New Mexico in Focus (A Production of NMPBS): Recent Episodes
Kevin McDonald
NEW MEXICO IN FOCUS is New Mexico PBS' prime-time news magazine show covering the events, issues, and people that are shaping life in New Mexico and the Southwest.
Hosted by Gene Grant, NEW MEXICO IN FOCUS takes a multi-layered look at social, political, economic, health, education and arts issues and explores them in-depth, with a critical eye to give them context beyond the "news of the moment."
Lou DiVizio opens the podcast this week with headlines from across the state, including news Santa Ana Pueblo is taking back 60,000 acres of ancestral lands.
Then, Lou sits down with a group of leaders in New Mexico's Black community to ask about the importance of celebrating Juneteenth.
In the first of three conversations, Senior Producer Lou DiVizio asks Joe and Rita Powdrell about the roots of Juneteenth celebrations in New Mexico.
Then, Ron Wallace talks about his work covering Black communities at the magazine he founded, The Perspective, before Rev. Dr. Charles E. Becknell tells Lou about the importance of protecting Juneteenth festivities from becoming commercialized.
In their final discussion, Tim Green IV and Marsha K. Hardeman reflect on how younger generations can help preserve the historical and cultural significance of Juneteenth.
Segments:
Celebrating Juneteenth in NM
Correspondent:
Lou DiVizio
Guests:
Joe Powdrell, Director, Juneteenth Albuquerque 1976-1989
Rita Powdrell, President, African American Museum and Cultural Center of NM
Marsha K. Hardeman, Professor, Africana Studies, University of New Mexico
Rev. Dr. Charles E. Becknell, Sr., Pastor Emeritus of Emmanuel Baptist Church, Rio Rancho
How Juneteenth Brings Generations of Black New Mexicans Together
Correspondent:
Lou DiVizio
Guests:
Marsha K. Hardeman, Professor, Africana Studies, University of New Mexico
Rev. Dr. Charles E. Becknell, Sr., Pastor Emeritus of Emmanuel Baptist Church, Rio Rancho
Ron Wallace, Publisher, 'The Perspective'
Tim Green IV, Culture Change Leader, City of Albuquerque
Preserving the History and Culture of Juneteenth
Correspondent:
Lou DiVizio
Guests:
Joe Powdrell, Director, Juneteenth Albuquerque 1976-1989
Rita Powdrell, President, African American Museum and Cultural Center of NM
Marsha K. Hardeman, Professor, Africana Studies, University of New Mexico
Tim Green IV, Culture Change Leader, City of Albuquerque
For More Information:
Our Land: Ancestral Connections - NMPBS
Heinrich introduces a bill to help tribes better manage buffalo herds - Source NM
‘Community Juneteenth 2024’ - Black Chamber of Commerce New Mexico
History of Juneteenth (Video) - UNM African American Student Services
Juneteenth in New Mexico – Maxwell Museum of Anthropology
Let’s Talk about Juneteenth in New Mexico - KUNM
Juneteenth – National Museum of African American History & Culture
Celebrating Juneteenth in New Mexico – NMPBS (2023)
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This week on the podcast, Lou DiVizio updates the status of the federal Radiation Exposure Compensation Act which came to an end late last week.
Then, Source New Mexico reporter Danielle Prokop asks U.S. Sen. Ben Ray Luján, D-N.M., about his efforts to expand the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act to cover New Mexico.
For context on the efforts to extend and expand RECA, we included a 2021 interview between Russell Contreras and Tina Cordova from the Tularosa Basin Downwinders Consortium. Cordova has been fighting for compensation for New Mexicans for decades.
Finally on the show, we break down last week's primary elections with Dr. Timothy Krebs, chair of UNM's Political Science Department. Lou DiVizio asks Krebs to consider why two high-profile district attorney races went well for the incumbents, and whether big wins for progressive Democrats will shape the governor's approach to her policy agenda.
Host: Lou DiVizio
Segments:
Sen. Ben Ray Luján on Expanding RECA
Correspondent: Danielle Prokop
Guest: Sen. Ben Ray Luján, D-NM
Tularosa Downwinders Try Again (2021)
Correspondent: Russell Contreras
Guest: Tina Cordova, Tularosa Basin Downwinders Consortium
NM Primary 2024 Election Results
Correspondent: Lou DiVizio
Guest: Dr. Timothy Krebs, Chair, UNM Department of Political Science
For More Information:
Time’s run out for the Radiation Exposure and Compensation Act - Source NM
RECA faces sunset June 10 while its future remains in limbo – Source New Mexico
New Mexican voters pick new blood to represent them in Santa Fe – Source New Mexico
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Lou DiVizio returns to the podcast with a breakdown of Tuesday's primary election in New Mexico.
Then, Source New Mexico Editor Shaun Griswold speaks with state Indian Affairs Secretary Josett Monette about the cap removal at Farmington High that sparked local and national outrage. Monette shares her reaction to the viral video, the sacred significance of the student's hat and what the state's Indian Affairs Department can do to help prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future.
And The Paper.'s Andy Lyman speaks with Albuquerque icon Don Schrader about his life, why he forgives the person who struck him in a hit-and-run last summer, and his hopes for the future of his city.
Host: Lou DiVizio
Segments:
Farmington High School Cap Removal Sparks Controversy
Correspondent: Shaun Griswold
Guest: Josett Monette, Secretary, New Mexico Indian Affairs Department
The World According to Don Schrader
Correspondent: Andy Lyman
Guest: Don Schrader
For More Information:
Analyzing the State Legislature Seats Up for Grabs this Fall - New Mexico in Focus (March 29)
Navajo leaders outraged after a Lakota student’s tribal regalia was removed at graduation – Source New Mexico
Don de Albuquerque – The Paper.
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On the podcast this week, Source New Mexico Editor Shaun Griswold hosts a two-part roundtable discussion on the pro-Palestine protests taking place at the University of New Mexico and college campuses around the nation. In the first half of their conversation, Shaun asks what legal rights students have to protest at the Duck Pond and at the Student Union Building. Later, the table considers why younger people have rallied around this issue. Then, Executive Producer Jeff Proctor speaks with Sophie Leah of Jewish Voice for Peace and asks why her organization wants UNM to divest from Israel.
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On this week's podcast, KUNM News Director Megan Kamerick sits down for a two-part discussion on Daymon Ely’s proposed plan to address homelessness in Albuquerque. Then, James Freeman, a person who once lived on the streets of Albuquerque and is now a director at HopeWorks, gives his thoughts on the proposal. Plus, homeless advocate and attorney Peter Cubra walks us through the constitutional rights of unhoused people and breaks down how a pending U.S. Supreme Court ruling could change the way New Mexico polices them.
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Executive Producer Jeff Proctor talks to Source New Mexico Editor Shaun Griswold and freelance reporter Justin Horwath about how voters could reshape the state's Democratic Party during this summer's primary elections. Plus, Gabrielle Uballez, the new executive director of New Mexico Voices for Children, talks to correspondent Russell Contreras about her work searching for new solutions to child poverty and why she wanted to take the issue on.
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On the podcast this week, Our Land’s Laura Paskus sits down for a two-part discussion with Arturo Sandoval, one of the organizers of the first Earth Day in 1970. In the first half of their conversation, Sandoval tells us about his role in putting together the first event and takes a step back to look at how it has since changed. Later, the two talk broadly about the concept of colonization, how it has defined the world around us and observe how it is intertwined within capitalism.
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This week on New Mexico in Focus, Our Land’s Laura Paskus sits down with a special roundtable to discuss all things food — why it costs so much, why so much of it gets thrown away and the social justice issues associated with access. Laura begins by asking the group why more than 100,000 tons of food is wasted each year in Albuquerque. Then, the roundtable discusses possible solutions to food waste, considering everything from smaller serving sizes at restaurants to composting expired produce at home. Laura steps back for the final segment and explores how food waste has taken a toll on our planet and how fixing that problem is essential in our attempt to address climate change.
Correspondent:
Laura Paskus
Guests:
Sandra West, sustainable waste specialist, City of Albuquerque
Amanda Rich, assistant director, Three Sisters Kitchen
Anton Becker-Stumpf, Southwest Organizing Project
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Albuquerque Journal sportswriter Geoff Grammer stops by to chat with Lou and look back at this year's Lobo basketball season, as the men's team made the NCAA tournament for the first time in a decade.
Looking Back at the 2023-24 Lobos Men’s Basketball Season
Correspondent:
Lou DiVizio
Guest:
Geoff Grammer, sportswriter, Albuquerque Journal
For More Information:
https://twitter.com/GeoffGrammer
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This week on the podcast, Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham tells us why she wants to call a special session centered on public safety. Senior Producer Lou DiVizio asks the governor why she thinks a special session is necessary and whether she has the votes to get what she wants passed.
Correspondent Gwyneth Doland looks further at the proposed special session, as she hosts a roundtable discussion with UNM political science professor Timothy Krebs and ACLU-NM Policing Policy Advocate Daniel Williams. Gwyneth asks the two about the governor's plan and the politics of public safety in New Mexico.
Segments:
Gov. Lujan Grisham Pushes Special Session on Public Safety
Correspondent:
Lou DiVizio
Guest:
Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham (D), New Mexico
The Politics of Public Safety in New Mexico
Correspondent:
Gwyneth Doland
Guests:
Timothy B. Krebs, professor and chair, UNM Political Science Department
Daniel Williams, policing policy advocate, ACLU-NM
For More Information:
Governor: Special session 80% likely on public safety measures – Santa Fe New Mexican
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Lou DiVizio introduces the show with some headlines from around the state.
Then, State Land Commissioner Stephanie Garcia Richard tells Lou why she chose to hold off on selling the state's most valuable oil and gas leases until officials lock in a higher royalty rate than the office is charging now. Reactions to her decision have been mixed and Lou asks the commissioner to respond to remarks from her critics and from the governor.
The Legislature is in for a big shakeup after the November election. There are currently 19 open legislative seats — 12 held by Republicans, and the other seven by Democrats. Former state senator Dede Feldman sits down with Lou to discuss just how competitive these races will be this fall.
Host: Lou DiVizio
Segments:
State Land Commissioner on Decision to Halt Lease Sales on Oil-Rich Land
Correspondent: Lou DiVizio
Guest: Stephanie Garcia Richard, NM State Land Commissioner
Analyzing the State Legislature Seats Up for Grabs this Fall
Correspondent: Lou DiVizio
Guest: Dede Feldman, Democratic Former NM State Senator
For More Information:
New Mexico halts some oil-field lease sales in standoff over royalty rates in Permian Basin – Associated Press
New Mexico GOP mulls next steps as House, Senate leaders announce exits – Santa Fe New Mexican
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Lou DiVizio opens the show with some headlines from around the state including news that after two years, a $10M state-supported abortion clinic in Las Cruces is stuck in its planning phase.
This week, U.S. Supreme Court justices heard arguments from attorneys representing New Mexico, Texas and Colorado, as the three states presented a plan that would resolve a decade-old water rights case. Source New Mexico reporter Danielle Prokop joins us from Washington, D.C. to ask how the high court's decision will impact how we share water from the lower Rio Grande for years to come.
A new study from the University of New Mexico reports dangerous working conditions in the oil and gas industry. Correspondent Elizabeth Miller speaks with Dr. Gabriel Sanchez, a study author and executive director at UNM's Center for Social Policy, to ask how the sector's workers might find new jobs in a clean-energy future.
Finally, this week on the show we look back at how the COVID-19 pandemic has shaped the last four years. Executive Producer Jeff Proctor sits down with Santa Fe-based public defender Jennifer Burrill and Michael Bird, former president of the American Public Health Association, to take stock of our state and country's handling of the pandemic — and where we are now. Then, Jeff asks Jennifer about her bout with Long COVID and the physical toll it has taken.
Supreme Court Hears Rio Grande Water Rights Case
Correspondent:
Lou DiVizio
Guest:
Danielle Prokop, reporter, Source New Mexico
UNM Study Finds Dangerous Working Conditions in Oil and Gas Industry
Correspondent:
Elizabeth Miller
Guest:
Dr. Gabriel Sanchez, professor and executive director, UNM Center for Social Policy
Long COVID in NM and the Pandemic’s Lasting Effects
Correspondent:
Jeff Proctor
Guests:
Jennifer Burrill, attorney, New Mexico Law Offices of the Public Defender
Michael Bird, former president, American Public Health Association
How COVID Has Shaped the Last Four Years in NM Correspondent:
Jeff Proctor Guests:
Jennifer Burrill, attorney, New Mexico Law Offices of the Public Defender
Michael Bird, former president, American Public Health Association
For More Information:
Viral Respiratory Infection Dashboard – New Mexico Department of Health
U.S. Supreme Court questions both positions in Rio Grande water case – Source New Mexico
Southeastern New Mexico Oil & Gas Workforce Study – UNM Center for Social Policy
New Mexico ranks high for long COVID-19 symptoms – KRQE
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This week on New Mexico in Focus, Executive Producer Jeff Proctor interviews U.S. Attorney Alexander Uballez about the federal investigation into alleged corruption at the Albuquerque Police Department's DWI unit. Uballez sheds some light on the process of the investigation and Proctor asks why the U.S. Attorney took the unusual step to confirm the investigation earlier this year in letters to the city's police chief and district attorney.
Host: Lou DiVizio
Correspondent: Jeff Proctor
Guest: Alexander Uballez, U.S. Attorney, District of New Mexico
For More Information:
Prominent attorney says he took DWI corruption allegations to FBI – Source New Mexico
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This week, Journalist Patrick Lohmann of Source New Mexico sits down with two survivors of the Hermit's Peak/Calf-Canyon Fire. In the first of two conversations, Lohmann asks both about the losses they have suffered and how they have helped neighbors in their community recover. Later, the pair speak on the lack of federal financial relief their community has received and why local leadership at FEMA needs to change.
Host: Lou DiVizio
Correspondent: Patrick Lohmann, Reporter, Source New Mexico
Guests:
Kayt Peck, Wildfire Survivor from Rociada, NM
Yolanda Cruz, Wildfire Survivor from Manuelitas, NM
For More Information:
Location & Hours for Claims Reimbursements – Federal Emergency Management Agency Website
They lost everything in New Mexico’s biggest wildfire - Source NM
Nosotros La Gente: Healing what’s broken - Las Vegas Optic
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Lou DiVizio opens the show with several developing headlines from around the state including an update on the city of Albuquerque's handling of homeless encampments since a court injunction last year mandating the city not remove encampments on public property.
Then, Journalist Elise Kaplan of City Desk Albuquerque asks legal malpractice attorney and former state representative Daymon Ely about the information he passed along to federal agents from potential victims of an alleged scheme to get drunk driving cases tossed out of court. Also, Ely comments on how the case has harmed public trust in the legal system.
Correspondent: Elise Kaplan
Guest: Daymon Ely, attorney, former state representative
For More Information:
Legislators Boost Their Retirement Pay - Albuquerque Journal
New Mexico AG joins lawsuit over possible Kroger, Albertson’s merger - KRQE
Cimarron High School bans backpacks and jackets - KOAT
Santa Fe County proposes plastic bag ban - Santa Fe New Mexican
Prominent attorney says he took DWI corruption allegations to FBI - City Desk Albuquerque
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Host Lou DiVizio leads off with headlines from around the state, including a U.S. appeals court decision striking down a moratorium on coal leasing from federal lands.
Executive Producer Jeff Proctor speaks to attorney Ahmad Assed and journalist Julia Goldberg about the ongoing trial of armorer Hannah Gutierrez-Reed and the pending trial of actor/producer Alec Baldwin, each charged with involuntary manslaughter in the deadly shooting of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins on the set of the film "Rust" in 2021. In their two-part discussion, the pair break down the charges, the politics and the potential industry impacts.
A bill to bring affirmative consent policies to public universities and colleges across the state is headed to the governor's desk after passing the Legislature last week. The 'Yes Means Yes' legislation would require higher education institutions to include materials and resources in student orientation packages. Senior Producer Lou DiVizio speaks with Democratic state Rep. Liz Thomson and advocate Alexandria Taylor about the bill and how consent education can help prevent sexual assault.
After winning a run-off election last fall, Albuquerque City Councilor Nichole Rogers began her tenure representing District 6 — the city's Southeast Heights — in January. This week, Senior Producer Lou DiVizio asks Rogers about her priorities for the district and what it means to her to be the first Black woman to serve on the council.
Hannah Gutierrez-Reed Trial, Pending Baldwin Trial & a Media Circus
Correspondent: Jeff Proctor
Guests:
Julia Goldberg, Senior Correspondent, Santa Fe Reporter
Ahmad Assed, Attorney
Bill Brings 'Yes Means Yes’ Policies to NM Higher Ed
Correspondent: Lou DiVizio
Guests:
Rep. Liz Thomson (D), Albuquerque
Alexandria Taylor, Executive Director, New Mexico Coalition of Sexual Assault Programs
New ABQ City Councilor Nichole Rogers on District 6 Priorities
Correspondent: Lou DiVizio
Guest: Nichole Rogers, Albuquerque City Council, District 6, Southeast Heights
For More Information:
Prosecution, defense paint different pictures in `Rust' arguments – Santa Fe New Mexican
Baldwin's lawyers push for earlier June trial date in 'Rust' case – Santa Fe New Mexican
Affirmative consent bill passes New Mexico Legislature after five attempts – Source New Mexico
Nichole Rogers wins runoff election, becomes first Black woman to serve on ABQ City Council - KUNM
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Lou DiVizio opens the show with headlines from around the state, including the potential the Governor could call for a special legislative session to address public safety concerns.
Correspondent Gwyneth Doland hosts a three-part discussion with two journalists recapping New Mexico's 2024 legislative session. Gwyneth asks Shaun Griswold, editor of Source New Mexico, and Trip Jennings, executive director of New Mexico In Depth, about the approved state budget, which public education and public health bills passed, and the environmental and public health bills that didn't pass in Santa Fe.
Immigration reform advocates were shocked earlier this month when the state Senate rejected an asylum seekers' detention bill. Sophia Genovese, an attorney with the New Mexico Immigrant Law Center, tells Executive Producer Jeff Proctor when she knew the bill's life would be cut short.
We head back to the Roundhouse one last time this session with Gwyneth, as she catches up with several lawmakers and policy advocates to talk about a wide range of influential issues, including a failed oil and gas regulation bill, increased funding for state roads and money set aside for health care.
Segments:
2024 Legislative Recap
Correspondent: Gwyneth Doland
Guests:
Trip Jennings, executive director, New Mexico In Depth
Shaun Griswold, editor, Source NM
Asylum Seekers Detention Bill Dies in Senate
Correspondent: Jeff Proctor
Guest:
Sophia Genovese, attorney, New Mexico Immigrant Law Center
2024 Legislature Recap: Health Care Bills & Funds for Roads
Correspondent: Gwyneth Doland
Guests:
Tannis Fox, attorney, Western Environmental Law Center
Rep. Jared Hembree (R), Roswell
Rep. Cathrynn Brown (R), Carlsbad
Rep. Jenifer Jones (R), Deming
Rep. Kathleen Cates (D), Rio Rancho
For More Information:
NM House sends state budget to gov for signature – KUNM
Nearly $750 million transportation project bill to fix NM’s roads clears Senate floor –KRQE
Affirmative consent bill passes New Mexico Legislature after five attempts – Source NM
Tribal education trust fund is dead, legislative sponsor says – Source NM
N.M. Senate narrowly rejects ban on immigrant detention, supporters warn abuses will carry on – Source NM
Capitol Recap: Lawmakers zoom through final efforts on last day of session – Albuquerque Journal
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Lou DiVizio opens the show with an update heading into the final week of the 2024 Legislative Session and shares some other headlines from around the state.
Then, Correspondent Gwyneth Doland catches up with elected officials in Santa Fe and speaks to Democratic state representatives Andrea Romero, G. Andrés Romero and Sen. Benny Shendo Jr., about alternative energy and school graduation bills.
Later, Lou sits down with Source New Mexico Editor Shaun Griswold and Republican former state representative Justine Fox-Young to discuss which bills have passed, which haven't and what still might get through the Roundhouse. First, the roundtable examines the fate of the governor's favored public safety bills. In the second half of their discussion, Lou asks why the governor's public education goals are receiving bipartisan pushback from lawmakers who represent small school districts.
For More Information:
HB 129 - Fire Arm Waiting Period
HB 171 - Graduation Requirements
SB 315 - Electric Vehicle Tax Credit
SB 316 - Advanced Energy Equipment Corporate Tax Credit
Bill Tracker - Source NM
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NMiF Senior Producer Lou DiVizio starts the week with a rundown of some of the top headlines in the state including state lawmakers advancing a bill to criminalize "fake electors" in future elections.
Then, Correspondent Gwyneth Doland speaks with Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham about the ongoing legislative session and asks how her favored bills are faring in the Roundhouse.
We turn our attention to a high-profile pretrial detention bill that died before reaching a full Senate or House vote. Lujan Grisham tells us that some version of the bill might find life again during this year's session.
Additionally, we break down support and opposition for the bill with District Attorney Sam Bregman state Sen. Peter Wirth.
Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham on 2024 Legislative Session
Correspondent: Gwyneth Doland
Guest: Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham (D), New Mexico
Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham on Pretrial Detention Bill
Correspondent: Gwyneth Doland
Guest: Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham (D), New Mexico
DA Sam Bregman on Supporting Pretrial Detention Bill
Correspondent: Lou DiVizio
Guest: Sam Bregman (D), District Attorney, Bernalillo County
Sen. Peter Wirth Disagrees with Pretrial Detention Bill
Correspondent: Gwyneth Doland
Guest: Sen. Peter Wirth (D), Majority Floor Leader
For More Information:
Pretrial detention bill favored by governor tabled in Senate committee – New Mexico Political Report
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This week on the podcast Lou DiVizio details some headlines from around the state, including a new report detailing continued failures at the state's Children Youth and Families Department.
Then, Lou sits down with Bernalillo County District Attorney Sam Bregman to discuss the federal investigation into possible corruption within the Albuquerque Police Department's DWI unit. Bregman responds to concerns from residents in a state that's been troubled by drunk drivers for decades.
Finally, we rejoin correspondent Gwyneth Doland at the Roundhouse. Legislation is slowly starting to move through the Capitol, as Democratic leaders get a handle on what from the governor's agenda could be viable in their chambers. This week, Gwyneth speaks with House Speaker Javier Martinez and Senate Majority Leader Peter Wirth for an update on the bills in front of them.
Host: Lou DiVizio
DA Sam Bregman on APD Federal Investigation
Correspondent:
Lou DiVizio
Guest:
Sam Bregman, District Attorney, Bernalillo County
State Democratic Leaders on Child Safety Bills, Balancing State Budget
Correspondent:
Gwyneth Doland
Guests:
Rep. Javier Martinez (D), House Speaker
Sen. Peter Wirth (D), Senate Majority Speaker
For More Information:
Four members of APD DWI unit added to DA’s list of untrustworthy officers - City Desk ABQ
Albuquerque police lieutenant, officers being investigated by FBI identified - Albuquerque Journal
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Lou DiVizio opens the pod this week with headlines from around the state, including reporting on a federal investigation that appears to allege corruption by Albuquerque Police officers and a prominent defense attorney in DWI cases.
Then, correspondent Gwyneth Doland sits down with two journalists for three discussions as the group previews this year's 30-day session.
Gwyneth also takes us inside the Roundhouse to ask state Republican minority party leadership, Sen. Gregory Baca and Rep. T. Ryan Lane, how they plan to move forward after hearing the governor's agenda for the state this year.
Host: Lou DiVizio
Correspondent: Gwyneth Doland
Guests:
Trip Jennings, Executive Director, New Mexico In Depth
Jessica Onsurez, News Director, Gannett
Gregory Baca, (R) NM Senate Minority Leader
T. Ryan Lane, (R) NM House Minority Leader
For More Information:
Gov. Lujan Grisham lays out big agenda for short session in State of the State speech – Santa Fe New Mexican
Republicans say Gov. Lujan Grisham's rosy State of the State speech ignores grimmer realities – Santa Fe New Mexican
New Mexico Battles to Clamp Down on Big Oil – Capitol & Main
N.M. governor, Senate GOP unveil public safety agendas – Source NM
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Senior Producer Lou DiVizio welcomes you to a new year at NMiF and looks ahead to the work you can expect on the pod in the coming weeks and months.
Then, Lou updates you on some state headlines, including the New Mexico Supreme Court hearing oral arguments in a challenge to Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham's public health order on guns.
We'll be back next week with a longer episode featuring the longform interviews you've come to expect from NMiF.
Host: Lou DiVizio
For More Information:
State Loses Millions in Federal Dollars Meant to Fund Outdoor Recreation Projects - New Mexico In Depth
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Lou DiVizio kicks off the show with some state headlines, including news the Governor's appointee for Secretary of the state Indian Affairs Department is stepping down.
Plus, Executive Producer Jeff Proctor speaks with two journalists, Lauren Villagran of USA Today and Omar Ornelas of the El Paso Times, about their yearlong investigation into a spike in migrant deaths along the U.S.-Mexico border.
Spike in Migrant Deaths on the Southern Border
Correspondent:
Jeff Proctor
Guests:
Lauren Villagran, border reporter, USA Today Network
Omar Ornelas, photojournalist, El Paso Times
For More Information: 'It's heartbreaking': Day after day, New Mexico investigator recovers migrant remains – El Paso Times
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This week on the podcast, Lou DiVizio updates some state headlines including a grand jury indictment of a Las Cruces Police Officer in the shooting of an unarmed black man accused of stealing a single can of beer from a gas station.
Last month, the New Mexico Supreme Court handed Republicans a defeat when the justices ruled that the state's redrawn congressional map was constitutional. The case began in early 2022, when the GOP filed a lawsuit alleging state Democrats drew new lines for District 2 in a way that weakened the voting power of residents, mostly in southern New Mexico. Last October, District Court Judge Fred Van Soelen found that Democrats intentionally tried to dilute Republican votes in District 2, but that those efforts did not "rise to the level of an egregious gerrymander." The Supreme Court agreed.
Host: Lou DiVizio
Correspondent: Nash Jones
Guests:
Dede Feldman, Democratic Former New Mexico State Senator
Justine Fox-Young, Republican Former New Mexico State Representative
Ed Chavez, Chair, Citizen Redistricting Committee
For More Information: NM Republican Party loses Supreme Court appeal over state congressional map – KUNM
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Lou DiVizio opens the show with some state headlines including news that a New Mexico State Police Sergeant is also implicated in an alleged multi-state machine gun scheme.
The state Public Education Department wants to expand school calendars, increasing the number of instructional days required for students statewide. This proposal comes months after the Legislature passed House Bill 130, which increased education funding, in large part to accommodate an increase in required instruction hours — bumping those up to 1,140. Those hours included professional development time for teachers. This new rule would change the measuring stick to days — increasing the mandate from 176 to 180 and requiring every one of those 1,140 hours be spent in the classroom with students.
Earlier this month, music teacher Kevin Darrow joined a number of Santa Fe public school teachers who spoke out against PED's change. In a solo interview with Senior Producer Lou DiVizio, Darrow says adding more time in the classroom is not the right answer to solve our state's education problems.
Then, Albuquerque Teachers Federation President Ellen Bernstein and state Rep. Joy Garratt, an Albuquerque Democrat and former teacher, continue the conversation in our studio. They’re concerned about the department’s proposed change. Lou asks the two what the disconnect is between the Public Education Department and a growing number of upset teachers, parents, elected officials and administrators.
Finally this week, New Mexico United CEO and President Peter Trevisani stops by our studio for a one-on-one interview. In partnership with alternative newsweekly 'The Paper.,' editor Andy Lyman asks Trevisani about the Albuquerque City Council's 7-2 vote this month approving a lease for a new soccer stadium for the team — which comes after voters denied the initial idea in 2021.
Segments:
Santa Fe Music Teacher Questions PED Calendar Change Proposal
Correspondent:
Lou DiVizio
Guest:
Kevin Darrow, music teacher, Wood Gormley Elementary School
State Rep., Teachers Union President on PED Calendar Change Proposal
Correspondent:
Lou DiVizio
Guests:
Rep. Joy Garratt, (D) District 29, Bernalillo County
Ellen Bernstein, President, Albuquerque Teachers Federation
NM United's Peter Trevisani on New Stadium Correspondent:
Andy Lyman, editor, The Paper. Guest:
Peter Trevisani, CEO and President, New Mexico United
For More Information:
Public Education Department Proposed Rule Changes
Teachers, lawmakers object to PED's proposed calendar rule change – Santa Fe New Mexican
Governor signs bill extending school learning hours – Santa Fe New Mexican
Albuquerque City Council approves New Mexico United stadium proposal at Balloon Fiesta Park – KOAT
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Lou DiVizio opens the show with headlines from around the state, including an update on the suspect accused of firing a shot Albuquerque's Coronado Center over the holiday weekend. This summer, Secretary of the U.S. Department of the Interior Deb Haaland (Laguna Pueblo) announced an order ending oil and gas leases on federal lands in a 10-mile radius around Chaco Culture National Historic Park. Correspondent Antonia Gonzales (Navajo) speaks with Haaland about her work and asks her to respond to activists who say the federal government isn't doing enough to protect the Greater Chaco landscape.
Then we discuss Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham's decision to quietly shut down the state's Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Relatives Task Force. In October, reporter Bella Davis (Yurok) broke that story at New Mexico In Depth. This week, she sits down in our studio with Darlene Gomez, a member of the disbanded task force, and Vangie Randall-Shorty (Diné), a mother whose son was murdered. Three years after his death, she's still waiting for answers from investigators.
Correspondent Antonia Gonzales (Navajo) continues the conversation in an interview with Jana Pfieffer (Diné), another former member of the task force, and Shereena Baker (Southern Ute & Karuk), an artist and advocate, and asks the two how they plan to continue that work on their own.
U.S. Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland
Correspondent:
Antonia Gonzales (Navajo)
Guest:
Deb Haaland (Laguna Pueblo), United States Secretary of the Interior
State Quietly Disbands MMIWR Task Force
Correspondent:
Bella Davis (Yurok)
Guests:
Vangie Randall-Shorty (Diné), mother of Zachariah Juwaun Shorty
Darlene Gomez, attorney, former member of the New Mexico MMIWR Task Force
Engaging Youth to Address MMIWR Crisis
Correspondent:
Antonia Gonzales (Navajo)
Guests:
Shereena Baker (Southern Ute & Karuk), UNM graduate assistant
Jana Pfieffer (Diné), former member of the New Mexico MMIWR Task Force
For More Information:
Protest derails planned celebration of 20-year ban on oil drilling near Chaco national park – Associated Press New Mexico pulls plug on missing and murdered Indigenous people task force – New Mexico In Depth Advocates call on the state to create a new MMIWR task force after shuttering the original – New Mexico In Depth Lawmakers gave the attorney general $1 million in 2022 to help find missing Indigenous people. The money hasn’t been spent - New Mexico in Depth
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Executive Producer Jeff Proctor speaks with Matthew Reisen from the Albuquerque Journal about a recent indictment alleging a multi-state machine gun scheme. It names but doesn’t charge former Bernalillo County Sheriff Manny Gonzales and former Laguna Pueblo Police Chief Rudy Mora. Reisen explains the indictment, including what both Gonzales and Mora are accused of doing to further the scheme.
Then, Jeff speaks with Dianne Layden, a member of the Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office Advisory Review Board, to understand why there aren’t any checks and balances in place to watch over sheriffs like Gonzales. Layden explains the role of the advisory board, why it was created and how the new sheriff has taken a more active role with the board.
Our Land’s Laura Paskus sat down with the New Mexico Environmental Law Center’s Eric Jantz to understand how two bills passed by the Albuquerque City Council will affect efforts by a South Valley community to protect itself from pollution. The two also talked about how industry and many lawmakers claim environmental regulations harm economic development—but how the history of environmental protections in the U.S. doesn’t support that claim.
Host:
Lou DiVizio
Segments:
NM Lawmen Mentioned in Machine Gun Scheme Indictment
Correspondent:
Jeff Proctor
Guest:
Matthew Reisen, staff writer, Albuquerque Journal
Exploring Oversight: NM Lawmen Mentioned in Machine Gun Scheme Indictment
Correspondent:
Jeff Proctor
Guest:
Dianne Layden, Bernalillo County Sheriff's Office Advisory & Review Board
Albuquerque City Council Targets Air Quality Rulemaking
Correspondent:
Laura Paskus
Guest:
Eric Jantz, legal director, New Mexico Environmental Law Center
For More Information:
Former BCSO sheriff, undersheriff named in cross-country machine gun scheme – Albuquerque Journal
BCSO sheriff unveils restricted gun inventory after predecessor named in alleged machine gun scheme – Albuquerque Journal
ABQ City Council approves controversial and sweeping changes to air quality control board – KUNM
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Lou DiVizio opens the podcast with headlines from around the state including background on a proposed 'mansion tax' Santa Fe voters will consider Tuesday.
The, Executive Producer Jeff Proctor interviews Albuquerque City Council President Pat Davis about delays in council’s handling of citizen oversight for APD. That’s as Mayor Tim Keller is pushing to transfer authority over the system away from the council. The mayor cites staffing woes, a lack of training for police oversight board members and other problems to justify his proposal. Councilor Davis responds and explains why he thinks citizen oversight should be independent from the city’s executive branch.
Over the past decade, former New Mexico Interstate Stream Commission director Norman Gaume has urged lawmakers to fund state water agencies and protect the water resources. Now, as president of New Mexico Water Advocates, he talks with Our Land’s Laura Paskus about the 2023 Water Security Planning Act, some of the serious problems around the state and the need for community-driven solutions.
Host: Lou DiVizio
Segments:
Policing the Police
Correspondent:
Jeff Proctor
Guest:
Pat Davis, president, Albuquerque City Council
New Mexico’s Water Solutions are Possible—but not Easy
Correspondent:
Laura Paskus
Guest:
Norman Gaume, NM Water Advocates
For More Information:
New Mexico Water Advocates
New Mexico Water Policy and Infrastructure Task Force Report (2022)
NM’s water challenges are ‘significant’ – Our Land
New Mexico Water Planning Program
"Bulletin 164 — Climate Change in New Mexico Over the Next 50 Years: Impacts on Water Resources” - New Mexico Tech's 2022 Report
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Lou DiVizio opens up the podcast with some headlines from around the state, including news from a federal indictment accusing former Bernalillo County Sheriff Manny Gonzales and former Laguna Pueblo Police Chief Rudy Mora's of helping to facilitate an illegal gun distribution scheme.
Then, Executive Producer Jeff Proctor hosts an in-depth, two-part conversation about police shootings in New Mexico. According to an analysis by Searchlight New Mexico, police shot 357 people statewide over the last 10 years — more than in any other U.S. state per capita during that period. Executive Producer Jeff Proctor asks a special roundtable why cops shoot so many people in New Mexico and whether failures at other levels of government too often leave life-and-death decision in the hands of the police. In the second part of their discussion, Jeff asks the group why legislators are advocating for the creation of a centralized, independent office to investigate and review police shootings cases. Plus, the roundtable considers what’s at stake for the potential criminal trial of Las Cruces police officer Brad Lunsford, the second cop in the state’s modern history to be charged in an on-duty fatal shooting.
Host: Lou DiVizio
Panel Host: Jeff Proctor
Guests:
Sharon Walton, Retired Bernalillo County Metropolitan Court Judge
Leon Howard, Deputy Director, American Civil Liberties Union of New Mexico
Joshua Bowling, Investigative Reporter, Searchlight New Mexico
For More Information:
Hundreds of police killings. Two prosecutions. No jail time. – Searchlight New Mexico
Charges filed against a New Mexico police officer for a fatal shooting — for the first time in nearly 10 years – Searchlight New Mexico
Listening to the Gila - Our Land
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Senior Producer Lou DiVizio opens the show with some headlines from around the state, including news that Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham has quietly shuttered the state's Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Relatives Task Force, as reported by Bella Davis at New Mexico In Depth.
Then, we turn our attention to three education issues we’ve been following closely in recent weeks and months, beginning with the state’s response to the court ruling in the seminal Yazzie-Martinez case. Senior Producer Lou DiVizio speaks with Public Education Secretary Dr. Arsenio Romero about the state’s position on Attorney General Raúl Torrez’s desire to take over litigation in the case and what progress his department has made to create a more equitable learning environment for all students in our state.
Chronic absenteeism has long been present in New Mexico’s rollcall of school problems. The rate ticked down in the most recently completed school year, but it’s more than doubled since 2019. KUNM’s Megan Kamerick hosts a special roundtable to talk about what the state is doing to get more students to show up to school and whether it’s effective.
COVID, remote learning, returning to school and concerns about safety are all major challenges that have snowballed for students in recent years. Executive Producer Jeff Proctor speaks with two school counselors about the unique hurdles students are confronting and how they’ve impacted their mental health and coursework.
Host: Lou DiVizio
Segments:
PED Cabinet Secretary on the State’s Response to Yazzie-Martinez Ruling
Correspondent: Lou DiVizio
Guest: Dr. Arsenio Romero, cabinet secretary, NM Public Education Department
Addressing Chronic Absenteeism in NM Schools
Correspondent: Megan Kamerick
Guests:
Leslie Kelly, behavioral health coordinator, NM Public Education Department
Teri Wimborne, director of collective impact, United Way of Central New Mexico
Estevan Gallegos, juvenile probation officer supervisor, CYFD
School Counselors Assess the Student Experience in 2023
Correspondent: Jeff Proctor
Guests:
Bryan Gabaldon, school counselor, Highland High School
Devon Shelton, school counselor, Alameda Elementary School
For More Information: New Mexico AG says he’s going after school discipline and Yazzie-Martinez to protect children – New Mexico In Depth
Millions of kids are missing weeks of school as attendance tanks across the US – The Associated Press Let's talk about the youth mental health crisis – KUNM
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Senior Producer Lou DiVizio opens the show with some headlines from around the state including a judge's recent decision on Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham's adjusted executive order restricting firearms in Bernalillo County.
Then, Lou speaks with two attorneys who are suing the City of Albuquerque on behalf of several unhouse clients. The lawsuit accuses the city of violating the Fourth and Eighth Amendments and due process protections for unhoused people by shuffling them from place to place and destroying their property. A state District Court judge issued an injunction in the case last month, barring the city from removing people from public property or taking their belongings. The City of Albuquerque has filed a request for a stay on the injunction with the state Supreme Court — as of Thursday's recording, the court has not decided if it will take up the case.
This spring, Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham signed House Bill 15 into law. It expands the age range for young immigrants eligible to access green cards, work permits and other benefits — if they can prove in court they had been abandoned, abused or neglected. Executive Producer Jeff Proctor speaks with two immigrant advocates about their work to get this bill passed through the Roundhouse.
Host: Lou DiVizioSegments:
Attorneys Say Albuquerque Violated Unhoused Clients’ Constitutional Rights
Correspondent: Lou DiVizio
Guests:
Adam Flores, civil rights lawyer
Martha Mulvany, civil rights lawyer
Special Immigrant Juvenile Status in NM
Correspondent: Jeff Proctor
Guests:
Jessica Martinez, attorney, New Mexico Immigrant Law Center
Jazmín Irazoqui-Ruiz, policy director, Bold Futures NM
For More Information:
Homeless man sues City of Albuquerque over Coronado Park removal – KRQE
Injunction filed against city of Albuquerque for removal of homeless personal property – KRQE New Mexico law allows migrant children under 21 to obtain residency – KFOX
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Lou DiVizio opens the show with some of the headlines from around the state, including a ruling from Judge Fred Van Soelen in a redistricting lawsuit filed by the Republican Party of New Mexico and seven individuals.
A 23-year-old man wearing a "Make America Great Again" hat is accused of shooting Native American activist Jacob Johns during a prayer event last week in Española, where local officials were planning to reinstall a statue of Spanish conquistador and war criminal Juan de Oñate. Ryan David Martinez is charged with first-degree attempted murder, as well as a fourth-degree felony count of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. New Mexico in Focus correspondent Antonia Gonzales speaks with two indigenous community leaders about the shooting and the violent history surrounding colonial monuments like the Oñate statue.
Then, we introduce KUNM reporter and first-time New Mexico in Focus correspondent Nash Jones. They host a special roundtable to discuss why government agencies continue to struggle with hiring and retaining employees in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.
In the first of two conversations, Jones asks the panelists to identify the scope of the employment problem and detail what it's like to work at hollowed-out agencies throughout New Mexico.
In their second discussion, Nash asks the roundtable how residents are impacted by the short-staffed public sector and how government agencies can best compete against the private market.
Host: Lou DiVizio
Indigenous Community Leaders React to Española Shooting at Planned Oñate Statue Site
Correspondent:
Antonia Gonzales
Guests:
Janene Yazzie (Diné), Southwest Regional Director, NDN Collective
Nathana Bird (Ohkay Owingeh and Kewa Pueblo), community member
Public Employees Shortage in New Mexico
Correspondent:
Nash Jones
Guests:
Dylan Lange, acting director, New Mexico State Personnel Office
Casey Padilla, president, American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) Council 18: New Mexico and Colorado
Sarita Nair, secretary, New Mexico Department of Workforce Solutions
Searching for Solutions to Staffing Problems in NM State Agencies
Correspondent:
Nash Jones
Guests:
Dylan Lange, acting director, New Mexico State Personnel Office
Casey Padilla, president, American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) Council 18: New Mexico and Colorado
Patricia Tafoya-Harris, acting director of Human Resources for the City of Albuquerque
For More Information: 1 injured, 1 arrested in shooting at protest regarding Oñate statue in Rio Arriba County – KOAT
Key Quarterly Performance Measures Report: Quarter 3, Fiscal Year 2023 – New Mexico State Personnel Office
State and Local Workforce 2023 Survey Findings – MissionSearch Research Institute
City of Albuquerque joins with union to plead for workers – KUNM
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Lou DiVizio opens the show with some headlines from around New Mexico, including an update on the arrest of a 23-year-old man in the shooting of a Native American man during a peaceful demonstration in Española.
This week on New Mexico in Focus, Attorney General Raúl Torrez explains two recent decisions involving education in our state. In partnership with New Mexico In Depth, Executive Director Trip Jennings asks Torrez about his intention to take over litigation in the Yazzie-Martinez case. Then, Jennings discusses a recent announcement from the attorney general that his office will investigate reported disproportionately harsh discipline at Gallup-McKinley County Schools. New Mexico In Depth’s Bryant Furlow broke the story last year, prompting Torrez to take a closer look.
Executive Producer Jeff Proctor moderates a special panel that reacts to both of those topics and digs deeper into some of the lingering questions around each. Jeff asks if the attorney general has the broad authority he’s asserting to take over the Yazzie-Martinez case and if there could be a political incentive for him to get involved. Then, Jeff and the panel explore New Mexico In Depth’s reporting on the disciplinary issues at Gallup-McKinley and how Torrez’s investigation could play out.
Host: Lou DiVizio
Correspondent: Trip Jennings, executive director, New Mexico In Depth
Guest: Raúl Torrez, (D) Attorney General, New Mexico
Panel Host: Jeff Proctor
Guests:
Trip Jennings, executive director, New Mexico In Depth
Regis Pecos, co-founder, Santa Fe Indian School Leadership Institute
Danielle Gonzales, senior fellow, One Generation Fund, APS board member
For More Information:
NM Attorney General seeks control over state response to Yazzie-Martinez – New Mexico In Depth
Does Not Equal: New Mexico faces a steep climb to make education more equitable – Santa Fe Reporter
Attorney General to Investigate School Discipline at Gallup McKinley Schools – New Mexico In Depth
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Lou DiVizio gives a rundown of some headlines from around the state to start the week, including an update on the arrest of three suspects in the shooting outside Isotopes park that killed an 11-year-old boy and paralyzed a 23-year-old woman.
Then, Our Land Senior Producer Laura Paskus hosts a roundtable conversation with U.S. Forest Service Southwestern Regional Forester Michiko Martin, Santa Fe National Forest Supervisor Shaun Sanchez, and Santa Fe National Forest Fuels Program Manager Dennis Carril. They talk about the Hermits Peak-Calf Canyon and Cerro Pelado fires, prescribed burn protocols, and the future of fire and forest management in a warming world. Host: Lou DiVizio
Panel Host: Laura Paskus
Guests:
Michiko Martin, U.S. Forest Service Southwestern Regional Forester
Shaun Sanchez, Santa Fe National Forest Supervisor
Dennis Carril, Santa Fe National Forest Fuels Program Manager
For More Information:
U.S. Forest Service’s National Prescribed Fire Resource Mobilization Strategy
U.S. Forest Service investigation of the Cerro Pelado Fire
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Lou DiVizio opens the show this week with some headlines from around the state, including information on a new lawsuit filed in the death of a Farmington man who was shot and killed by police responding to the wrong address.
Then, Jeff Proctor and a special panel addresses Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham’s executive order attempting to ban guns in public in Bernalillo County for 30 days. Last Wednesday, U.S. District Judge David Urias struck down part of the order, issuing a temporary restraining order, specifically blocking the ban on carrying firearms.
Host: Lou DiVizio
Panel Host: Jeff Proctor
Guests:
Tom Grover, attorney, former Albuquerque Police sergeant
Marisa Demarco, national editor, States Newsroom
Frank Davis, attorney
For More Information: New Mexico governor amends order suspending right to carry firearms to focus on parks, playgrounds - Associated PressFederal judge blocks governor's controversial gun ban – The Associated Press
Free Flow New Mexico - Seeking to End Period Poverty
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NMiF Senior Producer Lou DiVizio opens the show with headlines from around the state, including an update on the search for whoever shot and killed an 11-year-old in a road rage incident outside Isotopes Park. Plus, more information on the Governor's State of Emergency over gun violence.
Then, we remember Gov. Bill Richardson, who died in his sleep in September 1 at the age of 75. NMiF correspondent Russell Contreras hosts a special panel discussion about Richardson’s impact here in New Mexico, and more broadly on the national and international stages.
Finally, Lou speaks with Mike Loftin, CEO of Homewise Inc., who breaks down a proposal on the ballot for Santa Fe voters this fall that would tax homes over $1M, sending the revenue generated to the city's Affordable Housing Trust Fund. Lou also asks Loftin how the proposal could help balance the city’s housing market.
Host: Lou DiVizio
Panel Host: Russell Contreras
Guests:
Diane Denish, former Lt. Governor, Richardson Administration
Martha Burk, author, host of the podcast ‘Equal Time with Martha Burk’
Steve Terrell, retired reporter, Santa Fe New Mexican
Mike Loftin, CEO, Homewise Inc.
For More Information: Former New Mexico governor remembered as 'a great public servant' – Santa Fe New Mexican Bill Richardson, Champion of Americans Held Overseas, Dies at 75 - The New York TimesBill Richardson, a Former Governor and UN Ambassador who Worked to Free Detained Americans, Dies - Associated Press
Will high-end excise tax solve Santa Fe's housing woes? – Santa Fe New Mexican
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U.S. Attorney Alexander Uballez speaks with correspondent Russell Contreras in his first interview on NMPBS. Russell asks about Uballez’s background, his approach to the position, youth gun violence, the effectiveness of the Department of Justice's police reform efforts in Albuquerque and several initiatives his office is pursuing to expand services on the Navajo Nation.
Host: Lou DiVizio
Correspondent: Russell Contreras
Guest: Alexander Uballez, U.S. Attorney, District of New Mexico
For More Information:
US Attorney - District of New Mexico Albuquerque Community Safety gets $2 million for violence intervention – KRQE
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This year, the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission approved a 40-year license for a private company, Holtec International, to build a facility between Hobbs and Carlsbad that would store nuclear waste from power plants the company is decommissioning in states from New Jersey to California. New Mexico already stores transuranic waste from nuclear weapons production in the salt caverns at the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant or WIPP. This project would be different, and would eventually hold up to 10,000 canisters, with each canister holding 8,680 metric tons of spent nuclear fuel from commercial power plants. The New Mexico State Legislature passed Senate Bill 53 this year, which would prohibit state agencies from issuing permits, contracts or leases for the facility—unless the state approves the facility or the federal government moves forward with a permanent storage spot for the nation's commercial nuclear waste.
On this special episode of Our Land, we hear from John Heaton, a former New Mexico state representative who works with Holtec; Sen. Jeff Steinborn, the sponsor of Senate Bill 53; and Dr. Myrriah Gómez, a professor at the University of New Mexico and the author of "Nuclear Nuevo México: Colonialism and the Effects of the Nuclear Industrial Complex on Nuevomexicanos.”
Host: Lou DiVizio
Correspondent: Laura Paskus
Guests:
John Heaton, chair, Eddy-Lea Energy Alliance
Dr. Myrriah Gómez, author of "Nuclear Nuevo México."
Jeff Steinborn, (D) NM District 36 – Doña Ana County
For More Information:
Nuclear waste storage permit slated for September public meeting – Source NM
Nuclear Regulatory Commission Approves Nuclear Waste License in NM – Our Land
Concern Over Nuclear Disposal Plan – Our Land
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NMiF Senior Producer opens the show with some headlines from around the state to start your week, including a new report showing the pilot in a deadly 2021 hot air balloon crash had drugs in his system.
Then, Executive Producer Jeff Proctor talks with Trip Jennings, executive director of New Mexico In Depth, and Emma Green, program coordinator with the state’s Public Education Department, about a pilot program aimed at reducing student expulsions. Jeff asks how the plan takes a new approach to school discipline and is rooted in a philosophy called "restorative justice."
Finally, Jeff and senior producer Lou DiVizio talk about the future of New Mexico in Focus as the show moves forward following the departure of host Gene Grant.
Host: Lou DiVizio
Executive Producer: Jeff Proctor
Guests:
Trip Jennings, executive director, New Mexico In Depth
Emma Green, program coordinator, New Mexico Public Education Department
For More Information:
Growing number of NM schools pursue restorative justice to keep kids in schools – New Mexico In Depth
Native students are expelled in New Mexico far more than any other group. This school district is ground zero for the disparity. — New Mexico in Depth
Prevention, Response and Resiliency Program — NMPED
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This week's podcast is a bit of a sad one as we say goodbye to longtime host of New Mexico in Focus, Gene Grant.
Lou DiVizio opens the show talking about Gene's impact on the station and the community over his 18 years on the program. Gene’s thoughtful and balanced approach to issues of the day made NMiF go-to watching for a generation of viewers. About 27 minutes into the show, Gene speaks with KUNM Radio's Nash Jones about the impact he's made.
But before that, Lou runs through headlines from around the state, including information on a new federal lawsuit blaming the state's Children Youth and Families Department for a 7-year-old girl's death.
Then, New Mexico in Focus Correspondent Antonia Gonzales speaks with a Navajo anti-nuclear activist about the deadly, toxic legacy of nuclear testing in our state, and the pain and damage she feels was left out of the new film, 'Oppenheimer.'
Host: Lou DiVizio
Correspondent: Antonia Gonzales
Guest: Leona Morgan, anti-nuclear activist
Correspondent: Nash Jones, KUNM Radio
Guest: Gene Grant, former host of New Mexico in Focus
For More Information:
CYFD Blamed in Child's 2020 Death - The Albuquerque Journal
https://www.nuclearenergytv.com/Events/EESI-2019/VideoId/325/UseHtml5/True
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After the relatively wet years of the 1980s and ‘90s, New Mexico’s reservoirs started dropping in the 2000s. In cooperation with the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, two water districts — one in New Mexico and another in Texas — agreed in 2008 on new ways to share water stored in Elephant Butte Reservoir. But New Mexico’s then-attorney general, Gary King, sued the federal government, saying too much of New Mexico’s water was going to Texas. Texas disagreed and then sued New Mexico and Colorado, alleging that by allowing farmers to pump groundwater connected to the river, New Mexico wasn’t sending its fair share downstream. That landed all three states in the U.S. Supreme Court, where the federal government also weighed in on the issue. Now, the three states say they’ve come up with a plan to move forward, and although the federal government hasn’t agreed to the plan, federal Judge Michael Melloy, the case’s special master, has recommended the Supreme Court approve a settlement. To help us understand what’s going on, we invited water attorney Adrian Oglesby onto the show. He’s the director of the Utton Transboundary Resources Center at the University of New Mexico’s School of Law.
Correspondent: Laura Paskus
Guest: Adrian Oglesby, director, Utton Transboundary Resources Center, UNM School of Law
For More Information:
Judge OKs states’ plan to end Rio Grande dispute – Source NM
Texas v. New Mexico and Colorado – SCOTUSblog
Texas v. New Mexico and Colorado – New Mexico Attorney General website
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UNM Hospital is one week into a new partnership with the Metropolitan Detention Center. Executive Producer Jeff Proctor sits down with retired attorney Peter Cubra to talk about why this is a welcome change from private companies that have repeatedly failed to care for people who are locked up.
