NMiF checks-in on the New Mexico film industry

This week on New Mexico in Focus, a new report shows that the state's film industry is starting to recover after several years of declines. Host Nash Jones sits down with two industry workers, as well as an arts and culture editor, to discuss how that workforce continues to struggle despite those positive signs.

The state's utility regulators held a public hearing on the proposed merger between private equity firm Blackstone and TXNM, the parent company of PNM. NMIF hears what some protesters and supporters had to say about the idea.

Independent candidate Ken Miyagishima dropped out of the governor's race this month after his campaign failed to meet the required 14,200 signatures to make the general election ballot and a state district judge dismissed his court challenge over the requirement. This week, Miyagishima sat down with Nash to discuss the steep hill that independent candidates have to climb, and why the longtime Democrat is now throwing his support behind Republican candidate Gregg Hull.

Nearly half of New Mexico counties don't have a birthing facility. And as four more maternal centers are set to close this year, a new program from Project ECHO is meant to help those communities with expected parents in-need. Senior Producer Lou DiVizio spoke with Dr. Trevor Quiner, a maternal and fetal medicine specialist and co-director with Project ECHO, about how their program is trying to bridge the state's gaps in access to maternal health care.

NMiF airs on NMPBS 5.1 (KNME HD) on Friday, July 31, at 7 p.m. and Sunday, Aug. 2 at 7 a.m. and streaming on the PBS video app. Involved, informed, in-depth media: watch New Mexico in Focus again online shortly thereafter.

Host
Nash Jones

NMiF Segments
State of New Mexico's Film Industry
Correspondent
Nash Jones

Guests
Samantha Anne Carrillo, senior editor, Viva New Mexico
Tyler Gendron, key grip
Alonso Indacochea, co-founder, Dust Wave

Protesters, Supporters on Blackstone, TXNM Energy Merger
Correspondent
Nash Jones

Miyagishima on Why Independent Candidates Rarely Make the Ballot
Correspondent
Nash Jones

Guest
Ken Miyagishima, former independent candidate for governor

New Program Helps Communities with No Birthing Centers
Correspondent
Lou DiVizio

Guest
Dr. Trevor Quiner, maternal and fetal medicine specialist, Project ECHO program co-director

New Mexico in Focus is the New Mexico PBS prime-time news magazine show covering the events, issues, and people shaping life in New Mexico and the Southwest. NMiF takes a multi-layered look at social, political, economic, educational, and art issues, exploring them in depth with a critical eye to provide context beyond the "news of the moment."

NMPBS Executive Producer, Public Affairs is Jeff Proctor. New Mexico in Focus's senior producer for public affairs is Lou DiVizio. Host and producer of New Mexico in Focus is Nash Jones. The producer is Antonio Sanchez, and the multimedia journalist is Cailley Chella.

Funding for New Mexico in Focus is provided by the McCune Charitable Foundation and Viewers Like You. Funding for the Your New Mexico Government Project comes from the Thornburg Foundation and New Mexico Local News Fund. Funding for Our Land: New Mexico's Environmental Past, Present & Future is provided in part by the Neeper Natural History Programming.