This week on New Mexico in Focus, correspondent Laura Paskus continues with her series of interviews with journalists around the state as they cover COVID-19 in their communities. Algernon D’Ammassa, a reporter with the Las Cruces Sun-News who lives in Deming, has been covering the pandemic crisis in Southern New Mexico.

Correspondent Antonia Gonzales talks with New Mexico’s Indian Affairs secretary and two tribal leaders about COVID-19 and Native communities. Tribes are working to slow the disease’s spread as state, national and congressional leaders are raising concerns about the devastating impact COVID-19 can have on tribes across the country.

Correspondent Laura Paskus reports on the Trump administration’s plans to open more than 2.3 million acres of wildlife refuges to hunting and fishing. That would include New Mexico’s Bosque del Apache and Bitter Lake National Wildlife refuges.

Gene Grant and The Line opinion panel discuss partisan reactions to Gov. Lujan Grisham’s public health restrictions. The Line also looks at the spread of COVID-19 in jails and prisons, and debates the call for early release of some non-violent prisoners.

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.    

Host
Gene Grant

In Focus Interviews

COVID-19 in Southern New Mexico
Correspondent
Laura Paskus 

Guest
Algernon D’Ammassa, Reporter, Las Cruces Sun-News

Native Response to COVID-19
Correspondent
Antonia Gonzales

Guests
Michael Chavarria (Santa Clara), Chairman, All Pueblo Council of Governors
Carleton R. Bowekaty,  Lt. Governor, Pueblo of Zuni
Lynn Trujillo (Sandia), Secretary, New Mexico Indian Affairs Department 

Opening More Public Land to Hunters
Correspondent: Laura Paskus

Guests
Jesse Deubel, Executive Director, New Mexico Wildlife Federation
John Horning, Executive Director, WildEarth Guardians  

The Line Opinion Panel
Julie Ann Grimm, Editor, Santa Fe Reporter 
Serge Martinez, Professor, UNM School of Law 

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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