This week on New Mexico in Focus, as the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta opens this month, the National Transportation Safety Board continues to investigate a fatal balloon crash in Albuquerque last June. NMiF speaks with the founder of balloon tour company Rainbow Ryders, Scott Appelman, about what changes he’d like to see and why some balloon companies choose to monitor their pilots more stringently than federal regulations require. 

Correspondent Russell Contreras (also the race and justice reporter for Axios) speaks with recent “Genius Grant” winner, MacArthur Fellow Monica Muñoz Martinez. The educator and public historian was awarded the prestigious fellowship earlier this week for her work to address racial injustice, particularly anti-Mexican violence in border territories. 

Former state senator (and regular panelist on The Line) Dede Feldman just published her latest book about what politicians learn about New Mexico during campaigns. Correspondent Gwyneth Doland talks to Feldman about the book “Ten More Doors.” 
 
The Line opinion panel looks at the race for mayor in Albuquerque, where Tim Keller and his two challengers faced off in two forums this week. The group also looks at the sudden lack of educational achievement data as lawmakers begin to figure out the next budget – some $3 billion – for the state’s public school system. 

New Mexico in Focus airs on NMPBS 5.1 (KNME HD) Friday, Oct. 1 at 7 p.m. and Sunday, Oct. 3 at 7 a.m., and streaming on the PBS video app.  

NMiF Segments
Ballooning Safety 
Correspondent 
Matt Grubs, NMiF senior producer 

Guest 
Scott Appelman, founder, Rainbow Ryders 

Ten More Doors 
Correspondent 
Gwyneth Doland 

Guest
Dede Feldman, author and former state senator 
 
Race, Justice and Border History 
Correspondent
Russell Contreras 

Guest
Monica Muñoz Martinez, MacArthur Fellow 

The Line opinion panel 
Michael Bird, public health expert 
Dan Foley, former NM House minority whip 
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. Get updates, watch and follow New Mexico PBS on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and more.