>> FUNDING FOR NEW MEXICO IN FOCUS IS PROVIDED BY VIEWERS  LIKE YOU.

>> Lou: THIS WEEK ON NEW  MEXICO IN FOCUS, CLOUDS ON A SUNDAY DAY.

REPORTER JUSTIN HORWATH TELLS US WHY A POTENTIAL  BILLION-DOLLAR DEAL WITH AN INTERNATIONAL SOLAR COMPANY  COULD GO COLD.

>> Horwath: THIS IS REALLY  WHERE THE RUBBER MEETS THE ROAD.

IT COULD BE A HUGE POLITICAL WIN FOR THEM.

1800 JOBS, IF THEY'RE CREATED,  OR IT COULD KIND OF BE A  FLOP.

>> Lou: AND, SEEING RED AND  BLUE.

WE PARSE THROUGH HOW THE  IMMIGRATION AND ENVIRONMENTAL PLATFORMS FROM  BOTH MAJOR PARTIES WOULD IMPACT OUR STATE.

NEW MEXICO IN FOCUS STARTS NOW.

THANKS FOR JOINING US THIS WEEK.

I'M SENIOR PRODUCER LOU DiVIZIO.

TONIGHT MARKS ONE CENTURY OF ZOZOBRA IN SANTA FE AS TENS  OF THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE GATHER TO WATCH OLD MAN  GLOOM BURN TO THE GROUND FOR THE 100th TIME.

LATER IN TODAY'S SHOW, I SPEAK WITH RAY SANDOVAL,  ZOZOBRA EVENT CHAIR FOR THE KIWANIS CLUB OF SANTA FE  ABOUT WHAT'S SPECIAL DURING THIS YEAR'S MILESTONE  CELEBRATION.

LATER IN TODAY'S SHOW, A  LOOK AHEAD TO ELECTION DAY.

WE'LL HEAR FROM JOURNALIST  WHO IS AT THE REPUBLICAN AND DEMOCRATIC NATIONAL  CONVENTIONS THIS SUMMER, AND A FORMER STATE SENATOR ABOUT  THE TWO MAJOR PARTIES PLATFORMS.

WE'RE GOING TO ZERO IN ON TWO KEY ISSUES, IMMIGRATION,  AND THE ENVIRONMENT.

BUT FIRST, WE TURN OUR  ATTENTION TO A MAJOR MANUFACTURING PROPOSAL JUST  OUTSIDE OF ALBUQUERQUE THAT'S STUCK IN NEUTRAL.

LOCAL AND STATE LEADERS HAVE WORKED FOR YEARS TO TURN A  PARCEL OF LAND IN MESA DEL SOL INTO THE NEW HOME FOR A  MASSIVE SOLAR MANUFACTURING PLANT.

INVESTIGATIVE JOURNALIST JUSTIN HORWATH SPENT WEEKS  UNTANGLING THE STATE'S BUSINESS PLANS WITH MAXEON  SOLAR TECHNOLOGIES.

THAT SINGAPORE-BASED SOLAR  MANUFACTURER PROMISES TO BRING THOUSANDS OF NEW JOBS  TO BERNALILLO COUNTY.

NEW MEXICO POLITICIANS HAVE  TOUTED THE DEAL AS A JOB-CREATOR THAT COULD HELP  BREAK OUR STATE'S ADDICTION TO FOSSIL FUELS.

BUT AS JUSTIN REPORTS, IN A RECENT STORY FROM NEW MEXICO  IN DEPTH, IT'S UP IN THE AIR WHETHER THE PROJECT WILL  BECOME A REALITY.

IN AN INTERVIEW WITH  EXECUTIVE PRODUCER JEFF PROCTOR, JUSTIN DESCRIBES  THE WRESTLING MATCH BETWEEN THE UNITED STATES AND CHINA  OVER THE CONTROL OF THE SOLAR ENERGY SUPPLY CHAIN  THAT'S COMPLICATING THE SITUATION.

>> Jeff: JUSTIN, WELCOME BACK TO NEW MEXICO IN FOCUS.

THANKS FOR BEING HERE.

>> Horwath: THANKS FOR  HAVING ME.

>> Jeff: I WOULD LIKE TO  BEGIN BY TALKING ABOUT THIS IMAGE THAT PEOPLE SEE ON THE  SCREEN RIGHT HERE.

WHAT IS IT AND WHAT DOES IT  REPRESENT?

>> Horwath: THAT'S GOING TO  BE, YOU KNOW, HOPEFULLY FOR A LOT OF PEOPLE, A FACTORY  THAT PRODUCES SOLAR PANELS AND SOLAR CELLS, WHICH ARE  KIND OF THE LITTLE SEMICONDUCTOR COMPONENTS  THAT GO ON THE SOLAR PANELS.

AND THIS IS A PROPOSAL, A  RENDERING BY A COMPANY HEADQUARTERED IN SINGAPORE  CALLED MAXEON SOLAR TECHNOLOGIES.

THEY WANT TO PRODUCE SOLAR PANELS IN ALBUQUERQUE AND  HAVE AN AMERICAN-MADE PRODUCTS, AND AMERICAN-MADE  CELLS AND PANELS TO KIND OF BE APART OF THE RENEWABLE  ENERGY ECONOMY THAT POLITICIANS ARE TRYING TO  ATTRACT HERE.

>> Jeff: GOTCHA.

LET'S PUT IT ON THE MAP FOR FOLKS A LITTLE BIT.

THAT IS IN MESA DEL SOL, RIGHT?

IN SOUTHERN BERNALILLO COUNTY.

>> Horwath: YUP, SOUTHEAST OF ALBUQUERQUE.

THAT'S A MASTER PLANNED DEVELOPMENT THAT DEVELOPERS,  SINCE 2005, HAVE HAD THIS VISION OF A SOLAR PANEL  PRODUCTION FACTORY BEING AN ANCHOR TENANT THERE.

THIS IS, AFTER A COUPLE OF FITS AND STARTS, THAT VISION  MIGHT COME TO FRUITION WITH THIS FACTORY.

>> Jeff: PEOPLE MIGHT REMEMBER COMPANY NAMES LIKE  SCHOTT SOLAR.

I KNOW THERE WAS ANOTHER  ONE.

WHAT WAS THE OTHER ONE?

>> Horwath: ADVENT SOLAR.

YEAH, THAT WAS THE FIRST  CORPORATE TENANT THAT I THINK THEY RECRUITED THERE  BACK IN THE 2005 TO 2010 ERA.

ADVENT SOLAR WAS A COMPANY THAT SET UP SHOP THERE, BUT  THEY ONLY LASTED A COUPLE OF YEARS.

>> Jeff: WHAT ARE WE SUPPOSED TO GET IF THIS  HAPPENS?

>> Horwath: WELL, I MEAN NEW  MEXICANS WILL PROBABLY GET, HOPEFULLY GET, UP TO 1800  JOBS.

YOU KNOW, THAT'S THE NUMBER  THAT THEY'RE CITING.

IT'S GOING TO DEPEND ON  PRODUCTION LEVELS.

BUT, YEAH, I MEAN JOBS.

I THINK THAT'S WHAT THE POLITICIANS HERE WANT.

THEY WANT TO CREATE JOBS.

THEY WANT TO DIVERSIFY OUR  ECONOMY.

AND THEY ALSO WANT TO BE  APART OF THE RENEWABLE ENERGY ECONOMY AS WE KIND OF  TRANSITION AWAY FROM FOSSIL FUELS.

>> Jeff: OKAY.

SO, BASED ON THE SKETCHY  IPHONE PHOTOGRAPH THAT RAN WITH YOUR STORY AT NEW  MEXICO IN DEPTH ON THIS MAXEON THING,  THAT IS NOT WHAT THAT PARCEL OF LAND LOOKS LIKE NOW, WHY  NOT?

>> Horwath: CORRECT.

IT'S AN EMPTY LOT RIGHT NOW.

AND THEY -- MAXEON HAD SAID  THAT THEY'RE GOING TO START CONSTRUCTION ON THE FACILITY  AND BREAK GROUND IN THE FIRST QUARTER OF THIS YEAR.

YOU KNOW, THEY'VE HAD SOME PROBLEMS IN GETTING IT OFF  THE GROUND AND GETTING THIS PROJECT STARTED.

NOW THEY SAY THAT THEY'RE GOING TO START CONSTRUCTION  IN THE FOURTH QUARTER.

>> Jeff: OKAY.

LET'S GET INTO SOME OF THOSE PROBLEMS A LITTLE BIT.

I WANT TO START BY READING A PASSAGE FROM YOUR NEW MEXICO  IN DEPTH STORY.

I'M QUOTING NOW, "A  COMPLICATED WEB OF FACTORS OUTSIDE NEW MEXICO'S CONTROL  THREATENS THE PROMISE OF MAXEON ADDING 1800 JOBS  OUTSIDE THE FOSSIL FUEL SECTOR."

ONE OF THOSE FACTORS IS CHINA.

WHAT IS CHINA'S PLACE IN THE GLOBAL SOLAR SUPPLY CHAIN,  AND HOW IS THAT IMPACTING THIS PROJECT?

>> Horwath: CHINA IS BY FAR THE DOMINANT PRODUCER AND  EXPORTER OF KEY RAW MATERIALS IN THE SOLAR  ENERGY SUPPLY CHAIN.

POLYSILICON BEING THE MAIN  ONE.

YOU KNOW, FOR YEARS CHINA  HAS REALLY BUILT UP THIS KIND OF MANUFACTURING  EXPERTISE FOR SOLAR ENERGY.

AND NATIONS AROUND THE  WORLD, YOU KNOW, EUROPE, AFRICA, THE UNITED STATES,  ASIA, WE'RE ALL DEPENDING ON CHINA TO TRANSITION TO  RENEWABLE ENERGY TO A LARGE EXTENT BECAUSE THEY JUST --  THEY HAVE THE RAW MATERIALS.

AND WE HAVE, IF WE WANT TO  MAKE THE TRANSITION TO RENEWABLE ENERGY, WE'RE  REALLY DEPENDENT ON THEM RIGHT NOW.

>> Jeff: HOW HAS CHINA'S FOOTHOLD IMPACTED MAXEON'S  BOTTOM LINE?

>> Horwath: MAXEON IS A  COMPANY THAT OPERATES GLOBALLY.

IT SELLS ITS SOLAR PANELS IN MARKETS LIKE EUROPE AND  AFRICA AND ASIA AND EVERYWHERE.

IT'S HAVING TO COMPETE WITH MUCH CHEAPER CHINESE SOLAR  PANELS.

SO, MAXEON ITSELF WITHIN THE  INDUSTRY, IT KIND OF HAS HIGH-END SOLAR PANELS AND A  LITTLE BIT OF A PRICE PREMIUM.

SO, THEY'RE HAVING TO COMPETE EVERYWHERE FOR THESE  MUCH CHEAPER CHINESE SOLAR MODULES, SOLAR PANELS AND  THEY'RE SUFFERING AS A RESULT.

IT'S REALLY HARD TO COMPETE WITH A COUNTRY THAT HAS, YOU  KNOW, A RELATIVELY LOW-WAGE LABOR FORCE AND ALSO HAS  BUILT UP MANUFACTURING EXPERTISE.

YOU KNOW, IF YOU'RE MANUFACTURING OVER DECADES,  YOU CAN GAIN EFFICIENCIES THAT OTHER NEW START-UPS ARE  NOT GOING TO REALIZE FOR A WHILE.

SO, CHINA'S THE BIG PLAYER HERE.

