New Mexico in Focus continues a series of profiles of Native voters, funded by Vision Maker Media and focusing on issues important to Native Americans and their communities. Over four weeks, NMiFpresents a 5­-part series, Elections 2016: Voting For Future Generations. The topics include: Education (Sept. 30), Economic Development (Oct. 7), Environment ­2 parts (Oct 14), and Justice (Oct. 21). This program is produced by New Mexico PBS for a presentation of Vision Maker Media with major funding provided by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. This week: NMiF looks at Economic Development and the Native Vote. Entrepreneur and educator Henry Jake Foreman shares how he encourages young people to start businesses and become more civically engaged.

Also this week on NMiF, many families in rural New Mexico still do not have high speed internet access at home. NMiF teams up with the Solutions Journalism Network in a report from Farmington on the digital divide in education. Correspondent Megan Kamerick looks at how the public school district, a local college and nonprofits are closing the gap in the digital divide for students by addressing access to technology and the internet.

In our studio Producer Sarah Gustavus sits down with Dr. Christopher Witt, an associate professor who studies hummingbirds. Dr. Witt will discuss what he found on a research trip to Peru and how hummingbirds in our region are faring right now. Next week on NMPBS, the series premiere of “Nature” (Wed. Oct.12 at 7:00 pm on Ch.5.1) highlights the research of Dr. Christopher Witt.

NMiF host Gene Grant and the Line panelists also weigh in on important news topics of the week.

Guests:
Dr. Christopher Witt, UNM Department of Biology

Line Panelists:
Janice Arnold-­Jones, former state representative
Dan Foley, former New Mexico house minority whip
Sophie Martin, attorney and editor of DukeCityFix.com
Laura Sanchez­-Rivét, attorney at Cuddy & McCarthy, LLP

Correspondents:
Sarah Gustavus
Antonia Gonzales, co­producer of the Elections 2016: Voting For Future Generations series and producer/anchor of
National Native News
Megan Kamerick

Host / Commentator:
Gene Grant

This program is produced by KNME­TV/NMPBS for a presentation of Vision Maker Media

Watch the full episode, and previous episodes, here

New Mexico in Focus is New Mexico PBS’ prime­time news magazine show covering the events, issues, and people that are shaping life in New Mexico and the Southwest. Hosted by Gene Grant, New Mexico in Focus takes a multi­layered look at social, political, economic, health, education and arts issues and explores them in­-depth, with a critical eye to give them context beyond the “news of the moment.”

New Mexico in Focus regularly airs Fridays at 7 p.m. and repeats Sundays at 7 a.m. on Channel 5.1, and Saturdays
at 5 p.m. and Sundays at 3 p.m. on Channel 9.1, except during Pledge Drives.

The Producer of New Mexico in Focus is Sarah Gustavus. Associate Producer is Kathy Wimmer. NM PBS Public Affairs Executive Producer is Kevin McDonald.

Funding for New Mexico in Focus is provided in part by the McCune Charitable Foundation. Involved, informed, in-­depth media: watch New Mexico in Focus again online at www.newmexicopbs.org shortly thereafter.

***To Stay Informed, Sign up for the New Mexico in Focus weekly newsletter

Get Updates, Watch, and Follow New Mexico PBS on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube & More!