This week on New Mexico in Focus, environmental correspondent Laura Paskus speaks with outgoing Sen. Tom Udall about the struggle for action on climate change during his final 18 months in the U.S. Senate. Paskus also takes viewers along for this month’s installment of Our Land, as she examines the effort to build a network of backyard wildlife sanctuaries across New Mexico’s urban landscape. The spaces can create a surprisingly serene refuge for animals and people.

NMiF travels to Santa Fe to look at the work being done by hordes of volunteers at this weekend’s International Folk Art Market. Many of those who work at the event are participating in “voluntourism,” where people make their vacation plans based on a volunteer opportunity. The market counts nearly 1,800 people as volunteers.

Finally, Gene Grant and the Line opinion panelists delve into wealthy financier and alleged sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein’s New Mexico connections, and the broader issue of human trafficking in our state. The group also looks at how to balance the economic benefits of nuclear waste storage and fossil fuel extraction, with protecting New Mexico’s land and citizens. The Line’s final topic is the lawsuit brought by some former employees of Meow Wolf, accusing the creative arts collective of gender discrimination.

New Mexico PBS’ one-hour public affairs show New Mexico in Focus 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.

Studio Guest

  • Sen. Tom Udall, (D) New Mexico

Field Guests

  • Laurel Ladwig, graduate student, UNM Geography and Environmental Studies
  • Judith Phillips, garden designer
  • Stuart Ashman, CEO, International Folk Art Market
  • Sandy Wylie, associate director, International Folk Art Market

Correspondent

  • Laura Paskus

Line Panelists

  • Merritt Allen, Vox Optima LLC
  • Stephanie Maez, ProgressNow New Mexico
  • Kristelle Siarza, Siarza Social Digital
  • Harry Van Buren, UNM Anderson School of Management

Host

  • Gene Grant

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.

NMiF 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 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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