>> Jeff: WHAT HAS THE COMPANY DONE TO ADDRESS SOME  OF THOSE HUGE BALANCE SHEET PROBLEMS THAT CHINA AND  OTHER FACTORS ARE CAUSING, AND HOW COULD THOSE EFFORTS  IMPACT THIS MAXEON DEAL?

>> Horwath: ONE THING IT DID  WAS TURN TO ITS LARGEST SHAREHOLDER, TCL ZHONGHUAN  RENEWABLE ENERGY TECHNOLOGY COMPANY, WHICH IS BASED IN  NORTHERN CHINA.

SO, THIS IS A CHINESE  COMPANY THAT IS NOW SET TO TAKE OVER MAXEON SOLAR  TECHNOLOGIES AS PRIMARY SHAREHOLDER.

AND SO WITH THAT, IT KIND OF COMPLICATES MAXEON'S BID FOR  THIS FACTORY RIGHT HERE BECAUSE MAXEON EXECUTIVES  HAVE SAID THAT THEY'RE RELYING ON THIS DEPARTMENT  OF ENERGY LOAN GUARANTEE PROGRAM TO HELP FINANCE THIS  FACTORY.

NOW, IN ORDER TO GET A LOAN  GUARANTEE FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY,  THEY'RE GOING TO HAVE TO PASS REGULATORY SCRUTINY IN  TERMS OF, YOU KNOW, THIS IS A CHINESE COMPANY.

CHINA'S OUR FOREIGN ADVERSARY, SO D.O.E  REGULATORS ARE GOING TO HAVE TO LOOK AT WHETHER THEY WANT  TO FINANCE A COMPANY MAJORITY-OWNED, YOU KNOW, BY  A CHINESE COMPANY.

SO THIS IS HAS A LOT TO DO  WITH AMERICAN AND CHINESE COMPETITION FOR WHO'S GOING  TO CONTROL THE SOLAR ENERGY SUPPLY CHAIN AND EVERYTHING  LIKE THAT.

SO, YOU KNOW, THERE ARE A  LOT OF BIG FACTORS AT PLAY HERE.

>> Jeff: ONE OF THOSE IS THE REGION IN WHICH MAXEON IS,  AT LEAST ALLEGEDLY, SOURCING SOME OF ITS SUPPLIES.

THE REGION IN CHINA.

WHAT'S THAT ABOUT?

AND WHAT EFFECT MIGHT THAT HAVE ON THIS DEAL?

>> Horwath: SO, MAXEON AND OTHER SOLAR ENERGY COMPANIES  HAVE BEEN RELYING ON CHINA FOR POLYSILICON.

THE REGION WHERE THE MAJORITY OF THE POLYSILICON  IS MINED AND KIND OF PRODUCED IN CHINA IS ALSO A  REGION WHERE U.S.

SECRETARIES OF STATE AND THE  UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT ALLEGES THAT CHINA IS  FORCING THE UYGHUR POPULATION, WHICH IS KIND OF  THIS TURKIC-MUSLIM MINORITY POPULATION THAT THEY'RE  CONSCRIPTING THEM TO WORK IN THESE MINES, IN THESE  FACTORIES, TO PRODUCE POLYSILICON.

SO, YOU KNOW, IN 2022 THE U.S.

PASSED A LAW BANNING  ALL IMPORTS FROM THAT REGION.

MOST IMPORTS.

>> Jeff: BECAUSE OF THE  FORCED LABOR.

>> Horwath: BECAUSE OF THE  FORCED LABOR ISSUE, YEAH.

YEAH, AS A NATIONAL POLICY  WE DON'T WANT TO BE TIED TO THIS FORCED LABOR AT ALL,  BUT AT THE SAME TIME, YOU KNOW, IT'S VERY HARD TO  DETERMINE THE SOURCING OF SOMETHING LIKE POLYSILICON.

WE THINK SAND, AND IT GOES INTO THESE INGOTS AND THEY  SLICE THEM INTO THESE WAFERS AND THAT EVENTUALLY MAKES A  SOLAR CELL.

SO, IT'S YOU KNOW, A  MULTI-STEP PROCESS IN THE SUPPLY CHAIN WHERE IT'S VERY  HARD TO DETECT WHERE THE POLYSILICON IS COMING FROM.

TCL ZHONGHUAN RENEWABLE ENERGY TECHNOLOGY COMPANY IS  OWNED BY A LARGER CHINESE CONGLOMERATE.

TCL, WHICH THERE HAVE BEEN SOME QUESTIONS BY  RESEARCHERS ABOUT WHETHER THESE COMPANIES IN CHINA  HAVE TIES TO THIS REGION XINJIANG.

IT'S CALLED THE XINJIANG UYGHUR AUTONOMOUS REGION,  XUAR.

SO, YOU KNOW, THEY'RE GOING  TO -- MAXEON IS GOING TO HAVE TO FIND A WAY TO PROVE  TO AUTHORITIES THAT THEY'RE NOT SOURCING THEIR MATERIAL  FROM THERE.

AND THEY SAY RIGHT NOW THAT  THEY'RE NOT.

THAT THEY HAVE SUPPLIERS IN  GERMANY AND ELSEWHERE, BUT IT'S GOING TO BE AN ISSUE  FOR THEM TO KEEP PROVING TO, YOU KNOW, HOMELAND SECURITY,  BORDER PATROL AND PRODUCTION, DEPARTMENT OF  ENERGY, THAT THEY'RE NOT SOURCING THEIR MATERIAL FROM  THIS REGION.

>> Jeff: OUTSIDE OF SOME OF  THESE EXTERNAL FACTORS, THE COMPANY HAS HAD SOME OTHER  PROBLEMS OF ITS OWN, RIGHT?

>> Horwath: YEAH, IT'S BEEN  HAVING TO DEAL WITH THIS MARKET WHERE CHINESE SOLAR  PANELS AND MODULES ARE REALLY DRAGGING DOWN THE  PRICING OF THE SOLAR PANEL.

SO IT'S GOING TO FORCE THEIR  COMPETITORS TO DRAG DOWN THE PRICES AND THAT'S GOING TO  REALLY HIT REVENUE.

SO, THEY'RE DEALING WITH  THAT, AND YOU KNOW, THEY'RE ALSO A YOUNGER COMPANY.

THEY SPUN OFF ON AN AMERICAN COMPANY CALLED SUNPOWER.

I THINK THEY'RE JUST TRYING TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO OPERATE  IN THIS ENVIRONMENT AND SET UP SHOP IN THE U.S. AND SO  THEY'VE TURNED TO TCL FOR ABOUT $200 BILLION.

I THINK HALF OF IT WAS DEBT,  HALF OF IT WAS EQUITY.

MEANING SHARES IN STOCK.

SO, THEY'RE REALLY HOPING THAT THIS CAPITAL INFUSION  IS GOING TO HELP THEM BUILD THE FACTORY, BUT THAT KIND  OF REMAINS TO BE SEEN.

>> Jeff: LET'S SWING THE  FOCUS BACK HOME A LITTLE BIT.

ALBUQUERQUE MAYOR TIM KELLER, GOVERNOR MICHELLE  LUJAN GRISHAM SEEM TO HAVE A FAIR BIT RIDING ON THIS  DEAL, POLITICALLY AND OTHERWISE.

WHAT HAVE THEY DONE OR OFFERED MAXEON IN ORDER TO  BUILD THAT SUCKER?

>> Horwath: THE STATE, OVER  THE YEARS, HAS KIND OF DEVELOPED AN INCENTIVE  PACKAGE FOR OUT-OF-STATE COMPANIES THAT COME IN AND  THEY CAN TAKE ADVANTAGE OF INDUSTRIAL REVENUE BONDS,  WHICH ARE KIND OF COMPLICATED TRANSACTIONS  THAT DON'T REALLY INVOLVE TAXPAYER MONEY BUT ALLOW THE  GOVERNMENT TO BECOME THE OWNER OF THIS PROPERTY  THEREBY REDUCING MAXEON'S PROPERTY TAX LIABILITIES.

SO YOU KNOW, OVER A CERTAIN PERIOD, MAXEON WON'T HAVE TO  PAY PROPERTY TAXES IF THEY MEET CERTAIN THRESHOLDS.

THEY'RE ALSO GETTING LOCAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ACT  MONEY.

AND THAT'S GENERAL FUND  MONEY.

THAT'S EVERYBODY'S MONEY.

THAT'S COMING FROM THE STATE.

SO THEY GET ABOUT $18 MILLION FROM THE STATE.

AND $2 MILLION FROM THE CITY OF ALBUQUERQUE.

AND THE INFLATION REDUCTION ACT, WHICH IS A FEDERAL LAW  PASSED IN 2022, REALLY IT'S ONE OF THE REASONS THEY'RE  LOCATING AND SOLAR ENERGY MANUFACTURERS ACROSS THE  NATION, ACROSS THE WORLD, ARE LOCATING TO AMERICA TO  TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THESE FEDERAL INCENTIVES, WHICH  CAN INCLUDE MANUFACTURING TAX CREDITS.

THEIR CUSTOMERS GET DISCOUNTS FOR BUYING  AMERICAN-MADE SOLAR PANELS.

SO THEY HAVE A REALLY HUGE  SUITE OF INCENTIVES.

AND KELLER AND LUJAN GRISHAM  HAVE REALLY TIED THEMSELVES TO THE INFLATION REDUCTION  ACT AND USING THAT TO TRY TO DRAW COMPANIES HERE AND ADD  THEIR OWN STATE AND LOCAL INCENTIVES.

SO, YEAH, I DO THINK THAT THERE IS A LOT RIDING  POLITICALLY FOR MAYOR KELLER, FOR GOVERNOR LUJAN  GRISHAM BECAUSE RENEWABLE ENERGY AND CLEAN ENERGY,  THAT'S A REALLY BIG PART OF THEIR AGENDA, REALLY.

THIS IS REALLY WHERE THE RUBBER MEETS THE ROAD.

AND IT COULD BE A HUGE POLITICAL WIN FOR THEM.

YOU KNOW, 1800 JOBS IF THEY'RE CREATED, OR IT COULD  KIND OF BE A FLOP.

>> Jeff: INCENTIVES WOULD BE  ONE WORD.

SOME OF THE PEOPLE WATCHING  OUR CONVERSATION RIGHT NOW WOULD CALL THOSE GIVEAWAYS.

I WANT TO ASK A REALLY OBVIOUS QUESTION, OR AT  LEAST MIGHT SEEM LIKE AN OBVIOUS QUESTION, WHY IN  PARTICULAR FOR A STATE LIKE NEW MEXICO IS GETTING INTO  THE SOLAR GAME SO IMPORTANT?

>> Horwath: I MEAN, IF YOU  LOOK AT OUR ECONOMY AND YOU LOOK AT HOW NEW MEXICO  DEPENDS ON PRIVATE INDUSTRY, AND RIGHT HERE RIGHT NOW  IT'S FOSSIL FUELS, RIGHT?

WE HAVE A REAL FOSSIL FUEL  ECONOMY.

WE'RE ALMOST LIKE A PETROL  STATE WHERE WE JUST DEPEND ON AND OIL AND GAS REVENUE  TO FUND A LOT OF OUR GOVERNMENT PROGRAMS HERE.

I THINK IT'S MAYBE UP TO A THIRD OF THE BUDGET IS, IN  SOME WAY, KIND OF FUNDED BY OIL AND GAS.

AND, YOU KNOW, I THINK IT'S ALWAYS SMART TO DIVERSIFY  YOUR ECONOMY AND NOT JUST DEPEND ON ONE INDUSTRY.

AND AN INDUSTRY THAT SEES A LOT OF UPS AND DOWNS, TOO.

IT'S NOT -- OIL AND GAS, FOSSIL FUELS, THAT'S NOT  ALWAYS A VERY STABLE SECTOR.

