AGP Executive Report

State Fair & Youth Agriculture: Micaela Hidalgo of Grants was crowned the 2027 New Mexico State Fair Queen, with plans to push agriculture and youth involvement. Local Sports: Moriarty eighth grader Janessa Torres is lighting up New Mexico girls’ soccer, posting 27 goals in 7 games and ranking among the nation’s top scorers. AI, Debt & Data Centers: Oracle-linked loans tied to New Mexico’s Project Jupiter slid into stressed territory, underscoring investor worries as local backlash could affect the massive OpenAI computing deal. Business Inside Oracle: Oracle executives say AI speeds up coding, but product delivery still lags—shifting the bottleneck downstream. Agriculture Health Alert: New World screwworm is back in Grant County; New Mexico officials expanded surveillance and set a town hall for Sept. 21. Mining & Water: A crowd packed a Hillsboro hearing on Copper Flat Mine’s revised dry-stack tailings plan aimed at cutting water use sharply. Kids & Services: A new report urges New Mexico to make sure childcare, health care, and family supports actually work in everyday life, especially in rural areas. Courts: Federal prosecutors dropped a child sexual abuse images charge against Albuquerque attorney Brian Pori, though other allegations remain. Community & Culture: Albuquerque’s 516 Arts opens “The Rest Is Drag,” rethinking identity through drag and Route 66 storytelling.

Data Centers & Water: New Mexico’s attorney general is pushing back on Project Jupiter, saying an “emergency” water authorization skipped the public notice-and-hearing process and left residents waiting to be heard. State Politics & Public Safety: A local column blasts Albuquerque and Las Cruces for not applying for DOJ Model Cities money aimed at police recruitment, forensic tech, and youth violence prevention. Utility Oversight: New Mexico investment officials face renewed pressure over calls for a state purchase or stake in PNM, with the State Investment Council warning it could be illegal and “irresponsible.” Film Industry: Netflix’s “Ransom Canyon” won’t return for a third season, adding to New Mexico’s recent production losses. Workforce & Labor: An opinion argues New Mexico can’t afford workforce policy that favors one labor model, warning the state needs skilled trades and more flexible pathways. Public Health: New World screwworm is back in New Mexico and Texas, prompting new tracking and surveillance as cattle trade resumes. Education Accountability: Another report alleges Albuquerque Public Schools spent nearly $700,000 on pandemic-era “anti-racism” training tied to a specific program. Arts & Culture: The New Mexico Philharmonic names violinist Amanda Gates as incoming president and CEO.

Legislative Pay Fight: A Las Vegas lawmaker says a proposed constitutional change to pay New Mexico legislators could reshape the Legislature into a full-time political job, while supporters argue it would broaden representation and make races more competitive. Data Center Pressure in New Mexico: Oracle’s massive AI compute buildout highlights how Project Jupiter in Santa Teresa is tied to a wider data-center boom, even as lawmakers and critics push for rules on electricity costs and accountability. Tribal Rights and Consultation: A national report argues big tech is using “sustainability” language to avoid meaningful tribal consultation tied to data-center projects, pointing to New Mexico’s Project Jupiter. Public Health Alert: The New World screwworm is moving north again, with New Mexico and Texas among areas raising concern for livestock and pets. Flood Tragedy on the Navajo Nation: Heavy monsoon rains led to a deadly flash flood that killed three people, including a grandmother and her 7-year-old granddaughter. State Fair Costs: Albuquerque’s New Mexico State Fair draws complaints about steep food and admission prices, even as inflation is blamed. Arts and Culture: UNM’s Art Museum reopened with new exhibitions after a year focused on preserving its collections. Local Governance Watch: A transparency dispute alleges state DOT officials used workarounds tied to a company connected to lawmakers’ family members.

Navajo Nation Flood Tragedy: Three generations of a Navajo family died after flash flooding swept them away while trying to cross a wash near Newcomb; the Navajo Nation declared a state of emergency as storms damaged roads, forced evacuations, and left some communities isolated. Project Jupiter & Water/AI: The New Mexico Supreme Court allowed Project Jupiter’s air quality permitting process to move forward, while new reporting highlights how Oracle’s $18B data center debt faces investor pressure amid local opposition over water and air concerns. Privacy vs. Federal Overreach: Wisconsin’s DOJ won a preliminary injunction blocking the Trump administration from demanding sensitive driver data from AAMVA, a reminder of the legal fight over how personal information is handled. Public Safety & Health: New Mexico’s suicide rate dropped 19% from 2024 to 2025 in provisional state data, though officials warn the work isn’t done. Local Economy & Food: The New Mexico chile industry is bracing for a 20% to 50% shortage, with Hatch stores already struggling to keep shelves stocked. Business/Community: Meg Whitman, an Albuquerque resident, was named executive chair of Albertsons’ board.

