Turmoil at State African American Affairs Office
This week on New Mexico in Focus, Santa Fe New Mexican reporter Lily Alexander helps us understand her reporting on longstanding turnover and allegations of workplace hostility at the state Office of African American Affairs — including under the leadership of Executive Director Gene Grant, the former host of NMiF. Alexander interviews two former staffers from the office about their experiences — and their hopes for a turnaround. Then, she joins Host Nash Jones to talk about the full scope of her reporting, including the shaky origins at OAAA in the late 1990s.
Capital & Main journalist and NMiF Correspondent Jerry Redfern stops by to walk us through his recent story about airborne radioactive plumes in Loving, N.M. — and recent scientific research showing strong ties to the oil and gas industry. Redfern also opens the curtain for Executive Producer Jeff Proctor on two long-awaited pieces of equipment the state Environment Department needs to more closely monitor tox pollution across New Mexico.
And we bid a fond farewell to NMiF Senior Producer Lou DiVizio, whose five-year run on the show is coming to an end. Lou tells Nash what he’s loved about the job and his time in New Mexico.
Host: Nash Jones
Segment: Former African American Affairs Office Staffers Speak Out
Correspondent: Lily Alexander
Guests: Jacqueline Thomas, Former Staffer, NM Office of African American Affairs
Asha Ortiz, Former Staffer, NM Office of African American Affairs
Segment: Turmoil at NM African American Affairs Office
Correspondent: Nash Jones
Guest: Lily Alexander, State Accountability Reporter, Santa Fe New Mexican
Segment: Study Finds Oil and Gas Ties to Toxic Pollution in the Permian
Correspondent: Jeff Proctor
Guest: Jerry Redfern, Journalist, Capital & Main
Segment: Farewell to NMiF Senior Producer Lou DiVizio
Correspondent: Nash Jones
Guest: Lou DiVizio, Senior Producer, New Mexico in Focus