As the nation celebrates the 100th anniversary of women winning the right to vote, Secretary of State Maggie Toulouse Oliver and Valencia County Clerk Peggy Carabajal are working to ensure New Mexicans will have confidence in the November election. NMiF’s senior producer Matt Grubs talks with them about the national controversy over the role the U.S. mail will play in November’s election. It’s part of the Your NM Government Project, a partnership with KUNM Radio and the Santa Fe Reporter newspaper.
Controversial statues, such as those of confederate leaders or, especially here in New Mexico, of Spanish conquistadors, have sparked protests for years - and especially now. In Albuquerque, the issue came to a head back in June after a protest at La Jornada, a sculpture in Old Town that features conquistador Juan de Oñate, turned violent. The city ended up pulling that statue down temporarily in the hope of avoiding more demonstrations. NMiF correspondent Gwyneth Doland got an update this week on Albuquerque’s new approach and how they are seeking input on what to do with La Jornada going forward.
Gene Grant and The Line opinion panel respond to the interview on voting and give their insights and opinions on the expected avalanche of mail-in ballots for the November elections. They also discuss holding major events, like the State Fair and the burning of Zozobra, virtually. They wrap up their turn at the virtual Line table with a discussion on the benchmarks in the COVID fight here in New Mexico, and what it might mean for reopenings, especially of schools.
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.
In Focus Interviews
Voting by Mail
Correspondent
Matt Grubs
Guests
Peggy Carabajal, Valencia County Clerk
Maggie Toulouse Oliver, New Mexico Secretary of State
La Jornada
Correspondent
Gwyneth Doland
Guest
Alicia Manzano, mayor’s liaison for strategic partnerships, City of Albuquerque
The Line Opinion Panel
Host
Gene Grant
Panelists
Serge Martinez, professor, UNM School of Law
Edmund E. Perea, attorney and public safety analyst
H. Diane Snyder, former state senator
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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