COVID-19 in Southern NM, Wildlife Policy, The Line

This week on New Mexico in Focus, correspondent Laura Paskus continues with her series of interviews with journalists around the state as they cover COVID-19 in their communities. Algernon D’Ammassa, a reporter with the Las Cruces Sun-News who lives in Deming, has been covering the pandemic crisis in Southern New Mexico.

Correspondent Antonia Gonzales talks with New Mexico’s Indian Affairs secretary and two tribal leaders about COVID-19 and Native communities. Tribes are working to slow the disease’s spread as state, national and congressional leaders are raising concerns about the devastating impact COVID-19 can have on tribes across the country.

Correspondent Laura Paskus reports on the Trump administration’s plans to open more than 2.3 million acres of wildlife refuges to hunting and fishing. That would include New Mexico’s Bosque del Apache and Bitter Lake National Wildlife refuges.

Gene Grant and The Line opinion panel discuss partisan reactions to Gov. Lujan Grisham’s public health restrictions. The Line also looks at the spread of COVID-19 in jails and prisons, and debates the call for early release of some non-violent prisoners.

Host:
Gene Grant

In Focus Interviews:
COVID-19 in Southern New Mexico
Correspondent: Laura Paskus
Guest: Algernon D’Ammassa, Reporter, Las Cruces Sun-News

Native Response to COVID-19
Correspondent: Antonia Gonzales
Guest: Michael Chavarria (Santa Clara), Chairman, All Pueblo Council of Governors
Guest: Carleton R. Bowekaty, Lt. Governor, Pueblo of Zuni
Guest: Lynn Trujillo (Sandia), Secretary, New Mexico Indian Affairs Department

Opening More Public Land to Hunters
Correspondent: Laura Paskus
Guest: Jesse Deubel, Executive Director, New Mexico Wildlife Federation
Guest: John Horning, Executive Director, WildEarth Guardians

The Line Opinion Panel:
Julie Ann Grimm, Editor, Santa Fe Reporter
Serge Martinez, Professor, UNM School of Law