SO, DIVERSIFYING, I THINK,  NO MATTER WHAT YOU'RE DIVERSIFYING TO, I THINK  THAT'S A SMART PLAY RIGHT THERE.

BUT I GUESS THAT'S, YOU KNOW, THAT REMAINS TO BE  SEEN.

>> Jeff: SO YOUR REPORTING  HAS DEFINITELY SHOWN THIS IS WAY MORE COMPLICATED THAN  WHAT WE'RE READING IN NEWS RELEASES FROM THE GOVERNOR  AND THE MAYOR.

WHAT'S NEXT?

WHAT HAPPENS NOW?

>> Horwath: WE'RE TALKING  RIGHT NOW, IT'S A WEDNESDAY, AND I BELIEVE ON THURSDAY,  TOMORROW, THERE'S GOING TO BE A SHAREHOLDER MEETING  SCHEDULED WHERE THERE'S PROBABLY GOING TO BE SOME  NEWS COMING OUT ABOUT THIS FACILITY, I IMAGINE.

AND WHETHER THEY'RE MOVING FORWARD WITH THE PROJECT, OR  THE CONSTRUCTION STARTS AND EVERYTHING LIKE THAT.

AND SO, YOU KNOW, I WOULD JUST -- I WOULD ADVISE  ANYBODY WHO'S INTERESTED JUST KEEP UP WITH MAXEON AND  THEIR WEBSITE, THEIR INVESTOR RELATIONS  PAGE.

THEY SHOULD HAVE UPDATES  THERE.

BUT, YEAH, BEYOND MAXEON I  THINK THAT THE STATE IS ALSO TRYING TO RECRUIT OTHER  COMPANIES TOO.

I THINK THERE'S ANOTHER  PROPOSAL BY A SOLAR ENERGY MANUFACTURER THAT ALSO WANTS  TO BUILD IN MESA DEL SOL.

>> Sandoval: 100 YEARS  LATER, I DON'T THINK THAT SHUSTER OR ANY OF HIS  COHORTS COULD HAVE THOUGHT ABOUT HOW MUCH TIME WE SPEND  ON OUR DEVICES AND HOW MUCH WE ARE ALONE, RIGHT?

WE SPEND SO MUCH TIME ON OUR DEVICES, WE REALLY DON'T SEE  EACH OTHER AS A COMMUNITY ANYMORE.

SO, TO BE ABLE TO COME TOGETHER AND HANG OUT WITH  60,000 OF OUR CLOSEST FRIENDS, AND BE ABLE TO BURN  AWAY YOUR GLOOM, RIGHT?

JUST TO TAKE THAT MOMENT AND  JUST BE IN A COMMUNITY TO STOP AND THINK, HEY, WHAT AM  I DOING TO PUT GLOOM IN MY OWN LIFE, WHAT AM I DOING TO  PUT GLOOM INTO THE WORLD AND CAN I STOP THAT AND COME  BACK WITH A SENSE OF RENEWAL.

>> Lou: WE'LL HEAR MORE ABOUT THE 100th BURNING OF  ZOZOBRA IN ABOUT 30 MINUTES.

PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGN SEASON  IS OFFICIALLY HERE.

BOTH MAJOR PARTIES HAVE  COMPLETED THEIR CONVENTIONS, AND AS NEW MEXICANS CONSIDER  WHO TO VOTE FOR, WE WANT TO NAIL DOWN EXACTLY HOW OUR  STATE AND ITS RESIDENTS FIT INTO EACH PARTY'S PLATFORM.

OVER THE NEXT HALF-HOUR WE'LL TOUCH ON SEVERAL  ISSUES WITH BIG IMPLICATIONS FOR NEW MEXICO, INCLUDING  IMMIGRATION, ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY AND FEDERAL  COLLABORATION WITH TRIBAL GOVERNMENTS.

OUR GUESTS THIS WEEK ARE DEMOCRATIC FORMER STATE  SENATOR DEDE FELDMAN WHO HAS BEEN TUNED IN FROM HERE IN  NEW MEXICO.

AND SHAUN GRISWOLD, EDITOR  AT SOURCE NEW MEXICO, WHO TRAVELED TO BOTH  CONVENTIONS.

FIRST THE RNC IN MILWAUKEE,  AND JUST LAST WEEK THE DNC IN CHICAGO.

DEDE FELDMAN, SHAUN GRISWOLD, GREAT TO SEE YOU  BOTH AGAIN.

I WANT TO JUMP RIGHT INTO  THIS WITH YOU, SHAUN.

YOU WERE AT BOTH CONVENTIONS  IN MILWAUKEE AND CHICAGO.

BEFORE WE GET INTO THE  ISSUES, WHAT WERE SOME OF YOUR GENERAL IMPRESSIONS  FROM BOTH EVENTS?

>> Griswold: YEAH, FROM BOTH  EVENTS I THINK WHAT WAS IMMEDIATELY IMPRESSIONABLE  TO ME, AND I HAVE TO BREAK MY OBJECTIVITY AS A  JOURNALIST FOR A SECOND AND JUST SPEAK AS A NEW MEXICAN.

THIS STATE IS GREAT.

I MISSED HOME SO MUCH.

I MISSED EVERYTHING ABOUT IT.

THE PIZZA IN BOTH CITIES IS PRETTY NICE, BUT IT DOESN'T  HAVE GREEN CHILE.

CHEESEBURGERS ARE  ACCESSIBLE, DOESN'T HAVE GREEN CHILE.

BUT ALSO THERE'S JUST THE DIVERSITY AND A WAY OF  THINKING AND A THOUGHT PROCESS TO WHO WE ARE AS  PEOPLE.

SO, IN OUR COVERAGE THERE,  IT WAS FOCUSED ON SPECIFICALLY NATIVE AMERICAN  ISSUES.

I WAS WORKING WITH NATIVE  AMERICA CALLING AS WELL AS STATES NEWSROOM AND ICT  WHICH IS A NATIONAL PUBLICATION THAT COVERS  NATIVE ISSUES.

THAT'S WHAT REALLY CENTERED  ME BACK TO HOME.

I'M FROM HERE.

THIS IS MY ANCESTRAL HOMELAND.

WE'RE STILL HERE.

AND REMINDING PEOPLE IN  MILWAUKEE AND CHICAGO, FROM BOTH SIDES OF THE CENTER OF  POLITICAL POWER, WHO WE ARE AND WHAT WE ARE AND WHAT WE  REPRESENT.

IT WAS AFFIRMED.

AND IT REALLY MADE ME EXCITED TO BE IN NEW MEXICO.

IT JUST GREW THE LOVE FOR THE STATE WAY MORE.

I'M SO EXCITED TO BE HOME.

>> Lou: YEAH, I BELIEVE  THAT.

AND THAT'S NICE TO KNOW.

DEDE, DEMOCRATS WERE KIND OF THE DOLDRUMS OVER THE  SUMMER.

SINCE BIDEN HAS STEPPED  DOWN, POLLING SHOWS MORE EXCITEMENT, MORE ENGAGEMENT,  INCLUDING HERE IN NEW MEXICO.

WHAT IS IT ABOUT THE HARRIS-WALZ CAMPAIGN THAT  APPEALS TO NEW MEXICANS?

>> Dede: I THINK IT'S A BIG  SIGH OF RELIEF.

AND YOU KNOW, THIS IS A BLUE  STATE AND BIDEN WAS AHEAD, BUT ACCORDING TO THE LATEST  EMERSON POLL HARRIS GOT A TWO-POINT BUMP, OR SO.

BUT THAT DOESN'T REALLY, I THINK, SHOW THE ENTHUSIASM  AMONG THE PARTY WORKERS, AND THE PEOPLE THAT ATTENDED THE  CONVENTION.

AND THE PEOPLE THAT WATCH  THE CONVENTION.

I MEAN, EVERYONE IS SO  EXCITED TO GET A HARRIS SIGN FOR THEIR YARD, OR TO -- I  HAVEN'T SEEN ANYTHING LIKE IT.

TO FIGURE OUT WHAT TO DO.

HOW CAN YOU SEIZE THE  MOMENT.

HOW CAN YOU REALLY BUILD ON  THE MOMENTUM THAT HARRIS IS SHOWING AT A NATIONAL LEVEL.

AND OF COURSE, YOU KNOW, THERE'S A GREAT DEAL OF FEAR  TOO FROM NEW MEXICANS ABOUT WHAT ANOTHER TRUMP TERM  WOULD MEAN FOR NEW MEXICO.

AND THE CONSEQUENCES THERE,  AS WE KNOW FROM THE 2025 REPORT, AND FROM THE  STATEMENTS ABOUT WHAT WOULD HAPPEN ARE -- IT'S PRETTY  DIRE.

AND SO PEOPLE ARE WILLING TO  REALLY GET OUT AND FIGHT NOW.

AND THE FACT THAT, YOU KNOW, THAT THE CONGRESSIONAL  CANDIDATES HAVE GOTTEN A BUMP FROM THE CONVENTION,  AND THE -- OUR SENATE CANDIDATE HAS GOTTEN A BUMP.

I THINK THAT'S REALLY JUST MADE FOLKS EVEN MORE  DETERMINED TO HELP.

AND TO HELP PEOPLE IN OTHER  STATES AS WELL.

BECAUSE THERE ARE LOT OF  DEMOCRATS IN NEW MEXICO WHO ARE WRITING POSTCARDS, WHO  ARE MAKING PHONE CALLS TO HELP CANDIDATES.

ESPECIALLY FOR SENATE AND FOR CONGRESS IN OTHER STATES  WHERE IT'S A VERY CLOSE, CLOSE SITUATION.

ESPECIALLY IN THE HOUSE.

>> Lou: OKAY.

NOW, GETTING TO SOME SPECIFIC ISSUES HERE.

I WANT TO START WITH IMMIGRATION.

THE GOP, THEY HAVE A HARDLINE PLATFORM THAT'S NOT  SURPRISING TO ANYONE, I DON'T THINK, AT THIS POINT.

SHAUN, ONE OF THE SHORTEST SECTIONS IN THE 92-PAGE  DEMOCRATIC PARTY PLATFORM CONCERNS IMMIGRATION AND  BORDER SECURITY.

WHAT POLICIES WOULD A HARRIS  ADMINISTRATION PUSH FOR IF ELECTED, AND WHY AREN'T  THERE MORE DETAILS ON SUCH A COMPLICATED ISSUE?

>> Sandoval: YEAH, I THINK THE DETAILS ARE GOING TO  BE -- WE'RE GOING TO UNDERSTAND THIS NUMBER ONE,  THE CHANGE IN THE TICKET DOES HAVE TO COME FROM THE  FACT THAT ALL OF THESE POLICY POSITIONS ARE NOW  COMING FROM A NEW CAMPAIGN.

WHILE BIDEN-HARRIS ARE THE  ADMINISTRATION, HARRIS IS HER OWN PERSON.

I THINK THAT'S PART OF THE ENTHUSIASM EVEN THOUGH I SAW  IN THE CAMPAIGN IS YOU SAW PEOPLE TAKE OVER CAMPAIGN  LEADERSHIP ROLES.

SO EVERYONE IS TRYING TO  FIGURE OUT WHERE THEIR POSITION IS.

HOW ARE WE GOING TO BE PART OF THIS NOT ONLY POTENTIAL  ADMINISTRATION, BUT ALSO CREATE THE PLATFORM FOR  EVERYTHING.

I BELIEVE THAT TIMING IS A  BIG REASON FOR IT.

