New Mexico in Focus (A Production of NMPBS)

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...

New Mexico voters had their say at the polls this week. Our Line Opinion Panel breaks down all the big winners and losers from Tuesday’s Primary Election. That includes Mark Ronchetti’s win as the Republican Nominee for Governor and Bernalillo County District Attorney Raul Torrez’s victory as Democratic Nominee for Attorney General. The Line Panel also looks ahead to the general election. Panelist...

The Line Opinion Panel discusses the troubling news that both the Hermit’s Peak and Calf Canyon fires began as prescribed burns conducted by the U.S. Forest Service. The Panel also touches on new concerns over the burn scar left by the fire. Experts say it could lead to disastrous flash flooding once monsoon season comes around. The Line Opinion Panel also discusses the economic implications of a...

The Line Opinion Panel offers ideas for action after another deadly school shooting in the United States. The Panel debates suggestions on making schools safer, and what could be done to make it harder for would-be shooters to get ahold of deadly assault weapons. Plus, Producer Lou DiVizio sits down with an education expert to discuss solutions put forward in his latest book, “Preventing School Vi...

Correspondent Antonia Gonzales sits down with the FBI’s top agent in New Mexico and a Navajo criminal investigator to find out if a new Navajo language initiative is working, and to understand some of the other obstacles when it comes to investigating crimes on tribal lands. The Line Opinion Panel dives into the key races in the primary election and dissects the recent barrage of attack ads. Forme...

Sen. Martin Heinrich talks with correspondent Laura Paskus about New Mexico’s wildfire season, what the future might hold, and the need to professionalize the country’s federal wildland firefighting workforce. In the Gila National Forest, the Black Fire ignited on May 13—and has already grown into the state’s third largest wildfire in history. Fire behavior analyst Arthur Gonzales, with the Southw...

The Line Opinion Panel reviews the state’s new draft plan to address the Yazzie Martinez lawsuit. Among other things, that plan sets new goals for graduation rates, along with math and science proficiency. Panelists discuss whether the plan goes far enough to bridge the gaps in education access highlighted in the 2018 lawsuit. New information from a legislative economist shows the state could be i...

Using public data from the U.S. Forest Service, Steve Bassett, Director of Planning and Spatial Analysis with The Nature Conservancy, has been creating perimeter maps each morning, showing the progression of the Hermits Peak-Calf Canyon Fire in northern New Mexico.  “With the skills that I have and the desperation I was feeling, I went out and grabbed that data and did something with it to ge...

The Line Opinion Panel discusses the issue of abortion rights, and how overturning Roe V. Wade could impact New Mexico. Will restrictive laws in other states force more people here for procedures? The Panel will answer that question while considering the impact this debate could have on midterm elections. Virgin Galactic is announcing a delay in its plans to begin commercial space flights. Will th...

New Mexicans know all about gusty spring winds. But what we’re experiencing this year is different. Meteorologist Scott Overpeck, with the National Weather Service in Albuquerque, explains the winds we’ve been experiencing through April and May—and offers a look ahead. In conversation with correspondent Laura Paskus, Overpeck talks about this year’s conditions and explains why these winds are so d...

First up this week, as we talk about at the beginning of the show, this will be another dangerous weekend for wildfires in New Mexico. We want to share some valuable resources with you so we can all stay as safe as possible: KRQE Fire Evacuations: What You Need to Know Sandoval County Fire Alerts Ready, Set, Go System  And, information on assistance , for those who have already suffered losse...

Campaign finance is being thrust into the spotlight in the Democratic race for attorney general. Our Line Opinion Panelists discuss the potential conflicts of interest that could arise from certain donations, while taking history into account. A court decision has allowed oil and gas leasing to resume on public lands. That’s as the Interior Department releases a scathing report on the state of the...

Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham has called for a state of emergency over wildfires burning around New Mexico. The Governor and state forest officials are asking for more resources from the federal government, including more personnel to help handle the early start to fire season. The Line Opinion Panel discusses our current predicament, and explores other ways to deal with this crisis. Corresponde...

