This week on New Mexico in Focus, after testifying at a congressional hearing on PFAS last week, New Mexico Environment Secretary James Kenney joins the show to talk about trying to pressure the federal government to set standards for exposure to toxic chemicals. Meanwhile, the Air Force claims it’s moving forward with remediation for a PFAS plume at Cannon Air Force Base. Laura Paskus interviews both. 
 
Gene Grant speaks with Rep. Melanie Stansbury, whose victory in the special election for New Mexico’s 1st Congressional District was watched closely by politicos in the U.S. and abroad. The congresswoman, who was sworn into office Monday, discusses her policy priorities. 
 
The Line opinion panel takes up a topic on everyone’s sweat-soaked brow this week: unseasonably hot late-spring heat. Climate change and mega-fires to the west have combined to turn mid-June into a miserable slog for much of the state. The group also talks about upcoming cannabis legalization and potential pitfalls, as well as what progress – if any – has been made by city leaders in Santa Fe and Albuquerque after protests of colonialist statues and monuments last summer. 

New Mexico in Focus airs on NMPBS 5.1 (KNME HD) Friday, June 18 at 7 p.m. and Sunday, June 20 at 7 a.m.  

The Line opinion panel
Dede Feldman, former state senator 
Inez Russell Gomez, editorial page editor, Santa Fe New Mexican 
TJ Trout, radio host, KKOB 

Segment(s) 
A Conversation with Congresswoman Melanie Stansbury                                                                     
Guest 

Rep. Melanie Stansbury, (D-NM) 1st Congressional District 

The Struggle for PFAS Pollution Accountability 
Correspondent
Laura Paskus 

Guests 
Chris Gierke, remedial project manager, U.S. Air Force 
Sec. James Kenney, NM Environment Department 

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.