New Mexico in Focus (A Production of NMPBS)

This was a grim year in the New Mexico Legislature when it came to action on climate change. Lawmakers passed very few measures related to climate change this session, and those that did pass were vetoed by Democratic Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham.

Our Land Senior Producer Laura Paskus spoke with the leaders of three nonprofits about what went wrong and why. They also talked about why climate change still doesn’t rise to the top of the political agenda, even in a blue state like New Mexico, where the public clearly wants politicians to move on climate change.

Guests include: Julia Bernal, Executive Director, Pueblo Action Alliance; Camilla Feibelman, Director, Rio Grande Chapter of the Sierra Club; and Erik Schlenker-Goodrich, Executive Director, Western Environmental Law Center. 

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NMiF Senior Producer Lou DiVizio introduces the show with an update on the hazing scandal at New Mexico State University. Plus, the Navajo Nation Council is calling on Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham to withdraw her nomination for secretary of the state's Indian Affairs Department.

Then, the panel discusses a new report alleging dozens of instances of abuse and neglect by developmental disability caretakers. Gene asks if the state’s system for investigating those claims stands up.

Finally, The Line reacts to a decision from prosecutors in the ‘Rust’ filmset shooting dropping the involuntary manslaughter charge against Alec Baldwin. The charge was dismissed without prejudice meaning prosecutors could refile it. Gene asks the panel if that’s a realistic possibility.   

Host: Lou DiVizio

Line Host: Gene Grant

The Line Opinion Panel: 

Cathryn McGill, founder, director, NM Black Leadership Council 

Sophie Martin, attorney 

Dan Boyd, capitol bureau chief, Albuquerque Journal 

For More Information:

State Leaders Instruct NMSU to "Take Immediate Action" After Lawsuit - Las Cruces Sun News

Student to remain behind bars after allegedly bringing guns to Albuquerque charter school – Albuquerque Journal 

Gun seizures on APS campuses have already surpassed last year’s numbers – Albuquerque Journal 

On Earth Day this year, Our Land Senior Producer Laura Paskus sat down with author and professor Robin Wall Kimmerer (Potawatomi), who was in Albuquerque to deliver the Leopold Writing Program’s annual lecture.

In the conversation you’re about to hear, Dr. Kimmerer talks about many of the themes in her best-selling and beloved book, Braiding Sweetgrass. We spoke outside on a lovely spring morning in the North Valley. That means you might hear an occasional bird … or airplane. And at the very end of the conversation,

Dr. Kimmerer’s books and other books and authors mentioned in the interview:

Gathering Moss: A Natural and Cultural History of Mosses, Robin Wall Kimmerer

Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge, and the Teachings of Plants, Robin Wall Kimmerer

The Last Unicorn: A Search for One of Earth’s Rarest Creatures, William deBuys

Joy Harjo https://www.joyharjo.com/

Want to see more environmental coverage from NMPBS?      

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Subscribe to Our Land Weekly: https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/su/woyxJ21/ourland 

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NMiF Senior Producer Lou DiVizio introduces an interview between Gene Grant and New Mexico filmmaker Larry Sheffield. The two chat about his new documentary profiling J. Robert Oppenheimer. The film pieces together old footage, declassified documents and other research from months and years after the nuclear test at White Sands Missile Range. It premiered Saturday, April 22 at the SALA Los Alamos Event Center.  

Host: Lou DiVizio

Correspondent: Gene Grant

Guest: Larry Sheffield, filmmaker 'Oppenheimer After Trinity'

For More Information:

NMiF Senior Producer Lou DiVizio introduces this week's podcast with several state headlines, including the decision from prosecutors to drop the manslaughter charge against Alec Baldwin without prejudice. That means charges against the actor can still be refiled.

Gene Grant and The Line Opinion Panel assess the first year of recreational cannabis sales in our state. The panelists respond to questions about equity in the cannabis market, tax revenue and industry regulation.

Then, the panel dives into several pressing environmental issues impacting New Mexico. Those include a request to extend the license at the U.S. Department of Energy’s Waste Isolation Plant, a pending decision that would create yet another nuclear waste dump and historic flooding in the Jemez River Valley.  

Finally, Lou speaks with Dr. Larry Leeman from UNM Health Sciences about a new study he'll lead using MDMA to help new mothers break the cycle of opiod dependency. Right now, Dr. Leeman is the medical director at the University's Milagro program, which treats expectant mothers who are addicted. But, Dr. Leeman says methadone and buprenorphine treatments aren’t always successful. That’s why he’s leading a first-of-its-kind study aimed at addressing the underlying mental traumas that feed addiction.

