Chaco Park Withdrawal, APS Enrollment Proposal & Walgreens Settlement

New Mexico in Focus (A Production of NMPBS)

NMiF Senior Producer introduces this week's episode with headlines from around the state including new developments in the deadly 'Rust' shooting case. Plus, republican state Senator Mark Moores of Albuquerque announces he won't run for re-election, and the state's Tax and Revenue Department says it will start distributing tax rebate payments as soon as June 21.

Then, Gene Grant and The Line Opinion Panel take over the show. Gene and our panelistsdiscuss the recent developments in the U.S. Interior Department’s decision to withdraw oil and gas leases from Chaco Park and the surrounding 10-mile area. Plus, the panel reacts to the protest that disrupted Interior Sec. Deb Haaland’s planned visit to the area.

Gene and The Line also talk through a planned policy change at Albuquerque Public Schools that would prevent prospective students with past expulsions or other disciplinary issues from enrolling in the district’s schools. Our panelists debate some of the concerns surrounding the policy, including the possibility that it could push more kids through the cracks and into the criminal justice system.

Finally, the panel takes a look at the state’s $500 million settlement with Walgreens over the pharmacy chain’s role in the opioid epidemic.

Host: Lou DiVizio

Line Host: Gene Grant

The Line Opinion Panel:

Martha Burk, political psychologist, author

Shaun Griswold, editor, Source New Mexico

Merritt Allen, Vox Optima Public Relations

For More Information:

Protest at Chaco Canyon deters event to celebrate new federal oil and gas leasing ban – Source NM

Protest derails planned celebration of 20-year ban on oil drilling near Chaco national park – The Associated Press

House panel investigates ties between Interior secretary, environmentalists – The Associated Press

Albuquerque Public Schools poised to deny enrollment based on past expulsions, behaviors – Albuquerque Journal

Native students are expelled in New Mexico far more than any other group. This school district is ground zero for the disparity. – New Mexico In Depth

APS funding has increased while enrollment continues to fall, evaluation finds – Albuquerque Journal

With Plunging Enrollment, a ‘Seismic Hit’ to Public Schools – The New York Times

The forces underlying the public school enrollment drop - Kappan

New Mexico settles opioid lawsuit with Walgreens for $500 million – Santa Fe New Mexican

Opioid settlement windfall starts trickling into local government coffers – Santa Fe New Mexican

Drug Overdose in New Mexico – New Mexico Department of Health

Relief Routes: With fentanyl deaths on the rise and opioid misuse rampant, does New Mexico have a solid plan to spend settlement cash? – Santa Fe Reporter

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