Senior Producer Lou DiVizio updates you on the headlines impacting New Mexicans right now, including an announcement from the state's Children, Youth and Families Department on changes coming to the agency. 

Then, Gene Grant and the Line Opinion Panel weighs in on a new boom in oil and gas revenues and the delicate process of trying to spend that money. 

Our Land Executive Producer Laura Paskus analyzes this year’s historic fire season with New Mexico State Forester Laura McCarthy. She explains why this year has been so devastating, and how we can use treatments like prescribed burns more safely.

Finally, the Panel debates the proposal to round up nuclear waste from around the country and store it here in New Mexico. 

Host: Lou DiVizio

Line Host: Gene Grant

The Line opinion panel:

Diane Snyder, fmr. New Mexico State Senator

Kristelle Siarza, Siarza Social Digital

Guests:

Laura McCarthy, New Mexico State Forester

For More Information:

CYFD Critical Incident Review

New Mexico’s Oil & Gas Revenues are Breaking Records and Complicating Budgets – The Paper

Oil & Gas Continue to Drive New Mexico Budget – Carlsbad Current-Argus

Reviewing our Prescribed Fire Program – U.S. Forest Service

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Subscribe to Our Land Weekly

Holtec One Step Closer to Nuclear Waste Facility License – Rio Rancho Observer

Environmental Impact Statement – Nuclear Regulatory Commission

Gov. Lujan Grisham Statement on NRC Decision – Governor's Officer

Senior Producer Lou DiVizio digs through the controversy surrounding a new committee at the state’s Children Youth and Families Department. He asks Sec. Barbara Vigil why the first two meetings of the steering committee were been closed to the public, and how she plans to help the department regain community trust. 

Plus, Lou catches up with the watchdog group New Mexico Foundation for Open Government to ask about this particular situation, and the work it's been doing for years to push CYFD to be more transparent. 

Host: Lou DiVizio

Guests:

Barbara Vigil, Secretary, New Mexico Children Youth & Families Department

Melanie Majors, interim executive director, New Mexico Foundation for Open Government

For More Information:

New CYFD Committee Meetings Not Open to the Public – Albuquerque Journal

Law Firm Calls CYFD Out For Lack of Transparency - KRQE

CYFD Eroding Credibility by Hiding Outside Evaluation – Albuquerque Journal

New Mexico Foundation for Open Government

On this episode of New Mexico in Focus the podcast, host Lou DiVizio recaps the headlines impacting New Mexicans at the start of the week. 

Gene Grant conducts a conversation on new drought research showing evidence that drought feeds heat, and vice versa. The panel explores the implications this may have for New Mexico and the southwest as a whole. 

Our Land Executive Producer Laura Paskus talks with a New Mexico sportsman and gun owner about the influence national lobbying groups have on the conversation surrounding gun ownership and gun rights. 

And, Gene and the panel parse through a new ballot initiative that would divert more money from the land grant permanent fund to education. 

Host: Lou DiVizio

The Line Host: Gene Grant

The Line Opinion Panel:

Merritt Allen, Vox Optima Public Relations

Sophie Martin, attorney

Michael Bird, public health consultant

Guest:

Garrett VeneKlasen, New Mexico hunter, gun owner

For More Information:

New Study Shows How Drought Led to Deadly Temperatures in 2021 – NM Political Report

Critics: U.S. Supreme Court Ruling on EPA Huge Blow for Climate – NM Political Report

Gun Owners Must Speak Up – Santa Fe New Mexican

How the NRA’s Creed Defines America’s Gun Debate - WBUR

Push to Tap NM Land Grant Permanent Fund for Education – Source NM

NM School Trust Feels Pressure, Voters Weigh Changes - KOB

Host Lou DiVizio runs down some of the biggest headlines impacting people in New Mexico this week. Then, Gene Grant hosts a discussion about how the recent reversal of Roe V. Wade could impact the race for Governor here in New Mexico. One of the key questions is whether or not the issue will drive turnout for democratic voters. 

This week, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission recommended approval of Holtec International's license to store up to 10,000 drums of nuclear waste here in our state. In a conversation from April, Our Land Executive Producer Laura Paskus talks with State Senator Jeff Steinborn about the proposal and the potential issues it could cause. 

Finally, correspondent Antonia Gonzales gives us a peak inside the newly-redesigned exhibit, Here, Now & Always, open now at the Museum of Indian Arts and Culture in Santa Fe. 

