NMiF producer Matt Grubs talks with reporters across the state to discuss important issues in their areas before the election. First up is Dan Boyd of the Albuquerque Journal, who assesses the general election chances of progressive Democratic senate candidates against Republican challengers, after the progressives ousted moderate members of their own party in the primaries. Several Republican senate seats in the Albuquerque area are also at risk, as Democratic challengers hope to turn the area blue. 

Grubs also does an election roundup with three other reporters. He speaks to Hannah Grover of the Farmington Daily Times about an amendment to the state Constitution which seeks to turn the Public Regulation Commission from an elected to an appointed post and also seeks to reduce its numbers from 5 to 3. He also hears from Geoffrey Plant of the Silver City Daily Press about two contentious legislative races in the area, in Senate District 28 and House District 38. Grubs then talks to Algernon D’Ammassa of the Las Cruces Sun-News about the race to replace longtime legislator Sen. John Arthur Smith. 

Gene Grant and The Line opinion panelists take their turn with their viewpoints on Election Day outcomes and the influence of early and first-time voters, and what part voter intimidation may play in the races. They also look further into pandemic updates and what our state is doing to reverse the rising trend of COVID cases.

Finally, the show looks to warnings about the surge in coronavirus cases from medical experts, who took a step forward into the public eye this week to address concerns about the state’s capability to handle the spike in COVID-19 cases. 

New Mexico in Focus is involved, informed, in-depth media airing weekly on New Mexico PBS. The program debuts Friday nights at 7 p.m. on NMPBS 5.1 (KNME-HD) and appears online. 

In Focus Interviews 

Election News 

Correspondent 

  • Matt Grubs 

Guest 

  • Dan Boyd, Capitol Bureau Chief, Albuquerque Journal 

Statewide Reporter Debrief 
Correspondent 

  • Matt Grubs 

Guests 

  • Algernon D’Ammassa, reporter, Las Cruces Sun-News  
  • Hannah Grover, political reporter, Farmington Daily Times 
  • Geoffrey Plant, reporter, Silver City Daily Press 

Medical Community Voices Concern 

  • Dr. Jason Mitchell, chief medical officer, Presbyterian Health Care Services 
  • Dr. David Pitcher, executive physician, UNM Health System 

The Line Opinion Panel    

  • Trip Jennings, New Mexico in Depth 
  • Gabriel Sanchez, UNM professor and director of research for Latino Decisions 
  • Christine Sierra, UNM political science professor emerita  

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.

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