APS Administration Scandal, Antonia Gonzales on Animas River Spill, Heroin Addiction in NM

On the next New Mexico in Focus, Gene Grant and the Line opinion panelists discuss the many sides of a scandal in the administration of Albuquerque Public Schools. We now know that deputy superintendent Jason Martinez, who resigned late last week, is facing felony charges in two cases in Colorado. One count against Martinez involves children under the age of 13. Martinez had not completed a background check and fingerprinting before he started working for the district. APS superintendent Dr. Luis Valentino, who has only been on the job a few months, says he did not know about the charges against Martinez but Karen Rudys, the interim assistant superintendent for HR, says she notified Dr. Valentino multiple times that Martinez had not completed a background check.

We will also learn how the Navajo Nation has responded in recent weeks to the toxic wastewater spill in the Animas River. Antonia Gonzales, anchor and producer of National Native News, joins us in studio to share the insights from her recent reporting on the impact of the spill.

Heroin addiction is a rising concern across the United States, including here in New Mexico. Our newest NMIF correspondent Stan Wilson sits down with two local advocates to talk about how heroin and opiate addiction has impacted their lives and what steps can be taken to provide more intervention and treatment options for New Mexicans who are addicted to heroin or prescription painkillers.

GUESTS:
Antonia Gonzales, National Native News
Demian Rubalcaba – Center for Family and Adolescent Research
Harris Silver, MD – retired from UNMH, drug policy analyst and advocate

LINE PANELISTS:
Dede Feldman, former New Mexico state senator
Dan Foley, former New Mexico House Minority Whip
Rob Nikolewski, Watchdog.org
Laura Sanchez-Rivét, attorney – Sanchez Legal Solutions

CORRESPONDENTS:
Sarah Gustavus
Stan Wilson

HOST:
Gene Grant

The Producer of NEW MEXICO IN FOCUS is Sarah Gustavus. Associate Producer is Kathy Wimmer. Funding for this program was provided in part by the McCune Foundation Communications Fund, Santa Fe Community Foundation.

Episode 909 airs August 28, 2015