Journalist Amy Goodman, Poet Ludella Awad, Food Stamp Application Changes

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This week on NEW MEXICO IN FOCUS, producer Sarah Gustavus sits down with Amy Goodman, nationally-renowned journalist and host of DEMOCRACY NOW!, to talk about the 2016 elections and the value of independent media. Goodman was in New Mexico recently to discuss the issues and people profiled in her new book “Democracy Now: Twenty Years Covering the Movements Changing America.”

Sarah also speaks with Ludella Awad, a 16-year-old poet and author from Albuquerque. Awad is Syrian-American and her latest book of poetry is “Sad Piano Music in Syria.” Awad tells NMIF how she got started writing, and how her own reactions to news coverage of the humanitarian crisis in Syria inspired her work for the new book.

Host Gene Grant and the Line opinion panelists discuss some of the top news stories from the past week, including reports that young people in New Mexico have suffered high rates of trauma.

The Line also discusses testimony in federal court from some HSD employees that their supervisors changed food stamp applications to deny people access to emergency benefits.

Guests:
Amy Goodman, independent journalist and host of Democracy Now!
Ludella Awad, poet and author

Line Panelists:
Merritt Allen, Vox Optima
Dan Foley, former New Mexico house minority whip
Sophie Martin, attorney and editor of DukeCityFix.com
Laura Sanchez-Rivét, attorney at Cuddy & McCarthy, LLP

Correspondent:
Sarah Gustavus

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 944 airs May 6, 2016 at 7:00pm on Ch.5.1