BUT BECAUSE OF THAT, WE  STILL -- BECAUSE OF THE CONNECTION TO THE CURRENT  ADMINISTRATION, I BELIEVE WE DO STILL SEE A DIRECT LINE  TO SOME OF THE ASYLUM POLICIES THAT HAVE COME  UNDER PRESIDENT BIDEN.

AND ALSO JUST DIRECTING TO  WHERE THE COURTS ARE.

THERE'S A RECENT DECISION  RECENTLY FROM A COURT THAT IS BLOCKING A WAIVER THAT  GOP STATES WERE FIGHTING ON THAT WOULD HAVE PROVIDED  PEOPLE WHO ARE SEEKING ASYLUM, THEIR LOVED ONE LIKE  A WIFE OR SOMEBODY THAT THEY'RE MARRIED TO OR  HUSBAND, EXCUSE ME, TO ALSO COME IN AND FOLLOW THE SAME  ASYLUM PROCESS IF THEY'RE STILL IN ANOTHER COUNTRY.

BUT THAT'S BEING FOUGHT BY GOP-RUN STATES.

SO WHOMEVER IS GOING TO BE IS THE ADMINISTRATION IS  LIKELY GOING TO SEE THEIR IMMIGRATION POLICIES, AND I  THINK IT'S GOING TO SPREAD ACROSS WHOMEVER, GET  CONTESTED BY WHETHER IT'S A DEMOCRAT IN OFFICE, BY  REPUBLICANS IN STATES LIKE WE'RE SEEING CURRENTLY, OR  IF IT'S A REPUBLICAN IN OFFICE BY DEMOCRATIC-RUN  STATES.

THAT SEEMS TO BE KIND OF  WHERE EVERYTHING IS MOVING TOWARDS.

>> Lou: OKAY, PLEASE.

>> Dede: THE PLATFORM IS ONE  THING.

I THINK IT'S JUST SORT OF  FOLLOWS IN THE TRADITION OF DEMOCRATIC AND REPUBLICAN  PLATFORMS OF BEING KIND OF VAGUE ON THE ISSUES.

BUT, HARRIS HERSELF IN HER SPEECH SAID THAT SHE WOULD  SIGN THE BIPARTISAN IMMIGRATION BILL THAT WAS  PASSED BY THE SENATE.

SO, THAT BILL WAS PRETTY  TOUGH IN TERMS OF PROVIDING MORE FUNDING FOR BORDER  PROTECTION PERSONNEL, MORE ASYLUM OFFICERS, MORE  JUDGES, AND MORE MONEY FOR SERVICES TO FOLKS SEEKING  ASYLUM.

SO, YOU KNOW, I PAY MORE  ATTENTION TO THAT THAN I WOULD THE ACTUAL PLATFORM.

>> Griswold: I WOULD SAY THAT'S IMPORTANT TO NOTE.

LIKE, THAT EVEN JUST THAT LEGISLATION IS LOOKING TO  ENHANCE AND BUILD OUT THE INFRASTRUCTURE TO MAKE  ASYLUM PROCESSES WORK.

BECAUSE IT'S NOT WORKING  RIGHT NOW.

THERE'S JUST NOT ENOUGH  PEOPLE TO STAFF IT.

THERE'S A BACKLOG.

AND THAT'S WHY THERE'S EVEN MORE ISSUES WITH ASYLUM AND  WHY CERTAIN PEOPLE EVEN SKIP THE PROCESS ALTOGETHER.

IN ORDER FOR HARRIS TO EVEN HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO SIGN  THAT, FIRST OFF, THE HOUSE IS HAVE TO BE FLIPPED TO A  SIDE THAT'S GOING TO BE MORE FRIENDLY TO THAT POLICY.

WE'RE ALSO GOING TO HAVE TO SEE IF THE SENATE IS GOING  TO CRAFT THE EXACT DUPLICATE OF THAT BILL.

SO, THERE'S A LOT THAT HAS TO PLAY.

AND I THINK WHILE WE'RE HERE EVEN THE PLATFORM IS AN  ISSUE.

FOR RIGHT NOW EVERYONE IS  FOCUSED ON ELECTORAL POLITICS, AND WINNING AN  ELECTION TO GET TO BE ABLE TO MAKE THOSE CHOICES IN  JANUARY.

>> Lou: OKAY, I WANT TO STAY  ON THAT BIPARTISAN IMMIGRATION BILL FOR JUST A  SECOND.

THERE IS SOME PUSHBACK FROM  DEMOCRATS ON THAT.

WOULD YOU -- HOW WOULD YOU  CLASSIFY HOW THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY IS POSITIONING  THEMSELVES FROM AN ELECTORAL PERSPECTIVE, PERHAPS?

ARE THEY SHIFTING A LITTLE BIT TO THE RIGHT ON  IMMIGRATION OR TRYING TO STAY MODERATE TO PULL OVER  SOME POTENTIAL VOTERS?

>> Dede: YES.

I WOULD SAY YES.

I MEAN, FIRST OF ALL, YOU  HAVE BIDEN'S DECISION BASICALLY TO CLOSE THE  BORDER IN JUNE.

AND THAT'S SOMETHING THAT  THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION DID, AND HE DID TOO.

IT TURNED OUT TO BE TEMPORARY.

IT'S CAPPED, I THINK, AT SO MANY ENTRY ATTEMPTS PER DAY.

YOU KNOW, I THINK, YOU KNOW, YOU GOT TO REALIZE THAT A  PLATFORM IS A PLATFORM, BUT INDIVIDUAL CANDIDATES  WILL HAVE THEIR OWN POINT OF VIEW.

AND SO, YOU KNOW, IT MIGHT BE DIFFERENT IF YOU'RE A  CANDIDATE RUNNING IN ARIZONA, OR ANOTHER BORDER  AREA AND ARE A DEMOCRAT YOU MIGHT HAVE A DIFFERENT,  A LITTLE BIT TOUGHER STANCE THAN SOME OF THE DEMOCRATS  THAT MIGHT HAVE BEEN ON THE PLATFORM COMMITTEE.

SO, I THINK, YOU KNOW, I THINK THAT GENERALLY IT'S  TOUGHENING BECAUSE THAT'S JUST POLITICAL REALITY.

THAT'S WHAT THE POLLING DATA SHOWS THAT TRUMP HAS  SUCCEEDED IN SOWING FEAR AND MISINFORMATION ABOUT  IMMIGRANTS BEING CRIMINALS, FOR EXAMPLE.

SO, THAT'S KIND OF THE HAND THAT THE DEMOCRATS ARE DEALT  RIGHT NOW.

AND SO, THEY HAVE TO, YOU  KNOW, THEY HAVE TO DO A LITTLE ARTFUL DANCING ON  THAT.

>> Lou: IT SEEMS THAT WAY.

DEDE, I WANT TO STICK WITH YOU FOR JUST A MINUTE.

IN CRAFTING THIS PLATFORM, AND YOU MENTIONED THIS IS A  NATIONAL PLATFORM THAT TRIES TO FIND SOME MIDDLE GROUND  SO THAT EVERY DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATE HAS A LEGITIMATE  CHANCE TO DO WELL IN THEIR PARTICULAR STATE.

IN NEW MEXICO, WHAT ROLE GENERALLY IN PAST ELECTIONS  AND PAST CONVENTIONS DO NEW MEXICO DELEGATES OR STATE  POLITICIANS PLAY IN HELPING CRAFT A PARTY PLATFORM?

>> Dede: WELL, AT THE NATIONAL LEVEL, I THINK  THERE IS A PLATFORM COMMITTEE.

AND THERE ARE COMMITTEE MEMBERS AMONG THE DELEGATES.

AND I THINK THERE ARE ALSO SOME NON-DELEGATES THAT ARE  PART OF THAT DRAFTING PROCESS.

THIS YEAR, I UNDERSTAND FROM THE DEMOCRATIC SIDE, THERE  WAS SORT OF A VIRTUAL CALL-IN WHERE PEOPLE COULD  GIVE THEIR TWO CENTS AS TO WHAT THE PLATFORM SHOULD  HAVE.

AND THEN THERE WERE SOME  HEARINGS, AS WELL.

SO, THAT'S PRETTY TYPICAL.

THE TRICKY PART WAS THAT THE CHANGE IN CANDIDATES, THE  PLATFORM AS DRAFTED, WAS DRAFTED BEFORE HARRIS WAS  THE CANDIDATE.

BUT, YOU KNOW, HARRIS IS  PART OF THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION, SO THERE WAS  A LOT OF -- THERE IS TOTAL CARRY THROUGH THERE TOO.

THE REPUBLICAN PLATFORM PROCESS WAS A LITTLE  DIFFERENT.

I DON'T THINK THERE WAS  GOING TO BE A REPUBLICAN PARTY PLATFORM, BUT -- AND  INSTEAD THERE WAS THIS PROJECT 2025 WHICH IS, IN A  SENSE, THE DE FACTO REPUBLICAN PLATFORM.

ALTHOUGH THERE IS A SHORT DOCUMENT THAT WAS DRAFTED AT  THE LAST MINUTE, I THINK, WITHOUT MUCH PUBLIC INPUT  THAT PRETTY MUCH MIRRORS THE PROJECT 2024 DOCUMENT.

SO, PARTY PLATFORMS ARE ONE THING.

LIKE I SAID, DON'T BELIEVE THAT EVERY CANDIDATE READS  THE PARTY PLATFORM AND FOLLOWS THE PARTY PLATFORM  TO EVERY DETAIL.

THEY DON'T.

>> Griswold: YEAH, EVERYONE IS TRYING TO WIN AN  ELECTION.

YOU HAVE TO REMEMBER THAT  ALL POLITICIANS WILL SAY WHATEVER THEY HAVE TO SAY TO  WIN AN ELECTION.

>> Dede: YES, BUT EVEN WHEN  IN OFFICE THEY MAY NOT FOLLOW THE PARTY PLATFORM  EITHER.

>> Lou: CERTAINLY.

SHAUN, I KNOW YOU WERE IN MILWAUKEE ALSO.

THAT CONVENTION SAW ATTENDEES CARRYING SIGNS  CALLING FOR MASS DEPORTATION, CHANTS OF BUILD  THE WALL.

I KNOW WE JUST TALKED ABOUT  TRYING TO PLAY MIDDLE GROUND HERE ON AN ISSUE THAT REALLY  DOES STAND OUT FOR A LOT OF MODERATES AS THERE'S SOME  FEAR THERE.

BUT WHY AREN'T DEMOCRATS  MAKING MORE OF A STINK ABOUT THIS ISSUE?

>> Griswold: WELL, SINCE OBAMA, DEMOCRATS HAVE BEEN  DEPORTING PEOPLE.

SO, IT'S JUST NOW  GENERATIONAL.

THAT'S IT.

THAT'S THE U.S. POLICY.

AND WE CAN SAY WHOMEVER IT  WAS, BUT THE U.S. GOVERNMENT HAS SYSTEMATICALLY HAD A  CLOSED-BORDER POLICY ON ALMOST ANYBODY WHO IS NOT A  UNITED STATES CITIZEN.

AND SO, IN MILWAUKEE AND  UNDERSTANDING WHAT THE PARTY PLATFORM IS FOR THAT, I  THINK IT'S VERY IMPORTANT TO UNDERSTAND, YES, WHILE THE  HERITAGE FOUNDATION'S PROJECT 2025 IS INSTRUMENTAL  IN A LOT OF WHAT THEY DID DURING THE TRUMP  ADMINISTRATION.

AND IN FACT, J.D.

VANCE, THE  VICE PRESIDENTIAL, CANDIDATE IS A FORMER HERITAGE  FOUNDATION -- CAME FROM THE HERITAGE FOUNDATION AFTER  COLLEGE.

DONALD TRUMP STILL CONTROLS  THE PARTY AND THE PLATFORM.

