“Best of the Best” Teachers, Albuquerque Streetcar Are Topics of Discussion on This Week’s “New Mexico in Focus”

This week, “New Mexico in Focus” recognizes some of the teachers who are making a difference in New Mexico, and then the panel tackles the issue of the Albuquerque Streetcar project among other topics of interest to New Mexicans this week. KNME-TV’s one hour public affairs show “New Mexico in Focus” takes a multi-layered 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” will air on KNME-TV, Channel 5, on Friday, July 11 at 7 p.m. and repeat on Sunday, July 13 at 6:30 a.m.

Earlier this year, seven New Mexico teachers were honored as the “best of the best” by the Golden Apple Foundation of New Mexico. Co-host David Alire Garcia, managing editor for the New Mexico Independent, will sit down with Celia Merrill, executive director of the Golden Apple Foundation of New Mexico and honorees Christine Castillo, from Manzano High School and Sandy McMurray, of Eldorado High School.

Then guest panelist and columnist Arthur Alpert will join Gene Grant, “New Mexico in Focus” co-host and Albuquerque Journal columnist and regular panelists Jim Scarantino, columnist with the Weekly Alibi, Scott Darnell, Communications Director for the Republican Party of New Mexico, and Margaret Montoya, a professor with the University of New Mexico School of Law and School of Medicine. The panel will debate the Albuquerque Streetcar project, discuss lifestyle changes people are making due to high gas prices, and talk about how New Mexicans can help revamp the New Mexico State Fairgrounds.

The producers of “New Mexico in Focus” are Kevin McDonald and Kathy Wimmer. Closed Captioning of “New Mexico in Focus” has been made possible by a gift from Mrs. Elspeth G. Bobbs.

Media Contact: Evy Todd, (505) 277-1218. E-Mail: etodd@knme.org