This week on New Mexico in Focus, the nearly unrestrained rise in COVID-19 cases among unvaccinated people has led to the return of a mask mandate, as well as new vaccine requirements for some people who work in health care and school settings. The Line opinion panel weighs the impact and the political implications. 
 
The Line also discusses the troubling crime trend in the wake of a child-on-child shooting at an Albuquerque middle school and another fatal gun attack at one of the city’s sports bars. The shootings and other crimes have the governor ordering New Mexico State Police officers back to the Duke City to ease the burden on local police agencies. NMiF also looks back at an interview with local child psychiatrist Dr. Scott Carroll, who has studied children and gun violence. 
 
As a panel of experts issues yet another dire warning about climate change, environmental correspondent Laura Paskus speaks with former New Mexico TV meteorologist Jorge Torres about how local newsrooms can better cover climate issues. Torres, now with ABC-15 TV in Phoenix, talks about the delicate balance required in delivering climate change facts to viewers who are still unconvinced about the reality of the Earth’s warming temperatures. 

Finally, The Line examines the implication of the latest numbers from the U.S. Census Bureau, which show New Mexicans leaving small towns to move to larger cities. 

New Mexico in Focus airs on NMPBS 5.1 (KNME HD) Friday, Aug. 20 at 7 p.m. and Sunday, Aug. 22 at 7 a.m.  

NMiF Segments

Local Meteorologists Tackle Climate Change 
Correspondent
Laura Paskus, NMiF environmental producer 

Guest
Jorge Torres, ABC-15 Phoenix 

Gun Violence and Children 
Correspondent
Sarah Gustavus, former NMiF producer 

Guest
Dr. Scott Carroll, MD, child psychiatrist 
Previously aired interview 

The Line opinion panel
Dan Foley, former NM House minority whip 
Sophie Martin, attorney 
Jessica Onsurez, news director, Carlsbad Current-Argus 

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.