U.S. Rep. Deb Haaland talks with correspondent Laura Paskus about the possibility of joining the Cabinet for President Joe Biden as secretary of the Department of the Interior. The 1st Congressional District Democrat is on the shortlist for the job, and talks about the post, what the agenda should be for the administration and the importance of consulting Native tribes.

Correspondent Megan Kamerick looks at dealing with mental health challenges during the COVID pandemic. Long underserved by physicians, New Mexico also has a difficult time finding mental health professionals; a problem compounded when former Gov. Susana Martinez dismantled much of the state’s behavioral health system. She talks to a psychologist and a man who’s seeking counseling for the first time.

In this month’s episode of Our Land, correspondent Laura Paskus travels close to home—Albuquerque’s bosque. In the fall and winter, it’s an ideal location to spot not just sandhill cranes and migratory birds, but porcupines, beavers and more.

Gene Grant and The Line opinion panelists debate the roller coaster ride over appointments in President-elect Joe Biden’s cabinet and how Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham lost out on a Health and Human Services position. The Line also looks at the looming shift into crisis mode for New Mexico hospitals due to multiplying cases of COVID. The panelists then talk about how lawmakers might address budgets and bills when the legislative session starts in January.

Due to NM PBS’ Winter Pledge Drive, NMiF will only broadcast on Friday, Dec. 11 at 7 p.m. (KNME HD) and Sunday, Dec. 14 at 3 p.m. on NMPBS 9.1 (world).

In Focus Interviews
Rep. Deb Haaland on the Importance of Native Input

Correspondent  
Laura Paskus 

Guest 
U.S. Rep. Deb Haaland 

Mental Health During COVID-19

Correspondent  
Megan Kamerick

Guests
Dr. Gerald Chavez, clinical psychologist
Ryan Williamson, first-time counseling patient

Our Land: Albuquerque’s Bosque
Correspondent
Laura Paskus

The Line Opinion Panel    
Dan Foley, former state representative 
Eric Griego, former state senator  
H. Diane Snyder, former state senator 

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 Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and more.