This week, New Mexico in Focus heads to the rally for President Donald Trump’s reelection campaign. Trump made his first visit to New Mexico since becoming president, bringing an overflow crowd of supporters to Rio Rancho. NMiF speaks to supporters and excerpts the president’s speech, as well as to protesters and Democrats who rallied against the president.
Gene Grant and The Line opinion panel also spend time talking about the president’s effort to flip New Mexico, which has voted for a Republican presidential candidate just once in the past seven elections. The president spent much of his speech trying to woo Hispanic voters, seen as key to his chances in the state and, potentially, as he tries to win other states in 2020.
Ahead of the planned Sept. 20 Global Climate Strike, environmental correspondent Laura Paskus speaks with three students who plan to walk out of school to raise awareness of human-caused climate change. The conversation is part of the Covering Climate Now Initiative, through which more than 250 media outlets worldwide are concentrating on climate change coverage ahead of the United Nations Climate Summit on Sept. 23.
Gene Grant and The Line opinion panel also talk about the city of Albuquerque’s proposal to boost public financing for mayoral and city council races. Two ideas on the ballot in November would boost financing by 75 percent for candidates. One of those proposals would also implement the controversial Democracy Dollars plan. And the opinion panelists also look at the governor’s effort to provide free tuition at all state colleges and universities.
New Mexico PBS’ one-hour public affairs show New Mexico in Focus regularly airs Friday at 7 p.m. and repeats Sunday at 7 a.m. on Chanel 5.1, and Saturdays at 5 p.m. and Sundays at 3 p.m. on Channel 9.1, except during pledge drives.
Guests
· Eliot Patton, 8th grade, Bosque School
· Mariluz Lebkuechner, senior, The Public Academy for Performing Arts
· Olivia Gonzales, sophomore, The Public Academy for Performing Arts
Correspondent
· Laura Paskus
Line Panelists
· Dan Foley, former state representative
· Sophie Martin, attorney
· Janice Arnold-Jones, former state representative
· Michael Barrio, executive director, Prosperity Works
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.
Funding for New Mexico in Focus is provided by the McCune Charitable Foundation and viewers like you.
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