Facing the Rising Sun : The Journey of African American Homesteaders in New Mexico, Vision, Belief, and Sovereign Ownership  is a new exhibit at the Albuquerque Museum, on display through July 10, 2022. Host Gene Grant talks to some of the team that put this exhibit together on how the idea came about, the largely unknown history, and the way they used technology to bring these oral histories...

This week on New Mexico in Focus, fire season has started early in our state. In a collaboration with Our Land, Environment Reporter Laura Paskus gives the context we need to understand the impacts of the early start, and how we can navigate this growing threat. New Mexico has already seen several serious fires across the state. These fires have destroyed hundreds of homes, killed two people so fa...

Election season is inching closer and Republican candidates for governor are ratcheting up their campaigns. Our Line Opinion Panelists will debate the political tactics of some of those candidates, and what the most recent round of campaign finance reports tell us about who could come out on top. Correspondent Russell Contreras sits down with an expert on Latinx voting trends to talk about what we...

Our Line Opinion panelists discuss the startling number of wildfires burning in our state. It’s causing growing concern over what that could mean for the rest of the spring and summer. All that, as forecasters continue to offer warnings about ongoing drought across the state. At New Mexico PBS, our main objective is to inform you, our viewers, about the issues that matter around this state. But we...

Bernalillo County is the latest to end its moratorium on non-payment evictions. Our Line Opinion Panelists explain why they think there hasn’t been a rush to kick people out of their homes, and the programs available for people who are struggling to pay rent. The Natural Resources Conservation Service issues spring forecasts for western rivers, including the Rio Grande. Hydrologist Angus Goodbody,...

Our Line Opinion Panelists react to the legislature’s decision to send $500 to all New Mexico taxpayers. Is this an efficient way to ease the burden of rising costs? Plus, what role did the upcoming election play in the decision-making process for lawmakers? New Mexico State University Professor Emeritus Dr. James Peach joins the program to discuss the effectiveness of the $500 payments on the way...

In Albuquerque, the Conservation Carnivale brings the Rio Grande’s bosque ecosystem alive with theatre—and some silliness, too. Ringleader Endion Schichtel knows how hard it is for people to see what’s happening in the world. But that doesn’t mean environmental education shouldn't be fun. New Mexicans already face the impacts of climate change, including uncertain water supplies for irrigation, dr...

Legal sales of recreational cannabis are set to begin April 1 in New Mexico. Our Line Opinion Panelists react to recent concerns from retailers concerned about supply. Plus, why the failure of recent legislation could mean more headaches on water rights and usage. New Mexico has a new water boss under Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham. State Engineer Mike Hamman spoke with correspondent Laura Paskus abo...

Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham is calling legislators to a special session set to begin April 5. In a press release, the Governor says she wants lawmakers to find a way to ease the burden of rising consumer costs. She’s also directing legislators to pass a ‘junior spending bill’ she vetoed weeks prior. Our Line Opinion Panel discusses the potential motivations of the Governor’s call, and what pos...

As drought continues to grip the western United States, some communities are trying to modify the weather—and New Mexico state officials have received two recent applications to attempt cloud seeding. One application was withdrawn last fall after community members opposed it. Now, the Roosevelt Soil and Water Conservation District is hoping a summertime cloud seeding operation might bring rain to...

Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham has signed the largest budget in New Mexico history. Our Line Opinion Panel tells us what’s inside, and what the Governor removed from the legislature’s spending wish list. Plus, how the Governor’s vetoes could impact her relationship with the rest of her party. Concerned citizens around the globe are speaking out against Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, including a Ru...

The District Attorney for New Mexico’s largest county says public defenders are not taking advantage of a criminal diversion program as often as they should. Our Line Opinion Panelists discuss the merits of that accusation, the effectiveness of the program and why some people charged with crimes might not want to participate. Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham is considering a new bill that would cha...