NM Water in the U.S. Supreme Court, Oil & Gas Working Conditions & 4 Years of COVID

New Mexico in Focus (A Production of NMPBS)

Lou DiVizio opens the show with some headlines from around the state including news that after two years, a $10M state-supported abortion clinic in Las Cruces is stuck in its planning phase.

This week, U.S. Supreme Court justices heard arguments from attorneys representing New Mexico, Texas and Colorado, as the three states presented a plan that would resolve a decade-old water rights case. Source New Mexico reporter Danielle Prokop joins us from Washington, D.C. to ask how the high court's decision will impact how we share water from the lower Rio Grande for years to come.

A new study from the University of New Mexico reports dangerous working conditions in the oil and gas industry. Correspondent Elizabeth Miller speaks with Dr. Gabriel Sanchez, a study author and executive director at UNM's Center for Social Policy, to ask how the sector's workers might find new jobs in a clean-energy future.

Finally, this week on the show we look back at how the COVID-19 pandemic has shaped the last four years. Executive Producer Jeff Proctor sits down with Santa Fe-based public defender Jennifer Burrill and Michael Bird, former president of the American Public Health Association, to take stock of our state and country's handling of the pandemic — and where we are now. Then, Jeff asks Jennifer about her bout with Long COVID and the physical toll it has taken.

Supreme Court Hears Rio Grande Water Rights Case

Correspondent:

Lou DiVizio
Guest:

Danielle Prokop, reporter, Source New Mexico

UNM Study Finds Dangerous Working Conditions in Oil and Gas Industry

Correspondent:

Elizabeth Miller

Guest:

Dr. Gabriel Sanchez, professor and executive director, UNM Center for Social Policy

Long COVID in NM and the Pandemic’s Lasting Effects

Correspondent:

Jeff Proctor
Guests:

Jennifer Burrill, attorney, New Mexico Law Offices of the Public Defender

Michael Bird, former president, American Public Health Association

How COVID Has Shaped the Last Four Years in NM Correspondent:

Jeff Proctor Guests:

Jennifer Burrill, attorney, New Mexico Law Offices of the Public Defender

Michael Bird, former president, American Public Health Association

For More Information:

Viral Respiratory Infection Dashboard – New Mexico Department of Health

U.S. Supreme Court questions both positions in Rio Grande water case – Source New Mexico

Southeastern New Mexico Oil & Gas Workforce Study – UNM Center for Social Policy

New Mexico ranks high for long COVID-19 symptoms – KRQE