Trump in Rio Rancho, Albuquerque’s Climate Strike, The Line

This week, New Mexico in Focus heads to the rally for President Donald Trump’s reelection campaign. Trump made his first visit to New Mexico since becoming president, bringing an overflow crowd of supporters to Rio Rancho. NMiF speaks to supporters and excerpts the president’s speech, as well as to protesters and Democrats who rallied against the president.

Gene Grant and The Line opinion panel also spend time talking about the president’s effort to flip New Mexico, which has voted for a Republican presidential candidate just once in the past seven elections. The president spent much of his speech trying to woo Hispanic voters, seen as key to his chances in the state and, potentially, as he tries to win other states in 2020.

Ahead of the planned Sept. 20 Global Climate Strike, environmental correspondent Laura Paskus speaks with three students who will walk out of school to raise awareness of human-caused climate change. The conversation is part of the Covering Climate Now Initiative, through which more than 250 media outlets worldwide are concentrating climate change coverage ahead of the United Nations Climate Summit on September 23.

Gene Grant and The Line opinion panel also talk about the city of Albuquerque’s proposal to boost public financing for mayoral and city council races. Two ideas on the ballot in November would boost financing by 75 percent for candidates. One of those proposals would also implement the controversial Democracy Dollars plan. And the opinion panelists also look at the governor’s effort to provide free tuition at all state colleges and universities.

Host: Gene Grant   

Correspondents:
Laura Paskus

Guests:
Eliot Patton, 8th grade, Bosque School
Mariluz Lebkuechner, senior, The Public Academy for Performing Arts
Olivia Gonzales, sophomore, The Public Academy for Performing Arts

Line Panelists:
Dan Foley, former state representative
Sophie Martin, attorney
Janice Arnold-Jones, former state representative
Michael Barrio, executive director, Prosperity Works