This week on New Mexico in Focus (NMiF), correspondent Russell Contreras interviews former U.S. Sen. Fred Harris. The Corrales, N.M. resident, was the U.S. senator for Oklahoma from 1964 to 1973 and was appointed by President Lyndon Johnson to the National Advisory Commission on Civil Disorders, also known as the Kerner Commission. The commission’s report, which came out in 1968, examined the conditions of poverty and race in America. Sen. Harris will soon release a book on the 50th anniversary of the Kerner Commission Report. 

Additionally, NMiF host Gene Grant and the Line opinion panelists take on a few of the top stories in the news this week, including the consequences of sexual harassment allegations on those involved in N.M. politics, and recent ruling on ranked-choice voting in Santa Fe. The Line will also debate whether or not elected officials convicted of felony should retain their pensions.

NMiF regularly airs Fridays at 7 p.m. and repeats Sundays at 7 a.m. on Channel 5.1, and Saturdays at 5 p.m. and Sundays at 3 p.m. on Channel 9.1, except during pledge drives. 

During this pledge drive NMiF will only air Friday, Dec. 1 at 7 p.m. and Sunday, Dec. 10 at 3 p.m.

Host
Gene Grant

Correspondent
Russell Contreras         

Studio Guests
Fred Harris, former U.S. Senator

Line Panelists
Tom Garrity, The Garrity Group PR
Julie Ann Grimm, editor, Santa Fe Reporter     
Andy Lyman, reporter for N.M. Political Report
Laura Sanchez-Rivét, attorney at Cuddy and McCarthy, LLP

New Mexico in Focus is New Mexico PBS’ prime-time news magazine show covering the events, issues, and people that are shaping life in New Mexico and the Southwest. Hosted by Gene Grant, New Mexico in Focus takes a multi-layered look at social, political, economic, health, education and arts 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 Sarah Gustavus with Kathy Wimmer, associate producer. NM PBS Public Affairs executive producer is Kevin McDonald.

Funding for New Mexico in Focus is provided in part by the McCune Charitable Foundation.

Involved, informed, in-depth media: watch New Mexico in Focus again online shortly thereafter.

Get updates, watch and follow New Mexico PBS on FacebookTwitterYouTube & more.