Host: Lou DiVizio

Line Host: Gene Grant

The Line opinion panel:

Merritt Allen, Vox Optima Public Relations

Sophie Martin, attorney

Michael Bird, public health consultant

Guests:

Jeff Steinborn, New Mexico Senator (District 36)

Tony Chavarria, curator of Here, Now and Always, Santa Clara Pueblo

Diane Bird, curator of Here, Now & Always, Santo Domingo Pueblo

For More Information:

Abortion Providers Make Plans to Open Clinics Near NM Border – NM Political Report

NM Gov. Enacts Protections for Abortion Seekers, Providers – SF Reporter

Ronchetti Cuts into Lujan Grisham’s Fundraising Advantage – Albuquerque Journal

TVA Report

‘Too much at stake to gamble’: Barnstable Town Council condemns Holtec plan – Barnstable Patriot

Trial evidence details little supervision over big tax breaks – NJ Spotlight News

Here, Now & Always - Museum of New Mexico Foundation

Here, Now & Always – Museum of Indian Arts and Culture

Host Lou DiVizio runs through the top headlines in New Mexico, including changes coming to the state's Public Regulation Commission. Plus, an update on the deadline DWI crash that killed a mother and two children in Wagon Mound. 

Later in the show, correspondent Gwyneth Doland talks with Ellie Rushforth, reproductive rights counsel for the American Civil Liberties Union in New Mexico. Rushforth explains the legal implications of the Supreme Court's reversal of Roe V. Wade, and how recent executive action by Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham will impact New Mexicans. 

Gene Grant speaks with the group behind an high-tech, mobile exhibit celebrating the contributions of African American homesteaders who came to New Mexico in the late 19th Century. 

Host: Lou DiVizio

Correspondents: 

Gwyneth Doland, Gene Grant

Guests: 

Ellie Rushforth, ACLU NM reproductive rights counsel

Rita Powdrell, director, African American Museum & Cultural Center of NM

Thomas Williams, documentarian

Marilyn Pettes Hill, third generation homesteader

Eric Yakley, technologist – Facing the Rising Sun

For More Information: 

NM Governor Orders Safeguards for Abortion Access – Associated Press

NM Shields Abortion Providers Ahead of Expected Patient Surge – Reuters

A Closer Look at Abortion Rights in NM - KOB

Facing the Rising Sun – New Mexico Magazine

Exhibit Background – City of Albuquerque

On this episode of New Mexico in Focus the podcast, host Lou DiVizio shares new action from Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham on abortion access. The Line Opinion Panel reacts to the recent developments in Otero County where commissioners have voted to certify its primary election results. That’s after a lawsuit from the Secretary of State, and an order from the State Supreme Court. 

In an interview from early June, Jason Casuga, CEO and chief engineer of the Middle Rio Grande Conservancy District, speaks with Our Land Executive Producer Laura Paskus about the impact of monsoon rains will have on the persistent drought in our area.

Plus, the Line Opinion Panelists review a Chaves County lawsuit over a police shooting, as the Attorney General probes another officer-involved incident in the same county.

Host:

Lou DiVizio

Line Host:

Gene Grant

Line Opinion Panelists:

Merritt Allen, Vox Optima Public Relations

Andy Lyman, NM Political Report

Laura Sanchez, attorney

Guests:

Jason M. Casuga, CEO/chief engineer, Middle Rio Grande Conservancy District

For More Information: 

Cowboys For Trump Founder Sentenced to 14 Days - Reuters

Otero County Votes 2-1 to Approve Primary Results – Source NM

Building Anger in Rural New Mexico Erupts in Election Crisis – Associated Press

A.G. to Probe Chaves County Deadly Deputy-Involved Shooting – Associated Press

Suits Alleges Misconduct, Lack of Training by Chaves County Deputies – Albuquerque Journal

Middle Rio Grande Conservancy District

On this episode of New Mexico in Focus the Podcast, host Lou DiVizio explains the impact of the Supreme Court's decision to overturn Roe V. Wade. He also speaks with Secretary of State Maggie Toulouse Oliver about the election certification saga in Otero County, and what it could mean heading into November. The Line Opinion Panel discusses a new poll showing a closer-than-expected race for Governor. And, Paula Garcia, the executive director of the New Mexico Acequia Association explains the struggles her community is facing during consecutive natural disasters. 

Host:

Lou DiVizio

Line Host: 

Gene Grant

Line Panelists:

Merritt Allen, Vox Optima Public Relations

Andy Lyman, NM Political Report

Laura Sanchez, attorney

Guests:

Maggie Toulouse Oliver, New Mexico Secretary of State

Paula Garcia, executive director, NM Acequia Association

For More Information:

Cowboys For Trump Founder Sentenced to 14 Days - Reuters

Otero County Votes 2-1 to Approve Primary Results – Source NM

Building Anger in Rural New Mexico Erupts in Election Crisis – Associated Press

Poll: Gov. Lujan Grisham with Narrow Lead at Start of General Election – NM Political Report

Lujan Grisham Attacks Ronchetti Over Lack of Experience – Santa Fe New Mexican

New Ads Target Governor’s Discretionary Fund – Albuquerque Journal

Hermits Peak & Calf Canyon Fire Burned Area Emergency Response Information

Interactive Flood and Debris Flow Map

NM Acequia Association

The Line Opinion Panel dives into the chaos in Otero County where commissioners have been sued and ordered to certify primary election results. Secretary of State Maggie Toulouse Oliver has also referred those commissioners to the Attorney General for potential criminal and civil violations of the state’s election code.

