Allen Sanchez and Katha Pollitt discuss abortion, filmmaker Kathryn Ferguson, AmeriCorps VISTA

On the next New Mexico in Focus, we feature local interviews on some of the top issues in the national news. Gwyneth Doland sits down with two guests who have different perspectives on the current debate over abortion. Allen Sanchez from the New Mexico Conference of Catholic Bishops talks about Pope Francis’ recent visit to the U.S. and his messages on social issues like abortion. Doland also sits down with Katha Pollitt, an author who writes about feminism and abortion, to discuss her take on the continued local and national debate over abortion.

This year marks the 50th anniversary of the creation of the AmeriCorps VISTA program. VISTA volunteers serve in organizations across the country, including in New Mexico, in programs that are addressing poverty. NMiF producer Sarah Gustavus sits down with two former members to discuss the history of the program and how service impacts both members and communities.

Author and documentary filmmaker Kathryn Ferguson has spent many years on the U.S-Mexico border. She joins us to reflect on perceptions about immigration and the border.

GUESTS:
Curtis Cannon, New Mexico Commission for Community Volunteerism
Michael J. Garcia, State Program Director, Corporation for National & Community Service
Katha Pollitt, author
Allen Sanchez, New Mexico Conference of Catholic Bishops
Kathryn Ferguson, author and documentary filmmaker

CORRESPONDENTS:
Sarah Gustavus
Gwyneth Doland

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 916 airs October 16, 2015