New Mexico in Focus
New Mexico In Focus
New Mexico in Focus is NMPBS' s prime time, hour-long news program exploring the issues, people and events shaping New Mexico and the Southwest.
Where to Watch New Mexico in Focus • New Mexico In Focus
49 Episodes
- Episode 1E1
Episode 1Producer Matt Grubs sits down with environmental journalists Laura Paskus and John Fleck to talk water policy. NMIF host Gene Grant sits down with Martha Burk, woman's rights activist to talk about what women should know this election year. Also included are two installments of the "Moments in Time" series this week, including a look at the USS New Mexico and Japanese Internment Camps. - Episode 2E2
Episode 2This week, the show digs deeply into the discovery of a fraudulent audit at the New Mexico Finance Authority. State Auditor Hector Balderas talks about the discovery of the fraudulent report and what's at stake for NM. The Line covers the debate over how to handle Medicaid expansion. The panel also takes a look at the Balloon Fiesta's switch to an out-of-state company to manage food vending. - Episode 3E3
Episode 3This week, the show digs deeply into the discovery of a fraudulent audit at the New Mexico Finance Authority. State Auditor Hector Balderas talks about the discovery of the fraudulent report and what's at stake for NM. The Line covers the debate over how to handle Medicaid expansion. The panel also takes a look at the Balloon Fiesta's switch to an out-of-state company to manage food vending. - Episode 4E4
Episode 4Recent jobs reports show the state suffered more job losses than any other state in the West. How can policymakers turn around the state's economy? Governor Martinez ran into trouble in her efforts to post state employee names and salaries on the state's Sunshine Portal web site. National Weather Service hydrologist Ed Polasko is in the studio to talk about the worst drought in half a century. - Episode 5E5
Episode 5State veterinarian Dr. Dave Fly, and Bernard Treat of the New Mexico Beef Council, will talk about the impact of the drought on livestock. The Line opinion panel examines a new policy by some police departments to use high tech cameras to run criminal checks on massive batches of license plates. - Episode 6E6
Episode 6There's trouble ahead for the NM Finance Authority, as state regulators have arrested the agency's chief operations officer and its ex-comptroller. Gov. Susana Martinez has a prime speaking spot at the Republican National Convention this summer. Plus, Gene Grant sits down with two policymakers to talk about the need for broadband technology in rural NM. - Episode 7E7
Episode 7US Senator Jeff Bingaman checks in during the August recess for Congress. As chair of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, Bingaman has been at the forefront of the battle to write a comprehensive energy policy for the country. And economist Kelly O'Donnell pleads the case for New Mexico to expand its Medicaid program. - Episode 8E8
Episode 8This week on New Mexico in Focus, the conversation continues with United States Senator Jeff Bingaman. Committee has placed him front and center in the debate over the future and the funding of New Mexico's national laboratories. Plus, Bingaman comments on the political climate in Washington, D.C. that has prompted so many of his colleagues to leave "the world's most exclusive club". - Episode 9E9
Episode 9This week, the Republican National Convention in Tampa has taken center stage in the political world. NMiF will check in with Governor Susana Martinez from the convention, gathering her thoughts on its high points and on her prime-time speech Wednesday. The Line will analyze Martinez's performance, and panel regular and RNC delegate Jamie Estrada reports back from the convention hall. - Episode 10E10
Episode 10This week on New Mexico in Focus, it's the Democrats' turn. The Democratic National Convention is in Charlotte and The Line takes a look at some of the more notable developments leading up to President Barack Obama's acceptance speech on Thursday evening. Women's rights activist Martha Burk continues a series for the election season as she speaks to NMiF about the push to expand Medicaid coverage. - Episode 11E11
Episode 11This week on New Mexico in Focus: state politics, economic development and women's issues. The Line opinion panel looks at the latest statewide poll by Research and Polling, Inc. and the Albuquerque Journal. The poll revealed a tighter-than-expected presidential race in New Mexico and showed Democrats holding leads in two key races for Congress. - Episode 14E14
