This week’s New Mexico in Focus features September’s segment in the monthly series “Our Land: New Mexico’s Environmental Past, Present and Future.”

This episode highlights wildlife and habitat restoration on Santa Ana Pueblo. The tribe has already undertaken riparian restoration along the Rio Grande and Jemez River and reintroduced species that are culturally significant. They're also studying predators such as bears and cougars, and expanding habitat restoration projects to new areas.

Correspondent Laura Paskus looks at the significance of these efforts for both tribal members and surrounding communities and ecosystems.

Correspondent Megan Kamerick sits down with the candidates in district 7 and district 9 in this year’s city council races in Albuquerque.

NMiF host Gene Grant and the Line panelists look at New Mexicans’ reaction to President Trump’s decision to rescind DACA, the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program.  They also discuss why New Mexico still tops the nation in reliance on private prisons, and look at reasons behind planned protests at this week’s Entrada re-enactment in Santa Fe.

NMiF regularly airs Fridays at 7 p.m. and repeats Sundays at 7 a.m. on Channel 5.1 and Saturdays at 5 p.m. and Sundays at 3 p.m. on Channel 9.1, except during pledge drives.

Studio Guests

  • Diane Gibson, District 7 Candidate (Incumbent)
  • Eric L. Lucero,  District 7 Candidate
  • Don Harris, District 9 Candidate (Incumbent)
  • Paul Ryan McKenney, District 9 Candidate
  • Byron Powdrell, District 9 Candidate

Line Panelists

  • Lonna Atkeson, UNM Political Science Department
  • Serge Martinez, professor, UNM School of Law
  • Julie Ann Grimm, editor, Santa Fe Reporter
  • Laura Sanchez-Rivét, attorney at Cuddy and McCarthy, LLP

Correspondents

  • Megan Kamerick
  • Laura Paskus

Host

  • Gene Grant

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.”

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

Funding for New Mexico in Focus is provided in part by the McCune Charitable Foundation.

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