Forest Service Resuming Prescribed Burns, Citizen Perception Survey on Homelessness & Red Flag Laws

This week on the podcast, host Lou DiVizio runs down the top headlines impacting New Mexicans, including the announcement from the U.S. Forest Service on prescribed burns.  Then, Gene Grant and the Line Opinion Panel talk through the historic ruling that removes Couy Griffin from his position as Otero County Commissioner, and bars him from holding future public office.  Gene and the Panel then weigh in on a new survey that shows 70% of Albuquerque citizens are unhappy with the city’s response to homelessness.  Plus, our panelists react to data from a new investigation that shows New Mexico has used its red flag law just eight times since 2020, a time period where 600 New Mexicans died from gun violence. Host: Lou DiVizio Line Host: Gene Grant The Line Opinion Panel: Michael Bird, public health consultant Tom Garrity, Garrity Group Public Relations Cathryn McGill, founder, director, NM Black Leadership Council For More Information: US restarts burns of forest fuel, paused after runaway blaze – Associated Press NM AG declines to charge deputies in woman’s shooting death – Associated Press Behavioral health system a ‘weak chain’ - Albuquerque Journal US to award $35M in grants to tribes for 988 crisis line – Associated Press Judge removes C4T leader Couy Griffin from Office for Role in Jan.6 Attack Court bars Otero County Commissioner Couy Griffin from holding public office School district, city teaming up over concerns at Wilson Park ABQ residents unhappy with city’s homelessness response, survey shows New Mexico among states with little use of ‘red flag’ gun law NMDOH HB68: Violence Prevention Act Grant Funds Update