Senator Tom Udall, “Aspirations in Computing” Program, Ongoing APD Crisis
This week on NEW MEXICO IN FOCUS, Host Gene Grant sits down with Senator Tom Udall in the first of a two-part interview. This week, the focus is on the investigation into the scandal surrounding Veterans Administration hospitals in several states, including New Mexico. Senator Udall talks about getting a handle on the systemic problem at the VA and what he calls a betrayal of people who have served our country.
NMiF Correspondent Furhana Afrid has a conversation with a very impressive group of young women – all high schools students – who are making strides in the field of technology. Twins Paige and Taylor Torres received state and national awards from the National Center for Women and Information Technology “Aspirations in Computing” program. Destyni Baca is a member of her school’s CyberPatriot team which made it to the national semi-finals this year. Taylor Chavez launched the first Teen Start-Up Weekend in Albuquerque, providing a platform for teens to present their entrepreneurial ideas. The four talk about what ignited their passion for technology and what it’s like to be a girl in a field still dominated by boys.
A special Line opinion panel brings together a group of journalists that have been writing about the ongoing crisis in the Albuquerque Police Department. They gather with NMiF Host Gene Grant to discuss the most recent officer-involved shooting last week, a planned protest march in June by demonstrators upset with police violence, the complications and expense of requests for public information from APD, and more.
GUESTS:
Senator Tom Udall, (D) New Mexico
Destyni Baca, Cleveland High School
Taylor Chavez, Bosque School, Teen Startup Weekend Founder
Paige Torres, School of Dreams Academy
Taylor Torres, School of Dreams Academy
LINE GUEST PANELISTS
Russell Contreras, Reporter, Associated Press
Marisa Demarco, Co-Founder, New Mexico Compass
Jeff Proctor, Investigative Producer, KRQE-TV
Dan McKay, Reporter, Albuquerque Journal
CORRESPONDENT:
Furhana Afrid, NMiF Correspondent
HOST/COMMENTATOR:
Gene Grant
The Producer of NEW MEXICO IN FOCUS is Megan Kamerick. Associate Producer is Kathy Wimmer. Funding for this program was provided in part by the McCune Foundation.
Episode 748 for air May 30, 2014