AGP Executive Report

Youth Safety Ruling: A Santa Fe judge ordered Meta (Facebook/Instagram) to pay an additional $567 million into a youth abatement fund after finding the company created a “public nuisance” harming New Mexico teens’ mental health, on top of a prior $375 million penalty—bringing the total to $942 million. The order requires monthly limits on teen use, tighter notification controls, stronger limits on adult contact with minors, added safeguards for AI chatbot interactions, and more oversight of child sexual abuse reports, with the measures in place for five years. Local Justice & Accountability: The ruling follows a March jury finding Meta violated New Mexico’s consumer protection law by misrepresenting risks to young users and concealing what it knew about child exploitation. Culture & Community: In Seattle, a Chicano dance production, “Ni de Aquí, Ni de Allá,” explores belonging for Mexican Americans—an identity theme echoing across the country as New Mexico watches major youth-safety fights in court.

Epstein Files Fight: New Mexico Attorney General Raúl Torrez sued the U.S. Department of Justice and acting AG Todd Blanche, alleging “stonewalling” over unredacted records tied to Jeffrey Epstein’s Zorro Ranch probe, with the state saying the missing documents are crucial to identifying victims, witnesses, and possible co-conspirators. Local Governance: Chaves County commissioners scheduled public hearings on a proposed Local Option Gross Receipts Tax for the Nov. 3 ballot, aiming to address concerns from small businesses about timing and process. Public Safety & Health: New Mexico’s statewide gas average rose to $4.06 a gallon, while a new study ranked New Mexico among the top states for smartphone safety for kids. Culture & Community: The Big Brothers Big Sisters of New Mexico fundraiser Bags & Brews Cornhole Tournament returns in Roswell to support youth mentoring. Environment & Agriculture: New World screwworm has been confirmed in Texas and New Mexico, prompting warnings for livestock owners to watch for cases. Tech & Sovereignty: An activist is pushing a Navajo Nation resolution to ban data centers, arguing the expansion targets tribal lands as commodities.

Epstein Fallout in New Mexico: New Mexico sued the U.S. Justice Department and acting AG Todd Blanche, saying federal officials blocked the state’s probe into Jeffrey Epstein’s Zorro Ranch and withheld records; the DOJ says it’s following court orders protecting victim privacy. Truth Commission Update: A bipartisan New Mexico legislative commission released an interim report, saying Epstein likely received “preferential treatment” and confirming at least five women and girls were abused, with more potential victims identified. Education Closures: As enrollment drops, Albuquerque-area schools are shutting down—two charter schools and a Catholic school won’t reopen this fall. Nuclear Oversight: A Santa Fe nonprofit sued the Trump administration over a plutonium pit study tied to nuclear weapons production. Local Preservation: Las Cruces approved its first cultural register additions, placing five historic sites under protection. Public Health Data: CDC reporting shows Salmonella rates look flat, but faster lab tests changed what the numbers capture. UNM Expansion: UNM will launch a new bachelor’s degree in bioengineering this fall.

Welfare Data Lawsuit: More than 20 states and D.C. sued the Trump administration to block federal sharing of personal data tied to low-income families’ benefits, arguing the move targets people meant to be helped. Colorado River Uncertainty: A new federal framework for the shrinking Colorado River is rolling out after states failed to agree, leaving major questions about how cuts will work and whether disputes will land in court. SNAP Error Costs: USDA data shows many states have SNAP payment error rates above a 6% benchmark, raising the risk of hundreds of millions in new cost-sharing and possible service cuts. Tariff Fight Hits New Mexico: New Mexico is among 25 states suing over Trump’s latest forced-labor tariffs, calling them an illegal tax scheme after earlier court defeats. Affordable Care Act Challenge: Wisconsin AG Josh Kaul joined a lawsuit targeting federal 2027 ACA health-plan rules, arguing they weaken protections and raise costs. Local Water Planning: McKinley County water systems are starting hazard mitigation planning to qualify for FEMA grants and better prepare for flooding, drought, wildfire, and other threats. Uranium Push in Grants: A new mineral belt project aims at safer, sustainable uranium extraction using in-situ recovery on private land in Cibola and McKinley counties. Public Health: New Mexico’s 2025 measles outbreak is estimated to have cost about $5.4 million, with major spending tied to vaccination-related response.

Border Water Fight: New Mexico’s State Engineer threatened to revoke licenses of companies drilling “unauthorized” wells for the border wall, citing possible groundwater contamination and limited cooperation in protected basins. Data Privacy Lawsuit: More than 20 states and D.C. sued the Trump administration to stop expanded access to TANF recipients’ sensitive personal information, including Social Security numbers and immigration status. Local Oversight on Project Jupiter: Doña Ana County commissioners leaned toward creating a citizen monitoring committee for the Oracle/OpenAI data center as construction ramps up near Santa Teresa. Grid Costs for Data Centers: Sen. Martin Heinrich introduced the GRID Savings Act to require large electricity users like data centers to pay for grid upgrades instead of shifting costs to families and small businesses. State Capitol Security: The Roundhouse and Capitol were closed to visitors after a threatening phone call; law enforcement found it not credible. Food Safety: Walmart-linked Bettergoods pistachio nut butter was recalled in 19 states, including New Mexico, after Salmonella was detected. Beef Prices: Tyson warned tight cattle supplies are keeping pressure on higher beef prices as the U.S. herd hits multi-decade lows. Albuquerque Governance: An inspector general investigation cleared Albuquerque City Attorney Lauren Keefe of alleged misconduct involving advice to Mayor Tim Keller. Health: New Mexico’s top veterinarian warned New World screwworm is “headed this way,” with more cases expected and a response program being finalized.

