Uploaded June 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
This week on New Mexico in Focus, we celebrate Juneteenth with a conversation about Albuquerque's now-permanent African American Advisory Board. Former longtime host Gene Grant returns to the show to interview Albuquerque City Councilor Nichole Rogers, who sponsored legislation to create the board, and board member Patrick Barrett.
In May 2025, the state's Water Quality Control Commission adopted a rule that only allows treated wastewater to be used on oil and gas fields and in limited pilot projects. But a trade association called the "Water, Access, Treatment and Reuse Alliance" (WATR Alliance) wants the state to let oil and gas companies use the wastewater for construction, industrial and even agricultural purposes. Capital and Main journalist and In Focus correspondent Jerry Redfern sat down with Matthias Sayer, an attorney and WATR Alliance vice president, to talk about wastewater and whether the science is sound on its safe uses. Later, Jerry asks Sayer why his organization is pushing with such urgency to expand the use of treated wastewater.
For decades, New Mexico Pride titleholders have served as ambassadors, advocates and performers for the LGBTQ community. In Focus Reporter Cailley Chella brings a look at the last 30 years of the New Mexico Pride Pageant system — from the battles of the early 2000s to a new generation of youth leaders finding their voices.
Host:
Nash Jones
Segments:
Albuquerque’s Now-Permanent African American Advisory Board
Correspondent:
Gene Grant
Guests:
Nichole Rogers, Albuquerque City Councilor, District 6
Patrick Barrett, Board Member
WATR Alliance Argues Oil Wastewater Could Be Used Safely
Correspondent:
Jerry Redfern
Guest:
Matthias Sayer, Attorney, WATR Alliance
Why the WATR Alliance Wants Wastewater Use Expanded Now
Correspondent:
Jerry Redfern
Guest:
Matthias Sayer, Attorney, WATR Alliance
Three Decades of Pageantry at Albuquerque Pride
Correspondent:
Cailley Chella
Guests:
Raymond Sierra-Lopez, President, Albuquerque Pride Inc.
Jason Daboi Johnson, MsTer New Mexico Pride 2004-2005
Cain Rico Steel Stratton, Mr. New Mexico Pride 2006
Teddy Michael, Mr. New Mexico Pride 2026
0:00 Intro
02:36 Albuquerque’s Now-Permanent African American Advisory Board
19:41 WATR Alliance Argues Oil Wastewater Could Be Used Safely
32:27 Why the WATR Alliance Wants Wastewater Use Expanded Now
49:35 Three Decades of Pageantry at Albuquerque Pride
--
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This week on New Mexico in Focus, we celebrate Juneteenth with a conversation about Albuquerque's now-permanent African American Advisory Board. Former longtime host Gene Grant returns to the show to interview Albuquerque City Councilor Nichole Rogers, who sponsored legislation to create the board, and board member Patrick Barrett.
In May 2025, the state's Water Quality Control Commission adopted a rule that only allows treated wastewater to be used on oil and gas fields and in limited pilot projects. But a trade association called the "Water, Access, Treatment and Reuse Alliance" (WATR Alliance) wants the state to let oil and gas companies use the wastewater for construction, industrial and even agricultural purposes. Capital and Main journalist and In Focus correspondent Jerry Redfern sat down with Matthias Sayer, an attorney and WATR Alliance vice president, to talk about wastewater and whether the science is sound on its safe uses. Later, Jerry asks Sayer why his organization is pushing with such urgency to expand the use of treated wastewater.
For decades, New Mexico Pride titleholders have served as ambassadors, advocates and performers for the LGBTQ community. In Focus Reporter Cailley Chella brings a look at the last 30 years of the New Mexico Pride Pageant system — from the battles of the early 2000s to a new generation of youth leaders finding their voices.
Host:
Nash Jones
Segments:
Albuquerque’s Now-Permanent African American Advisory Board
Correspondent:
Gene Grant
Guests:
Nichole Rogers, Albuquerque City Councilor, District 6
Patrick Barrett, Board Member
WATR Alliance Argues Oil Wastewater Could Be Used Safely
Correspondent:
Jerry Redfern
Guest:
Matthias Sayer, Attorney, WATR Alliance
Why the WATR Alliance Wants Wastewater Use Expanded Now
Correspondent:
Jerry Redfern
Guest:
Matthias Sayer, Attorney, WATR Alliance
Three Decades of Pageantry at Albuquerque Pride
Correspondent:
Cailley Chella
Guests:
Raymond Sierra-Lopez, President, Albuquerque Pride Inc.
Jason Daboi Johnson, MsTer New Mexico Pride 2004-2005
Cain Rico Steel Stratton, Mr. New Mexico Pride 2006
Teddy Michael, Mr. New Mexico Pride 2026
0:00 Intro
02:36 Albuquerque’s Now-Permanent African American Advisory Board
19:41 WATR Alliance Argues Oil Wastewater Could Be Used Safely
32:27 Why the WATR Alliance Wants Wastewater Use Expanded Now
49:35 Three Decades of Pageantry at Albuquerque Pride
--
This program is made possible by viewers like you. Support NMPBS: bit.ly/donatetonmpbs
Subscribe to the NMPBS channel for more clips: youtube.com/@NMPBS
Enjoy full episodes of your favorite NMPBS shows anytime, anywhere with the free PBS App. Learn how: newmexicopbs.org/what-we-do/how-to-watch-us
FOLLOW NMPBS
Instagram: instagram.com/nmpbs
Facebook: facebook.com/NewMexicoPBS
Linkedin: linkedin.com/company/knme-tv-new-mexico-pbs
Website: nmpbs.org
FOLLOW NEW MEXICO IN FOCUS
Instagram: instagram.com/nm_in_focus
