Albuquerque’s Homeless Encampments, Jail Staffing Crisis & Behind NM’s 2022 Shakespeare Festival
This week on New Mexico in Focus, more context around Albuquerque City Council’s reversal on homeless encampments. Gene Grant talks with District 4 Councilor Brook Bassan about what made her change her mind on the issue. Gene also asks the Line Opinion Panel if they see any realistic solutions to this issue in the near future. Plus, the panel discusses a troubling update on the staffing crisis at Bernalillo County’s Metropolitan Detention Center, and jails across the state. The panel also weighs in on recent actions from the Ronchetti campaign to block a journalist’s access to a rally. We ask the question: who gets to decide who is and isn’t legitimate media?
Gene talks with three key members of the New Mexico Shakespeare Festival about this year’s shows at Veterans Memorial Park in Albuquerque. There are six more shows this season, with the final performance scheduled for September 3.
NMPBS Chief Engineer Jason Quinn explains the damage done to a key piece of infrastructure during the Hermit’s Peak/Calf Canyon Fire. The Our Land crew documents the destruction in the Mora area, and shows how losing such a seemingly small piece of broadcast technology can have a major impact on the community it serves.
Host: Gene Grant
The Line opinion panel:
Merritt Allen, Vox Optima Public Relations
Inez Russell Gomez, editorial page editor, Santa Fe New Mexican
Serge Martinez, professor, UNM School of Law
Segments:
Albuquerque City Councilor Explains Votes on Homeless Camps
Correspondent: Gene Grant
Guest: Brook Bassan, Albuquerque City Councilor, District 4
New Mexico’s 2022 Shakespeare Festival in Albuquerque
Correspondent: Gene Grant
Guests: Peter Kierst, artistic director, New Mexico Shakespeare Festival
Debi Kierst, director, King Lear
Julia Thudium, director, As You Like It
Wildfires Damage Critical Broadcast Infrastructure
Correspondent: Kevin Maestas
Guest: Jason Quinn, NMPBS, chief engineer & manager of broadcast technology