This week on New Mexico in Focus, as the nation’s wildlands burn with increasing intensity, fires are taking a bigger toll on the men and women who battle them. Long considered seasonal workers, many firefighters don’t have full-time benefits and make surprisingly low wages. Environmental producer Laura Paskus speaks with firefighters about their challenges and about possible solutions.
Growing Forward podcast co-hosts Megan Kamerick and Andy Lyman talk to three members of the state’s cannabis regulation advisory board about efforts to provide equitable business opportunities as the state rolls out its new recreational cannabis laws.
The Line opinion panel examines three key developments for policing in Albuquerque and the rest of the state. The group also debates a pay plan for teacher’s assistants and early childhood educators, as well as the latest pandemic news.
New Mexico in Focus airs on NMPBS 5.1 (KNME HD) Friday, Sept. 17 at 7 p.m. and Sunday, Sept. 19 at 7 a.m.
NMiF Segments
Wildland Firefighters
Correspondent
Laura Paskus
Guests
Marcus Cornwell, federal wildland firefighter
Jonathon Golden, former wildland firefighter
Kelly Martin, president, Grassroots Wildland Firefighters
Advising Cannabis Regulators
Correspondents
Megan Kamerick, Growing Forward podcast co-host
Andy Lyman, Growing Forward podcast co-host
Guests
Dr. Steve Jenison, physician & former NM medical marijuana board chairman
Emily Kaltenbach, Drug Policy Alliance
The Line opinion panel
Dede Feldman, former state senator
Dan McKay, political reporter, Albuquerque Journal
Kristelle Siarza, owner & CEO, Siarza Social Digital
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. Get updates, watch and follow New Mexico PBS on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and more.
