant and highly dangerous tailgating, red light and stop sign-running and speeding, these have indeed become very "mean" streets.

COUNCILOR TO BE

If you live in ABQ City Council District 1there's still a couple of days left to kickstart your political career:

Mayor Keller is accepting applications for the District 1 City Council seat, a first step in filling the seat held by Councilor Ken Sanchez for over 14 years. Those interested in applying must fill out an application on the City website here. The deadline to apply is February 1.

COLA CAPPING

A proposal that would reduce the cost of living adjustment (COLA) for New Mexico government retirees has caused a hue and cry among that group. But it's not that they are engulfed in greed. One of them points out that the annual 2 percent COLA that retires get from the Public Employee Retirement Association (PERA) is quickly eaten up by health care costs:

Yes, inflation is low, except when you factor in health insurance. For PERA retirees it goes up almost 8% yearly (capped by statute) and that is for the retiree only. The spouse and children are not capped. For my wife and me health insurance costs us (non-Medicare plan) almost $10,000 per year with vision and dental. This 25 year plan to make PERA 100 percent solvent is insane. It will not fix anything and it will drive PERA into deeper problems. It will also get a number of senators and representatives un-elected come November.

Not surprisingly the Wall-Leaners say the PERA reform plan, backed by MLG, is in trouble. That's partly because all legislators are up for re-election this year and retirees are very, very likely voters.

ROUNDHOUSE ACTION

The Senate Public Affairs Committee was the center of Roundhouse action Tuesday, with the committee voting on party lines (R's in the minority) to approve legalized recreational marijuana and a Red Flag law. The marijuana bill looks problematic going forward, based on public statements from a number of Senators.

New Senate Judiciary Committee Joe Cervantes says he will now seek a compromise on Red Flag. Thirty of 33 NM county sheriffs oppose the law. If he can come up with a bill that passes the Senate, his new nickname might be "Joe the Magician."

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(c)NM POLITICS WITH JOE MONAHAN 2020