This week, New Mexico in Focus speaks with Vera and Chanterelle Sung, whose family owns the Abacus Federal Savings Bank in Manhattan. After the financial collapse a decade ago, relatively tiny Abacus was the only bank to face criminal sanctions. The bank self-reported suspected violations to the authorities, then was stunned by the prosecution that followed. Producer Matt Grubs speaks with two of the daughters of the bank’s founder, who had their story told in the Frontline documentary, “Abacus: Small Enough to Jail.”
Gene Grant and The Line opinion panel look at Rep. Xochitl Torres Small’s decision to support the impeachment of President Donald Trump. The representative of New Mexico’s Republican-leaning 2nd Congressional District was one of the last House Democrats to come out in favor of an impeachment investigation and now, articles of impeachment. The Line panelists also examine a patch of bad luck suffered by New Mexico’s signature chile crop this year, and debate what can be done to stop Albuquerque drivers from getting into crashes with the up-and-running ART buses.
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.
Studio Guests
- Vera Sung, “Abacus: Small Enough to Jail”
- Chanterelle Sung, “Abacus: Small Enough to Jail”
Line Panelists
- Dede Feldman, former state senator
- Tom Garrity, The Garrity Group PR
- Dave Mulryan, founder, Everybody Votes
- H. Diane Snyder, former state senator
Correspondent
- Matt Grubs
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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