This week, New Mexico in Focus features the top medical aide to President Biden and noted infectious diseases expert, Dr. Anthony Fauci. Correspondent Antonia Gonzales talks to Dr. Fauci about how, despite shouldering a disproportionate burden of COVID-19 infections, Native tribes are leading the way in vaccination rates. Dr. Fauci explains what states can learn from tribal nations and talks about the timeline for vaccinating students, many of whom are not eligible for any of the currently approved vaccines.

Sen. Martin Heinrich joins correspondent Laura Paskus to talk about the bill he introduced to create a 21st Century Conservation Corps Act. It’s modeled after the Civilian Conservation Corp of the 1930s and would put people to work on landscape restoration projects, urban and community forestry programs and more.

The Line is all about the Legislature, as lawmaking enters its final weeks in Santa Fe. Momentum appears strong for a measure that would legalize recreational cannabis. The question is: Which measure? Meanwhile, consumer advocates say a plan to rein in short-term lending practices that’s not yet five years old just isn’t working. A new bill to further cap interest rates has passed the Senate, and The Line assesses its prospects. Finally, whatever happened to police reform? The opinion panel looks at the Civil Rights Act and its potential impact on criminal justice.

New Mexico in Focus airs on NMPBS 5.1 (KNME HD) Friday, March 5 at 7 p.m. and Sunday, March 7 at 3 p.m.        

NMIF Segments

Native Vaccination Success
Correspondent
Antonia Gonzales

Guests
Dr. Anthony Fauci, director, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases

A New Jobs Plan and a Familiar Model
Correspondent
Laura Paskus

Guest
Sen. Martin Heinrich

Line Panelists
Tom Garrity, The Garrity Group
Julie Ann Grimm, editor and publisher, Santa Fe Reporter
Edmund Perea, attorney and public safety expert

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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