Correspondent: Jeff Proctor
Guest: Peter Cubra, retired attorney, founder of Advocacy, Inc.
For More Information:
UNM Hospital takes over as medical provider for the Metropolitan Detention Center–KRQE
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NMiF Senior Producer Lou DiVizio kicks off the week with some headlines from around the state, including news that some Hermit's Peak/Calf Canyon Fire victims could receive compensation as early as next week.
NMiF Host Gene Grant sits down with Source New Mexico reporter Patrick Lohmann to talk about prescribed burns and the announcement from the U.S. Forest Service that the Cerro Pelado Fire was caused by Forest Service action.
Then, Gene and The Line Opinion Panel discuss that report from the U.S. Forest Service. The group debates what this could mean for the future of prescribed burns in New Mexico and across the country, despite a new set of protocols released by the Forest Service after the Hermit's Peak/Calf Canyon Fire.
Host: Lou DiVizio
Correspondent: Gene Grant:
Guest: Patrick Lohmann, reporter, Source New Mexico
The Line Opinion Panel:
Paula Garcia, executive director, New Mexico Acequia Association
John Fleck, professor, water researcher at UNM's Utton Center
Elizabeth Miller, independent journalist
For More Information:
Forest Service improperly withholding fire records, attorney says – Albuquerque Journal
Navigating the Cerro Pelado Fire Rumor Mill – Our Land
Cerro Pelado Fire, plus: Rio Grande goes from rip-roaring to muddy & dry – Our Land
Forest Service report finds Cerro Pelado Fire sparked by agency prescribed burn – Santa Fe New Mexican
Forest Service makes changes to prescribed burning after Hermits Peak Calf Canyon Fire – KRQE
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Kirk Ellis has decades of experience in the film industry, working as a writer and producer and now, running his own production company. Gene Grant caught up with him to get his impressions on the film actors’ and writers’ strike. Ellis explains where labor and management stand and what it could take to reach an agreement.
Then, Gene and The Line Opinion Panel talks through the strike as film productions in New Mexico have been forced to shut down, like they have in Los Angeles and elsewhere. Gene asks if this labor dispute could set a precedent for creative industries moving forward.
Host: Lou DiVizio
Correspondent: Gene Grant
Guest: Kirk Ellis, film writer & producer, president of Shadow Catcher Productions
Line Host: Gene Grant
The Line Opinion Panel:
Dede Feldman, Democratic former NM state senator
Sophie Martin, attorney
Shaun Griswold, editor, Source New Mexico
For More Information: Albuquerque-produced TV series halted after crew stands in solidarity with writers – KRQE
Studios Allegedly Won’t End Strike Till Writers “Start Losing Their Apartments”– Vanity Fair
Bryan Cranston, Jessica Chastain join star-studded Times Square rally of striking actors and writers – KOB
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NMiF Senior Producer Lou DiVizio opens the show with some headlines from the early part of the week, including progress for a group of New Mexicans fighting to receive compensation for the devastating impacts of nuclear testing beginning during the Manhattan Project.
After the release of the film Oppenheimer, Gene Grant asks The Line Opinion Panel about the legacies of nuclear testing in New Mexico and whether the film should have included an examination of the devastating impacts of the scientists’ work here.
Tina Cordova is the founder of the Tularosa Basin Downwinders Consortium and has been working for years to earn recognition and compensation from the federal government for the deadly pollution that followed the Trinity test. New Mexico in Focus correspondent Russell Contreras interviews Cordova this week about being overlooked yet again in the new film, Oppenheimer.
Host: Lou DiVizio
Line Host: Gene Grant
The Line Opinion Panel:
Dede Feldman, Democratic former NM state senator
Sophie Martin, attorney
Shaun Griswold, editor, Source New Mexico
Correspondent: Russell Contreras
Guest: Tina Cordova, founder, Tularosa Basin Downwinders Consortium
For More Information:
'Oppenheimer' leaves out New Mexicans exposed to radiation from the Manhattan Project, despite local efforts to contact filmmakers – Business Insider
‘People have been dying ever since’: Anger mixes with hope for NM Downwinders – Source NM
Downwinder advocacy group to air advertisement ahead of some area 'Oppenheimer' showings – Santa Fe New Mexican
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NMiF Senior Producer Lou DiVizio opens the show with headlines from around the state, including perspective from a New Mexico community downwind from the nuclear testing site in the southern New Mexico desert, after the release of the Hollywood blockbuster 'Oppenheimer.'
Then, Lou catches up with Daniel Libit, an investigative and enterprise reporter for Sportico, who’s been following the criminal case against former UNM athletic director Paul Krebs. This interview was recorded Wednesday (7.19.23). A jury Friday found Paul Krebs not guilty on two felony counts of embezzlement. Lou asks why this case rose to the level of criminal charges when so many other collegiate scandals don’t. And the two discuss how this trial could impact the secretive nature within many universities.
Gene Grant discusses the recent $485 million jury award on behalf of an 8-year-old girl. The lawsuit, first filed in 2019, alleges a non-profit company called Familyworks, licensed by the state Children, Youth and Families Department, placed the girl in the care of Clarence Garcia, who allegedly raped her repeatedly. The lawsuit also alleges Familyworks knew about prior accusations of sexual assault against Garcia. Gene asks the panel how something like this was allowed to happen — and if the state should carry any responsibility.
A recent ruling from the New Mexico Supreme Court could set the stage for changes to political redistricting in the state. The justices weighed in on a lawsuit brought by the state Republican Party and others challenging the new congressional districts drawn by the Democrat-controlled state Legislature. But the decision could impact another case too — a lawsuit brought by the Navajo Nation, alleging San Juan County Commissioners packed Native American voters into a single district. New Mexico in Focus Correspondent Gwyneth Doland caught up with two people familiar with these cases to ask what impact the outcomes could have on future elections.
Host: Lou DiVizio
Segment 1:
Former UNM Athletic Director on Trial
Correspondent: Lou DiVizio
Guest:
Daniel Libit, investigative & enterprise reporter, Sportico
Segment 2: $485M Foster Care Abuse Jury Award
Correspondent: Gene Grant
Guests:
Ed Williams, Searchlight New Mexico
Carol Suzuki, professor of law, University of New Mexico
Merritt Allen, Vox Optima Public Relations
Segment 3:
Redistricting Lawsuits Move Forward After NM Supreme Court Decision
Correspondent: Gwyneth Doland
Guests:
Hannah Burling, project leader for Fair Districts NM, Co-Pres. of the League of Women Voters
Leonard Gorman, executive director, Navajo Nation Human Rights Commission
For More Information: Former University of New Mexico athletic director found not guilty of embezzlement charges - Associated Press
BOOSTER GOLF TRIP PUTS EX-COLLEGE AD ON TRIAL IN RARE PROSECUTION – Sportico
Foster child sexual assault results in $485 million jury award – Albuquerque Journal
Experts say girl awarded $485M in sex abuse suit likely to face long court fight – Santa Fe New Mexican
Trapped: Foster children are caught in a cycle of abuse – Searchlight New Mexico
Homeless Shelters Aren’t Equipped to Deal With New Mexico’s Most Troubled Foster Kids. Police See It for Themselves. – Searchlight New Mexico
These Foster Kids Need Mental Health Care. New Mexico Is Putting Them in Homeless Shelters. – Searchlight New Mexico
New Mexico Struggles to Follow Through on Promises to Reform Child Welfare System – Searchlight New Mexico
Ten-year-old foster child allegedly sexually assaulted by foster teen at CYFD office building in Albuquerque – Searchlight New Mexico
New Mexico Supreme Court says lower court can decide gerrymandering issue – KRQE
Lawsuit alleges San Juan County's new district map violates Voting Rights Act – Farmington Daily Times
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NMiF Senior Producer Lou DiVizio opens the show with some headlines from around the state including the deadly shooting of an Alamagordo Police Officer.
Gene Grant catches up with two prominent Black journalists in New Mexico to learn more about their contributions to the state’s news environment. Adolphe Pierre-Louis explains his role as a photojournalist and talks about the responsibilities news organizations have to cover stories in New Mexico’s Black communities. Ron Wallace gives some background on Perspective Magazine, a publication covering Black issues since 1984, and lays out why he thinks it’s been vital in telling positive stories impacting Black people in Albuquerque and the entire state.
Then, Gene sits down with three non-journalists to get their perspective on the news media in our state. Gene asks the group about what the industry is doing right and where it’s falling short, plus all three panelists share insight on the changing ways people consume news in 2023.
Host: Lou DiVizio
Panel Host: Gene Grant
Guests:
Ron Wallace, publisher, Perspective Magazine
Adolphe Pierre-Louis, photojournalist
Catherine McGill, founder & director, New Mexico Black Leadership Council
Almarina Sosa, UNM student
Maureen Sanders, attorney
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Gene Grant hosts two panel discussions featuring newsroom leaders in New Mexico.
First, a group of local journalists chats with Gene about the successes, shortcomings and challenges facing small-town news publications. One of the biggest factors in that equation is ownership, something this panel is uniquely qualified to discuss. Each of our three panelists represents a distinct business model prevalent today: locally-owned papers, corporate-ownership and nonprofit news.
Then, Gene chats with three other newsroom leaders who have a hand in shaping coverage around the state. The group also discusses ownership’s influence on staffing and coverage. Regardless, resources in the industry are much more limited than they were even just a decade ago. Gene asks if news organizations can still properly serve their audiences with so much less.
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In an interview you'll only find through NMPBS and New Mexico in Focus, Executive Producer Jeff Proctor talks with Albuquerque City Council President Pat Davis, who also now owns four newspapers in the state.
As the leader behind The Paper., the Edgewood Independent, the Sandoval Signpost and the Corrales Comment, Jeff asks Mr. Davis about media consolidation and the role of journalism more broadly in New Mexico.
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NMiF Senior Producer Lou DiVizio opens this week's episode by laying out a full slate of podcast offerings over the next couple of weeks as we continue our series analyzing our state's journalism ecosystem.
After that, Lou delivers a trio of state headlines including a decision from the New Mexico Supreme Court that impacts a pending redistricting lawsuit.
Then, it's Executive Producer Jeff Proctor's exclusive interview with the new executive editor at the Albuquerque Journal, Patrick Ethridge. Jeff asks about his career in journalism to this point and how that will shape his philosophy at the top of what has long been considered New Mexico’s “paper of record.”
Host: Lou DiVizio
Correspondent: Jeff Proctor
Guest: Patrick Ethridge, vice president, executive editor, The Albuquerque Journal
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Journalist Ed Williams has had his shovel out this past year, digging deep into our state’s troubled foster care system for nonprofit news outlets Searchlight New Mexico and ProPublica. Ed’s last handful of stories have revealed devastating abuses and entrenched systemic failures — with some of New Mexico’s most vulnerable kids bearing the brunt. The series has led to the beginnings of reform at the state Children, Youth and Families Department — and he’s far from finished reporting. This week, Senior Producer Laura Paskus asks Ed why this system is so broken, what it might take to turn things around and how he’s managed to keep digging amid so much trauma.
Correspondent: Laura Paskus
Guest: Ed Williams, Searchlight New Mexico
For More Information:
Trapped: Foster children are caught in a cycle of abuse – Searchlight New Mexico
Ed Williams - Searchlight New Mexico
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NMiF Senior Producer Lou DiVizio opens this week's episode with updates on some key headlines in New Mexico, including the Attorney General's decision to drop some of the charges against former UNM Athletic Director Paul Krebs. Plus, the U.S. Supreme Court rules against the Navajo Nation in a key water rights case.
Gene Grant and The Line Opinion Panel react to the 7-2 U.S. Supreme Court decision preserving a system that gives preference to Native Americans in adoption and foster care proceedings related to Native children.
NMIF Correspondent Antonia Gonzales is getting new reaction to the U.S. Interior Department's order to end oil and gas leases on federal lands in Chaco Culture National Historic Park and the 10-mile surrounding area. This week she speaks with a former Acoma Pueblo governor and current chair of the Chaco Heritage Tribal Association about the cultural significance of the park, and what the decision signals for the relationship between tribes and the federal government.
Finally, Gene and The Line Opinion Panel return to talk about the history of Juneteenth, how it became a holiday and its significance in New Mexico.
Host: Lou DiVizio
Line Host: Gene Grant
The Line Opinion Panel:
Dede Feldman, Democratic former New Mexico state Senator
Trip Jennings, executive director, New Mexico In Depth
Michael Bird, former president of the American Public Health Association
Correspondent: Antonia Gonzales
Guest: Brian Vallo, former Governor of Acoma Pueblo, chair Chaco Heritage Tribal Association
For More Information:
Supreme Court preserves law that aims to keep Native American children with tribal families – The Associated Press
SCOTUS ruling on ICWA a victory for welfare of Native American children – Source NM
Brackeen v. Haaland – Supreme Court decision
Biden orders 20-year ban on oil, gas drilling to protect tribal sites outside New Mexico’s Chaco – The Associated Press
Juneteenth: The History of a Holiday – The New York Times
More than half of states will recognize Juneteenth as an official public holiday in 2023 – Pew Research
Juneteenth Celebration of Black Memory and Black Freedom – Our Body Politic
Albuquerque's Juneteenth celebration showcases gospel music, praise – Albuquerque Journal
A beginner’s guide to celebrating Juneteenth – PBS News Hour
'Buffalo Soldiers: Fighting on Two Fronts': Plan Your Juneteenth Watch Party – WORLD
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This year marks the 30th anniversary of Pride celebrations in New Mexico’s capital city. Santa Fe is marking the occasion with a series of events that will eclipse any previous Pride festivities in the city. NMiF Senior Producer Lou DiVizio speaks with the executive director of the Santa Fe Human Rights Alliance, Kevin Bowen, to ask about what went into this year’s planning, and why New Mexico continues to be a welcoming place for the LGBTQ community.
Host: Lou DiVizio
Guest: Kevin Bowen, executive director, Santa Fe Human Rights Alliance
For More Information: Santa Fe Pride celebrates its 30th anniversary – KRQE
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NMiF Senior Producer introduces this week's episode with headlines from around the state including new developments in the deadly 'Rust' shooting case. Plus, republican state Senator Mark Moores of Albuquerque announces he won't run for re-election, and the state's Tax and Revenue Department says it will start distributing tax rebate payments as soon as June 21.
Then, Gene Grant and The Line Opinion Panel take over the show. Gene and our panelistsdiscuss the recent developments in the U.S. Interior Department’s decision to withdraw oil and gas leases from Chaco Park and the surrounding 10-mile area. Plus, the panel reacts to the protest that disrupted Interior Sec. Deb Haaland’s planned visit to the area.
Gene and The Line also talk through a planned policy change at Albuquerque Public Schools that would prevent prospective students with past expulsions or other disciplinary issues from enrolling in the district’s schools. Our panelists debate some of the concerns surrounding the policy, including the possibility that it could push more kids through the cracks and into the criminal justice system.
Finally, the panel takes a look at the state’s $500 million settlement with Walgreens over the pharmacy chain’s role in the opioid epidemic.
Host: Lou DiVizio
Line Host: Gene Grant
The Line Opinion Panel:
Martha Burk, political psychologist, author
Shaun Griswold, editor, Source New Mexico
Merritt Allen, Vox Optima Public Relations
For More Information:
Protest at Chaco Canyon deters event to celebrate new federal oil and gas leasing ban – Source NM
Protest derails planned celebration of 20-year ban on oil drilling near Chaco national park – The Associated Press
House panel investigates ties between Interior secretary, environmentalists – The Associated Press
Albuquerque Public Schools poised to deny enrollment based on past expulsions, behaviors – Albuquerque Journal
Native students are expelled in New Mexico far more than any other group. This school district is ground zero for the disparity. – New Mexico In Depth
APS funding has increased while enrollment continues to fall, evaluation finds – Albuquerque Journal
With Plunging Enrollment, a ‘Seismic Hit’ to Public Schools – The New York Times
The forces underlying the public school enrollment drop - Kappan
New Mexico settles opioid lawsuit with Walgreens for $500 million – Santa Fe New Mexican
Opioid settlement windfall starts trickling into local government coffers – Santa Fe New Mexican
Drug Overdose in New Mexico – New Mexico Department of Health
Relief Routes: With fentanyl deaths on the rise and opioid misuse rampant, does New Mexico have a solid plan to spend settlement cash? – Santa Fe Reporter
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Michelle Otero was the City of Albuquerque’s Poet Laureate from 2018 through 2020. This year, FlowerSong Press published her prose book, “Vessels: A Memoir of Borders.” In conversation with Our Land’s Laura Paskus she talks about the challenges and rewards of writing about family, trauma, and history.
Host: Laura Paskus
Guest: Michelle Otero, Author, “Vessels: A Memoir of Borders”
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NMPBS has a new executive producer for public affairs. Jeff Proctor has been entrenched in New Mexico journalism for decades. This week he sits down with Gene to introduce himself to New Mexico in Focus viewers, while revisiting some of his past work and laying out his vision for NMiF moving forward.
Correspondent: Gene Grant
Guest: Jeff Proctor, executive producer, NMPBS
Jeff Proctor - Santa Fe Reporter
Jeff Proctor - New Mexico In Depth
Jeff Proctor - Albuquerque Journal
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NMiF Senior Producer introduces the show and lays out some headlines from around the state — including the protest that pushed U.S. Interior Sec. Deb Haaland's planned visit to Chaco Park all the way to Albuquerque. Plus, Walgreens has announced a $500 settlement in an opioid lawsuit from the state. And an Legislative Finance Committee report projects even more revenue from oil and gas production than previously expected.
Gene Grant updates The Line Opinion Panel on the federal charges announced for failed Republican candidate Solomon Peña. Gene asks the group for context on the ongoing trend towards federalizing state crimes.
Gene also sits down with Red River Mayor Linda Calhoun to talk about last month’s shooting at the town’s Memorial Day Motorcycle Rally and what the future holds for the holiday event.
The Line Opinion Panel reconvenes when Gene asks how the shooting at Red River’s Memorial Day Motorcycle Rally will impact the future of motorcycle events throughout the state.
Plus, the panelists weigh in on the newly resurrected Governor’s Organized Crime Prevention Commission and ponder why the state is bringing back a 50-year-old program.
Host: Lou DiVizio
Line Host: Gene Grant
The Line Opinion Panel:
Joel Meyers, attorney, former federal prosecutor
Eric Griego, Democratic former NM state Senator
Dan McKay, staff writer, Albuquerque Journal
Guest: Linda Calhoun, (R) Mayor of Red River
For More Information:
Federal authorities charge Solomon Peña with election interference – Albuquerque Journal
Republican Ex-Candidate Faces Federal Charges Over Shootings – New York Times
Stung in Albuquerque: ATF descends on New Mexico’s largest city with questionable results – New Mexico In Depth
8 bikers shot, 3 dead during motorcycle rally in Red River – Albuquerque Journal
State police chief: Fight over a picture led to Red River shootings – Santa Fe New Mexican
Red River marshal, Taos County Sheriff's Office clash over Red River shooting response – Santa Fe New Mexican
FBI biker gang expert warns of more violence in wake of Red River shooting – Albuquerque Journal
Turf at center of biker gang conflict in N.M. – Albuquerque Journal
Lujan Grisham brings back commission to target organized crime in New Mexico – Albuquerque Journal
Governor announces renewal of commission to help state tackle organized crime – Santa Fe New Mexican
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NMiF Senior Producer Lou DiVizio introduces the podcast this week with headlines from around the state, including the federal government's decision to protect Chaco Canyon and a 10-mile buffer zone from mineral extraction.
Gene Grant and The Line Opinion Panel react to the mayor’s comments from our exclusive interview and to some of the larger themes from the state of the city address.
First, the group responds to Mayor Keller’s promises regarding the Gateway Center and his vision for growing the number of affordable housing units around the city.
The panel also discusses the work done so far by the Albuquerque Community Safety Department and the mayor’s plan to triangulate federal gun-free zones and enforce federal penalties across the city’s downtown area.
Gene the panel assess the feasibility and affordability of the economic development projects the mayor is planning. They also react to the mayor’s response to the Gladiators turf situation and question whether he intentionally misused city dollars.
Finally, the panelists look ahead to a City Council vote that could restructure power at the top of city government and they also grade the mayor's work through his six years in office.
Host: Lou DiVizio
Line Host: Gene Grant
The Line Opinion Panel:
Serge Martinez, professor, UNM School of Law
Lan Sena, former Albuquerque city councilor
Tom Grover, attorney, former Albuquerque police sergeant
For More Information:
Keller highlights gun violence, homelessness in State of the City address – Albuquerque Journal
State creates council to address lack of affordable housing amid surge in homeless population – Albuquerque Journal
City: Asbestos regulations not followed at Gateway Center – Albuquerque Journal
Duplexes and casitas in single-family neighborhoods? Here’s where Mayor Keller’s zoning proposals stand – Albuquerque Journal
Keller highlights gun violence, homelessness in State of the City address – Albuquerque Journal
Albuquerque police near full compliance in reform effort – Albuquerque Journal
2022 was another record-setting year for homicides in Albuquerque – KRQE
How Albuquerque officials misused tax dollars in turf scheme – KRQE
City of Albuquerque Announces Fiber Internet to Every Home and Business – City of Albuquerque
Could Albuquerque’s Balloon Fiesta Park be the new home for New Mexico United’s soccer stadium? – Albuquerque Journal
City councilors want a city manager — the mayor disagrees – KOAT
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In a special episode of the podcast, Gene Grant speaks with Albuquerque City Councilor Dan Lewis about Mayor Tim Keller's recent state of the city address. Councilor Lewis reacts to the Mayor's priorities for the next year and shares his own opinion on what should be done to address homelessness and bolster the city's economy.
Later this week on the podcast, The Line Opinion Panel reacts to the mayor's address and interview, providing analysis on some of Mayor Keller's key talking points.
Watch New Mexico in Focus, Friday nights at 7 p.m. on NMPBS.
Host: Lou DiVizio
Correspondent: Gene Grant
Guest: Dan Lewis, Albuquerque City Councilor - District 5
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NMiF senior producer Lou DiVizio sits down with Albuquerque Mayor Tim Keller for an exclusive, in-depth interview covering a variety of issues in the city, including homelessness, affordable housing and public safety. The mayor also responds to a question about his re-election plans as he rolls out several projects that will take years to complete.
Later this week on the podcast, Gene Grant speaks with Albuquerque City Councilor Dan Lewis for his reaction to Mayor Keller's State of the City address, and for the councilor's take on those same key issues.
Also this week, The Line Opinion Panel reacts to the mayor's address and interview, providing analysis on some of Mayor Keller's key talking points.
Watch New Mexico in Focus, Friday nights at 7 p.m. on NMPBS.
Host: Lou DiVizio
Guest: Tim Keller, (D) Mayor of Albuquerque
For More Information:
Keller highlights gun violence, homelessness in State of the City address – Albuquerque Journal
State creates council to address lack of affordable housing amid surge in homeless population – Albuquerque Journal
City: Asbestos regulations not followed at Gateway Center – Albuquerque Journal
Duplexes and casitas in single-family neighborhoods? Here’s where Mayor Keller’s zoning proposals stand – Albuquerque Journal
Keller highlights gun violence, homelessness in State of the City address – Albuquerque Journal
Albuquerque police near full compliance in reform effort – Albuquerque Journal
2022 was another record-setting year for homicides in Albuquerque – KRQE
How Albuquerque Officials Misused Tax Dollars in Turf Scheme - KRQE
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NMiF Senior Producer Lou DiVizio opens the show with headlines from around the state, including an update on the criticism surrounding New Mexico State University. According to reporting from the Las Cruces Sun-News, Athletic Director Mario Moccia is getting some support from area business owners and athletic boosters after Moccia signed a 5-year contract extension amid allegations of sexual harassment, assault and intimidation on the school's men's basketball team.
Gene Grant and The Line Opinion Panel take up three stories developing around the state. First, Gene asks the panelists if a new advisory council at the state’s Children Youth and Families Department has any chance to help solve the longstanding issues within the agency.
Then, Gene updates the back-and-forth over the proposed PNM-Avangrid merger as the state Supreme Court weighs whether to end the case or send it back to the Public Regulation Commission.
Plus, the panel addresses the latest on allegations of sexual harassment and assault in the ongoing scandal surrounding the New Mexico State University men’s basketball program. Host: Lou DiVizio
Line Host: Gene Grant
The Line Opinion Panel:
Justine Fox-Young, Republican former NM state Representative
Steve Terrell, retired reporter, Santa Fe New Mexican
Dede Feldman, Democratic former NM state Senator
For More Information:
Morning Word - Santa Fe ReporterBiden Plan Would Open Leases to Conservation, Not Just Drilling and Grazing - Associated Press
Enhancing Delivery of Services Steering Committee – New Mexico Children, Youth and Families Department
Foundation for Open Government statement on CYFD’s action to close special council meetings – New Mexico Foundation for Open Government
Attorneys and Advocates Issue Statements in Response to Kevin S. Settlement Co-Neutrals’ Report on Status of Implementation – Pegasus Law
CYFD policy advisory council begins work, even as questions persist about beleaguered agency’s core structure – Albuquerque Journal
PRC commissioner recuses himself from merger issue – Santa Fe New Mexican
New Mexico court denies challenge to PRC reforms – Albuquerque Journal
Public Regulation Commission stumbles into the new year – Source NM
PNM-Avangrid merger rejected by PRC – Albuquerque Journal
State Supreme Court holds PNM, Avangrid second chance at merger in the balance – Santa Fe New Mexican
PRC, utility lawyers had one-sided talks ahead of filing – Santa Fe New Mexican
PRC modifies position on public hearings for PNM-Avangrid merger – Albuquerque Journal
Allegations of misconduct surround proposed Avangrid-PNM merger – KRQE
At New Mexico St, a meltdown that runs beyond basketball – The Associated Press
Ex-NMSU basketball players say teammates targeted coaches – ESPN
New Mexico State AD Mario Moccia receives 5-year extension – The Associated Press
Governor will push for anti-hazing bill – Santa Fe New Mexican
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NMiF Senior Producer Lou DiVizio introduces the podcast this week with a roundup of headlines around the state. That includes the new ESPN report detailing the alleged hazing and sexual assaults that took place on the New Mexico State men's basketball team. Interior Secretary Deb Haaland announces $12.6 million for a desalination facility in Alamogordo meant to remove of 'forever chemicals' from area groundwater. And, the state's Children Youth and Families Department is facing criticism from a state lawmaker and the New Mexico Foundation for Open Government over a new advisory council that will be closed to the public. Gene Grant and The Line Opinion Panel discuss the ongoing fight to restrict access to reproductive healthcare in New Mexico. Gene asks why the town of Edgewood moved to pass an anti-abortion ordinance shortly after Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham signed a new law that prohibits municipalities from creating laws that restrict access.
Gene speaks with Sam Cobb, mayor of Hobbs, to discuss Cobb’s decision last fall to pass an ordinance that restricts abortion access to residents. Gene asks the mayor if lawmakers in Santa Fe are hearing concerns and alternative viewpoints from his city.
Then, Gene and The Line Opinion Panel reconvene to discuss the statewide anti-abortion movement and consider the local impact of out-of-state activists on smaller, Republican-leaning communities across New Mexico.
Finally, NMiF correspondent Gwyneth Doland talks with civil rights attorney Laura Schauer Ives about how local anti-abortion court cases could impact people nationwide.
Host: Lou DiVizio
The Line Host: Gene Grant
The Line Opinion Panel:
Elise Kaplan, investigative reporter, Albuquerque Journal
H. Diane Snyder, former NM Republican state Senator
Martha Burk, political psychologist and author
Guests:
Sam Cobb, mayor, Hobbs
Laura Schauer Ives, civil rights attorney
Correspondent: Gwyneth Doland
For More Information:
After hours of debate Edgewood passes ordinance restricting access to abortion – Albuquerque Journal
Edgewood’s anti-abortion ordinance: Here’s what people said – Albuquerque Journal
City of Eunice sues governor and attorney general over abortion rule – Source NM
Hobbs adopts new abortion ordinance – KRQE
New Mexico passed laws protecting access to abortion. Opponents ready for legal fight — even to U.S. Supreme Court. – Albuquerque Journal
‘They’re fearful:’ What New Mexico abortion providers are seeing as their patient numbers soar – Albuquerque Journal
New Mexico was once among a handful of states where abortions later in pregnancy were available. That changed in January. - Albuquerque Journal
New Mexico passed laws protecting access to abortion. Opponents ready for legal fight — even to U.S. Supreme Court. – Albuquerque Journal
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This was a grim year in the New Mexico Legislature when it came to action on climate change. Lawmakers passed very few measures related to climate change this session, and those that did pass were vetoed by Democratic Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham.
Our Land Senior Producer Laura Paskus spoke with the leaders of three nonprofits about what went wrong and why. They also talked about why climate change still doesn’t rise to the top of the political agenda, even in a blue state like New Mexico, where the public clearly wants politicians to move on climate change.
Guests include: Julia Bernal, Executive Director, Pueblo Action Alliance; Camilla Feibelman, Director, Rio Grande Chapter of the Sierra Club; and Erik Schlenker-Goodrich, Executive Director, Western Environmental Law Center.
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NMiF Senior Producer Lou DiVizio introduces the show with an update on the hazing scandal at New Mexico State University. Plus, the Navajo Nation Council is calling on Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham to withdraw her nomination for secretary of the state's Indian Affairs Department.
Gene Grant and The Line Opinion Panel unpack the recent arrest of an Albuquerque teenager police say brought two firearms onto school property. Gene asks why the teen is still being held in jail and the growing number of firearm-related incidents at schools in Albuquerque.
Then, the panel discusses a new report alleging dozens of instances of abuse and neglect by developmental disability caretakers. Gene asks if the state’s system for investigating those claims stands up.
Finally, The Line reacts to a decision from prosecutors in the ‘Rust’ filmset shooting dropping the involuntary manslaughter charge against Alec Baldwin. The charge was dismissed without prejudice meaning prosecutors could refile it. Gene asks the panel if that’s a realistic possibility.
Host: Lou DiVizio
Line Host: Gene Grant
The Line Opinion Panel:
Cathryn McGill, founder, director, NM Black Leadership Council
Sophie Martin, attorney
Dan Boyd, capitol bureau chief, Albuquerque Journal
For More Information:
State Leaders Instruct NMSU to "Take Immediate Action" After Lawsuit - Las Cruces Sun NewsNavajo Nation Council Passes Resolution Opposing Gov. Lujan Grisham's Indian Affairs Appointee - New Mexico In Depth
Student to remain behind bars after allegedly bringing guns to Albuquerque charter school – Albuquerque Journal
Gun seizures on APS campuses have already surpassed last year’s numbers – Albuquerque Journal
Developmental disabilities waiver home visits: How are they being carried out? – Albuquerque Journal Judge OKs monthslong delay in hearing for remaining 'Rust' criminal case – Santa Fe New Mexican
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On Earth Day this year, Our Land Senior Producer Laura Paskus sat down with author and professor Robin Wall Kimmerer (Potawatomi), who was in Albuquerque to deliver the Leopold Writing Program’s annual lecture.
In the conversation you’re about to hear, Dr. Kimmerer talks about many of the themes in her best-selling and beloved book, Braiding Sweetgrass. We spoke outside on a lovely spring morning in the North Valley. That means you might hear an occasional bird … or airplane. And at the very end of the conversation,you’ll hear a group of people walking past us and talking. We decided to leave that part of the conversation in the podcast, even though it doesn’t sound perfect. That’s because we want to make sure you all hear the words Dr. Kimmerer shared, about her hopes when it comes to settler society being allies to the resurgence of indigenous knowledge and wisdom.
Dr. Kimmerer’s books and other books and authors mentioned in the interview:
Gathering Moss: A Natural and Cultural History of Mosses, Robin Wall Kimmerer
Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge, and the Teachings of Plants, Robin Wall Kimmerer
The Last Unicorn: A Search for One of Earth’s Rarest Creatures, William deBuys
Joy Harjo https://www.joyharjo.com/
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NMiF Senior Producer Lou DiVizio introduces an interview between Gene Grant and New Mexico filmmaker Larry Sheffield. The two chat about his new documentary profiling J. Robert Oppenheimer. The film pieces together old footage, declassified documents and other research from months and years after the nuclear test at White Sands Missile Range. It premiered Saturday, April 22 at the SALA Los Alamos Event Center.
Host: Lou DiVizio
Correspondent: Gene Grant
Guest: Larry Sheffield, filmmaker 'Oppenheimer After Trinity'
For More Information: Oppenheimer in a new light: Documentary arrives ahead of feature film – Santa Fe New Mexican
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NMiF Senior Producer Lou DiVizio introduces this week's podcast with several state headlines, including the decision from prosecutors to drop the manslaughter charge against Alec Baldwin without prejudice. That means charges against the actor can still be refiled.
Gene Grant and The Line Opinion Panel assess the first year of recreational cannabis sales in our state. The panelists respond to questions about equity in the cannabis market, tax revenue and industry regulation.
Then, the panel dives into several pressing environmental issues impacting New Mexico. Those include a request to extend the license at the U.S. Department of Energy’s Waste Isolation Plant, a pending decision that would create yet another nuclear waste dump and historic flooding in the Jemez River Valley.
Finally, Lou speaks with Dr. Larry Leeman from UNM Health Sciences about a new study he'll lead using MDMA to help new mothers break the cycle of opiod dependency. Right now, Dr. Leeman is the medical director at the University's Milagro program, which treats expectant mothers who are addicted. But, Dr. Leeman says methadone and buprenorphine treatments aren’t always successful. That’s why he’s leading a first-of-its-kind study aimed at addressing the underlying mental traumas that feed addiction.
Host: Lou DiVizio
Line Host: Gene Grant
Line Opinion Panelists:
Andy Lyman, staff writer, Santa Fe Reporter
Shaun Griswold, editor, Source New Mexico
Dede Feldman, former NM State Senator
Guest: Dr. Larry Leeman, MD, MPH, medical director, Milagro Program, UNM School of Medicine
For More Information:
Prosecutors Dismiss Alec Baldwin Charge, Citing New Evidence – Associated Press
Source: New Evidence About Gun Led to Dropping of Charges Against Baldwin – Santa Fe New Mexican Judge OKs Monthslong Delay in Hearing for Rust Criminal Case – Santa Fe New Mexican
Report: Albuquerque, Eddy County Among Nation’s Worst for Ozone – Santa Fe New Mexican
Tribes Seel Invitation to Rio Grande Water Commission – Associated Press
Bernalillo County & UNM Hope to Partner on Inmate Healthcare – Albuquerque Journal
Taxing the Toke – Santa Fe Reporter
Cannabis Constant – Santa Fe Reporter
Familia Verde – Santa Fe Reporter
Green Equity – Santa Fe Reporter
Deadline for public comment on WIPP permit closes Wednesday – Source NM
NM ready to defend new nuclear waste bill against industry and federal opposition – Source NM
Flood watch: Jemez River reaches levels not seen in 30 years – Albuquerque Journal
Big flows on New Mexico’s Rio Jemez – John Fleck, water researcher at UNM's Utton Center
Breaking the Cycle of Drug Dependency – UNM Health Sciences
Psychedelic Therapies at the Crossroads of Trauma and Substance Use – Candace R. Lewis
Doctors urge access to psychedelic therapies in New Mexico – The Associated Press
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For the first time in conference history, the NCAA’s Mountain West saw one of its teams make it to the Final Four and the national championship game. The San Diego State Aztecs are only the second team in the conference since 2016 to make it past the first round of the tournament. The UNM basketball team would have loved to switch places with their in-conference rival, but SDSU’s run could still end up helping the Lobos.
Senior Producer Lou DiVizio spoke with Albuquerque Journal sports writer Geoff Grammer about how the Aztecs’ success will benefit UNM basketball, and the conference as a whole. Host: Lou DiVizio
Guest: Geoff Grammer – sportswriter, Albuquerque Journal
For More Information:
Geoff Grammer - Twitter
Geoff Grammer - Albuquerque Journal
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NMiF Senior Producer Lou DiVizio starts the show with statewide headlines, including Sec. Barbara Vigil's departure from the Children Youth and Families Department. In other news, the New Mexico Environment Department is offering free well testing for PFAS contamination. You can request to have your well tested by clicking this link.
Gene Grant and The Line Opinion Panel react to Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham’s decisions on last week’s bill-signing deadline. The governor signed more than 200 bills the Legislature sent to her desk, but not without some significant alterations.
Among the bills she didn’t sign was a measure to create a new civil rights division within the Attorney General’s Office. The division would have, among other mandates, served as a check on the state’s troubled Children Youth and Families Department. Gene and the panel discuss Lujan Grisham’s pocket veto and respond to an investigation from Searchlight New Mexico and ProPublica exposing the state’s failures in caring for foster children in need of mental health care.
Finally, New Mexico in Focus correspondent Russell Contreras catches up with Bernalillo County’s new district attorney, Sam Bregman. The governor appointed Bregman, a longtime criminal defense and civil rights attorney and Democratic Party leader, in January. Bregman explains why he took the job and what his priorities will be as he tries to prosecute and deter crime in Albuquerque.
Host: Lou DiVizio
Line Host: Gene Grant
Correspondent: Russell Contreras
Guest:
Sam Bregman, District Attorney, Bernalillo County
The Line Opinion Panel:
Michael Bird, former president of the American Public Health Association
Tom Garrity, founder & president, The Garrity Group Public Relations
Giovanna Rossi, president, Collective Action Strategies, LLC
For More Information:
Governor leaves $500 rebates intact, but slices tax cuts and other changes from massive package – Albuquerque Journal
With uptick in vetoes, Lujan Grisham blocks legislation on graduation requirements, parole violations – Albuquerque Journal
Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham signs three crime bills, calls for more public safety legislation in New Mexico – Albuquerque Journal
Sen. Heinrich rebukes NM Gov vetoes – Santa Fe Reporter
Governor signs bill cutting court fees for criminal, traffic cases – Santa Fe New Mexican
New Mexico foster kids in need of mental care often get police instead – Searchlight New Mexico
Attorney General's bill latest to be pocket vetoed by governor – Santa Fe New Mexican
Prominent attorney Sam Bregman named as Bernalillo County DA – Albuquerque Journal
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NMiF Senior Producer Lou DiVizio introduces the show this week with a recap Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham's decisions on proposed legislation from the Roundhouse. The Governor made some serious changes to HB 547, what had been a wide-ranging tax passage. After the Governor's line item vetoes, the package was pared down to a $500 per-person tax rebate, an expansion to the state’s child tax credit and film tax credit programs, and a gross receipts tax deduction – specifically for health care practitioners. Then, Our Land Senior Producer Laura Paskus speaks with Jerry Redfern, reporter at Capital and Main about some recent methane pollution fines and the role his reporting played in making the EPA aware of those infractions.
Gene Grant and The Line Opinion Panel react to Albuquerque Mayor Tim Keller’s announcement that the city's police force will be smaller than promised. Gene asks our panelists whether we should be focused on the number of officers, or how they’re being used.
Gene and the panel also dissect the Santa Fe District Attorney’s decision to withdraw from the deadly Rust filmset shooting case.
Finally, Executive Producer Jeff Proctor catches up with longtime women's advocate Martha Burk for a chat — on Masters week, no less — about what’s changed and what hasn’t in the two decades since her protest over exclusionary membership policies at Augusta National.
Host: Lou DiVizio
Correspondent: Laura Paskus
Line Host: Gene Grant
Guests:
Jerry Redfern, reporter, Capital & Main
Martha Burk, Longtime Women's Advocate & Author
Line Opinion Panelists:
T.J. Trout, radio host, KKOB
Laura Sanchez, attorney
H. Diane Snyder, former NM State Senator
For More Information:
NM governor signs state budget and money for projects into law – Source NM
House Bill 2 - Final Version - $9.6B Budget
Capital & Main Reporting Leads to Fines for Oil and Gas Polluters -- Capital & Main
Despite Rules, New Mexico Oil and Gas Producers Keep Polluting -- Capital & Main
New Mexico Legislature Fails IPCC Test -- Capital & Main
AR6 Synthesis Report, Climate Change 2023 -- The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change
Fewer police officer position, a goodbye to extra COVID funding: Albuquerque mayor presents tightened spending plan – Albuquerque Journal
The roots of APD's 'Crisis'? - Albuquerque Journal
MASTERS ’23: 20 years after protests, women still look ahead – Associated Press
Martha Burk, Hootie Johnson, and Augusta National, 15 Years Later – The Ringer
The 2003 Masters: Augusta National Protesters (Pro and Con) Have Their Day – The New York Times
GOLF; Burk Fights the Battle She's Given – The New York Times
What does Martha think now? – The Augusta Chronicle
State Rep. Andrea Reeb steps down as 'Rust' special prosecutor – Santa Fe New Mexican
Ex-Prosecutor in 'Rust' Case Suggested Role 'Might Help' Her Campaign – The New York Times
Two veteran attorneys to serve as special prosecutors in 'Rust' shooting case – Albuquerque Journal
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NMiF Senior Producer Lou DiVizio introduces two recent interviews about public transit in Albuquerque, specifically the city bus system.
First, Christopher Ramírez and Althea Atherton with Together for Brothers talk with Laura Paskus about the City of Albuquerque’s Zero Fares Pilot Program and why transit equity doesn’t just benefit those who need to take advantage of free fares on the city’s buses.
Then, Gene Grant speaks with ABQ Ride Deputy Director Bobby Sisneros and Principal Planner Andrew De Garmo about proposed changes to Albuquerque's transit line, including route adjustments that took effect late last month.
Host: Lou DiVizio
Correspondents: Laura Paskus & Gene Grant
Guests:
Christopher Ramírez, Executive Director, Together for Brothers
Althea Atherton, Bus Rider Organizer, Together for Brothers
Bobby Sisneros, deputy director, ABQ Ride
Andrew De Garmo, principal planner, ABQ Ride
Megan Holcomb, spokesperson, City of Albuquerque
For More Information: ABQ Ride Route Schedule – City of Albuquerque
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New Mexico in Focus Senior Producer Lou DiVizio runs through some of the major stories from around the state, including a decision from the New Mexico Supreme Court that temporarily blocks a handful of local anti-abortion ordinances.
Gene Grant and the Line Opinion Panel explore the influence of lobbying in the state legislature. Gene asks if special interests have too much power in the Roundhouse and if two failed disclosure bills would have increased transparency.
Then, the Panel discusses the relationship between our state government and the oil and gas industry as the EPA fines two producers for continued violations of the clean air act.
Finally, as a citizens’ commission votes on a proposal to increase pay for Albuquerque’s city councilors and mayor. Gene and the Panel debate the merits of increasing salaries for elected officials at various levels of government.
Host: Lou DiVizio
Line Host: Gene Grant
The Line Opinion Panelists:
Dede Feldman, fmr. NM State Senator
Merritt Allen, Vox Optima Public Relations
Andy Lyman, reporter, Santa Fe Reporter
For More Information:
Lawmakers Water Down Alcohol Proposals Amid Public Health Crisis – New Mexico in Depth
Independent Journalist Ted Alcorn Explains NM Alcohol Tax Saga – New Mexico in Focus
Steak dinners and ski passes: As lobbyists spend to influence New Mexico Legislature, 2 lawmakers seek more transparency – Albuquerque Journal
Professional lobbyist gives an inside look into New Mexico politics – KRQE
NM legislators fail to pass ethical conduct bill as lobbyists fear unsafe working conditions – Source NM
Watered-down alcohol proposals – a win for lobbyists? – New Mexico In Depth
Despite Rules, New Mexico Oil and Gas Producers Keep Polluting – Capital and Main
Failed climate bills disappoint conservationists – Santa Fe New Mexican
Can New Mexico hold oil and gas accountable? Some fear State budget lacking – Carlsbad Current Argus
'Legend' David Abbey to retire after decades as LFC director – Santa Fe New Mexican
Albuquerque City Councilors Make $33,660 A Year. That Could Soon Change – Albuquerque Journal
Commission In Charge of Salaries – City of Albuquerque
Citizens' Independent Salary Commission Meeting Agenda for March 29, 2023 – City of Albuquerque
Annual Report from Judicial Compensation Commission – New Mexico State Courts
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New Mexico in Focus Political Correspondent Gwyneth Doland catches up with a group of up-and-coming New Mexico journalists to talk about their experience covering the Roundhouse during the 2023 legislative session.
Host: Lou DiVizio
Correspondent:
Gwyneth Doland
Guests:
Bella Davis, author, New Mexico in Depth
Jeanette DeDios, reporter, KUNM-FM
Megan Gleason, author, Source New Mexico
For More Information:
Indigenous Women’s Day celebrates female leadership and resilience while spotlighting ongoing struggles – New Mexico In Depth
Legislature passes bill for Native American early childhood education – KUNM
NM legislators fail to pass ethical conduct bill as lobbyists fear unsafe working conditions – Source NM
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New Mexico in Focus Senior Producer Lou DiVizio opens the show with updates on several stories from around the state.
Gene Grant sits down with Martha Burk, political psychologist, author and host of the podcast, ‘Real Time with Martha Burk.’ Gene asks about a series of issues in the 2023 legislature that will impact women and families, including new a reproductive rights law and the failure of paid family leave.
Then, Gene Grant and the Line Opinion Panel recap the 2023 legislative session, breaking down the crime bills that gained approval, and discussing the newly passed House Bill 7, which codifies abortion rights in New Mexico.
Finally, Gene and the Line discuss the many bills that failed to reach the governor’s desk, including crime bills that fell short despite calls for improved public safety, and failed efforts to modernize the state’s legislature.
Host: Lou DiVizio
Line Host: Gene Grant
Guest:
Martha Burk, political psychologist, author & host of the podcast, ‘Real Time with Martha Burk’
The Line Opinion Panel:
Dan McKay, staff writer, Albuquerque Journal
Inez Russell Gomez, editorial page editor, the Santa Fe New Mexican
Shaun Griswold, editor, Source New Mexico
For More Information:
APD Reviewed Every 2022 Police Shooting. Here are the Proposed Reforms – Albuquerque Journal
New Mexico passed laws protecting access to abortion. Opponents ready for legal fight - even to U.S. Supreme Court – Albuquerque Journal
Committee tables Paid Family and Medical Leave bill, likely ending bill’s hopes this year – NM Political Report
Gov. signs safe gun storage bill into law – NM Political Report
Bill targeting organized retail crime in New Mexico sent to governor – Albuquerque Journal
Legislature approved two major reproductive, gender-affirming care bills – NM Political Report
New Mexico voting rights bill heads to governor for signature - CNN
Governor on crime legislation: `I’m going to keep trying’ - Santa Fe New Mexican
Bill to let unaffiliated voters participate in primaries clears Senate – NM Political Report
Finance chair: Lawmaker pay unlikely to pass – Santa Fe New Mexican
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New Mexico in Focus Senior Producer Lou DiVizio runs through some of the biggest items to come out of the 2023 legislative session, including a record-setting $9.6 billion budget plan and a wide-ranging tax package that went through some last-minute tweaks. Among those tweaks came another change to a proposed alcohol tax increase, amounting to about a penny per drink. Read more from Trip Jennings and Marjorie Childress at New Mexico in Depth.
New Mexico in Focus Political Correspondent Gwyneth Doland heads back to the Roundhouse to talk about sunshine week, and transparency in that record-setting budget.
Then, Gene Grant and the Line Opinion Panel assess the work of the legislature during the final week of session. The panel begins with a conversation about the record-setting $9.6B budget plan and some of the transparency criticisms surrounding the bill.
Secondly, the Line reacts to new legal threats from an anti-abortion activist who promises a lawsuit over the new reproductive rights bill is signed by the Governor.
Finally, the panelists also discuss a new report from ProPublica revealing the state lost track of nearly two dozen people who had been sentenced to life without parole as children.
Host: Lou DiVizio
Political Correspondent: Gwyneth Doland
Line Host: Gene Grant
Guests:
Dan Boyd, Albuquerque Journal Capitol Bureau Chief
Rob Black, president & CEO, New Mexico Chamber of Commerce
St. Sen. George Muñoz, (D) NM District 4 - Gallup, chair of the Senate Finance Committee
Line Opinion Panelists:
Dan Foley, fmr. NM State Representative
Sophie Martin, attorney
Rebecca Latham, CEO, Girl Scouts of New Mexico
For More Information:
Legislative Roundup: What Passed & What Didn’t – The Albuquerque Journal
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New Mexico in Focus Senior Producer Lou DiVizio kicks off the show with an update on several key pieces of legislation moving through the Roundhouse. That includes the $9.6B budget package passed by the state Senate Sunday. HB 2 would increase spending by nearly 14%, which works out to more than $1B.
The Governor held a press conference in her office Tuesday morning to announce a bipartisan agreement on emergency legislation revising New Mexico’s medical malpractice law. According to reporting from the Albuquerque Journal’s Dan McKay, SB 523 would make sure independently owned outpatient clinics can remain open next year.
New Mexico in Focus Political Correspondent Gwyneth Doland speaks with three people in the Roundhouse about HB 547, the omnibus tax bill that would address a wide range of items, including the Gross Receipts Tax and individual tax reimbursements of $500.
Then, Gene Grant talks to independent Journalist Ted Alcorn about the miniscule increase in alcohol taxes included in that tax plan. Gene also asks about the now-tabled HB 230, which would have increased taxes on alcohol by a much more substantial amount.
Finally, Gene speaks with the Santa Fe Reporter’s Andrew Oxford, who's been covering the recent developments around a rebuild plan for the Santa Fe Obelisk.
Host: Lou DiVizio
Correspondent: Gwyneth Doland
Guests:
St. Rep. Derrick Lente, (D) NM District 65 – Sandia Pueblo
Camilla Feibelman, director, Sierra Club Rio Grande Chapter
Richard Anklam, executive director, New Mexico Tax Research Institute
Correspondent: Gene Grant
Guests:
Ted Alcorn, independent journalist
Andrew Oxford, reporter, Santa Fe Reporter
For More Information:
New Mexico Bill Finder - NM State Legislature
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In New Mexico, wildlife belong to the people but are managed by the state. New Mexico Wildlife Federation Executive Director Jesse Deubel discusses hunting authorizations, wildlife management models, food security, the New Mexico Game Commission’s “dysfunction,” and more.
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New Mexico in Focus Senior Producer kicks off the show with updates on several pieces of legislation moving through the Capitol in Santa Fe. That includes the possibility of a slight increase on alcohol included in an omnibus tax bill, HB 547, which passed the House Taxation and Revenue Committee Monday morning. This is something we've been covering for months, mainly due to the work of Journalist Ted Alcorn and New Mexico in Depth. You can read a recent story by Marjorie Childress and Trip Jennings on the influence of alcohol lobbyists here: Powerhouse Lobbyists on Tap for Alcohol Industry.
Next, Political Correspondent Gwyneth Doland speaks with two doctors and a lawmaker about several healthcare bills circulating in the Roundhouse. Ophthalmologist Dr. Angie Braxton and pediatrician Dr. Nancy Wright share their perspective on the state’s growing problem of attracting and retaining doctors, and St. Rep. Elizabeth Thomson, (D) Albuquerque, gives some insight on several other healthcare bills she’s supporting.
Then, Gene Grant and the Line Opinion Panel discuss a possible statewide expansion of Medicaid coverage, and the Governor's decision to pause the state's provider procurement process.
Gene and the Panel also explore some of the developments in New Mexico’s efforts to pull itself up from dead last in literacy including a new training program for elementary school teachers.
Finally, Gene speaks with University of New Mexico Law Professor Sonia Gipson Rankin about her career, and her work. Professor Gipson Rankin comments on some of the systemic issues in our criminal justice system that contribute to racially disproportionate incarceration rates, and how the growing use of artificial intelligence factors into that equation.
Host: Lou DiVizio
Political Correspondent: Gwyneth Doland
Line Host: Gene Grant
Guests:
Dr. Angie Braxton, ophthalmologist
Dr. Nancy Wright, pediatrician
St. Rep. Elizabeth Thomson, (D) NM District 24 - Albuquerque
Sonia Gipson Rankin, J.D., University of New Mexico School of Law
Line Panelists:
Martha Burk, political psychologist and author
Edmund Perea, attorney and public safety analyst
Tom Garrity, founder & president, the Garrity Group Public Relations
For More Information:
Proposed Legislation Would Expand Medicaid Eligibility, Create Low-Cost Plans Through Program - Albuquerque Journal
Bill Overhauling NM High School Graduation Requirements Approved by House - Albuquerque Journal
Professor Sonia Gipson Rankin - Twitter
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Seven states and two countries share the Colorado River, where demand outpaces supply, especially in a warming world. Recently, Our Land’s Laura Paskus spoke with Estevan López, Upper Colorado River Compact Commissioner for New Mexico, about the current situation on the Colorado and what New Mexicans who rely upon its waters need to consider for the future.