Episode 14Jeff Byrd, Republican candidate for New Mexico's 3rd Congressional District, sits down for a one-on-one conversation about his political priorities and his campaign to represent New Mexico third district in the U.S. Congress. The Line opinion panel takes on the resignation of New Mexico State University's president, Barbara Couture, and the nearly half-million-dollar payout she will receive. - Episode 15E15
Episode 15One-on-one interviews continue with candidates for federal office. Representative Ben Ray Lujan of Nambe will talk about his fight to continue representing New Mexico in the 3rd Congressional District. Representative Steve Pearce talks with Gene Grant about his campaign to keep his seat in the 2nd Congressional District. Also, NMIF talks with Maria Hinojosa, correspondent for PBS's Need to Know. - Episode 16E16
Episode 16This week, New Mexico in Focus continues in-depth comparisons of candidates for federal office. A week after their first televised debate on NMPBS, Michelle Lujan Grisham and Janice Arnold-Jones return to the studio for a pair of one-on-one interviews with NMiF correspondent Sarah Gustavus. And Gene Grant sits down with 2nd Congressional District challenger Evelyn Madrid Erhard. - Episode 17E17
Episode 17This week, New Mexico in Focus continues an in-depth discussion of issues New Mexicans will find on the ballot this fall, as a trio of educators makes their case for the 2012 general obligation bonds. The bonds, funded by property taxes paid by New Mexicans, would mean millions of dollars to the state's public colleges and universities. But tough economic times mean a tough sell for tax levies. - Episode 18E18
Episode 18New Mexico in Focus wraps up the campaign season with a close examination of key races. With just days left before the last ballots are cast and counted, Secretary of State Dianna Duran and Bernalillo County Clerk Maggie Toulouse Oliver are in studio to assess turnout for early and absentee voting. Martha Burk concludes her look at women's issues in the election with a discussion about "wedge" issues. - Episode 19E19
Episode 19This week, New Mexico in Focus recaps some of the most surprising races and overarching themes that developed in New Mexico's elections. The Line opinion panel takes an in-depth look at what factors may have played big roles in some of the upsets. Also producer Matt Grubs sits down with Jay McCleskey, political strategist and key adviser to Governor Martinez. - Episode 20E20
Episode 20This week, New Mexico in Focus looks back at Election Day voting problems and a looks forward to Ken Burns' The Dust Bowl. The Line panel will examine the political fallout from the hours-long lines in Rio Rancho and ask whether election officials should use the case as an example to reform the state's voting system or if it's an isolated incident, confined to Sandoval County. - Episode 21E21
Episode 21New Mexico in Focus takes an in-depth look at what lawmakers face at the Roundhouse in January. NMiF producer Matt Grubs interviews David Holtby, author of The 47th Star, about the stories behind NM's struggles for statehood. The film based on the novel "The Life of Pi" opens in theaters. It's the perfect time to look back on NMiF correspondent Kevin McDonald's interview with author Yann Martel. - Episode 22E22
Episode 22Fred Nathan of the influential think tank Think New Mexico talks about how he shepherded the amendments through the legislature and what PRC qualifications he'll push for in the coming session of the state legislature. The Line returns with opinions on the now-formal investigation of Albuquerque Police by the U. S. Justice Department. - Episode 24E24
Episode 24This week on New Mexico in Focus, The Line opinion panel breaks down leadership changes for both Democrats and Republicans in the state. With a vacancy in the office of the senate president pro tem, Democrats announced this week their caucus will run Senator Pete Campos for the position. But Republicans may once again try to chip away at the Democratic advantage by supporting a coalition candidate. - Episode 25E25
Episode 25The countdown begins as our Line panelists look at the year's top stories. We've gathered an all-journalist Line panel to determine which news stories made the list. Following up on our town hall on opiate addiction, PUBLIC SQUARE'S Megan Kamerick talks to Albuquerque Mayor Richard Berry and advocate Jennifer Weiss of the Heroin Awareness Committee about what solutions are being developed. - Episode 26E26
