5/18/12 New Mexico in Focus Audio: Episode 547

This week on NEW MEXICO IN FOCUS, veteran newsman Sam Donaldson sits down to assess the state of political journalism. First setting up camp in Washington, D.C. in 1961, Donaldson spent the next 50 years covering wars and White Houses, under a succession of presidents. The Line opinion panel looks once more at the continuing troubles in Sunland Park. The group also assesses upcoming primary battles. What will the political landscape will mean for same sex marriage legislation in the 2013 legislative session? The American Graduate series continues, as Albuquerque Public Schools’ AVID program is highlighted. The nationwide effort focuses on students in the “academic middle” and puts them on track for college. The program, now in 21 APS schools, has proven effective at engaging students who might otherwise not be invested in their high school education.

—GUESTS:
Sam Donaldson, ABC News Correspondent

—THE LINE Guest Panelists:
Dan Boyd, Political Reporter, Albuquerque Journal
Jamie Estrada, Former U.S. Commerce Department Official

—THE LINE Panelist:
Dan Foley, Former New Mexico House Republican Whip
Sophie Martin, Editor in Chief, New Mexico Law Review

—Correspondent:
Matt Grubs, NEW MEXICO IN FOCUS Producer

—Host/Commentator:
Gene Grant

The Producers of NEW MEXICO IN FOCUS are Matt Grubs and Kathy Wimmer. Funding for this program was provided in part by the McCune Foundation.