This week on New Mexico in Focus, Gene Grant and the Line Opinion Panel discuss some of the recent criticism surrounding the Governor’s administration. Nominee for Secretary of Indian Affairs James Mountain is facing backlash over charges filed in a rape accusation years ago.
Plus, the Secretary of Cultural Affairs is on the hot seat after firing the state’s longtime archeology director.
Grant and the panel also explore some of the developments in New Mexico’s efforts to pull itself up from dead last in literacy, including a new training program for elementary school teachers.
Finally, the panelists discuss a possible statewide expansion of Medicaid coverage.
NMIF political correspondent Gwyneth Doland speaks with two doctors and a lawmaker about several healthcare bills circulating in the Roundhouse. Ophthalmologist Dr. Angie Braxton and pediatrician Dr. Nancy Wright share their perspective on the state’s growing problem of attracting and retaining doctors, and St. Rep. Elizabeth Thomson, (D) Albuquerque, gives some insight on several other healthcare bills she’s supporting.
Our Land producer Laura Paskus talks with Estevan López, Upper Colorado River Compact Commissioner for N.M., about the current situation on the Colorado River and what New Mexicans who rely upon its waters need to consider for the future.
New Mexico in Focus airs on NMPBS 5.1 (KNME HD) Friday, March 3 at 7 p.m. and Sunday, March 5 at 7 a.m., and streaming on the PBS video app.
NMiF Segments
Healthcare Proposals in the Roundhouse
Correspondent
Gwyneth Doland
Guests
Dr. Angie Braxton, ophthalmologist
Dr. Nancy Wright, pediatrician
State Rep. Elizabeth Thomson, (D) NM District 24 - Albuquerque
On the Colorado River, ‘Everybody Understands the Nature of the Problem’
Correspondent
Laura Paskus
Guest
Estevan López, Upper Colorado River Compact Commissioner, New Mexico
Host
Gene Grant
The Line Opinion Panel
Martha Burk, political psychologist and author
Edmund Perea, attorney and public safety analyst
Tom Garrity, founder & president, the Garrity Group Public Relations
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."
New Mexico in Focus Senior Producer for Public Affairs is Lou DiVizio. "Our Land" Senior Producer is Laura Paskus. Co-producer of New Mexico in Focus is Kathy Wimmer. Funding for New Mexico in Focus is provided by the McCune Charitable Foundation and Viewers Like You.
Funding for the Your New Mexico Government Project comes from the Thornburg Foundation and New Mexico Local News Fund.
Funding for Our Land: New Mexico’s Environmental Past, Present & Future, is provided in part by the Neeper Natural History Programming Fund for KNME-TV.