New Mexico in Focus, talks coronavirus with expert from the New Mexico Department of Health

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.

New Mexico in Focus is involved, informed, in-depth media airing weekly on New Mexico PBS. The program debuts Friday nights at 7 p.m. on NMPBS 5.1(KNME-HD) and appears online shortly thereafter. The show rebroadcasts on NMPBS 5.1 (KNME-HD) Sundays at 7 a.m. and on NMPBS 9.1 (WORLD) on Saturdays at 5 p.m. and Sundays at 3 p.m.    

Host
Gene Grant    

Correspondent
Matt Grubs  

Studio Guest 
Matthew Simpson, adjunct professor, UNM Political Science Department

Line Panelists  
Dan Foley, former state representative   
Julie Ann Grimm, editor, Santa Fe Reporter
Christine Sierra, UNM political science professor emerita
H. Diane Snyder, former state senator

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.

Funding for the Your New Mexico Government Project comes from the Thornburg Foundation and New Mexico Local News Fund. Funding for New Mexico in Focus is provided by the McCune Charitable Foundation and viewers like you.

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