This Week on New Mexico In Focus

According to a special “kids count” report released by New Mexico Voices for Children, New Mexico’s population was undercounted in the two-thousand census by nearly thirty six thousand individuals, which meant New Mexico received $110 million less in federal funds than it should have.

On this week's program, David Alire Garcia interviews three people who can help us understand why the undercount happened and what steps are being done to make the next count more accurate -- as well as why this issue is so important to federal programs, like Medicaid.

Then Gene Grant and The Line panelists take on Barack Obama’s decision to break from public financing for his presidential campaign, the controversial early release of Elton John Richard, and many other topical topics. Plus, two special short videos: what will you do with your economic stimulus check, and a trip to White Sands under a full moon.

This Week on New Mexico In Focus

Last month was the 60th anniversary of the founding of the State of Israel, and a book called Joshua & Isadora: A True Tale of Loss and Love in the Holocaust was published that same month. We were fortunate to have an interview with author Michael Benanav, whose grandparents are the subjects of his book, and who is also the great-grandson of a leader in the Zionist movement.  We also talked with Rabbi Lynn Gottlieb and Abdul Rauf Campos-Marquetti, two peace activists who created the Muslim-Jewish PeaceWalk in the aftermath of 9/11, and who have individually led peace delegations to the Middle East.  

Last week we looked at "green" building issues and the impact a proposed project would have on the surrounding neighborhood.  It was a sensitive topic, and some opponents took us to task for what they perceived as a bias towards the developers.  Gene Grant attended the subsequent city council meeting that addressed the project, and you can read his entry about it in the New Mexico In Focus blog.  He and The Line panelists also give an update on the issue, and take on the fight for the Latino vote in the Presidential race and other important topics.

You can also watch the entire New Mexico In Focus episode by taking a visit to our blog.

THE MUSICAL ADVENTURES OF JOHN ROBB IN N.M.

-- New KNME Program Available Online, Anytime --

A well-educated NY lawyer; A composer; The Dean of the UNM Fine Arts Dept.; and a man who recorded and transcribed over 3,000 Hispano folk songs, the largest collection of its time, just as they were beginning to be lost. Let’s do some musical time travelling through New Mexico, and listen to some of the songs recorded by the late John Donald Robb during the 1950s & ‘60s. While this program premieres on KNME, on Monday 6/16 at 9:30 p.m., and airs throughout June & July, you can see it right now, or whenever you’d like, at www.knme.org/robb.

MASTERPIECE MYSTERY! New Host Announced / New Series Begins June 22

I know that many of you (like me) have been watching MASTERPIECE THEATRE for years, and/ or are a huge MYSTERY! fan, enjoying some of the best British television has to offer. When the restyled MASTERPIECE was launched in January, focusing on three streams, I thought it was a great idea. MASTERPIECE CLASSIC features signature period dramas, which began with The Complete Jane Austen and was hosted by Gillian Anderson (Bleak House / X-Files). MASTERPIECE MYSTERY! will start this June, presenting the best British mysteries and premiering in October, MASTERPIECE CONTEMPORARY will show dramas set in modern times.

Well, with secrets, celebrity, sexual politics and homicide -- this is going to be one hot summer, welcoming back Inspector Lewis on June 22 , a spin-off to the popular Inspector Morse series. On July 13, Michael Kitchen returns for the final three episodes of the acclaimed World War II series Foyle’s War, and on August 10, Elizabeth George’s incomparable New Scotland Yard team of Inspectors Lynley and Havers are back for the last time in two new episodes of The Inspector Lynley Mysteries.

PLUS, MASTERPIECE has just announced that one of show business’s most eclectic talents, stage and film star Alan Cumming will host the upcoming season of MASTERPIECE MYSTERY! Now at this point you’re probably thinking, “Who?” This actor’s so versatile that you’ve seen him and probably not realized it. His extensive and diverse film appearances include X Men 2; the Spy Kids trilogy; Eyes Wide Shut; GoldenEye (yes, James Bond!); Circle of Friends; and The Anniversary Party (which he also wrote, directed, and produced). Cumming won a Tony Award for his role as the Emcee in the Broadway revival of Cabaret. Born in Scotland, and living in New York, Cumming visited New Mexico last year when he was honored with the Maverick award at the Santa Fe Film Festival, where his films "Suffering Man's Charity" and "Anniversary Party" were screened

The “Men of Mystery” summer begins on MASTERPIECE MYSTERY! -- June 22.

PROGRAM UPDATE for: Sunday 6/15

On Sunday, 6/15, from 3:30 - 5:00 pm, KNME will be airing:

VISIONS OF AUSTRIA (replacing VISIONS OF FRANCE: THE RIVIERA)

Have a nice weekend!

PROGRAMMING UPDATE for 6/7 & 6/8

On Saturday, 6/7 KNME will be airing the following "KNME Favorites":

7:30-9:00pm -- BRAIN FITNESS PROGRAM

9:00-11:00pm -- MY MUSIC 50'S POP PARADE

On Sunday, 6/8 the following change has been made:

8:00-10:00pm -- AMERICAN SOUNDTRACK: DOO WOP'S GREATEST HITS (this will replace the Great Performances "James Taylor: One Man Band")

Have a nice weekend!