New Mexico in Focus continues its multi-part series “New Mexico’s Drought Crisis,” with a conversation about water resources. Bruce Thompson, professor and director of UNM’s Water Resources Program, talks with John D'Antonio, former state engineer and current deputy district engineer for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in Albuquerque. The pair discuss efforts to conserve water use, as well as trends in the transfer of water rights.

The program airs Friday nights at 7 p.m. on channel 5.1 and appears online at NMiF shortly thereafter. The show rebroadcasts Saturday at 5 p.m. on channel 9.1. and again on Sunday at 7 a.m. on channel 5.1.

The panel also looks at the fallout from the now-shelved annual permit program for inspection of oil and gas wells in New Mexico. Under the "E-Vacant" program, requests for electrical inspections at wells in southeastern New Mexico were set aside and well operations, okayed. Now, an Albuquerque Journal report claims 85 percent of the wells failed follow-up inspections.

Also, an examination of the about-face from Whole Foods on their language policy, after two employees claimed - and the grocer disputes - that they were fired for speaking Spanish. And, a look at the recent scrutiny of Mayor Richard Berry's "Rio Grande Vision" project.

Guests
• John D'Antonio, Deputy District engineer, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Albuquerque
• Bruce M. Thomson, director, UNM Water Resources Program

Line Panelists
• Tom Garrity, The Garrity Group
• Christopher Sanchez, The Waite Company
• Laura Sanchez, New Mexico Green Chamber of Commerce
• Steve Terrell, The Santa Fe New Mexican

Correspondent
• Gwyneth Doland

Host/Commentator
• Gene Grant

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New Mexico in Focus is produced by Matt Grubs and Kathy Wimmer. Funding has been provided in part by the McCune Foundation.

Media Contact: Evy Todd (505) 277- 1218, email: etodd@newmexicopbs.org