Delta Blues, Toxins and Firefighters, Congressional Update

This week on New Mexico in Focus, environmental correspondent Laura Paskus speaks with a former U.S. Air Force firefighter who served at Cannon Air Force Base in the 1990s. Part of the award-winning NMPBS series “Groundwater War,” the interview touches on what the Air Force knew about toxic chemicals used in firefighting foam and what it told its airmen and women about their safety. 
 
Congresswoman Teresa Leger Fernandez returns home during the August recess and sits down with senior producer Matt Grubs to talk about the effort by Democrats and Republicans in the Senate to forge a compromise bill that will spend some $1 trillion on infrastructure projects. The pair also discuss the House response and larger Democratic priorities, the potential for immigration reform, and the Delta variant of COVID-19. 
 
The Line opinion panel discusses the controversy over Rachel Gudgel, who heads a legislative committee for education. Her comments about Native students have spurred calls for her ouster and an emotional plea for action from Wilhelmina Yazzie, one of the women who filed (and won) a groundbreaking suit over education equity in New Mexico. The group also looks at the fallout surrounding former Rep. Sheryl Williams Stapleton’s resignation and at new restrictions and requirements for returning to school and work with the Delta variant of COVID-19 raging.

Host: Gene Grant

The Line Opinion Panel: 
Tom Garrity, The Garrity Group 
Eric Griego, former state senator 
Laura Sanchez, attorney 

Segments: 
Groundwater War | Former Air Force Firefighter on PFAS Exposure 
Correspondent: Laura Paskus 
Guest: Kevin Ferrara, USAF (retired) 
 
Congressional Update | Rep. Teresa Leger Fernandez  
Correspondent: Matt Grubs, NMiF senior producer 
Guest: Rep. Teresa Leger Fernandez, NM-CD3