Toxic Spill in the Animas River, Financial Advice for Students and Parents, Trial of APD Officers

On the next New Mexico in Focus, producer Sarah Gustavus sits down with Sharon Wirth from Audubon New Mexico and Bill Conner from the New Mexico Rural Water Association to talk about how they are monitoring the potential long-term impact of the recent toxic spill in the Animas River. Host Gene Grant and this week’s line opinion panelists share their thoughts on the federal government’s reaction to the spill.

Classes at the University of New Mexico started this week. New students and recent graduates face many challenging decisions as they start to manage their own money. Gwyneth Doland gets financial advice for students and parents from local experts. They also discuss resources available to help students who find themselves in difficult financial situations.

The cases of two APD officers involved in the shooting death of James Boyd last year will go to trial. The line panelists share their reactions to that news. They also discuss the latest on a scandal within the new administration at Albuquerque Public Schools and they react to news that graduation rates in New Mexico are on the rise.

GUESTS:
Judy Ruiz, Kirtland Federal Credit Union
Shana Runck, Nusenda Credit Union
Bill Conner, New Mexico Rural Water Association
Sharon Wirth, Audubon New Mexico

LINE PANELISTS:
Diane Denish, former New Mexico lieutenant governor
Tom Garrity, the Garrity Group PR
Sophie Martin, attorney and editor of DukeCityFix.com
Harry Van Buren, professor at UNM Anderson School of Management

CORRESPONDENTS:
Sarah Gustavus
Gwyneth Doland

HOST:
Gene Grant

The Producer of NEW MEXICO IN FOCUS is Sarah Gustavus. Associate Producer is Kathy Wimmer. Funding for this program was provided in part by the McCune Foundation Communications Fund, Santa Fe Community Foundation.

Episode 908 airs August 21, 2015