NMiF talks with ABQ City Council, BernCo leaders about goals

This week on New Mexico in Focus, Host Nash Jones sits down for a conversation with the new leaders of the Albuquerque area's two legislative bodies: Albuquerque City Council President Klarissa Peña and Bernalillo County Commission Chair Adriann Barboa.

Nash asks how the governing bodies might work together on overlapping key issues, including the metro's ongoing housing crisis. Later, both leaders discuss how they are working to address the state's growing homeless population.

Earlier this year, the state House of Representatives unanimously approved a resolution to create a subcommittee to investigate possible crimes committed at Jeffrey Epstein's former Zorro Ranch in Northern New Mexico. Democratic Rep. Andrea Romero chairs this new group, now known as the "Epstein Truth Commission." Romero recently joined Senior Producer Lou DiVizio to better understand the commission's work, and why she believes New Mexicans deserve to know the truth.

In February, Source New Mexico reporter Patrick Lohmann and NMIF reporter Cailley Chella teamed up to look into a story in Northern New Mexico that has sparked outrage. Their reporting found that Jay Mitchell, the director of the Hermits Peak-Calf Canyon FEMA claims office, had received more than $250,000 in federal relief for smoke damage he claimed at his Angel Fire home after the 2022 wildfire. NMIF returns this week to the segment that aired last month, one that came as a shock to the community, where many are still waiting for federal financial relief for their devastating losses.

NMiF airs on NMPBS 5.1 (KNME HD) on Friday, March 6, at 7 p.m. and Sunday, March 8 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
ABQ, BernCo Leaders on Housing and Overlapping Priorities
Correspondent
Nash Jones

Guests
Adriann Barboa, Bernalillo County Commission chair, District 3 - Central Albuquerque
Klarissa Peña, Albuquerque City Council president, District 3 - Southwest Side

NM Epstein Truth Commission Chair on Scope of Investigation
Correspondent
Lou DiVizio

Guest
Rep. Andrea Romero, D-Santa Fe; Epstein Truth Commission chair

Homelessness, Behavioral Health Needs in Albuquerque and Bernalillo County
Correspondent
Nash Jones

Guests
Adriann Barboa, Bernalillo County Commission chair, District 3 - Central Albuquerque
Klarissa Peña, Albuquerque City Council president, District 3 - Southwest Side

Payout to FEMA Claims Director Sparks Outrage in Northern NM
Reporter
Cailley Chella

Correspondent
Patrick Lohmann, Source NM

Guests
Jacqueline Ortiz, fire victim
Mike Salazar, fire victim
Lorenza Ortiz, fire victim
Jay Mitchell, director, Hermits Peak-Calf Canyon FEMA Office
Lisa Mitchell, W\wife of Jay Mitchell
Michael Martinez, Jay Mitchell's neighbor
Yolanda Cruz, community advocate and fire victim
Sara Jo Mathews, owner, Borracho's Craft Booze and Brews
Anita Vigil, fire victim
Andrew Vigil, fire victim
Laura Silva, community advocate and fire victim

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. Producer is Antonio Sanchez. 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.