This week, New Mexico in Focus features an interview with Janet Napolitano, President Barack Obama’s first Homeland Security Secretary. Napolitano argues that, since the terrorist attacks of 9/11, the United States needs to focus its attention and resources on actual threats to the country, instead of what she terms “security theater.” She talked with NMIF Correspondent Megan Kamerick about what those threats are, and what they are not.

In this month’s installment of Our Land, correspondent Laura Paskus travels to a remote part of the Gila National Forest for an in-depth report on the battle over the Gila River. Once again, a proposal for a diversion on the southwestern New Mexico waterway has people who live along the river – and those who have other interests – trying to either save the river or reroute its waters to serve agricultural and business purposes.

Gene Grant and The Line opinion panelists look at the sickening wave of mass shootings in El Paso, Dayton and elsewhere. They debate whether calling out domestic terrorism will force a change in the conversation. The Line also looks at transparency in matters concerning the Department of Public Safety under the state’s former and current administrations. The Line’s final topic concerns the disproportionately high rate of opioids dispensed by one drugstore in Española.

Host:    Gene Grant   

Correspondents:
Megan Kamerick
Laura Paskus

Studio Guest:
Janet Napolitano, former Homeland Security Secretary, author of ”How Safe Are We?”

Field Guests:
Todd Schulke, co-founder, Center for Biological Diversity
Norman Gaume, retired director, New Mexico Interstate Stream Commission
Pete Domenici, Jr., attorney, New Mexico Central Arizona Project Entity

Line Panelists:
Lonna Atkeson, UNM Political Science professor
Eric Griego, former NM state senator
Sophie Martin, attorney
Kristelle Siarza, CEO, Siarza Social Digital

This week on New Mexico in Focus, producer Matt Grubs sits down with Rep. Alonzo Baldonado and Sen. Mimi Stewart to discuss the aftermath of Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham’s recent dismissal of Public Education Secretary Karen Trujillo. Lawmakers from both parties have asked for a deeper explanation for her firing. Both Stewart and Baldonado sit on the Legislative Education Study Committee and give an assessment of the state of education. 

NMiF also airs a portion of KRWG-TV Director of Content Fred Martino’s interview with ousted secretary Karen Trujillo. The two talk about Trujillo’s vision for education reform and the timeline in which she hoped – and now the Lujan Grisham administration hopes – to achieve significant change in New Mexico’s public schools.

Gene Grant and the Line opinion panelists discuss recent standardized test results showing less than a third of New Mexico public school students are proficient in reading and about one-fifth show math proficiency. The group also debates the best way to handle the ongoing migrant crisis at the border and examines a retelling of the history connected to the 50th Española Valley Fiesta.

Host:    Gene Grant   

Correspondents:
Matt Grubs
Fred Martino

Studio Guests:
Rep. Alonzo Baldonado (R), New Mexico House of Representatives
Sen. Mimi Stewart (D), New Mexico Senate

Line Panelists:
Michael Bird, public health consultant
Dan Foley, former state representative
Christine Sierra, UNM political science professor emerita
Harry Van Buren, UNM Anderson School of Management