NMiF looks at turmoil at Office of African American Affairs

This week on New Mexico in Focus (NMIF), Santa Fe New Mexican reporter Lily Alexander helps viewers 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.

Finally, New Mexico IN Focus bids a fond farewell to NMiF Senior Producer Lou DiVizio, whose five-year run on the show is coming to an end. DiVizio tells Jones what he's loved about the job and his time in New Mexico.

NMiF airs on NMPBS 5.1 (KNME HD) on Friday, Aug. 7, at 7 p.m. and Sunday, Aug. 9 at 7 a.m. and streaming on the PBS video app. Involved, informed, in-depth media: watch New Mexico in Focus again online shortly thereafter.

NMiF Host
Nash Jones

Segments
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

Turmoil at NM African American Affairs Office
Correspondent
Nash Jones

Guest
Lily Alexander, state accountability reporter, Santa Fe New Mexican

Study Finds Oil and Gas Ties to Toxic Pollution in the Permian
Correspondent
Jeff Proctor

Guest
Jerry Redfern, journalist, Capital & Main

Farewell to NMiF Senior Producer Lou DiVizio
Correspondent
Nash Jones

Guest
Lou DiVizio, senior producer, New Mexico in Focus

New Mexico in Focus is the New Mexico PBS prime-time news magazine show covering the events, issues, and people shaping life in New Mexico and the Southwest. NMiF takes a multi-layered look at social, political, economic, educational, and art issues, exploring them in depth with a critical eye to provide context beyond the "news of the moment."

NMPBS Executive Producer, Public Affairs is Jeff Proctor. New Mexico in Focus's senior producer for public affairs is Lou DiVizio. Host and producer of New Mexico in Focus is Nash Jones. The producer is Antonio Sanchez, and the multimedia journalist is Cailley Chella.

Funding for New Mexico in Focus is provided by the McCune Charitable Foundation and Viewers Like You. Funding for the Your New Mexico Government Project comes from the Thornburg Foundation and New Mexico Local News Fund. Funding for Our Land: New Mexico's Environmental Past, Present & Future is provided in part by the Neeper Natural History Programming.