Host: Lou DiVizio

Line Host: Gene Grant

Line Opinion Panelists:

Andy Lyman, staff writer, Santa Fe Reporter 

Shaun Griswold, editor, Source New Mexico 

Dede Feldman, former NM State Senator 

Guest:

For More Information:

Prosecutors Dismiss Alec Baldwin Charge, Citing New Evidence – Associated Press

Source: New Evidence About Gun Led to Dropping of Charges Against Baldwin – Santa Fe New Mexican 

Report: Albuquerque, Eddy County Among Nation’s Worst for Ozone – Santa Fe New Mexican 

Tribes Seel Invitation to Rio Grande Water Commission – Associated Press 

Bernalillo County & UNM Hope to Partner on Inmate Healthcare – Albuquerque Journal 

Taxing the Toke – Santa Fe Reporter 

Cannabis Constant – Santa Fe Reporter 

Familia Verde – Santa Fe Reporter 

Green Equity – Santa Fe Reporter 

Deadline for public comment on WIPP permit closes Wednesday – Source NM 

NM ready to defend new nuclear waste bill against industry and federal opposition – Source NM 

Flood watch: Jemez River reaches levels not seen in 30 years – Albuquerque Journal 

Big flows on New Mexico’s Rio Jemez – John Fleck, water researcher at UNM's Utton Center 

Breaking the Cycle of Drug Dependency – UNM Health Sciences 

Psychedelic Therapies at the Crossroads of Trauma and Substance Use – Candace R. Lewis 

Doctors urge access to psychedelic therapies in New Mexico – The Associated Press 

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For the first time in conference history, the NCAA’s Mountain West saw one of its teams make it to the Final Four and the national championship game. The San Diego State Aztecs are only the second team in the conference since 2016 to make it past the first round of the tournament. The UNM basketball team would have loved to switch places with their in-conference rival, but SDSU’s run could still end up helping the Lobos.

Senior Producer Lou DiVizio spoke with Albuquerque Journal sports writer Geoff Grammer about how the Aztecs’ success will benefit UNM basketball, and the conference as a whole.

Guest:  Geoff Grammer – sportswriter, Albuquerque Journal 

For More Information:

Geoff Grammer - Twitter

Geoff Grammer - Albuquerque Journal

NMiF Senior Producer Lou DiVizio starts the show with statewide headlines, including Sec. Barbara Vigil's departure from the Children Youth and Families Department. In other news, the New Mexico Environment Department is offering free well testing for PFAS contamination. You can request to have your well tested by clicking this link.

Among the bills she didn’t sign was a measure to create a new civil rights division within the Attorney General’s Office. The division would have, among other mandates, served as a check on the state’s troubled Children Youth and Families Department. Gene and the panel discuss Lujan Grisham’s pocket veto and respond to an investigation from Searchlight New Mexico and ProPublica exposing the state’s failures in caring for foster children in need of mental health care.  

Finally, New Mexico in Focus correspondent Russell Contreras catches up with Bernalillo County’s new district attorney, Sam Bregman. The governor appointed Bregman, a longtime criminal defense and civil rights attorney and Democratic Party leader, in January. Bregman explains why he took the job and what his priorities will be as he tries to prosecute and deter crime in Albuquerque.  

Line Host: Gene Grant

Correspondent: Russell Contreras

Guest:

Sam Bregman, District Attorney, Bernalillo County

The Line Opinion Panel: 

Michael Bird, former president of the American Public Health Association 

Tom Garrity, founder & president, The Garrity Group Public Relations 

Giovanna Rossi, president, Collective Action Strategies, LLC 

Governor leaves $500 rebates intact, but slices tax cuts and other changes from massive package – Albuquerque Journal 

With uptick in vetoes, Lujan Grisham blocks legislation on graduation requirements, parole violations – Albuquerque Journal 

Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham signs three crime bills, calls for more public safety legislation in New Mexico – Albuquerque Journal 

Sen. Heinrich rebukes NM Gov vetoes – Santa Fe Reporter 

Governor signs bill cutting court fees for criminal, traffic cases – Santa Fe New Mexican 

New Mexico foster kids in need of mental care often get police instead – Searchlight New Mexico 

Attorney General's bill latest to be pocket vetoed by governor – Santa Fe New Mexican 

Prominent attorney Sam Bregman named as Bernalillo County DA – Albuquerque Journal 

NMiF Senior Producer Lou DiVizio introduces the show this week with a recap Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham's decisions on proposed legislation from the Roundhouse. The Governor made some serious changes to HB 547, what had been a wide-ranging tax passage. After the Governor's line item vetoes, the package was pared down to a $500 per-person tax rebate, an expansion to the state’s child tax credit and film tax credit programs, and a gross receipts tax deduction – specifically for health care practitioners.

Gene Grant and The Line Opinion Panel react to Albuquerque Mayor Tim Keller’s announcement that the city's police force will be smaller than promised. Gene asks our panelists whether we should be focused on the number of officers, or how they’re being used.

Gene and the panel also dissect the Santa Fe District Attorney’s decision to withdraw from the deadly Rust filmset shooting case.

Finally, Executive Producer Jeff Proctor catches up with longtime women's advocate Martha Burk for a chat — on Masters week, no less — about what’s changed and what hasn’t in the two decades since her protest over exclusionary membership policies at Augusta National.

