This week on New Mexico in Focus, Sen. Ben Ray Lujan joins the program from Washington, D.C. to talk about the federal government’s plans to pay for and expand access to broadband internet service. It’s been a major challenge in New Mexico. Correspondent and Axios reporter Russ Contreras also speaks with the senator about the immigration crisis at the southern border. 
 
In March, the pueblos of Jemez and Laguna sued the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers over a 2020 rule that weakens or eliminates protections for ephemeral or intermittent waterways. The pueblos are represented by the University of New Mexico Clinical Law Program, and according to the complaint, the Trump-era rule “ignores the U.S. Government’s trust responsibilities to Indian tribes and violates the Administrative Procedure Act and intent of the Clean Water Act.” It would also make it harder for pueblos to regulate upstream polluters. Laura Paskus speaks with two key players in the suit. 

The Line opinion panel tackles two issues: masks and voting in the special election for the 1st Congressional District. With the mask mandate largely lifted, New Mexico businesses and residents are feeling out what seems smart, safe and comfortable as they expand their daily lives into the public sphere. Turnout is low so far in the special congressional election. The group talks about whether voters are fatigued, distrustful, distracted or simply voting later in the race to replace Deb Haaland. 

New Mexico in Focus airs on NMPBS 5.1 (KNME HD) Friday, May 21 at 7 p.m. and Sunday, May 23 at 7 a.m.  

NMiF Segments  
Sen. Ben Ray Lujan 
Correspondent:  Russell Contreras, Axios 

Guest  
Sen. Ben Ray Lujan, D-New Mexico 

NM Tribal Communities Sue Over Trump Water Rule 
Correspondent
Laura Paskus 

Guests 
Clifford Villa, UNM School of Law 
Chris Toya, Pueblo of Jemez  

The Line Opinion Panel 
Dede Feldman, former state senator 
Dave Mulryan, Everybody Votes 
Kristelle Siarza, Siarza Social Digital

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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