Here on the podcast, we share the longer conversation with listeners who are interested in water and politics in both the Upper and Lower Basins on the Colorado River.
Topics in the extended conversation include: climate change, the reality of tossing out the Colorado River Compact and starting from scratch, tribes in the Upper Basin, politics in the Lower Basin, and the similarities and differences between the Rio Grande and the Colorado.
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New Mexico in Focus Senior Producer Lou DiVizio opens the show with updates on several pieces of legislation moving through the Roundhouse:
SB 73 would open primary elections to all voters in the state if passed. Right now only party-affiliated voters can participate. The bill passed the Senate last week and now moves on to the House.
HB 7 would guarantee access to reproductive and gender-affirming healthcare to anyone in the state is passed. It was voted through the House last week.
HB 4 would reform elections in several ways – by expanding automatic voter registration, allowing convicted felons to vote, creating a voluntary, permanent absentee voter list, and enacting the Native American voting rights act. It moves on to the Senate after passing the House last week.
Also last week, the House Taxation and Revenue Committee voted to table HB 230, which would increase alcohol taxes by 25-cents per drink. The chair of the committee, State Representative Derrick Lente says they’ll have to wait and see if a compromise can be reached.
SB 418 would modernize the state’s Oil and Gas Act by considering the impacts on the environment and disadvantaged communities. It will go before the Senate Conservation Committee this week.
After that, New Mexico in Focus Political Correspondent Gwyneth Doland catches up with three lawmakers to ask about some good governance legislation, including two HJR 2 and HJR 8, which would modernize the state legislature.
Then, Gene Grant and the Line Opinion Panel talk through those good governance bills, and debate their potential effectiveness.
Gene and the Panel also discuss a SJR 1 which would recreate a state board of education, making that the authoritative body on education, instead of the current system of a single Public Education Secretary.
Finally, New Mexico in Focus Correspondent Antonia Gonzales speaks with newly-elected Navajo Nation President Buu Nygren about his first month in office, and his priorities for the tribe through the remainder of his term.
Host: Lou DiVizio
Correspondents: Gwyneth Doland, Antonia Gonzales
Line Host: Gene Grant
Guests:
St. Rep. Natalie Figueroa, (D) NM District 30 – Albuquerque
St. Sen. Gregg Schmedes, (R) NM District 19 – Tijeras
St. Sen. Bill O’Neill, (D) NM District 13 – Los Ranchos de Albuquerque
Dr. Buu Nygren, Navajo Nation President
Line Opinion Panelists:
Dave Mulryan, president, Mulryan-Nash Advertising
Andy Lyman, reporter, Santa Fe Reporter
Merritt Allen, Vox Optima Public Relations
For More Information:
NM Legislation Listings
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New Mexico in Focus Senior Producer Lou DiVizio opens the show with an update on the criminal charges filed in the shooting death of 'Rust' cinematographer Halyna Hutchins. He also updates NMSU's support of AD Mario Moccia after the school canceled its men's basketball season over hazing allegations.
NMiF Host Gene Grant speaks one-on-one with Albuquerque Journal Capitol Reporter Dan McKay about the 2023 legislative session to this point, including what's different this year after the pandemic.
NMiF Political Correspondent Gwyneth Doland catches up with St. Rep. Reena Szczepanski to talk about a bill she's sponsoring that would create a new state agency to support creative industries in New Mexico.
Then, Gene and the Line Opinion Panel take a deep dive into several notable pieces of legislation moving through the Roundhouse. First, the Panel talks through a bipartisan tax plan that would once again cut the state’s gross receipt tax. Gene and our panelists also discuss a bill that would increase alcohol taxes by 25 cents per drink, while dedicating more funding to alcohol abuse treatment. And finally, the Line debates a proposal that would mandate 12 weeks of paid family leave for all workers in the state.
Host: Lou DiVizio
Line Host: Gene Grant
Political Correspondent: Gwyneth Doland
Guests: Dan McKay, Albuquerque Journal Capitol Reporter & St. Rep. Reena Szczepanski, (D) NM District 47
Line Opinion Panelists:
Dan Foley, Fmr. NM Representative
Dede Feldman, Fmr. NM State Senator
Kristelle Siarza, Owner & CEO, Siarza
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New Mexico in Focus Senior Producer Lou DiVizio updates some of the top headlines in our state, including the cancellation of NMSU's men's basketball season.
Then, NMiF Political Correspondent Gwyneth Doland takes us inside the Roundhouse for insight on HB7, which would guarantee reproductive and gender-affirming healthcare to everyone in the state.
Gene Grant and the Line Opinion Panel discuss the bill and what it would mean for local abortion ordinances around New Mexico.
Finally, NMiF Correspondent Russell Contreras sits down with Thomas Saenz, the president and general counsel at the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund to update the state’s response to the Yazzie Martinez ruling. MALDEF represents Louise Martinez, a lead plaintiff in the lawsuit and continues to push for educational advancements for the students highlighted in the court ruling.
Host: Lou DiVizio
Correspondents: Gwyneth Doland & Russell Contreras
Line Host: Gene Grant
Guests:
St. Rep. Linda Serrato, (D) NM District 45 – Santa Fe
St. Rep. Jennifer Jones, (R) NM District 32 - Doña Ana, Hidalgo & Luna
Marshall Martinez, executive director, Equality New Mexico
Thomas Saenz, president & general counsel, Mexican American Legal Defense & Educational Fund
Line Opinion Panelists:
Dede Feldman, fmr. NM State Senator
H. Diane Snyder, fmr. NM State Senator
Serge Martinez, professor, UNM School of Law
For More Information:
‘La Morena’ Art – Lucinda Hinojos
Lawmakers Tackle Rasing the Alcohol Tax – NM In Depth
Ousted Elections Clerk Hit with Ethics Lawsuit – AP News
NMSU Cancels Season After Sex, Harassment Allegations – AP News
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New Mexico in Focus Senior Producer Lou DiVizio updates state headlines, including a new lawsuit filed by a local news nonprofit seeking public records from the Lujan Grisham administration concerning alcohol policy. According to reporting in the Santa Fe New Mexican, New Mexico In Depth filed it's complaint Monday on behalf of journalist Ted Alcorn. Alcorn requested communications between the Governor and staffers discussing alcohol policy within the administration. The Governor's Office withheld nine of those communications citing executive privilege. This comes after Alcorn published an 7-part series for New Mexico In Depth on alcohol use in New Mexico. You can read that series here.
Then, Gene Grant and our Line Opinion Panelists discuss a series of bills introduced in the state legislature that would update primary and general election laws. That includes a bill called the Voting Rights Act, which would automatically register voters when receiving a driver's license, and restore voting rights to felons once they are no longer incarcerated.
Finally, Gene Grant checks in on the 'Rust' shooting case with industry insider Gene Maddaus. Maddaus is a senior reporter for Variety Magazine in Los Angeles and has been closely following the case. The two discuss the involuntary manslaughter charges formally filed against actor and ‘Rust’ producer Alec Baldwin, and the task of proving the actor’s culpability in the incident.
Host: Lou DiVizio
Line Host: Gene Grant
Line Opinion Panelists:
Merritt Allen, Vox Optima Public Relations
Dave Mulryan, president, Mulryan-Nash Advertising
Cathryn McGill, founder, director, NM Black Leadership Council
Correspondent: Gene Grant
Guest: Gene Maddaus, senior reporter, Variety
For More Information:
Black History Month Events – City of Albuquerque
News Nonprofit Sues Over Records Request Concerning Alcohol Policy – Santa Fe New Mexican
Judge Sets First Court Date in Alec Baldwin ‘Rust’ Prosecution – KRQE
NM Governor Names New Indian Affairs Secretary – AP News
New Mexico house bill proposes changes to state primary elections- KOAT7
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Host Lou DiVizio updates state headlines, including the announcement that Public Education Secretary Kurt Steinhaus has resigned his position.
Then, Lou introduces Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham's recent press conference on public safety. The Governor delivered remarks from her office while being joined by legislative leaders from both parties. During her comments, she addresses some of the key issues she wants to address during the session while giving an assessment of the state's current crime problems.
Political Correspondent Gwyneth Doland catches up with one of the lawmakers involved in the bipartisan push on public safety. St. Rep. Pameyla Herndon explains the safe storage bill's she's introduced that would create new penalties if a child is allowed access to a firearm.
Then, Gwyneth speaks with Senate Minority Leader Gregory Baca about his concerns when it comes to some of the new public safety proposals.
Next, Gene Grant and the Line Opinion Panel for the week discuss our state’s pretrial detention process. Specifically, legislators are expected to take up a tool used to analyze the likelihood of a defendant showing up to court and/or committing a new crime if released.
Finally, our panelists return to the issue of modernizing our state legislature. A recent poll showed a majority of New Mexicans support changes like paying lawmakers, hiring more legislative staff & lengthening session, but should term limits be under consideration as well?
Host: Lou DiVizio
Correspondent: Gwyneth Doland
Line Host: Gene Grant
Guests:
Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham, (D) New Mexico
St. Rep. Pamelya Herndon, NM District 28, Bernalillo County
St. Sen. Gregory A. Baca, (R) NM District 29, Bernalillo & Valencia Counties, Senate Minority Leader
Line Opinion Panelists:
T.J. Trout, radio host, KKOB
Andy Lyman, reporter, Santa Fe Reporter
Rebecca Latham, fmr. NM Cabinet Secretary
For More Information:
NM Losing Third PED Secretary in Four Years – AP News
Governor and lawmakers pledge action on crime at news conference- Santa Fe New Mexican
Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham pledges to prioritize public safety- KUNM
Lujan Grisham proposes ‘public safety investment strategy’- The New Mexico Political Report
New public safety council to address organized retail crime in New Mexico- Albuquerque Journal
Governor: N.M. prison medical care contracts leave ‘a lot to be desired’- Source NM
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Brady McGee, Mexican Wolf Recovery Coordinator for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and Our Land senior producer Laura Paskus discuss f2754, the Mexican wolf who traveled from her pack in southeastern Arizona to northern New Mexico and was recently captured on private land near Angel Fire.
Mexican wolves that disperse north of Interstate-40 and out of the designated Mexican wolf experimental population area are closely monitored. “This wolf moved north into an area and settled on private land, and after 14 days it was pretty obvious it wasn't going to move back down south,” McGee said. “And at the request of the landowners, we've captured it and it's currently in a pen at Sevilleta National Wildlife Refuge.”
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NMiF Senior Producer Lou DiVizio kicks off the show with headlines from around the state, including an update on the detention status of the suspect charged in the string of shootings targeting lawmakers.
Then, listen to Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham's 2023 State of the State Address for context on her priorities as lawmakers begin discussions on potential legislation.
And, NMiF Political Correspondent Gwyneth Doland speaks with three state lawmakers about where they'd like to focus some of that $3.6B surplus.
Host: Lou DiVizio
Correspondent: Gwyneth Doland
Guests:
St. Sen. Crystal R. Diamond, (R) NM District 35 - Doña Ana
St. Sen. Roberto J. Gonzales, (D) NM District 6 – Los Alamos
St. Rep. Jason Harper, (R) NM District 57 – Sandoval County
For More Information:
New Mexico lawmakers launch 60-day session in busy capitol- Albuquerque Journal
State of the State response: GOP says gov. can't spend way out of state's problems- Santa Fe New Mexican
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Senior Producer Lou DiVizio introduces the show and tosses things over to Gene Grant for his exclusive interview with Albuquerque Mayor Tim Keller. During their one-on-one conversation, Gene speaks with Mayor Keller about the city's 'Housing Forward' initiative and questions how the city fell so far behind on housing. Gene also asks if the plan to create 5,000 new rental units in the next two years is feasible. The mayor addresses the ongoing back-and-forth on safe outdoor spaces and comments on his relationship with City Council given recent disagreements on homelessness issues.
Host: Lou DiVizio
Correspondent: Gene Grant
Guest: Tim Keller, Mayor of Albuquerque
For More Information:
Housing Forward Initiative – City of Albuquerque
Predictions for the Albuquerque Housing Market in 2023 - KOB
Council Approves Funds for Low-Income Housing Projects - KRQE
City-sanctioned Safe Outdoor Spaces moving forward-KRQE News
Opposition against ABQ ‘safe outdoor space’ continues- KRQE News
Safe outdoor spaces back before City Council- Albuquerque Journal
Chaplain takes to streets to help homeless- Santa Fe New Mexican
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Host Lou DiVizio updates state headlines, including the Governor's picks for the New Mexico Public Regulation Commission.
Then, Gene Grant and a panel of political experts talk through the new budget surplus available for lawmakers when session starts later this month.
Gene and the panel also explore proposed legislation on guns.
And, Gene and our panelists discuss the pros and cons of modernizing the state legislature, with potential changes like paying lawmakers and lengthening sessions.
Host: Lou DiVizio
Line Host: Gene Grant
Line Opinion Panelists:
Dede Feldman, fmr. State Senator
Diane Snyder, fmr. State Senator
Dan Foley, fmr. State Representative
For More Information:
Tribes get Advisory Role in New Mexico Public Utility Regulation – AP News
New Mexico state government reaps budget windfall from oil- AP News
New Mexico gun safety bills could spark debate at Roundhouse amid rise in firearm deaths- Albuquerque Journal
Voters are sending more women to the New Mexico Legislature. Will structural changes follow? - Albuquerque Journal
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This week on New Mexico in Focus, we consider the lessons that drought, fire, and flood taught us in 2022.
Our Land Senior Producer Laura Paskus sits down with New Mexico State Forestry’s Collin Haffey and Staci Timmons with the New Mexico Bureau of Geology & Mineral Resources to talk about fire, post-fire flooding, and also the state’s water challenges. And University of Arizona Professor Andrew Curley discusses what’s missing from the narrative of climate crisis when we ignore the experience of Indigenous people.
NMPBS Chief Engineer Jason Quinn explains the damage done to a key piece of infrastructure during the Hermit’s Peak/Calf Canyon Fire. The Our Land crew documents the destruction in the Mora area and shows how losing such a seemingly small piece of broadcast technology can have a major impact on the community it serves.
And the Pueblo of Acoma’s director of the Historic Preservation Office, Theresa Pasqual, talks about the cultural significance of Chaco Canyon, ongoing effort to stop new extraction projects from starting in the area, and what’s gained when we protect special places.
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The New Mexico Environment Department and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency have launched a new task force to investigate and prosecute environmental crimes. These crimes can range from things like dumping hazardous waste to falsifying records. For New Mexico in Focus, Our Land’s Laura Paskus talks with NMED Secretary James Kenney and the EPA’s special agent in charge of the criminal investigation unit, Kim Bahney.
To submit a tip online to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency: https://echo.epa.gov/report-environmental-violations
To report known or suspected environmental crimes to the New Mexico Environment Department: https://www.env.nm.gov/general/report-an-environmental-issue-or-incident/
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Host Lou DiVizio looks ahead to the holiday season at NMPBS, and updates the week's top headlines.
Then, Gene Grant and our Line Opinion Panelists discuss the decision ahead for the Governor as she considers her options for the new Public Regulation Commission. The PRC Nominating Committee recommended nine names to the Governor. She'll have to choose three of those nominees to form the final commission.
Gene and the Line Panel also talk through a proposal from Albuquerque City Council to change the city's 'Zero Fare' program by requiring riders to show state-issued photo ID to ride for free.
Finally, Gene expresses his frustrations with council in recent months in his Final Thoughts for the week.
Host: Lou DiVizio
Line Host: Gene Grant
Line Panelists:
Tom Garrity, founder & president, The Garrity Group Public Relations
Inez Russell Gomez, editorial page editor, The Santa Fe New Mexican
Algernon D'Ammassa, editor, The Deming Headlight
For More Information:
Nominating Committee-NM Public Regulations Committee
Slate of New Mexico regulatory candidates sparks concern- AP News
Albuquerque bus fare bill deferred until early 2023- Source NM
Proposal to replace ‘zero fare’ bus program postponed- KRQE News
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Host Lou DiVizio checks in and updates headlines in our state to start your week.
Gene Grant speaks with the executive director of Common Cause New Mexico about a new poll from Research & Polling Inc., showing broad support for modernizing the state legislature. The two discuss potential changes like lengthening sessions, expanding legislative staff and paying lawmakers.
Host: Lou DiVizio
Correspondent: Gene Grant
Guest: Mario Jimenez, executive director, Common Cause New Mexico
Watch New Mexico in Focus every Friday night at 7pm on NMPBS.
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Host Lou DiVizio recaps some of the top headlines in New Mexico after the holiday weekend. Then, correspondent Antonia Gonzales speaks with the first Native American woman ever to travel to space, astronaut Nicole Mann. Antonia also catches up with a Navajo novelist to talk about her debut book, 'Shutter.' And, Antonia sits down with the newly crowned Miss Indian New Mexico to talk about her role, and work engaging young people in indigenous communities.
Host: Lou DiVizio
Correspondent: Antonia Gonzales
Guests:
Nicole Mann (Wailacki of the Round Valley Indian Tribes), NASA Astronaut, Crew Commander: SpaceX Crew-5
Ramona Emerson, author, filmmaker, Diné
Alysia Coriz (Kewa Pueblo), 2022 Miss Indian New Mexico
For More Information:
Nicole Mann - NASA
Nicole Mann Becomes First Native American Woman to go to Space - NPR
Miss Indian New Mexico Inc.
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Host Lou DiVizio updates developing stories from last week's election, including early plans from NM Democrats for the 2023 legislative session.
Then, Gene Grant and the Line Opinion Panel dig into results from election day, starting with the Governor's Race. The panel debates the successes of the Governor's campaign and the failures from Mark Ronchetti’s team.
Gene asks our panelists how Gabe Vasquez was able to hold on to his slim lead in Congressional District 2, and if there could be any lingering controversy around the race with a pending lawsuit over district lines.
The Line Panelists round out their election discussion with a look at other key state results, including Attorney General and Secretary of State.
Host: Lou DiVizio
Line Host: Gene Grant
The Line Opinion Panel:
Dede Feldman, Fmr. NM State Senator
Rebecca Latham, CEO, Girl Scouts of New Mexico and Fmr. NM Cabinet Secretary
Dan McKay, Staff Writer, Albuquerque Journal
For More Information:
2022 Unofficial General Election Results-New Mexico Secretary of State
Expert: Moderate Dems Helped Lujan Grisham Top Ronchetti – Santa Fe New Mexican
Herrell Concedes to Vasques in New Mexico’s 2nd Congressional District – Deming Headlight
Vasquez Declares Victory in CD2 Race – Albuquerque Journal
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Host Lou DiVizio previews election day 2022 and rounds up NM headlines to start your week.
Then, Gene Grant and our Line Opinion Panel analyze recent polling in statewide races for Governor, Attorney General and Secretary of State.
Gene and the Panel also take a look at contradictory polling in the race for Congressional District 2. Will Rep. Yvette Herrell hang on to her seat, or is data from the Albuquerque Journal correct, showing Gabe Vasquez with a slight lead?
Host: Lou DiVizio
Line Host: Gene Grant
Line Opinion Panelists:
Laura Sanchez, Attorney
Dave Mulryan, President, Mulryan Nash Advertising
Dan Foley, Fmr. NM State Representative
For More Information:
Voter Information Portal – NM Secretary of State
Candidate List for 2022 General Election – NM Secretary of State
Native American Election Information Program – NM Secretary of State
KRQE Poll: Governor’s race near dead heat-KRQE News
Latest polls show race between Lujan Grisham, Ronchetti tightening- Santa Fe New Mexican
Trump backs Ronchetti in NM race for governor-Albuquerque Journal
Journal Poll: Democrats hold leads in four statewide races-Albuquerque Journal
Journal Poll: Democrats has edge in race for US House seat-Albuquerque Journal
Herrell leads Democrat in New Mexico House race:poll
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On this bonus episode of New Mexico in Focus the podcast, host Lou DiVizio introduces our final two candidate conversations of the 2022 election season.
KRWG Public Media's Director of Content, Anthony Moreno, sits down with Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham to talk about a variety of issues including bail reform, climate change and education.
Then, NMiF Correspondent Gwyneth Doland speaks with Democratic Challenger for Congressional District 2 Gabe Vasquez and asks why he think's he's the right person to represent New Mexico citizens in Washington.
For More Information:
Voter Information Portal – NM Secretary of State
Candidate List for 2022 General Election – NM Secretary of State
Native American Election Information Program – NM Secretary of State
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Host Lou DiVizio runs through state headlines to lead off the show and introduces NMiF's latest round of Candidate Conversations.
New Mexico in Focus Correspondent Gwyneth Doland speaks with District 3 Congressional Incumbent, Democrat Teresa Leger Fernandez.
Then Gwyneth talks to the challenger in District 3, Republican Alexis Martinez Johnson.
Gene Grant and the Line Opinion Panel discuss a recent warning from NM Secretary of State Maggie Toulouse Oliver about a rise in election misinformation and the possibility of partisan poll watchers disrupting election day.
Finally, Gwyneth speaks with District 1 Congressional Incumbent, Democrat Melanie Stansbury.
Host: Lou DiVizio
Correspondent: Gwyneth Doland
Line Host: Gene Grant
Guests:
U.S. Rep. Teresa Leger Fernandez, (D) New Mexico, District 3
Alexis Martinez Johnson, (R) Candidate for Congress, New Mexico, District 3
U.S. Rep. Melanie Stansbury, (D) New Mexico, District 1
Line Opinion Panelists:
Sophie Martin, attorney
Tom Garrity, president, The Garrity Group Public Relations
Leah Romero, reporter, Las Cruces Sun-News
For More Information:
Teresa Leger Fernandez-Campaign website
Q&A: 3rd Congressional District Candidate Teresa Leger Fernandez – Albuquerque Journal
Alexis Martinez Johnson-Campaign website
Q&A: 3rd Congressional District Candidate Alexis Martinez Johnson – Albuquerque Journal
New Mexico braces for confrontational poll watchers - Associated Press
NM prepares for poll challengers - Albuquerque Journal
Melanie Stansbury- Campaign website
Q&A: 1st Congressional District Candidate Melanie Stansbury – Albuquerque Journal
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Host Lou DiVizio introduces the show and highlights top headlines in New Mexico.
Then, New Mexico in Focus Correspondent Antonia Gonzales kicks off our series of Candidate Conversations, speaking with Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez.
Antonia also speaks with the challenger for Navajo Nation President, Dr. Buu Nygren.
Gene Grant and the Line Opinion Panel for the week talk about the Attorney General's race and whether or not New Mexico should change its pretrial detention policies.
Host: Lou DiVizio
Correspondent: Antonia Gonzales
Line Host: Gene Grant
Line Opinion Panelists:
Dede Feldman, fmr. NM State Senator
Merritt Allen, Vox Optima Public Relations
Serge Martinez, UNM School of Law
For More Information:
Native American Election Information Program – NM Secretary of State
Navajo Election Administration
Approach to Crime Divides Attorney General Candidates – Santa Fe New Mexican
Q & A: Attorney General Candidate Jeremy Gay – Albuquerque Journal
Q & A: Attorney General Candidate Raul Torrez – Albuquerque Journal
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Today in southern New Mexico, the Rio Grande typically only flows when its channel is used to convey water from Elephant Butte and Caballo reservoirs to cities and farmers downstream. In conversation with Laura Paskus, Esperanza Chairez Uriarte, communications coordinator with Nuestra Tierra, talks about what that means for communities along the river – and how to envision a better future for that stretch of the Rio Grande.
To watch a companion episode of Our Land about the lack of water rights for New Mexico’s rivers, visit: https://youtu.be/psLhcCgNqgw
And to watch the 2020 episode with Nuestra Tierra’s executive director, Ángel Peña, that’s mentioned in this interview: https://youtu.be/oCHD2JRaeR4
You can also visit the NMPBS Video App: https://portal.knme.org/show/our-land-new-mexicos-environmental-past-present-and-future/
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Host Lou DiVizio updates headlines impacting New Mexicans to start the week and previews NMIF's series of Candidate Conversations starting this week on NMPBS.
Gene Grant speaks with Albuquerque's District 7 City Councilor Tammy Fiebelkorn about the memorial she introduced urging the state to end its ban on rent control. There is a lot of nuance around rent control and rent stabilization and Gene and Councilor Fiebelkorn do their best to provide all of the information people need to know about how it would work in 2022.
Then, Gene speaks with UNM Associate Dean of Experiential Learning and Law Professor Serge Martinez. Professor Martinez has been a housing advocate for years and gives us more perspective on the conversation surrounding rent control in Albuquerque.
Host: Lou DiVizio
Interview Host: Gene Grant
Guests:
Tammy Fiebelkorn, Albuquerque City Councilor, District 7
Serge Martinez, Assoc. Dean of Experiential Learning, UNM Law Professor
For More Information:
City Councilor Introduces Memorial on Rent Control - KUNM
Average Rent in Albuquerque – Point 2 Homes
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Host Lou DiVizio updates the week of wet weather as the 50th Balloon Fiesta comes to a close.
Then, Gene Grant hosts a discussion with our Line Opinion Panel about the recent Governor's Debate on KOB-TV. The panel dissects the performances of both candidates, GOP Nominee Mark Ronchetti and Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham. The panelists also consider the key issues that are still developing ahead of election day.
New Mexico in Focus Correspondent Gwyneth Doland sits down with the co-author of a new report assessing the effectiveness of our state’s recent redistricting process. As Dr. Gabriel Sanchez explains, the Citizens Redistricting Commission made some significant strides towards proper representation for all New Mexicans, but it hasn’t been perfect.
Lou DiVizio talks with a journalist and filmmaker who spent the last several months in Ukraine covering the Russian invasion. Patrick Hilsman has covered military conflicts for years and has family here in New Mexico. He shares the horrors, and the triumphs he witnessed during his time covering the war in Ukraine.
For More Information:
Governor candidates could find tricky footing in homelessness debate- Albuquerque Journal
1st debate highlights stakes in New Mexico race for governor- AP News
Lujan Grisham, Ronchetti focus on persuasion, turnout in homestretch- Santa Fe New Mexican
2022 Redistricting Report- Citizens Redistricting Commission
Lawmakers Protected Themselves When Redistricting, Report Finds – NM In Depth
Patrick Hilsman “Comedy at War”-NMPBS
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For more than a decade, a coalition of indigenous and environmental groups, along with archaeologists, have called for the federal government to protect the Greater Chacoan Landscape from increased oil and gas drilling.
On Sept. 29, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 10th Circuit heard oral arguments on the latest case, in which those groups challenge the Biden administration's continued adherence to a Trump-era move that approved more than 370 new drilling permits in that area.
This week, Our Land Senior Producer Laura Paskus speaks with Theresa Pasqual, with the Pueblo of Acoma. She’s an archeologist and Director of the Historic Preservation Office at Acoma.
In the conversation you’re about to hear, we talk about why Chaco has special meaning. We talk about how fossil fuel development has affected the landscape and communities. And Theresa explains what’s to be gained from protecting that landscape.
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Host Lou DiVizio runs through the top headlines to start the week, including news New Mexico State Senator Daniel Ivey-Soto has been removed from his position as chairman of the New Mexico Finance Authority interim committee.
Then, Gene Grant and the Line Opinion Panel talk about the other recent developments in the sexual harassment accusations against Senator Ivey-Soto.
Gene and the Panel also talk through Republican Nominee for Governor Mark Ronchetti's call for a statewide referendum on abortion.
And, our panelists have one final conversation about the possibility the state legislature could raise alcohol taxes in the upcoming 2023 session.
Host: Lou DiVizio
Line Host: Gene Grant
Line Opinion Panelists:
Dede Feldman, fmr. NM State Senator
Merritt Allen, Vox Optima Public Relations
Martha Burk, Author & Political Psychologist
For More Information:
Leaked report roils harassment probe of New Mexico senator- AP News
NM senator defends his reputation while policy silences the people accusing him of misconduct-Source NM
SFR Exclusive: Investigator Found Probable Cause in Ivey-Soto Harassment Case-Santa Fe Reporter
GOP candidate wants referendum on abortion in New Mexico-AP News
Lawmakers say alcohol on 2023 session agenda- New Mexico In Depth
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On today's episode, Our Land Senior Producer Laura Paskus talks with author Erica Gies about the slow water movement.
In her new book, “Water Always Wins: Thriving in an Age of Drought and Deluge,” Gies writes about how development choices and centralized infrastructure have exacerbated the water extremes many regions of the world are experiencing as the planet warms. She also writes about the “slow water” movement and how communities can shape solutions and adapt to the changing world.
In conversation, Gies also discusses the dominant culture’s historic shift away from observing and understanding how water works – and how in our relationships with water, “privileging ourselves isn’t working.”
And, Gies explains, curiosity about water in our own neighborhoods and cities can help us “recalibrate within ourselves our attitude toward water.”
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Host Lou DiVizio runs through the top state headlines, including news that lawmakers plan to take up alcohol taxes in the upcoming 2023 session.
Then, Gene Grant talks through the U.S. Forest Service's decision to end a ban on prescribed burns. Gene and the Line Opinion Panel debate if this is the right time and if new precautions are enough to prevent another catastrophe like the Hermit's Peak Calf Canyon Fire.
Gene and the panel also discuss a report from the Legislative Finance Committee that shows New Mexico is lagging on behavioral health outcomes, despite having above-average access.
And, Gene talks with Deputy Secretary of the Department of Health about new COVID-19 boosters, flu shots & Monkey Pox's limited impact in New Mexico to this point.
Host: Lou DiVizio
Line Host: Gene Grant:
Line Opinion Panelists:
Dave Mulryan, president, Mulryan-Nash Advertising
Julie Ann Grimm, editor & publisher, Santa Fe Reporter
Edmund Perea, attorney and public safety consultant
Guest:
Dr. Laura Parajon, deputy secretary, New Mexico Department of Health
For More Information:
Lawmakers Say Alcohol on 2023 Agenda - New Mexico In Depth
Forest Service releases prescribed burn policy recommendations- Santa Fe New Mexican
USDA Forest Service Chief Randy Moore’s statement announcing actions-USDA Forest Service
Learning from NM mistakes, Forest Service to better heed drought factor before burns-Source NM
Behavioral health system a ‘weak chain’-Albuquerque Journal
2015 behavioral health tax benefits so far unrealized-Albuquerque Journal
Behavioral health crisis unit scheduled to open in 2024-Albuquerque Journal
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Last week, New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham, D, joined Our Land Senior Producer Laura Paskus in the studio to talk about some of the state’s most pressing environmental issues.
In the conversation you'll hear, the two discuss New Mexico’s devastating fire season, a private company’s plans to store more nuclear waste in the state, the military’s contamination of groundwater with PFAS, oil and gas drilling, hydrogen development, climate change, and funding for water planning.
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This week on the podcast, host Lou DiVizio runs down the top headlines impacting New Mexicans, including the announcement from the U.S. Forest Service on prescribed burns.
Then, Gene Grant and the Line Opinion Panel talk through the historic ruling that removes Couy Griffin from his position as Otero County Commissioner, and bars him from holding future public office.
Gene and the Panel then weigh in on a new survey that shows 70% of Albuquerque citizens are unhappy with the city’s response to homelessness.
Plus, our panelists react to data from a new investigation that shows New Mexico has used its red flag law just eight times since 2020, a time period where 600 New Mexicans died from gun violence.
Host: Lou DiVizio
Line Host: Gene Grant
The Line Opinion Panel:
Michael Bird, public health consultant
Tom Garrity, Garrity Group Public Relations
Cathryn McGill, founder, director, NM Black Leadership Council
For More Information:
US restarts burns of forest fuel, paused after runaway blaze – Associated Press
NM AG declines to charge deputies in woman’s shooting death – Associated Press
Behavioral health system a ‘weak chain’ - Albuquerque Journal
US to award $35M in grants to tribes for 988 crisis line – Associated Press
Judge removes C4T leader Couy Griffin from Office for Role in Jan.6 Attack
Court bars Otero County Commissioner Couy Griffin from holding public office
School district, city teaming up over concerns at Wilson Park
ABQ residents unhappy with city’s homelessness response, survey shows
New Mexico among states with little use of ‘red flag’ gun law
NMDOH HB68: Violence Prevention Act Grant Funds Update
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Gene Grant speaks with two leaders at an Albuquerque nonprofit, dedicated to giving unhoused people life-saving resources. The representatives from the New Mexico Harm Reduction Collaborative share their perspective on the root causes of homelessness and the recent debate around homeless encampments.
Host: Lou DiVizio
Correspondent: Gene Grant
Guests:
Ash Charzuk, executive director, New Mexico Harm Reduction Collaborative
Steph Charzuk, operations manager, New Mexico Harm Reduction Collaborative
For More Information:
School district, city teaming up over concerns at Wilson Park
ABQ residents unhappy with city’s homelessness response, survey shows
New Mexico Harm Reduction Collaborative
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Host Lou DiVizio previews the week ahead at New Mexico in Focus, and runs through the top state headlines impacting New Mexicans.
Gene Grant hosts a discussion with our Line Opinion Panel about new polling in statewide races that shows Democrats with big leads.
Gene and the Panel also assess the dire situation in Las Vegas where ash and wildfire debris have contaminated the city’s drinking water source.
New Mexico in Focus Correspondent Antonia Gonzales sits down with a Navajo novelist to talk about her new book ‘Shutter,’ which follows a young woman from the Navajo Nation who becomes a forensic photographer. Author Ramona Emerson also explains why she thinks it’s so important for indigenous people to tell indigenous stories.
Host: Lou DiVizio
Line Host: Gene Grant
The Line Opinion Panel:
Algernon D’Ammassa, investigative & enterprise reporter, Las Cruces Sun-News
Rebecca Latham, CEO, Girl Scouts of New Mexico
Dede Feldman, fmr. New Mexico State Senator
Guests: Ramona Emerson, author, filmmaker, Diné
For More Information:
Poll: Lujan Grisham maintains small lead over Ronchetti-NM Political Report
Democrats lead big in races for 4 state offices, poll results say- Albuquerque Journal
Poll: Lujan Grisham leads Ronchetti by 7 points, Dems lead other statewide races- NM Political Report
‘This has turned itno hell’- Santa Fe New Mexican
Las Vegas struggles with post-fire water pollution- Santa Fe New Mexican
The Age of Consequence: Wildfires in New Mexico- NM Political Report
Forest Service to reseed McBride Fire burn scar- Albuquerque Journal
Las Vegas Now Faces Water Shortage After State’s Largest Wildfire- The Paper
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Host Lou DiVizio runs through the top headlines in New Mexico, including news taxpayers could be on the hook for covering cleanup costs if PFAS contamination expands beyond the borders of Cannon Air Force Base.
Then, Gene Grant speaks with Albuquerque's District 4 City Councilor Brook Bassan about her recent reversal regarding homeless encampments.
And, Gene and the Line Opinion Panel react to that interview and discuss possible solutions.
Host: Lou DiVizio
Line Host: Gene Grant
Guest: Brook Bassan, Albuquerque City Councilor, District 4
Line Opinion Panelists:
Merritt Allen, Vox Optima Public Relations
Inez Russell Gomez, editorial page editor, Santa Fe New Mexican
Serge Martinez, professor, UNM School of Law
For More Information:
City Councilor Brook Bassan Introduces Legislation to Repeal Sanctioned Encampments – City of Albuquerque
Martineztown Residents Push Back Against Planned Homeless Camp - KRQE
Neighbors, Mayor Declare Truce Over Gibson Center: Homeless Shelter Ok’d - The Paper
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Host Lou DiVizio rounds up key headlines in our state, including an update on a temporary water treatment facility in Las Vegas, where ash and wildfire debris are contaminating drinking water.
Then, in collaboration with New Mexico In Depth, an exclusive roundtable discussion on alcohol in New Mexico. Journalist Ted Alcorn and a panel of experts discuss his extensive, 7-part series called 'Blind Drunk.' It exposes the fact that alcohol is killing New Mexicans at a higher rate than anywhere else in the country. In this conversation, Gene Grant explores the factors at play, from drunk driving, to alcohol’s impact on violent crime, poisonous myths when it comes to who carries the burden of this problem, failings in our state’s public policy, and the overarching issue of addiction and how it’s treated.
Host: Lou DiVizio
Panel Host: Gene Grant
Guests:
Ted Alcorn, independent journalist
Kamilla Venner, PhD, associate professor of clinical psychology at UNM
Dr. Jennie Wei, internal medicine physician, Gallup Indian Medical Center
St. Rep. Joanne Ferrary, D - Doña Ana County
For More Information:
Blind Drunk – New Mexico In Depth
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Host Lou DiVizio runs through the top headlines in New Mexico, including the confirmed cause of the deadly McBride Fire.
Gene Grant moderates a timely conversation about priorities for parents as they send their kids back to the classroom. Our Line Opinion Panelists talk through new security changes at some NM districts, and touch on some troubling statistics that place New Mexico 50th in education according to new Kids Count data.
Then, Gene speaks with Dr. Diana Dragomir, professor of physics and astronomy at the University of New Mexico. Dr. Dragomir explains what's inside new photos from the most powerful telescope in the world, the James Webb Telescope. Plus, she explains UNM's role in capturing these images, and learning from them.
Host: Lou DiVizio
Line Host: Gene Grant
Line Opinion Panelists:
Dan Foley, fmr. NM State Representative
Jessica Onsurez, news director, Carlsbad Current-Argus
Laura Sanchez, attorney
For More Information:
2022 Kids Count Data Report Shows Improvements in New Mexico - KRQE
New Mexico School District Recruiting Parents to Patrol Schools – Las Cruces Sun-News
First Images from James Webb Space Telescope - NASA
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With Laura Paskus, NMPBS celebrates five years of “Our Land: New Mexico’s Environmental Past, Present and Future.”
In this look back on some of the show's segments, we explore the state’s rivers and landscapes with an eye toward understanding climate change, habitat restoration, community farming, traditional knowledge, and more.
Want to see more environmental coverage from NMPBS?
Visit the NMPBS Video App: https://portal.knme.org/show/our-land-new-mexicos-environmental-past-present-and-future/
Find Our Land on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/OurLandNM
Subscribe to Our Land Weekly: https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/su/woyxJ21/ourland
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Today's topic, with Laura Paskus at NMPBS, is healthy masculinities. And maybe you're wondering, what does that have to do with the environment?
Looking around the world, it's clear that we can’t have healthy communities or healthy landscapes without healthy men. But it can be hard to have honest conversations about that.
Earlier this year, the New Mexico Healthy Masculinities Collaborative, created in 2018, released a Healthy Masculinities Toolkit.
Here, we talk about what healthy masculinities are and why this toolkit is unique to New Mexico. We also talk about how anyone can engage in this work.
Guests include Christopher Ramírez and Luis Colunga with Together for Brothers, Dr. Corrine Sanchez with Tewa Women United, and Carli Romero with NewMexicoWomen.Org.
NM Healthy Masculinities Toolkit: https://masculinitiesnm.org/
More on "Our Land: New Mexico's Environmental Past, Present, and Future":
Visit the NMPBS Video App: https://portal.knme.org/show/our-land-new-mexicos-environmental-past-present-and-future/
Find us on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/OurLandNM/videos
Subscribe to Our Land Weekly: https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/su/woyxJ21/ourland
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Host Lou DiVizio reports the latest breaking news in the case of four Muslim men murdered in the city of Albuquerque. Police say they've arrested a suspect in the case. More details to come.
Lou also runs through the top headlines impacting New Mexicans, including a look back at the incident in Gallup during the 100th Inter-Tribal Ceremonial Celebration. Navajo Nation President reacts to the tragedy, and urges anyone struggling with the incident to seek help. Plus, what you can expect from the celebration as the week goes on.
Gene Grant speaks with reporter Ted Alcorn about his recent series published in New Mexico In Depth, 'Blind Drunk.' Alcorn explains the nuances if reporting on a delicate issue like alcohol misuse. Alcorn will be hosting webinar on the subject on August 18th. You can find more information in the interview.
Finally, Laura Paskus interviews St. Rep. Angelica Rubio about the proposal to bring 10,000 cannisters of nuclear waste to New Mexico for storage.
Host: Lou DiVizio
Correspondents: Gene Grant, Laura Paskus
Guests:
Ted Alcorn, reporter
St. Rep. Angelica Rubio, D - Doña Ana County
For More Information:
Albuquerque Police: Suspect Detained in Murder of Muslim Men - KRQE
Blind Drunk – New Mexico In Depth
Help Us Learn: Share Your Story With Alcohol
If you or a loved one is impacted there are resources available with the Navajo Nation Department of Mental and Behavioral Health at 988 or your local Indian Health Services at:
• Tsehootsooi Medical Center (928) 729-8000
• Nahata’Dziil Health Center (928) 688-5600
• Gallup Indian Medical Center (505) 722-1000
• Crown point Health Care Facility (505) 786-5291
• Sage Memorial Hospital (928) 755-4500
• Chinle Comprehensive Health Care Facility (928) 674-7001
• Winslow Indian Health Care Clinic (928) 289-4646 or (800) 786-8907
• Tuba City Regional Health Care Corp (866) 976-5941
• Kayenta Health Center (928) 697-4000
• Inscription House Health Center (928) 672-3000
• Northern Navajo Medical Center (505) 368-6001
• Four Corners Regional Health Center (928) 656-5000
• Dzilth Na O Dith Hle Health Center (505) 960-1801 or 1 (888) 531-7233
• Chinle Comprehensive Health Care (928) 722-1000
• Dilkon Field Clinic (928) 657-3800
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At the end of July, West Virginia Senator Joe Manchin finally stopped holding up a climate, energy and tax package. The Inflation Reduction Act is a huge bill that some say, if passed, could transform America’s policy on climate change and energy.
As luck would have it, we already had New Mexico Senator Martin Heinrich coming into the NMPBS studio to talk about climate change legislation. On this episode of the podcast, Laura Paskus talks with Heinrich about the Inflation Reduction Act, as well as a bill related to wildlife and another that would designate a stretch of the Gila River in New Mexico as Wild and Scenic.
The conversation also delves into Holtec International’s plans to bring commercial nuclear waste to New Mexico, gun reform, and January 6.
For more information:
Our Land: New Mexico’s Environmental Past, Present and Future
Our Land on YouTube
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Laura Paskus, Executive Producer of "Our Land: New Mexico's Environmental Past, Present, and Future," on NMPBS talks with U.S. Rep. Melanie Stansbury, D-NM, about her three water bills that passed the U.S. House of Representatives for inclusion in the Wildfire Response and Drought Resiliency Act.
At the end of July, just as Stansbury's bills were moving through the House, people living in Albuquerque watched the Rio Grande dry through the city for the first time in almost forty years.
For decades, that river’s also been drying to the south during the summer irrigation season, sometimes for long stretches, in the San Acacia and Isleta reaches of the river, near Los Lunas and Socorro.
As we covered that drying on New Mexico in Focus and on social media, lots of people reached out, asking what they can do.
It's a hard question to answer. But someone who is doing something and has lots of ideas about what more can be done is Stansbury.
For more information:
Our Land: New Mexico’s Environmental Past, Present and Future
Our Land on YouTube
Follow us on Instagram
Sign up for Our Land Weekly, our free Tuesday morning email
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Host Lou DiVizio recaps a weekend of events in Albuquerque, including the main event of TedxABQ. If you'd like to watch or listen to the facebook live interview between Gene Grant and Teresa Robinson, you can do so here: https://fb.watch/eE2uh1CNCL/
Our Land Executive Producer Laura Paskus talks with Clifford Dahm, professor emeritus at the University of New Mexico’s Department of Biology, about the historic drying we're seeing along the Rio Grande. Dr. Dahm has been studying desert rivers for decades. He talks about the impacts of drying, what people should be paying attention to right now as the river dries, and what the future holds for desert rivers worldwide.
Then, Gene and the Line Opinion Panel explore possible solutions to a stark reality on the Rio Grande, where about 50 miles of the river are now dry in New Mexico.
And, New Mexico in Focus correspondent Antonia Gonzales speaks with two members of the National Native American Boarding School Healing Coalition for their reaction to Pope Francis’ apology to Canada over abuse at residential boarding schools. They address where New Mexico fits in this equation.
For More Information:
Dry Times – Our Land Weekly
River Managers Brace for More Drying – The Paper
Canada Says Pope’s Apology Isn’t Enough – Associated Press
Pope Apologizes for ‘Catastrophic’ School Policy in Canada – Associated Press
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Senior Producer Lou DiVizio updates you on the headlines impacting New Mexicans right now, including an announcement from the state's Children, Youth and Families Department on changes coming to the agency.
Then, Gene Grant and the Line Opinion Panel weighs in on a new boom in oil and gas revenues and the delicate process of trying to spend that money.
Our Land Executive Producer Laura Paskus analyzes this year’s historic fire season with New Mexico State Forester Laura McCarthy. She explains why this year has been so devastating, and how we can use treatments like prescribed burns more safely.
Finally, the Panel debates the proposal to round up nuclear waste from around the country and store it here in New Mexico.
Host: Lou DiVizio
Line Host: Gene Grant
The Line opinion panel:
Dede Feldman, fmr. New Mexico State Senator
Diane Snyder, fmr. New Mexico State Senator
Kristelle Siarza, Siarza Social Digital
Guests:
Laura McCarthy, New Mexico State Forester
For More Information:
CYFD Critical Incident Review
New Mexico’s Oil & Gas Revenues are Breaking Records and Complicating Budgets – The Paper
Oil & Gas Continue to Drive New Mexico Budget – Carlsbad Current-Argus
Reviewing our Prescribed Fire Program – U.S. Forest Service
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Subscribe to Our Land Weekly
Holtec One Step Closer to Nuclear Waste Facility License – Rio Rancho Observer
Environmental Impact Statement – Nuclear Regulatory Commission
Gov. Lujan Grisham Statement on NRC Decision – Governor's Officer
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Senior Producer Lou DiVizio digs through the controversy surrounding a new committee at the state’s Children Youth and Families Department. He asks Sec. Barbara Vigil why the first two meetings of the steering committee were been closed to the public, and how she plans to help the department regain community trust.
Plus, Lou catches up with the watchdog group New Mexico Foundation for Open Government to ask about this particular situation, and the work it's been doing for years to push CYFD to be more transparent.
Host: Lou DiVizio
Guests:
Barbara Vigil, Secretary, New Mexico Children Youth & Families Department
Melanie Majors, interim executive director, New Mexico Foundation for Open Government
For More Information:
New CYFD Committee Meetings Not Open to the Public – Albuquerque Journal
Law Firm Calls CYFD Out For Lack of Transparency - KRQE
CYFD Eroding Credibility by Hiding Outside Evaluation – Albuquerque Journal
New Mexico Foundation for Open Government
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On this episode of New Mexico in Focus the podcast, host Lou DiVizio recaps the headlines impacting New Mexicans at the start of the week.
Gene Grant conducts a conversation on new drought research showing evidence that drought feeds heat, and vice versa. The panel explores the implications this may have for New Mexico and the southwest as a whole.
Our Land Executive Producer Laura Paskus talks with a New Mexico sportsman and gun owner about the influence national lobbying groups have on the conversation surrounding gun ownership and gun rights.
And, Gene and the panel parse through a new ballot initiative that would divert more money from the land grant permanent fund to education.
Host: Lou DiVizio
The Line Host: Gene Grant
The Line Opinion Panel:
Merritt Allen, Vox Optima Public Relations
Sophie Martin, attorney
Michael Bird, public health consultant
Guest:
Garrett VeneKlasen, New Mexico hunter, gun owner
For More Information:
New Study Shows How Drought Led to Deadly Temperatures in 2021 – NM Political Report
Critics: U.S. Supreme Court Ruling on EPA Huge Blow for Climate – NM Political Report
Gun Owners Must Speak Up – Santa Fe New Mexican
How the NRA’s Creed Defines America’s Gun Debate - WBUR
Push to Tap NM Land Grant Permanent Fund for Education – Source NM
NM School Trust Feels Pressure, Voters Weigh Changes - KOB
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Host Lou DiVizio runs down some of the biggest headlines impacting people in New Mexico this week. Then, Gene Grant hosts a discussion about how the recent reversal of Roe V. Wade could impact the race for Governor here in New Mexico. One of the key questions is whether or not the issue will drive turnout for democratic voters.
This week, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission recommended approval of Holtec International's license to store up to 10,000 drums of nuclear waste here in our state. In a conversation from April, Our Land Executive Producer Laura Paskus talks with State Senator Jeff Steinborn about the proposal and the potential issues it could cause.
Finally, correspondent Antonia Gonzales gives us a peak inside the newly-redesigned exhibit, Here, Now & Always, open now at the Museum of Indian Arts and Culture in Santa Fe.
Host: Lou DiVizio
Line Host: Gene Grant
The Line opinion panel:
Merritt Allen, Vox Optima Public Relations
Sophie Martin, attorney
Michael Bird, public health consultant
Guests:
Jeff Steinborn, New Mexico Senator (District 36)
Tony Chavarria, curator of Here, Now and Always, Santa Clara Pueblo
Diane Bird, curator of Here, Now & Always, Santo Domingo Pueblo
For More Information:
Abortion Providers Make Plans to Open Clinics Near NM Border – NM Political Report
NM Gov. Enacts Protections for Abortion Seekers, Providers – SF Reporter
Ronchetti Cuts into Lujan Grisham’s Fundraising Advantage – Albuquerque Journal
TVA Report
‘Too much at stake to gamble’: Barnstable Town Council condemns Holtec plan – Barnstable Patriot
Trial evidence details little supervision over big tax breaks – NJ Spotlight News
Here, Now & Always - Museum of New Mexico Foundation
Here, Now & Always – Museum of Indian Arts and Culture
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Host Lou DiVizio runs through the top headlines in New Mexico, including changes coming to the state's Public Regulation Commission. Plus, an update on the deadline DWI crash that killed a mother and two children in Wagon Mound.
Later in the show, correspondent Gwyneth Doland talks with Ellie Rushforth, reproductive rights counsel for the American Civil Liberties Union in New Mexico. Rushforth explains the legal implications of the Supreme Court's reversal of Roe V. Wade, and how recent executive action by Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham will impact New Mexicans.
Gene Grant speaks with the group behind an high-tech, mobile exhibit celebrating the contributions of African American homesteaders who came to New Mexico in the late 19th Century.
Host: Lou DiVizio
Correspondents:
Gwyneth Doland, Gene Grant
Guests:
Ellie Rushforth, ACLU NM reproductive rights counsel
Rita Powdrell, director, African American Museum & Cultural Center of NM
Thomas Williams, documentarian
Marilyn Pettes Hill, third generation homesteader
Eric Yakley, technologist – Facing the Rising Sun
For More Information:
NM Governor Orders Safeguards for Abortion Access – Associated Press
NM Shields Abortion Providers Ahead of Expected Patient Surge – Reuters
A Closer Look at Abortion Rights in NM - KOB
Facing the Rising Sun – New Mexico Magazine
Exhibit Background – City of Albuquerque
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On this episode of New Mexico in Focus the podcast, host Lou DiVizio shares new action from Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham on abortion access. The Line Opinion Panel reacts to the recent developments in Otero County where commissioners have voted to certify its primary election results. That’s after a lawsuit from the Secretary of State, and an order from the State Supreme Court.
In an interview from early June, Jason Casuga, CEO and chief engineer of the Middle Rio Grande Conservancy District, speaks with Our Land Executive Producer Laura Paskus about the impact of monsoon rains will have on the persistent drought in our area.
Plus, the Line Opinion Panelists review a Chaves County lawsuit over a police shooting, as the Attorney General probes another officer-involved incident in the same county.
Host:
Lou DiVizio
Line Host:
Gene Grant
Line Opinion Panelists:
Merritt Allen, Vox Optima Public Relations
Andy Lyman, NM Political Report
Laura Sanchez, attorney
Guests:
Jason M. Casuga, CEO/chief engineer, Middle Rio Grande Conservancy District
For More Information:
Cowboys For Trump Founder Sentenced to 14 Days - Reuters
Otero County Votes 2-1 to Approve Primary Results – Source NM
Building Anger in Rural New Mexico Erupts in Election Crisis – Associated Press
A.G. to Probe Chaves County Deadly Deputy-Involved Shooting – Associated Press
Suits Alleges Misconduct, Lack of Training by Chaves County Deputies – Albuquerque Journal
Middle Rio Grande Conservancy District
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On this episode of New Mexico in Focus the Podcast, host Lou DiVizio explains the impact of the Supreme Court's decision to overturn Roe V. Wade. He also speaks with Secretary of State Maggie Toulouse Oliver about the election certification saga in Otero County, and what it could mean heading into November. The Line Opinion Panel discusses a new poll showing a closer-than-expected race for Governor. And, Paula Garcia, the executive director of the New Mexico Acequia Association explains the struggles her community is facing during consecutive natural disasters.
