News Team

  • Our team…

  • John Summers is an award-winning longtime veteran of broadcast journalism, proudly serving as the News Radio KKOB News Director, overseeing the on-air and digital news product. Summers was, before landing in ABQ, the Brand Manager and News Director for Saga NewsTalk WHCU-AM & FM/Ithaca, NY. Prior to that, he was Regional Brand Manager and News Director for KPQ-AM and KKWN-FM in Wenatchee, as well as KONA-AM in Tri-Cities, Washington. Summers’ radio ‘tour of duty’ shows a long list of both on-air and voiceover activities at various Los Angeles broadcast facilities, as well as Riverside/San Bernardino, Palm Springs, Dallas, New Orleans, Topeka, Chattanooga, Augusta, Little Rock and Reno. This includes the CBS/Westwood One Radio Networks, Fox Sports Network, and the Kansas Information Network. John’s married to his college sweetheart, Dana. They enjoy all kinds of outdoor activities, globetrotting, astronomy, New Zealand rugby, American football, scuba diving, ice hockey, rodeo, and Aussie Rules Football. John and Dana lived out their Polynesian dream in the South Pacific islands of American Samoa, 2001 to 2005, as co-owners and operators of TV and radio stations. John loves to teach and is an adjunct professor having taught mass media, communications and journalism courses over the years at three universities. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Communications and work on a master’s degree in National Security Studies from Cal State-San Bernardino.

  • Haylee Gonzales is an Albuquerque native with family roots dating back to the 1600s in the Rio Grande Valley. She attended Fort Lewis College in Durango, Colorado for her undergraduate degree and Newcastle University in northern England for her masters. Once graduating from the International Multimedia Journalism program, she took a work fellowship with BBC World Service in London, producing for the program “BBC Minute”. In 2017, she returned home to Albuquerque to be closer to family. Haylee then worked as a producer and reporter for Albuquerque’s CBS affiliate before joining the News Radio KKOB team in March of 2021. She enjoys camping, cooking, and won’t ever turn down the opportunity to two-step. Haylee’s passionate about explanatory journalism that keeps New Mexicans up to date on the things that matter to them most. 

  • Mike Gaba joined the KKOB News Team in 2015 and anchors the award-winning PM news on KKOB radio. Gaba enjoys spending his time hiking and exploring National Parks. His witty interactions with hosts can be heard weekdays from 1pm-6:30pm

     

Santa Fe National Forest Town Hall

Santa Fe National Forest Town Hall

Albuquerque, NM (KKOB) — Chairwoman of the Santa Fe County Board of County Commissioners Anna Hansen and the Santa Fe National Forest are jointly hosting a Town Hall in Santa Fe, June 8th, 6:30 p.m., at the Santa Fe Community College. The purpose is to provide information on the ‘Santa Fe Mountains Landscape Resiliency Project’…MORE

Historic school turns 100

Historic school turns 100

Albuquerque, NM (KKOB) — Reginald Chavez Elementary School was founded in 1920, but Covid postponed the 100th anniversary celebration. Since the schools opening, it’s earned some national recognition for its academic achievements and cultural traditions. Principal Linda Torres says, “this school has a long history and heritage of being a community school that is established…MORE

Addressing the feeding of wild horses

Addressing the feeding of wild horses

Albuquerque, NM (KKOB) — The Sandoval County Commission Wednesday night addressed the issue of wild horses within its boundaries. An ordinance passed makes it illegal for residents to feed the horses, along with a resolution which established a permitting process for third parties to feed the horses safely, with only nonprofit organizations eligible for the…MORE

ABQ BioPark loses Koluk

ABQ BioPark loses Koluk

Albuquerque, NM (KKOB) — Sad news from the ABQ BioPark with their announcement of the death of the zoo’s 26-year-old polar bear Koluk. The big white bear was diagnosed with heart disease in 2019 and was taking daily medication. The animal care staff reports that in recent days, he hadsuffered from a lack of appetite,…MORE

NM Jazz Workshop kicks off 32nd summer concert series

NM Jazz Workshop kicks off 32nd summer concert series

Albuquerque, NM (KKOB) — New Mexico Jazz Workshop has announced its return for the 32nd summer concert series “Music Under the Stars.” In Partnership with New Mexico Arts, Albuquerque Museum, the City of Albuquerque, and Melloy Nissan, the New Mexico Jazz Workshop has gathered some of the leading musicians to play in a 16-night concert series…MORE

Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad opens 2023 season 

Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad opens 2023 season 

Chama, NM (KKOB) — All aboard for the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad (C&TSRR)’s 2023 season! The historic stream railroad opens its season with      sold out Memorial Day Weekend departures. The Railroad’s early ticket sales have been record-setting, surpassing pre-pandemic levels.  “If you want to get onboard the nation’s longest, highest and most authentic steam railroad this…MORE

Construction to begin on North Valley Aquatics Renovation

Construction to begin on North Valley Aquatics Renovation

Bernalillo County, NM (KKOB) — A project to bring a full aquatic center to the North Valley is moving past planning and design into construction. The North Valley Aquatics Renovation Project will take place at the Raymond G. Sanchez Community Center, at 9800 Fourth Street NW, the current location of the Alameda Splash Pad. It…MORE

Governor creates state’s first Office of Special Education

Governor creates state’s first Office of Special Education

Albuquerque, NM (KKOB) — Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham Thursday created the Office of Special Education through executive order, the first dedicated office of its kind in New Mexico. The governor also announced that a national search is underway for the director of the new office. The Office of Special Education will operate within the Public…MORE

APD SWAT arrests man who fled from police at West Side school

APD SWAT arrests man who fled from police at West Side school

Albuquerque, NM (KKOB) — APD SWAT officers arrested 41-year-old Thomas Howell after a SWAT stand-off at a West Side home. An APD school resource officer initially contacted Howell at 11:20 a.m. today at Chamiza Elementary School, located at 5401 Homestead Cir., N.W. The officer responded to reports that Howell was acting suspicious. Howell was also…MORE

New Mexico Wine Festival

New Mexico Wine Festival

Albuquerque, NM (KKOB) — The annual New Mexico Wine Festival in Albuquerque has grown to become one of the largest wine festivals in the southwest, consistently attracting over 12,000 guests each year. At this years event attendees will be able to sample over 200 wines from New Mexico’s finest wineries. Guests will be able to…MORE