This week on New Mexico in Focus, host Gene Grant and the Line Opinion Panel discuss recent advancements in alternative policing as the city of Albuquerque swears in civilians at the Albuquerque Police Department. That comes as the Albuquerque Community Safety Department expands its outreach.
Grant and the Panel also debate the merits of a bill in the state legislature that would protect reproductive and gender-affirming healthcare. The discussion comes as some local municipalities around the state try to limit access to reproductive healthcare in their communities.
Finally, the Panel talks through the growing problem of doctors and healthcare workers leaving our state. The Panelists explore some of the reasons behind the dwindling numbers and tries to find solutions.
Political Correspondent Gwyneth Doland returns to the Roundhouse to talk with legislators about the reproductive rights bill being considered in the house committee. HB 7 would protect access to reproductive and gender-affirming health care across New Mexico by prohibiting public bodies from denying, restricting, or discriminating against an individual’s right to care.
NMiF Correspondent Russell Contreras sits down with Thomas Saenz, the president and general counsel at the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund to update the state’s response to the Yazzie Martinez ruling. MALDEF represents Louise Martinez, a lead plaintiff in the lawsuit and continues to push for educational advancements for the students highlighted in the court ruling.
New Mexico in Focus airs on NMPBS 5.1 (KNME HD) Friday, Feb. 10 at 7 p.m. and Sunday, Feb. 12 at 7 a.m., and streaming on the PBS video app.
NMiF Segments
State Legislature Considers Reproductive Rights Protections
Correspondent
Gwyneth Doland
Guests
State Rep. Linda Serrato, (D) NM District 45 – Santa Fe
State Rep. Jennifer Jones, (R) NM District 32 - Doña Ana, Hidalgo & Luna
Marshall Martinez, executive director, Equality New Mexico
Updating the Response to the Yazzie Martinez Ruling
Correspondent
Russell Contreras
Guest
Thomas Saenz, president & general counsel, Mexican American Legal Defense & Educational Fund
The Line Opinion Panel
Dede Feldman, former NM State Senator
H. Diane Snyder, former NM State Senator
Serge Martinez, professor, UNM School of Law
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."
New Mexico in Focus Senior Producer for Public Affairs is Lou DiVizio. "Our Land" Senior Producer is Laura Paskus. Co-producer of New Mexico in Focus is Kathy Wimmer. 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.