Host:
Lou DiVizio
Line Host:
Gene Grant
Line Panelists:
Merritt Allen, Vox Optima Public Relations
Andy Lyman, NM Political Report
Laura Sanchez, attorney
Guests:
Maggie Toulouse Oliver, New Mexico Secretary of State
Paula Garcia, executive director, NM Acequia Association
For More Information:
Cowboys For Trump Founder Sentenced to 14 Days - Reuters
Otero County Votes 2-1 to Approve Primary Results – Source NM
Building Anger in Rural New Mexico Erupts in Election Crisis – Associated Press
Poll: Gov. Lujan Grisham with Narrow Lead at Start of General Election – NM Political Report
Lujan Grisham Attacks Ronchetti Over Lack of Experience – Santa Fe New Mexican
New Ads Target Governor’s Discretionary Fund – Albuquerque Journal
Hermits Peak & Calf Canyon Fire Burned Area Emergency Response Information
Interactive Flood and Debris Flow Map
NM Acequia Association
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The Line Opinion Panel dives into the chaos in Otero County where commissioners have been sued and ordered to certify primary election results. Secretary of State Maggie Toulouse Oliver has also referred those commissioners to the Attorney General for potential criminal and civil violations of the state’s election code.
The panel also assesses a bipartisan plan to address gun violence that largely relies on the expansion of red flag laws, which already exist here in New Mexico. That plan includes necessary funding to enforce those laws but falls short of demands from gun control advocates. The plan is also sparking backlash among gun owners who say red flag laws are a constitutional infringement.
Our Land Executive Producer Laura Paskus talks with Carolyn Donnelly about the ins and outs of managing our New Mexico dams and reservoirs. Donnelly is the water operations supervisor for the Albuquerque Area Office, U.S. Bureau of Reclamation.
Line Host:
Gene Grant
Correspondent:
Laura Paskus, Our Land Executive Producer
Guest:
Carolyn Donnelly, Water Operations Supervisor, Albuquerque Area Office, U.S. Bureau of Recalamation
Line Opinion Panelists:
Tom Garrity, Garrity Group Public Relations
Rebecca Latham, CEO, Girl Scouts of New Mexico
Julie Ann Grimm, editor & publisher, Santa Fe Reporter
For More Information:
Some NM House Incumbents Fail to Secure Nominations - KUNM
Sanchez Defeats Montoya For District 40 Nod – Santa Fe New Mexican
County’s Refusal to Certify Vote Hints at Election Chaos – Associated Press
Bipartisan Senate Group Reached Agreement on Gun Reforms - Yahoo
Tentative Senate Gun Deal Has Surprises, Loose Ends – Santa Fe New Mexican
Senate Gun Deal Likely to Face Pushback from GOP – The Hill
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The Line Opinion Panel reacts to President Biden’s weekend visit to our state. The panel discusses the President’s pledge to cover all the costs associated with the Hermit’s Peak/Calf Canyon Fire, and who will be left behind with the current reimbursement strategy.
Our Land Executive Producer Laura Paskus talks with two reporters about their experiences covering the largest wildfire in state history and how you can apply for aid money if you’ve been impacted by the Hermit’s Peak/Calf Canyon Fire.
More than 20 years ago, in 1998, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and partner agencies released Mexican wolves into the wild for the first time since the wolves had been driven to extinction in the United States in the 1970s. Today, a population of wolves lives in the Gila National Forest and across the border in Arizona. The program isn’t without its challenges, and this year, the Black Fire ignited in the Gila National Forest during denning season, where it’s affecting four wolf packs. Maggie Dwire, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Deputy Mexican Wolf Recovery Coordinator, talks with Our Land Executive Producer Laura Paskus about the Mexican Wolf and recovery efforts.
Line Host:
Gene Grant
Line Opinion Panelists:
Tom Garrity, Garrity Group Public Relations
Rebecca Latham, CEO, Girl Scouts of New Mexico
Julie Ann Grimm, editor & publisher, Santa Fe Reporter
Our Land Executive Producer:
Laura Paskus
Guests:
Maggie Dwire, assistant wolf recovery coordinator, Mexican Wolf Program, US Fish & Wildlife Service
Patrick Lohmann, reporter, Source NM
Adria Malcolm, freelance photojournalist
For More Information:
Biden: Whatever it Takes, as Long as it Takes – Santa Fe New Mexican
Biden Ramps up Federal Help for NM Wildfire Fight – Associated Press
Locals Find a Bit of Hope in President’s Promises – Santa Fe New Mexican
Wildfire Victims Living on Land Grants Will Not Qualify For Federal Aid - KUNM
Recovery Area Map
Black Fire Maps & Information
Apply For Assistance- FEMA
Adria Malcolm – Freelance Photojournalist
Patrick Lohmann – Source New Mexico
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Our Land Correspondent Laura Paskus explores the harsh realities of shrinking water supplies here in Central New Mexico. Jason Casuga from the Middle Rio Grande Conservancy District explains why we’re just days away from the water available to farmers going dry and what the MRGCD is doing to mitigate the ongoing drought.
The Line Opinion Panel discusses the lingering threat of flooding in parts of the state, in the wake of this summer’s devastating wildfire season. Our Panelists also talk about the opportunity ahead for President Biden as he prepares to visit New Mexico to address wildfire damage.
Plus, host Gene Grant has an in depth conversation with former Albuquerque Journal columnist Joline Gutierrez Krueger, who recently retired.
Line Host:
Gene Grant
Line Opinion Panelists:
Dede Feldman, former New Mexico State Senator
Dan Foley, former New Mexico state representative
Dave Mulryan, founder, Everybody Votes NM & president, Mulryan-Nash Advertising
Correspondent:
Laura Paskus
Guest:
Jason M. Casuga, CEO/chief engineer, Middle Rio Grande Conservancy District
For More Information:
Middle Rio Grande Conservancy District
VIDEO: Cochiti Canyon Flood, Dixon Apple Orchard - YouTube
2011 Flood Footage – AfterWildfireNM.org
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New Mexico voters had their say at the polls this week. Our Line Opinion Panel breaks down all the big winners and losers from Tuesday’s Primary Election. That includes Mark Ronchetti’s win as the Republican Nominee for Governor and Bernalillo County District Attorney Raul Torrez’s victory as Democratic Nominee for Attorney General. The Line Panel also looks ahead to the general election. Panelists explore Republican Nominee for Governor Mark Ronchetti’s chances at unseating Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham in November. Plus, what turnout numbers from the primary could indicate about voter enthusiasm.
Senior Producer Lou DiVizio also discusses the outcome of this week’s Primary Election, with Mario Jimenez of Common Cause New Mexico. The two talk about the impact of new election changes like same day voter registration and expanded use of absentee ballots. They also discuss the influence of money in this year’s midterm elections.
Correspondent:
Lou DiVizio
Guest:
Mario Jimenez, campaign director, Common Cause New Mexico
Line Host:
Gene Grant
Line Opinion Panelists:
Dede Feldman, former New Mexico State Senator
Dan Foley, former New Mexico state representative
Dave Mulryan, founder, Everybody Votes NM & president, Mulryan-Nash Advertising
For More Information:
Amid Light Turnout, NM Voters Pick Their Nominees – Albuquerque Journal
National Pacs Spend Big Ahead of NM Primary - SourceNM
Ronchetti to Face Lujan Grisham after Breezing Through Primary – SF New Mexican
Common Cause New Mexico
NM Secretary of State Voter Information Portal
Bernalillo County DA Torrez to Face Gallup Attorney for AG – Albuquerque Journal
Two Incumbents Trail in U.S. House Races – Albuquerque Journal
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The Line Opinion Panel discusses the troubling news that both the Hermit’s Peak and Calf Canyon fires began as prescribed burns conducted by the U.S. Forest Service. The Panel also touches on new concerns over the burn scar left by the fire. Experts say it could lead to disastrous flash flooding once monsoon season comes around.
The Line Opinion Panel also discusses the economic implications of a potential interstate that would cut through New Mexico. The international trade route would stretch from Laredo, Texas, connecting to I-25 in Raton, New Mexico.
In Clovis, N.M., Art Schaap of Highland Dairy has had to euthanize more than 3,500 dairy cows contaminated with toxic chemicals from Cannon Air Force Base. New Mexico Environment Department Secretary James Kenney talks about the pollution—and about the cow carcasses, which must be treated as “hazardous waste” because of the high levels of PFAS that remain in them. Warning: graphic content.
Line Host:
Gene Grant
Line Opinion Panelists:
Algernon D’Ammassa, reporter, Las Cruces Sun-News
Sophie Martin, attorney
Diane Snyder, former NM State Senator
Correspondent:
Laura Paskus
Guest:
James Kenney, secretary, New Mexico Environment Department
For More Information:
The Struggle for PFAS Pollution Accountability
Art Schaap's Dairy Dilemma
Former Cannon Firefighter Kevin Ferrara Talks PFAS Contamination
Groundwater War: Reporters on the Challenges of Covering PFAS
Forest Officials: Dormant Prescribed Burn Caused Calf Canyon Fire – Santa Fe New Mexican
NM Wildfire Burn Scar has Forest Officials Worried – Western Slopes Now
NM May Get New Interstate Highway - KRCC
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The Line Opinion Panel offers ideas for action after another deadly school shooting in the United States. The Panel debates suggestions on making schools safer, and what could be done to make it harder for would-be shooters to get ahold of deadly assault weapons.
Plus, Producer Lou DiVizio sits down with an education expert to discuss solutions put forward in his latest book, “Preventing School Violence: A User’s Guide.” Author Franklin Schargel explains how his research on bullying and American gun culture illuminates a unique issue in this country.
Line Host:
Gene Grant
Correspondent:
Lou DiVizio
Guest:
Franklin Schargel, former teacher & author, “Preventing School Violence: A User’s Guide”
Line Opinion Panelists:
Algernon D’Ammassa, reporter, Las Cruces Sun-News
Sophie Martin, attorney
Diane Snyder, former NM State Senator
For More Information:
Preventing School Violence: A User’s Guide
Albuquerque Community Members Call for Change After Texas Shooting - KRQE
NM Democrats Seek New Gun Restrictions – Associated Press
After Texas Shooting, Schools Around U.S. Boost Security – Santa Fe New Mexican
Albuquerque Community Members Call for Change After Texas Shooting - KRQE
NM Democrats Seek New Gun Restrictions – Associated Press
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Correspondent Antonia Gonzales sits down with the FBI’s top agent in New Mexico and a Navajo criminal investigator to find out if a new Navajo language initiative is working, and to understand some of the other obstacles when it comes to investigating crimes on tribal lands.
The Line Opinion Panel dives into the key races in the primary election and dissects the recent barrage of attack ads. Former weatherman Mark Ronchetti and State Representative Rebecca Dow are airing targeted ads, both claiming to be more closely aligned to Donald Trump than their opponent. The Panel explores the effectiveness of those tactics, and the heated race for the democratic nomination for Attorney General.
Plus, Secretary of State Maggie Toulouse Oliver joins Producer Lou DiVizio to discuss the Primary Election and what new wrinkles voters can expect when they head to the polls.
Correspondent:
Antonia Gonzales
Lou DiVizio
Guests:
Raul Bujanda, FBI, special agent in charge, New Mexico
Malcolm Leslie, captain, Navajo Department of Criminal Investigations
Maggie Toulouse Oliver, New Mexico Secretary Of State
The Line Host:
Gene Grant
Line Opinion Panelists:
Serge Martinez, professor, UNM School of Law
Dan Foley, former New Mexico state representative
Inez Russell Gomez, editorial page editor, Santa Fe New Mexican
For More Information:
Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Relatives Taskforce
FBI Tips
Ronchetti Enjoys Big Lead Over GOP Rivals – Albuquerque Journal
GOP Gubernatorial Debate Heats Up in Final Minutes – Santa Fe New Mexican
GOP Attack Ads Heat Up as Primary Nears – The Paper
New Mexico Secretary of State
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Sen. Martin Heinrich talks with correspondent Laura Paskus about New Mexico’s wildfire season, what the future might hold, and the need to professionalize the country’s federal wildland firefighting workforce.
In the Gila National Forest, the Black Fire ignited on May 13—and has already grown into the state’s third largest wildfire in history. Fire behavior analyst Arthur Gonzales, with the Southwest Incident Management Team #5 talks about the conditions fueling the giant fire. "I started this business in 1995, and I’ve seen a lot of large fires,” he tells correspondent Laura Paskus. “But it is surprising, Laura. It’s surprising. And it should surprise everybody. These are unprecedented conditions.” Gonzales also talks about the fire’s footprint, the varying levels of fire severity within the perimeter, and what people might expect to happen in the Gila this summer.
The Line Opinion Panel reacts to the U.S. Forest Service’s decision to pause all prescribed burns for at least 90 days. And, a conversation about how we can learn to better manage forests to prevent major catastrophes like the Hermit’s Peak Fire. They also explore the possibilities for native tribes after two New Mexico Pueblos reached an agreement with the state to produce and sell recreational cannabis products. Plus, a larger conversation about potential for cannabis legalization at the national level.
Correspondent:
Laura Paskus
The Line Host:
Gene Grant
Line Opinion Panelists:
Serge Martinez, professor, UNM School of Law
Dan Foley, former New Mexico state representative
Inez Russell Gomez, editorial page editor, Santa Fe New Mexican
Guests:
Martin Heinrich, U.S. Senator, New Mexico
Arthur Gonzales, US Forest Service, fire behavior analyst
For More Information:
Heinrich Urges Administration to Establish Pay Rate for Federal Wildland Firefighters – Los Alamos Daily Post
With Climate Change Fueling Wildfires, Changes Needed – New Mexico Political Report
National Interagency Fire Center
US Forest Service Pauses Prescribed Burns – SF Reporter
LANL Developing Software to Better Manage Prescribed Burns – Santa Fe New Mexican
Two NM Tribes Closer to Recreational Cannabis Sales – KOB
Two Pueblos Reach Cannabis Tax Agreement – Marijuana Retail Report
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The Line Opinion Panel reviews the state’s new draft plan to address the Yazzie Martinez lawsuit. Among other things, that plan sets new goals for graduation rates, along with math and science proficiency. Panelists discuss whether the plan goes far enough to bridge the gaps in education access highlighted in the 2018 lawsuit.
New information from a legislative economist shows the state could be in for even more surplus revenue than expected. Our Panel brainstorms how the money could be most effectively used, and how our reliance on oil and gas revenue impacts the state’s shift towards renewable energy.
Host:
Kevin McDonald
Line Opinion Panelists:
Merritt Allen, Vox Optima public relations
Laura Sanchez, attorney
Dan Boyd, capitol bureau chief, Albuquerque Journal
For More Information:
NM Releases Draft Plan to Address Education Lawsuit – Associated Press
NM Releases Long-Awaited Draft Plan For Education Lawsuit – SF New Mexican
NM PED Website
New Mexico Secretary of State
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Using public data from the U.S. Forest Service, Steve Bassett, Director of Planning and Spatial Analysis with The Nature Conservancy, has been creating perimeter maps each morning, showing the progression of the Hermits Peak-Calf Canyon Fire in northern New Mexico. “With the skills that I have and the desperation I was feeling, I went out and grabbed that data and did something with it to get some more information out and into the public hands,” he says. In conversation with correspondent Laura Paskus, he also talks about what he is learning along the way.
Andrew Curley is a professor at the University of Arizona’s School of Geography, Development & Environment. His research focuses on the “everyday incorporation of Indigenous nations into colonial economies” including fossil fuel development in the U.S. Southwest and creation of the Central Arizona Project off the Colorado River. In conversation with correspondent Laura Paskus, he talks about how the Colorado River’s crisis far predates climate change and challenges the narrative of climate apocalypse.
The Line Opinion panel discusses the now record-setting wildfire burning near Las Vegas. Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham wants the federal government to cover all the costs for all our fires, but is that a realistic request? And, the new restrictions at National Forests around the state.
Correspondent:
Laura Paskus
Guest:
Steve Bassett, Dir. Planning and Spatial Analysis with The Nature Conservancy
Andrew Curley, University of Arizona, School of Geography, Development & Environment
Line Opinion Panelists:
Merritt Allen, Vox Optima public relations
Laura Sanchez, attorney
Dan Boyd, capitol bureau chief, Albuquerque Journal
For More Information:
The Nature Conservancy – New Mexico
Steve Bassett - Twitter
Contested Water Settlements Inflamed the Navajo Nation’s Health Crisis – High Country News
Infrastructures as colonial beachheads: The Central Arizona Project and the taking of Navajo resources – Andrew Curley
“Our Winters’ Rights”: Challenging Colonial Water Laws – Andrew Curley
Calf Canyon Hermit’s Peak Fire Now Largest in NM History - Albuquerque Journal
Three NM National Forests Close Thursday Due To Extreme Fire Danger - KOAT
San Miguel Temporarily Bans Fireworks – Las Vegas Optic
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The Line Opinion Panel discusses the issue of abortion rights, and how overturning Roe V. Wade could impact New Mexico. Will restrictive laws in other states force more people here for procedures? The Panel will answer that question while considering the impact this debate could have on midterm elections.
Virgin Galactic is announcing a delay in its plans to begin commercial space flights. Will the delay have a tangible impact at the taxpayer-funded Spaceport America?
Producer Lou DiVizio catches up with New Mexico’s Secretary of Childhood Education and Care to talk about new childcare expansions now available for tens of thousands of New Mexican families.
Host:
Kevin McDonald
Correspondent:
Lou DiVizio
Guest:
Elizabeth Groginsky, NM Secretary of Early Childhood Education and Care
Line Opinion Panelists:
Jessica Onsurez, news director, Carlsbad Current-Argus
Tom Garrity, Garrity Group public relations
Cathryn McGill, founder, director, NM Black Leadership Council
For More Information:
Oklahoma’s 6-week Ban a Precursor of What’s to Come for NM – NM Political Report
Rallies & Outrage Over Supreme Court Draft Decision – NM Political Report
Downtown Albuquerque Rally Against Possible Supreme Court Overturn - KOAT
Virgin Galactic Delays Commercial Service from Spaceport – Las Cruces Sun-News
Virgin Galactic Delays Commercial Launch, again – Albuquerque Journal
Childcare Assistance – New Mexico Department of Childhood Education and Care
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New Mexicans know all about gusty spring winds. But what we’re experiencing this year is different. Meteorologist Scott Overpeck, with the National Weather Service in Albuquerque, explains the winds we’ve been experiencing through April and May—and offers a look ahead. In conversation with correspondent Laura Paskus, Overpeck talks about this year’s conditions and explains why these winds are so dangerous for communities and firefighters.
The Line also talks wildfires as the largest fire in the country burns in northern New Mexico. Panelists share their thoughts on a federal push to expand benefits for wildland firefighters, and the wider discussion surrounding prescribed burns.
Sarah Jaquette Ray’s 2020 book, “A Field Guide to Climate Anxiety: How to Keep Your Cool on a Warming Planet,” is more useful than ever, providing insight and guidance to dealing with climate anxiety. In conversation with correspondent Laura Paskus, Ray talks about the importance of collective work in climate justice advocacy (and in all our lives), how to not feel powerless in the face of gigantic challenges, and the importance of “slow hope” in a world where everything seems to be moving too fast.
Host/Correspondent:
Laura Paskus
Guests:
Scott Overpeck, warning coordination meteorologist, National Weather Service
Sarah Jaquette Ray, professor, author of “A Field Guide to Climate Anxiety”
Line Opinion Panelists:
Jessica Onsurez, news director, Carlsbad Current-Argus
Tom Garrity, Garrity Group public relations
Cathryn McGill, founder, director, NM Black Leadership Council
For More Information:
Full Interview – NM PBS
Evacuation Information – NM Dept. Of Homeland Security and Management
Strong Winds Batter New Mexico Complicating Wildfire Fight – Associated Press
Strong Winds Batter New Mexico Complicating Wildfire Fight – Associated Press
Massive Wildfire Grows, but Toas Safe for Now – Associated Press
Biden Approves Presidential Disaster Declaration for NM Wildfires – SF Reporter
A Field Guide to Climate Anxiety – University of California Press
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First up this week, as we talk about at the beginning of the show, this will be another dangerous weekend for wildfires in New Mexico. We want to share some valuable resources with you so we can all stay as safe as possible:
KRQE Fire Evacuations: What You Need to Know
Sandoval County Fire Alerts
Ready, Set, Go System
And, information on assistance, for those who have already suffered losses from the ongoing wildfires.
Now to our episode this week... a reflection on a historic small-town paper, the Rio Grande Sun. The paper had carried the Trapp family name for more than a half-century, until the recent decision to sell. Gene Grant sits down with former owner, editor and publisher Robert Trapp to ask why he decided to move on from the multi-generational business, what the legacy of the paper may be, and what the future could hold under new ownership. Gene also catches up with three former reporters at the Rio Grande Sun who recall some of their memories at the paper and explain how formative their experiences were for the rest of their careers. Correspondent Gwyneth Doland then looks ahead to the new direction of the paper, during an interview with the new editor and publisher Richard Connor.
Historical context is scattered throughout this week’s show, with excerpts from the Ben Daitz documentary “The Sun Never Sets,” which followed the paper and its workers during the early days of the internet. That documentary originally aired on NMPBS in 2013.
Guests:
Robert Trapp, former owner, editor & publisher, Rio Grande Sun
Julia Goldberg, reporter, Santa Fe Reporter
Tabitha Clay, reporter, The Paper
Mike Kaemper, former editor, Rio Grande Sun
Richard L. Connor, publisher & editor, Rio Grande Sun
For More Information:
Rio Grande Sun – website
‘Rio Grande Sun’ sold to investors – Santa Fe New Mexican
We’re Done Afflicting the Comfortable – Rio Grande Sun Editorial (Robert Trapp)
Local Investment Group Buys Rio Grande Sun – Rio Grande Sun
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Campaign finance is being thrust into the spotlight in the Democratic race for attorney general. Our Line Opinion Panelists discuss the potential conflicts of interest that could arise from certain donations, while taking history into account.
A court decision has allowed oil and gas leasing to resume on public lands. That’s as the Interior Department releases a scathing report on the state of the federal oil and gas program. Our Line Opinion Panelists give their thoughts on the change, and the remaining ban on extraction in and around Chaco Canyon.
Our Land Correspondent Laura Paskus talks with journalist Wufei Yu about his coverage in High Country News. His work has focused on Asian American history and communities in New Mexico and around the West.
Line Opinion Panelists:
Dede Feldman, former NM state senator
Edmund Perea, attorney and public safety consultant
Diane Snyder, former NM state senator
For More Information:
Out-of-State Law Firms Make Donations to AG Candidate Colón – Santa Fe New Mexican
Judge Clears Way For NM GOP Redistricting Challenge – Associated Press
Republican Bigwig Hopes to Reshape Democratic Legislature – Santa Fe New Mexican
BLM Opens Lands Back Up to Oil & Gas Leases – Source NM
Pause on Chaco Leases Remains the Right Call – Santa Fe New Mexican
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Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham has called for a state of emergency over wildfires burning around New Mexico. The Governor and state forest officials are asking for more resources from the federal government, including more personnel to help handle the early start to fire season. The Line Opinion Panel discusses our current predicament, and explores other ways to deal with this crisis.
Correspondent Antonia Gonzales speaks with two members of the National Native American Boarding School Healing Coalition for their reaction to Pope Francis’ apology to Canada over abuse at residential boarding schools. Where does New Mexico fit into this equation?
The U.S. Army has reached a settlement of $1.5M that will go towards restoring environmental and community damages at Fort Wingate. Environment reporter Laura Paskus talks with New Mexico’s Natural Resources Trustee about what plans are in place to restore the area surrounding the former munitions depot near Gallup.
Correspondents:
Antonia Gonzales
Laura Paskus
Guests:
Joannie Romero, Pueblo of Cochiti, National Native American Boarding School Healing Coalition
Samuel Torres, Mexica/Nahua, National Native American Boarding School Healing Coalition
Maggie Hart Stebbins, NM Natural Resources Trustee
Line Opinion Panelists:
Dede Feldman, former NM state senator
Edmund Perea, attorney and public safety consultant
Diane Snyder, former NM state senator
For More Information:
The Longest Season: An Our Land Wildfire Special – NM PBS (Video)
Governor Asks for More Federal Resources – Albuquerque Journal
NM Fires Still Burning, But Legacy of Anguish Begins – Santa Fe New Mexican
Emergency Declaration for Multiple Wildfires in New Mexico – Associated Press
National Native American Boarding School Healing Coalition – Website
The Pope Apologizes for Abuse of Indigenous Children in Canada - NPR
Army Agrees to Pay $1.5M For Fort Wingate Pollution – Santa Fe New Mexican
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Facing the Rising Sun: The Journey of African American Homesteaders in New Mexico, Vision, Belief, and Sovereign Ownership is a new exhibit at the Albuquerque Museum, on display through July 10, 2022. Host Gene Grant talks to some of the team that put this exhibit together on how the idea came about, the largely unknown history, and the way they used technology to bring these oral histories to life.
Facing the Rising Sun is a partnership between the African American Museum & Cultural Center of New Mexico (AAMCCNM) and the City of Albuquerque Department of Arts and Culture, with design and fabrication by Electric Playhouse.
Correspondent:
Gene Grant
Guests:
Rita Powdrell
Marilyn Pettes Hill
Eric Yakley
Thomas Williams
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This week on New Mexico in Focus, fire season has started early in our state. In a collaboration with Our Land, Environment Reporter Laura Paskus gives the context we need to understand the impacts of the early start, and how we can navigate this growing threat.
New Mexico has already seen several serious fires across the state. These fires have destroyed hundreds of homes, killed two people so far, forced thousands of people to evacuate their homes and livestock, and they’ll cost millions of dollars.
The Longest Season: An Our Land Wildfire Special, explores all these challenges, and the ongoing struggle to support and recruit federal wildland firefighters to control these blazes.
Resources for New Mexicans:
For fire locations and details about individual fires: InciWeb
New Mexico Fire Information: NM Fire Info & NM Fire Info on Facebook
National Interagency Fire Center – Fire News
If the fire is burning on U.S. Forest Service land, search the name of the forest to find updates. Many of the forests, such as the Santa Fe National Forest, also have active Facebook pages.
NOAA Fire Weather information and alerts (to see things like red flag warnings for your area)
Fire and Smoke Map
New Mexico Department of Health 5-3-1 Visibility Method (for determining if smoky conditions in your area are unhealthy)
Community Wildfire Protection Plans in NM (includes guidelines and information on creating one, as well as links to plans for communities across the state)
Ready, Set, Go! Your Personal Wildland Fire Action Guide (New Mexico) (for information on protecting your home, being ready to evacuate, and making a personal wildfire plan for your home)
En sus Marcas, Listos, Fuera! Su Guia de Accion (Spanish)
Fire Adapted New Mexico Learning Network
NM State Foresty, Fire Prevention Programs
NM State Forestry: Protecting your home from wildfire
NM State Forestry: Creating Wildfire-Defensible Zones
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Election season is inching closer and Republican candidates for governor are ratcheting up their campaigns. Our Line Opinion Panelists will debate the political tactics of some of those candidates, and what the most recent round of campaign finance reports tell us about who could come out on top.
Correspondent Russell Contreras sits down with an expert on Latinx voting trends to talk about what we learned from 2020, and how it could translate into the 2022 primary season.
Albuquerque Mayor Tim Keller has a new plan to consolidate homeless encampments into city-sanctioned areas. Our Line Opinion Panelists discuss the effectiveness of such a plan, and if there are any other solutions that could help keep people off the streets altogether.
Correspondents:
Gene Grant
Russell Contreras
Line Opinion Panelists:
Tom Garrity, Garrity Group Public Relations
Rebecca Latham, chief executive director, Girl Scouts of New Mexico
Laura Sanchez, attorney
Guest:
Stephanie Valencia, co-founder & president, Equis Labs
For More Information:
Rebecca Dow Aims to Unseat Gov. Lujan Grisham – Carlsbad Current-Argus
Border an Early Focus in Campaign Ads for GOP – Albuquerque Journal
Abortion Could Play Key Role in Race for Southern NM’s U.S. House Seat – NM Political Report
Equis Labs
New Data Helps Explains Trump’s Gains Among Latino Voters in 2020 - Vox
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Our Line Opinion panelists discuss the startling number of wildfires burning in our state. It’s causing growing concern over what that could mean for the rest of the spring and summer. All that, as forecasters continue to offer warnings about ongoing drought across the state.
At New Mexico PBS, our main objective is to inform you, our viewers, about the issues that matter around this state. But we’re also committed to passing important knowledge on to the next generation. Environment reporter Laura Paskus talks with an educator in our state who helps design lesson plans based on the scientific reporting in segments of Our Land who explains these modules are a great resource for anyone.
Plus, we preview a new episode of our companion podcast, "Growing Forward," all about the cannabis industry in New Mexico. The full episode will release next Tuesday, April 19th.
Correspondents:
Gene Grant
Laura Paskus
Line Opinion Panelists:
Tom Garrity, Garrity Group Public Relations
Rebecca Latham, chief executive director, Girl Scouts of New Mexico
Laura Sanchez, attorney
Guest:
Mollie Parsons, educator, Cerise Consulting
For More Information:
Pretty Brutal: Hiring Woes Plague Biden Effort to Fight Wildfires - Politico
Heat, Wind Hit New Mexico as Crews Battle Blazes – Albuquerque Journal
The Risk & Benefits of a Prescribed Burn - KOAT
New Mexico Must Focus on Water in 2023 – Santa Fe New Mexican
The Impact of Wildfires on Forests - NMPBS
Climate Change and its Impact on Species - NMPBS
Our Land - Facebook
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Bernalillo County is the latest to end its moratorium on non-payment evictions. Our Line Opinion Panelists explain why they think there hasn’t been a rush to kick people out of their homes, and the programs available for people who are struggling to pay rent.
The Natural Resources Conservation Service issues spring forecasts for western rivers, including the Rio Grande. Hydrologist Angus Goodbody, with the agency’s National Water and Climate Center, speaks with correspondent Laura Paskus about the spring forecast for the Rio Grande Basin. He also explains why the Natural Resources Conservation Service’s streamflow “normals” have recently changed—and what that means for the future.
Animal Rights Group In Defense of Animals, IDA, recently ranked the Albuquerque Zoo as second worst in the U.S. for elephant habitats, in part because of a pair of recent deaths. Host Gene Grant talks with Brittany Michelson of IDA to learn more about what the criticisms involve and what changes the group would like to see. (note: we invited the ABQ Bipark to participate in this discussion as well, but so far that invitation has been declined.)
Correspondents:
Gene Grant
Laura Paskus
Guests:
Angus Goodbody, forecast hydrologist, USDA-NRCS
Brittany Michelson, In Defense of Animals
Line Opinion Panelists:
Serge Martinez, professor, UNM Law School
Sophie Martin, attorney
Justine Fox-Young, former state representative
For More Information:
National Water and Climate Center, USDA-NRCS
NRCS Seasonal Streamflow Normals for Rio Grande Stations
New Mexico NRCS Snow Survey Program
New Mexico Basin-Wide Interactive SNOTEL Graphs
Non-Payment Evictions Begin Friday in Bernalillo County – Source NM
Battle Heats Up Over Remaining Federal Rental Assistance – Albuquerque Journal
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Our Line Opinion Panelists react to the legislature’s decision to send $500 to all New Mexico taxpayers. Is this an efficient way to ease the burden of rising costs? Plus, what role did the upcoming election play in the decision-making process for lawmakers?
New Mexico State University Professor Emeritus Dr. James Peach joins the program to discuss the effectiveness of the $500 payments on the way for people living in New Mexico. Dr. Peach also shares his thoughts on preventing future inflation spikes.
Environment Correspondent Laura Paskus talks with Kali Bronson, Bernalillo County Stormwater Program Compliance Manager, about plastic bags and where they end up in Albuquerque. Just last night, the Albuquerque City Council voted to override Mayor Tim Keller's veto of a repeal to a plastic bag ban.
Our Line Opinion Panelists assess the success of New Mexico’s first week of legal recreational cannabis sales. They discuss where the millions of dollars in estimated tax revenue will go at the end of the year, and some of the concerns from smaller "micro-producers" that are struggling to compete with larger operations.
Correspondents:
Gene Grant
Laura Paskus
Guest:
Dr. James Peach, economics professor, NMSU
Kali Bronson, stormwater program compliance manager, Bernalillo County
Line Opinion Panelists:
Serge Martinez, professor, UNM Law School
Sophie Martin, attorney
Justine Fox-Young, former state representative
For More Information:
New Mexico Lawmakers Approve Economic Relief to Ease Burden of Rising Costs – Santa Fe New Mexican
$50M Appropriations Bill, Revised After Governor’s Veto, Includes Transparency Provision – Santa Few New Mexican
NM Legislature Approves Payments to Offset Inflation – Associated Press
New Mexico Launches Cannabis Sales Within Texans’ Reach – Associated Press
Medical Cannabis Program Still Boasts Incentives, Providers Say– Albuquerque Journal
NM Officials Look to Curb Risk of Stoned Drivers – Albuquerque Journal
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In Albuquerque, the Conservation Carnivale brings the Rio Grande’s bosque ecosystem alive with theatre—and some silliness, too. Ringleader Endion Schichtel knows how hard it is for people to see what’s happening in the world. But that doesn’t mean environmental education shouldn't be fun.
New Mexicans already face the impacts of climate change, including uncertain water supplies for irrigation, dry riverbeds, forest die-offs, and wildfires. When it comes to climate change and climate action, what lessons do communities of faith hold for people both religious and secular? How do people grieve the loss of species and ecosystems? And how has white supremacy shaped both the climate—and Christian theology? Correspondent Laura Paskus and Larry Rasmussen, professor emeritus at Union Theological Seminary, dive into all these topics.
Environment reporter Laura Paskus talks with Barbara L. Chillcott, senior attorney with the Western Environmental Law Center, to learn why conservation groups are suing the U.S. Department of the Interior over documents related to a 2021 report about the federal oil and gas leasing program.
Correspondent:
Laura Paskus
Guests:
Endion Schichtel, Ringleader, Conservation Carnival
Frank, Rio Grande Silvery Minnow
Abuela, Rio Grande Cottonwood
Prudence, North American Porcupine
Larry Rasmussen, professor emeritus, Union Theological Seminary
Barbara Chilcott, Western Environmental Law Center
For More Information:
Conservation Carnivale
Conservation Carnivale on Instagram
Earth Honoring Faith Book
Religion and Views on Climate and Energy Issues – Pew Research Institute
Faith groups increasingly join fight against climate change – ABC News
https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/presidential-actions/2021/01/27/executive-order-on-tackling-the-climate-crisis-at-home-and-abroad/
https://www.doi.gov/sites/doi.gov/files/report-on-the-federal-oil-and-gas-leasing-program-doi-eo-14008.pdf
Visit the NMPBS Video App: https://portal.knme.org/show/our-land-new-mexicos-environmental-past-present-and-future/
Subscribe to Our Land Weekly: https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/su/woyxJ21/ourland
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Legal sales of recreational cannabis are set to begin April 1 in New Mexico. Our Line Opinion Panelists react to recent concerns from retailers concerned about supply. Plus, why the failure of recent legislation could mean more headaches on water rights and usage.
New Mexico has a new water boss under Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham. State Engineer Mike Hamman spoke with correspondent Laura Paskus about the state’s current water challenges, climate change, and infrastructure funding. They also talked about the cannabis industry and the demands it may place on water supplies and why New Mexico’s top water official is required to be a registered professional engineer.
Plus, COVID-19 and the economy have posed a big threat to many small news outlets across the state. We talk with working journalists about the challenges and opportunities in this new media landscape.
Correspondent:
Laura Paskus
Guests:
Mike Hamman, New Mexico State Engineer
Leota Harriman, editor, The Independent
Peter Rice, editor, Downtown Albuquerque News
Ryan Lowery, president, SPJ Rio Grande
Line Opinion Panelists:
Kristelle Siarza, CEO, Siarza Social Digital
Dan Foley, fmr. NM House Minority Whip
Dave Mulryan, founder, Everybody Votes NM
For More Information:
NM Gets Ready For Recreational Cannabis Sales – Santa Fe New Mexican
NM’s Legal Weed Stores Open April 1. Here’s What You Need to Know - Leafly
Albuquerque City Council Stalls on Enforcement of Marijuana Rules - KOAT
NM Office of the State Engineer/Interstate Stream Commission - Office of the State Engineer
NM 50-Year State Water Plan - Office of the State Engineer
“Lake Powell's water levels dip to new low, triggering worries about power production” - Arizona Republic
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Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham is calling legislators to a special session set to begin April 5. In a press release, the Governor says she wants lawmakers to find a way to ease the burden of rising consumer costs. She’s also directing legislators to pass a ‘junior spending bill’ she vetoed weeks prior. Our Line Opinion Panel discusses the potential motivations of the Governor’s call, and what positives might come out of the special session.
More women have come forward, accusing New Mexico State Senator Daniel Ivey-Soto of sexual harassment and bullying. An open letter from several advocacy groups details the accusations and alleges a wider problem when it comes to interactions between lawmakers and lobbyists. Our Line Opinion Panelists explore the implications of the letter, and how the Senate should respond to the accusations against Senator Ivey-Soto.
Along the Rio Grande in Corrales, New Mexico, nonprofit and governmental partners have come together to try to put floodwaters and wastewater to better use for the river and its ecosystem. Recently, The Nature Conservancy partnered with the Southern Sandoval County Arroyo Flood Control Authority, the Middle Rio Grande Conservancy District, Village of Corrales, City of Rio Rancho, AMREP, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and Rio Grande Return to revamp some infrastructure along the river and create a bioswale that will hopefully increase habitat, improve water quality, and reduce erosion.
Correspondent:
Laura Paskus
Guests:
Sarah Hurteau, climate program director, the Nature Conservancy
David Gatterman, executive engineer, Southern Sandoval County Arroyo Flood Control Authority
Line Opinion Panelists:
Kristelle Siarza, CEO, Siarza Social Digital
Dan Foley, fmr. NM House Minority Whip
Dave Mulryan, founder, Everybody Votes NM
For More Information:
Governor Announces Special Session – Office of the NM Governor
NM Governor Seeks Economic Relief in Special Session – Associated Press
Special Session to Focus on Spending Bill – Albuquerque Journal
Area Legislators Question Need for Special Session – Roswell Daily Record
More Women Come Forward With Sexual Harassment Claims Against Legislator – The Paper.
Advocacy Groups Seek Sen. Ivey Soto’s Resignation – Albuquerque Journal
More Women Accuse Sen. Ivey-Soto of Harassment – Santa Fe Reporter
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As drought continues to grip the western United States, some communities are trying to modify the weather—and New Mexico state officials have received two recent applications to attempt cloud seeding. One application was withdrawn last fall after community members opposed it. Now, the Roosevelt Soil and Water Conservation District is hoping a summertime cloud seeding operation might bring rain to parched farm and ranch lands in eastern New Mexico. The district declined requests for interviews, but correspondent Laura Paskus spoke with Gary Walker with Seeding Operations & Atmospheric Research (SOAR), about its application before the state, and also with Hannah Riseley-White, deputy director of the New Mexico Interstate Stream Commission.
Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham is taking executive action on hydrogen. The Governor is directing her administration to pursue a hydrogen economy, but questions remain. The Line Opinion Panel discusses the recent developments, including a new investor’s promise to bring $250M and 500 jobs to Albuquerque.
New Mexico in Focus host Gene Grant speaks with SFR reporter William Melhado about his series on the state of public education in New Mexico since the Yazzie-Martinez ruling.
Environment Correspondent:
Laura Paskus
Guests:
Gary Walker, Seeding Operations & Atmospheric Research
Hannah Riseley-White, deputy director, NM Interstate Stream Commission
Line Opinion Panelists:
Diana Snyder, fmr. state senator
Laura Sanchez, attorney
Steve Terrell, retired reporter, Santa Fe New Mexican
For More Information:
NM Governor Sets Sights on Building Hydrogen Economy – Associated Press
Hydrogen-Based Aviation Takes Off – Albuquerque Journal
Hydrogen Power Demanded by NM Gov. Via Executive Order – Carlsbad Current-Argus
Weather Control and Cloud Modification - New Mexico Interstate Stream Commission
NM PBS Video App
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Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham has signed the largest budget in New Mexico history. Our Line Opinion Panel tells us what’s inside, and what the Governor removed from the legislature’s spending wish list. Plus, how the Governor’s vetoes could impact her relationship with the rest of her party.
Concerned citizens around the globe are speaking out against Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, including a Russian-American living here in New Mexico. Ebony Isis Booth speaks with Grisha Gutkin who organized a rally for peace in Santa Fe. He tells her why he’s so motivated to spread awareness about the crisis, and what he thinks is one of the biggest barriers to peace.
Visual artist Frank Blazquez shares insights into his process creating the documentary series “Duke City Diaries.” The video series profiles individuals born and raised in the city of Albuquerque, while trying to capture the impacts the city has had on their lives. Blazquez explains how he finds his subjects, and why he’s so fascinated with the Land of Enchantment.
New Mexico’s Democratic Party has released the results from its pre-primary convention. Our Line Opinion Panelists touch on the headline selections and debate the motive of a new political action committee backing moderate Democrats in contested races.
Line Opinion Panelists:
Diana Snyder, fmr. state senator
Laura Sanchez, attorney
Steve Terrell, retired reporter, Santa Fe New Mexican
Colores Correspondent:
Ebony Isis Booth
Guest:
Grisha Gutkin, Russian-American, organized rally for Ukraine in Santa Fe
For More Information:
Governor Signs $1B Spending Boost, Vetoes Small Projects – Associated Press
Incensed New Mexico Legislators Debating Override Attempt – Santa Fe New Mexican
NM Lawmakers Call for Extraordinary Session to Override Governor’s Veto - KOB
War in Ukraine – Ukrainian Government’s Collection of Verified News Reports
Breaking News: Russian Invasion of Ukraine – Collection of Verified News Reports
Ukrainian Americans of New Mexico – Nonprofit Webpage
Humanitarian Aid – Ukraine Courage
Frank Blazquez - YouTube
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The District Attorney for New Mexico’s largest county says public defenders are not taking advantage of a criminal diversion program as often as they should. Our Line Opinion Panelists discuss the merits of that accusation, the effectiveness of the program and why some people charged with crimes might not want to participate.
Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham is considering a new bill that would change the way the state handles child abuse and neglect cases. Some child welfare activists are in favor, but many are opposed. The Line Opinion Panel debates the potential impacts of the bill, while addressing the systemic issues for children caught inside our state’s legal system.
Remember last year's news reports that someone was illegally cutting alligator junipers in one of New Mexico's national monuments? Today, Our Land Correspondent Laura Paskus talks with Eric Weaver, Natural Resources Branch Chief for El Malpais and El Morro National Monuments. They'll discuss some special trees, including alligator junipers, but also ancient douglas firs and junipers, ponderosas and aspens - and why they matter.
Correspondents:
Gene Grant
Laura Paskus
Guests:
Eric Weaver, natural resources branch chief, El Malpais/El Morro National Monuments
Line Opinion Panelists:
Edmund Perea, attorney/legal and public safety analyst
Michael Bird, fmr. president of the American Public Health Association
Julie Ann Grimm, editor, Santa Fe Reporter
For More Information:
New Mexico Lawyers Spar Over Criminal Diversion Program – Associated Press
Pre-Prosecution Diversion Program Offers Support to Reduce Recidivism - KRQE
Santa Fe’s Diversion Program for People With Addictions Has Dwindled – Santa Fe Reporter
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Former Albuquerque Mayor Martin Chávez explains how he’s approaching his new position as state infrastructure adviser. Chávez shares some of his priorities with correspondent Gwyneth Doland and explains how the public can get involved in the process of allocating $3.7B in federal infrastructure funding.
Host Gene Grant talks with Charles Ashley III about his goals in his new role as Albuquerque's Economic Development Director.
Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham is urging the State Investment Commission immediately divest from any interests that could benefit the Russian government. Our Line Opinion Panel discusses that request, and the impact federal sanctions are having on gas prices around the country.
Correspondents:
Gwyneth Doland
Gene Grant
Guests:
Martin Chávez, New Mexico Infrastructure Adviser
Charles Ashley III, director, Albuquerque Economic Development
Line Opinion Panelists:
Edmund Perea, attorney/legal and public safety analyst
Michael Bird, fmr. president of the American Public Health Association
Julie Ann Grimm, editor, Santa Fe Reporter
For More Information:
Governor Urges Divestment From Russian Government – NM Governor's Office
Governor Wants New Mexico to Divest From Russia – Source NM
NM Poised to Receive $3.7B Under Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill – Santa Fe New Mexican
Fmr. Mayor Chávez to Serve as NM’s Infrastructure Adviser– Albuquerque Journal
New Mexico Rural Infrastructure Report – Pivotal NM
Albuquerque Economic Development
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Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham isn’t giving up on her plan to make New Mexico a hub for Hydrogen power. The Governor recently signed a partnership agreement with Colorado, Wyoming and Utah to lobby jointly for a piece of $8B up for grabs from the federal government. Our Line Panelists debate whether this is a prudent move for our state’s energy future.
Tens of thousands of New Mexicans are scrambling after being told they have to repay some of the unemployment relief they received during the pandemic. The state’s Department of Workforce Solutions says it paid out too much, and now it wants the people who unknowingly received the extra money to pay it back months later. Our Line Opinion Panelists discuss the moral implications of such a mistake and try to come up with a solution.
And, Our Land reporter Laura Paskus talks with State Senator Jeff Steinborn to learn more about Holtec's plan to dispose of nuclear waste here in New Mexico, the company's track record in other states, and why the legislature didn't pass a bill this session that would have blocked the waste from coming here.
Line Opinion Panelists:
Merritt Allen, Vox Optima Public Relations
Jessica Onsurez, news director, Carlsbad Current Argus
Dede Feldman, former state senator
Guest:
Jeff Steinborn, New Mexico Senator (D)
For More Information:
State Overpaid Millions in Unemployment Benefits, Now DWS Wants it Back – Searchlight NM
New Mexico Governor Signs Interstate Hydrogen Hub Deal – Santa Few New Mexican
NM Joins Three Other States in Effort to Create Hydrogen Hub – NM Political Report
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The Line Opinion Panel recaps the New Mexico Republican Party’s pre-primary convention. Delegates there selected three candidates to lead the party’s section of the ballot, with one notable exception. Panelists also touch on voting issues at the convention, and disappointment from some party members about how the convention was conducted.
A philosophy professor sheltering outside the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv shares his experiences since the Russian Invasion began. He, like many in the country, is dedicated to staying and protecting his country. He explains Russia’s strategy of trying to break down morale, but adds, it won’t work. Plus, a group of Ukrainian Americans here in New Mexico is trying to raise support for its home country. In an exclusive roundtable interview, three members of that group share the horrors their friends and loved ones are enduring in their home country. Plus, they lay out how we as Americans and New Mexicans, can help stand up to the authoritarian aggression of Russia.
And finally, Correspondent Antonia Gonzales spends a few minutes with Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez, who has decided to keep the reservation's mask mandate in place, even as states like New Mexico and Arizona drop theirs. The two discuss the latest on the Tribe's response to COVID-19 and even President Joe Biden's recent State of the Union speech.
Guests:
Anonymous Philosophy Professor
George Klapischak - Interpreter
Nataliya Pavlenko-Edelman, president, Ukrainian Americans of New Mexico
Larysa Castilla, Ukrainian American, Nurse
George Danilov, Ukrainian American
For More Information:
War in Ukraine – Ukrainian Government’s Collection of Verified News Reports
Breaking News: Russian Invasion of Ukraine – Collection of Verified News Reports
Ukrainian Americans of New Mexico – Nonprofit Webpage
Humanitarian Aid – Ukraine Courage
Ronchetti Steps Up Damage Control After GOP Convention – Santa Fe New Mexican
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Environment reporter Laura Paskus talks with Albuquerque City Councilor Brook Bassan (District 4 - Northeast Heights) about her proposal to repeal the city's plastic bag ban, and why she thinks her constituents want it to end.
Patrol shifts for Albuquerque police officers have been extended to twelve hours to help cover staffing shortages at the department. Our Line Panelists weigh the possible positives and negatives of this change. Plus, how does this fit with the growing calls for a crackdown on crime?
Correspondents:
Gene Grant
Laura Paskus
Line Opinion Panelists:
Tom Garrity, Garrity Group public relations
Cathryn McGill, founder and director, NM Black Leadership Council
TJ Trout, radio host, KKOB
Guest:
Brooke Bassan, Albuquerque City Councilor, District 4
For More Information:
Albuquerque Police Officers Shifting to a 12-Hour Schedule – Associated Press
12-Hour Shifts Begin for APD – KRQE
Full Interview: Laura Paskus Talks Plastic Bag Ban With Councilor Brooke Bassan – Our Land, NM PBS
Clean and Green Ordinance – City of Albuquerque
Albuquerque City Councilor Wants to Repeal Plastic Bag Ban - KRQE
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The Line Opinion Panel reacts to Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham’s decision to end the statewide indoor mask mandate. State Health Secretary Dr. David Scrase cites a significant drop in cases, hospitalizations and deaths from COVID-19. Panelists try to understand the rationale and discuss the burden school districts must now carry.
Correspondent Megan Kamerick speaks with the Archbishop of Santa Fe about his recent pastoral letter, calling for international nuclear disarmament. Archbishop John C. Wester explains his stance, while noting the presence of two federal nuclear weapons laboratories here in New Mexico.
New Mexico’s largest electrical utility is going to keep part of a coal-fired power plant in San Juan open a bit longer than planned. The company says it’s necessary to avoid rolling blackouts during the hottest summer months. The Line Opinion Panel unpacks what this seemingly minor setback could mean for the state’s long-term transition to renewable energy sources.
Correspondents:
Gene Grant
Megan Kamerick
Line Opinion Panelists:
Tom Garrity, Garrity Group public relations
Cathryn McGill, founder and director, NM Black Leadership Council
TJ Trout, radio host, KKOB
Guest:
Archbishop John C. Wester, Archdiocese of Santa Fe
For More Information:
New Mexico Indoor Mask Mandate Lifted – Governor's Office
NM DOH Public Health Order – NM Department of Health
How Do People Feel After New Mexico Lifts Indoor Mask Mandate - KOAT
San Juan Extension to Avoid Blackouts – Albuquerque Journal
PNM Press Release
Santa Fe’s Archbishop Wester Urges Nuclear Disarmament in New Pastoral Letter – National Catholic Reporter
Living in the Light of Christ's Peace: A Conversation Toward Nuclear Disarmament - Archdiocese of Santa Fe
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The city of Albuquerque has been involved in conversations with Pueblos and Tribes since June, when 215 unmarked graves of unidentified Indigenous youth were discovered at the site of a former Indian Boarding School in British Columbia. Correspondent Antonia Gonzales talks with Dr. Theodore Jojola about this difficult history and the current efforts to acknowledge that history and foster healing.
De Haven Solimon Chaffins grew up living with her grandparents on the Laguna Pueblo. The landscape there shaped her view of the world... the natural landscape... and the Jackpile-Paguate Uranium Mine. That huge open pit mine is a federal Superfund site and is still polluting water and causing cancers. This week, Chaffins sits down with Our Land Correspondent Laura Paskus to explain how her artwork explores the story of the mine and its impacts. You can see some of her work at an exhibit called ‘Radon Daughter,’ on display at the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center through the end of this month.
Plus, we introduce you to the new Director of the Africana Studies Department at UNM. Kirsten Pai Buick is no stranger to the university, but she takes the helm just as the program prepares to evolve into a fully-fledged ethnic studies department. The pair discuss that transition, and Buick's goals and aspirations as she builds a department.
Correspondents:
Antonia Gonzales
Laura Paskus
Gene Grant
Guests:
Dr. Theodore Jojola, director, UNM Indigenous Design & Planning Institute
De Haven Solimon Chaffins (Laguna/Zuni), artist
For More Information:
City moving forward to honor burial site of Native American boarding school students - KRQE
City holds community conversations about Albuquerque Indian School burial site – KUNM
Indian School Graves Rediscovered Under City Park – The Paper
Of Hummingbirds and Hope: Radon Daughter Sooths the Yellow Dragon – Indian Pueblo Cultural Center
Exposure: Native Art and Political Ecology – IAIA Museum of Contemporary Native Arts
Jackpile-Paguate Uranium Mine, Laguna Pueblo, EPA Superfund Site
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The 2022 Legislative Session ended at noon on Thursday, February 17th. A frantic finish helped push many of Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham’s top priorities over the finish line, including a record budget, substantial teacher raises, and a package of crime bills. Our Line opinion panel of working journalists break down those key issues and the tactics used to get them to the governor’s desk.
Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham laid out an aggressive agenda for the 2022 Legislative Session, especially considering it was just a 30-day, budget session. Some of her big-ticket items were seemingly doomed from the start, such as efforts to position New Mexico as a Hyrdrogen energy hub. Others, like the Voting Rights Act, were defeated by a last-minute filibuster. Our Line opinion panelists break it all down and also react to the surprising news that Speaker of the House Brian Egolf will not run for reelection.
Plus, NMiF Host Gene Grant talks with UNM Political Science Professor Timothy Krebs about the recently completed 30-day Legislative Session.
Host:
Gene Grant
Line Opinion Panelists:
Algernon D’Ammassa, reporter, Las Cruces Sun-News
Julia Goldberg, reporter, Santa Fe Reporter
Trip Jennings, executive director, New Mexico in Depth
Guest:
Timothy Krebs, UNM Political Science Professor
For More Information:
Gov. touts session successes as 64 bills pass amid challenges – Albuquerque Journal
What passed, what failed in the 2022 legislative session – Santa Fe New Mexican
Legislature: Last full day of 2022 session unfolds, reconciled budget clears both chambers – Las Cruces Sun-News
Voting bill dies as 30-day session comes to an end – Albuquerque Journal
GOP senator's filibuster kills voting rights bill – Santa Fe New Mexican
What the failed cannabis clean up bill means – New Mexico Political Report
NM House speaker won’t seek another term – Albuquerque Journal
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Environment Reporter Laura Paskus talks with Rep. Melanie Stansbury (CD-1) about her latest efforts in Washington, D.C. including introducing the Water Smart Access for Tribes Act.
On average, temperatures in New Mexico have risen three degrees since the 1970s. Retired UNM Professor David Gutzler talks about the impacts of warming on New Mexico’s landscapes, rivers, and communities – and discusses why it’s so hard for policymakers and politicians to act on climate.
Correspondent:
Laura Paskus
Guests:
Melanie Stansbury, U.S. Representative, (D) New Mexico
David Gutzler, Climate Scientist
For More Information:
Stansbury, Colleagues Introduce Tribal Water Security Bill
H.R. 6238 – Water Smart Access for Tribes Act
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The Super Bowl kicks off today, and for many people that will also include some form of gambling. As the industry reaches more and more into the world of professional sports, the Navajo Nation is taking steps to launch its first Sportsbook. Correspondent Antonia Gonzales learns more about how it works and what it might mean for the Nation and it's finances.
Gonzales also continues her coverage of a push from Indigenous communities to discontinue the use of Native American names and imagery in professional sports. The latest example has to do with a U.K. rugby team. Antonia learns how the push is paying off and how it might serve as a model for other teams and professional leagues.
Plus, Native American youth will be gathering soon in Arizona for the first Native Youth UNITY gathering since the pandemic started. Find out more about the event, designed to help young people deal with the stresses, depression and isolation of the last two years. And hear about the star-studded line-up at this unique event.
For More Information:
UNITY Midyear Conference 2022
Quannah Chasinghorse New Mexico in Focus Interview (September, 2021)
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Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham’s push to make New Mexico a hub for hydrogen is barely hanging on. The Line Opinion Panel explores the changes made in a third piece of legislation, and panelists debate the apparent strategic failures in the rollout of this plan.
The panel also reacts to a call for help from the union president at the Bernalillo County Jail. With staffing shortages inching towards a crisis, should the state step in? And does this reality expose a problem in our approach to law enforcement and curbing crime in general?
A package of voting reforms might have a tough time making it through the session before lawmakers head home. The Line Opinion Panel explores what’s inside the pieces that have gotten some traction, and what’s holding back the rest.
Host:
Gene Grant
Line Opinion Panelists:
Andy Lyman, reporter, NM Political Report
Dan Foley, fmr. New Mexico representative
Inez Russell Gomez, editorial page editor, Santa Fe New Mexican
For More Information:
Committee Considers New Plan on Hydrogen – Santa Fe New Mexican
New Mexico Republicans Line Up Against Environmental Bills – The Paper
Reporter Jerry Redfern Talks Hydrogen Energy – Our Land
Pretrial Monitoring Bill Surfaces in House, Advances Quickly – Albuquerque Journal
New Mexico Legislators Rework Proposed Crime Legislation - KOB
Union President Addresses Staffing Shortage Concerns at MDC – KOB
Voter-Access Bill Advances in New Mexico Legislature – Associated Press
Governor Optimistic of Approval for Tax Cuts, Voting Access – Associated Press
New Mexico Senate Seeks New Protections for Election Workers - KRWG
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New Mexico is in the process of deciding how to spend billions of dollars in federal infrastructure dollars. It is no secret that the needs stretch far beyond just our urban communities. Host Gene Grant and Pivotal New Mexico CEO Terry Brunner discuss a new report addressing the infrastructure shortcomings in rural communities and the systemic issues that continually stand in our way when securing funding for all New Mexicans.
Until recently, Jeremy Vesbach was vice-chair of the New Mexico State Game Commission. In conversation with correspondent Laura Paskus, he talks about the commission’s roles and responsibilities and about a controversial stream access rule in the state. Vesbach is the second commissioner Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham has removed from the commission, which currently only has four of seven seats filled.
New Mexico is caught in the middle of an investigation into the 2020 election, and the January 6th Insurrection at the U.S. Capitol. Our Line Opinion Panelists react to accusations that several New Mexicans submitted fraudulent electoral college certificates declaring Donald Trump winner, despite Joe Bien receiving the majority of votes in our state. Was this a coordinated effort, and what could it mean for the future of the republican party in New Mexico?
Correspondents:
Gene Grant
Laura Paskus
Line Opinion Panelists:
Sophie Martin, attorney
Rebecca Latham, CEO, Girl Scouts of New Mexico
Ed Perea, attorney
Guests:
Terry Brunner, CEO, Pivotal New Mexico
Jeremy Vesbach, fmr. State game commissioner
For More Information:
Jan. 6 Committee Subpoenas Fake Trump Electors in 7 States – Associated Press
Jan. 6 Committee Subpoenas 2 Republicans From New Mexico - KOAT
Trump’s Fake Electors – Here's the Full List – Source NM
Rural Infrastructure Report – Pivotal NM
NM Considers Prioritizing Rural Water Projects – Santa Fe New Mexican
Governor Names New State Engineer – Albuquerque Journal
Governor Removes Member from State Game Commission – Albuquerque Journal
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Subscribe to Our Land Weekly
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A package of anti-crime initiatives is gaining support in the state Legislature. Our Line panelists break down what’s included in those proposals and debate the potential impacts the bills could have. Plus, how the recent social outcry for police reform factors into this decision-making process.
More than three years after a court ruling mandating change, the state legislature is considering a trio of bills aimed at making education more equitable for all New Mexican Students. Out Line Opinion panelists debate whether the proposals go far enough to help Native American students in response to the Yazzie-Martinez lawsuit.
Environment Correspondent Laura Paskus and Capital & Main journalist Jerry Redfern explore what we know about hydrogen power. Redfern has been covering energy issues for years and explains why some environmental groups are apprehensive about New Mexico’s push to become a hub for hydrogen.
Correspondents:
Laura Paskus
Gene Grant
Line Opinion Panelists:
Sophie Martin, attorney
Rebecca Latham, CEO, Girl Scouts of New Mexico
Ed Perea, attorney
Guest:
Jerry Redfern, reporter, Capital & Main
For More Information:
Three Crime-Related Bills Make it Through Committee – Santa Fe New Mexican
Behavioral Health Bill Advances, Focuses on Crime Prevention - KRQE
Pretrial Detention Bill Clears House Committee Despite Skepticism – Las Vegas Optic
NM Lawmakers Advance Native American Education Bills – Associated Press
Bills to Address Yazzie/Martinez Court Ruling Advance – NM Political Report
Indigenous Educators Urge Lawmakers to Fund a Transformation of Public Schools – Source NM
New Mexico’s Delicate Dance to Become a Center of U.S. Hydrogen Production– Capital & Main
Proposed Hydrogen Hub Generates Controversy – Santa Fe New Mexican
NM Leaders Hanging on to Hydrogen Energy Despite Bill’s Defeat – Carlsbad Current Argus
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Lawmakers are considering new legislation that would put New Mexico on a pathway to become a leader in hydrogen energy production. But is there enough science to merit such an investment? Our Line Opinion panelists explore the unknowns of the controversial energy source, and weigh the potential economic consequences for New Mexico if lawmakers hesitate on taking the lead.
Gene Grant sits down with tax expert Richard Anklam to dig through the tax cuts being weighed in the legislature. Are these reforms thorough enough to make a difference for New Mexican families and businesses? Plus, are there risks to making tax cuts right now?
Plus, Lawmakers are firmly focused on completing the obligations of this year’s regular session, but how much does the upcoming midterm election play into their decision making? Our Line Opinion panelists try to identify the motivations of some recent developments in Santa Fe as some lawmakers position themselves for reelection.
Line Opinion Panelists:
Dede Feldman, former state senator
Diane Snyder, former state senator
Algernon D’Ammassa, reporter & columnist, Las Cruces Sun-News
Guest:
Richard Anklam – Director, New Mexico Tax Research Institute
For More Information:
State Agencies, National Labs Team Up in Zero-Carbon Hydrogen Effort – NM Political Report
New Data Shows Massive Climate-Warming Leaks by NM Oil & Gas Operators – NM Political Report
State & National Laboratories Execute Agreement on Development of Zero-Carbon Hydrogen – Los Alamos Reporter
House Bill 4 – Hydrogen Hub Development Act
New Mexico May Limit of Scrap Tax on Social Security Income – Las Cruces Sun-News
Legislative Updates & Proposed Legislation – Tax.NewMexico.Gov
New Mexico Tax Research Institute
State Republican Party Sues Over Redistricting Map – The Paper
Republican Party Challenges New Mexico Political Maps – Associated Press
Governor Steps in as a Teacher for a Day – Albuquerque Journal
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Correspondent Gwyneth Doland speaks one-on-one with Secretary of State Maggie Toulouse Oliver about a set of new voting reforms moving through the legislature. The proposed changes are aimed at expanding access and participation in our elections. The Secretary also touches on a recent survey measuring voter confidence in our electoral system.
The Line Opinion panel reacts to our interview with Secretary of State Maggie Toulouse Oliver, and weighs in on the proposed voting reforms introduced to the legislature. Our panelists debate the merits of the proposals to remove barriers to absentee voting, extend opportunities for early voting, and to lower the voting age to 16.
Correspondent:
Gwyneth Doland
Guest:
Secretary of State Maggie Toulouse Oliver – New Mexico (D)
Line Opinion Panelists:
Dede Feldman, former state senator
Diane Snyder, former state senator
Algernon D’Ammassa, reporter & columnist, Las Cruces Sun-News
More Information
Survey Finds Faith in Elections Faltering in New Mexico – Santa Fe New Mexican
2020 NM Election Administration, Voter Security & Election Reform Report
Gov., Secretary of Secretary of State Announce Voting Reform Plan – Gov. Office
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Environment Report Laura Paskus is joined by Michael Dax, Western Program Director for Wildlands Network, to talk about a draft Wildlife Corridors Action Plan from the New Mexico Department of Transportation and the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish.
The plan comes out of the Wildlife Corridors Act of 2019 and identifies 11 priority safe passage projects to protect wildlife and drivers. These include underpasses and overpasses throughout New Mexico.
In 2018, the Our Land team covered this issue in an episode about the Tijeras Canyon Safe Passage Project, from NMDGF and NMDOT. You can watch that here.
More Information:
Wildlife Corridors Action Plan: https://wildlifeactionplan.nmdotprojects.org/
2019 Wildlife Corridors Act: https://wildlifeactionplan.nmdotprojects.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/39/2021/04/New-Mexico-Wildlife-Corridors-Act-2019.pdf
Wildlands Network: https://wildlandsnetwork.org/
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This week on New Mexico in Focus, Gene and the Line Opinion Panel dig into Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham’s 2022 State of the State Address, analyzing the Governor’s stated priorities, and what she may have left out. Now that the state has a significant budget surplus, the Governor is calling for aggressive action on several fronts, including teacher pay, tax issues and job growth. Our panelists address those priorities and detail any potential issues that could arise in the legislature. Governor Lujan Grisham is also proposing a major funding boost to public safety, but is it enough to fill the growing number of vacancies at police departments around the state? Plus, a deeper look at the Governor’s plan to strengthen healthcare, and support home caregivers in the age of COVID-19.
If you want to watch the full State of the State Address, you can do that here. Also included is some immediate reaction to the speech and an annotated written version with contextual footnotes from New Mexico Journalists.
Guest:
Michelle Lujan Grisham (D), New Mexico Governor
The Line opinion panel:
Julie Ann Grimm – editor and publisher, Santa Fe Reporter
Kristelle Siarza - owner and CEO, Siarza Social Digital
Adrian Hedden – reporter, Carlsbad Current-Argus
This show is part of our #YourNMGov project, in collaboration with KUNM radio. Support for public media provided by the Thornburg Foundation.
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COVID-19 cases are surging since the introduction of the new Omicron variant. Officials from UNM Hospital and Presbyterian Medical Services update the public on the impacts of Omicron on their daily operations and specifically Emergency Rooms. Our Line panelists also react to those warnings about longer wait times for minor health issues and the growing issues individuals are having when trying to get tested for the virus.
Plus, Our Line Panelists share their opinion on a study to determine the feasibility of publicly owned utility companies. Are they more accountable to their customers than private electric companies? And what does the changing composition of the Public Regulations Commission mean for energy oversight in the future?
Line Opinion Panelists:
Michael Bird, former President, American Public Health Association
Tom Garrity, Garrity Public Relations Group
Martha Burk, Political Psychologist and Author
For More Information:
Omicron’s Impact on Hospitals & Wait Times (VIDEO) - NMiF YouTube
New Mexico Hospitals Warn of Wait Times for the Less Sick - Associated Press
COVID-19 Dashboard - NMDOH
Vaccine Signup - NMDOH
NM Utility Regulators Skeptical of Study on Publicly Owned Electric Power – Santa Fe New Mexican
Group of Legislators Request Study About Creating Government-Run Electric Utilities – NM Political Report
PRC Asked by Legislators to Consider Public Utilities as Option for NM– Santa Fe New Mexican
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Political correspondent Gwyneth Doland previews the upcoming legislative session with Senate President Pro Tem, Mimi Stewart. Senator Stewart lays out the Democratic agenda and gives background on some of the key issues scheduled to come up starting January 18th. Host Gene Grant also catches up with former State Rep. Alonzo Baldonado after his recent resignation. Baldonado shares his thought process behind stepping down from the legislature, and looks back at his proudest accomplishments, and the issues he wishes he could have done more on. Baldonado also shares his perspective ahead of the return to regular session, explaining the priorities he thinks lawmakers should be focused on starting January 18th.
The Line Opinion Panel analyzes budget proposals from both the Governor and the Legislative Finance Committee ahead of the start of regular session. Panelists break down the spending priorities of each plan, while giving their perspective on the potential effectiveness of the proposed investments.
New Mexicans already face the impacts of climate change, including uncertain water supplies for irrigation, dry riverbeds, forest dieoffs, and wildfires. When it comes to climate change and climate action, what lessons do communities of faith hold for people both religious and secular? How do people grieve the loss of species and ecosystems? And how has white supremacy shaped both the climate—and Christian theology? On this month’s Our Land, correspondent Laura Paskus and Larry Rasmussen, Professor Emeritus at Union Theological Seminary, dive into all these topics.
Correspondent:
Gwyneth Doland
Laura Paskus
Guests:
Mimi Stewart (D), NM Senate President Pro Tem
Larry Rasmussen, Professor Emeritus at Union Theological Seminary
Line Opinion Panelists:
Michael Bird, former President, American Public Health Association
Tom Garrity, Garrity Public Relations Group
Martha Burk, Political Psychologist and Author
For More Information:
Legislature ‘Awash in Money’ as it Convenes Jan. 18 for 2022 Regular Session – Las Cruces Bulletin
Upcoming Legislative Session Could See Bills on Child Care, Economic Recovery and Tax Reform - KRQE
St. Sen. Mimi Stewart Bio – NM Legislature
State Spending Could Soar Under Dueling Budget Plans – Albuquerque Journal
State Rep. Alonzo Baldonado Resigns - KRQE
State Rep. Alonzo Baldonado Stepping Down From House – Albuquerque Journal
Earth Honoring Faith Book
Religion and Views on Climate and Energy Issues – Pew Research Institute
Faith groups increasingly join fight against climate change – ABC News
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Parker Williams is a bioclimatologist who studies drought and wildfire in the western United States. He spoke with correspondent Laura Paskus about today’s ongoing drought and how it compares and contrasts with droughts in the ancient past. The two also talked about wildfire in the West and how climate change and warmer temperatures affect fire season and landscapes. Williams is an associate professor in the Department of Geography at UCLA.
Plus, we bring you a powerful interview from a recent Facebook Live with host Gene Grant. He's joined by Bernalillo County Undersheriff and Pilot Larry Koren, Bernalillo County Fire Department Rescue Specialist Joses Waller, and UNM Mountain Medicine Rescue Specialist Drew Harrell to discuss the New Year’s Day rescue on the Sandia Tram Line
Correspondent:
Laura Paskus
Guests:
Parker Williams, associate professor, Department of Geography, UCLA
Larry Koren, Bernalillo County Undersheriff and Pilot
Joses Waller, Bernalillo County Fire Department Rescue Specialist
Drew Harrell, UNM Mountain Medicine Rescue Specialist
For More Information:
All 21 people who were trapped in New Mexico tramway overnight have been rescued - CNN
How severe is the megadrought in the West – The Hill
2021 Forest Service/USDA Memo
Yale Program on Climate Change Communication September Report
Park Williams & HyFiVeS Research Group website
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The Line Panel reacts to the most recent updates from the Department of Health on the Omicron variant. Early data seems to suggest it is a milder version of the virus, but spreads at more than 3-times the rate of the Delta variant. As we wait for more data to give us more information, how should the public react?
State lawmakers are getting set to take on crime during the 2022 Legislative session. But will tightening laws and lengthening sentences work as an effective deterrent? Our panelists share their opinions on this one as well, and give other ideas that could help bolster our state’s criminal justice system in the long term.
The State Ethics Commission is calling for stricter disclosure rules when it comes to state lawmakers’ income and business interests. We detail the proposed changes and ask our panelists: is this a reasonable burden for unpaid, part-time legislators? Is it time to reconsider our state’s citizen-legislature, or is there no hope keeping special interests out of the roundhouse?
Line Opinion Panelists:
Serge Martinez, UNM Law School
Inez Russell Gomez, editorial page editor, Santa Fe New Mexican
Rebeca Latham, CEO, Girl Scouts of New Mexico
For More Information:
Amid Omicron, NM Urges Exposure Notifications – Albuquerque Journal
New Mexico Department of Health COVID-19 Dashboard – NMDOH Website
Vaccine Appointments – VaccineNM.org
New Mexico Department of Health Briefings - Facebook
NM Legislature Gearing Up to Crack Down on Crime – Santa Fe New Mexican
Albuquerque Shatters Homicide Record by 46% - Associated Press
Editorial: ABQ Has to Handle Crime in New Year – Albuquerque Journal
When you add more police to a city, what happens? - NPR: Planet Money
Ethics Agency Calls for Firmer Disclosure Laws – Albuquerque Journal
Financial Disclosure Rules – NM Secretary of State
The segment on disclosure rules is part of our #YourNMGov project, in collaboration with KUNM radio. Support for public media provided by the Thornburg Foundation.
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In this episode we share thoughts on the Environment as we enter 2022, with guests from past Our Land episodes. In addition, we share part of a recent conversation with the new director for the Cannabis Control Division, from our sister podcast, "Growing Forward". Subscribe today, wherever you get your podcasts!
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This week on New Mexico in Focus, we wrap up our annual countdown of the top 10 stories of the year that was. We're joined once again by a special Line opinion panel of journalists from across the state as they offer thoughts and reflections on these defining moments. This week it’s stories #5-#1.
The Line opinion panel:
Julie Ann Grimm, editor and publisher, Santa Fe Reporter
Algernon D’Ammassa, reporter, Las Cruces Sun News
Dan McKay, Albuquerque Journal Capitol Bureau
Jessica Onsurez, news director, Carlsbad Current Argus
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This time on New Mexico in Focus, we go back to class to separate fact from fiction when it comes to inflation. Dr. Janie Chermak from the UNM Economics Department helps host Gene Grant understand what exactly inflation is, and what's driving our current spike in prices for everyday items like milk, bread and gasoline. Are the soaring prices just another offshoot of COVID-19 and the current supply chain issues, or are they here to stay?
Plus, the investigation into a tragic shooting on the set of the film "Rust" is ongoing, and much of the focus is on the apparent breakdown of protocols with the production. Scott Rasmussen is a veteran armorer, the person charged with handling weapons on a film set. He discusses hiw approach to making safety a priority on set and what changes this tragedy might have for the entire industry moving forward.
Guests:
Dr. Janie Chermak, UNM Economic Department
Scott Rasmussen, Veteran Film Set Armorer
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This week on New Mexico in Focus, we bring back an annual tradition on the show, the countdown of the Top Ten stories of the year. A special Line opinion panel of journalists from across the state offers thoughts and reflections on these defining moments. This week it’s stories #10-#6.
The Line opinion panel:
Julie Ann Grimm, editor and publisher, Santa Fe Reporter
Algernon D’Ammassa, reporter, Las Cruces Sun News
Dan McKay, Albuquerque Journal Capitol Bureau
Jessica Onsurez, news director, Carlsbad Current Argus
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The synthetic drug fentanyl is wreaking havoc on the state of New Mexico, specifically the city of Albuquerque, becoming the number 1 drug driving crime in the state’s largest city. The Line opinion panel weighs in on what can be done to control the rising number of users, and overdoses. Plus, the mindset parents should take when discussing the relatively new, and highly potent drug.
Also this week, Correspondent Laura Paskus learns more about what resources are available for those struggling with addiction. She sits down with Lou Duran of Serenity Mesa Recovery Center as well as the uber-talented Albuquerque Journal team of Matthew Reisen and Roberto Rosales, who just wrapped up a three part series on Fentanyl and crime.
Albuquerque Journal Series
Fentanyl use exploding on Albuquerque streets
Fentanyl the No 1 drug driving ABQ crime, violence
Fentanyl: a game of 'Russian Roulette'
Resources:
NM Network of Care (Behavioral Health): https://newmexico.networkofcare.org/mh/services/index.aspx
Treatment Connection: https://www.treatmentconnection.com/
OpenBeds: https://openbeds.net/
PullTogether: https://pulltogether.org/resources-by-county
UNM Center for Development and Disability Information Referral Database: http://www.navigateresources.net/icnm/
SAMHSA Find Treatment: https://findtreatment.gov/
SAMHSA Opioid Treatment Program Directory: https://dpt2.samhsa.gov/treatment/directory.aspx?
Dose of Reality MAT Treatment Locator: https://doseofreality.com/mat/
Dose of Reality Naloxone Locator: https://doseofreality.com/naloxone/
SHARE NM: https://sharenm.org/nm-resources
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With redistricting decisions very much in flux, the Line Opinion Panel explores the issues standing in the way of New Mexico lawmakers. Will legislators truly consider the input of Tribal Nations, and if not, what could the legal ramifications be? Panelists give their take on that, and the possibility of Albuquerque being split into three separate congressional districts.
Correspondent Gwyneth Doland also updates the tension over redistricting in a conversation with two people deeply invested in the process. Kathleen Burke from Fair Districts New Mexico and Casey Douma from the All Pueblo Council of Governors share their perspectives, and concerns, about the recent developments at the Capitol. They explain what they think is being overlooked, and how lawmakers should reframe their approach to properly serve underrepresented populations.
The state legislature is working through another major undertaking – allocating more than $1B in federal COVID-19 relief funding. The Line Opinion Panelists explain the priorities lawmakers are considering, and the impact the virus is still having on the decision-making process. With hospitalization rates climbing higher, is there more that can be done to support medical professionals?
Correspondent Antonia Gonzales introduces us to Navajo baker Liz Howdy. Find out how her culture frames her outlook as an artist and entrepreneur, and the passion that fuels her work. Plus, an easy holiday recipe everyone will love around the holidays!
Line Opinion Panelists:
Dede Feldman, former state senator
Laura Sanchez, attorney
Merritt Allen, Vox Optima Public Relations
Guests:
Kathleen Burke, project coordinator, Fair Districts for New Mexico
Casey Douma, All Pueblo Council of Governors; Ad Hoc Redistricting Committee
Liz Howdy, baker, Howdy Cakes
More information:
New Congressional Map - Signed on Friday by Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham
Native Americans Wield Influence in New Mexico Redistricting – Associated Press
All Pueblo Council of Governors – Official Website
Native Americans Wield Influence in New Mexico Redistricting – Associated Press
New Mexico Senate Passes Broadband, Highway Spending Bill – Associated Press
Howdy Cakes Instagram Page - Instagram
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Wildlife doesn’t adhere to borders – that's the message from an urban ecologist as Environment Reporter Laura Paskus explores the animal life in New Mexico cities. She asks how humans can coexist with foxes, coyotes, bobcats and raccoons, and more. This special episode features video and images from viewers around New Mexico who shared information about the wildlife they see in their neighborhoods and communities.
We’d love to hear from even more New Mexicans! Add photos and information about the wildlife you see in your neighborhood on our interactive map.
We also bring you two of our recent Facebook Live conversations. First, on the Our Land side, we catch up with a plant expert for some tips on how to care for your lawn and plant life this winter, when conditions are still so dry and temperatures are higher. And, host Gene Grant finds out what organizations are doing in New Mexico this holiday season and year round to help those struggling with food insecurity.
Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham is proposing a 7% pay hike for public educators across the state. The Line Opinion Panel discusses whether or not it’s enough to compensate teachers for pandemic stresses, or to fill growing vacancies at districts around the state.
Line Opinion Panelists:
Diane Snyder, Former State Senator
Eric Griego, Former State Senator
Tom Garrity, Garrity Group Public Relations
Guests:
Zoë Rossman, Urban Ecologist and UNM Graduate Student
Ari Herring, Rio Grande Food Project
Erin Garrison, Food is Free Albuquerque
Ashley Rammeslberg, ABQ Free Fridge
Juan Suarez, ABQ Free Fridge
Carlos Bustos, water conservation program manager, Albuquerque-Bernalillo County Water Utility Authority
For More Information:
Our Land - Instagram
Wildlife Ecology & Photography – ZoeRossman.com
Details of Teacher Raise Proposal in New Mexico – Associated Press
Gov. Proposes 7% Raise for NM Educators – Albuquerque Journal
Governor Plans on 7% Raises for NM Educators – Governor's Office
Rio Grande Food Project
Food is Free Albuquerque
ABQ Free Fridge
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The Line Opinion Panel dives into the special legislative session on redistricting. Could Albuquerque be split into multiple districts? And what could that mean for representation in rural areas? Panelists share their thoughts and concerns as we await a final decision.
The Line Panel also reacts to the New Mexico Public Regulation Commission’s decision to nix the proposed PNM merger. Panelists explore comments from PRC members who cited “a demonstrated record” of bad behavior from both companies, PNM and its proposed partner, Avangrid. And, where does this leave Attorney General Hector Balderas after his vocal support for the deal? We also share part two of our interview with PNM and Avangrid Executives that was taped before the PRC's decision, since there is still a chance this proposal comes back again in the future, or if there is a potential appeal.
Author Sam Quinones explores the increasingly deadly drug problem in the southwest as Meth and Fentanyl become more prevalent and more potent. Quinones shares what we can to do protect people who are most vulnerable to drug use, and how that assistance can benefit entire communities.
Line Opinion Panelists:
Diane Snyder, Former State Senator
Eric Griego, Former State Senator
Tom Garrity, Garrity Group Public Relations
Guest:
Sam Quinones, Author, “The Least of Us: True Tales of America and Hope in the Time of Fentanyl and Meth”
For More Information:
How Fentanyl and Meth Took Over America – NY Times
Author Sam Quinones Explores Fentanyl Crisis in New Book – CBS News
Sam Quinones – SamQuinones.com
State Redistricting Map Leads to Partisan Clash at NM Legislature – SF New Mexican
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Environment Reporter Laura Paskus sits down with executives involved in a potential multi-billion-dollar public utility merger that could have big implications for citizens across the state. Hear why those corporate leaders say this will be a good thing for customers in New Mexico, despite concerns over Avangrid’s past issues on the East Coast.
U.S. Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland is moving to remove the word ‘Squaw’ from all federal lands, citing the derogatory connotations it carries for Native Americans. Our panel discusses the timing of the decision, and the influence of Sec. Haaland’s Native voice in Washington, D.C..
And, we look back on a report earlier this year for Our Land, with Correspondent Laura Paskus, where explored the power of what we name places in New Mexico, and shares a December conversation with then-U.S. Rep. Deb Haaland – about legislation she was proposing that hopes to make those names more culturally sensitive and inclusive.
Correspondents:
Laura Paskus
Guests:
Pat Vincent-Collawn, PNM Resources, President and CEO
Pedro Azagra Blázquez, Corporate Development Director, Iberdola
Don Tarry, PNM Resources, Senior Vice President and CFO
Line Opinion Panelists:
Cathy McGill, NM Black Leadership Council
Sophie Martin, attorney
Dan Foley, former House Minority Whip
For More Information:
PNM Merger Statement
New Mexico Public Regulation Commission Discusses PNM / AVANGRID Merger – KPVI TV
PNM/Avangrid merger under heavy fire at PRC – Albuquerque Journal
Interior Secretary Deb Haaland moves to ban the word 'squaw' from federal lands – NPR
Deb Haaland is taking on racist names on federal lands – Salon
States Slowly Erasing Word 'Squaw' From Maps – Pew Stateline
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A preview of the upcoming special session for the New Mexico Legislature. Chris Nordstrum, Communications Director Senate Majority for the Senate Majority, explains new COVID-19 preventative measures, including a vaccination requirement for all visitors at the Capitol. He also explains what security will look like now that a ban on firearms is in place.
The Line Opinion Panel also reacts to the new COVID-19 restrictions, including a vaccine requirement for all visitors, and the new gun ban at the Capitol ahead of next year's crucial session.
And, a New Mexico Pastor is at the center of a national discussion on the influence of religion in politics. The Line panel addresses the Pastor’s endorsement of an Albuquerque City Council Candidate, and the possible legal fallout.
Guest:
Chris Nordstrum, communications director, State Senate Majority
Line Opinion Panelists:
Cathy McGill, NM Black Leadership Council
Sophie Martin, attorney
Dan Foley, former House Minority Whip
For More Information:
Visiting New Mexico’s Capitol? Bring vaccine proof, not guns – U.S. News and World Report
Vaccines, masks required in the Roundhouse during upcoming legislative sessions – New Mexico Political Report
Proof of COVID-19 vaccination required to visit New Mexico state Capitol – unless you’re a lawmaker – Las Cruces Sun News
Video shows pastor backing City Council candidate from pulpit – Albuquerque Journal
Albuquerque city council candidate responds to Legacy Church endorsement – KOAT TV
Bishops OK Communion document, avoid direct rebuff to Biden – St. Louis Post Dispatch
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It was one of the stand-out shows of 2021. Reservation Dogs gives a unique, sometimes comedic and sometimes poignant glimpse inside the lives of a group of Native American teenagers. Correspondent Laura Paskus explores what makes the show so unique, including the musical score. She talks to composer Mato Wayahi about his involvement and process.
And, on this Thanksgiving weekend we offer our appreciation to one of Albuquerque’s living treasures, the Bosque. This Emmy-nominated Our Land piece is a visual celebration of one of the country’s most unique and diverse public spaces.
Lastly, we look at the importance of shopping local, especially this year, as business owners look to recover from a really tough two years due to the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.
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November is a month dedicated to the contributions of Native Americans. Stereotypes, myths and misunderstanding of Tribes are still very much part of public perception, however. Correspondent Antonia Gonzales talks with some members of the Native Community about how we can all celebrate Native people without promoting stereotypes or appropriating their culture.
Environment Correspondent Laura Paskus talks to New Mexico Environment Department Secretary James Kenney about some interesting new developments regarding PFAS chemicals. These are a family of toxic substances that have been tied to the use of firefighting foams at a handful of military installations, including Cannon and Holloman Air Force Bases. The EPA recently declared four of those chemicals as hazardous waste, at the request of Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham. Sec. Kenney talks about how that development may have impacts far beyond New Mexico.
Correspondents:
Antonia Gonzales
Laura Paskus
Guests:
Josh Arce, Partnership With Native Americans
Dorie Panganiban, LaVida Mission
James Kenney, New Mexico Environment Department Secretary
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The New Mexico Legislature is expected to begin a Special Session in just a couple of weeks to the next steps in the state's new Redistricting process. The newly formed Citizen Redistricting Commission has approved a series of new election maps for those lawmakers to consider. But will they take those suggestions as is, or make their own changes to those maps? And will the entire process prove that Redistricting can be done in an non-partisan manner? Show host Gene Grant talks with Dick Mason of the League of Women Voters and Kathleen Burke with Fair Districts New Mexico for more background and analysis.
The Line Panel addresses a series of recent departures from Governor Lujan Grisham’s Administration, including State Engineer John D’Antonio. What his resignation could mean for state infrastructure just as New Mexico receives $3.7B in new infrastructure funding from the federal government. Is newly-appointed infrastructure advisor Marty Chavez the right man to handle the new funds?
Line Opinion Panelists:
Dede Feldman, former state senator
Tom Garrity, The Garrity Group PR
Dave Mulryan, founder, Everybody Votes
Guests:
Dick Mason, League of Women Voters
Kathleen Burke, Fair Districts New Mexico
For More Information:
New Mexico Governor Appoints New Infrastructure Advisors – Associated Press
NM’s Top Water Official Resigns – Santa Few New Mexican
New Mexico Poised to Receive $3.7B Under Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill – Santa Few New Mexican
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Highlights from the hours-long public forum on the proposed changes to the state’s social studies curriculum. Parents, teachers, activists and community members share their thoughts and concerns on the guiding principles used in the process, as well as the standards themselves. Host Gene Grantspeaks with Jaqueline Costales of the Public Education Department about the proposed changes to the state’s social studies curriculum. Costales shares why changes are necessary in the first place, the process behind creating the new standards and addresses concerns parents and others have had about the new content.
The Line Opinion Panel dives into the debate over the state’s new proposed social studies standards. Panelists react to a breakdown of the standards from the Public Education Department, as well as public comment during a more-than 5-hour forum. Is there really as much opposition as some political forces would have you believe? Plus, the impact of the Yazzie-Martinez Lawsuit on these new standards.
The Line Panel also address the rising number of COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations across New Mexico. Panelists weigh the merits of another mask-mandate extension and the growing number of children contracting the virus. Plus, how will a state Supreme Court ruling play into the use of billions of federal COVID relief dollars?
Line Opinion Panelists:
Dede Feldman, former state senator
Tom Garrity, The Garrity Group PR
Dave Mulryan, founder, Everybody Votes
Guests:
Jacqueline Costales, curriculum and instruction division director, New Mexico Department of Education
Julia Bernal (Sandia Pueblo, Yuchi-Creek Nation), executive director, Pueblo Action Alliance
More Information:
PED Social Studies Standards – PED Website
Full Public Forum on Social Studies Standards - Youtube
PED Hears Public Input on Proposed Changes - Santa Fe New Mexican
Trying to Understand the Fear of Critical Race Theory – New Mexico In Depth
Critical Race Theory Will Not Be Included in New Social Studies Standards - KRQE
Pueblo Action Alliance – Group Website
Protect Greater Chaco – Julia Bernal
New Mexico Department of Health - Health Department Website
Governor Pushes for More Vaccinations, Boosters - KRQE
New Mexico State Officials Give COVID-19 Update - Department of Health Facebook
COVID-19 Break through Cases Rising – Santa Fe Reporter
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The FDA and CDC have both approved Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine for children ages 5-11. How will the rollout look here in New Mexico? The Line panel addresses the decisions ahead for parents, what this could mean for masking mandates and the potential impact on the push to get older New Mexicans booster shots.
In 2017, the Our Land team visited the Petrie family in the East Mountains. Their well had run dry, and they weren’t the only ones experiencing that problem. At that time, we also met with Phillip Rust, a hydrogeologist with Bernalillo County, who was tracking dropping groundwater levels across that region. Today, many places in New Mexico – including the East Mountains – are seeing a housing boom. More and more people want to move here. But wells are still drying. And groundwater levels, dropping. This week on New Mexico in Focus, environment reporter Laura Paskus checks back in with Phillip Rust to learn more.
At the end of October, University of New Mexico students with UNM LEAF (Leaders for Environmental Action and Foresight) filed a complaint with New Mexico Attorney General Hector Balderas. They’re asking Balderas to investigate if the UNM Foundation, a nonprofit charitable organization, is violating state law by continuing to invest in fossil fuels, knowing that the industry’s greenhouse gas emissions are causing climate change.
The divestment movement is larger than just at UNM. Harvard University, The University of California, Cornell and Brown universities are among the high-profile colleges and universities to agree to divest their endowments from fossil fuels.
Last Friday, students also held a rally and protest, marching to the offices of UNM President Garnett Stokes, calling for divestment and serious action on climate change.
Statement from UNM President Garnett S. Stokes:
“Like many universities, we know that we must be more ambitious as climate action leaders, which includes reducing our own climate impacts. Climate action is a significant part of our UNM 2040 planning, which will be reflected in broad institutional priorities that result in meaningful and visible change. We appreciate the commitment of our student and community activists voicing their desire to see the UNM Foundation immediately divest from fossil fuels. I agree that we need a long-term comprehensive plan that would examine other strategies such as negative screening (no new investments in fossil-fuel-related industries) and positive screening (investment in renewable energy and ecologically sustainable industries). Climate action is the priority, and specific tactics and actions that support that priority need to be incorporated into long-term strategy, rather than standing alone.”
Line Opinion Panelists:
Dan Foley, former House Minority Whip
Michael Bird, former President, American Public Health Association
Inez Russell Gomez, editorial page editor, Santa Fe New Mexican
Guests:
Phillip Rust, hydrogeologist, Bernalillo County
Emily Phan, UNM Student
Paula Noriega, UNM Student
Sofia Jenkins-Nieto, UNM LEAF (Leaders for Environmental Action and Foresight)
Raven Alcott, Pueblo of San Ildefonso, UNM student
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The Line panel digs into Tuesday’s election results in races around the state. Both Albuquerque and Santa Fe re-elected their progressive, incumbent mayors. How will Mayor Keller navigate a second term in Albuquerque with a more conservative city council? And what was the key for Alan Webber in Santa Fe as he sailed to a clear victory? The panel also digs into the decisive decision on a publicly funded soccer stadium in Albuquerque and what’s next for New Mexico United.
Albuquerque Mayor Tim Keller and First Lady Elizabeth Kistin chat with Gene Grant about the election cycle and his priorities for the city headed into his second term.
After a decision to ban guns at the New Mexico State Capitol, our Line panel discusses the implications, both from safety and political perspectives. The panel considers the issue of intimidation, and the impact this could have on the Governor if she’s politically linked to the decision.
Native culture was in the international spotlight this week when Google published a New Mexican woman’s tribute to revered Zuni potter and fiber artist. Correspondent Antonia Gonzales speaks with Zuni Pueblo Artist Mallery Quetawki about her piece and the significance of Google’s interest in Native representation.
Line Opinion Panelists:
Dan Foley, former House Minority Whip
Michael Bird, former President, American Public Health Association
Inez Russell Gomez, editorial page editor, Santa Fe New Mexican
Guests:
Mallery Quetawki, Zuni Pueblo Artist
Tim Keller, Albuquerque Mayor
Elizabeth J. Kistin, Albuquerque First Lady
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New Mexicans are facing some potentially big changes when it comes to the state’s electrical utility, thanks to a proposed merger between PNM Resources and Avangrid, the U.S. subsidiary of a Spanish power company, Iberdrola.
If the merger goes through, Avangrid would buy PNM Resources, which includes Public Service Company of New Mexico and Texas-New Mexico Power. According to the Santa Fe New Mexican: “The proposed merger is an $8.3 billion deal with a total of $4.3 billion going to shareholders and Avangrid paying off $4 billion in PNM debt.”
How the merger might play out in New Mexico—and what the consequences might be—remains to be seen. But the company has been operating in Maine for more than a decade, and not without controversy. Environment reporter Laura Paskus talks with Bangor Daily News reporter Caitlin Andrews to learn more about Avangrid and Central Maine Power.
The Line Opinion Panel reacts to a push at the Capitol to allow retired police officers back on the force, while still collecting pension benefits. Our panelists share their concerns with such a plan, like the potential impact on younger officers. Plus, what impact possible incentives could have to make this a feasible solution to help departments struggling to fill open positions.
Line Opinion Panelists:
Rebecca Latham, CEO, Girl Scouts of NM
Eric Griego, former state senator
Tom Garrity, The Garrity Group
Guests:
Caitlin Andrews, reporter, Bangor Daily News
John Waconda, Indigenous Partnerships Program Director, Nature Conservancy
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Days away from the upcoming election, our Line Opinion Panel discusses the mayoral races in the state’s two largest cities. What role is fundraising playing in both races? Plus, they react to a recent poll from the Albuquerque Journal showing a majority of residents opposed to the bond proposal to build a soccer stadium. How did this become such a polarizing issue?
A group of interested individuals offer their best pitches for and against the Downtown Albuquerque Multi-Use stadium proposal, which is also on the ballot next Tuesday.
And, one week after the deadly, accidental shooting on the set of the film “Rust,” members of our Line Opinion Panel share their thoughts on the tragedy. How did it happen, what should change to make sure it never happens again, and will this have a negative impact on the future of filmmaking in New Mexico?
Line Opinion Panelists:
Rebecca Latham, CEO, Girl Scouts of NM
Eric Griego, former state senator
Tom Garrity, The Garrity Group
Guests:
Cindy Nava, NM United For All Consultant
Ramona Malczynski, Stop the Stadium
Brook Bassan, Albuquerque City Councilor (District 4)
Cynthia Borrego, Albuquerque City Council President (District 5)
Sherri Burr, UNM Law School Professor Emerita
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In his latest book, “The Trail to Kanjiroba: Rediscovering Earth in an Age of Loss,” New Mexico author William deBuys chronicles his travels in Nepal, where he joined extended medical expeditions. Along the way, he reflects on the landscapes and cultures of northern New Mexico, where he has lived for four decades, and considers the ways in which caring for the Earth—rather than trying to save it—will better serve a planet in crisis. “The Trail to Kanjiroba” is the third in a trilogy, following “A Great Aridness” (2011) and “The Last Unicorn” (2015), and in it, deBuys also grapples with concepts of EarthCare and what it means to have hope for the future. Here, he talks about his travels and hopes with correspondent Laura Paskus.
Bernalillo County Clerk joins host Gene Grant to discuss the upcoming municipal elections. A big thing for voters to consider... even though the state has moved to same day voter registration, that won't be available for those voting on election day, November 2nd. Clerk Stover explains why that is.
And, the Growing Forward podcast team learns about the environmental impacts of growing cannabis, especially indoors. Scientists at Colorado State University have been studying the carbon footprint of indoor cannabis grows. They share their findings in a recent Facebook Live discussion.
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The Citizen Redistricting Committee has wrapped up its work and the focus now shifts to the state legislature. The Committee approved a series of maps for lawmakers to consider on how to redraw election districts for the next ten years. That decision will likely happen sometime in December. Much of the conversation among the Redistricting Committee focused on communities of interest and how the new maps should represent those communities. Correspondent Gwyneth Doland sits down with representatives from the Native American and Black communities to get their reactions to the work of the Committee and what happens next.
The Line opinion panel also discusses the recent work of New Mexico’s Independent Redistricting Committee. The group has endorsed new maps to send to the state legislature for final approval, but with no obligation attached, will lawmakers give full consideration to the suggestions or simply go their own way? Our panelists give their take and weigh in on the possibility of an Albuquerque neighborhood joining the state’s southern congressional district.
Residents in two downtown Albuquerque neighborhoods share their thoughts on the possibility of a new soccer stadium coming into their area. They tell us their concerns, their frustrations with the process and the possibilities the project could bring new dialogue with the city. The Line opinion panel also talks about the Bond Proposal to build a new soccer stadium in the city of Albuquerque. Panelists discuss the apprehensions of residents, the potential benefits for the city’s downtown area and the breaking news that there are inaccuracies in the actual ballot wording.
The Line opinion panel shares legal perspective on the Governor’s power to unilaterally allocate federal COVID-19 relief funds. The state Treasurer says the Governor must consult the Legislature, but the Governor’s Office says legal precedent is on its side. A related case is headed to the courts in just a matter of day, but how will it be decided, and what will the lasting impacts of that decision be?
Line Opinion Panelists:
Dede Feldman, former state senator
Dan Foley, former NM House minority whip
Serge Martinez, UNM Law School
Guests:
Keegan King, All Pueblo Council of Governors’ ad hoc redistricting committee
Mason Graham, New Mexico Black Voters Collaborative
Anna Lee Besaulniers, stop the stadium campaign organizer
Frances Armijo, President, South Broadway Neighborhood Association
Lisa Padilla, President, Barelas Neighborhood Association
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NMiF senior producer Matt Grubs talks about New Mexico’s pretrial detention conundrum with the director of the Administrative Office of the Courts, Artie Pepin. The office recently asked UNM social researchers to evaluate the 2nd Judicial District Court’s (Bernalillo County) effectiveness at keeping the right people free until trial, an innocence-before-guilt approach reinforced with a voter-approved 2016 change to the state constitution. While prosecutors and police say New Mexicans are safer with more people locked up as they await a decision on their innocence, Pepin says the study suggests otherwise.
Source New Mexico launched it's website more than a month ago. An independent, nonprofit news organization, the organization says it's goal is to shine a light on governments, policies and public officials so readers get the information they need to make choices. We get more on the Source's mission and meet the editorial team (taken from a Facebook Live event).
Host
Gene Grant
Correspondent
Matt Grubs
Guests:
Artie Pepin, director, Administrative Office of the Courts
Marisa DeMarco, Source NM
Austin Fisher, Source NM
Shaun Griswold, Source NM
Pat Lohmann, Source NM
Chris Fitzimmon, States Newsroom
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The Line opinion panel breaks down the latest campaign finance numbers in the governor’s race. While the general election is still a year away, the most recent reporting period sheds new light on the Republican primary field. State Rep. Rebecca Dow says her $440,000 take makes her the frontrunner. Meanwhile, Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham took in $2.5 million as she looks to build an unassailable war chest.
The groups also explores the problem of a burned-out, stressed-out health care workforce. New Mexico’s health care system wasn't in the best of shape even before the COVID-19 pandemic, especially in rural parts of the state. Now, many health care workers are leaving the profession. Are vaccine mandates contributing to the exodus or is it mostly due to overwhelmed workers in an overwhelmed system?
New Mexicans love to get outside and hit the hiking or bike trails and explore our varied landscapes. But for people without cars, it’s next to impossible to reach most hiking trails, even state parks or national parks here in the state. For young men of color, there are even more challenges to feeling safe and comfortable outside. This month we head out with Together for Brothers, which works on issues like transit equity and raising young men of color to lead in their own communities—including to lead their friends and family members out to the trails.
With the IATSE strike deadline of Monday threatening to shut down film and television production, Gene Grant speaks with Gene Maddaus, a senior media reporter from Variety, and with local union members to find out what’s at stake and what workers are demanding from producers and studios. The movie and television industry’s largest union voted overwhelmingly to authorize a strike by “below-the-line" workers who do things like set dressing, lighting and accounting.
Host
Gene Grant
Correspondent
Laura Paskus
Line Opinion Panel:
Merritt Allen, Vox Optima public relations
Sophie Martin, attorney
H. Diane Snyder, former state senator
Guests:
Gene Maddaus, senior media reporter, Variety
Jessica Hoffman, IATSE Local 480 field representative
Shaun Garcia, IATSE Local 480 member
Christopher Ramirez, Executive Director, Together for Brothers
David Grubbs, Jr., Together for Brothers
Alejandro Villezcas, Together for Brothers
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Some 60,000 behind-the-scenes workers in the film industry could soon walk off the job, after a historic vote from union members to approve a possible strike. Many of those employees live and work right here in New Mexico, and are members of the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE). It's a union that is more than 100 years old, and never dealt with a situation quite like this.
The standoff is over working conditions, from pay and health care benefits, to limits on work hours, breaks and weekend turnaround. Negotiations continue behind closed doors, but we wanted to get to the bottom of the disagreement and what the potential impacts of a strike could be here in the Land of Enchantment.
Host
Gene Grant
Guests
Gene Maddaus, enterprise reporter, Variety magazine
Liz Pecos, president, IATSE Local480
Marisa Frantz, Secretary-Treasurer IATSE Local480
Jessica Hoffman, Field Representative IATSE Local480
Shaun Garcia, IATSE Local480 member
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This week on New Mexico in Focus, as voting begins in local elections across the state, NMiF teams with the New Mexico Black Voters Collaborative to present a mayoral forum in the state’s largest city. Incumbent Mayor Tim Keller has three challengers, including one write-in candidate. The other two challengers – Eddy Aragon and Manny Gonzales – joined Keller on stage at Highland High School to talk about key issues and styles of governance. The event was hosted by Cathryn McGill, frequent panelist on The Line and founder of the New Mexico Black Leadership Council.
Election Day for local elections (including Albuquerque) is Nov. 2. Early voting is already underway at county clerks’ offices across the state.
Hosts:
Gene Grant
Cathryn McGill
Guests:
Eddy Aragon, mayoral candidate, talk radio host
Manny Gonzales, mayoral candidate, Bernalillo County Sheriff
Tim Keller, mayoral candidate, Albuquerque Mayor
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Standardized testing was so sparse in New Mexico in 2020 and 2021 that the state isn’t bothering to release last year’s testing results. COVID protocols and remote learning caused the lack of usual standardized measurements, but it’s easy to see that students have fallen way behind in reaching grade-level markers in math and reading. New Mexico’s public education budget is $3 billion. How is that money best spent to increase student achievement? The Line panelists discuss possible tactics.
Former state senator and lifetime activist Dede Feldman gets personal in her latest book, “Ten More Doors.” While she and her husband have lived in New Mexico for decades, Feldman recalls learning about her Albuquerque North Valley neighborhood by knocking on the front doors of the people who lived near her and being willing to engage in their lives.
This month, the state’s Climate & Water Science Advisory Panel released a report, “Climate Change in New Mexico over the Next 50 Years: Impacts on Water Resources,” that’s going to help guide the state’s 50-year water plan. Environmental Correspondent Laura Paskus discusses the study with Tricia Snyder of WildEarth Guardians and let's you know how you can get involved and make sure your voice is heard in those planning processes.
Line Panel:
Dan Foley, former state representative
Laura Sanchez, attorney
Michael Bird, public health expert
Guests:
Dede Feldman, Author “Ten More Doors: Politics and the Path to Change”
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Early and absentee voting is just days away for many New Mexicans, including in Albuquerque, where voters will be picking a mayor. This week, New Mexico in Focus livestreamed the New Mexico Black Voters Collaborative Candidate Forum with incumbent Tim Keller and challengers Manny Gonzales and Eddy Aragon. The Line opinion panelists break down the race so far, and offer predictions about whether or not the campaign to lead New Mexico’s largest city is headed to a run-off election.
With Balloon Fiesta just around the corner, this is the time of year when eyes are drawn upward to our beautiful fall skies. But, the safety and oversight of the ballooning community is also drawing plenty of attention as a National Transportation Safety Board investigation continues into a deadly crash last summer. Senior Producer Matt Grubs talks with the founder of a local balloon tour company, Rainbow Ryders, about what changes he’d like to see and why some companies choose to monitor their pilots more closely than the industry requires.
Correspondent Russell Contreras (also the race and justice reporter for Axios) speaks with recent “Genius Grant” winner, MacArthur Fellow Monica Muñoz Martinez. The educator and public historian was awarded the prestigious fellowship earlier this week for her work to address racial injustice, particularly anti-Mexican violence in border territories. The pair talks about the common threads between 19th, 20th and 21st century incidents and how the past informs the way America views power.
