This week on New Mexico in Focus, background on two controversial decisions from the highest court in the land. That’s as Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham expands protections for people seeking abortions here in New Mexico. Correspondent Gwyneth Doland speaks with an ACLU attorney about what that means from a legal perspective.

Our Land Executive Producer Laura Paskus talks with the chief engineer of the Rio Grande Conservancy District about ongoing drought, despite monsoon rains. Host Gene Grant explores the stories behind a mobile art exhibit, sharing the history of African American homesteaders who settled in New Mexico in the 19th Century.

Additionally, Senior Producer Lou DiVizio speaks with New Mexico’s Secretary of Early Childhood Education and Care about recent expansions in childcare subsidies. And, an expert lookahead at the second round of tax rebate checks coming from the state.

New Mexico in Focus airs on NMPBS 5.1 (KNME HD) Friday, July 1 at 7 p.m. and Sunday, July 3 at 7 a.m., and streaming on the PBS video app.  

Host
Gene Grant

NMiF Segments
Legal Perspective on Roe V. Wade Reversal & NM Executive Action

Correspondent
Gwyneth Doland

Guest
Ellie Rushforth, ACLU NM reproductive rights counsel

Middle Rio Grande Water Update
Correspondent

Laura Paskus

Guest
Jason Casuga, CEO/chief engineer, Middle Rio Grande Conservancy District

Facing the Rising Sun: The Journey of African American Homesteaders in NM
Correspondent

Gene Grant

Guests
Rita Powdrell, director, African American Museum & Cultural Center of NM
Thomas Williams, documentarian
Marilyn Pettes Hill, third generation homesteader
Eric Yakley, technologist – Facing the Rising Sun

NM Childcare Expansions
Correspondent

Lou DiVizio

Guest
Elizabeth Groginsky, NM Secretary of Early Childhood Education and Care

Tax Rebate Impacts
Correspondent

Gene Grant

Guest
Dr. James Peach, New Mexico State University Economics Professor Emeritus

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." 

Senior Producer of New Mexico in Focus is Lou DiVizio with Kathy Wimmer, co-producer. 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. Funding for the Your New Mexico Government Project comes from the Thornburg Foundation and New Mexico Local News Fund.

Funding for Our Land: New Mexico’s Environmental Past, Present & Future, is provided in part by the Neeper Natural History Programming Fund for KNME-TV. 

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