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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Roger Montoya has been a stalwart in the Española Valley for decades in his effort to help lead youth on the right path by connecting them with artistic outlets. Recognized as a CNN Hero in 2019, Montoya remains deeply involved in Moving Arts Española, the nonprofit organization he co-founded 18 years ago, as he continues the mission of setting up young people in rural communities for a life of success.

Montoya joined “Around the Roundhouse” on Wednesday afternoon before the premiere of “Moving Arts: Setting Hearts Ablaze,” a documentary by DocuFilms that shows the positive impact Moving Arts Española has on the community.

In the interview, Santa Fe New Mexican reporter Daniel Chacón speaks with Montoya about the new film and the formula that has allowed Moving Arts to make a difference in the lives of thousands of young people who have passed through the program.

Montoya discusses what inspired him to get involved in helping youth through art. He talks about the new community pilot program called PIVOT that is meant to change the trajectory of justice-involved youth. Montoya also reveals early plans for a new space for Moving Arts, which has been on a month-to-month lease in Ohkay Owingeh for the past two years.

Chacón also asks Montoya about his time in the state House of Representatives. Montoya shares his trepidation about entering politics, and what he learned about life in the Legislature during his two years on the job.

To learn more about Moving Arts Española and how to support the organization, visit movingartsespanola.org.

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Michael Garcia has been a vocal critic of Mayor Alan Webber in his time serving as a city councilor and is now seeking to succeed Webber in office and push to achieve his vision for his hometown of Santa Fe.

In the latest episode of “Around the Roundhouse,” Santa Fe New Mexican politics reporter Daniel J. Chacón speaks with Garcia in the second of a series of interviews with Santa Fe’s seven mayoral candidates.

Garcia shares some of his background, including his Santa Fe roots and his work for Americorps VISTA, a federal service program focused on fighting poverty.

Chacón asks Garcia to discuss his campaign priorities and his plans for some of the hot-button issues facing the city, including homelessness and the future of the Soldiers’ Monument. Garcia expresses his aim of coming to community-based solutions with Santa Fe residents to tackle these issues. He also talks about his preference to move away from the city-owned homeless shelter known as Pete's Place in favor of a campus-based location that would offer services to address the needs of the homeless community.

Garcia also shares his opinion of Webber’s time in office, his desire to reduce the powers of the mayor, his take on criticisms coming from the pseudonymous Facebook poster “Jay Baker,” and his thoughts on housing in the city.

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State Rep. Matthew McQueen has served six terms in the Legislature and he now has his sights set on statewide office. The Galisteo Democrat has thrown his hat in the ring for state land commissioner and is one of three candidates looking to replace Stephanie Garcia Richard, who is term-limited and running for lieutenant governor.

McQueen, who announced his candidacy for state land commissioner this week, spoke with Santa Fe New Mexican senior politics reporter Daniel J. Chacón for the latest episode of “Around the Roundhouse” to discuss his decision to run.

McQueen discusses his law background and the experience he has in land issues that he says sets him apart from the other candidates. He also talks about the role of the State Land Office and how he feels Garcia Richard has performed during her time in office.

Chacón asks McQueen about initiatives he would focus on if he were to be elected. He also asks McQueen about his legislation to end pocket vetoes by governors.

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Santa Fe County Commissioner Justin Greene on Wednesday formally announced his candidacy for the mayor of the city of Santa Fe, becoming the seventh person to enter the race to succeed Mayor Alan Webber. Greene joined Santa Fe New Mexican politics reporter Daniel J. Chacón Thursday for the latest episode of “Around the Roundhouse” in the first of a series of interviews with Santa Fe’s mayoral candidates.

Greene, who said he moved to Santa Fe after he finished college 32 years ago, discusses his background in business, architecture and development and how he feels his experiences could help him as mayor. He also shares what he feels his top achievements are 2 ½ years into his time as a county commissioner.

Chacón asks Greene to share his thoughts on Webber’s tenure in office and about what makes him stand out from the rest of the candidates who are running to succeed the two-term mayor who has announced he will not pursue another term.

In his Wednesday news conference announcing his campaign for mayor, Greene mentioned a south-side investment plan. Chacón asks Greene to speak about the plan, which Greene says would involve the creation of a south-side plaza and mercado.

Chacón also asks Greene how he’d go about creating more affordable housing in the city, what his plans would be to address homelessness, and what he feels should be done with the toppled Soldiers’ Monument on the Plaza.

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A progressive Democrat from Santa Fe, Brian Egolf served in the New Mexico state Legislature from 2009 to 2022 and was the House speaker for five years. He chose not to run again at the end of his last term and has been out of politics for the past three years. In the latest episode of “Around the Roundhouse,” Santa Fe New Mexican lead politics reporter Daniel J. Chacón catches up with Egolf to see what he misses and doesn’t miss about life as a legislator. The 48-year-old attorney shares how a road trip to national parks with his daughters helped sway his decision not to run for re-election. Chacón also asks Egolf if he would ever consider running for public office again. Egolf also answers questions about what he’s most proud of from his time in the Legislature, how he would respond to criticism that he pushed New Mexico too far to the left of the political spectrum, what he thinks about how lawmakers addressed public safety issues in the most recent 60-day session, and what has troubled him the most so far about President Donald Trump’s second term. Asked about his thoughts on the governor’s race, Egolf speaks on his 20-year history with former U.S. Interior Secretary Deb Haaland. He’s also asked to share his thoughts on the legacy of current Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham. Egolf closes the interview by discussing which part of the state produces the best red chile and shares a secret about what restaurant serves the best red chile in New Mexico.

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