Data Center Fight in Santa Fe and Washington: New Mexico lawmakers are “gravely concerned” about federal nuclear safety rule changes, while the state’s own data-center debate heats up—Haaland backs a day-one moratorium with guardrails, and Republicans argue for guardrails without a pause; meanwhile, a Senate Democrat blocked a bill meant to stop data-center electricity costs from landing on ratepayers. Local Flood Disaster on the Navajo Nation: Flash flooding killed three people near Newcomb, with the Navajo Nation declaring a state of emergency as roads fail and communities get isolated. Courts and Public Safety: A federal judge ruled prosecutors violated victims’ rights in the Jal case involving former officers convicted in a death tied to medical neglect. Health Watch: New Mexico’s suicide rate dropped 19% from 2024 to 2025, and rural C-section patients are more likely to leave hospitals with opioid prescriptions. Agriculture and Animal Health: New World screwworm has been confirmed again in Grant County, triggering expanded surveillance and movement restrictions. Business and Community: Meg Whitman was named executive chair of Albertsons’ board, and UNM reported a record-size freshman class alongside lower graduation rates.

Project Jupiter: New Mexico Supreme Court lifted a stay on the data center’s air quality permitting after environmental groups challenged public participation and water-well drilling. Campaign Finance: Gov. candidates’ first reporting period shows Deb Haaland outraising Gregg Hull—$3.4M vs. $943K, with Haaland topping $17.3M total. Data Centers & Power Costs: A U.S. Senate bid to advance the Ratepayer Protection Act stalled after Sen. Martin Heinrich objected, arguing it doesn’t go far enough to ensure data centers cover grid-infrastructure costs. Colorado River: Lake Powell hit a record low, underscoring how drought and heat are squeezing the Colorado River system. Public Health: A new study finds younger U.S. veterans have higher PFAS levels in their blood than civilians, raising pressure for broader monitoring. State Fair & Culture: The final weekend of the New Mexico State Fair adds a first-ever student film showcase, plus more PRCA rodeos and concerts. Housing/Transit: Uptown Connect in Albuquerque secured $30M in funding for a 176-unit mixed-rate rental project tied to transit and affordable housing.

Data Centers & Elections: New Mexico’s governor’s race is turning into a data-center showdown: Deb Haaland says she’d order a statewide moratorium on new large projects on day one, while Gregg Hull argues for local, project-by-project guardrails instead of a blanket pause. Project Jupiter Court Fight: The New Mexico Supreme Court lifted stays tied to Project Jupiter, clearing the way for an air-quality permit process and a water well authorization in Doña Ana County. Cybersecurity & Campus Safety: A new report highlights weak student cybersecurity training nationwide, while New Mexico State University is still dealing with fallout from a major Canvas-related breach. Consumer & Court Costs: New Mexico is seeking $5.45 million from Meta for litigation expenses tied to two trials, with Meta disputing who paid the costs. Agriculture & Border Trade: USDA confirmed New World screwworm in a horse in Grant County, while officials prepare to reopen the Santa Teresa livestock crossing next week. Public Health & Kids: A new New Mexico Voices for Children report warns that big childcare and early-investment wins still face tough implementation gaps for families. Local Culture: Free events in Albuquerque this week include the Bands of Enchantment festival, Somos Albuquerque, and the Prickly Pear Festival.

Livestock Trade Watch: The USDA says it’s preparing to reopen a New Mexico border port to cattle movement next week after New World screwworm shutdowns, with operations expected to start slowly (initial limit reported at 750 head/day), following the earlier phased restart in Douglas, Arizona. Energy & Permitting Integrity: New Mexico’s State Ethics Commission says Oracle’s $3.4M “Project Jupiter” ads were aimed at influencing New Mexico Environment Department air-quality permitting, including canvassing and sponsored content tied to the pending decision. Navajo Nation vs. Uranium Plans: The Navajo EPA remains opposed to an in situ uranium recovery effort tied to Church Rock/Crownpoint, as New Mexico challenges the license renewal and an NRC panel is set to hear arguments Oct. 5. Local Cost Pressure: Basin, N.M. is facing another electric rate hike after a prior increase earlier this year, with town leaders saying transmission changes tied to regional power shifts drove the jump. Election Countdown: As early voting nears, debate plans for New Mexico’s governor’s race remain unsettled, with campaigns still trying to lock in a televised matchup.