AS HE REMAINS ON THE TOP OF  THE TICKET, HE CAN CHANGE AND DO WHATEVER HE WANTS.

SPEAKING OF SOMEONE WHO DOESN'T FOLLOW PLATFORM OR  ORDER.

AND THAT WAS VERY CLEAR.

THAT'S WHY WE STILL SEE THE DIVISION.

WHILE THE HERITAGE FOUNDATION POLICIES CAN BE  FOCUSED IN ON PROJECT 2025, I DON'T THINK THEY'RE FULLY  CONVINCED THAT TRUMP WOULD FOLLOW THROUGH WITH WHAT  THEY WANT.

>> Lou: OKAY.

THANK YOU, BOTH.

WE HAVE TO LEAVE IT THERE  FOR NOW.

BUT WE AREN'T GOING  ANYWHERE.

WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO SHIFT  OUR FOCUS A BIT.

THIS TIME TO ENVIRONMENTAL  POLICY.

IT WAS A BIG FOCUS OF  SECRETARY OF THE INTERIOR AND FORMER NEW MEXICO  CONGRESSWOMAN DEB HAALAND'S SPEECH LAST WEEK IN CHICAGO.

WE'RE GOING TO PLAY YOU SOME OF THE INTRODUCTION TO THAT  SPEECH NOW WHERE HAALAND EMPHASIZED HER INDIGENOUS  IDENTITY AND HER HOME STATE OF NEW MEXICO.

>> [ SPEAKING KERES LANGUAGE ].

IN MY KERES LANGUAGE, GREETINGS FRIENDS AND  FAMILY, MY NAME IS CRUSHED TURQUOISE AND I'M FROM THE  TURQUOISE CLAN.

[ CHEERS AND APPLAUSE ]  35 GENERATIONS AGO, MY ANCESTORS BUILT LIVES IN THE  HIGH DESERT OF NEW MEXICO.

I AM ON THIS STAGE TONIGHT  BECAUSE OF THEM.

WHILE FISHING WITH MY DAD  AND RUNNING THROUGH THE DESERT WITH MY COUSINS, I  LEARNED THAT WE HAVE A RESPONSIBILITY TO TAKE CARE  OF OUR PLANET.

>> Lou: NOW, SHAUN, YOU WERE  IN THE CONVENTION HALL WHEN SECRETARY HAALAND TOOK THE  PODIUM.

HOW WAS SHE RECEIVED BEYOND  WHAT WE SAW IN THAT VIDEO FROM NEW MEXICO'S DELEGATES,  AND DID OTHERS IN THE HALL ACKNOWLEDGE OR APPRECIATE  HER INTRODUCTION IN KERES?

>> Griswold: YEAH, SECRETARY  HAALAND, NUMBER ONE, YEAH THE OTHERS IN THE HALL DID  APPRECIATE AND UNDERSTAND IT.

AND I WAS SITTING NEXT TO -- I'M FROM LAGUNA PUEBLO LIKE  SECRETARY HAALAND IS, AS WELL.

I WAS WORKING WITH SHAWN SPRUCE WHO IS ALSO A MEMBER  OF THE LAGUNA PUEBLO.

SO, WHEN SHE DID HER  INTRODUCTION ASKING US HOW WE'RE DOING, MY CO-HOST  RESPONDED AS WE'RE TAUGHT TO DO WHEN SOMEBODY ASKS HOW  YOU'RE DOING.

AND THE RESPONSE IS WE'RE  DOING FINE.

AND FROM THERE, YOU KNOW,  THE REST OF IT -- I DID NOTICE THROUGHOUT THE WHOLE  CONVENTION SECRETARY HAALAND WAS EVERYWHERE IN THE UNITED  CENTER WHERE THE CONVENTION TOOK PLACE, WHERE THE  CHICAGO BULLS PLAY.

SHE WAS WELL-RECEIVED AND  ALWAYS HAD A CROWD AROUND HER.

A LOT OF PEOPLE STILL WANT TO KNOW WHAT SHE'S ABOUT,  WHO SHE IS, AND THEN THE MANY NATIVE PEOPLE THAT WERE  AT THE CONVENTION FOR THE DEMOCRATS IN CHICAGO ALL HAD  AN EFFORT TO TRY AND GO FIND HER, TAKE A PHOTO, TAKE AN  SELFIE AND SHE WAS SEEMINGLY ALWAYS WILLING TO TAKE THAT  ON.

PRETTY SOLID RESPONSE, I  WOULD SAY, FOR WHAT SHE REPRESENTS, WHAT SHE'S  TRYING TO GET FOLDED INTO THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY.

AS WE UNDERSTAND THE NATIVE AMERICAN VOTE IN 2020 HAS  BEEN PRAISED FOR GIVING A LOT OF SLIM VICTORIES.

AND EVEN HERE IN NEW MEXICO IN TERMS OF DOWN TICKET, NOT  JUST THE PRESIDENTIAL RACE LIKE WE SAW IN ARIZONA.

I THINK THAT'S ALSO SOMETHING TO SIGNIFY WITH  THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY IS THE IMPORTANCE THAT THEY KNOW  THE NATIVE VOTE IS TO WINNING THIS ELECTION.

>> Lou: OKAY.

I WANT TO STICK WITH YOU FOR  JUST A SECOND.

THAT GROWTH AND  ACKNOWLEDGEMENT AND APPRECIATION, IS THERE ANY  CONNECTION BETWEEN THAT AND ACTUAL DIALOGUE AND  COLLABORATION WITH TRIBAL NATIONS, AND SOME OF THOSE  CONCERNS THAT THOSE NATIONS HAVE?

>> Griswold: YOU KNOW, THERE'S MORE THAN 500 TRIBES  IN THIS COUNTRY.

AND ALL OF THEM HAVE  DIFFERENT PRIORITIES.

IN FACT, THERE WERE SEVERAL  THAT HAD PRIORITIZED EVENTS AT THE REPUBLICAN NATIONAL  CONVENTION BECAUSE THE REPUBLICANS ARE SPEAKING  ABOUT ENERGY EXPLORATION AS A FORM OF SOVEREIGNTY, AS A  FORM OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT.

AND MANY TRIBAL NATIONS DO HAVE ENERGY, OIL AND GAS,  COAL, ALL KINDS OF ENERGY PORTFOLIOS IN THEIR  INVESTMENTS.

REALLY, IT'S ABOUT  SOVEREIGNTY FOR BOTH NATIONS.

ALL TRIBAL PEOPLE WANT THAT.

AND WHERE YOU'RE SEEING MORE  IN THE DEMOCRATIC LINE COMES FROM JUST A CULTURAL  PRACTICE OF HISTORICALLY VOTING FOR DEMOCRATS.

BENEFITTING FROM SERVICES THAT DEMOCRATS HAVE  CHAMPIONS AND OFFERED.

BUT ALSO, FROM THE VIEWPOINT  OF DEMOCRAT OUTREACH THAT IS GROWING NEW LEADERS INTO  DELEGATE SPACES.

PEOPLE FOR THE FIRST TIME  BECOMING MEMBERS OF THE DELEGATE, BECOMING MEMBERS  OF THEIR STATE PARTY AND GROWING FROM THERE AS THEY  SAW SOMEONE LIKE DEB HAALAND DO IN NEW MEXICO TO THE MAIN  STAGE IN CHICAGO.

SHE REPRESENTS A PATHWAY FOR  A LOT OF NATIVE PEOPLE THAT IS LIKE OH, I CAN DO THAT.

>> Lou: OKAY.

>> Dede: YES, AND THAT  PATHWAY WAS THROUGH THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY.

BECAUSE SHE WAS THE HEAD OF THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY IN NEW  MEXICO.

RAN FOR LIEUTENANT-GOVERNOR.

PAID HER DUES, ESSENTIALLY.

AND INCIDENTALLY, DIDN'T SHE  LOOK GORGEOUS?

I THOUGHT SHE LOOKED  SPECTACULAR ON THE PODIUM THERE.

AND I WAS SO PROUD TO BE REPRESENTED BY HER, AS WELL.

>> Griswold: YEAH.

TO FINISH ANSWERING YOUR  QUESTION, THAT IS WHERE MANY WANT TO TAKE THAT.

WHERE THAT LEADERSHIP GROUP IS, WHERE THEY SEE, OKAY, I  CAN DO THAT.

THEY'RE HAPPY ABOUT THE  REPRESENTATION, BUT NOW REPRESENTATION IS TRYING TO  GET INTO THE NEXT STAGE OF ACCOUNTABILITY AND MAKING  SURE EVEN THOUGH WHO ARE WITHIN THOSE SYSTEMS -- I  REMEMBER WE HAD A CONVERSATION WHOSE RECORDER  IN PIMA COUNTY IN ARIZONA WHO IS AN INDIGENOUS WOMAN  WHO REPRESENTS ALL PEOPLE, NOT JUST NATIVE TRIBES IN  THAT AREA.

AND SHE SAYS LIKE SHE GETS  MORE VOTES FROM HER OWN COMMUNITY THAN EVEN JOE  BIDEN IN THE PRIMARY.

SO, SHE'S ACCOUNTABLE AT A  DIFFERENT LOCAL LEVEL.

AND I THINK THAT'S WHERE A  LOT -- IF YOU'RE GOING TO SEE A LOT MORE INDIGENOUS  PEOPLE IN LOCAL ELECTED OFFICES, THEY'RE GOING TO BE  MORE ACCOUNTABLE TO THE PEOPLE DIRECTLY IN THEIR  COMMUNITY.

IT'S THEIR COUSINS, THEIR  AUNTIES, THEIR MOM, THEIR DAD.

AND THAT'S SOMETHING THAT IS GOING TO BE NEED TO BE SEEN  AT A NATIONAL LEVEL.

>> Lou: UNDERSTOOD.

NOW, TWO AREAS WHERE TRIBAL NATIONS HAVE A VESTED  INTEREST, AS YOU MENTIONED, ARE THE ENVIRONMENT AND  ENERGY PRODUCTION.

TAKE A LISTEN TO THE  DIFFERENCE IN RHETORIC ON THIS ISSUE FROM BOTH  CONVENTIONS.

>> I WILL END THE  DEVASTATING INFLATION CRISIS IMMEDIATELY, BRING DOWN  INTEREST RATES, AND LOWER THE COST OF ENERGY.

WE WILL DRILL, BABY, DRILL.

[ CHEERS AND APPLAUSE ]  >> IN THIS ELECTION, MANY OTHER FUNDAMENTAL FREEDOMS  ARE AT STAKE.

THE FREEDOM TO BREATHE CLEAN  AIR AND DRINK CLEAN WATER AND LIVE FREE FROM THE  POLLUTION THAT FUELS THE CLIMATE CRISIS.

>> Lou: NOW, DEDE, NO SURPRISE IN THOSE COMPETING  VISIONS, BUT DEMOCRATIC EXACT POSITION IS A LITTLE  BIT FOGGY.

OTHER SPEAKERS AT THE DNC  ECHOED HARRIS'S COMMENTS ABOUT CLEAN AIR AND CLEAN  WATER.

HOW SERIOUS DO YOU THINK THE  PARTY IS ABOUT TRANSITIONING TO RENEWABLE ENERGY SOURCES  IN ADDITION TO CRACKING DOWN ON POLLUTERS, AS HARRIS  MENTIONED?

>> Dede: OH, I THINK THE  PARTY IS VERY SERIOUS.

DEAD SERIOUS ABOUT THAT.