The panel also assesses a bipartisan plan to address gun violence that largely relies on the expansion of red flag laws, which already exist here in New Mexico. That plan includes necessary funding to enforce those laws but falls short of demands from gun control advocates. The plan is also sparking backlash among gun owners who say red flag laws are a constitutional infringement.

Our Land Executive Producer Laura Paskus talks with Carolyn Donnelly about the ins and outs of managing our New Mexico dams and reservoirs. Donnelly is the water operations supervisor for the Albuquerque Area Office, U.S. Bureau of Reclamation.

Line Host:

Gene Grant

Correspondent:

Laura Paskus, Our Land Executive Producer

Guest:

Carolyn Donnelly, Water Operations Supervisor, Albuquerque Area Office, U.S. Bureau of Recalamation

Line Opinion Panelists:

Tom Garrity, Garrity Group Public Relations

Rebecca Latham, CEO, Girl Scouts of New Mexico

Julie Ann Grimm, editor & publisher, Santa Fe Reporter

For More Information:

Some NM House Incumbents Fail to Secure Nominations - KUNM

Sanchez Defeats Montoya For District 40 Nod – Santa Fe New Mexican

County’s Refusal to Certify Vote Hints at Election Chaos – Associated Press

Bipartisan Senate Group Reached Agreement on Gun Reforms - Yahoo

Tentative Senate Gun Deal Has Surprises, Loose Ends – Santa Fe New Mexican

Senate Gun Deal Likely to Face Pushback from GOP – The Hill

The Line Opinion Panel reacts to President Biden’s weekend visit to our state. The panel discusses the President’s pledge to cover all the costs associated with the Hermit’s Peak/Calf Canyon Fire, and who will be left behind with the current reimbursement strategy.

Our Land Executive Producer Laura Paskus talks with two reporters about their experiences covering the largest wildfire in state history and how you can apply for aid money if you’ve been impacted by the Hermit’s Peak/Calf Canyon Fire.

More than 20 years ago, in 1998, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and partner agencies released Mexican wolves into the wild for the first time since the wolves had been driven to extinction in the United States in the 1970s. Today, a population of wolves lives in the Gila National Forest and across the border in Arizona. The program isn’t without its challenges, and this year, the Black Fire ignited in the Gila National Forest during denning season, where it’s affecting four wolf packs. Maggie Dwire, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Deputy Mexican Wolf Recovery Coordinator, talks with Our Land Executive Producer Laura Paskus about the Mexican Wolf and recovery efforts.

Line Host:

Gene Grant

Line Opinion Panelists:

Tom Garrity, Garrity Group Public Relations

Rebecca Latham, CEO, Girl Scouts of New Mexico

Julie Ann Grimm, editor & publisher, Santa Fe Reporter

Our Land Executive Producer:

Laura Paskus

Guests:

Maggie Dwire, assistant wolf recovery coordinator, Mexican Wolf Program, US Fish & Wildlife Service

Patrick Lohmann, reporter, Source NM

Adria Malcolm, freelance photojournalist

For More Information:

Biden: Whatever it Takes, as Long as it Takes – Santa Fe New Mexican

Biden Ramps up Federal Help for NM Wildfire Fight – Associated Press

Locals Find a Bit of Hope in President’s Promises – Santa Fe New Mexican

Wildfire Victims Living on Land Grants Will Not Qualify For Federal Aid - KUNM

Recovery Area Map

Black Fire Maps & Information

Apply For Assistance- FEMA

Adria Malcolm – Freelance Photojournalist

Patrick Lohmann – Source New Mexico

Our Land Correspondent Laura Paskus explores the harsh realities of shrinking water supplies here in Central New Mexico. Jason Casuga from the Middle Rio Grande Conservancy District explains why we’re just days away from the water available to farmers going dry and what the MRGCD is doing to mitigate the ongoing drought.

The Line Opinion Panel discusses the lingering threat of flooding in parts of the state, in the wake of this summer’s devastating wildfire season. Our Panelists also talk about the opportunity ahead for President Biden as he prepares to visit New Mexico to address wildfire damage.

Plus, host Gene Grant has an in depth conversation with former Albuquerque Journal columnist Joline Gutierrez Krueger, who recently retired. 

Line Host:

Gene Grant

Line Opinion Panelists:

Dede Feldman, former New Mexico State Senator

Dan Foley, former New Mexico state representative

Dave Mulryan, founder, Everybody Votes NM & president, Mulryan-Nash Advertising

Correspondent:

Laura Paskus

Guest:

Jason M. Casuga, CEO/chief engineer, Middle Rio Grande Conservancy District

For More Information:

Middle Rio Grande Conservancy District

VIDEO: Cochiti Canyon Flood, Dixon Apple Orchard - YouTube

2011 Flood Footage – AfterWildfireNM.org