Conventions and Campaigns, Restaurant Reopenings and a New Normal for Fire Season

Reports of missing mail collection boxes around the country have prompted an Albuquerque-based software designer to help develop an application that uses communities to keep track of where mailboxes are and are not across the United States. NMIF correspondent Megan Kamerick talked to Russ Biggs about how the web app works and how people can help.    In the mountains above Santa Fe, the Medio Fire has been burning since August 17, threatening the Rio Nambe, Rio Capulin, and Rio en Medio watersheds. Firefighters have made headway on the fire, which is burning outside the normal range of New Mexico’s fire season, at the same time they’re grappling with the need to protect themselves and others from the spread of COVID-19. Correspondent Laura Paskus talks with Buck Wickham, operations section chief for the Southwest Area Incident Management Team, and Terrance Gallegos, deputy fire staff officer for the Santa Fe National Forest.    Evictions based on a temporary inability to pay rent are in no one’s best interest. During the COVID-19 pandemic, however, many people find themselves unemployed and unable to pay full rent when it’s due. For some, that can lead to an eviction notice, which can lead to worse housing conditions or homelessness. Correspondent Megan Kamerick talks with a property owner/manager and a tenants’ rights advocate about resolving tenant/landlord issues and preventing evictions.    Gene Grant and The Line opinion panel discuss the Republican and Democratic National Conventions and look at how convention themes influence local campaigns. The Line panelists also look at new public health orders that are sure please restaurant owners across New Mexico.