AND ESPECIALLY IN NEW MEXICO, WHERE THE NEW MEXICO  LEGISLATURE HAS SET A GOAL IN THE ENERGY TRANSITION  ACT, THE ETA, THAT YOU KNOW THERE WILL BE 100%  ELECTRICITY -- WILL BE 100% PROVIDED BY RENEWABLES BY  2050.

AND I THINK 50% BY 2030.

AND WHAT'S HAPPENED IN NEW MEXICO, OF COURSE, IS THE  INFLATION REDUCTION ACT HAS PROVIDED SO MUCH MONEY TO  NEW MEXICO PROJECTS LIKE MAXEON AND OTHERS.

AND ALSO, TAX INCENTIVES FOR RURAL ELECTRIC CO-OPS, AND  INCENTIVES FOR PEOPLE TO PUT HEAT PUMPS IN THEIR HOMES  AND ENERGY-EFFICIENT APPLIANCES AND ELECTRONIC  VEHICLES.

THERE'S A REAL TRACK RECORD  THERE THAT HARRIS CAN CLAIM OF PUTTING YOUR MONEY WHERE  YOUR MOUTH IS, AND REALLY TRYING TO STIMULATE AN  ALTERNATIVE TO OIL AND GAS.

AND THUS, ADDRESS THE  CLIMATE CRISIS, WHICH THE REPUBLICAN PARTY AND  PARTICULARLY IF YOU READ PROJECT 2025, DOES NOT YET  ACKNOWLEDGE AS A PROBLEM.

AND THAT IS REALLY SAYING  SOMETHING BECAUSE THAT MEANS THAT THEY'RE NOT TRUSTING  THE SCIENCE AND THAT'S SO IN LINE WITH A NUMBER OF OTHER  PLANS THAT WILL, YOU KNOW, TAKE A WRECKING BALL TO THE  EPA, NOT TRUST THE SCIENCE WHEN IT COMES TO PFAs AND  THOSE TOXIC CHEMICALS.

SO, I THINK THE DEMOCRATIC  PARTY AT BOTH THE STATE LEVEL AND THE NATIONAL LEVEL  IS DEAD SERIOUS AND HAS FOCUSED INVESTMENTS IN THAT  AREA.

>> Lou: OKAY.

SHAUN, THIS WEEK, AND DEDE JUST MENTIONED MAXEON, WE  SPOKE WITH REPORTER JUSTIN HORWATH ABOUT THE STATE'S  EFFORTS TO BRING MAXEON HERE TO MESA DEL SOL.

WHAT ROLE DO DEALS LIKE THAT PLAY IN HERE IN NEW MEXICO  AND NATIONALLY ALSO WHEN CREATING PLATFORM POLICIES  ON ENERGY AND ON THE ENVIRONMENT?

>> Griswold: YEAH, I MEAN IT'S A CONTINUATION OF  POLITICAL LEGACIES.

AND I THINK THAT IS ONE  WHERE YOU CAN LOOK THAT'S DIRECTLY TIED TO THE BIDEN  POLICIES OF JUST PASSING THE INFRASTRUCTURE ACT.

AND CONTINUING THE WORK FROM THAT.

AND I THINK THAT'S SOMETHING YOU WOULD EVEN CONSIDER IF  HARRIS WERE TO WIN AGAIN, THE CONTINUATION OF THE  POLICY SET, BRINGING IT BACK TO HAALAND AND WHAT THE  INTERIOR DEPARTMENT HAS DONE WHEN IT COMES TO  ENVIRONMENT.

WE'VE SEEN DIRECT DECREASE  IN COAL PRODUCTION IN THIS COUNTRY, WHICH IS A POSITION  THAT REPUBLICANS ARE TALKING ABOUT WANTING TO GO BACK TO.

IT'S REALLY A REVERSAL ALL OF THE DIFFERENT POLICIES  THAT WE'VE SEEN THAT WOULD GO BACK TO DONALD TRUMP.

OR GO BACK POTENTIALLY IN SOME WAYS TO HARRIS AND EVEN  OBAMA, WHICH STARTED LEADING A LOT OF THE COAL REDUCTION.

IT WASN'T LOST ON ME WATCHING FROM CHICAGO  BECAUSE I WAS STILL OUT THERE, BUT THE SAN JUAN COAL  GENERATING TOWER'S GOING DOWN.

THAT'S THE END OF A LEGACY THAT REPUBLICANS ARE ASKING  FOR.

THAT'S SOMETHING THAT LAUREN  BOEBERT TOLD US, SHE TOLD US ON THE RADIO ON NATIVE  AMERICAN CALLING, SHE WOULD BE THE INTERIOR SECRETARY IF  DONALD TRUMP ASKED HER TO BE.

AND SPOKE DIRECTLY IN OPPOSITION OF THE POLICIES  THAT WOULD ESSENTIALLY JUST REVERSE THE EXECUTIVE ORDERS  WE HAVE HERE AND THE EXECUTIVE ACTIONS.

NOT JUST ORDERS, WHICH IS UNFORTUNATELY SADLY WHERE  OUR POLITICAL SYSTEM IS AT.

SEEING THE POWER THAT THE  EXECUTIVE HAS AND HOW IT'S LEVERAGED BY BOTH DEMOCRATS  AND REPUBLICANS, AND UNDERSTANDING THAT OUR  ELECTORAL POLITICS COULD JUST BE A COMPLETE SHIFT OF  ALL THOSE POLICIES.

WE SEEM TO BE LOSING THE  INCREMENTAL PROGRESS WE'RE MAKING AND TAKING MANY STEPS  BACK.

>> Dede: YES, PARTICULARLY  IF THE REPUBLICAN ADMINISTRATION DOES WHAT IT  SAYS IT WANTS TO DO IN THE PLATFORM.

AND THAT IS TO ROLL BACK THE ENTIRE INFLATION REDUCTION  ACT.

WHICH IS THE BIGGEST  INVESTMENT TO FORESTALL CLIMATE CHANGE EVER.

THEY WOULD SIMPLY LIKE TO PREVENT THOSE INVESTMENTS  FROM COMING TO FRUITION.

AND THEY WOULD BE ABLE TO DO  THAT IF THEY CONTROL CONGRESS.

BUT MAYBE EVEN IF THEY DIDN'T CONTROL CONGRESS  BECAUSE, YOU KNOW, WITH THE SUPREME COURT'S CHEVRON  DECISION, WHICH WILL REALLY SORT OF PREVENT THE EPA AND  OTHER AGENCIES FROM ISSUING REGULATIONS OF ANY KIND TO  SUPPORT CONTROLS ON METHANE, FOR EXAMPLE.

OR CONTROLS ON TOXIC CHEMICALS.

IT'S VERY WORRISOME THAT ALL THAT PROGRESS COULD BE  UNDONE.

>> Griswold: YEAH, AND ALSO  THE POLITICAL REALITY OF THAT SITUATION.

LIKE, YOU KNOW, DEMOCRATS AND REPUBLICANS CAN SAY WE  WANT TO DO SO MUCH, BUT IF A COURT ORDER IS GOING TO  BLOCK IT, OR THE REALITY ESPECIALLY WHEN IT COMES TO  ENVIRONMENTAL REGULATIONS AND PROTECTIONS FOR CLEANER  AIR AND CLEANER WATER, THE REALITY OF THE U.S. SYSTEM  AS IT IS MAY NOT PROMOTE THAT COMPLETELY, AND THAT  COULD JUST BE WHAT IS ON THE TABLE IS FOR ANY  ADMINISTRATION.

>> Lou: OKAY.

I WANT TO END WITH A QUESTION FOR EACH OF YOU.

I'LL START WITH YOU, DEDE.

ARE THE NATIONAL DEMOCRATIC  PARTY AND THE STATE PARTY HERE IN NEW MEXICO, ARE THEY  ON THE SAME PAGE?

ONE PARTICULAR ISSUE THAT  CAME UP LOOKING THROUGH THE PLATFORM, THIS IS THE FIRST  TIME THAT IN RECENT HISTORY AT LEAST THAT THE DEATH  PENALTY OR OTHER ISSUES HAVE NOT BEEN EXPLICITLY OPPOSED  BY THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY.

I KNOW THAT'S SOMETHING IN  NEW MEXICO THAT WE FOCUSED ON IN THE PAST.

WE TALKED ABOUT IMMIGRATION.

ARE THEY ON THE SAME PAGE  HERE?

>> Dede: THEY'RE NEVER ON  THE SAME PAGE EXACTLY.

IT'S JUST OFTEN I THINK IN  NEW MEXICO, WE'RE AN IMMIGRANT STATE, FOR  EXAMPLE.

SO IT'S NATURAL THAT WE'RE  GOING TO BE -- YOU KNOW, WE'RE GOING TO BE MORE UPSET  ABOUT THAT DRACONIAN PROPOSALS TO END BIRTHRIGHT  CITIZENSHIP, TO DEPORT MILLIONS OF PEOPLE FROM THE  UNITED STATES.

NEW MEXICO HAS SO MANY  FAMILIES WHERE AT LEAST ONE PARENT WAS AN IMMIGRANT.

I MEAN, I THINK 10% OR 11% IS THE PERCENTAGE HERE.

AND YOU KNOW, THOSE MEASURES STRIKE AT THE HEART OF  HISPANIC DEMOCRATS IN NEW MEXICO, OFTEN.

AND THEY'RE UPSET ABOUT THAT.

AND WE HAVE MADE PROGRESS IN ALTERNATIVE ENERGY AND OTHER  FIELDS.

AND SO, YEAH, I THINK THAT  THE STATE DEMOCRATS ARE MORE AVID ABOUT THOSE THINGS.

BUT THAT DOESN'T MEAN THEY WON'T SUPPORT THE NATIONAL  TICKET.

>> Lou: SURE.

HOW DO YOU SEE THE SPLIT, IF THERE IS ONE, BETWEEN THE  STATE AND NATIONAL  DEMOCRATIC PARTY RIGHT NOW?

>> Griswold: I THINK IT IS  NATURAL.

IT'S SUPPOSED TO BE  COMBATIVE.

IT'S SUPPOSED TO BE  CRITICAL.

THERE'S SUPPOSED TO BE SOME  CONFLICTS SO YOU CAN COME TO TERMS WITH WHATEVER.

BUT I MEAN, IT TOOK EVERYBODY -- EVERYBODY GOT  IN LINE TO GET BEHIND HARRIS BEFORE THE CONVENTION EVEN  TO CALM THE CONCERNS OF A SPLIT CONVENTION.

AND SO, I DON'T SEE THE PARTY BACKING AWAY FROM  VOTING FOR HARRIS OR VOTING FOR ANY OTHER DEMOCRATS ON  THE TICKET.

IN FACT, I THINK EVEN BEFORE  BIDEN WAS GOING TO LEAVE THERE WAS GOING TO BE AN  UPTICK IN ADVANCE BECAUSE WE'VE SEEN SO MANY LOCAL  ELECTIONS, DEMOCRATS AND PROGRESSIVE DEMOCRATS REJECT  MAGA POLICIES.

EVEN CENTRIST DEMOCRATS  BEATING REPUBLICAN EXTREME VIEWPOINTS.

SO, THAT SEEMINGLY WAS ALWAYS ON THE MOVE UP.

AND I THINK THAT'S WHERE THE EXCITEMENT IS COMING FROM  THE DEMOCRATS IS NOW THE PEOPLE WHO HAVE BEEN ON THE  GROUND ARE NOW THE ONES ORGANIZING, NOW THE ONES  ABOUT THE LEAD.

FOR A STATE LIKE NEW MEXICO,  THE PARTY HAS AN OPPORTUNITY BECAUSE EVERYTHING IS MOVING  WEST.

>> Lou: UNDERSTOOD.

GOT TO WRAP IT THERE.