Border Patrol & Animals: Chloe, a rescue dog from Deming, New Mexico, has become the first rescue dog to graduate the U.S. Border Patrol Canine Academy as a Critical Incident Response K9, now working with agents in the Gulf Coast region. Courts: In Santa Fe, a jury viewed a second portion of a Mark Zuckerberg deposition tied to the Cambridge Analytica data breach, as New Mexico attorneys pressed Meta on developer access and data rules. Local Justice Oversight: Bernalillo County District Attorney Sam Bregman rolled out a public dashboard on pretrial detention decisions, including how many people were held, released, and later reoffended. Agriculture: New Mexico’s green chile crop could be down 20% to 50% due to heat, disease, and pests, pushing prices higher for farms and roasting operations. Tech & Politics: The New Mexico State Ethics Commission says Oracle spent $3.4M on ads aimed at influencing air-quality permitting for the Project Jupiter data center. Business & Growth: Under Canvas announced its first New Mexico camp in Santa Fe will open in April 2027, and El Pollo Loco is celebrating a second Albuquerque location with a grand opening event.

Homelessness Funding Overhaul: HUD’s latest proposal would steer federal homelessness grants toward treatment-first models, rewarding transitional housing, addiction treatment, and more coordination with law enforcement—an explicit shift away from “Housing First.” Public Health Reality Check: A measles misinformation wave is colliding with new confirmed deaths in Pennsylvania, including infants too young to be vaccinated, underscoring how online claims can’t erase real outbreaks. Native Water Infrastructure: A House Natural Resources bill advanced to fund water infrastructure for New Mexico Tribes and Pueblos, aiming to fix limits tied to water-rights settlement interest. Data Center Push Meets Local Concerns: Google says it’s exploring a potential data center in Lea County, while broader regional resistance to hyperscale development keeps growing. Opioid Settlement Spending: A New Mexico State Auditor report finds agencies missed spending targets for opioid settlement funds in fiscal 2024, then improved in later years. Defense Manufacturing in NM: The U.S. Navy ordered up to $200 million in Blackbeard hypersonic weapons production, with manufacturing tied to New Mexico. Local Watchdog/Community: Deming City Council is set to vote on overdue audits and other local governance items, including wastewater design funding steps. Business & Travel: Albuquerque International Sunport climbed to No. 9 in JD Power’s medium-airport satisfaction rankings.

Federal Courts: A 4th Circuit panel sounded skeptical about the Justice Department’s push to revive prosecutions tied to former FBI Director James Comey and NY AG Letitia James, after a prior ruling said the prosecutor was illegally appointed—an issue that could ripple through fights over who can pick U.S. attorneys. Civil Liberties & Policing: Page, Arizona’s police chief defended automated license plate readers, but the presentation showed outside agencies queried the system millions of times, reigniting debate over local surveillance sprawl. Public Safety & Health: New Mexico’s state auditor says opioid settlement spending and fentanyl tactics are under scrutiny as overdoses rose sharply in northern counties, with questions about whether federal efforts inadvertently affected local drug supply. Local Government & Infrastructure: Mora County’s long-stalled courthouse is finally moving toward completion after the state Board of Finance approved $12.6 million. Energy & Growth: Google says it’s “exploring” a data center in Lea County, while PNM and its parent/Blackstone filed revised merger terms promising larger customer credits and grid investment. Elections: National voter registration day drew attention in Bernalillo County, and a Supreme Court decision blocked USPS from disrupting vote-by-mail design changes. Economy & Housing: New Mexico collected $4.4 billion in severance taxes in 2024, and the state ranked 35th for VA home-loan value in Q2 2026.

Immigration Fight: New York AG Letitia James and a coalition of states and cities sued to block a Trump “public charge” rule that they say would pressure immigrants in New Mexico and elsewhere to avoid food, healthcare and housing benefits—before green card decisions even come up. New Mexico Energy: New Mexico banned new uranium mining leases on state-managed land while directing the State Land Office to prioritize cleanup of legacy sites, putting the state at odds with federal push for more domestic production. Defense & Tech: Castelion says the U.S. Navy ordered up to $200 million in production for its Blackbeard hypersonic weapon, with work tied to Castelion facilities including Rio Rancho, New Mexico. Public Health: A University of Florida team documented a mosquito species for the first time in the U.S., with the find in southeastern Arizona—another reminder that disease risk monitoring is still evolving. Local Business: Nice Healthcare launched its Nice Plan health plan for employers, including New Mexico, aiming to reduce avoided insurance claims by pairing care delivery with coverage.