Episode 26The Line continues its countdown of the top stories of 2012. Our all-journalist Line panel digs behind the headlines to chronicle the news that held our attention this past year. Our American Graduate series continues as we peek into the Working Classroom, a program providing a non-profit, arts-based learning experience. Gil Herrera, of Sandia National Labs, on the 'Clean Room'. - Episode 27E27
Episode 27This week on New Mexico in Focus, an in-depth look at education in New Mexico. The popular TED Talks series has spun a local offshoot, "TEDxABQED". Host Gene Grant speaks with organizers as they detail their day-long event that aims to "expand the definitions and horizons of what it means to be a successful learner in New Mexico." - Episode 28E28
Episode 28Matt Grubs speaks with U.S. Senator Tom Udall (D) about the fiscal cliff's real cost to middle class taxpayers and the battle the senator is leading to reform the filibuster in the Senate. Sarah Gustavus talks to New Mexico Governor Susana Martinez about what's likely to come out of the legislative session and why New Mexico's economy continues to lag behind the rest of the nation. - Episode 29E29
Episode 29This week on New Mexico in Focus, The legislative session has begun. The Line opinion panel will analyze reaction to Governor Susana Martinez's State of the State address. Then, the group digs in to education proposals as it asks where lawmakers can get the most policy bang for their buck. - Episode 30E30
Episode 30Supporters of Spaceport America say they've struck a deal that will protect companies working at the Southern New Mexico facility from frivolous lawsuits. Much of the week's news has been centered on the South Valley shootings that took the lives of 5 family members. NMiF producer Matt Grubs speaks to lawmakers who have filed bills both limiting guns and expanding their availability. - Episode 31E31
Episode 31An in-depth conversation about the future of Spaceport America. The Line gets down and dirty with tax reform. The opinion panel also looks at a recent news report that says seven in ten New Mexico births are paid for by Medicaid. Is the level sustainable? How does it rate relative to other states? And the group measures the need for single-party recording. - Episode 32E32
Episode 32After capping incentives to the film and television production industry, lawmakers may soon be calling for a rewrite. A host of cities across the country, including Santa Fe and Albuquerque, have boosted their minimum wage - should our state follow suit? The Line also looks at what lawmakers are doing to set stronger qualifications for those who serve on the Public Regulation Commission. - Episode 36E36
Episode 36Time is winding down in Santa Fe as lawmakers have a little more than a week to finish work in the 2013 legislative session. High-profile pieces of legislation such as driver's license laws and social promotion bills have fallen by the wayside, but The Line opinion panel looks at a bipartisan effort to reform New Mexico's campaign finance laws in a post-Citizens United era. - Episode 39E39
Episode 39This week on NEW MEXICO IN FOCUS, a special discussion spurred by the FRONTLINE / INDEPENDENT LENS presentation of "Kind Hearted Woman." Opinion Panel Is An All-Journalist Affair This Week - Members of the Roundhouse Press Corps Talk About The Broader Impact Of The 2013 Legislative Session. - Episode 46E46
Episode 46This week on New Mexico in Focus, Attorney General Gary King is in studio to talk about the state's water battle with Texas. With both states mired in historic droughts, every drop of water has the potential to be contentious. THE LINE panel also discusses online sales taxes, driver's licenses for immigrants and potential local connections to the recent IRS scandal. - Episode 49E49
Episode 49This week on New Mexico in Focus, a new film looks at sexual abuse in the military. Hear from the filmmakers and one of the victims profiled in the documentary "Justice denied". THE LINE panelists look at a court decision to uphold Katie's Law, fire danger in New Mexico, and the latest on the investigation into the theft of Governor Martinez's emails. - Episode 50E50
Episode 50This week on NMiF, author William deBuys talks about New Mexico's water woes. Plus, THE LINE panel dives in with analysis of the AG's same sex marriage opinion, new troubles for former Congresswoman Heather Wilson, and the potential loss of special education funding in New Mexico. - Episode 52E52
Episode 52This week on New Mexico in Focus, The Line opinion panel goes over New Mexican implications in the United States Supreme Court's decision to overturn the federal Defense of Marriage Act. Plus, the changing attitudes on water in NM, and THE LINE panelists take a closer look at an audit of state spending on behavioral health providers.