DEMOCRATIC FORMER STATE  SENATOR DEDE FELDMAN, AND SOURCE NEW MEXICO EDITOR  SHAUN GRISWOLD, THANK YOU, BOTH.

GREAT TO SEE YOU AGAIN.

>> Griswold: HAPPY TO BE  HERE.

>> Lou: EVERY YEAR,  THOUSANDS OF NEW MEXICANS TAKE THE TIME TO WRITE DOWN  WHAT'S BOTHERING THEM.

SENDING THEIR GLOOMS TO BE  BURNED IN ZOZOBRA.

IT'S A 50-FOOT MARIONETTE  MEANT TO REPRESENT THE TROUBLES AND HARDSHIPS OF  THE PAST YEAR.

TONIGHT MARKS THE CEREMONY'S  100th ANNIVERSARY.

THIS WEEK, WE SPOKE WITH  EVENT CHAIR RAY SANDOVAL ABOUT THE SIGNIFICANCE OF  ZOZOBRA FROM NEW MEXICANS AND HOW THIS MILESTONE EVENT  WILL BE CELEBRATED.

RAY SANDOVAL, ZOZOBRA EVENT  CHAIR FOR THE KIWANIS CLUB OF SANTA FE, THANK YOU SO  MUCH FOR JOINING ME ON NEW MEXICO IN FOCUS.

>> Sandoval: THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR HAVING US.

WE'RE REALLY EXCITED.

>> Lou: YEAH.

FRIDAY, IT'S THE CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION OF ZOZOBRA.

MOST NEW MEXICANS KNOW WHAT IT'S ABOUT BY NOW.

BUT CAN YOU QUICKLY EXPLAIN WHAT ZOZOBRA IS, WHAT IT  REPRESENTS FOR THE CITY OF SANTA FE, AND FOR NEW  MEXICANS ON A LARGER SCALE?

>> Sandoval: YEAH,  ABSOLUTELY.

YOU KNOW ZOZOBRA IS OUR  BOGEYMAN.

HE IS A SPECTER OF OUR OWN  CREATION.

ANY TIME THAT WE CREATE  GLOOM IN OUR OWN LIVES, OR WE PUT GLOOM OR SADNESS INTO  OTHER PEOPLE'S LIVES, THERE'S AN ENERGY TO THAT.

AND THAT ENERGY ACCUMULATES AND IT MANIFESTS ITSELF INTO  THIS 50-FOOT MONSTER THAT WE HAVE TO GET OUT OF HIDING  AND TRY TO FIGURE OUT HOW WE'RE GOING TO DO HIM IN.

>> Lou: VERY COOL.

NOW, WITH IT BEING SUCH  SIGNIFICANT MILESTONE YEAR, HOW HAVE YOU AND YOUR  ORGANIZATION APPROACHED PLANNING THIS YEAR'S EVENT?

>> Sandoval: YOU KNOW, ONE OF THE THINGS IS THE KIWANIS  CLUB OF SANTA FE, WE'RE A SERVICE ORGANIZATION LIKE  ROTARY OR ELKS, OUR MISSION IS TO HELP YOUNG KIDS.

WE WERE GIVEN ZOZOBRA IN 1964 FROM ITS CREATOR WILL  SHUSTER.

AND YOU KNOW, WE'RE THE  CARETAKERS OF ZOZOBRA.

I WILL TELL YOU THAT BOTH  SANTA FE AND NEW MEXICO KIND OF HAVE THIS LOVE AFFAIR  WITH THIS 50-FOOT MONSTER.

AND WE WANTED TO MAKE THE  CENTENNIAL REALLY SPECIAL.

SO WE STARTED PLANNING TEN  YEARS AGO, IF YOU CAN BELIEVE IT.

TWO YEARS AGO, WE INVITED A GROUP OF CITIZENS TO COME  AND JOIN US.

WE FORMED THE ZOZOBRA  CENTENNIAL COMMITTEE.

WE HAD 68 FOLKS WHO STAYED  WITH US FOR TWO YEARS AND PLANNING SPECIAL PROJECTS  AND DOING DIFFERENT THINGS TO REALLY MARK THIS AS A  MILESTONE.

YOU KNOW, WE BRAINSTORMED  AND PUT A LOT OF IDEAS ON THE WALL.

WE CAME UP WITH 20 PROJECTS AND AT THE TIME SOMEONE  LEANED OVER ME AND SAID, DON'T YOU THINK THAT'S A  LITTLE TOO OVER AMBITIOUS?

I SAID, WE'LL BE LUCKY IF WE  GET FIVE OR SIX OF THOSE DONE.

AND WE GOT ALL 20 ACROSS THE FINISH LINE.

SO, NEW MEXICO'S DETERMINATION, THEIR LOVE  FOR OUR TRADITION, AND OUR LOVE FOR OUR LITTLE BOGEYMAN  IS JUST INSPIRING.

>> Lou: YEAH.

ARE THOSE 20 SECRET PROGRAMS?

OR CAN YOU SHARE A FEW OF THEM?

>> Sandoval: YEAH, ABSOLUTELY.

SOME OF THEM HAVE ALREADY GONE TO FRUITION.

WE JUST DEDICATED A STATUE OF ZOZOBRA, A 21-FOOT STATUE  OUTSIDE THE SANTA FE CONVENTION CENTER.

WE UNVEILED THE 135-FOOT SPECIAL SHAPES BALLOON THAT  THE CITY OF SANTA FE AND THE CITY OF ALBUQUERQUE HAVE  HELPED.

WE WILL ACTUALLY BE  INFLATING IT FRIDAY MORNING, STARTING AT ABOUT 7 A.M. AT  FT. MARCY PARK.

OBVIOUSLY, IT'S NOT GOING TO  TAKEOFF FROM THERE.

WE WANT TO INFLATE IT, GIVE  EVERYBODY A LITTLE PREVIEW.

IT WILL BE FOR THE BALLOON  FIESTA.

WE HOPE WE GET GOOD WEATHER.

WE HAVE ZOZOBRA -- LITTLE ZOZOBRA PAINTED STATUES  WHICH IS KIND OF A HARKEN BACK, YOU KNOW, IF YOU SAW  THE PAINTED PONIES A COUPLE YEARS AGO, OR IF YOU WERE IN  CHICAGO AND SAW PAINTED COWS.

WE USE FOUR-FOOT STATUES THAT KIDS CAN ACTUALLY GO UP  TO, BUT THEY'RE UNIQUE PIECES OF ART.

WE REALLY ARE EXCITED ABOUT THAT.

WE PARTNERED WITH GRUET, WHO MADE A SPARKLING WINE FOR  ZOZOBRA'S CENTENNIAL.

WE PARTNERED WITH SANTA FE  BREWING.

THEY MADE THREE DIFFERENT  ZOZOBRA BEERS WITH OLD MAN GLOOM, A FIRE SPIRIT AND A  TIO COCO.

AND SO THAT'S JUST A SMALL  LITTLE SAMPLING OF THE DIFFERENT PROJECTS THAT WE  HAVE FOR ZOZOBRA'S 100th.

>> Lou: VERY COOL.

NOW, I KNOW A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE GOING TO BE UP THERE.

HOW MANY ARE YOU EXPECTING?

>> Sandoval: SO, WE'LL HAVE  A SELL-OUT CROWD THIS YEAR.

WE'RE REALLY CLOSE TO  SELLING OUT, RIGHT NOW.

THAT'S ABOUT 65,000.

YOU KNOW, WE WANT TO MAKE SURE -- A SUCCESSFUL EVENT  AT THE KIWANIS CLUB IS THAT EVERYBODY GOES HOME SAFE,  RIGHT?

SO,   WE HAVE TO CONSIDER THAT THERE COULD BE WEATHER THAT  WE HAVE TO EVACUATE THE FIELD FOR.

THERE COULD BE SOMEBODY THAT TRIES TO DO SOMETHING WRONG.

OBVIOUSLY, WE PLAN FOR THOSE.

WE HAVE TONS OF SECURITY.

YOU KNOW, FOLKS ARE GOING TO  GO THROUGH AT LEAST THREE SECURITY SCREENINGS TO GET  INTO THE FIELD.

SO, THE LESS THAT YOU BRING  WITH YOU THE BETTER.

BUT, AGAIN, WE WANT TO MAKE  SURE THAT PEOPLE ARE SAFE, AND SO 65,000 IS THE MAX  CAPACITY FOR THE EVENT.

>> Lou: OKAY.

NOW, I KNOW EACH YEAR OLD MAN GLOOM SPORTS A NEW LOOK.

WHAT SHOULD WE BE LOOKING OUT FOR THIS YEAR?

>> Sandoval: YOU KNOW, HE'S 100 YEARS OLD.

SO HE IS DRESSED TO THE NINES.

HE HAD ON A BEAUTIFUL 1920s TUXEDO, WHITE WITH TAILS.

HE HAS A BEAUTIFUL WHITE SILK VEST THAT HE'S  SPORTING.

A BEAUTIFUL BLACK SILK  BOWTIE.

I DON'T KNOW WHO GAVE HIM  ONE, OR WHERE THEY FOUND THE ROSE, BUT HE HAS A  BOUTONNIERE.

AND IT'S SCALED UP, SO HE'LL  BE FLASHING THAT BOUTONNIERE.

HE ALSO WILL BE WEARING A DIAMOND PINKY RING FOR HIS  100th ANNIVERSARY.

SO, HE'S GOT A GOLD POCKET  WATCH THAT'S IN HIS VEST POCKET.

SO, YOU KNOW, I GUESS HE UNDERSTANDS THE IMPORTANCE  OF THIS ANNIVERSARY AS WELL AND WANTED TO SHOW OFF AND  DRESS FOR IT.

>> Lou: GOOD FOR HIM.

NOW, IN ADDITION TO ITS MESSAGE OF RENEWAL, THIS  EVENT IS ALSO UNIQUE IN ITS FOCUS ON LOCAL ART.

HOW ARE YOU INVOLVING LOCAL ARTISTS THIS YEAR IN  PARTICULAR?

>> Sandoval: YEAH, YOU KNOW  ONE OF THE THINGS WE WANTED TO DO IS REALLY MAKE SURE  THAT EVERY ASPECT OF ZOZOBRA COULD REALLY BRING IN OTHER  NEW MEXICANS AND HELP US IN OUR MISSION TO, NUMBER ONE,  HELP KIDS THROUGH ART.

WE HAD AN ART CONTEST A  LITTLE LIT EARLIER.

WE HAD 600 ENTRIES.

I HAVE TO TELL YOU TRYING TO JUDGE ZOZOBRA IN CRAYON IS  JUST REALLY TOUGH.

SO, I'M NOT GOING TO JUDGE  ANYMORE.

I CAN'T DO IT.

THEY ALL JUST LOOK AMAZING TO ME.

WE HAD A YOUTH ARTIST FOR THE T-SHIRT, A YOUTH ARTIST  FOR THE POSTER FOR IT.

AN ADULT ARTIST FOR THE  ADULT T-SHIRT AND AN ADULT ARTIST FOR THE POSTER ART.

SO, THAT REALLY GIVES US AN OPPORTUNITY TO GET THOSE  PEOPLE INVOLVED.

THE OTHER THING THAT WE DO  THOUGH IS WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE LOOKING AT  OTHER ART.

SO, WE HAVE A NATIONAL  ANTHEM CONTEST IN WHICH WE GO OUT TO TALENTED NEW  MEXICANS AND ASK THEM IF THEY WOULD SING THE NATIONAL  ANTHEM.

THIS YEAR, WE HAD ABOUT 40  CONTESTANTS.

WE WERE ABLE TO DO TWO, AN  ALTERNATE AND THE PERSON THAT WILL BE PERFORMING THE  NATIONAL ANTHEM.