Line Panel:
Dan Foley, former state representative
Laura Sanchez, attorney
Michael Bird, public health expert
Guests:
Scott Appelman, President & CEO, Rainbow Ryders
Monica Muñoz Martinez, University of Texas Historian
Riley Gardner, Santa Fe Reporter
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It's been another challenging year for New Mexico’s farmers and ranchers, who have experienced drought and, in some places, extreme precipitation events. New Mexico Department of Agriculture Secretary Jeff Witte spoke with environment reporter Laura Paskus about conditions and what they mean for farmers, as well as consumers. Witte also talks about how what’s happening in the Colorado River Basin, cannabis, climate change, and the “highest and best” uses of water in the arid Southwest.
New Mexico’s premiere fall event is just days away, and we now know there will not be a vaccination requirement to attend this year’s International Balloon Fiesta. Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham’s administration expressed disappointment over the lack of a vaccine requirement, but Fiesta officials say they are following all CDC guidelines, including social distancing and mask mandates indoors as well as outdoors in large crowds. The Line opinion panel reacts to the decision and discusses how it might set a precedent for other high-profile events in the coming weeks and months.
Plus, we catch up with the chairman of the Citizen Redistricting Committee (CRC), former Supreme Court Justice Edward Chavez, to find out how the once a decade process is going so far, and what comes next. Also joining host Gene Grant are Brian Sanderoff of Research and Polling Inc. and Lilly Irvin-Vitela, the Community Liaison for the CRC.
Guests:
Jeff Witte, New Mexico Agriculture Department Secretary
Line Panel:
Tom Garrity, The Garrity Group
Martha Burk, political psychologist and author of “Your Voice, Your Vote”
Serge Martinez, UNM Law School
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Quannah Chasinghorse is having a moment. The Native model (Hän Gwich’in, Sicangu/Oglala Lakota) walked in several shows during New York Fashion Week and then made a turn on the red carpet at the Met Gala wearing a gold gown and stunning Navajo jewelry. Correspondent Antonia Gonzales speaks with the 19 year old about her environmental activism and bringing more Native voices to the fashion industry.
As passionate as the debate over abortion access can be, there’s little doubt that a new law in Texas will impact New Mexico. Lawmakers in Texas crafted a bill that bans abortions as early as about 6 weeks into a pregnancy. As a result, women are already seeking the procedure in New Mexico. Before the bill, Texas clinics conducted far more abortions annually. Attorney General Hector Balderas recently said the potential impacts to New Mexico women could be significant. The Line opinion panel discusses implications for New Mexico, the coming court challenges, and the impact of local elections.
The Line opinion panel also discusses the final weeks of the Citizen Redistricting Committee’s work to develop recommended maps for the state’s political boundaries and congressional districts. The commission released proposed revisions last week, and now enters a whirlwind tour across the state with 8 public meetings in 11 days. The maps won’t be binding for lawmakers, and the group talks about whether the commission’s maps will carry the weight reformers hope they do.
Guest:
Quannah Chasinghorse, fashion model
Line Panel:
Tom Garrity, The Garrity Group
Martha Burk, political psychologist and author of “Your Voice, Your Vote”
Serge Martinez, UNM Law School
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Growing Forward podcast co-hosts Megan Kamerick and Andy Lyman talk to three members of the state’s cannabis regulation advisory board about efforts to provide equitable business opportunities as the state rolls out new recreational cannabis laws.
The Line opinion panel debates vaccine and mask mandates. Will the federal vaccine mandate make it easier for businesses to lay the blame at the feet of the government? Also, New Mexico has just extended the indoor mask mandate at least through October 15. Will there be more pushback against Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham’s public health orders?
Kahlil Ekulona is a familiar face and voice to public media audiences across New Mexico. He has worked on segments here at New Mexico in Focus, and also hosted the Your NM Government and No More Normal podcasts at KUNM. He recently took a new job launching a daily talk show at WPLN, the NPR affiliate in Nashville, TN. Host Gene Grant talks with Khalil about the new opportunity and how his time and experiences in New Mexico will impact how he approaches this new gig.
Correspondents:
Gene Grant Megan Kamerick, Growing Forward podcast co-host
Andy Lyman, Growing Forward podcast co-host
Guests:
Dr. Steve Jenison, physician & former NM medical marijuana board chairman
Emily Kaltenbach, Drug Policy Alliance
Khalil Ekulona, former No More Normal host (KUNM)
Line Panel:
Dede Feldman, former state senator
Dan McKay, political reporter, Albuquerque Journal
Kristelle Siarza, owner & CEO, Siarza Social Digital
Growing Forward podcast
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When our homes and our forests are threatened, we all appreciate the federal wildland firefighters who show up for us from all over the country. But they face bigger challenges every year, especially as climate change lengthens fire season and spawns bigger and more severe fires. They also face struggles the rest of us never see, including long assignments away from their families and support networks, low pay, and mental health challenges. In this segment, we hear from three current and former federal wildland firefighters from around the West about those problems and potential solutions.
Crime often tops the list of problems facing New Mexicans, yet cities and counties say it’s hard finding enough police officers and deputies to tackle the issue. In Albuquerque, less than half of the force of 959 sworn law enforcers are patrol officers. The Line opinion panel examines police staffing problems in Albuquerque and the rest of the state.
Teacher’s assistants and early childhood educators are key to child well-being, yet workers in those positions are some of the lowest paid. The Line opinion panelists debate a pay plan for teacher’s assistants and early childhood educators.
Host:
Gene Grant
Line Panel:
Dede Feldman, former state senator
Dan McKay, political reporter, Albuquerque Journal
Kristelle Siarza, owner & CEO, Siarza Social Digital
Correspondent:
Laura Paskus
Guest:
Marcus Cornwell, federal wildland firefighter
Jonathon Golden, former wildland firefighter
Kelly Martin, President, Grassroots Wildland Firefighters
For More Information:
Grassroots Wildland Firefighters, https://www.grassrootswildlandfirefighters.com/
Wildland Firefighter Foundation, https://wffoundation.org/
U.S. Hotshots Association, https://ushotshots.com/
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Federal unemployment benefits have expired in New Mexico. What other benefits are still out there for people who are struggling economically during the pandemic? What's going to happen to renters? Gene talks to UNM Law Professor Serge Martinez, and Teague Gonzalez and Felipe Guevara of the NM Center on Law and Poverty.
Correspondent Antonia Gonzales talks with U.S. Secretary of Labor Marty Walsh about how the workforce is recovering after all the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. The two also discuss ongoing efforts to help out of work employees, and how the federal government is working with indigenous communities to make sure they're on the road to recovery as well.
The Line opinion panel talks about a proposed mental health hotline, which will be implemented next year after then-President Trump signed a bipartisan bill at the end of his term to create a three-digit help line, allowing people living with mental illness to dial 9-8-8 in a crisis. New Mexico is in the process of planning its rollout.
As thousands of Afghan refugees arrive at New Mexico military bases, the state is prepared to welcome some of them into its communities. Senior producer Matt Grubs speaks with Deputy Human Services Secretary Angela Medrano, who helps oversee the state’s Refugee Resettlement Program, about the next steps and what the federal government is – and is not – disclosing about refugee arrivals.
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The Line opinion panel talks through the implications of the now-infamous flashing lights in the cockpit of Virgin Galactic’s VSS Unity ship during its maiden crewed voyage. The New Yorker magazine reported that the lights, which indicated the ship would deviate from its designated airspace, represented a major issue. Virgin Galactic disagreed, but the Federal Aviation Administration ordered the ship grounded while it investigates. The incident raises questions about New Mexico’s nascent space tourism industry.
The Line panelists also take up the issue of charter schools. As districts across the state suffer declining enrollment, especially during the pandemic, some are considering whether they should approve more schools that draw funding away from traditional district structures.
Although humans have added satellites, space shuttles, and airplanes to the dark vista of the sky, our species has looked up at the same night skies for millions of years. We’ve navigated by the stars, told stories about the shapes we see, and sought to learn more about what lies beyond our own planet. This episode of Our Land is inspired by Carl Sagan, who wrote in his 1985 novel, Contact, about “cosmic isolationism.” That is, just as we began learning more about the universe, we also began to cut ourselves off from it. This month, we explore what it means to connect with the night sky – and protect it for future generations.
The Tularosa Basin Downwinders Consortium has been trying for years to get the U.S. government to compensate families who were impacted by the Trinity nuclear test. So far, they’ve been barred from accessing federal money though the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act, and the deadline to file a claim is less than a year away. Correspondent Russell Contreras speaks with Tina Cordova about the latest effort, which now has the support of a bipartisan pair of senators representing New Mexico and Idaho.
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The Line opinion panel takes a closer look at the implications of a predicted $1.4 billion surplus in the state’s next budget year. Lawmakers and the governor are already rolling out ideas to spend it, while others caution against yet another ratcheting up of the state’s baseline costs. The group weighs the likelihood that crime legislation – and funding – will be a centerpiece of the 2022 legislative session.
New Mexico in Focus searches for perspective on the end of the war in Afghanistan and the resulting humanitarian crisis as tens of thousands of Afghans look to flee Taliban rule. Gene Grant speaks with local café owner Mula Akbar, a refugee from Afghanistan who came to the U.S. in the late ‘80s. He also talks to Jeff Hall, the economic development programs manager of Lutheran Family Services. Both men are working to connect incoming Afghans with needed support as they relocate to New Mexico.
An uncertain future faces New Mexicans who have benefited from additional federal unemployment money. The boost runs out Saturday, and The Line discusses what workers and employers can expect. Many Republican-led states have already ended additional federal benefits in an effort to jumpstart the job market. But they’ve seen modest gains, if any, and a notable drop in consumer spending. This round of cutoffs is likely to impact Democratic-led states. We also had the chance this week to ask U.S. Labor Secretary Marty Walsh about whether or not the state should use other pandemic relief funds to extend those benefits.
New Mexico in Focus continues its examination of how different groups view the end of the war in Afghanistan. For many in the Southeast Asian community, images of the mass exodus from Kabul bring to mind the end of the war in Vietnam. Matt Grubs speaks with software developer and Vietnamese immigrant Tam Le about parallels between the ends of the two conflicts. Le came to the United States of America as a child in the early 1980s. His family split up to make the arduous journey, and it was more than a decade before they were reunited.
The Line opinion panel digs into a draft plan to address educational disparities raised in the Yazzie-Martinez lawsuit as a state District Court continues to urge reform. The Associated Press obtained a copy of the plan, which some education advocates say is too vague for a developing state response 3 years after a court decided New Mexico’s public schools aren’t providing an equitable education to vulnerable students. A major issue is the lack of reliable broadband internet service across the state, brought to light during the pandemic.
Line Guests:
Rebecca Latham, CEO, Girl Scouts of NM
Sophie Martin, attorney
Edmund Perea, attorney & public safety consultant
Guests:
Mula Akbar, owner, Café Istanbul
Jeff Hall, Lutheran Family Services Rocky Mountains
Tam Le, software developer and Vietnamese immigrant
Nicole Maxwell, Alamogordo Daily News
Marty Walsh, Secretary, U.S. Department of Labor
Resources:
New Mexico Flush With Cash as Revenues Climb, Oil Recovers – Associated Press
Lutheran Family Services Rocky Mountains
Some don’t know what they’ll do when federal unemployment assistance ends – NM Political Report
New Mexico Asian Family Center
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Organizer and activist Kay Bounkeua is taking over for former legislative powerhouse Rep. Sheryl Williams Stapleton, who resigned in the face of alleged financial improprieties. Believed to be the first Asian American woman to hold office in the Legislature, Bounkeua sits down with NMiF senior producer Matt Grubs to talk representation and redistricting.
Plans for the SunZia Transmission Project have been in the works since 2006, with $150 million already spent. That $4 billion project is supposed to someday bring wind-generated power from New Mexico to markets in Arizona and California. This week, correspondent Laura Paskus talks to John Ryan, SunZia New Mexico executive director, and Sandra Noll, who lives in Socorro County and worries how the project will affect migrating birds, ecotourism and the rural communities nearby. We know we need to transition to more renewable energy, but the question is how to balance that with local impacts?
Correspondents:
Matt Grubs, NMiF senior producer
Laura Paskus, NMiF environmental producer
Guests:
Rep. Kay Bounkeua, NM House District 19
Sandra Noll, Protect Our Rio Grande
John Ryan, executive director, SunZia New Mexico
For More Information:
Kay Bounkeua appointed to fill seat vacated by Rep. Sheryl Williams Stapleton – KOB-4
SunZia New Mexico project homepage:
https://eplanning.blm.gov/eplanning-ui/project/2011785/510
Fact sheet: https://eplanning.blm.gov/public_projects/2011785/200481766/20041399/250047592/Newsletter1_NOI_6.4_v3_06%20162021_508.pdf
To submit public comment on the project:
https://www.blm.gov/press-release/comment-period-and-public-meeting-update-sunzia-southwest-transmission-project
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Two women have filed a lawsuit in U.S. District Court that argues a vaccine mandate for certain health care workers and for attendance at the New Mexico State Fair violates their constitutional rights. The lawsuit seeks to bar the mandate’s enforcement. Meanwhile, the state’s Youth Livestock Board has moved its annual competition to Roswell in an effort to sidestep the vaccine mandate, which impacted children in FFA and 4-H programs who are too young to receive an approved vaccine. The Line opinion panelists look at continued pushback against the governor’s public health orders.
Fleeing Taliban rule, Afghans who were able to leave their homeland are now arriving in the U.S., including to a part of Fort Bliss Army Base that’s in New Mexico. The Line opinion panel offers thoughts on Democratic leaders reaching out to the White House to accept Afghans and what the state can realistically offer.
The Line opinion panel looks at sobering numbers for pedestrian fatalities in New Mexico. Albuquerque has long had a serious problem – leading the nation for pedestrian deaths four years running – but what does the rest of the sprawling state do for people who prefer or have no other choice than to walk?
Host:
Gene Grant
Line Guests:
Michael Bird, public health expert
Dan Boyd, Capitol bureau chief, Albuquerque Journal
Dede Feldman, former state senator
For More Information:
Lawsuit targets expanded NM vaccine mandates – Albuquerque Journal
ICUs full as COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations grow – NM Political Report
U.S. regulators give full approval to Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine – Santa Fe New Mexican
Bad mask info puts prep athletes on edge – Albuquerque Journal
Local churches pushback on re-instated mask mandate – KRQE
First Afghan refugees arrive in New Mexico – KRQE
NM leaders offer to help Afghan refugees – Albuquerque Journal
A call to action as New Mexico leads US in deaths of pedestrians – Albuquerque Journal
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Broadcast meteorologist Jorge Torres knows the weather of the American Southwest. He’s worked at television stations in El Paso and Albuquerque, and he’s now at ABC-15 in Phoenix, Arizona. He also understands the climate, and the importance of covering climate change and its impacts for local audiences. Unlike many stations nationwide, at ABC-15 Torres talks about climate change in his forecasts and also works with the station’s news reporters on stories about human-caused climate change. Torres, who previously worked at KOB-4 in Albuquerque, talks about the importance of the climate story and offers advice for other broadcast meteorologists who want to localize this global story.
Gun violence was on the minds of New Mexicans in 2016. Sadly, it has remained in the news since then, especially in light of recent shootings in Albuquerque. In the spring of 2016, former NMiF producer Sarah Gustavus sat down with Dr. Scott Carroll, a child psychiatrist and former director of child psychiatric consultation services at UNM Hospital. They looked at how gun violence can impact children and what parents and other adults can do to help children cope after a traumatic event.
Correspondent:
Sarah Gustavus, former NMiF producer
Guest: Dr. Scott Carroll, MD, child psychiatrist
Correspondent:
Laura Paskus, NMiF environmental producer
Guest:
Jorge Torres, ABC15 Meteorologist
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Mask up! The nearly unrestrained rise in COVID-19 cases among unvaccinated people has led to the return of a mask mandate while indoors and which will remain in effect at least until September 15. The governor’s latest public health order also has new vaccine requirements for some people who work in health care and school settings. The Line opinion panel weighs the impact and the political implications.
The Line also discusses the troubling crime trend in the wake of a child-on-child shooting at an Albuquerque middle school and another fatal gun attack at one of the city’s sports bars. The shootings and other crimes have the governor ordering New Mexico State Police officers back to the Duke City to ease the burden on local police agencies. Meanwhile, the police response to a robbery at an Albuquerque coffee shop ended Thursday morning with one officer critically injured, three other officers wounded and at least one suspect shot.
Data released by the U.S. Census shows 20 of New Mexico’s 33 counties lost population between 2010 and 2020 – and that New Mexico’s largest cities show the biggest gains. Will this result in a widening of the urban-rural divide, or is it simply putting numbers to a trend many have recognized for years? The Line panelists examine the implication of the latest numbers from the U.S. Census Bureau. The panel also talks about what rural depopulation means for Republicans and for redistricting.
Line Guests:
Dan Foley, former NM House minority whip
Sophie Martin, attorney
Jessica Onsurez, news director, Carlsbad Current-Argus
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Planning for the state’s newest industry, recreational cannabis, is speeding along in New Mexico.This week, we excerpt part of a recent conversation on our “Growing Forward” podcast, with Regulation and Licensing Department Superintendent Linda Trujillo, about the progress of rulemaking for cannabis producers. The Department will begin accepting applications in just a few weeks, but those rules are still being finalized.
Correspondent Megan Kamerick checks in with Albuquerque Journal staff writer Kevin Robinson-Avila who recently pointed out some serious concerns over transparency surrounding Virgin Galactic’s recent historic space launch at the publicly funded Spaceport America.
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The Line opinion panel discusses the recent surge in COVID-19 cases, tied mostly to the rapid spread of the Delta variant. The group also explores the ongoing challenges of increasing the state’s vaccination rate. Even though New Mexico is doing better than many states, the overwhelmingly majority of new cases are among the unvaccinated. Timing is also crucial in this equation, as students across the state head back to the classroom.
The group also weighs in on the latest shake-up in Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham’s Administration. Children, Youth and Families Department Secretary Brian Blalock announced his resignation this week under a cloud of controversy and in the face of a whistleblower lawsuit. The Governor announced she is replacing Blalock with newly retired Supreme Court Justice Barbara Vigil. But, the questions remain about the longstanding challenges and mixed results for the embattled CYFD.
Plus, the potential for a major financial crisis in New Mexico. The state’s moratorium on evictions is still in place, but that hasn’t stopped some landlords from filing thousands of notices during the pandemic. And, this week marked the end of the moratorium on utility shut offs for New Mexicans behind on payments. There is COVID relief available for people facing difficult financial decisions, but very little of those funds have been tapped so far and time is running out or the state risks losing those federal dollars.
We also talked to Environmental Correspondent Laura Paskus this week on Facebook Live. She broke down the nitty-gritty of that new IPCC report and what the new science says about the risks to New Mexico. She also discusses how we can all get involved in turning the tide without feeling overwhelmed.
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Kevin Ferrara, a retired U.S. Air Force firefighter, spoke to correspondent Laura Paskus from his home in Pennsylvania. Ferrara trained at Chanute Air Force Base in Illinois in 1991 and was assigned to Cannon Air Force Base in Clovis, N.M. until 1995. During that time, he and other firefighters used Aqueous Film Forming Foam (AFFF), now known to contain toxic chemicals that have contaminated local waters at hundreds of military bases nationwide. Today, Ferrara is an outspoken advocate for the U.S. military and Veterans Affairs to acknowledge the potential health impacts of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) on firefighters.
Congresswoman Teresa Leger Fernandez, home for the August congressional recess, sits down with senior producer Matt Grubs. The pair discuss bipartisan efforts to forge a compromise over nearly $1 trillion in infrastructure projects. They also explore other congressional issues, including comprehensive immigration reform and the growing challenges from the fast-spreading Delta variant of COVID-19. Rep. Leger Fernandez also spent a few minutes with Groundwater War Correspondent Laura Paskus to discuss her efforts to deal with contamination from AFFFs, or firefighting foam used at military installations in New Mexico.
Correspondents:
Matt Grubs
Laura Paskus
Guests:
Rep. Teresa Leger Fernandez, NM-CD3
Kevin Ferrara, USAF (Retired)
For More Information:
Kevin Ferrara Full Interview
Groundwater War Website
Infrastructure Plan Would Add Hundreds of Billions to Deficit – Washington Post
Biden Signals Support for Unilateral Immigration Reform – New York Times
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The ripples of the investigation into now former New Mexico Rep. Sheryl Williams Stapleton continue to expand. This week, The Line opinion panelists discuss her quick decision to resign her seat in the House of Representatives. Stapleton still denies her involvement in an alleged scheme to funnel nearly $1 million from Albuquerque Public Schools to accounts and businesses she controlled. In addition to vacating a legislative seat, her resignation has also resulted in a hole in leadership in the House. APS has suspended nearly a dozen employees as the investigation continues.
After a long year of learning from home, students across New Mexico are heading back to the classroom in droves. Due to a rise in cases of the Delta variant of COVID-19, school supplies will once again include masks. At the same time, colleges like UNM and NMSU have instituted vaccine mandates for people on campus. The panelists discuss the new restrictions as well as the polarized reaction to those safety procedures.
The Line opinion panel also discusses the controversy over Rachel Gudgel, who heads The Legislative Education Study Committee. Her comments about Native students have spurred calls for her ouster and an emotional plea for action from Wilhelmina Yazzie, one of the women who filed (and won) a groundbreaking suit over education equity in New Mexico.
Host:
Gene Grant
Line Guests:
Tom Garrity, The Garrity Group Laura Sanchez, attorney
Eric Griego, former state senator
For More Information:
Sheryl Williams Stapleton resigns – NM Political Report
Two APS officials, 8 teachers placed on leave – Albuquerque Journal
Mask guidance divides parents heading into new school year – Santa Fe New Mexican
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This time on New Mexico in Focus, extended coverage of the federal government’s effort to document the truth about Native boarding schools. Interior secretary and former New Mexico congresswoman Deb Haaland announced the investigation this summer, on the heels of gruesome discoveries of mass graves at Canadian boarding school sites. Correspondent Antonia Gonzales speaks with two Native leaders about the need for the painful look back as well as the path forward toward healing.
Thirteen of the University of New Mexico Medical School’s 15 recent family and community medicine residents will stay in the state, boosting long-slumping numbers of rural primary care doctors as they fan out to work in communities from Shiprock to Lovington. Producer Matt Grubs speaks with a graduate of the program and two doctors who are trying to ensure continued success.
Plus, we offer a primer on the state's redistricting efforts which are already underway. This year's process will look much different than 10 years ago, as lawmakers last year approved the creation of a new Redistricting Committee to make the process less partisan and reduce the risks of gerrymandering. Public hearings are going on currently, and participants can even suggest their own maps and models to the committee. Find out more information and watch livestreams of the public hearings here.
Guests:
Joe Garcia, Head Councilman, Ohkay Owingeh
Angel Charley, Executive Director, Coalition to Stop Violence Against Native Women
Deb Haaland, U.S. Interior Dept. Secretary
Dr. Arthur Kaufman, UNM Vice Chancellor for Community Health
Dr. Molly McClain, UNM Family & Community Medicine Residency Director
Dr. Darshan Patel, UNM Family & Community Residency Graduate, Nor-Lea Hospital
Hon. Edward L. Chavez, Redistricting Committee Chair
Lilly Irvin-Vitela, Community Liaison
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The Line opinion panel offers reaction to the kickback scandal now enveloping state lawmaker Sheryl Williams Stapleton. Stapleton is the House Majority Floor Leader and has served in the Roundhouse for years. The current scandal, now under investigation by the Attorney General Hector Balderas involves her job with Albuquerque Public Schools. If the accusations are true, it could have wide-ranging impacts in state government.
The Line panel also talks about the return of masks – even for vaccinated people – in some indoor environments, as well as how schools will handle the CDC’s new recommendation. New Mexico’s Public Education Department has mandated masks in elementary schools. School districts, however, can make their own – and stricter – rules, as has the Albuquerque Public Schools board, which voted 5-1 this week to require masks indoors regardless of vaccination status.
The group also weighs in on a proposed $50 million bond measure to fund a stadium primarily for the New Mexico United soccer team. Mayor Tim Keller is all-in on the idea, but is public financing the right way to go about paying for it? Is it a sweetheart deal for team owners? And can such a project revitalize downtown Albuquerque?
Host:
Gene Grant
Line Guests:
Dede Feldman, former state senator Dan Foley, former state representative
Kristelle Siarza, Siarza Social Digital
For More Information:
COVID-19 Response Toolkit for New Mexico’s Public Schools – NM Public Education Dept.
APS board votes 5-1 to require masks indoors regardless of vaccination status – KOB
City releases feasibility study on sites for New Mexico United stadium – KOB
Mayor makes his case for a new soccer stadium – Albuquerque Journal
12 APS employees on leave amid Rep. Williams Stapleton investigation - KRQE
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Correspondent Gwyneth Doland sits down with UNM professor and author Eli Revelle Yano Wilson about his newest book “Front of the House, Back of the House.” The book examines how the restaurant industry often reinforces discrimination and societal class systems.
New Mexico isn’t the only state trying to compel the U.S. military to clean up the waters it has polluted with toxic chemicals known as PFAS. Nationwide, the military has contaminated almost 700 communities with the toxic chemicals found in certain types of firefighting foams. As part of our series, Groundwater War, correspondent Laura Paskus talks with reporters Garret Ellison and Michael Sol Warren, to hear what’s happening in the communities they cover in Michigan and New Jersey.
Guests: Eli Revelle Yano Wilson, UNM Dept. of Sociology, author of “Front of the House, Back of the House: Race and Inequality in the Lives of Restaurant Workers”
Garret Ellison, environment reporter, MLive/Grand Rapids Press
Michael Sol Warren, environment reporter, NJ Advance Media
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The Line opinion roundtable offers reactions and insight on the New Mexico Supreme Court’s recent decision that gas stations have a duty to refuse to sell fuel to drunk drivers. Under the ruling, businesses could be held liable if a drunk driver then injures someone. The NM Supreme Court made the decision in the wake of a wrongful death lawsuit filed by the family of a man killed by an intoxicated driver who had run out of gas, walked to a station for a small amount, then returned to fill up before causing the deadly accident.
The Line panel also explores the ethics complaint filed against Attorney General Hector Balderas over his handling of a proposed merger for the Public Service Company of New Mexico. Avangrid, the company looking to acquire PNM, hired Marcus Rael, Jr., who is a close friend and frequent contract attorney for Balderas. The Line also looks at the balance of such deals, which are supposed to weigh the costs and benefits to shareholders against those of ratepayers. And, the group discusses the challenges around public financing of political campaigns, as demonstrated in the current Albuquerque mayor’s race, where challenger Manny Gonzales has been denied public money due to forged signatures and other documents. Should the presence of some non-matching signatures disqualify potentially thousands of other valid ones?
Line Guests:
Inez Russell Gomez, editorial page editor, Santa Fe New Mexican Serge Martinez, UNM Law School
Diane Snyder, former state senator
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Gene Grant explores UNM’s return to campus without a vaccination requirement. The administration hopes for 100 percent vaccination, but for now won’t force the issue. UNM Communications and Marketing chief Cinnamon Blair talks about “Bringing Back the Pack.” Political Science Professor Gabe Sanchez also joins the conversation to offer insight on why certain groups aren’t likely to seek the coronavirus vaccine on their own.
Senior producer Matt Grubs speaks with Navajo journalist Sunnie Clahchischiligi, whose recent reporting for Searchlight New Mexico’s Heading Home series explores the sometimes jaw-dropping challenges that faced Native students as they tried to navigate distance learning in a part of the state without widespread, reliable broadband service.
Guests:
Cinnamon Blair, University Communications & Marketing
Gabe Sanchez, UNM Center for Social Policy Sunnie Clahchischiligi, Searchlight New Mexico journalist
For More Information:
Bringing Back the Pack – University of New Mexico
Hitting Home – Searchlight New Mexico
How Navajo students overcame the pandemic school year – Searchlight New Mexico
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New Mexico is aflutter with news of the first fully crewed Virgin Galactic flight from Spaceport America. Sir Richard Branson’s high-profile jaunt into weightlessness on July 11 drew massive attention to the purpose-built New Mexico facility. Will it soon also bring money? The Line opinion panel looks at successes and challenges as the state seeks to leverage the Virgin Galactic spotlight.
Although the Republican gubernatorial primary is a long way off - and the challenge to Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham even further away – the pool of GOP hopefuls is growing. The Line opinion panel explores Rebecca Dow’s entry into the Republican race for governor. Dow has been seen by some political minds as a frontrunner. The group debates what that means this early in the race.
The Line opinion panel looks at the impact of tough-on-crime policy decisions for the state court system. Public defenders from southern New Mexico’s 12thJudicial District say they can’t prepare an effective defense for each of the nearly 300 felony cases scheduled for trial over an upcoming four-week period. Do policymakers need to rethink what it means to be “tough on crime”?
Host:
Gene Grant
Line Guests:
Tom Garrity, The Garrity Group PR
Julie Ann Grimm, Santa Fe Reporter, editor and publisher
Laura Sanchez, attorney
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Santa Fe's Rachel Kleinfeld is a Senior Fellow at Carnegie Endowment for International Peace and the founder of The Truman Security Project. She's also a member on the National Task Force on Election Crises. We talked to Kleinfeld last October about her research and work on reducing the possibility of violence surrounding our elections. She also spent a few extra minutes with correspondent Russell Contreras to discuss why nonviolent expression is the most effective type of protest in charged times like these, given the Black Lives Matter movement and upcoming midterm elections in 2022.
Vanessa Fonseca-Chávez is a New Mexico native and an assistant professor at Arizona State University. She is also co-editor of the book “Querencia: Reflections on the New Mexico Homeland.” As a Chicana who is critical of monuments to Spanish conquistadors, she has also worked on a decolonial bibliography of controversial conqueror Don Juan de Oñate. She discusses that research and how her upbringing in rural New Mexico helped spur her interest in the topic.
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Roberto Rosales is a photographer with the Albuquerque Journal and whether he’s shooting college sports, crime scenes, or dropping reservoir levels, his style is unique and recognizable. For decades, he’s also covered the border, shining a light on the personal stories of people who are crossing into the United States seeking safety and economic opportunity. Correspondent Laura Paskus spoke with Rosales about his work and how and why he captures those images that can help us all better understand the region and its people.
Albuquerque Journal photojournalist and photo editor Dean Hanson recently called it a career after 35 years at the paper. Senior producer Matt Grubs talked with Hanson, as the self-described “camera guy” looks back at his experience and shares some of his favorite images. The pair also discuss the challenges COVID-19 created for photojournalism.
This month on Our Land, Correspondent Laura Paskus visits the Carson National Forest in northern New Mexico. There she discovered a unique approach to forest management. That model is based on community and is designed and created around historical government models like the acequia system. The Cerro Negro Forest Council celebrates tradition and culture in a way that has paid big dividends for the forest and those who live right close next to it.
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William Donahue of St. John’s College in Santa Fe sits down with NMiF senior producer Matt Grubs to talk about receiving the LeRoy Doggett Prize for his work in historical astronomy. The American Astronomical Society recently named Donahue as its winner for his contributions to the field. Donahue talks about why it’s important to study the science of the past, as well as his translations of works by Johannes Kepler and his discovery that some of Kepler’s so-called observations were actually mathematical sleight of hand, working backward from his theory of planetary movement.
The Line opinion panel examines the rise in home school enrollment following a forced year of pandemic learning from home. With New Mexico’s funding model based on enrollment, the trend has implications for public school districts across the state, as well as for the state’s response to the Yazzie-Martinez decision, which said New Mexico hadn’t been providing an equitable education to all students.
The Line opinion panel also weighs in on the implications of encrypted and destroyed official records at the Children, Youth and Families Department. Searchlight New Mexico reports that fired CYFD whistleblowers Cliff and Debra Gilmore recently filed suit against the state after the pair said they were dismissed for raising concerns about the agency’s practice of using the Signal app to hide communications from the public eye. The group also discusses the governor’s response, or lack of one, to the reporting of Searchlight New Mexico.
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This week, New Mexico in Focus continues its in-depth look at the state’s newly legal recreational cannabis industry. While June 29 marked the day the law went into effect, the state says April 2022 is likely when stores will open. As New Mexico considers its rules and regulations, The Line opinion panel discusses the public-facing part of the effort.
Growing Forward podcast hosts Megan Kamerick and Andy Lyman also speak with Adam Levin of the Pew Charitable Trusts, who has studied states that roll out legal cannabis industries. Levin points out that unclear or untimely regulations and clogged marketplaces can hamper the tax revenue states get when they legalize recreational cannabis.
This week the NCAA also opened the doors to college athletes getting paid for the use of their name and likeness. But, what will that mean for athletes in New Mexico? Albuquerque Journal Reporter Geoff Grammer joined host Gene Grant on Facebook Live to break it all down!
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Former Albuquerque Journal and Washington Post reporter Marie C. Baca has started a newsletter based on New Mexico’s social media scene. Gwyneth Doland chats with her about the new venture.
The Line opinion panel discusses New Mexico’s seemingly permanent place near the bottom of an annual child well-being survey. According to the recently released Kids Count report, the state is no longer last in the rankings, moving to 49th place in the nation. Are these baby steps of improvement worth celebrating?
Plus, Laura Paskus speaks with New Mexico Environment Secretary James Kenney about the development of new regulations for the oil and gas industry, as the governor focuses on combating climate change.
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Covid-19 restrictions began shutting down our state in March 2020. Now, more than 15 months later, New Mexico is ready to reopen fully. New strains of the virus, including the Delta variant, are still a concern, urging some to call for caution. The Line opinion panel takes on the implications of the state’s full reopening, scheduled for July 1.
The Line opinion panelists consider another important date: June 29, when adult-use cannabis becomes legal. There’s a long way to go for New Mexico’s nascent industry and cities like Albuquerque are figuring out important zoning issues. The Line also looks at economic impacts and protections for small and micro businesses as they compete against the larger players in the industry.
Growing Forward podcast hosts Megan Kamerick and Andy Lyman talk to Doña Ana County Sheriff Kim Stewart about how her deputies will deal with the new cannabis law.
And, we catch up with New Mexico's newest state legislator, Representative Pamelya Herndon, who was appointed this week to fill out Melanie Stansbury's term in the Roundhouse. Stansbury recently won a special election to serve in the U.S. House of Representatives.
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New Mexico's environmental regulators learned from the Air Force in 2018 that it had contaminated local waters with PFAS from fire fighting foams used at Cannon and Holloman Air Force bases. Since that time, the state has been sued by the U.S. Department of Defense for trying to compel the military to clean up that pollution--and in June, the Biden administration's DOD called New Mexico's attempts to compel cleanup under one of the military's permits "arbitrary and capricious." Meanwhile, Kenney is also asking the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for help in setting federal pollution standards for the toxic substances.
Meanwhile, the U.S. Air Force announced in June a $16.6 million contract to build a pilot water treatment plant at the southeastern corner of Cannon Air Force Base, to test three different options for removing PFAS from the groundwater. If all goes according to plan, the "pump and treat" plant will begin operations in 2023.
Plus, Host Gene Grant speaks with Rep. Melanie Stansbury, whose victory in the special election for New Mexico’s 1st Congressional District was watched closely by politicos in the U.S. and abroad. The congresswoman, who was sworn into office Monday, discusses her policy priorities.
Correspondents:
Gene Grant
Laura Paskus
Guests:
Chris Gierke, remedial project manager, U.S. Air Force
Sec. James Kenney, NM Environment Department
Rep. Melanie Stansbury, (D-NM) 1st Congressional District
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The Line opinion panel takes up a topic on everyone’s sweat-soaked brow this week: the unseasonably hot late-spring temperatures. Climate change and megafires to the west have combined to turn mid-June into a miserable slog for much of the state. With record-setting temperatures and prolonged drought conditions becoming the new normal, the question comes up as July 4th approaches: should fireworks be banned for personal use?
The Line panel also talks about upcoming cannabis legalization and potential pitfalls. Conflicts of interest have started cropping up as members of New Mexico’s citizen legislature stand to profit from the cannabis industry.
The group also looks at what progress – if any – has been made by city leaders in Santa Fe and Albuquerque after protests of colonialist statues and monuments last summer. The eyesore left behind by the toppled obelisk in the Santa Fe Plaza is a reminder that a path forward has not yet opened. And in Albuquerque, the fate of the Oñate sculpture removed after last year's protest also remains undecided.
Host:
Gene Grant
The Line Opinion Panel:
Dede Feldman, former state senator
Inez Russell Gomez, editorial page editor, Santa Fe New Mexican
TJ Trout, radio host, KKOB
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This month marks the ten-year anniversary of the 2011 Las Conchas Fire, which burned 156,000 acres of the Jemez Mountains. At the time, Las Conchas was the largest fire in New Mexico’s recorded history.
Here in New Mexico—and across the West—wildfire season is getting longer. Wildfires, bigger. And these trends will continue in our warming world. Between 1970 and 2020, New Mexico’s average annual temperature has risen by 3.4 degrees Fahrenheit—and forecasts show we’re in for more and more warming into the future.
But wildfires aren’t the only problem spurred by rising temperatures and drought, which have even more impacts on our forests, including insect infestations.
On this month’s episode of Our Land, we look at how climate change is altering New Mexico’s forests and what the future holds.
A 30-year veteran of the battle for affordable housing, Mike Loftin of Homewise talks with senior producer Matt Grubs about the ABQ Home for Life program. The effort by the city to attract new residents was born of work-from-home discoveries about the workforce. Loftin explains why it’s important to think holistically about housing costs.
This week, our crew also takes a trip to the Santa Fe Farmers Market to find out how growers are emerging from the pandemic. The shutdown’s impact has forced changes in how some growers do business, including innovations that seem here to stay in a post-pandemic world.
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The Line opinion panel reacts to a unanimous decision this week from the New Mexico Supreme Court denying financial compensation from the state to businesses affected by the COVID-19 public health order. The court’s decision came five months after the first oral arguments were heard in roughly 20 lawsuits by businesses seeking relief. The panel examines the finer legal points of the issue.
The group also discusses Sen. Martin Heinrich’s call to have open and honest discussions about unidentified flying objects and the possibility of extraterrestrial life. The Pentagon is expected to release a report later this month on these unexplained phenomena. Will the report reveal long-held secrets or be, as news account predict, inconclusive? The truth is still out there.
And finally, the Line panelists take a closer look at the committee charged with bringing fairness to the process of redrawing political boundaries after each Census count. The redistricting panel has all been appointed, but critics say it lacks geographic and cultural diversity – there is only one woman on the committee, and no Native American representation.
Host:
Gene Grant
The Line Opinion Panel:
Sophie Martin, attorney
Laura Sanchez, attorney
H. Diane Snyder, former state senator
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Albuquerque Journal photojournalist and photo editor Dean Hanson calls it a career after 35 years at the paper. Senior producer Matt Grubs talks with Hanson as the self-described “camera guy” looks back at his experience and shares some of his favorite images.
Looking to leverage what has traditionally been a low cost of living and affordable housing market, the City of Albuquerque is expanding its “Home for Life” program. The effort seeks to lure former residents and remote workers to New Mexico. But a booming housing market means homes are harder to find than ever before. Senior producer Matt Grubs interviews Synthia Jaramillo, director of Albuquerque’s Economic Development Department, about how she’ll measure the program’s success and avoid overcrowding a seller’s real estate market.
Correspondent:
Matt Grubs, NMiF senior producer
Guests:
Dean Hanson, photojournalist
Synthia Jaramillo, Albuquerque Economic Development Department
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Voters in New Mexico’s 1st Congressional District chose a new representative to send to Washington. With the eyes of the national political crowd on Albuquerque and the rest of the district, Democratic candidate Melanie Stansbury ran away with the election, hitting the 60 percent mark over three conservative challengers. Ms. Stansbury portrayed her win as a symbolic victory for voting rights, for science and for women. The Line opinion panel talks takeaways from the special election for New Mexico’s CD1.
The Line opinion panel also discusses New Mexico’s vaccination push, which this week added a cash sweepstakes to the effort using federal aid funds. Is a lottery a good tactic by New Mexico’s Department of Health to encourage everyone to get vaccinated, or has Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham “usurped legislative authority to rehabilitate her image” as state Senate Republicans claim?
Plus, We have yet to see the halfway mark for 2021,but Albuquerque has already seen 50 homicide deaths. That’s twice as many murders as the city had at this point last year. The Line opinion panel discusses the Duke City’s rising violent crime rate.
Host:
Gene Grant
The Line Opinion Panel:
Merritt Allen, Vox Optima public relations
Dan Foley, former state representative
Eric Griego, former state senator
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Antonia Gonzales gathers a group of experts to talk about bringing tribal communities out of the pandemic with the right kind of behavioral health support. It’s a problem for all communities in the state, but one that the Indian Affairs Department has been working on since the onset of COVID-19.
Environment reporter Laura Paskus speaks with the director of the Bosque Ecosystem Monitoring Program, which has seen its funding slashed as the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, which funds the program, fights its own budget battle. The innovative project serves the dual purpose of providing an outdoor classroom for students while also collecting valuable data on the health of the Rio Grande and its ecosystem.
To see our early report on the Bosque Ecosystem Monitoring Program, just click here.
Segments:
Mental Health Awareness in Tribal Communities
Correspondent: Antonia Gonzales
Guests:
Eldred Lesansee, NM Indian Affairs Department
Alysia Coriz, Indigenous Youth Council member
Teresa Gomez, Honoring Native Life
Bosque Science and Data Program Faces Cuts
Correspondent: Laura Paskus
Guests: Greg Dyson, Bosque Ecosystem Monitoring Program
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This week on New Mexico in Focus, The Line opinion panel looks at recent outcomes for big ticket taxpayer items. This past weekend saw the long-awaited first successful suborbital flight by Virgin Galactic. Launched from New Mexico’s Spaceport America, the flight brings the promise of space tourism one step closer. It’s a more than $200 million gamble made by then-Gov. Bill Richardson years ago.
Businesses have paid millions into the state’s unemployment insurance fund, which was completely depleted during the pandemic. Now, a legislative report says the state’s Workforce Solutions Department overpaid up to $250 million dollars in unemployment benefits. Even if it’s a much lower number floated by the administration – around $105 million – it’s a stunning amount. The Line debates the problem and the governor’s reaction.
The group also discusses a new report that suggests New Mexico is asking oil and gas producers for far too little when it comes to securing money needed to clean up abandoned wells and their infrastructure.
Host: Gene Grant
The Line Opinion Panel:
Tom Garrity, The Garrity Group public relations
Serge Martinez, UNM School of Law professor
H. Diane Snyder, former state senator
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This time on New Mexico in Focus, Sen. Ben Ray Lujan joins the program from Washington, D.C. to talk about the federal government’s plans to pay for and expand access to broadband internet service. It’s been a major challenge in New Mexico. Correspondent and Axios reporter Russ Contreras also speaks with the senator about the immigration crisis at the southern border.
In March, the pueblos of Jemez and Laguna sued the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers over a 2020 rule that weakens or eliminates protections for ephemeral or intermittent waterways. The pueblos are represented by the University of New Mexico Clinical Law Program, and according to the complaint, the Trump-era rule “ignores the U.S. Government’s trust responsibilities to Indian tribes and violates the Administrative Procedure Act and intent of the Clean Water Act.” It would also make it harder for pueblos to regulate upstream polluters. Laura Paskus speaks with two key players in the suit.
Segments:
Sen. Ben Ray Lujan
Correspondent: Russell Contreras, Axios
Guest: Sen. Ben Ray Lujan, D-New Mexico
NM Tribal Communities Sue Over Trump Water Rule
Correspondent: Laura Paskus
Guests: Clifford Villa, UNM School of Law
Chris Toya, Pueblo of Jemez
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The Line opinion panel tackles two issues: masks and voting in the special election for the 1st Congressional District. With the mask mandate largely lifted, New Mexico businesses and residents are feeling out what seems smart, safe and comfortable as they expand their daily lives into the public sphere. Turnout is low so far in the special congressional election. The group talks about whether voters are fatigued, distrustful, distracted or simply voting later in the race to replace Deb Haaland. We also love to bring you extra content, which you can always find by following us on Facebook! (@nminfocus). First up is more on the special election and the beginning of same-day-voter-registration with Bernalillo County Clerk Linda Stover. And, we also get more of The Line, as they warmed up for this week's show discussing street racing, campaign finances and much more!
Host: Gene Grant
The Line Opinion Panel:
Dede Feldman, former state senator
Dave Mulryan, Everybody Votes
Kristelle Siarza, Siarza Social Digital
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In this episode, Libertarian congressional candidate Chris Manning speaks with producer Matt Grubs. The Libertarian Party selected the military veteran as their candidate in the June 1 special election to replace Deb Haaland.
And, Our Land is back. This is our monthly environmental series with correspondent Laura Paskus. This month, we look back to a 2019 episode about blue-green algae. Blooms of that toxic cyanobacteria are harmful to people and pets. Unfortunately, they’re becoming more of a reality in New Mexico’s lakes and reservoirs, even in northern New Mexico. As the climate continues to warm, it’s more important than ever for water managers and others to work together on the issue.
Segments:
Libertarian Candidate for CD-1
Correspondent: Matt Grubs, NMiF senior producer
Guest:
Chris Manning, Libertarian congressional candidate
Our Land: The Return of Blue Green Algae Blooms
Correspondent: Laura Paskus
Guests:
Becky Bixby, UNM Water Resources Program
John Mueller, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Abiquiu Lake
Kristopher Barrios, NM Environment Dept. Water Quality Bureau
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The Line opinion panel returns in this week's episode, to look at the implications of the New Mexico Republican Party’s decision to hold its spring convention in Texas. Party leaders say limitations on gatherings in New Mexico forced them to cross the border. The group also talks about the return of the job search requirement for those receiving unemployment support, as well as the potential for an avalanche of evictions as a federal moratorium has been successfully challenged in court. We also throw in a little bonus conversation about the apparent bad break up between one of the state's most high profile events, Balloon Fiesta, and major sponsor Canon.
Line Panelists:
Dan Foley, Former House Minority Whip
Laura Sanchez, Attorney
Martha Burke, Political Psychologist and Author
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May 7, 2021 – Early voting has begun in the special election to fill Deb Haaland’s seat in the 1st Congressional District, and the candidates have begun a series of debates on local commercial TV stations. NMiF senior producer Matt Grubs digs into a lengthy interview with Democratic state Rep. Melanie Stansbury. Expanded early voting locations open May 15 and Election Day is June 1.
Correspondent:
Matt Grubs, NMiF Senior Producer
Guest:
Melanie Stansbury, Democratic state representative
For More Information:
Melanie for New Mexico
Moores for Congress
Chris Manning for Congress
Aubrey Dunn campaign website
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May 7, 2021 – Early voting has begun in the special election to fill Deb Haaland’s seat in the 1st Congressional District, and the candidates have begun a series of debates on local commercial TV stations. NMiF senior producer Matt Grubs digs into a lengthy interview with Republican state Sen. Mark Moores. Expanded early voting locations open May 15 and Election Day is June 1.
Correspondent:
Matt Grubs, NMiF Senior Producer
Guest:
Mark Moores, Republican state senator
For More Information:
Moores for Congress
Melanie for New Mexico
Chris Manning for Congress
Aubrey Dunn campaign website
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May 7, 2021 – The movement on missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls has broadened to include transgender and other Indigenous relatives. In recent years, with the help of trusted members of Native communities, leaders and even celebrities, focus on cases and calls for justice has stayed before the eyes of the public and policy makers. For advocates and families, the work is never over. The memory and often the pain of a loved one who’s gone missing or murdered keeps them striving to see progress. Correspondent Antonia Gonzales speaks with some Native women’s advocates about statewide initiatives and a recent boost on the federal level. President Biden declared May 6 as a day of awareness for the crisis, and New Mexican Deb Haaland used her power as interior secretary to create a MMIW unit in the Bureau of Indian Affairs.
Correspondent:
Antonia Gonzales
Guest:
Angel Charley, executive director, Coalition to Stop Violence Against Native Women
Christine Means, MMIW sister and New Mexico task force member
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In this episode, we bring you two of our recent Facebook Live events, hosted by the face and voice of New Mexico in Focus, Gene Grant. If you haven't already, be sure to follow us on all our social media platforms:
YouTube
We try to do at least one Facebook Live event a week, but often it ends up being more than one. We'd love for you to join us and share your thoughts and questions with all our special guests.
First up in this episode is an interview Gene did with Axie Navas, who heads up the state's new Outdoor Recreation Division. They have a lot of great things in the works for this summer, including an opportunity for all New Mexicans to take advantage of the Outdoor Equity Fund.
Also in this episode, Gene talks to Katie Stone, Executive Producer of the Children's Hour which airs weekly on KUNM radio, as well as many other NPR stations across the country. The Children's Hour crew just premiered a brand new radio musical inspired by the COVID-19 pandemic. You can find out more about "Icky The Musical" on their webpage, and you can check it out yourself on the May 16th podcast edition of the show!
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In this episode, The Line opinion panel explores the impact of Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham’s new pandemic public health plan. With New Mexico aggressively vaccinating its population, the governor announced this week that the state could reopen businesses with few restrictions by the end of June.
A group of leading civil rights attorneys gathers for a discussion of the impact on New Mexico of the George Floyd murder and subsequent conviction of former police officer Derek Chauvin. Floyd’s death at the hand of Minneapolis Police spurred a New Mexico law that addresses legal protections for police officers.
Host:
Gene Grant
Line Opinion Panel:
Dan Boyd, Capitol bureau chief, Albuquerque Journal
Dede Feldman, former state senator
Ed Perea, attorney
Segments:
Civil Rights and the Chauvin Verdict
Correspondent:
Matt Grubs, NMiF Senior Producer
Guests:
Frances Crockett Carpenter, attorney
Joseph Kennedy, attorney
Carolyn Nichols, attorney
Laura Schauer Ives, attorney
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This week on New Mexico in Focus, correspondent Antonia Gonzales speaks with President Biden’s top tribal affairs adviser, PaaWee Rivera. The son of former Pojoaque Pueblo Governor George Rivera is working to advance Native interests as tribal communities emerge from the pandemic.
The Line opinion panel looks at population news from the Census Bureau and the Legislative Finance Committee. Recent reports show the state lags its neighbors in population growth, with key parts of the population leaving New Mexico during their prime years.
The Line also discusses a report from Searchlight New Mexico that revealed the state Department of Children, Youth and Families has been using an encryption app to communicate about cases and departmental strategy. The app deletes communications and shields work from the public eye. Now, the state attorney general says he’s asked his lawyers to look into the practice.
Host:
Gene Grant
Line Opinion Panel:
Dan Boyd, Capitol bureau chief, Albuquerque Journal
Dede Feldman, former state senator
Ed Perea, attorney
Segments:
Advising Biden
Correspondent:
Antonia Gonzales
Guest:
PaaWee Rivera, director of tribal affairs, The White House
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This week on New Mexico in Focus, the co-hosts of the NMPBS podcast Growing Forward speak with Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham about New Mexico’s new recreational cannabis laws, which legalize the practice starting at the end of June, with sales to begin a year from now. The package also provides for expungement of certain cannabis-related crimes. The governor called a special session to push the legislation over the finish line and signed the bills into law shortly thereafter. Then, the pair speaks with former Gov. Gary Johnson, who was an early champion of legalization. The then-Republican took a lot of heat for his stance two decades ago and for his prediction that legalized cannabis was on the horizon.
The Line opinion panel examines the entry of Jay Block into the race for the Republican nomination for governor. The Sandoval County Commissioner looks to take on Gov. Lujan Grisham in 2022. The group also weighs in on the revamp of the popular New Mexico True tourism program and the possible merger of PNM with an East Coast energy company.
As the world celebrates Earth Day, environment correspondent Laura Paskus reflects on how we relate to the world that we inherited from our ancestors and borrowed from our descendants.
Host:
Gene Grant
Line Opinion Panel:
Merritt Allen, Vox Optima public relations
Serge Martinez, UNM Law professor
H. Diane Snyder, former state senator
Segments:
Growing Forward with Governors
Correspondents:
Megan Kamerick, co-host, Growing Forward podcast
Andy Lyman, co-host, Growing Forward podcast
Guests:
Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham
Former Gov. Gary Johnson
Look Up on Earth Day
Correspondent: Laura Paskus
Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/nmif/message
On New Mexico in Focus… The once lively theaters of New Mexico have been quiet since last March. No performances. No ticket sales. No paychecks. There might yet be light at the end of the pandemic tunnel, but the year-long closures have actors and theatrical management worried about what’s next. NMiF fellow Bryce Dix sits down with the Albuquerque Little Theatre’s Henry Avery and local actor Hasani Olujimi to chat about their concerns and how venues have been making ends meet.
The Line opinion panel looks at the governor’s final legislative action and correspondent Laura Paskus examines environmental measures from the lawmaking session – both those passed and those put off another year.
The Line also discusses the impact of COVID-19 on New Mexico’s attempt to return students and educators to school buildings. Finally, the group wades into the special election to replace Deb Haaland in New Mexico’s 1st Congressional District.
