Tristan Ahtone
Poverty and Public Health ReporterTristan Ahtone is a member of the Kiowa Tribe of Oklahoma. He’s also German and English and a few other dashes of European (just to make things more interesting). Before becoming a reporter, Tristan held a number of exciting jobs, such as door-to-door salesman, delivery driver, telemarketer, secretary, janitor, busboy, and office clerk to name a few. In 2006, Tristan graduated from the Institute of American Indian Arts with a bachelors degree in Creative Writing. In 2008, he received a masters degree in broadcast journalism from the Columbia School of Journalism. Since 2008, Tristan has specialized in covering Native American, environmental and healthcare issues, and has worked with The Newshour with Jim Lehrer, National Native News, Frontline, Indian Country Today, Sirius Satellite Radio and NPR. Before moving to the southwest, Tristan worked as Morning Edition Host and Reporter for Wyoming Public Radio. He currently serves as KUNM's Poverty and Public Health Reporter.
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Chris Deschene's run for president of the Navajo Nation has been challenged because he's not fluent in the Navajo language. The dispute highlights a split among Native Americans over language issues. -
According to the American Lung Association, New Mexico, Arizona, California, Nevada and Texas all received Fs for their tobacco prevention efforts. That’s primarily because the states aren’t spending amounts recommended by the Centers for Disease Control. -
Human trafficking is a growing problem in the Southwestern United States, and the black market trade is expanding in New Mexico.
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More than 300 people in 37 states have been infected by salmonella, many of which were children. -
The worst drought in decades and mounting costs have driven New Mexico's agriculture industry to search for ways to stay profitable. However, the state’s ag producers may be cutting costs through questionable pay practices. -
"The Lone Ranger" starring Johnny Depp as Tonto premiered this weekend. His portrayal, complete with broken English, has stirred controversy.
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- Special Primary Election 2025: The race for San Diego County District 1 Supervisor
- Hundreds march in downtown San Diego, demanding fired EPA employees be rehired
- Former Navy SEALs say they're making marine conservation cool