Coming up on Dec. 23 and 30, New Mexico in Focus (NMiF) host Gene Grant hosts a countdown of the top stories of 2016, along with a special Line panel of local journalists.

The panel will discuss a number of different topics this week, including the impact of putting REAL ID into action and allegations of fraud against state employees who managed the SNAP food benefits program. 

During this week’s episode, NMiF producer Sarah Gustavus reports on the struggles facing children without permanent legal residency in the U.S. Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) offers temporary protection to eligible young people who were brought to the U.S. as children and grew up without documentation.

With President-elect Donald Trump coming close to inauguration, it is unclear whether the DACA order, signed by President Obama in 2016, will be reversed. This week, Gustavus sits down with three students who currently have DACA protection to talk about what may be ahead.

NEW MEXICO IN FOCUS  –  Dec. 23-24:

  • This week on New Mexico in Focus, host Gene Grant and a special Line panel of local journalists begin a countdown of the top stories of 2016.  They discuss five of those topics this week, including the impact of putting REAL ID into action and allegations of fraud against state employees who managed the SNAP food benefits program.
  • Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, or DACA, offers temporary protection - but not permanent legal residency – to eligible young people who were brought to the United States as children and grew up without documentation. President Obama signed the DACA order in 2016; it is not clear yet if president-elect Donald Trump will reverse the program once he takes office in January.  NMiF producer Sarah sits down with three students who currently have DACA protection to talk about what may be ahead.

Our colleagues won a Rocky Mountain Emmy award in the "Historic Cultural Segment" category for their story on Pueblo Bonito, an important historical site in Chaco Canyon. Hidden by time and its remote location, Pueblo Bonito is one of New Mexico’s greatest works of architecture. 

Next week, the special panel of journalists will continue their discussion covering issues like the 2016 elections, New Mexico’s budget crisis, Albuquerque Police Department reforms, and high-profile crime.

NEW MEXICO IN FOCUS  –  Dec. 30-31

  • This week, host Gene Grant and a special Line panel of local journalists continue the countdown of the top stories of 2016.  They look at the impact of NMiF’s choice of the top five major news events of the year. Topics discussed include the outcomes of the 2016 elections, New Mexico’s budget crisis, Albuquerque Police Department reforms, and high-profile crime.     
  • NMiF also re-airs a notable piece from New Mexico PBS’ arts series, ¡COLORES!

Next week, NMiF will re-air a piece from New Mexico PBS’ arts series ¡COLORES!

Recently, members of the NMiF team were recognized with a Rocky Mountain Emmy award in the “Historic Cultural Segment” category for their story on Pueblo Bonito, an important historical site in Chaco Canyon.

The show 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.

NMiF is New Mexico PBS’ one-hour public affairs show covering the events, issues, and people that are shaping life in New Mexico and in the Southwest.

Studio Guests (Dec. 23)

  • Rafael Martinez, UNM Graduate Student
  • Cindy Nava, UNM Graduate Student
  • Abdiel Ramirez, UNM student

Line Panelists (both Dec. 23 & 30)

Correspondent  

  • Sarah Gustavus

Host / Commentator

  • Gene Grant

Sarah Gustavus is the producer of NMiF with Kathy Wimmer, associate producer. Funding for NMiF is provided in part by the McCune Charitable Foundation.

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