Host:
Gene Grant
Line Opinion Panel:
Tom Garrity, The Garrity Group PR
Cathryn McGill, NM Black Leadership Council
Laura Sanchez, attorney
Segments:
New Environmental Laws
Correspondent: Laura Paskus, NMiF environment reporter
Guests: Angelica Rubio, state representative, Las Cruces
Artemisio Romero y Carver, spokesman, Youth United for Climate Crisis Action
The Future of Theater in New Mexico
Correspondent: Bryce Dix
Guests: Henry Avery, Albuquerque Little Theatre
Hasani Olujimi, actor
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On New Mexico in Focus… The Line opinion panel zeroes in on the bills being signed (and not) by Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham. Friday marks the deadline for the governor to approve legislation. Anything not signed, vetoed or singled out for a line-item veto is automatically vetoed after that. The governor put her name to numerous significant bills, and the group discusses what they mean for New Mexico in the coming months and years.
NMiF looks at the state’s vaccination plans and its rollout. All New Mexicans over age 16 are now eligible to receive a vaccination, but that doesn’t mean a shot is at the ready. The Line discusses New Mexico’s effort and its political implications. Senior Producer Matt Grubs also talks with Health Secretary Dr. Tracie Collins about what’s ahead as the state tries to vaccinate as many people as possible before COVID variants take hold.
Our Land returns, as correspondent Laura Paskus travels to Elephant Butte Reservoir to chronicle the changing nature of New Mexico’s snowpack and what it means for the Rio Grande, the lifeblood of much of New Mexico. In addition, Paskus interviews the co-creator of a new art installation about the Rio Grande: There Must Be Other Names for the River.
Host:
Gene Grant
Line Opinion Panel:
Sophie Martin, attorney
Dan Foley, former NM House minority whip
Julie Ann Grimm, editor and publisher, Santa Fe Reporter
Segments:
Health Secretary Dr. Tracie Collins
Correspondent: Matt Grubs, NMiF senior producer
Guest: Dr. Tracie Collins, New Mexico Dept. of Health
Our Land: Changing Rio Grande
Correspondent: Laura Paskus, NMiF environment reporter
Guests:
Dagmar Llewellyn, hydrologist, U.S. Bureau of Reclamation
Gary Esslinger, treasurer/manager, Elephant Butte Irrigation District
There Must Be Other Names for the River
Correspondent: Laura Paskus, NMiF environment reporter
Guest: Marisa Demarco, co-creator and journalist
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On New Mexico in Focus…
The Asian American community held a rally in downtown Albuquerque this week in response to an increase in violent and harassing incidents across the state. That surge mirrors what is happening all over the country in the wake of charged and divisive language about the COVID-19 virus. It was just about two weeks ago that eight people were killed, six of them females of Asian descent, in a mass shooting in Atlanta, Georgia. Police officials were reticent from the start to call the shootings a hate crime. Host Gene Grant talks with members of the local Asian American/Pacific Islander community about how bad things have gotten here in New Mexico, and what can be done to turn the tide.
Diversity has also been a huge challenge for years when it comes to local news coverage. Those concerns include not only the diversity of faces that deliver the news, but also the types of stories that are told. Gene Grant recently sat down with Albuquerque’s first African American president and general manager at a major news station, Lori Waldon of KOAT-TV. The two talk about the importance of who tells our stories and what those stories say about our communities.
Gene Grant also sits down with three people at the center of a major development on the local public health front. The University of New Mexico Hospital was recently certified as the state’s first comprehensive stroke center. They discuss how this new designation will lead to faster and effective treatment for stroke patients, not just in Albuquerque, but across New Mexico.
Host:
Gene Grant
No Line Opinion Panel
Segments:
Rise of Asian American/Pacific Islander Violence
Host: Gene Grant
Guests:
Kristelle Siarza, volunteer executive director, Asian Business Collaborative
Sachi Watase, executive director, New Mexico Asian Family Center
Diversity in the Local Media Landscape
Host: Gene Grant
Guest:
Lori Waldon, general manager and president, KOAT-TV
UNM Hospital’s Comprehensive Stroke Center
Host: Gene Grant
Guests:
Andrew Carlson, MD, neurosurgeon
Torsten Rohde, RN, director of UNMH Stroke and Heart Failure Programs
Michael Torbey, MD, chair of the UNM Department of Neurology
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This week on New Mexico in Focus, the clock struck midnight on legislation that would have legalized adult-use cannabis in New Mexico. But shortly after the 2020 legislative session wrapped, Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham announced a framework for a bill that could win approval was in place and she would be calling a special session in just a matter of days to push the legislation over the finish line. We get the very latest from our “Growing Forward” podcast team and learn more about why New Mexico’s approach is unique.
The Line opinion panelists will also discuss the slew of landmark bills that did make it through the 60-day session, including a constitutional amendment that would allow the state to pull more money from the Land Grant Permanent Fund for early childhood and K-12 education programs. There were also major reforms to liquor license laws, a medical aid-in-dying measure, redistricting reform and the repeal of a state abortion ban. The panelists also delve into accusations from female lawmakers of hostile treatment within the halls of the Roundhouse and the fate of several good government issues facing lawmakers in a one-of-a-kind virtual legislative session.
This week, Correspondent Gwyneth Doland also talks to the new leadership team in the Albuquerque Police Department. Mayor Tim Keller recently announced that interim police chief Harold Medina had earned the job moving forward, but added a new position of superintendent of police reform. Sylvester Stanley will be charged with continuing to implement changes recommended as part of the Department of Justice settlement agreement reached more than six years ago after a series of controversial police shootings.
Host:
Gene Grant
Line opinion panelists:
Dan Boyd, capitol bureau chief, Albuquerque Journal
Andy Lyman, reporter, New Mexico Political Report
Inez Russell Gomez, editorial page editor, Santa Fe New Mexican
Jessica Onsurez, news director, Carlsbad Current Argus
Segments:
Cannabis Legalization Update from Growing Forward Podcast
Correspondent:
Megan Kamerick
Andy Lyman
Guest: Natalie Fertig, cannabis policy reporter, Politico
New Albuquerque Police Department Leadership
Correspondent: Gwyneth Doland, NMiF correspondent
Guests:
Harold Medina, Albuquerque police chief
Sylvester Stanley, superintendent of police reform
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This week on New Mexico in Focus, The Line opinion panel looks at all the that has been accomplished so far in this unique, virtual legislative session. The panelists will also delve into what work has yet to be done, and what measures may run out of time when the session ends at 12pm on Saturday, March 20.
The Line also weighs in on Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham’s letter to President Biden this week, asking for some relief on his Executive Order instituting an indefinite moratorium on new oil and gas leases on public lands. The move comes as she is trying to push New Mexico toward more renewable energy sources. And, the opinion panelists also reflect on Deb Haaland’s historic week, as the U.S. Senate confirmed her nomination as the nation’s first Native American Cabinet Secretary. They’ll also discuss the upcoming special election to replace her in the U.S. House of Representatives, which we have now learned will take place on June 1.
Correspondent Antonia Gonzales also gets reaction to Deb Haaland’s history-making accomplishment. She is joined by tribal leaders, a business owner and youth advocates to discuss the importance of representation but also how indigenous communities will be holding Sec. Haaland accountable in her new role.
Our Land correspondent Laura Paskus continues our series on local reaction to President Joe Biden’s Climate Change actions. This week it’s Jon Goldstein, from the Environmental Defense Fund. Goldstein works on oil and gas issues, including how to reduce methane emissions from the industry. He also served as the Energy, Minerals and Natural Services Department Secretary under former Governor Bill Richardson.
Host:
Gene Grant
Line opinion panelists:
Merritt Allen, Vox Optima public relations
Dede Feldman, former state senator
Eric Griego, former state senator
H. Diane Snyder, former state senator
Segments:
Deb Haaland Makes History, Native Community Reacts
Correspondent: Antonia Gonzales
Guests:
Jenelle Roybal, Pueblo of Pojoaque Governor
Stephine Poston, Poston and Associates, Sandia Pueblo
Alysia Coriz, co-chair, All Pueblo Council of Governors Youth Committee (Kewa Pueblo)
Shayna Naranjo, co-chair, All Pueblo Council of Governors Youth Committee (Khapo Owingeh)
Environmental Defense Fund on Climate Change Action
Correspondent: Laura Paskus, NMiF environmental reporter
Guest: John Goldstein, Environmental Defense Fund
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This week on New Mexico in Focus, The Line opinion panel addresses Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham’s decision to open New Mexico to full-time, in-person learning by April 5. Largely a local-control matter, the request nevertheless has the attention of school districts, which seem anxious to comply with the request. The panel looks at the role of unions in the return to school, as well as the matter of vaccinating newly prioritized educators, despite no additional vaccine allocations from the federal government.
The Line also examines Mayor Tim Keller’s appointment of interim Chief Harold Medina to a permanent post atop the city’s Police Department. The mayor decided to split the duties of the top position, naming Sylvester Stanley as interim superintendent of police reform. The new system has been met with a mixed reaction. The panel also looks at New Mexico’s effort to form a cohesive strategy to get broadband internet service into homes across the state. Lawmakers are considering a handful of bills and capital outlay proposals to jumpstart what’s been a patchy effort to get critical infrastructure to all parts of the state.
Our Land returns, as Laura Paskus travels to Clovis to speak with dairy farmer Art Schaap. Since the U.S. Air Force revealed in 2018 that it had poisoned groundwater near Cannon and Holloman Air Force bases with PFAS chemicals, Schaap has been pumping and dumping the milk from his cows at his dairy just outside the base. He’s also suing the government for damage done to his livelihood.
Producer Matt Grubs talks to President Biden’s national supply chain manager for the White House Pandemic Response Team, Tim Manning. The former head of the New Mexico Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management under Bill Richardson, Manning explains the challenges of distributing PPE supplies and vaccine to remote parts of the United States.
Host:
Gene Grant
Line opinion panelists:
Diane Denish, former lieutenant governor
Dan Foley, former House minority whip
Serge Martinez, UNM Law School professor
Segments:
Biden’s COVID Supply Chain Pick
Correspondent:
Matt Grubs, NMiF senior producer
Guest:
Tim Manning, national supply chain coordinator, White House Pandemic Response Team
Our Land: Art Schaap’s Dairy Dilemma
Correspondent:
Laura Paskus, NMiF environmental reporter
Guest:
Art Schaap, dairy farmer
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This week, New Mexico in Focus features the top medical aide to President Biden and noted infectious diseases expert, Dr. Anthony Fauci. Correspondent Antonia Gonzales talks to Dr. Fauci about how, despite shouldering a disproportionate burden of COVID-19 infections, Native tribes are leading the way in vaccination rates. Dr. Fauci explains what states can learn from tribal nations and talks about the timeline for vaccinating students, many of whom are not eligible for any of the currently approved vaccines.
Sen. Martin Heinrich joins correspondent Laura Paskus to talk about the bill he introduced to create a 21st Century Conservation Corps Act. It’s modeled after the Civilian Conservation Corp of the 1930s and would put people to work on landscape restoration projects, urban and community forestry programs and more.
The Line is all about the Legislature, as lawmaking enters its final weeks in Santa Fe. Momentum appears strong for a measure that would legalize recreational cannabis. The question is: Which measure? Meanwhile, consumer advocates say a plan to rein in short-term lending practices that’s not yet five years old just isn’t working. A new bill to further cap interest rates has passed the Senate, and The Line assesses its prospects. Finally, whatever happened to police reform? The opinion panel looks at the Civil Rights Act and its potential impact on criminal justice.
Host: Gene Grant
Line Panelists:
Tom Garrity, The Garrity Group
Julie Ann Grimm, editor and publisher, Santa Fe Reporter
Edmund Perea, attorney and public safety expert
Segments:
Native Vaccination Success
Correspondent: Antonia Gonzales
Guest: Dr. Anthony Fauci, director, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases
A New Jobs Plan and a Familiar Model
Correspondent: Laura Paskus
Guest: Sen. Martin Heinrich
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This week, New Mexico in Focus features reaction to confirmation hearings for Interior Secretary-designate Deb Haaland. The New Mexico congresswoman spent parts of two days this week in front of the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources defending her stance on fossil fuel production and parrying thrusts from conservative senators, some of whom called her environmental stance “radical.” Correspondent Antonia Gonzales speaks to a group of prominent Native women about the hearings, then The Line opinion panel offers its thoughts.
The combination of a limited housing supply and a high demand for rental properties in Albuquerque is causing a surge in rental prices, which is frustrating some tenants who are looking for somewhere to live that fits both their needs and their budget. NMiF Correspondent Megan Kamerick talked with tenant Thomas Hughes about his difficulty finding somewhere suitable to live, and to UNM Law Professor Serge Martinez about how these increases are especially problematic for younger and lower-income people.
The Line opinion panel also looks at the choices in front of school boards across the state as they decide whether to return students and educators to school buildings for the remainder of the school year. The recent decision by Albuquerque Public Schools to allow a limited return, but stay mostly online made headlines, but the APS board’s choice doesn’t stand alone among New Mexico school districts. The group also looks at the advancement of the budget on the House side of the Legislature. After a disastrous prediction as the pandemic settled in, the state’s economy has bounced back somewhat and lawmakers are looking to spend more than they did last year.
Host: Gene Grant
Line Panelists:
Merritt Allen, Vox Optima public relations
Eric Griego, former state senator
Kristelle Siarza, Siarza Social Digital
Segments:
Native Community Reacts to Haaland Hearing
Correspondent: Antonia Gonzales
Guests: Kiera Toya, National UNITY Council Co-President,
Jemez Pueblo Shayai Lucero, Floral Designer/STEM Expert,
Acoma/Laguna Pueblo Holly Cook Macarro,
Spirit Rock Consulting, Red Lake Nation
Pandemic Compounds Housing Problems
Correspondent: Megan Kamerick
Guests: Thomas Hughes, rental tenant Serge Martinez, UNM Law School professor
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This week on New Mexico in Focus…
Now that the 2020 U.S. Census count is complete, one of the next steps for New Mexico is redrawing congressional and legislative districts. Redistricting is often a political process decided under a veil of secrecy. But this year, lawmakers are debating a bill that would create a new commission to depoliticize the process and restore transparency. Correspondent Gwyneth Doland talks to members of the New Mexico First task force that recommended the commission as part of their work last year to reform the process.
The Line opinion panel will also discuss the redistricting commission proposal and its potential for passage during the 2021 legislative session. The panelists take a closer look at several bills that would change New Mexico’s liquor rules and regulations. One such proposal would allow for the delivery of some pre-packaged liquor, in an effort to help bars and restaurants maintain income during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. But, given New Mexico’s troubled history with alcohol and high-profile drunk driving cases, is this really a good idea? Lastly, the panelists will delve into one lawmaker’s decision to leave his party over a vote on another high-profile bill, which would keep abortions in New Mexico from being illegal, even if the U.S. Supreme Court were to overturn Roe v. Wade.
This week also marks the return of “Our Land” New Mexico’s only broadcast series dedicated to covering environmental issues in our state. Correspondent Laura Paskus explores the power of what we name places in New Mexico, and talks with U.S. Representative Deb Halland (D) –
President Biden’s pick to lead the Department of the Interior – about legislation she is proposing that hopes to make those names more culturally sensitive and inclusive.
Host: Gene Grant
Line Panelists:
Laura Sanchez, attorney
Merritt Allen, Vox Optima Inez
Russell Gomez, editorial page editor, Santa Fe New Mexican
Segments:
Redistricting Legislation
Correspondent: Gwyneth Doland
Guests: Edward Chávez, NM First redistricting task force co-chair, NM Supreme Court (retired)
Cedric Page, NM First redistricting task force member
Our Land: Place Names
Correspondent: Laura Paskus
Guest: Deb Haaland, U.S. House of Representatives (NM-CD1)
Theresa Pasqual, archaeologist and former director of historic preservation, Pueblo of Acoma
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In this special episode of New Mexico in Focus, host Gene Grant talks to New Mexico Poets about the power of the spoken word in light of inaugural poet Amanda Gorman's performance at Super Bowl LV. Albuquerque Poet Laureates Hakim Bellamy and Jessica Helen Lopez join us, along with state Poet Laureate Levi Romero. The group talk about the power of language, and what they expect from Gorman's performance on the nation's biggest stage.
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This week on New Mexico in Focus… The Line opinion panel looks at the mad dash by school districts across the state to consider reopening after Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham gave the okay to return kids of all ages to the classroom during her State of the State address. The group discusses the approach districts are taking as they consider bringing educators and students back to school.
The Line also talks about the revelation that a New Mexico legislator tested positive for COVID-19. News of the lawmaker’s positive test – as well as several cases among staff – has strained the already fractious relationship between Democratic Speaker of the House Brian Egolf and House Republicans, one of whom is the COVID-positive representative. Finally, the opinion panel talks about reporting by NMiF environment correspondent Laura Paskus and others that warns of a dismal year for irrigators who rely on the Rio Grande to water their fields.
As the Biden administration rolls out its climate change response, states like New Mexico that are dependent on revenue from extractive industries are nervous. Correspondent Laura Paskus speaks to New Mexico State University economist Jim Peach about the impact of a pause on new drilling leases on federal land.
Correspondent Antonia Gonzales interviews Navajo Nation First Lady Phefelia Nez about the ongoing Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women crisis. The first lady is part of a state task force that is supporting legislation being considered at the Roundhouse this session.
And correspondent Megan Kamerick talks to bioethicist and philosophy professor Teresa Blankmeyer Burke about the ethics of equitable vaccine distribution as New Mexico struggles to find enough doses of COVID-19 vaccine to protect the most vulnerable parts of the state’s population. Hundreds of thousands of people who fall into at-risk categories are still waiting to receive the life-saving shots.
Host: Gene Grant
Line Panelists:
Sophie Martin, attorney
Tom Garrity, The Garrity Group
Ed Perea, attorney and public safety analyst
Segments:
Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women
Correspondent: Antonia Gonzales
Guest: Phefelia Nez, Navajo Nation first lady and New Mexico MMIW task force member
Vaccine Ethics
Correspondent: Megan Kamerick
Guest: Teresa Blankmeyer Burke, philosophy professor, Gallaudet University
New Mexico and the Biden Climate Agenda
Correspondent: Laura Paskus
Guest: Jim Peach, economist and professor emeritus, New Mexico State University
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This week on New Mexico in Focus… NMiF producer Matt Grubs interviews New Mexico In Depth reporter Bryan Metzger about his deep dive into the role of lobbyists in the state’s legislative process. With pandemic restrictions at the Roundhouse this year, lobbyists have found themselves on the outside of a process in which they’re often the ultimate insiders. Metzger recently looked at the role of lobbyists as experts in a citizen legislature.
Gene Grant and The Line opinion analyze Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham’s State of the State address. In a departure from pre-COVID tradition, the address was pre-recorded, then broadcast and streamed one week after the beginning of the legislative session. The Line panel looks at some of the key issues the Governor talked about – such as opening up schools February 8 – and also addresses some of her omissions. The panelists also look at progress on the COVID vaccine rollout, and some hiccups along the way. Lastly, The Line deals with the topic of New Mexico legislators who accepted pandemic aid for their small businesses.
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This week on New Mexico in Focus… PFAS, toxic man-made chemicals, are showing up in New Mexico’s waters, according to a state study. Scientists have found these PFAS chemicals – associated with products like firefighting foams, nonstick cookware and fire-retardant fabrics – in waters across the state, from pretty remote reaches of the Gila River to right here in Albuquerque’s stretch of the Rio Grande. Correspondent Laura Paskus speaks with the New Mexico Environment Department’s Rebecca Roose to find more about the state study and what it means.
Correspondent Megan Kamerick talks with band manager Sydney Counce about the pandemic’s impact on live music in New Mexico. Counce, who works with local act Dust City Opera, was about to hit the road on tour with the group when COVID-19 struck. Since then, musicians have struggled to make ends meet and often ended up missing out on assistance programs.
Gene Grant and The Line opinion panel discuss the first week of the New Mexico Legislature’s 60-day session. Because of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, this gathering of lawmakers will be very different from those of previous years. The Line discuss whether government transparency – and public buy-in – is possible. The Line panelists also debate the effects of President Biden’s immigration plan on our border state and look at national conservative politics through a New Mexico lens.
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This week on New Mexico in Focus… The Navajo Nation is one of the largest tribes in the United States, both geographically and by population. The Navajo have been hit hard by COVID-19, with more than 25,000 positive cases and more than 800 deaths. Jonathan Nez, president of the Navajo Nation, has been fighting the pandemic with curfews and lockdowns and has aggressively ramped up vaccination efforts. Correspondent Antonia Gonzales talks with President Nez about plans for the new year.
Dr. Tracie Collins, the secretary-designate of New Mexico’s Dept. of Health, and a group of medical experts from Presbyterian, Lovelace and UNM hospitals held press conferences this week to explain the roll-out of vaccinations so far. They also talked about moving into the next phase of vaccinations for older New Mexicans and those with underlying conditions. New Mexico in Focus includes part of that discussion.
Gene Grant and The Line opinion panelists preview the two-month session of the New Mexico Legislature that is set to start next week. COVID protocols will dictate the process of holding a full session during this pervasive pandemic, and while finalizing and approving a balanced budget is a number one priority, there are many other bills that will be on the docket. The Line also looks at how the COVID vaccine is being delivered – and how the message of its importance is being communicated. For their final topic, the Line panelists voice their opinions on how New Mexico’s conservative leaders have responded to violent rhetoric from President Trump.
Host: Gene Grant
In Focus Interviews:
Fighting COVID-19 on the Navajo Nation
Correspondent: Antonia Gonzales
Guest: President Jonathan Nez, Navajo Nation
Health Secretary, Medical Experts on COVID Vaccinations
Guests:
Dr. Tracie Collins, New Mexico Dept. of Health secretary-designate
Dr. Denise Gonzales, medical director, Presbyterian Medical Group
Dr. Vesta Sandoval, chief medical officer, Lovelace Health System
Dr. David Pitcher, executive physician, UNM Health Sciences
The Line Opinion Panel:
Merritt Allen, Vox Optima
Cathryn McGill, NM Black Leadership Council
Dan McKay, capitol bureau reporter, Albuquerque Journal
Dave Mulryan, founder, Everybody Votes
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This week on New Mexico in Focus…
The COVID pandemic has thrown many people into financial crisis and has spotlighted how important adequate shelter is to health. Correspondent Megan Kamerick talks to law professor and housing advocate Serge Martinez about housing as a human right and how to stem the flood of evictions once the moratorium is lifted.
This month’s installment of Our Land looks back to an early 2020 conversation between correspondent Laura Paskus and Eugene Herrera, former governor of the Pueblo of Cochiti. Now, in 2021, Sen. Martin Heinrich’s plans to reintroduce a bill to change Bandelier National Monument into Bandelier National Park. While other northern New Mexico Pueblos support the measure, leaders at Cochiti still oppose it. Former governor Herrera tells why the people of Cochiti believe such a designation would damage spiritual and sacred sites.
Gene Grant and The Line opinion panelists talk about newly elected Republican Congresswoman Yvette Herrell’s objection to certifying electoral college votes for President-elect Joe Biden. They then debate the fines imposed on Legacy and Calvary megachurches for packing their Christmas services beyond capacity limits and not enforcing mask mandates. The Line panelists also voice their opinions on Albuquerque’s passage of the CROWN Act, which prohibits discrimination based on ethnic hairstyles or head coverings like burqas.
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This week on New Mexico in Focus… The Line opinion panelists wrap up our list of the top stories of 2020. Once again this week, our list is dominated by the various impacts and challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic here in New Mexico. Also making our top 5 list is the surge of protests over racial inequality and controversial historical monuments and statues. Tune in to find out what made the top of the list and what our special panel of working journalists have to say about this unforgettable year.
Also, on the heels of the December 29th broadcast of the PBS American Masters show “Laura Ingalls Wilder: Prairie to Page,” we revisit an interview correspondent Megan Kamerick did in May of 2018 with Santa Fe author Caroline Fraser. Her book, “Prairie Fires: The American Dreams of Laura Ingalls Wilder,” won the Pulitzer Prize for biography. “Prairie Fires” puts Wilder’s life in historical context alongside key events, from the settlement of the Great Plains to the Dustbowl. You can still watch that American Masterpiece special on Wilder on the NMPBS webpage.
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This week on New Mexico in Focus… The Line opinion panelists begin our annual countdown of the top stories of the year. 2020 was dominated by the COVID-19 pandemic and its impacts in New Mexico, but there are many specific issues our special panel of working journalists is ready to examine. This week, they take on stories 10-6, including the rise of Zoom and remote working, and the impacts of COVID-19 on our schools and entire education system. They wrap up the list on next week’s show with the top 5 stories of 2020.
The COVID-19 pandemic has also sparked renewed interest in all kinds of content, from streaming media, to books and even video games. That includes the classic works of Shakespeare. Correspondent Gwyneth Doland talks to UNM English Professor Marissa Greenberg about how artists and creators are breathing new life into the bard’s stories and characters. They also explore why his writings are still so vibrant all these centuries later.
Correspondent Laura Paskus continues her coverage of the groundwater contamination at a handful of New Mexico military installations, resulting from the past use of aqueous firefighting foams which contained dangerous PFAS chemicals. Her work is part of our ongoing investigation “Groundwater War.” Paskus explains why New Mexico’s complicated military legacy makes it harder to get the military to take action, including mapping the full extent of the contamination and the challenges of cleaning up the PFAS chemicals.
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This week on New Mexico in Focus… Of the nearly six thousand missing and murdered Indigenous women reported each year in the U.S., many are never identified. This is due in part to an outdated database. Correspondent Gwyneth Doland talks to UNM professor Heather Edgar, who has been working with Native tribes and experts to find a respectful, high-tech solution.
Wildlife experts believe there were many factors that caused a massive die-off of birds migrating through New Mexico early this autumn. Correspondent Laura Paskus talks with NMSU professor Martha Desmond about why the bird carcasses were severely emaciated and what that might mean for the future.
Gene Grant and The Line opinion panelists weigh good news against bad news in an update on the pandemic’s effect on New Mexico. While COVID-19 vaccines have started to arrive in the state and case numbers have been easing, there’s still the holiday break to get through and hospitals are still overwhelmed. The Line also debates problems with rural broadband and looks at the state’s U.S. Supreme Court victory in a water battle with Texas.
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This week on New Mexico in Focus… U.S. Rep. Deb Haaland talks with correspondent Laura Paskus about the possibility of joining the Cabinet for President Joe Biden as secretary of the Department of the Interior. The 1st Congressional District Democrat is on the short list for the job, and talks about the post, what the agenda should be for the administration, and the importance of consulting Native tribes.
Correspondent Megan Kamerick looks at dealing with mental health challenges during the COVID pandemic. Long underserved by physicians, the New Mexico also has a difficult time finding mental health professionals; a problem compounded when former Gov. Susana Martinez dismantled much of the state’s behavioral health system. She talks to a psychologist and a man who’s seeking counseling for the first time.
In this month’s episode of Our Land, correspondent Laura Paskus travels close to home—Albuquerque’s bosque. In the fall and winter, it’s an ideal location to spot not just sandhill cranes and migratory birds, but porcupines, beavers and more.
Gene Grant and The Line opinion panelists debate the roller coaster ride over appointments in President-elect Joe Biden’s cabinet and how Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham lost out on a Health and Human Services position. The Line also looks at the looming shift into crisis mode for New Mexico hospitals due to multiplying cases of COVID. The panelists then talk about how lawmakers might address budgets and bills when the legislative session starts in January.
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This week on New Mexico in Focus… Outgoing U.S. Sen. Tom Udall talks with correspondent Laura Paskus about climate change and the environment, two issues the New Mexico senator has spent much of his career working on. Addressing rumors that the Biden administration was considering him as U.S. Department of the Interior Secretary, Udall also talks about the importance of that job, which his father, the late Stewart Udall, held during the Kennedy and Johnson administrations.
Gene Grant and The Line opinion panelists talk about new COVID public health orders that make use of a three-tiered “red to green” system to allow reopenings by county, based on case prevalence and positivity rate. The Line also looks at strides women have made in holding political office, both in New Mexico and in the nation. The Line ends on a positive note, with a look at some good economic news for New Mexico, including a Netflix expansion and the possibility of the new U.S. Space Command coming to Albuquerque.
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This week on New Mexico in Focus… honoring Native American Heritage month with a celebration of native resilience and innovation.
Correspondent Antonia Gonzales interviews tribal leaders and the Secretary of Indian Affairs about the surge of COVID-19 cases across New Mexico. The pandemic has hit Indigenous communities especially hard, and more recently the situation has become especially challenging for Acoma Pueblo, where Indian Health Services has closed a key facility. The group talks about upholding sovereignty while also working to keep citizens safe.
Native Americans have always had a deep and vibrant connection to the land, and that includes the sustainability of our food sources. There is a recent movement to return to these Indigenous food systems and best practices for individual health benefits and the overall wellness of tribal communities and Mother Earth. Correspondent Antonia Gonzales visits Jemez Pueblo to meet with a business owner who is focused on helping us all decolonize our diets.
This week, we also celebrate the country’s first Native American Poet Laureate, Joy Harjo. She went to school here in New Mexico at the Institute of American Indian Arts as well as UNM. And earlier this month, she was appointed to a rare third term as Poet Laureate, starting in September of 2021. She held a discussion and reading from her new book of poetry “An American Sunrise” at the Museum of Contemporary Native Arts in Santa Fe in the Fall of 2019. Harjo reads selections from that book, including the works “For Those Who Would Govern” and “Indian School Night Song Blues.”
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This week on New Mexico in Focus… Correspondent Megan Kamerick interviews Dr. Tracie Collins, UNM’s current dean of the College of Population Health. Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham appointed Collins as the new leader of New Mexico’s Department of Health. The pair talks about the state’s pandemic response, COVID-19’s impact on vulnerable communities, and how Dr. Collins will tackle the cabinet secretary position she’ll assume in December.
Some of Albuquerque’s top doctors held another press conference this week to talk about how to cope with the new stay-at-home order, especially as the holiday season approaches. NMiF presents an excerpt from that meeting.
Gene Grant and The Line opinion panelists talk about new COVID restrictions that went into effect this week, as New Mexico continues to set ominous new virus records. The Line also discusses the Indian Health Service decision to suspend emergency and in-patient care at the Acoma-Cañoncito-Laguna Hospital. For the final topic, The Line takes a look at how lawmakers may convene for their 60-day session starting in January – and how they might structure their imminent pandemic relief special session.
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This week on New Mexico in Focus… Correspondent Russell Contreras talks to Rachel Kleinfeld, a senior fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace where, according to its website, “she focuses on issues of rule of law, security, and governance in post-conflict countries, fragile states, and states in transition.” Dr. Kleinfeld explains how covering conflicted elections in other countries can inform America about defining political differences.
Our Land correspondent Laura Paskus looks back at the impact of the border wall and looks ahead to NMiF’s continuing coverage of pollution in and around New Mexico military installations. NMiF reprises the Our Land episode that aired a year ago, after Paskus visited the border in southern New Mexico to visit where 30-foot-tall steel bollards have been installed and to see the wall’s construction. NMiF producer Matt Grubs talks with Paskus for an update about pollution in the Fort Wingate area, which the military did not disclose to the state during clean-up negotiations.
Gene Grant and The Line opinion panelists look at local impacts of the national election and what the winning ticket of President-elect Joe Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris, will mean for New Mexico. The Line also discusses the COVID-19 spike that is overwhelming the state. Lastly, The Line talks about two new issues in the Albuquerque Police Department: an overtime audit and another excoriating report from an independent monitor.
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This week on New Mexico in Focus…
NMiF producer Matt Grubs talks with Kathleen Sabo, the executive director of New Mexico Ethics Watch, about how campaign spending by special interest groups influenced New Mexico races.
Gene Grant and The Line opinion panelists break down results from key elections in New Mexico. They look at congressional races, legislative contests, and end with an examination of where our state stands in the national picture.
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This week on New Mexico in Focus… NMiF producer Matt Grubs talks with reporters across the state to discuss important issues in their areas before the election. First up is Dan Boyd of the Albuquerque Journal, who assesses the general election chances of progressive Democratic senate candidates against Republican challengers, after the progressives ousted moderate members of their own party in the primaries. Several Republican senate seats in the Albuquerque area are also at risk, as Democratic challengers hope to turn the area blue.
Matt Grubs also does an election roundup with three other reporters. He speaks to Hannah Grover of the Farmington Daily Times about an amendment to the state Constitution which seeks to turn the Public Regulation Commission from an elected to an appointed post, and also seeks to reduce its numbers from 5 to 3. He also hears from Geoffrey Plant of the Silver City Daily Press about two contentious legislative races in the area, in Senate District 28 and House District 38. Matt Grubs then talks to Algernon D’Ammassa of the Las Cruces Sun-News about the race to replace longtime legislator Sen. John Arthur Smith.
Gene Grant and The Line opinion panelists take their turn with their viewpoints on Election Day outcomes and the influence of early and first-time voters, and what part voter intimidation may play in the races. They also look further into pandemic updates and what our state is doing to reverse the rising trend of COVID cases.
Finally, the show looks to warnings about the surge in coronavirus cases from medical experts, who took a step forward into the public eye this week to address concerns about the state’s capability to handle the spike in COVID-19 cases.
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This week on New Mexico in Focus… Correspondent Megan Kamerick interviews end-of-life planner Gail Rubin, who is the coordinator of the upcoming Before I Die Festival. As the world battles a pandemic, it is especially apt to talk about facing death and dying, a topic many people would rather avoid.
NMiF producer Matt Grubs talks with New Mexico Secretary of State Maggie Toulouse Oliver about how voters should handle absentee ballots in the closing weeks of the election, as well as how county clerks will have a head start – if they take advantage of it – in counting absentee ballots, thanks to a state law that lets those ballots be tabulated much the same as early in-person votes are in the days leading up to Nov. 3.
NMiF began the week by hosting a debate between the three candidates hoping to fill the U.S. Senate seat that will be vacated by Sen. Tom Udall at the end of this year. Vying for the position are current U.S. Rep. Ben Ray Luján (Democrat), former TV meteorologist Mark Ronchetti (Republican) and retired nuclear scientist Bob Walsh (Libertarian). This week’s NMiF contains an excerpt of that conversation. The full hour-long debate, which aired on
NMPBS last week Sunday, can be seen in its entirety at the VOTE 2020 page on newmexicopbs.org.
Gene Grant and The Line opinion panelists look how Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham continues to try to bring down record-breaking coronavirus case numbers by restricting – but not shutting down – businesses throughout the state. New rules that go into effect Oct. 23 include a 10:00 p.m. closing time for retail shops, and mandatory certification for restaurants to stay in business. The Line also looks at more fallout over last week’s destruction of a monument on the Santa Fe Plaza. The toppling of the controversial obelisk left the city divided; many had been calling for its removal, while others wanted it left alone. The Line ends with a debate over Attorney General William Barr’s praise of Operation Legend in Albuquerque during a visit last week.
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This week on New Mexico in Focus… Correspondent Russell Contreras speaks with Vanessa Fonseca-Chávez, a New Mexico native who is now an assistant professor at Arizona State. As co-editor of the book “Querencia: Reflections on the New Mexico Homeland,” and as a Chicana who is critical of monuments to Spanish conquistadors, she is working on a biography of controversial conqueror Don Juan de Oñate.
NMiF host Gene Grant interviews the two candidates in New Mexico’s First Congressional District race: Rep. Deb Haaland, the Democratic incumbent, and challenger and Republican Michelle Garcia Holmes. This week’s NMiF contains an excerpt of that conversation; the full hour-long special, which aired on NMPBS last week, can be seen in its entirety at the VOTE 2020 page on newmexicopbs.org.
Gene Grant and The Line opinion panelists look at Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham’s new set of restrictions brought about by the rise in COVID-19 cases across the state. She’s announced new orders that will go into effect on October 16, and there might still be more to come. The Line also debates the handling of a controversial situation over a monument in Santa Fe’s Plaza that culminated in the obelisk’s destruction on Indigenous Peoples’ Day. For their final topic, The Line panelists discuss the constitutional amendment that aims to reform the Public Regulation Commission and also look at contributions to state legislative campaigns.
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This week, New Mexico in Focus previews conversations with Democratic Rep. Xochitl Torres Small and her two-time Republican opponent in New Mexico’s 2nd Congressional District, Yvette Herrell. The full hour-long special airs on NMPBS Sunday at 6:00 p.m.
When a river begins to run dry it impacts all living things that depend on it, including sandhill cranes and other migratory birds arriving in New Mexico for the season. Environmental journalist and correspondent Laura Paskus talks with Deborah Williams and Dan Collins about what a drying Rio Grande means for the wildlife that take refuge at the Bosque de Apache.
Laura Paskus is also the producer of NMiF’s monthly series, “Our Land.” This month, she also discusses ways to take care of our urban forest canopy, as she looks at the effect of last month’s windstorms on her own back yard and gives us a glance back to a past episode with Albuquerque’s city forester.
Gene Grant and The Line voice their opinions with updates on New Mexico’s top-of-the-ticket congressional races, with a focus on the Senate and the 2nd Congressional District. They also debate the effectiveness of New Mexico’s battle against the coronavirus. While the numbers looked good for a while, cases have started climbing alarmingly. Are more restrictions soon to come? Lastly, The Line looks at renewed efforts to lower the cap even further on interest rates for payday loans.
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William Perry Pendley has served the U.S. Bureau of Land Management under President Trump and is now deputy director for policy and programs. He visited New Mexico in September while still acting as head of the BLM, a role thrown out by a federal judge last week. While in the state, he visited Chaco Culture National Historical Park, a hotspot for the agency, which is developing two million acres of oil and gas leases in the area. During his visit, Pendley spoke with NMiF correspondent Laura Paskus about his vision for the agency, which oversees 700 million acres of land in the West.
New Mexico native and current University of Houston law professor Michael A. Olivas has been digging into the history of the DACA program, which deferred immigration enforcement action for childhood arrivals, and the DREAM Act, which has continued to evolve since first introduced in 2001. Correspondent Russell Contreras speaks with Olivas about how the history of the two initiatives informs the present and the future, with next month’s presidential election.
Gene Grant and The Line opinion panel look at the rush to get as many New Mexican residents as possible to respond to the 2020 Census. Although the final date to complete the census has been shifting – pushed up from October 31 to September 30 and at this moment October 5 – it’s clear that the deadline looms and is vital for federal funding that New Mexicans be counted. The Line also delves further into what former APD Chief Michael Geier is saying about being forced to retire, and looks at the governor’s dismissal of Mark Shea, the state’s public safety secretary.
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New Mexico is dealing with difficult times, from economic struggles, to a worldwide pandemic and civil and political unrest. The COVID-19 outbreak has laid bare many systemic failures here in New Mexico, often revolving around the issue of racial inequality. This week on a New Mexico in Focus special, we lean into these challenges with candid conversations about just one such example, reforming policing.
Here in Albuquerque, the issue has been front and center for years, as the city entered into a Court Approved Settlement Agreement (CASA) with the department of Justice back in 2014 after a series of high-profile police shootings. True reform of the Albuquerque Police Department starts with asking the tough questions and being willing to have difficult conversations. That’s what we intend to do this week, by breaking the issue down into four distinct discussions:
1) DOJ Consent Decree – Where do we stand today? Have we made any progress in the last 6 years?
2) Black Lives Matter Movement – Recent protests have kept the issue of police brutality in the headlines, but are they enough to move the needle on true reform?
3) Legal issues – The state has now created a civil right commission to study the issue of qualified immunity, which makes it hard to bring legal action against corrupt officers and their employers. But will it lead to any real changes?
4) Behavioral Health – Albuquerque Mayor Tim Keller wants to create a new Department of Community Safety, which would shift some emergency calls to behavioral health specialists, homeless advocates and social workers instead of armed officers. But will it work, and does it address the need for culture change in the APD?
These are by no means the definitive conversations on these issues, but it is a start. We will be following up in future episodes with more voices and more discussions.
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This week on New Mexico in Focus: Correspondent and environmental journalist Laura Paskus follows up on a story by Algernon D’Ammassa of the Las Cruces Sun-News that reported people were finding dead migratory birds across the state of New Mexico. Paskus talks to New Mexico State University ornithologist Martha Desmond and Audubon New Mexico’s Jonathan Hayes to find out what might be causing the bird deaths.
Rev. William Barber II is the co-chair of the Poor People’s Campaign, an economic justice effort first envisioned by Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. during the 1960s. Rev. Barber calls America’s staggering poverty numbers a moral problem worthy of attention in the current presidential campaign, as well as in political contests across the country. Correspondent Russell Contreras spoke with the reverend recently about what’s missing from the conversation about poverty.
A lot is on the table when it comes to the legalization of recreational cannabis in New Mexico. Legislators are divided, advocates are frustrated, and some are worried legalization would hurt the medical cannabis program. A new podcast from NMPBS and the New Mexico Political Report explores these questions and more. NMIF correspondent Bryce Dix sat down with Growing Forward hosts Andy Lyman and Megan Kamerick to talk about what’s in store for listeners for the podcast that premieres Sept. 29.
Gene Grant and The Line opinion panel discuss navigating a child’s education during the coronavirus pandemic. While some school districts are sticking with online classes through the end of the semester, others have opted to start a hybrid learning model this week, where students and teachers ease back into in-classroom sessions. Line panelists also debate the fate of controversial statues in Santa Fe and Albuquerque – those that have been removed and those that are still standing.
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This week on New Mexico in Focus: Correspondent Gwyneth Doland takes an in-depth look at redistricting as she talks with Lilly Irvin-Vitela of New Mexico First and Rob Black of the New Mexico Association of Commerce and Industry about how a citizen’s task force is working to redraw district maps to shift power into voters’ hands. This report is part of the Your New Mexico Government Project.
Our Land correspondent Laura Paskus talks with tribal representatives about infusing Native voices into discussions about water compacts along the Colorado River and Rio Grande. As states in the West grapple with climate change, extended drought and over-appropriated rivers, sovereign nations are pushing for greater inclusion.
Gene Grant and The Line opinion panel get political this week to talk about voting, debates, and polls. The Albuquerque Journal recently published polls on the presidential, senate, and congressional races here in New Mexico and The Line looks at the results. Panelists also get into a debate about whether political debates provide any new insights to voters, and they examine ways to ensure votes are cast and counted during a pandemic crisis.
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Dr. David Scrase, cabinet secretary for the Human Services Department, knows that as the Labor Day weekend approaches, New Mexicans will want to gather and may be tempted to flout public health rules on masking and social distancing. NMiF producer Matt Grubs talks to Scrase about what he and the pandemic response team are doing to prevent a spike in COVID cases.
Our Land producer and NMiF correspondent Laura Paskus, who is also an environmental reporter, has authored a new book. At the Precipice: New Mexico’s Changing Climatelooks at the state’s fragile place in a warming natural world.
Gene Grant and The Line opinion panel discuss mounting tension between Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham and the Public Regulation Commission, as the PRC gets evicted from its headquarters in downtown Santa Fe. The Line also looks at the UNM Lobo football team’s reaction to comments made by former Lobo Brian Urlacher regarding the shooting of Jacob Blake, and how attitudes toward race and justice are playing out in New Mexico. The panel also discusses the progress of Operation Legend in Albuquerque, which sent dozens of federal agents into the city to fight violent crime alongside local law enforcement.
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Reports of missing mail collection boxes around the country have prompted an Albuquerque-based software designer to help develop an application that uses communities to keep track of where mailboxes are and are not across the United States. NMIF correspondent Megan Kamerick talked to Russ Biggs about how the web app works and how people can help.
In the mountains above Santa Fe, the Medio Fire has been burning since August 17, threatening the Rio Nambe, Rio Capulin, and Rio en Medio watersheds. Firefighters have made headway on the fire, which is burning outside the normal range of New Mexico’s fire season, at the same time they’re grappling with the need to protect themselves and others from the spread of COVID-19. Correspondent Laura Paskus talks with Buck Wickham, operations section chief for the Southwest Area Incident Management Team, and Terrance Gallegos, deputy fire staff officer for the Santa Fe National Forest.
Evictions based on a temporary inability to pay rent are in no one’s best interest. During the COVID-19 pandemic, however, many people find themselves unemployed and unable to pay full rent when it’s due. For some, that can lead to an eviction notice, which can lead to worse housing conditions or homelessness. Correspondent Megan Kamerick talks with a property owner/manager and a tenants’ rights advocate about resolving tenant/landlord issues and preventing evictions.
Gene Grant and The Line opinion panel discuss the Republican and Democratic National Conventions and look at how convention themes influence local campaigns. The Line panelists also look at new public health orders that are sure please restaurant owners across New Mexico.
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As the nation celebrates the 100th anniversary of women winning the right to vote, Secretary of State Maggie Toulouse Oliver and Valencia County Peggy Carabajal are working to ensure New Mexicans will have confidence in the November election. NMiF’s senior producer Matt Grubs talks with them about the national controversy over the role the U.S. mail will play in November’s election. It’s part of the Your NM Government Project, a partnership with KUNM Radio and the Santa Fe Reporter newspaper.
Controversial statues, such as those of confederate leaders or, especially here in New Mexico, of Spanish conquistadors, have sparked protests for years - and especially now. In Albuquerque, the issue came to a head back in June after a protest at La Jornada, a sculpture in Old Town that features conquistador Juan de Oñate, turned violent. The city ended up pulling that statue down temporarily in the hope of avoiding more demonstrations. NMiF correspondent Gwyneth Doland got an update this week on Albuquerque’s new approach and how they are seeking input on what to do with La Jornadagoing forward.
Gene Grant and The Line opinion panel respond to the interview on voting and give their insights and opinions on the expected avalanche of mail-in ballots for the November elections. They also discuss holding major events, like the State Fair and the burning of Zozobra, virtually. They wrap up their turn at the virtual Line table with a discussion on the benchmarks in the COVID fight here in New Mexico, and what it might mean for reopenings, especially of schools.
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In the August installment of Our Land, environmental correspondent Laura Paskus revisits the Gold King Mine spill and the destructive impact of the toxic orange plume that went flowing down the Animas and San Juan rivers five years ago. The waste that was released when crews tried to reopen the abandoned mine killed fish and coated river banks with heavy metals. Paskus reports with help from a grant by The Water Desk, an independent journalism initiative based at the University of Colorado Boulder’s Center for Environmental Journalism.
Laura Paskus also interviews Lillian Petersen, an extraordinary young woman who just won the Regeneron Science Talent Search prize of a quarter of a million dollars. The Los Alamos High School student’s winning project, which predict harvests early in the growing year for every country in Africa, has also won the attention of the International Food Policy Research Institute.
COVID-19 has wreaked havoc on the economy across New Mexico, including on tourism and the arts in tribal communities. Many Native artists rely on summer art shows to sell their works, and one of the biggest festivals is Indian Market – going online this summer because of the pandemic. Correspondent Antonia Gonzales talks about how the Native American art world is attracting virtual visitors.
August 12 was “back to school” – virtually – for APS students. Gene Grant and The Line opinion panel discuss what the start of a new school year looks like during a pandemic, and also examine how an August tourist season plays out during COVID. The Line wraps up their panel discussion with a look at the tussle between the New Mexico GOP and the New Mexico Oil and Gas Association.
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Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham has been shepherding New Mexico through the COVID-19 crisis since the first case hit the state in March. NMiF senior producer Matt Grubs talks to her about trying to balance life and livelihood as she deals with the devastating effects of the pandemic on New Mexicans.
Correspondent Laura Paskus is back with a new installment in her ongoing series of conversations with journalists covering COVID-19 in their communities. This week she welcomes Jessica Onsurez, editor of the Carlsbad Current Argus, to talk about covering the virus in a part of New Mexico where case prevalence continues to rise amid resistance to the governor’s public health orders.
Gene Grant and The Line opinion panel give their insights and opinions on how the governor has been handling the COVID crisis so far and look at what the future might hold concerning education and the economy. The Line panel also analyzes the recent New Mexico Supreme Court ruling that affirmed the governor’s power to issue sizable fines to enforce public health orders. For the final topic, The Line looks at efforts to do away with qualified immunity. That’s the legal doctrine designed to protect public employees from crippling lawsuits, but some say it comes at a too-high cost of civil rights.
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With the school year quickly approaching and coronavirus cases surging, New Mexico schools are going to be fully online until at least September 8th. Correspondent Megan Kamerick talks with single mother Bridget Montoya, who is also a nurse working with COVID-19 patients, about balancing her work schedule with her children’s education and safety.
Host Gene Grant talks to the new face of the Black Lives Matter movement in New Mexico: Young organizers and activists. Organizers and activists from Learning Alliance of New Mexico and Fight For Our Lives discuss the message behind the movement and what specific reforms and changes they are seeking.
Gene Grant and The Line opinion panel look further into pushback against Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham and her administration’s public health orders, particularly from some New Mexico mayors who object to closing indoor dining in restaurants. Eighteen mayors signed a letter protesting the governor’s recent op-ed threatening to remove elected officials if they didn’t comply with mandates.
The Line panel also looks more closely at the purpose of Operation Legend, the initiative that will send 35 federal law enforcement agents to Albuquerque to fight crime. Some state and local leaders are concerned that sending officers to New Mexico is just an attempt by the Trump administration to politicize the issue of public safety, while others welcome the added help. For the final topic, The Line takes on the implications for candidates endorsed by Cowboys for Trump after the racist comments made recently by that group’s leader.
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This week on New Mexico in Focus, correspondent Megan Kamerick talks with artist and quilter Gwen Triay Samuels who had to take a break from helping people experiencing homelessness to battle the coronavirus. Now, as she recovers, she is making face masks for those in need as a way of showing thanks for surviving COVID-19.
Host Gene Grant talks to members of Paint for Peace, an art initiative to turn boarded-up Central Avenue storefronts in Albuquerque’s downtown into murals. After vandals broke windows following peaceful protests early last month, shop owners used boards to replace glass and protect against future damage. Artists turned them into canvases to display artwork promoting peace and transforming the area.
The Rio Grande is experiencing one of its all-time lows this year. Correspondent Laura Paskus talks with officials about a surprise agreement between New Mexico, Texas and Colorado to release water from the El Vado Reservoir to help farmers along the Middle Rio Grande Conservancy District. That as the states sue each other in federal court over long-term management of the same water.
Gene Grant and The Line opinion panel look at President Trump and Attorney General William Barr’s announcement that they intend to send 35 federal agents to Albuquerque under “Operation Legend,” designed to put federal law enforcers into America’s most violent cities to fight crime. Supporters welcome the assistance, while others worry it will result in a surge in violence similar to that in Portland, Oregon.
The panel also looks at the restaurant open/close shuffle that started with a lawsuit against Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham’s administration filed by the New Mexico Restaurant Association and several restaurants from around the state. The governor had reinstated the ban on indoor dining after a rise in COVID-19 infections. That ban, blocked by a Carlsbad state judge on Monday, was reimposed the same day by the New Mexico Supreme Court.
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This week on New Mexico in Focus, senior producer Matt Grubs talks to former U.S. Rep. Steve Pearce, who now chairs the New Mexico Republican Party. The GOP has accused Governor Lujan Grisham of being too restrictive in her efforts to slow the growth of COVID-19.
Correspondent Megan Kamerick interviews Dr. Steven Bradfute, research assistant professor of UNM’s Center for Global Health and Department of Internal Medicine, on the long-term impacts of COVID-19 for survivors and the idea of “herd immunity.”
After decades of Native American advocates fighting the racial slur in the name of the Washington, DC, football team, the NFL team announced it will retire the name and logo and end its use of the R-word. The Black Lives Matter movement is credited for raising awareness of Indian mascots in the wake of racial justice rallies brought on by the police killing of George Floyd. Correspondent Antonia Gonzales hears from Native writers and advocates who say work on the issue is not over.
Gene Grant and The Line opinion panel look at new restrictions put into place this week as a result of the rise in COVID-19 cases, including a return to shutting down indoor dining in restaurants throughout New Mexico. And what will public schooling really look like this fall?
The Line also looks at District Attorney Raul Torrez’ recent decision to refile charges against Steven Baca, the man accused of shooting protester Scott Williams at a protest over an Oñate statue near downtown Albuquerque last month.
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This week on New Mexico in Focus, host Gene Grant celebrates the third anniversary of the show’s monthly series Our Land with environmental journalist Laura Paskus, who talks about the state’s outlook and attitudes toward the environment. Paskus also presents a new Our Land segment that looks at the apparent death of the Gila River diversion plans.
Correspondent Gwyneth Doland gets an update from UNM professor of political science Gabe Sanchez on new research about issues with the June primary election and how we fix it for November.