Host: Lou DiVizio

Correspondent: Laura Paskus

Line Host: Gene Grant

Guests:

Jerry Redfern, reporter, Capital & Main

Martha Burk, Longtime Women's Advocate & Author

Line Opinion Panelists:

T.J. Trout, radio host, KKOB  

Laura Sanchez, attorney  

H. Diane Snyder, former NM State Senator  

NM governor signs state budget and money for projects into law – Source NM 

House Bill 2 - Final Version - $9.6B Budget

Capital & Main Reporting Leads to Fines for Oil and Gas Polluters -- Capital & Main 

Despite Rules, New Mexico Oil and Gas Producers Keep Polluting -- Capital & Main 

New Mexico Legislature Fails IPCC Test --  Capital & Main 

AR6 Synthesis Report, Climate Change 2023 -- The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change  

Fewer police officer position, a goodbye to extra COVID funding: Albuquerque mayor presents tightened spending plan – Albuquerque Journal 

The roots of APD's 'Crisis'? - Albuquerque Journal 

MASTERS ’23: 20 years after protests, women still look ahead – Associated Press 

Martha Burk, Hootie Johnson, and Augusta National, 15 Years Later – The Ringer 

The 2003 Masters: Augusta National Protesters (Pro and Con) Have Their Day – The New York Times 

GOLF; Burk Fights the Battle She's Given – The New York Times 

What does Martha think now? – The Augusta Chronicle 

State Rep. Andrea Reeb steps down as 'Rust' special prosecutor – Santa Fe New Mexican 

Ex-Prosecutor in 'Rust' Case Suggested Role 'Might Help' Her Campaign – The New York Times 

Two veteran attorneys to serve as special prosecutors in 'Rust' shooting case – Albuquerque Journal 

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NMiF Senior Producer Lou DiVizio introduces two recent interviews about public transit in Albuquerque, specifically the city bus system.

First, Christopher Ramírez and Althea Atherton with Together for Brothers talk with Laura Paskus about the City of Albuquerque’s Zero Fares Pilot Program and why transit equity doesn’t just benefit those who need to take advantage of free fares on the city’s buses. 

Then, Gene Grant speaks with ABQ Ride Deputy Director Bobby Sisneros and Principal Planner Andrew De Garmo about proposed changes to Albuquerque's transit line, including route adjustments that took effect late last month.

Host: Lou DiVizio

Correspondents: Laura Paskus & Gene Grant

Guests:

Christopher Ramírez, Executive Director, Together for Brothers  

Althea Atherton, Bus Rider Organizer, Together for Brothers 

Andrew De Garmo, principal planner, ABQ Ride

Megan Holcomb, spokesperson, City of Albuquerque

For More Information:

New Mexico in Focus Senior Producer Lou DiVizio runs through some of the major stories from around the state, including a decision from the New Mexico Supreme Court that temporarily blocks a handful of local anti-abortion ordinances.

Then, the Panel discusses the relationship between our state government and the oil and gas industry as the EPA fines two producers for continued violations of the clean air act.

Finally, as a citizens’ commission votes on a proposal to increase pay for Albuquerque’s city councilors and mayor. Gene and the Panel debate the merits of increasing salaries for elected officials at various levels of government. 

Host: Lou DiVizio

Line Host: Gene Grant 

The Line Opinion Panelists: 

Dede Feldman, fmr. NM State Senator 

Merritt Allen, Vox Optima Public Relations 

Andy Lyman, reporter, Santa Fe Reporter 

For More Information:

Lawmakers Water Down Alcohol Proposals Amid Public Health Crisis – New Mexico in Depth 

Independent Journalist Ted Alcorn Explains NM Alcohol Tax Saga – New Mexico in Focus 

Steak dinners and ski passes: As lobbyists spend to influence New Mexico Legislature, 2 lawmakers seek more transparency – Albuquerque Journal 

Professional lobbyist gives an inside look into New Mexico politics – KRQE 

NM legislators fail to pass ethical conduct bill as lobbyists fear unsafe working conditions – Source NM 

Watered-down alcohol proposals – a win for lobbyists? – New Mexico In Depth 

Despite Rules, New Mexico Oil and Gas Producers Keep Polluting – Capital and Main 

Failed climate bills disappoint conservationists – Santa Fe New Mexican 

Can New Mexico hold oil and gas accountable? Some fear State budget lacking – Carlsbad Current Argus 

'Legend' David Abbey to retire after decades as LFC director – Santa Fe New Mexican 

Albuquerque City Councilors Make $33,660 A Year. That Could Soon Change – Albuquerque Journal 

Commission In Charge of Salaries – City of Albuquerque 

Citizens' Independent Salary Commission Meeting Agenda for March 29, 2023 – City of Albuquerque 

Annual Report from Judicial Compensation Commission – New Mexico State Courts