Mask Mandate Redux, Crime Trends, and Local Weathercasters Tackle Climate Change

This week on New Mexico in Focus, the nearly unrestrained rise in COVID-19 cases among unvaccinated people has led to the return of a mask mandate, as well as new vaccine requirements for some people who work in health care and school settings. The Line opinion panel weighs the impact and the political implications. 
 
The Line also discusses the troubling crime trend in the wake of a child-on-child shooting at an Albuquerque middle school and another fatal gun attack at one of the city’s sports bars. The shootings and other crimes have the governor ordering New Mexico State Police officers back to the Duke City to ease the burden on local police agencies. NMiF also looks back at an interview with local child psychiatrist Dr. Scott Carroll, who has studied children and gun violence. 
 
As a panel of experts issues yet another dire warning about climate change, environmental correspondent Laura Paskus speaks with former New Mexico TV meteorologist Jorge Torres about how local newsrooms can better cover climate issues. Torres, now with ABC-15 TV in Phoenix, talks about the delicate balance required in delivering climate change facts to viewers who are still unconvinced about the reality of the Earth’s warming temperatures. 

Finally, The Line examines the implication of the latest numbers from the U.S. Census Bureau, which show New Mexicans leaving small towns to move to larger cities.

Host: Gene Grant 

The Line opinion panel: 
Dan Foley, former NM House minority whip 
Sophie Martin, attorney 
Jessica Onsurez, news director, Carlsbad Current-Argus 

Segments: 
Local Meteorologists Tackle Climate Change 
Correspondent: Laura Paskus, NMiF environmental producer 
Guest: Jorge Torres, ABC-15 Phoenix 

Gun Violence and Children 
Correspondent: Sarah Gustavus, former NMiF producer 
Guest: Dr. Scott Carroll, MD, child psychiatrist 
Previously aired interview