This week on New Mexico in Focus, host Gene Grant sits down with one of the state’s newest members of the U.S. Congress. Deb Haaland (Laguna Pueblo) made history last month by becoming one of the first female Native American candidates to win a spot in the U.S. House of Representatives.

In one of her first in-depth interviews, Haaland talks about what her victory means for Native representation in Washington, D.C. She also lays out her top priorities for the next two years, and her approach to constituent services back here in the First Congressional District.   

Grant and the Line opinion panelists also discuss the latest developments in the handling of rape kits in New Mexico, in light of a new CNN investigation. That report found many instances where rape kits were destroyed prematurely by police departments, including in Farmington, N.M. The Line panelists also look at the hotly-contested race to lead the state Republican Party, and the news that the Archdiocese of Santa Fe plans to file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection.

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 Guest

  • Deb Haaland, Congresswoman-elect, New Mexico’s First Congressional District

Line Panelists

  • Merritt Allen, owner and executive director, Vox Optima LLC
  • Adrian Carver, executive director, Equality New Mexico
  • Dan Foley, former NM House minority whip
  • Sophie Martin, attorney

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.

Hosted by Gene Grant, 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 Sarah Gustavus with associate producer Kathy Wimmer. NM PBS Public Affairs executive producer is Kevin McDonald.

Funding for New Mexico in Focus is provided by the McCune Charitable Foundation, the Neeper Natural History Programming Fund for KNME TV and viewers like you.

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