NMiF discusses new Black Advisory Board, weighs in on wastewater use debate

This week, New Mexico in Focus celebrates Juneteenth with a conversation about Albuquerque's now-permanent African American Advisory Board. Former longtime NMIF host Gene Grant returns to the show to interview Albuquerque City Councilor Nichole Rogers, who sponsored legislation to create the board, and board member Patrick Barrett.

In May 2025, the state's Water Quality Control Commission adopted a rule that only allows treated wastewater to be used on oil and gas fields and in limited pilot projects. But a trade association called the "Water, Access, Treatment and Reuse Alliance" (WATR Alliance) wants the state to let oil and gas companies use the wastewater for construction, industrial and even agricultural purposes. Capital and Main journalist and NM In Focus correspondent Jerry Redfern sat down with Matthias Sayer, an attorney and WATR Alliance vice president, to talk about wastewater and whether the science is sound on its safe uses. Later, Jerry asks Sayer why his organization is pushing with such urgency to expand the use of treated wastewater.

For decades, New Mexico Pride titleholders have served as ambassadors, advocates and performers for the LGBTQ community. NM In Focus Reporter Cailley Chella brings a look at the last 30 years of the New Mexico Pride Pageant system - from the battles of the early 2000s, to a new generation of youth leaders finding their voices.

NMiF airs on NMPBS 5.1 (KNME HD) on Friday, June 19, at 7 p.m. and Sunday, June 21 at 7 a.m. and streaming on the PBS video app. Involved, informed, in-depth media: watch New Mexico in Focus again online shortly thereafter.

Host
Nash Jones

NMiF Segments
Albuquerque's Now-Permanent African American Advisory Board
Correspondent
Gene Grant

Guests
Nichole Rogers, Albuquerque City Councilor, District 6
Patrick Barrett, board member

WATR Alliance Argues Oil Wastewater Could Be Used Safely
and
Why the WATR Alliance Wants Wastewater Use Expanded Now
Correspondent
Jerry Redfern

Guest
Matthias Sayer, attorney, WATR Alliance

Three Decades of Pageantry at Albuquerque Pride
Correspondent
Cailley Chella

Guests
Raymond Sierra-Lopez, president, Albuquerque Pride Inc.
Jason Daboi Johnson, MsTer New Mexico Pride 2004-2005
Cain Rico Steel Stratton, Mr. New Mexico Pride 2006
Teddy Michael, Mr. New Mexico Pride 2026

New Mexico in Focus is the New Mexico PBS prime-time news magazine show covering the events, issues, and people shaping life in New Mexico and the Southwest. NMiF takes a multi-layered look at social, political, economic, educational, and art issues, exploring them in depth with a critical eye to provide context beyond the "news of the moment."

NMPBS Executive Producer, Public Affairs is Jeff Proctor. New Mexico in Focus's senior producer for public affairs is Lou DiVizio. Host and producer of New Mexico in Focus is Nash Jones. The producer is Antonio Sanchez, and the multimedia journalist is Cailley Chella.

Funding for New Mexico in Focus is provided by the McCune Charitable Foundation and Viewers Like You. Funding for the Your New Mexico Government Project comes from the Thornburg Foundation and New Mexico Local News Fund. Funding for Our Land: New Mexico's Environmental Past, Present & Future is provided in part by the Neeper Natural History Programming.