This week, New Mexico in Focus breaks down a report that ranks New Mexico as one of the 10 most expensive states to purchase groceries. Senior Producer Lou DiVizio speaks with James Peach, a retired economics professor with New Mexico State University, about why marketplace prices in New Mexico continue to rise.

Then, Sonya Warwick of Roadrunner Food Bank tells describes the increased need her organization is seeing as food gets more expensive. 

NMIF returns this week to the second part the interview between Executive Producer Jeff Proctor and U.S. Attorney Alexander Uballez. During this discussion, Jeff asks how the federal investigation into alleged corruption at the Albuquerque Police Department could impact the ongoing federally mandated reform effort for APD. Plus, Uballez tells us if we should expect public closure in the high-profile case, regardless of its outcome. 

It's springtime in New Mexico. That means warmer temperatures, winds — and the start of fire season. Our Land Senior Producer Laura Paskus talks with the heads of the New Mexico State Forestry Division about this year’s fire season, climate change and why fire is a vital part of a forest’s structure.

NMiF airs on NMPBS 5.1 (KNME HD) on Friday, March 15 at 7 p.m. and Sunday, March 17 at 7 a.m., and streaming on the PBS video app.   

NMiF Segments
‘We Have to Put Fire Back on the Land'  Correspondent
Laura Paskus 

Guests
Laura McCarthy, New Mexico State Forester  
Lindsey Quam, Deputy New Mexico State Forester   

U.S. Attorney on Importance of Public Closure in High-Profile Cases 
Correspondent
Jeff Proctor 

Guest
Alexander Uballez, U.S. Attorney, District of New Mexico 

Why New Mexico Grocery Prices Continue to Rise 
Correspondent
Lou DiVizio
 
Guest
James Peach, retired economics professor, New Mexico State University 

NM Food Banks See More Demand as Food Prices Soar 
Correspondent
Lou DiVizio 

Guest
Sonya Warwick, director of communications, Roadrunner Food Bank 

How to Live Safely and Sustainably Near Forests 
Correspondent
Laura Paskus 

Guests
Laura McCarthy, New Mexico State Forester  
Lindsey Quam, deputy New Mexico State Forester   

New Mexico in Focus is the New Mexico PBS prime-time news magazine show covering the events, issues, and people 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.

NMPBS Executive Producer, Public Affairs, is Jeff Proctor. New Mexico in Focus's senior producer for public affairs is Lou DiVizio. “Our Land” Senior Producer is Laura Paskus. The producer of New Mexico in Focus is Antonio Sanchez, and co-producer 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.

The Neeper Natural History Programming Fund for KNME-TV provides funding for Our Land: New Mexico’s Environmental Past, Present & Future.