New Mexico in Focus (A Production of NMPBS)

This week on New Mexico in Focus, The Line opinion panel looks at recent outcomes for big ticket taxpayer items. This past weekend saw the long-awaited first successful suborbital flight by Virgin Galactic. Launched from New Mexico’s Spaceport America, the flight brings the promise of space tourism one step closer. It’s a more than $200 million gamble made by then-Gov. Bill Richardson years ago.

Businesses have paid millions into the state’s unemployment insurance fund, which was completely depleted during the pandemic. Now, a legislative report says the state’s Workforce Solutions Department overpaid up to $250 million dollars in unemployment benefits. Even if it’s a much lower number floated by the administration – around $105 million – it’s a stunning amount. The Line debates the problem and the governor’s reaction. 

Host: Gene Grant

The Line Opinion Panel:

This time on New Mexico in Focus, Sen. Ben Ray Lujan joins the program from Washington, D.C. to talk about the federal government’s plans to pay for and expand access to broadband internet service. It’s been a major challenge in New Mexico. Correspondent and Axios reporter Russ Contreras also speaks with the senator about the immigration crisis at the southern border.

In March, the pueblos of Jemez and Laguna sued the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers over a 2020 rule that weakens or eliminates protections for ephemeral or intermittent waterways. The pueblos are represented by the University of New Mexico Clinical Law Program, and according to the complaint, the Trump-era rule “ignores the U.S. Government’s trust responsibilities to Indian tribes and violates the Administrative Procedure Act and intent of the Clean Water Act.” It would also make it harder for pueblos to regulate upstream polluters. Laura Paskus speaks with two key players in the suit.

Segments:

The Line opinion panel tackles two issues: masks and voting in the special election for the 1st Congressional District. With the mask mandate largely lifted, New Mexico businesses and residents are feeling out what seems smart, safe and comfortable as they expand their daily lives into the public sphere. Turnout is low so far in the special congressional election. The group talks about whether voters are fatigued, distrustful, distracted or simply voting later in the race to replace Deb Haaland. We also love to bring you extra content, which you can always find by following us on Facebook! (@nminfocus). First up is more on the special election and the beginning of same-day-voter-registration with Bernalillo County Clerk Linda Stover. And, we also get more of The Line, as they warmed up for this week's show discussing street racing, campaign finances and much more!

Host: Gene Grant

The Line Opinion Panel:

In this episode, Libertarian congressional candidate Chris Manning speaks with producer Matt Grubs. The Libertarian Party selected the military veteran as their candidate in the June 1 special election to replace Deb Haaland.

And, Our Land is back. This is our monthly environmental series with correspondent Laura Paskus. This month, we look back to a 2019 episode about blue-green algae. Blooms of that toxic cyanobacteria are harmful to people and pets. Unfortunately, they’re becoming more of a reality in New Mexico’s lakes and reservoirs, even in northern New Mexico. As the climate continues to warm, it’s more important than ever for water managers and others to work together on the issue.

Segments: 

Our Land: The Return of Blue Green Algae Blooms

The Line opinion panel returns in this week's episode, to look at the implications of the New Mexico Republican Party’s decision to hold its spring convention in Texas. Party leaders say limitations on gatherings in New Mexico forced them to cross the border. The group also talks about the return of the job search requirement for those receiving unemployment support, as well as the potential for an avalanche of evictions as a federal moratorium has been successfully challenged in court. We also throw in a little bonus conversation about the apparent bad break up between one of the state's most high profile events, Balloon Fiesta, and major sponsor Canon.

Line Panelists:

Dan Foley, Former House Minority Whip

Laura Sanchez, Attorney

Martha Burke, Political Psychologist and Author

May 7, 2021 – Early voting has begun in the special election to fill Deb Haaland’s seat in the 1st Congressional District, and the candidates have begun a series of debates on local commercial TV stations. NMiF senior producer Matt Grubs digs into a lengthy interview with Democratic state Rep. Melanie Stansbury. Expanded early voting locations open May 15 and Election Day is June 1.

Correspondent:

Matt Grubs, NMiF Senior Producer

Guest:

Melanie Stansbury, Democratic state representative

Moores for Congress

May 7, 2021 – Early voting has begun in the special election to fill Deb Haaland’s seat in the 1st Congressional District, and the candidates have begun a series of debates on local commercial TV stations. NMiF senior producer Matt Grubs digs into a lengthy interview with Republican state Sen. Mark Moores. Expanded early voting locations open May 15 and Election Day is June 1.

Correspondent:

Matt Grubs, NMiF Senior Producer

Guest:

Mark Moores, Republican state senator

For More Information:

May 7, 2021 – The movement on missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls has broadened to include transgender and other Indigenous relatives. In recent years, with the help of trusted members of Native communities, leaders and even celebrities, focus on cases and calls for justice has stayed before the eyes of the public and policy makers. For advocates and families, the work is never over. The memory and often the pain of a loved one who’s gone missing or murdered keeps them striving to see progress. Correspondent Antonia Gonzales speaks with some Native women’s advocates about statewide initiatives and a recent boost on the federal level. President Biden declared May 6 as a day of awareness for the crisis, and New Mexican Deb Haaland used her power as interior secretary to create a MMIW unit in the Bureau of Indian Affairs.

Correspondent:

Antonia Gonzales

Guest:

Angel Charley, executive director, Coalition to Stop Violence Against Native Women 

Christine Means, MMIW sister and New Mexico task force member

In this episode, we bring you two of our recent Facebook Live events, hosted by the face and voice of New Mexico in Focus, Gene Grant. If you haven't already, be sure to follow us on all our social media platforms:

Facebook

Twitter 

Instagram

YouTube

We try to do at least one Facebook Live event a week, but often it ends up being more than one. We'd love for you to join us and share your thoughts and questions with all our special guests.

First up in this episode is an interview Gene did with Axie Navas, who heads up the state's new Outdoor Recreation Division. They have a lot of great things in the works for this summer, including an opportunity for all New Mexicans to take advantage of the Outdoor Equity Fund.

Also in this episode, Gene talks to Katie Stone, Executive Producer of the Children's Hour which airs weekly on KUNM radio, as well as many other NPR stations across the country. The Children's Hour crew just premiered a brand new radio musical inspired by the COVID-19 pandemic. You can find out more about "Icky The Musical" on their webpage, and you can check it out yourself on the May 16th podcast edition of the show!

In this episode, The Line opinion panel explores the impact of Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham’s new pandemic public health plan. With New Mexico aggressively vaccinating its population, the governor announced this week that the state could reopen businesses with few restrictions by the end of June.

A group of leading civil rights attorneys gathers for a discussion of the impact on New Mexico of the George Floyd murder and subsequent conviction of former police officer Derek Chauvin. Floyd’s death at the hand of Minneapolis Police spurred a New Mexico law that addresses legal protections for police officers.

Host: 

Civil Rights and the Chauvin Verdict