This week on New Mexico in Focus, the Citizen Redistricting Committee has wrapped up it’s work, approving a series of map proposals for redrawing election districts for the next ten years. But now, those choices move to the New Mexico legislature. Correspondent Gwyneth Doland gets reaction on the process so far, from representatives of the All Pueblo Council of Governors and Black Voters Collaborative. The Line opinion panel will also discuss the work so far, and offer predictions on what will happen when lawmakers gather sometime in December to make final selections.  

Early voting is already underway in Albuquerque on a proposed, publicly financed, multi-use stadium that will be home to the popular New Mexico United Soccer team. That stadium has become controversial for some, including the two proposed neighborhoods where it might be located. NMiF talks to representatives of the Barelas and South Broadway neighborhoods to get a better idea of their hopes and concerns for a downtown stadium.  The Line panel also weighs in on this election fight as well as the ongoing debate over whether Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham has the authority to decide how federal COVID relief funds are spent in New Mexico. 

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. He joins correspondent Laura Paskus to reflect 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.  

New Mexico in Focus airs on NMPBS 5.1 (KNME HD) Friday, Oct. 22 at 7 p.m. and Sunday, Oct. 24 at 7 a.m., and streaming on the PBS video app.  

NMiF Segments 

Redistricting Committee Approves Maps for Legislative Approval  
Correspondent
Gwyneth Doland 
 
Guests
Keegan King, All Pueblo Council of Governors’ ad hoc redistricting committee 
Mason Graham, New Mexico Black Voters Collaborative  

Neighborhoods Weigh Downtown Stadium Vote 
Guests
Anna Lee Besaulniers, stop the stadium campaign organizer 
Frances Armijo, President, South Broadway Neighborhood Association 
Lisa Padilla, President, Barelas Neighborhood Association 

Author William deBuys Explores Earth Care Model 
Correspondent
Laura Paskus 

Guest
Bill deBuys, author, “the Trail to Kanjiroba”  

The Line opinion panel
Dede Feldman, former state senator 
Dan Foley, former NM House minority whip 
Serge Martinez, UNM Law School 

Host
Gene Grant

New Mexico in Focus is the New Mexico PBS prime-time news magazine show covering the events, issues, and people that are shaping life in New Mexico and the Southwest. NMiF takes a multi-layered look at social, political, economic health, education, and art issues, and explores them in-depth with a critical eye to give them context beyond the "news of the moment." 

The producer of New Mexico in Focus is Matt Grubs, with Kathy Wimmer, associate producer. The NM PBS Public Affairs executive producer is Kevin McDonald. 

The McCune Charitable Foundation provides NMiF funding, along with viewers like you. Get updates, watch and follow New Mexico PBS on FacebookTwitterYouTube, and more.