Federalizing State Crimes, Red River Mass Shooting & New NMPBS Executive Producer Jeff Proctor

This week on New Mexico in Focus, Gene Grant and the Line Opinion Panel discuss gun violence in New Mexico and how local, state and federal officials are trying to address it. First, Gene updates the panelists on federal charges announced for failed Republican candidate Solomon Peña and asks for context on the ongoing trend towards federalizing state crimes. Then, Gene asks the panel how the shooting at Red River’s Memorial Day Motorcycle Rally will impact the future of motorcycle events throughout the state. Plus, the panelists weigh in on the newly resurrected Governor’s Organized Crime Prevention Commission and ponder why the state is bringing back a 50-year-old program. 

Gene also sits down with Red River Mayor Linda Calhoun to talk about last month’s shooting at the town’s Memorial Day Motorcycle Rally and what the future holds for the holiday event. 

NMPBS has a new executive producer for public affairs. Jeff Proctor has been entrenched in New Mexico journalism for decades. This week he sits down with Gene to introduce himself to New Mexico in Focus viewers, while revisiting some of his past work and laying out his vision for NMiF moving forward.  

This spring, the Rio Grande is ripping along, flush with snowmelt and boosted by spring rains. That’s good news for ecosystems along the river that have been gasping for water the past few years. One of those places is Albuquerque’s San Antonio Oxbow, a special place along the west side of the Rio Grande that hasn’t flooded in a few years. Recently, the University of New Mexico’s Wes Noe took the Our Land crew to the bluffs above the Rio Grande, to explain the oxbow’s history and importance. 

Host: Gene Grant 

The Line Opinion Panel: 
Joel Meyers, attorney, former federal prosecutor 
Eric Griego, Democratic former NM state Senator 
Dan McKay, staff writer, Albuquerque Journal 

Segments: 

Flooded with Life: Albuquerque’s Oxbow 
Correspondent: Laura Paskus 
Guest: Wes Noe, University of New Mexico Biology Department 

Red River Mayor Responds to Memorial Day Weekend Mass Shooting 
Correspondent: Gene Grant 
Guest: Linda Calhoun, (R) Mayor of Red River 

Introducing NMPBS Executive Producer Jeff Proctor 
Correspondent: Gene Grant 
Guest: Jeff Proctor, executive producer, NMPBS