This week on New Mexico in Focus, senior producer Matt Grubs talks to former U.S. Rep. Steve Pearce, who now chairs the New Mexico Republican Party. The GOP has accused Gov. Lujan Grisham of being too restrictive in her efforts to slow the growth of COVID-19. 

Correspondent Megan Kamerick interviews Dr. Steven Bradfute, research assistant professor of UNM’s Center for Global Health and Department of Internal Medicine, on the long-term impacts of COVID-19 for survivors and the idea of “herd immunity.”

After decades of Native American advocates fighting the racial slur in the name of the Washington, DC, football team, the NFL team announced it will retire the nickname and logo. The Black Lives Matter movement is credited for raising awareness of Indian mascots in the wake of racial justice rallies brought on by the police killing of George Floyd. Correspondent Antonia Gonzales hears from Native writers and advocates who say work on the issue is not over.

Gene Grant and The Line opinion panel look at new restrictions put into place this week as a result of the rise in COVID-19 cases, including a return to shutting down indoor dining in restaurants throughout New Mexico. And what will public schooling really look like this fall?  

The Line also looks at District Attorney Raul Torrez’ recent decision to refile charges against Steven Baca, the man accused of shooting protester Scott Williams at a protest over an Oñate statue near downtown Albuquerque last month.

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 shortly thereafter. The show rebroadcasts on NMPBS 5.1 (KNME-HD) Sundays at 7 a.m. and on NMPBS 9.1 (WORLD) on Saturdays at 5 p.m. and Sundays at 3 p.m.      

In Focus Interviews

The New Mexico GOP on COVID-19
Correspondent 
Matt Grubs

Guest  
Steve Pearce, chairman, Republican Party of New Mexico

COVID-19 Impacts and Herd Immunity
Correspondent 
Megan Kamerick

Guest
Steven Bradfute, Ph.D., research assistant professor, UNM Center for Global Health and Department of Internal Medicine

Native American Mascots
Correspondent 
Antonia Gonzales

Guests 
Suzan Shown Harjo, DC area Native rights advocate 
Rhonda LeValdo, journalist and instructor at Haskell Indian Nations University, Kansas 
Sunnie Clahchischiligi, UNM doctoral student and sports writer

Line Panelists  
Tom Garrity, The Garrity Group PR
Inez Russell Gomez, editorial page editor, Santa Fe New Mexican   
Laura Sanchez, attorney

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.

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