This week on New Mexico in Focus, correspondent Megan Kamerick sits down with a groundbreaking local figure in the field of public health. Michael Bird is a regular contributor on the New Mexico in Focus Line opinion panel segments, but he is also a former president of the American Public Health Association, the first Native American to ever hold the position. Bird talks about his decades working on issues like health care administration and policy, as well as closing the gap on health disparities for Native Americans.   

NMiF continues to look at all aspects of the current migrant crisis facing our state and country. This includes the mass exodus of people from Central American countries ravaged by civil wars, including El Salvador. Correspondent Russell Contreras looks into that turbulent history and how it is shaping the crisis we see today with Todd Greentree, a National Security Advisor and former political officer at the U.S. Embassy in El Salvador.

This Sunday, the U.S. Women’s National Soccer Team will compete for the World Cup championship and all the glory in France. The team’s success is a source of great pride, but it’s just one example of the way female athletes are competing at the highest levels. Here in New Mexico, that can also include sports you might not think about, like full contact football and roller derby. Correspondent Khalil Ekulona talks with local athletes to find out why they’re drawn to these more violent games, and what the community can do to better support these sports.

New Mexico PBS’ one-hour public affairs show New Mexico in Focus regularly airs Fridays at 7 p.m. and repeats Sundays at 7 a.m. on Channel 5.1, and Saturdays at 5 p.m. and Sundays at 3 p.m. on Channel 9.1, except during pledge drives.

Studio Guests

  • Michael Bird, Past President, American Public Health Association
  • Todd Greentree, National Security Advisor
  • Merlinda Chavez, Co-Founder, Rio Grande Heat Football Team
  • Kimberlee “Kap’n Krush” Haines, Participant, Duke City Roller Derby
  • Danni Nava, Team Assistant, Rio Grande Heat Football Team

Correspondents

  • Russell Contreras
  • Khalil Ekulona
  • Megan Kamerick

Line Panelists

  • No Line Opinion Panel This Week

Host

  • Gene Grant

New Mexico in Focus is 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 arts 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.

Funding for New Mexico in Focus is provided by the McCune Charitable Foundation and viewers like you.

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