Alisha Tafoya Lucero was appointed by Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham to be the secretary of the New Mexico Department of Corrections in 2019 and has served in that role for more than six years. In the latest episode of “Around the Roundhouse,” she joins Santa Fe New Mexican reporter Daniel J. Chacón to speak on her path to becoming Corrections Department secretary and the work she has done during her time in the role.

Tafoya Lucero speaks about her focus on reentry programs to help give inmates the skills and education to enter the workforce after their time in prison. She also discusses the department’s efforts to reduce recidivism and her goals moving forward.

Chacón asks Tafoya Lucero questions about the state’s work to phase out private prisons. They also touch on the topics of restricted housing in corrections facilities, providing health care to the inmate population, and efforts the department can take to reduce its liabilities.

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Ray Sandoval has been involved with Burning of Zozobra since he was 6 years old and took over as event chairman for the Santa Fe spectacle in 2012. He’s been involved in a firestorm ahead of the 2025 burning due to the recent removal of 12 Siberian elm trees for safety concerns, an action that has drawn sharp criticism from some members of the community.

Sandoval joined Santa Fe New Mexican reporter Daniel J. Chacón on Wednesday in the latest episode of “Around the Roundhouse” to discuss the reasoning and process behind the removal. He talks about the timeline of events that led up to the felling of the trees and the safety issues that he says necessitated their removal for the large-scale event, which drew an estimated 65,000 people for the 100th burning last year.

Chacón questions Sandoval about the messaging of the need to remove the trees, and what he may have done differently in communicating to the public. Sandoval says that he’ll live with the criticism because he believes the tree removal will make the event safer.

The discussion turns to Zozobra’s budget and the attendance required to have the event make sense financially. Sandoval mentions that an endowment was started last year to help set the event up for the future.

Sandoval also discusses how much longer he plans to serve as event chair, and gives some hints about what to expect for the August 29 burning.

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Sam LeDoux has worked on the campaigns and political teams of some big names in New Mexico and the nation, including former Gov. Susana Martinez, the late Arizona Sen. John McCain, former Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey and former Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan. LeDoux was elected to serve on the city council of his hometown of Española in March of 2024, and he says he’s seen a lot of dysfunction in his relatively short time in local politics, particularly in the past couple of months.

LeDoux joined “Around the Roundhouse” this week to share his view on the chaos and confusion that’s taken a grip on city government.

John Ramon Vigil, the city’s mayor, has been accused of sexually assaulting a city worker and has been asked to step down or resign by several city councilors, including LeDoux. Former City Manager Eric Lujan left his position at the end of May, after Española city councilors voted 5-3 to approve a settlement that allowed him to resign but continue working in a newly created position of “special projects coordinator.” Vigil’s choice for a replacement city manager was rejected by the city council, and LeDoux says Vigil has not attended several meetings to discuss a path forward.

“Basically, there is no leadership at the city right now. Employees are very confused,” LeDoux said. “Morale is at an all-time low. The city has basically had difficulty functioning because no one knows who is calling the shots.”

Amid the latest round dysfunction in Española, “Around the Roundhouse” host Daniel J. Chacón asks what it will take to turn around the city government.

Chacón then chats with LeDoux about the governor’s race and who he thinks will come out of the Democratic primary.

LeDoux, a moderate Republican, talks about what he thinks of the MAGA movement under President Donald Trump. He is also asked if he has aspirations for higher office.

Chacón closes the episode by asking LeDoux about his proposal — he popped the question during a Washington Nationals game — and upcoming wedding.

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