Immigration & Courts: New Mexico is among states suing to block a Trump administration “public charge” rule that would let immigration officials count use of benefits like Medicaid and SNAP against green-card applicants, with the rule set to take effect Sept. 18 and opponents warning it could chill families from using services they’re legally entitled to. Voting Access: The U.S. Supreme Court rejected efforts to stop mail voting changes tied to USPS rules, keeping a pause in place for this fall’s elections. Utility Fallout: New Mexico’s DOJ is pressing PNM over complaints about estimated bills after staffing shortages left some meters unread, including bills topping $1,000. Education: PED says it’s using the new accreditation system and spring 2026 test results to connect schools with targeted support to improve academic performance. Tech & Cybersecurity: CyberSandia, a New Mexico cybersecurity firm, met with state leaders to discuss public-sector cyberthreats and resilience. Local Economy: CNM is joining Sandia National Labs’ CAMINO effort to build an advanced-manufacturing workforce hub near Route 66 and Eubank.

Utility Oversight: New Mexico AG Raúl Torrez’s office pressed PNM over “unusually high” bills, citing complaints about unread meters and estimated charges that spike customers’ costs. Local Governance & Safety Tech: Albuquerque has banned crypto ATMs and cashier crypto transactions after fraud concerns, while Sandoval County is weighing how license plate readers could trigger criminal penalties without permits. Higher Education Workforce: NM Higher Education Department launched a Workforce Pell application for colleges to fund eligible short-term workforce training, with tribal colleges highlighted as major beneficiaries. Public Safety: UNM is rolling out its annual Culture of Safety survey for Environmental Health & Safety recommendations, asking campus feedback on hazards, training, and safety culture. Courts & Accountability: A federal wrongful-death lawsuit was filed in the Marshals’ shooting deaths case involving a Farmington woman and her puppy. Water & Border Policy: The U.S. and Mexico signed a new Colorado River sharing agreement for 2027-2028, reducing Mexico’s share by 250,000 acre-feet for a more predictable, depleted river. Tech & Industry: CircuitDiagramGenerator.ai launched an AI tool to speed up circuit diagram creation. Politics: Trump promised $5,000 checks to every U.S. adult if Republicans win midterms, a plan analysts say would cost more than $1 trillion. Community & Culture: The NM State Fair’s Green Chile Cheeseburger Challenge returns Monday with eight restaurants competing for a champion title.

Campaign Trail: Pete Buttigieg headlined a Las Cruces rally backing Deb Haaland for governor and Gabe Vasquez for a third House term, with the event also taking aim at Trump’s “New America” idea and emphasizing stakes like universal childcare and the Opportunity Scholarship. Courts & AI: A New Mexico Supreme Court ruling found defense attorney Stephen Aarons in direct contempt after he filed an AI-generated murder-appeal brief with fabricated “witness” testimony, sending him to a disciplinary board. Weather & Climate: A New Mexico Tech expert says intensifying heat, shrinking snowpack, and drought match long-running Southwest climate projections, with extremes getting worse even when individual seasons swing. Local Justice: A Rio Arriba County jury heard opening arguments in the 2024 trial of Leonel Andrade Garcia, accused of killing his ex-girlfriend and setting her Chimayo home on fire. Public Safety: An opinion piece highlights how a police foot-patrol pilot in business districts can lead to arrests and referrals, even if numbers remain low. Community & Culture: Tractor Brewing’s Halloween drag bingo fundraiser returns, benefiting the New Mexico Brewers Guild.

Midterm Watch: CBS News’ battleground tracker is back, flagging a handful of Senate and House races that could decide control of Congress as voters weigh the Iran war and cost-of-living pressure. FEMA Fight: New Mexico is suing FEMA after the agency denied at least $61 million in National Guard costs tied to the 2022 Hermits Peak-Calf Canyon Fire, with more claims still pending. Utility Scrutiny: New Mexico’s AG office is pressing PNM over “unusually high” bills, including complaints about estimated charges instead of actual meter readings. Immigrant Rights: Teague González, new executive director of the New Mexico Immigrant Law Center, is pushing a “movement lawyering” approach after years of advocacy. Public Safety Tech: Santa Fe Public Schools faces fallout after a probe found audio-capable surveillance gear installed in district facilities. Community & Culture: An Albuquerque boy with Down syndrome was featured on Times Square’s jumbotron in a National Down Syndrome Society presentation. Local Business: Santa Fe Brewing Co. is pursuing growth despite headwinds in the craft beer industry.