SO, WE'RE REALLY EXCITED  ABOUT THAT.

AGAIN, IF ZOZOBRA CAN HELP  IN THE ARTS, WE WANT TO REALLY ANY WAY THAT WE CAN  TO PUSH THAT BALL FORWARD.

>> Lou: YEAH, VERY COOL.

I KNOW ACCESSIBILITY IS A BIG THING FOR ZOZOBRA, AS  WELL.

WHEN WILL SHUSTER FOUNDED  THE FESTIVAL A HUNDRED YEARS AGO, HIS GOAL WAS TO TAKE  SANTA FE'S ART OUTSIDE OF GALLERIES TO COMMUNITY  SPACES, MUCH LIKE YOU'RE DOING.

WHAT EFFORTS ARE BEING MADE  TO ENSURE THE 100th ANNIVERSARY WILL BE MORE  ACCESSIBLE FOR NEW MEXICANS?

>> Sandoval: YEAH, YOU KNOW,  IT'S REALLY IMPORTANT FOR US TO DO THAT.

YOU KNOW, OBVIOUSLY, WE WOULD LOVE FOR THE TICKET  PRICE TO BE EVEN LOWER.

THE AVERAGE TICKET WAS ABOUT  $35.

WE DID HAVE A NEW MEXICO  DISCOUNT THAT YOU COULD TAKE FIVE DOLLARS OFF OF THAT  DISCOUNT.

KIDS 10 AND UNDER ARE ALWAYS  FREE.

ONE OF THE THINGS THAT  CONTINUES TO RISE, YOU KNOW, ZOZOBRA HAS ALSO HAD TO DEAL  WITH INFLATION.

YOU KNOW, WE'RE DEALING WITH  INFLATION JUST IN THE TERMS OF HOURLY WORKERS THAT WE  HAVE TO PAY FOR SECURITY, BUT ALSO WE'RE SEEING THINGS  THAT HAVE GONE UP, PORTA-POTTIES, HAVE GONE UP  SIGNIFICANTLY.

LIGHT TOWERS, ROAD CLOSURES,  AND THOSE KIND OF THINGS.

SO UNFORTUNATELY, YOU KNOW,  THAT MAKES US REALLY HAVE TO THINK OUTSIDE OF THE BOX OF  HOW WE KEEP IT AFFORDABLE.

WE'RE NOT HAPPY IT'S A $30  TICKET.

WE STILL THINK THAT'S  AFFORDABLE.

BUT WE'RE REALLY HAPPY THAT  WE'RE ABLE TO KEEP THE 10 AND UNDER FREE.

>> Lou: OKAY.

AND IS ANY OF THAT MONEY  GOING TO YOUR ORGANIZATION?

>> Sandoval: YEAH.

SO, TICKET SALES AND MERCHANDISE SALES ACTUALLY  ARE WHAT PAYS FOR ZOZOBRA.

AND ONCE WE PAID ALL OF  ZOZOBRA'S BILLS WE THEN TRANSFER ANY EXCESS OVER TO  OUR FOUNDATION.

FOUNDATION HOLDS AND RFP.

AND WE HELP LOCAL COMMUNITY GROUPS SUCH AS GRILLS INC.,  BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB, ST. ELIZABETH SHELTERS,  SKI-ADAPTED KIDS, COOKING WITH KIDS.

THESE ARE ALL NONPROFITS THAT SERVE OUR YOUTH IN OUR  COMMUNITY.

>> Lou: OKAY.

NOW, 100 YEARS FOR ANY EVENT IS IMPRESSIVE.

AND I KNOW IT'S DAUNTING TO THINK ABOUT WHAT THIS MIGHT  HAVE BEEN LIKE 100 YEARS AGO, BUT -- AND IN COMPARING  THAT TO WHAT FOLKS ARE EXPERIENCING NOW.

BUT WHAT DOES FACING AND OVERCOMING OLD MAN GLOOM  MEAN TO NEW MEXICANS IN 2024, IN PARTICULAR?

>> Sandoval: YOU KNOW, ONE OF THE THINGS I THINK IS  THAT WE ARE RESILIENT PEOPLE, RIGHT?

YOU THINK ABOUT OUR NATIVE BROTHERS AND SISTERS WHO  HAVE BEEN HERE AND STARTED CITIES.

YOU THINK OF THE SPANISH WHO TRAVELED ACROSS AN OCEAN.

YOU THINK ABOUT THOSE PIONEERS WHO MOVED FROM THE  EAST COAST TO COME HERE.

WE ARE A RESILIENT PEOPLE.

SO, THERE'S NOT, YOU KNOW, WE ALL HAVE YOUR OPINIONS.

AND THERE'S LOTS OF ROOM FOR CONTROVERSY, BUT THERE'S NOT  LOT OF ROOM FOR GLOOM IN NEW MEXICO.

YOU KNOW, WE HAVE SUNSHINE A LOT OF THE YEAR, AND SO I  THINK IT'S REALLY IMPORTANT FOR US TO BE ABLE TO COME  TOGETHER AS A COMMUNITY AND ESPECIALLY NOW.

YOU KNOW, 100 YEARS LATER, I DON'T THINK THAT SHUSTER OR  ANY OF HIS COHORTS COULD HAVE THOUGHT ABOUT HOW MUCH  TIME WE SPEND ON OUR DEVICES AND HOW MUCH WE'RE ALONE,  RIGHT?

WE SPEND SO MUCH TIME ON OUR  DEVICES, WE REALLY DON'T SEE EACH OTHER AS A COMMUNITY  ANYMORE.

SO TO BE ABLE TO COME  TOGETHER AND HANG OUT WITH 60,000 OF YOUR CLOSEST  FRIENDS, AND BE ABLE TO BURN AWAY YOUR GLOOM, RIGHT?

JUST TO TAKE THAT MOMENT OUT OF OUR X-TWEETS AND LOOKING  AT TIKTOK AND SO FORTH, AND JUST BE IN A COMMUNITY AND  STOP AND THINK HEY, WHAT AM I DOING TO PUT GLOOM IN MY  OWN LIFE, WHAT AM I DOING TO PUT GLOOM OUT INTO THE WORLD  AND CAN I STOP THAT AND CAN I COME BACK WITH A SENSE OF  RENEWAL.

I KNOW A LOT OF PEOPLE THINK OF ZOZOBRA ALMOST AS THEIR  NEW YEAR'S.

I HAVE PEOPLE WHO MAKE  ZOZOBRA RESOLUTIONS INSTEAD OF NEW YEAR'S AND TELL ME  THAT THEY'RE ACTUALLY MORE SUCCESSFUL AT KEEPING THE  ZOZOBRA RESOLUTION.

SO, THIS HAS BECOME A REALLY  IMPORTANT CULTURAL POINT IN OUR STATE AND IN OUR CITY.

AND I THINK THAT THAT'S WHY THERE'S THIS UNIQUE LOVE  AFFAIR FOR THIS BOGEYMAN.

>> Lou: YEAH.

YEAH, I CAN UNDERSTAND THAT.

NOW, EACH YEAR THOUSANDS OF  GLOOMS ARE SUBMITTED TO BE BURNED.

IN YOUR YEARS LEADING ZOZOBRA, DO ANY GLOOMS STAND  OUT FOR YOU?

>> Sandoval: YEAH, YOU KNOW,  THERE'S BEEN SOME THAT ARE JUST KIND OF STRANGE.

YOU KNOW, WE HAD A GENTLEMAN WHO BROUGHT WHAT I THOUGHT  WAS A BRAND-NEW ELECTRIC GUITAR AND ASKED US TO BURN  IT.

WE'VE HAD LOTS OF WEDDING  DRESSES.

WOMEN WHO SURVIVED BREAST  CANCER BURN BRAS IN ZOZOBRA.

I WILL TELL YOU THAT ONE OF  THE MOST MOVING THINGS THAT WAS EVER BURNT IN ZOZOBRA  WAS A COUPLE YEARS AGO THERE WAS A WOMAN, AND A SECURITY  GUARD CAME OVER TO ME AND SAID WOULD YOU PLEASE TALK  TO THIS WOMAN.

AS I APPROACHED HER, I  THOUGHT SHE WAS HOLDING THIS BLUE BLANKET.

WHEN I TALKED TO HER, SHE WAS EXPLAINING TO ME THAT  WAS HER HOSPITAL GOWN, AND THAT A YEAR EARLIER SHE HAD  STAGE FOUR CANCER.

AND THAT HER DOCTOR WAS  TRYING TO EMPHASIZE THE POINT OF HOW SERIOUS HER  CONDITION WAS AND HE POINTED TO HER HOSPITAL GOWN AND  SAID YOU NEED TO TAKE THIS SERIOUSLY, THIS IS THE LAST  ARTICLE OF CLOTHING YOU'LL EVER WEAR.

AND SHE SAID THAT IT ACTUALLY HAD THE OPPOSITE  EFFECT ON HER.

THAT SHE WAS GOING TO  SURVIVE, AND THAT SHE ACTUALLY WENT INTO REMISSION  AND SHE WANTED TO KNOW WHETHER OR NOT I WOULD PUT  THE HOSPITAL GOWN INTO ZOZOBRA.

I REMEMBER LOOKING UP AT HERE AND SAYING NO, AND SHE  LOOKED AT ME KIND OF SHOCKED, I SAID YOU NEED TO  DO THIS.

SO, WE WALKED OVER TO  ZOZOBRA TOGETHER AND SHE PLACED INSIDE ZOZOBRA.

I REMEMBER LATER THAT EVENING, AS I IGNITED OUR  MONSTER, I WAS STANDING BACK AND I WAS WATCHING IT AND I  SAW THE HOSPITAL GOWN BURN.

AND IT WAS DEFINITELY AN  EMOTIONAL SCENE.

>> Lou: I'M SURE.

THAT'S REALLY COOL.

NOW, THIS YEAR AND IN THE  PAST I WOULD IMAGINE, HAVE YOU SUBMITTED YOUR OWN  GLOOMS?

WHAT'S ON YOUR LIST THIS  YEAR?

>> Sandoval: YEAH, YOU KNOW,  IT'S HARD BECAUSE YOU'RE ALWAYS THINKING ABOUT WHAT  YOU CAN DO AND WHAT YOU SUBMIT AND WHAT YOU WRITE  DOWN AND, ALL OF A SUDDEN THE DAY COMES.

I'M GLAD YOU GAVE ME REMINDER.

I THINK I NEED TO TAKE THIS YEAR, ESPECIALLY THE MAGIC  OF THE 100th, AND I NEED TO WRITE DOWN MY OWN GLOOM.

I HAVEN'T DONE THAT IN QUITE A LONG TIME.

I ALWAYS INTEND TO AND SOMETHING ALWAYS HAPPENS.

BUT THANKS.

I'M GOING TO MAKE SURE THAT  I DO THAT.

>> Lou: ABSOLUTELY.

RAY SANDOVAL, THANKS SO MUCH FOR JOINING ME ON NEW MEXICO  IN FOCUS.

>> Sandoval: THANK YOU SO  MUCH.

APPRECIATE IT.

AND I LOVE WHAT YOU GUYS DO.

THANK YOU FOR ALWAYS REPORTING ON OUR CULTURE AND  THE BEAUTIFUL THINGS THAT HAPPEN IN OUR STATE.

APPRECIATE IT.

>> Lou: ABSOLUTELY.

THANKS A LOT.

THANKS FOR WATCHING.

WE'LL SEE YOU NEXT WEEK.

>> FUNDING FOR NEW MEXICO IN FOCUS IS PROVIDED BY VIEWERS  LIKE YOU.