A mandatory mask order means New Mexicans who don’t wear face coverings in public risk a fine and a misdemeanor criminal charge. With many law enforcement agencies saying they likely won’t write tickets, retail employees are left to enforce the law by reminding customers to mask-up in order to shop at their business – which can cause potentially violent situations with those who refuse. Correspondent Megan Kamerick talked with retail worker Cody Westfall about his experience with a customer and psychologist Dr. Samuel Roll about this phenomenon.
Gene Grant and The Line opinion panel discuss the rise in COVID-19 cases and look at new public health orders that include face mask enforcements and an indefinite suspension of Phase 2 of re-openings. The Line also looks at legislation signed by Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham that makes low-interest loans available to help small businesses hurt by the coronavirus pandemic — and how it fits alongside controversial federal loan programs.
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New Mexico in Focus begins its 14th season with a look back at the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic since it first hit the state in March, and a look forward from the time women won the right to vote 100 years ago.
As part of an online preview screening this week of the PBS program “American Experience: The Vote,” correspondent Megan Kamerick led a conversation about the history of women’s suffrage in New Mexico. Kamerick is hosting a new podcast series on the topic. NMiF excerpts a portion of that discussion. More information on both the national program (airing July 6 and 7 on NMPBS) and the local podcast can be found here.
For the rest of the show, NMiF highlights noteworthy segments from the past four months, including a May 8 conversation with Sec. Kathyleen Kunkel of the Department of Health on the state’s efforts to ramp up and maintain COVID-19 testing. Two months later, similar questions remain about whom to test and how often.
Throughout the pandemic, correspondent Laura Paskus has been interviewing journalists around the state as they cover COVID-19 in their communities. On May 22, she spoke with two veteran border journalists, Bob Moore of the website El Paso Matters and Lauren Villagran of the El Paso Times, about the impact of the virus in El Paso, which is in the midst of a major outbreak just across New Mexico’s southern border.
Correspondent Antonia Gonzales has been examining the pandemic’s effect on Native communities, which have been among the hardest hit by the virus. On May 15, she spoke with journalist Sunnie Clahchischiligi and Lewis Joe, a Navajo COVID-19 survivor.
Gene Grant and The Line opinion panelists have been discussing and debating public health reactions to the pandemic crisis since the first case hit the state in March. Key excerpts from panel conversations on March 13 and March 27 are shown.
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This week on New Mexico in Focus, correspondent Russell Contreras talks with Elizabeth Groginsky, the first secretary of New Mexico’s newly minted Early Childhood Education and Care Department, which will launch next week. Groginsky talks about her plans for creating a cohesive and aligned pre-natal-to-five early childhood system in New Mexico.
Protests against racism and debates over monuments have captivated Santa Fe, where vandals defaced a Civil War obelisk referring to Native Americans as “savage” and the city removed a statue of Don Diego de Vargas from Cathedral Park. Gwyneth Doland talks with Santa Fe Mayor Alan Webber about his approach to the conflicts.
Correspondent Laura Paskus continues her conversations with journalists about their coverage of the COVID-19 pandemic as she checks in with Andrew Oxford, formerly with the Santa Fe New Mexican and now reporting for The Arizona Republic. Unlike New Mexico, Arizona took a less strict approach to dealing with the pandemic and has seen the number of cases rise. Oxford talks about the Arizona state government’s approach to the pandemic, the state’s economy and President Trump’s visit this week.
Gene Grant and The Line opinion panel analyze the outcomes of the special legislative session that spanned five days – including a weekend – and debate whether lawmakers accomplished all they set out to do. The Line also takes on the ever-present COVID pandemic with updates on how it’s affecting New Mexico.
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Protests this week centered on a statue of Juan de Oñate in Albuquerque. The conquistador's violent role in New Mexican history has been controversial since his own times, and protestors tried to yank down his likeness as a self-appointed group of armed guards riled the crowd. As he was chased from the scene after apparently assaulting several demonstrators, one of the men shot a protestor and has since been charged with several crimes. NMiF discusses the incident and its larger implications both on The Line opinion panel and with Albuquerque Mayor Tim Keller, who talks about the response of both city leaders and the police.
New Mexico’s special legislative session gets underway Thursday. Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham has outlined an ambitious agenda for lawmakers, as debate continues about whether they should focus exclusively on a predicted $2 billion budget shortfall for the financial year that starts next month. The governor included tax relief measures, as well as election and police reform laws. The Line once again tackles the analytical side of the session, and correspondent Russell Contreras speaks with children’s advocate Mark Kennedy Shriver about New Mexico’s efforts to boost child welfare amid a stark budget outlook.
Laura Paskus continues her series of interviews with journalists who have been covering the COVID-19 pandemic. A longtime photojournalist with the Albuquerque Journal, Roberto Rosales recounts the personal stories he has told through his lens as New Mexico grapples with the novel coronavirus.
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This week on New Mexico in Focus, as lawmakers and the governor ready for a June 18 special session, The Line opinion panel welcomes Albuquerque Journal Capitol Bureau Chief Dan Boyd. He and other journalists are busy tracking revenue estimates and budget recommendations as the state looks to fill a nearly $2 billion hole in next year’s spending package. The panel includes Line regulars Dede Feldman and Diane Snyder, both of whom served in the New Mexico Senate. The group will also discuss local responses to the Black Lives Matter movement with host Gene Grant.
Correspondent Laura Paskus continues her series of talks with journalists covering COVID-19 by welcoming back New Mexico in Focus alumnus David Alire Garcia. Now a Mexico City-based correspondent for Reuters, Alire Garcia speaks about how Mexico has handled the pandemic. The pair also explores the economic impact of the novel coronavirus.
Native American pueblos and reservations continue to battle back from COVID-19. This week, correspondent Antonia Gonzales talks with three Native wellness activists about the health issues facing their communities, and about ways they’ve found to motivate themselves to get up and move during what can be a frightening time of lockdowns and quarantine.
Our Land returns for June, as correspondent Laura Paskus visits the dry bed of the Rio Grande south of Socorro and speaks with biologist Thomas Archdeacon about why the drying occurs, how it affects endangered fish, and why this year’s recovery of rare silvery minnows was complicated by COVID-19.
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This week on New Mexico in Focus, host Gene Grant talks with Albuquerque’s Mayor Tim Keller and Chief Administrative Officer Sarita Nair about the recent vandalism and violence that occurred after peaceful Black Lives Matter protests, and why the city has decided not to issue a curfew and resisted calls to ask for help from the National Guard.
Correspondent Megan Kamerick talks with a protest organizer, an educator, and a city leader about the struggle of Black Lives Matter organizers to separate their message from broader anger and especially from violence. The group also discusses what successful systemic change looks like to the Black community.
Not long ago, the nation watched as Native Americans protested the Dakota Access Pipeline. As the country turns its eye toward the Black Lives Matter movement, correspondent Antonia Gonzales talks with three Native Americans about their perspectives on recent protests.
Correspondent Laura Paskus continues her conversations with journalists around the state and their coverage of the COVID-19 pandemic. This week she talks with Geoffrey Plant. He’s a news reporter with the Silver City Daily Press.
New Mexico’s primary election saw a staggering number of absentee ballots and a strong overall turnout. Struggling to find election workers during the pandemic, some county clerks were overwhelmed and results delayed by days. Correspondent Gwyneth Doland talks with Secretary of State Maggie Toulouse Oliver about the vote count and lessons learned for November.
Gene Grant and The Line opinion panel analyze some of the notable wins and losses in the New Mexico Republican, Democratic, and Libertarian primaries held this week. The Line also looks at COVID-19 updates for this week.
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This week on New Mexico in Focus, producer Matt Grubs talks with Christina Campos and Brian Moore, who co-chair the governor's new Economic Recovery Council. The group has been tasked with setting up guidelines, suggestions and best practices for reopening the state's businesses and economy.
Correspondent Laura Paskus looks at ways New Mexico carries on the tradition of honoring San Ysidro, patron saint of acequias, during the current COVID-19 pandemic. Paskus talks with Paula Garcia, executive director of the New Mexico Acequia Association, about adjusting to the new normal and bringing more awareness to local food systems.
Ahead of next week’s primary elections, correspondent Gwyneth Doland talks with Gabe Sanchez, a professor in UNM’s Political Science Department, and Heather Ferguson of Common Cause New Mexico. The state has set a record for absentee votes in a primary election. Still, there are 167 fewer polling sites on Election Day and concerns about access to the polls amid the pandemic.
Gene Grant and The Line opinion panel discuss the state’s reaction to the governor’s public health order updates, including how New Mexicans navigated the health policies over the Memorial Day weekend. The Line also looks at key contested legislative races in light of next week primary elections.
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This week on New Mexico in Focus, correspondent Laura Paskus continues her series of interviews with journalists around the state as they cover COVID-19 in their communities. Although it’s in Texas, El Paso’s proximity to our state and the border with Mexico makes it an important part of the pandemic’s equation. Paskus talks with two veteran border journalists, Bob Moore of El Paso Matters and Lauren Villagran, immigration reporter with the El Paso Times.
Senior producer Matt Grubs looks at testing for the novel coronavirus – both for those infected and for those who may have had the virus with only mild or no symptoms. Grubs talks with Dr. David Grenache, who is the chief scientific officer of TriCore Reference Laboratories, the largest independent laboratory in the state.
In an interview recorded earlier this year, correspondent Russell Contreras sat down with Cynthia Kennedy for a deeply personal tribute to her grandfather: author, educator and civil rights leader George I. Sanchez. His book “Forgotten People: A Study of New Mexicans,” first published in 1940, looked at the status of education among Mexican Americans and Native Americans. It was a pioneering work, as it was the first book of its kind written by someone who was himself a person of color. His granddaughter, herself an educator, speaks of her determination not to let his legacy be forgotten.
Gene Grant and The Line opinion panel discuss the state’s reaction to the governor’s COVID-19 updates, which included opening more retail businesses but not opening restaurants to dine-in service. The new public health order also requires, with few exceptions, wearing face masks in public – a mandate that is not sitting well with everyone. And with the state’s primary close upon us, The Line also looks at contested federal races.
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This week on New Mexico in Focus, correspondent Laura Paskus continues her series of interviews with journalists around the state as they cover COVID-19 in their communities. Diego Lopez is a reporter with the Cibola Citizen in Grants. City leaders are clashing in the western New Mexico town as the mayor has demanded businesses be allowed to reopen, despite the governor’s public health order.
Navajo Nation leaders and health officials are working around the clock fighting COVID-19 while providing relief to tribal citizens with food, water, firewood and other supplies. There have been more than 100 deaths in the outbreak, but many people have recovered or are in the recovery process. Correspondent Antonia Gonzales talks with a Navajo citizen who shares his COVID-19 recovery story and a Navajo journalist whose recent piece in the New York Times highlighted some reasons why the virus is spreading so rapidly across Navajo land.
Senior producer Matt Grubs looks at COVID-19’s impact on the Northwest part of the state. The Gallup lockdown has kept Grants’ Cibola General Hospital busy. In Farmington, San Juan Regional Medical Center has seen an uptick in cases just this week. San Juan’s CEO and a chief nursing officer at Cibola General discuss the impact on both hospital operations and the doctors and nurses who are treating those infected by the novel coronavirus.
Ramadan, a month of fasting, prayer, reflection and community in the Islamic faith, began April 23 with Muslims worldwide knowing this would be an observance unlike any they’d experienced. Correspondent Megan Kamerick speaks with three Muslims in Albuquerque to learn how they are adapting to this new reality and observing principles of service and community while staying apart.
Gene Grant and The Line opinion panel discuss COVID-19 updates, including Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham’s newest decisions. The Line also looks at current and long-term effects of COVID-19 on the New Mexico tourism industry.
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This week on New Mexico in Focus, senior producer Matt Grubs takes a close look at the state’s COVID-19 testing capability with Sec. Kathyleen Kunkel of the NM Department of Health. New Mexico is able to test more than 5,000 people a day, but routinely falls thousands of tests short of that mark.
Correspondent Laura Paskus continues with her series of interviews with journalists around the state as they cover COVID-19 in their communities. Arlyssa Becenti is a reporter with the Navajo Times, which is based in Window Rock, Arizona, and covers the entire 27,000-square mile Navajo Nation.
Paskus also checks in with Jeff Proctor, criminal justice reporter for New Mexico In Depth and contributing editor for the Santa Fe Reporter. He’s been tracking how some 6,600 inmates in New Mexico are affected by the pandemic, and what the state is doing to protect prisoners and correctional employees from the deadly virus.
Correspondent Antonia Gonzales looks into tribal cultural responses to the current pandemic. Native Americans across the country are finding ways to share their culture, language and traditions with one another as COVID-19 put a halt to tribal gatherings. Virtual pow-wows, beading classes, pottery making, language and story-sharing are among the many things to move online. A number of Facebook groups, town halls, and Zoom meetings are connecting tribal communities offering encouragement and positivity during these trying times. Gonzales talks with some guests about the resilience of Native people.
Senior producer Matt Grubs tackles the issue of voting during the pandemic with Secretary of State Maggie Toulouse Oliver. This week, county clerks began sending out applications for mail-in absentee ballots as they prepare for the June 2 primary. The New Mexico Supreme Court ruled last month that ballots had to be requested by voters in the upcoming election, rather than allowing clerks to skip a step and just send the ballots. Sec. Toulouse Oliver talks about her concern for public health and in-person voting.
On this month’s episode of Our Land, we look back to 2018, when the Rio Grande dried in April after a warm, dry winter. At the time, correspondent Laura Paskus spoke with scientists whose research showed how climate change is already affecting the amount of streamflow in the Rio Grande that comes from snowmelt, especially in the spring. The river’s flow in 2020 is bearing out that grim prediction just two years later.
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This week on New Mexico in Focus, correspondent Megan Kamerick talks with researchers at the University of New Mexico who are among hundreds of scientists around the world working to develop a vaccine for the novel coronavirus that has led to the death of more than 57,000 in the United States alone.
Senior producer Matt Grubs talks to executives from hospitals in Las Cruces and Portales. Both Mountain View Regional Medical Center and Roosevelt General Hospital are still waiting for a surge of COVID-19 cases, while acknowledging that stay-at-home orders have flattened disease curves. But the coronavirus has changed how both facilities prepare for pandemics going forward.
Correspondent Laura Paskus continues with the fourth in her series of interviews with journalists around the state as they cover COVID-19 in their communities. Adrian Hedden, a journalist with the Carlsbad Current-Argus, discusses the consequences of the outbreak in the Carlsbad area.
Gene Grant and The Line opinion panel discuss COVID-19 updates, including Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham’s plan to extend restrictions through May 15. Although her approval rating in a recent poll is at 62%, not everyone views her policies favorably. This includes Mayor Martin Hicks of Grants, who has encouraged others to follow him in defying the governor’s shut-down orders. The Line also looks at school, city, and state budgets that are in trouble as a result of the pandemic.
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This week on New Mexico in Focus, correspondent Megan Kamerick talks with Drs. Sanjeev Arora and Leslie Hayes about telehealth and how rural medical centers and hospitals are handling cases of the novel coronavirus.
Senior producer Matt Grubs talks to U.S. Sen. Tom Udall about the COVID-19 pandemic as the Senate passes its latest attempt to provide a safety net for the U.S. economy and healthcare system.
Correspondent Laura Paskus continues with the third in her series of interviews with journalists around the state as they cover COVID-19 in their communities. Staci Matlock, managing editor of the Taos News, discusses the progress and results of the outbreak in Northern New Mexico.
Gene Grant and The Line opinion panel discuss how rural hospitals are struggling to keep their doors open while they brace for a surge in COVID-19 patients, and what’s ahead for health care in less populated parts New Mexico. The Line also looks whether the state has enough resources to expand novel coronavirus testing for every citizen, and what it might need to reopen the economy.
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This week on New Mexico in Focus, correspondent Laura Paskus continues with her series of interviews with journalists around the state as they cover COVID-19 in their communities. Algernon D’Ammassa, a reporter with the Las Cruces Sun-News who lives in Deming, has been covering the pandemic crisis in Southern New Mexico.
Correspondent Antonia Gonzales talks with New Mexico’s Indian Affairs secretary and two tribal leaders about COVID-19 and Native communities. Tribes are working to slow the disease’s spread as state, national and congressional leaders are raising concerns about the devastating impact COVID-19 can have on tribes across the country.
Correspondent Laura Paskus reports on the Trump administration’s plans to open more than 2.3 million acres of wildlife refuges to hunting and fishing. That would include New Mexico’s Bosque del Apache and Bitter Lake National Wildlife refuges.
Gene Grant and The Line opinion panel discuss partisan reactions to Gov. Lujan Grisham’s public health restrictions. The Line also looks at the spread of COVID-19 in jails and prisons,and debates the call for early release of some non-violent prisoners.
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This week on New Mexico in Focus, correspondent Megan Kamerick talks with officials from the City of Albuquerque and nonprofits helping those without housing. They discuss efforts to help curtail COVID-19 spread among people experiencing homelessness and how the response to this pandemic may shape public health and housing in the future.
“Our Land” correspondent Laura Paskus sits down with Santa Fe National Forest fire fighter Terrance Gallegos, who went to Australia to help combat the country’s recent unprecedented bushfires, which burned more than 72,000 square miles and destroyed some 6,000 buildings. Based on that experience, he looks ahead to New Mexico’s fire season.
Correspondent Megan Kamerick talks with members of the Catholic and Jewish communities about how they are trying to adapt faith traditions during a pandemic. Both the Christian and Jewish faiths will adjust major celebrations for Holy Week, which leads up to Easter, and Passover, a commemoration of the story of Exodus.
Correspondent Laura Paskus begins a series of interviews with journalists around the state as they cover COVID-19 in their communities. Noel Smith reports on the Navajo Nation for the Farmington Daily Times. She’s also a tribal member and has seen her home devastated by a COVID-19 outbreak.
Gene Grant and The Line opinion panel discuss Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham’s new actions to deal with COVID-19, including tighter restrictions on businesses, extending those restrictions through April, and ordering the early release of low-risk prison inmates. The Line also looks at the effects of the pandemic on faith communities.
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This week on New Mexico in Focus, senior producer Matt Grubs speaks with Dr. David Scrase, who is part of the team coordinating New Mexico’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic. A geriatrician who now leads the Human Services Department, Scrase talks about the state’s testing capacity, how it impacts the spread of the novel coronavirus, and how the health care system is preparing for a spike in cases.
Correspondent Megan Kamerick talks with the New Mexico Coalition Against Domestic Violence about how victims can deal with and escape abuse as New Mexico enters into more weeks of stay-at-home orders.
As the nation’s economy reels from the COVID-19 crisis, the Environmental Protection Agency has rolled back regulations, allowing for greater pollution. The surprise announcement came last week. Correspondent Laura Paskus talks about the changes with Sec. James Kenney of the New Mexico Environment Department.
Gene Grant and The Line opinion panel discuss local government’s actions, including closing public schools through the end of this term to slow the spread of the current virus pandemic. The group also looks at how parents are educating kids while they’re at home, including NMPBS’ partnership with APS – “APS @ Home” – which will start broadcasting K-5 lessons on channel 5.1 from 8 a.m. to noon. Lessons begin April 6. They also talk about the effects of COVID-19 prevention on businesses statewide.
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This week on New Mexico in Focus, senior producer Matt Grubs speaks with Secretary Bill McCamley of Workforce Solutions about the state’s expanded response for workers who have been laid off because of actions to stop the spread of the new coronavirus.
Matt Grubs also follows up with Our Land correspondent Laura Paskus, who broke the news this week that the Pentagon has identified four more possible contamination sites as she continues to investigate toxic chemicals in groundwater near military bases.
Correspondent Antonia Gonzales talks with President Jonathan Nez of the Navajo Nation and National Indian Health Board CEO Stacy Bohlen about how they are dealing with scarce resources in their response to virus outbreaks on tribal lands.
Gene Grant and The Line opinion panel discuss Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham’s recent statewide “stay-at-home” order, what it means for people being laid off or furloughed, and what it means for the businesses that employed them. The Line also debates the best way to go about a legislative special session that is surely inevitable. For their final segment, The Line panelists look toward the possibility of holding an all-mail primary election.
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This week on New Mexico in Focus, senior producer Matt Grubs speaks with two psychiatrists about how to deal with the realities of social distancing as the nation responds to the COVID-19 outbreak. For many people, staying at home can start to feel overwhelming, especially as they struggle to explain to their children what’s happening in the world beyond the front door.
The U.S. Census quietly got underway last week. The count is vital for states like New Mexico, which have large numbers of people who are part of historically undercounted populations. Correspondent Antonia Gonzales sits down with Charlotte Little and Jamie Gloshay of the New Mexico Native American Census Coalition to talk about the challenge of avoiding an undercount and the ways in which the state’s Native community is responding.
Gene Grant and The Line opinion panel take a broad look at New Mexico’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Are state and local leaders doing enough? How have New Mexicans responded to the call for social distancing? Others believe New Mexico is overreacting. What are the immediate and long-term economic impacts on businesses and citizens, especially for low-income populations? For their final segment, The Line panelists will each choose “One More Thing” to talk about – a segment that is usually reserved for the web but which gets the broadcast treatment this week.
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Las Cruces NPR Station KRWG today (3/19/20) hosted a live call-in show for people with questions about COVID-19, partnering with other New Mexico PBS stations: KENW, KUNM and KANW. We wanted to share with all of you in case it helps to answer any lingering questions you may have. Tune in tomorrow for this week's podcast edition of New Mexico in Focus, when we will talk about the state response to the pandemic, as well as get advice for a pair of psychiatrists on how to cope with things like maintaining a sense of normalcy, isolation issues and much more.
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This week on New Mexico in Focus, senior producer Matt Grubs sits down with an expert from the New Mexico Department of Health to talk about COVID-19, the coronavirus that is sending the country – and the world – into a panic. The federal government has taken the lead on the country’s response, though state and local health officials will shoulder much of the burden.
After Super Tuesday, Democratic voters have winnowed the field of presidential hopefuls down to two candidates who are separated by only a handful of delegates, but a wide lead over the few candidates left: Sen. Bernie Sanders and former Vice President Joe Biden. But among Democrats and Republicans, the word “socialism” is likely to be a big part of the campaign regardless of who wins. NMiF Senior Producer Matt Grubs talks with UNM professor Matthew Simpson on the realities and perceptions of socialism.
Gene Grant and The Line opinion panel look at why both of New Mexico’s U.S. Senators are asking for arrest data to track Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) activities, and debate whether ICE is targeting immigrant-friendly cities. The Line also discusses the efforts by the state’s GOP to turn New Mexico from a blue state into a red one, with a push to register Hispanic oil field workers to vote. Lastly, panelists on The Line debate whether professionalizing lawmakers will affect lobbyist spending in New Mexico.
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This week on New Mexico in Focus, senior producer Matt Grubs sits down with the executive director of the New Mexico Ethics Commission, Jeremy Farris. Decades in the making, the commission began its work in January of this year. The interview is part of the Your NM Government project, a partnership with KUNM radio and the Santa Fe Reporter.
Gene Grant and The Line opinion panel wrapped up their insights into the just-ended legislative session last week, and now move on to what’s next in New Mexico politics: election season. For their second topic, the panel tackles the problem of the hundreds of cases in limbo due to a backlog at the state’s Court of Appeals. Finally, they look at the crisis for people suffering homelessness and question whether New Mexico cities are taking the best approach to address the issue.
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This week on New Mexico in Focus, correspondent Gwyneth Doland travels to the Roundhouse to get a feel for how lawmakers think the session went. The focus in the last days of the session is on money, and how much of it is safe to spend. This legislative segment is part of the Your New Mexico Government Project, a collaboration with KUNM Radio and the Santa Fe Reporter.
This month’s installment of “Our Land” focuses on public land in New Mexico. Correspondent Laura Paskus takes us to a service project in the Sandia Mountains and visits a newly protected national monument in southern New Mexico that one group hopes will represent a chance to reconnect with the land that has authored its past.
Gene Grant and The Line opinion panel look back on the just-concluded 30-day session of the New Mexico Legislature. They discuss the legislation that passed and the bills that didn’t quite make it. Some bills were sure hits, and some were unexpected misses. And in a departure for The Line, the panelists will expand their view to look at a national topic: President Trump’s recent spate of pardons.
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This week on New Mexico in Focus, “Our Land” correspondent Laura Paskus follows up on a story she broke last weekend. She talks to leaders at the New Mexico Environment Department about the low levels of PFAS toxic chemicals that have been found in some intake wells in the eastern New Mexico city of Clovis.
It’s back to the state’s capital with correspondent Gwyneth Doland and the Your New Mexico Government Project to check in on the progress of plans to reform the state’s failing public employee pension program. The Your New Mexico Government Project is a collaboration with KUNM Radio and the Santa Fe Reporter.
Correspondent Antonia Gonzales also traveled to the Roundhouse to speak with tribal leaders on American Indian Day, February 7th. The day was focused on environmental protection for the next generation. The leaders talked about creating opportunities for young people and the importance of cultural preservation for the future of New Mexico tribes.
Gene Grant and The Line opinion panel debate Senate Bill 5, the Extreme Risk Firearm Protection Order Act as it advances through the legislature. This emotionally charged “red flag” bill has passionate supporters and opponents. The Line panelists also look at proposed changes within CYFD, the Children, Youth and Families Department. For their last topic, the Line looks at a pilot program in Santa Fe Public Schools that addresses the longstanding problem of student truancy.
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This week on New Mexico in Focus, correspondent Gwyneth Doland is back at the Roundhouse to talk to lawmakers about fair representation and the funding woes of the state’s new Ethics Commission. The budget debated in the House this week doesn’t fully fund the new commission, which is in place to monitor legislators. Also, there’s a movement afoot to change the way New Mexico redraws its political boundaries. Doland, who authored a report on the state’s shortcomings, checks in on the effort to make state government better reflect its citizens.
Senior producer Matt Grubs sits down with Tierna Unruh-Enos, who this week began a podcast called The Mesa, about the unsolved murders of women buried on Albuquerque’s West Mesa. The deaths of 11 women, one of whom was pregnant, are thought to be the work of a serial killer. This week marked the 11th anniversary of the discovery of the bodies.
Gene Grant and The Line opinion panel talk about the budget that was poised to pass the House as the Legislature hit its halfway mark. The 7.6 billion dollar budget does not include the governor’s Opportunity Scholarship plan to make tuition at state colleges and universities free for all eligible New Mexicans. The panelists also look at diversity in the New Mexico Legislature, and a group lawsuit alleging a failure by the U.S. government to adequately clean up the pollution from a decades-old fuel leak at Albuquerque’s Kirtland Air Force Base.
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This week on New Mexico in Focus, correspondent Antonia Gonzales looks at sports gambling, with a focus on Isleta Resort and Casino. A 2018 U.S. Supreme Court decision opened the door for previously banned commercial sports betting, and a number of New Mexico tribes have opened sports books at their casinos. Ms. Gonzales examines how and why Isleta Pueblo chose to open its sports book, what business is like, and what other tribes are weighing before they act.
Correspondent Gwyneth Doland travels to Santa Fe to talk to lawmakers about the push for an extreme risk firearm protection order law. The controversial bills, sometimes referred to as “red flag” measures, would let the state temporarily take a gun from someone found by a court to be a danger to themselves or the community. Doland speaks to lawmakers who both favor and oppose such a law.
Gene Grant and The Line opinion panel debate the worth of an agreement between two “nuisance” convenience stores and the city of Albuquerque. The stores have agreed to stop selling alcohol in mini and pint-sized bottles and to better self-police their properties. The Line also examines the progress of Senate Bill 115, the cannabis legalization bill, that passed its first committee along party lines on Tuesday. For the final topic, The Line looks at New Mexico’s problem with a backlog of wage theft complaints linked to the enforcement of the state’s minimum wage law.
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This week, New Mexico in Focus takes a close look at topics important to the state now that the 2020 legislative session has begun.
Gene Grant and The Line opinion panel watched the governor’s State of the State address in the NMPBS studio as it was broadcast from the Roundhouse by our television crew. The Line panel of former lawmakers took a deep dive into their takeaways from the speech, which was streamed live on the web. We bring you highlights from the speech and from the panelists’ analysis.
Correspondent Gwyneth Doland travels to Santa Fe to talk to lawmakers about responsible budgeting and check in on concerns about open government.
NMiF host Gene Grant sits down with Charles Goodmacher of Transform Education NM, a coalition of education, tribal and community leaders whose mission is to advance a new vision for New Mexico’s public education system and hold the state accountable to meeting the constitutional rights of its students. They will discuss the Yazzie/Martinez lawsuit that mandated New Mexico do a better job of providing an equitable education for English-language learners, Native, and low-income students.
NMiF senior producer Matt Grubs speaks with Kathleen Sabo of New Mexico Ethics Watch. The group authored a recent report on the influence of lobbyists on the nation’s only true citizen legislature. New Mexico has long struggled with a few powerful people holding sway at the Capitol. The rise of grassroots campaigning has changed the game, though well-moneyed interests are quickly shifting tactics to protect their interests. (All our legislative coverage is part of the #YourNMGov project, in collaboration with KUNM radio and the Santa Fe Reporter, and funded by the Thornburg Foundation and New Mexico Local News Fund)
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NMPBS, KUNM and The Santa Fe Reporter are proud to bring you the 2020 State of the State Address, delivered by New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham on Tuesday, January 21, 2020. Along with the speech, we also bring you analysis and insight with a panel of former lawmakers. This is part of the #YourNMGov project. (Funding for #YourNMGov provided by the Thornburg Foundation and the New Mexico Local Journalism Fund). This year we also provided live annotated comments of the speech in partnership with newsrooms across the state.
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This week on New Mexico in Focus, it’s a preview of the upcoming legislative session. Lawmakers are already at work in the Roundhouse, and the full Legislature returns Tuesday, Jan. 21, to begin the 30-day session.
Ahead of the State of the State address, NMiF Senior Producer Matt Grubs sits down with Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham for a preview of what to expect when the governor delivers her official call to legislators for her second session as chief executive. The governor has already introduced a budget that will create a trust fund for early childhood development, and create a state department for the same purpose. But Lujan Grisham has different ideas than lawmakers about how much money the early childhood effort will take.
Gene Grant and The Line opinion panel delve into the governor’s plans to add their insights and informed opinions to the conversation. The group also gauges the mood at the Capitol as the Legislature arrives to another year with hundreds of millions of dollars in extra revenue, thanks to the oil boom in southeast New Mexico.
Correspondent Gwyneth Doland talks to members of the Capitol press corps for their views on what to watch for as the session begins. While the budget is the first priority in the “short” sessions for New Mexico, lawmakers will introduce hundreds of bills in the hope of getting approval from the governor to add their issue to the agenda. Among the controversial bills expected are a “red flag” law that would temporarily seize guns from suspected domestic abusers after a court hearing, and a measure to legalize recreational cannabis.
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This week on New Mexico in Focus, it’s a look at how New Mexico’s oil boom in the Permian Basin is altering life for many in the southeast corner of the state. With people flocking to the area for jobs, community needs like roads, schools and housing are struggling to keep pace. The boom is also filling state government coffers as we head into the legislative session later this month. NMIF correspondent Megan Kamerick talks with journalists Jens Gould of the Santa Fe New Mexican and Dan McKay of the Albuquerque Journal about what this means for the state’s future.
In this month’s installment of Our Land, correspondent Laura Paskus sits down with John Fleck, co-author of the new book “Science Be Dammed: How Ignoring Inconvenient Science Drained the Colorado River.”
Senior Producer Matt Grubs and The Line opinion panel examine Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham’s budget plan for 2021 that she will present to the legislature when it convenes Jan. 21, as well as the smaller budget proposed by lawmakers. The Line also debates the shape of the U.S. Senate race in New Mexico, now that former meteorologist Mark Ronchetti has joined other GOP candidates seeking to fill outgoing Democratic Sen. Tom Udall’s seat. The Line also looks at crime in Albuquerque and the rest of our state.
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This week on New Mexico in Focus, we continue our annual countdown of the top stories of the year, with a special Line opinion panel of all journalists. Our look back at 2019 wraps up with topics such as the passing of the landmark Energy Transition Act and the move toward recreational cannabis legalization. But what tops the list as the most impactful story of the year? Tune in as The Line panelists break it all down.
NMiF also revisits a grass-finished beef ranch in Tierra Amarilla that’s the latest venture of four generations of the Casados family. C4 Enterprises plans to build its own butchering and meat processing operation with help from the state and local economic development groups. It’s a project that’s a far cry from the flash of Facebook and Netflix, but one that may hold the key to revitalizing rural New Mexico.
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This week on New Mexico in Focus, we begin our annual countdown of the top stories of the year, with a special Line opinion panel of all journalists. Our look back at 2019 kicks off with topics ranging from President Trump’s visit to Rio Rancho this fall to groundwater contamination near New Mexico military installations and Governor Michelle Lujan’s first year in office.
NMiF also looks back at a story from August, when neighbors in Albuquerque’s International District worked with the Nature Conservancy and Rocky Mountain Youth Corps to turn an empty dirt lot into a pop-up public park. Among the goals for the project were to build community and help add greenery to one of the hottest parts of New Mexico’s biggest city that has few natural spaces.
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This week, New Mexico in Focus speaks with Vera and Chanterelle Sung, whose family owns the Abacus Federal Savings Bank in Manhattan. After the financial collapse a decade ago, relatively tiny Abacus was the only bank to face criminal sanctions. The bank self-reported suspected violations to the authorities, then was stunned by the prosecution that followed. Producer Matt Grubs speaks with two of the daughters of the bank’s founder, who had their story told in the Frontline documentary, “Abacus: Small Enough to Jail.”
Gene Grant and The Line opinion panel look at Rep. Xochitl Torres Small’s decision to support the impeachment of President Trump. The representative of New Mexico’s Republican-leaning 2nd Congressional District was one of the last House Democrats to come out in favor of an impeachment investigation and now, articles of impeachment. The Line panelists also examine a patch of bad luck suffered by New Mexico’s signature chile crop this year, and debate what can be done to stop Albuquerque drivers from getting into crashes with the up-and-running ART buses.
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This week on New Mexico in Focus, senior producer Matt Grubs sits down with Steve Terrell, newly retired from the Santa Fe New Mexican after four decades as a newspaper man. They talk about what’s changed over the years since Terrell first started covering the Legislature and New Mexico politics.
In this month’s installment of Our Land, correspondent Laura Paskus and the NMiF crew travel to the border to see firsthand construction of the new wall between the U.S. and Mexico and learn about the its impacts on wildlife and communities.
Gene Grant and The Line opinion panel examine a law that went into effect in July. The law lets judges order guns taken away from domestic violence offenders, but as KRQE-TV reports, it’s lightly used and has a big loophole. The Line opinion panelists also debate the consequences of stricter mandates governing SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program). The new rules, approved last week by the Trump administration, could cut food aid to some 37,000 New Mexicans. With its final topic, The Line looks at the 10-day notices the City of Albuquerque gave two convenience stores to get these “nuisance properties” to make improvements for public safety.
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This week on New Mexico in Focus, senior producer Matt Grubs catches up with Congresswoman Deb Haaland. The freshman congresswoman has been outspoken on the need for greater investigation into missing and murdered Native women and speaks frankly about how she feels law enforcement needs to prioritize such cases. She also addresses the need for more robust broadband access throughout New Mexico.
Gene Grant and The Line opinion panel take on the announcement, made shortly after the congresswoman was in the NMiF studio for the above interview, that Rep. Haaland was named as co-chair for presidential hopeful Elizabeth Warren’s campaign. The Line opinion panelists also discuss how charter schools, especially in New Mexico’s larger cities, are adjusting to the reduction of funds that came with the state legislature’s adjustment of a 40-year-old funding formula for small schools. For the final topic, The Line looks at new numbers from the Albuquerque Police Department that show crime statistics have not decreased nearly as much as originally reported.
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This week on New Mexico in Focus, we celebrate Joy Harjo, a groundbreaking poet and New Mexico treasure. An enrolled member of the Muscogee Creek Nation in Oklahoma, Harjo went to school at the Institute of American Indian Arts in Santa Fe and was both a student and faculty member at UNM. Earlier this year, she made history as the first Native American to be named a national poet laureate. She has written eight books of poetry, including her latest, “An American Sunrise.” Correspondent Megan Kamerick caught up with Harjo at a poetry reading in Santa Fe to talk about why she sees the poet laureate appointment as an opportunity for Native people.
Teton Saltes, a junior offensive lineman on UNM’s football team, combines community service with athletic and academic achievement. A member of the Oglala Sioux tribe, Saltes works among Native communities struggling with suicide – often at a rate higher than any other racial or ethnic group. Correspondent Antonia Gonzales met up with Saltes at football practice to look at how he tackles advocacy for his community with the same determination he does athletics.
“¡Las Sandinistas!” is a documentary that chronicles the brave women on the front lines of social reform during Nicaragua’s 1979 Sandinista revolution. NMPBS aired the documentary earlier this year. Correspondent Russell Contreras spoke to filmmaker Jenny Murray about the story.
NMiF also reprises two favorite “Our Land” segments, as correspondent Laura Paskus takes us to the Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge for a look behind the scenes at how managers maintain the habitat to support sandhill cranes, geese, and other wildlife. Paskus also takes viewers along as she examines the effort to build a network of backyard wildlife sanctuaries across New Mexico’s urban landscape. The spaces can create a surprisingly serene refuge for animals and people.
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This week on New Mexico in Focus, correspondent Antonia Gonzales travels to Jemez Pueblo to meet Tina Archuleta, who has made it her mission to decolonize Native diets. Archuleta founded Itality plant-based wellness to restore health and balance to pueblos and reservations that often find themselves in what nutritionists call “food deserts,” or places far from a store that sells fresh groceries. As we head into the holiday season, Archuleta is pushing easy, healthy meals that confound some of what we assume to be Native dishes.
Senior Producer Matt Grubs speaks with UNM journalism faculty member (and NMiF contributor) Gwyneth Doland about her report on redrawing political boundaries in the state. “Redistricting NM 2021: A troubled history and opportunities for change” details over 40 years of strained geographic relationships that don’t always produce the kind of local representation communities need. The state is set to begin its next redistricting cycle following the 2020 Census.
Gene Grant and The Line opinion panel discuss what State Auditor Brian Colón calls an “abuse of power”: nearly $3 million in legal settlements approved during former Governor Susan Martinez’s administration. The Line panelists debate whether a publicly financed stadium for New Mexico United is right for Albuquerque. For their final topic, the panelists look at opposition by Native American leaders against another proposed nuclear storage facility in our state.
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This week on New Mexico in Focus, correspondent Megan Kamerick sits down with Albuquerque Journal business reporter Kevin Robinson-Avila to discuss his in-depth series on The Energy Transition Act. The ETA, signed into law this year by Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham, requires all local utilities to get half of their electricity from renewable sources by 2030 – prompting a shakeup among rural electric cooperatives, which serve more than 200,000 people in New Mexico, and with the wholesale supplier where cooperatives buy their power.
Gene Grant and The Line opinion panel discuss the court case that again questions the constitutionality of the Indian Child Welfare Act. The federal law, passed in 1978, mandates priority placement of Native American children up for adoption within a Native community. The law was created to counteract the historical practice of removing Native American children from their tribe and family and placing them in a non-Indian family or institution.
The Line opinion panelists also tackle the controversial law that set high standards to keep defendants jailed pre-trial, but that also resulted in an early release for a suspect in the infamous Victoria Martens murder case. For their final topic, the panelists look at what it means for a rural town, like Springer, New Mexico, to temporarily have no fire department.
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This week, New Mexico in Focus interviews Thomas Saenz, the national president of the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund (MALDEF). Saenz has been a key figure in the Martínez/Yazzie v. State of New Mexico lawsuit, the case that is forcing the state to improve the education it provides for certain groups of students. Recently, both groups of plaintiffs asked the court to set more strict deadlines for the state to prove it’s making progress. Correspondent Russell Contreras speaks with Saenz about what’s ahead in the case.
New Mexico in Focus takes a hard look at crime’s effect on young people with Albuquerque filmmaker John Acosta, whose documentary “Growing Up in the Real Breaking Bad” aims to raise awareness about youth violence. NMiF host Gene Grant interviews Acosta, who is joined by a group of young activists who say policymakers need to listen and try a different approach to addressing the problem.
In a repeat showing of Our Land from August, correspondent Laura Paskus travels to the Gila National Forest for an in-depth report on the battle over the Gila River. In the intervening months there have been new updates on the project, and NMiF host Gene Grant sits down with Paskus to discuss these developments.
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This week on New Mexico in Focus: the struggle to shape and reshape Albuquerque’s neighborhoods. Just over a year ago, the city moved to a new way of planning and zoning, designed to cut down on the regulatory burden for developers, while also establishing quality standards and protections for communities. Correspondent Gwyneth Doland sits down with representatives from the Historic Neighborhoods Alliance, who worry the approach actually creates a one-size-fits-all model that ignores local input and actually creates racial disparities.
Gene Grant and The Line opinion panel discuss the request Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham sent earlier this month asking legislators for their input on agenda items to be included in the upcoming legislative session. The session is a short one – only thirty days – and devising a budget is lawmakers’ number one priority. There is room, however, for other bill proposals; the Line speculates on which will make the cut. The panelists also look at what made 2018 such a banner year for tourism in the Land of Enchantment, as a newly released report from the New Mexico Tourism Department shows visitors spent more money in the state than ever before. Last on the Line’s agenda of topics is the governor’s challenge to find balance between moving away from the fossil fuel industry, while also relying on the those revenues to fund her top priorities, including a free college tuition proposal.
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This week on New Mexico in Focus, a closer look at Albuquerque’s plan for a public campaign finance voucher system, termed “Democracy Dollars.” Advocates say it’s a way to counteract the influence of money from a few wealthy donors who finance candidates for city elections. Detractors say it’s a misguided effort that would be applied too broadly and unfairly favor organizing committees who would snap up vouchers and give them to candidates.
Gene Grant and The Line opinion panel debate New Mexico Public Education Department’s choice of the SAT test to replace the PARCC test as the standardized test benchmark for juniors in the state’s public high schools. The Line also examines the recent decision by faculty of the University of New Mexico to unionize and a resurgence of organized labor in the news. Last on the Line’s agenda of topics is a look at New Mexico’s House and Senate primary races.
NMiF also previews its upcoming interview with MALDEF President Thomas Saenz. Acting as general counsel for the group, Saenz has been deeply involved in the Yazzie/Martinez v. State of New Mexico lawsuit. In an excerpt of his interview with correspondent Russell Contreras, Saenz examines President Trump’s effort to woo Hispanic voters during his recent visit to New Mexico and in the 2020 election.
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This week on New Mexico in Focus, correspondent Megan Kamerick sits down with Albuquerque Mayor Tim Keller for an in-depth discussion on the eleven bonds and the quarter-cent gross receipts tax that will be on this November’s ballot, along with recent financial decisions that might impact how citizens vote.
In recognition of New Mexico’s first Indigenous Peoples’ Day (replacing Columbus Day), the New Mexico in Focus crew heads to the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center to capture the sights and sounds of the celebration.
NMiF host Gene Grant looks into crime on urban college campuses like UNM – how police hope to track it and fight it, and whether a fence around campus or facial recognition software will help – in a conversation with Lt. Trace Peck of the University of New Mexico Police Department.
Gene Grant and The Line opinion panel debate the benefit of body cameras for law enforcement officers in New Mexico. The Line also discusses the use of restraint in public schools and how best to protect some students from themselves and others while still being transparent about the process. Lastly, The Line looks at allegations by a Rio Grande Sun reporter of police harassment and retaliation for her coverage of a now-fired Rio Arriba County sheriff’s deputy.
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This week on New Mexico in Focus: The state’s first official Indigenous Peoples’ Day is right around the corner on Monday, October 13. Correspondent Antonia Gonzales speaks with three Native artists and activists about how they plan to celebrate, what the day can mean for Indigenous peoples, and how they pass their message and history to non-Natives who are curious about the past.
In this month’s installment of Our Land, correspondent Laura Paskus examines the recently ramped-up effort to clean jet fuel pollution from the water below Albuquerque. The massive project comes after decades passed with undiscovered jet fuel seeping into the ground beneath Kirtland Air Force Base. The Air Force says it’s made big strides, and community leaders are looking to verify that.
Gene Grant and The Line opinion panel debate the New Mexico Supreme Court’s decision to deny petitions related to decommissioning the San Juan Generating Station in light of the Energy Transition act, and putting all decisions back into the hands of the Public Regulation Commission (PRC). The Line panelists also discuss New Mexico’s Senate race, and the role campaign dollars will have in the primaries. Finally, the Line looks at the legislative actions a policy-reform think tank, Think New Mexico, is proposing to help senior citizens.
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This week, New Mexico in Focus digs into how Americans perceive the impeachment inquiry into President Trump. Correspondent Gwyneth Doland sits down with UNM Political Science Professor Jessica Feezell to talk about the political messaging surrounding impeachment, as well as how to process news from different sources.
NMiF checks in on a contest designed to get students interested in STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) education by building a robot that can help linemen restore power in an emergency. PNM power company recently hosted a demonstration for students to better understand what electrical workers need to do their jobs safely and quickly when the power goes out.
Gene Grant and The Line opinion panel debate Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham’s decision to jump on the bandwagon with a group of states to emulate California’s auto emissions standards. The Line panelists also discuss the rollout of Albuquerque Mayor Tom Keller’s sports tourism bond package, and look at how a Rio Arriba deputy – fired for tasing a student – was even hired in the first place.
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The Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta takes flight in just over a week. The event is one of the highlights of the year and a huge tourism draw for the state. But this year, the Fiesta will include some new additions like undercover officers and metal detectors. Host Gene Grant went live on Facebook this week with Balloon Fiesta officials to talk about the changes and what spectators need to know. We’ll share some of the key takeaways, and then The Line opinion panelists weigh in on what it will take for the increased security efforts to be a success.
Correspondent Russell Contreras sits down with one of the key figures in New Mexico’s rise to prominence in the mixed martial arts (MMA) world: Greg Jackson. One of the founders of The Jackson Wink Academy, Jackson has helped train the likes of title winners Jon “Bones” Jones and Holly Holm. The two talk about why MMA is so popular in our state, as well as how Jackson is working to improve his community outside the octagon.
Gene Grant and The Line opinion panel also spend time discussing a new report that outlines the true extent of the state’s behavioral health crisis, and what state leaders are doing to bridge the gap between patients and providers. They also offer insight on the impact to New Mexico’s congressional delegation now that the U.S. House of Representatives has decided to open an impeachment inquiry into President Trump.
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This week, New Mexico in Focus heads to the rally for President Donald Trump’s reelection campaign. Trump made his first visit to New Mexico since becoming president, bringing an overflow crowd of supporters to Rio Rancho. NMiF speaks to supporters and excerpts the president’s speech, as well as to protesters and Democrats who rallied against the president.
Gene Grant and The Line opinion panel also spend time talking about the president’s effort to flip New Mexico, which has voted for a Republican presidential candidate just once in the past seven elections. The president spent much of his speech trying to woo Hispanic voters, seen as key to his chances in the state and, potentially, as he tries to win other states in 2020.
Ahead of the planned Sept. 20 Global Climate Strike, environmental correspondent Laura Paskus speaks with three students who will walk out of school to raise awareness of human-caused climate change. The conversation is part of the Covering Climate Now Initiative, through which more than 250 media outlets worldwide are concentrating climate change coverage ahead of the United Nations Climate Summit on September 23.
Gene Grant and The Line opinion panel also talk about the city of Albuquerque’s proposal to boost public financing for mayoral and city council races. Two ideas on the ballot in November would boost financing by 75 percent for candidates. One of those proposals would also implement the controversial Democracy Dollars plan. And the opinion panelists also look at the governor’s effort to provide free tuition at all state colleges and universities.
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This week, art imitates life on New Mexico in Focus. Correspondent Antonia Gonzales sits down with attorney and playwright Mary Kathryn Nagle. Santa Fe’s Lensic Performing Arts Center recently hosted a stage reading of her play, “Sovereignty.” The production is set in both the 1800s and in modern times and tells the story behind a landmark jurisdiction case won before the the U.S. Supreme Court by the Cherokee Nation. Nagle explains how her career as an attorney affects her storytelling style. She also explores the continuing struggles in the theater world for accurate representations of Indigenous people and issues.
In this month’s installment of Our Land, correspondent Laura Paskus investigates the recent outbreak of blue-green algae blooms at some New Mexico lakes. Those blooms have caused some closures later this summer because of the health risks to people and pets. Experts help explain more about the risks from exposure to the blooms and what is being done to try and keep the problem from spreading.
Gene Grant and The Line opinion panel discuss President Trump’s plan to divert more than $100 million earmarked for New Mexico military projects to fund a border wall. The Line panelists also debate an idea to create a new permanent fund for early childhood education, and go inside the state’s struggles to move from coal to renewable energy sources.
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This week, New Mexico in Focus looks at the health problems associated with e-cigarettes. Last week, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention warned against vaping, especially by children, teens and other vulnerable parts of the population. Senior producer Matt Grubs interviews public health consultant Shelley Mann-Lev and Dr. Shawn Sidhu, a child and adolescent psychiatrist who runs the University of New Mexico’s Health Sciences Center fellowship program in child psychiatry.
Matt Grubs continues the conversation on vaping as he sits down with David Tompkins, manager for community health initiatives with the New Mexico Department of Health.
Gene Grant and The Line opinion panel discuss the abundance of lawsuits filed by Carlsbad Medical Center against its patients – an aggressive practice highlighted by The New York Times. The Line panelists also debate new medical cannabis guidelines and rulings affecting public schools and out-of-state patients. The Line also marks the passing of former New Mexico Supreme Court Justice Charles Daniels, as the panelists reflect on his legacy.
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This week on New Mexico in Focus, host Gene Grant talks with ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) advocate Terri O’Hare about what it’s like to navigate Albuquerque as a person with a disability.
Jim Linnell, UNM Theatre Professor Emeritus, is the author of “Take It Lying Down: Finding My Feet After a Spinal Cord Injury.” Linnell was six months from retirement as the dean of UNM’s College of Fine Arts when he suffered a freak accident that left him almost totally paralyzed. In his book, and in his frank discussion with correspondent Megan Kamerick, he chronicles his struggle to regain independence as he looks back over his life and ponders his future.
Gene Grant and The Line opinion panel discuss Bernalillo County’s passage of a new paid leave law and the Albuquerque City Council’s look into whether a similar “leave for any reason” law would work for the city. The Line panelists also talk state spending, as New Mexico predicts another whopping surplus headed into the next fiscal year. The Line’s final topic is the GOP’s hope of flipping New Mexico from a blue to a red state in 2020.
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This week on New Mexico in Focus, correspondent Antonia Gonzales goes to Sandia Pueblo for an interview with Sec. Lynn Trujillo of the New Mexico Department of Indian Affairs. Trujillo talks about tribal priorities on the state level, including big changes to education.
Correspondent Laura Paskus sits down with New Mexico Environment Department Sec. James Kenney to talk about PFAS, or toxic, human-made chemicals that have been found at U.S. military bases nationwide and around the world. Here in New Mexico, these chemicals have contaminated groundwater around Cannon and Holloman Air Force bases. Sec. Kenney discusses the danger of such contamination and what’s being done about it.
Gene Grant and the Line opinion panel discuss the growing concern over a man who, while legally carrying a gun on his hip, has been harassing vendors and others on the Santa Fe Plaza, including asking them for proof of citizenship. The Line also looks at the return of men’s soccer and men’s and women’s ski teams to UNM – but only as club sports. Gene Grant and panelists also talks about the push in New Mexico to legalize recreational cannabis, and how such legalization might affect patients who rely on medical cannabis.
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This week on New Mexico in Focus, senior producer Matt Grubs sits down for an in-depth conversation with Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham about her ambitions goal of raising New Mexico’s public education system to be the best in the country. Less than a month after firing her education secretary, the governor picked Ryan Stewart to lead the Public Education Department.
NMiF goes to Albuquerque’s International District to see how neighbors working with the Nature Conservancy and Rocky Mountain Youth Corps have transformed a vacant dirt lot into a pop-up public park. Among the goals for the project are to build community and help add greenery to one of the hottest parts of New Mexico’s biggest city.
Gene Grant and The Line opinion panelists debate the qualifications of Ryan Stewart as secretary-designate of New Mexico’s Public Education Department. Gov. Lujan Grisham introduced Stewart on the first day of the new school year for much of the state. The Line also looks at the possibility of reshaping New Mexico’s Public Regulation Commission, currently an elected body that regulates utilities, telecommunications, and motor carrier industries. In The Line’s final topic, the panel will discuss the state’s denial of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) requests for New Mexico workforce records.
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