This week on New Mexico in Focus, environmental correspondent Laura Paskus speaks with a former U.S. Air Force firefighter who served at Cannon Air Force Base in the 1990s. Part of the award-winning NMPBS series “Groundwater War,” the interview touches on what the Air Force knew about toxic chemicals used in firefighting foam and what it told its airmen and women about their safety. 
 
Congresswoman Teresa Leger Fernandez returns home during the August recess and sits down with senior producer Matt Grubs to talk about the effort by Democrats and Republicans in the Senate to forge a compromise bill that will spend some $1 trillion on infrastructure projects. The pair also discuss the House response and larger Democratic priorities, the potential for immigration reform, and the Delta variant of COVID-19. 
 
The Line opinion panel discusses the controversy over Rachel Gudgel, who heads a legislative committee for education. 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. The group also looks at the fallout surrounding former Rep. Sheryl Williams Stapleton’s resignation and at new restrictions and requirements for returning to school and work with the Delta variant of COVID-19 raging. 

New Mexico in Focus airs on NMPBS 5.1 (KNME HD) Friday, Aug. 6 at 7 p.m. and Sunday, Aug. 8 at 7 a.m.  

NMiF Segments

Groundwater War | Former Air Force Firefighter on PFAS Exposure 
Correspondent 

Laura Paskus 

Guest
Kevin Ferrara, USAF (retired) 
 
Congressional Update | Rep. Teresa Leger Fernandez  
Correspondent 

Matt Grubs, NMiF senior producer 

Guest 
Rep. Teresa Leger Fernandez, NM-CD3 

The Line opinion panel
Tom Garrity, The Garrity Group 
Eric Griego, former state senator 
Laura Sanchez, attorney 

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.