Border Wall Water Fight: Contractors building Trump’s border wall in drought-stricken New Mexico have been ordered to stop drilling wells after ranchers warned groundwater pumping for concrete could devastate livestock. Tariff Lawsuits: New Mexico is among 25 states suing the Trump administration over new Section 301 tariffs on 60 trading partners and the EU, arguing the forced-labor rationale is a pretext to revive duties courts already rejected. Colorado River Relief Plan: Colorado officials say a new program would pay some households and other users in Colorado, Utah, Wyoming and New Mexico to voluntarily cut Colorado River water use, aiming to stretch supplies as federal cuts loom. Public Health: Health officials report the U.S. measles case count hit 2,371, the highest since 1991, as the Health Secretary urges vaccination ahead of school openings. Food Safety: Walmart shoppers in New Mexico are among those affected by a recall of Bettergoods pistachio nut butter due to possible salmonella contamination. Local Community: Santa Fe’s National Night Out is set for Tuesday, with school supplies and outreach alongside police.

Tariff Fight: A coalition of 25 states, including New Mexico, sued the Trump administration over new 10%–12.5% tariffs on 60 trading partners, arguing the forced-labor rationale is a pretext to replace duties the Supreme Court struck down. Border Water & Drought: Crews building Trump’s border wall in drought-hit New Mexico were ordered to stop drilling new wells after ranchers warned groundwater pumping for concrete could threaten livestock. Colorado River: The federal government’s next 10-year Colorado River plan is moving forward, with Lower Basin states facing steep cut pressure while Upper Basin states push back. Student Debt: New Mexico is among the hardest hit states in a surge of federal student loan defaults, with about 26.6% of borrowers in default. Health & Consumer Safety: Walmart recalled Bettergoods pistachio nut butter in 19 states, including New Mexico, after Salmonella was found. Local Education Tech: Santa Fe and Los Alamos school districts paused a state-required AI reading program over student privacy concerns. Public Health Costs: A New Mexico measles outbreak in 2025 is estimated to have cost about $5.4 million, including response and productivity losses. Workplace Safety: New Mexico environment officials proposed delaying heat-safety worker rules until early 2027.

Colorado River Crisis: A new federal Colorado River plan would cut up to 77% of Arizona’s share, with leaders warning of “catastrophic” economic harm as negotiations stall across the seven-state system. Election Integrity: Nevada lawmakers are eyeing a bill modeled on New Mexico’s 2026 law to limit federal interference near polling places and speed up ballot processing. Cybersecurity Growth: Logicalis US is expanding in New Mexico after acquiring Loial, a local cybersecurity and managed services provider, setting up a permanent presence and growing its Southwest team. Housing & Development: A CREDA poll finds New Mexico developers still bullish on mixed-use growth, but cost and deal velocity remain hurdles. Consumer Protection: A 10th Circuit ruling could make it harder for identity theft victims to challenge false debt on credit reports. Agriculture & Trade: USDA plans to resume Mexican cattle imports Aug. 24 as screwworm concerns persist, with Texas and New Mexico already reporting cases. Local Culture: New Mexico Historic Sites is launching a statewide pop-up exhibit marking 250 years of the Declaration of Independence.

Space & Science: A wayward SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket stage is set to slam into the Moon on Aug. 5, creating a new crater and a dust cloud scientists hope to study—an unusual chance to learn from space debris. Immigration Courts: More than 24,000 unaccompanied immigrant children could lose legal representation as a federal contract expires, with providers warning the cuts could leave kids without advocates during deportation proceedings. Healthcare Workforce: Drs. Claude D’Antonio and Irene Gutierrez will lead new emergency and family medicine residencies, as North Oaks Health expands training programs. Local Housing: Santa Fe Mayor Michael Garcia wants to triple the “fee in lieu” developers can pay instead of building affordable units, with a vote set for Aug. 12 amid fears it could slow housing production. State Politics & Money: New reporting says out-of-state political groups can bypass New Mexico disclosure rules, making it harder for voters to track who’s funding ads. Food Safety: A federal egg recall linked to drug-resistant Salmonella has sickened 98 people in 17 states, and recalled cartons are still in homes with a recall window running through mid-August. Cybersecurity: New Mexico State University researchers describe “GhostWriter,” a flaw that can hijack AI chat memory to steal data.

Colorado River: The federal government rolled out a 10-year Colorado River operating framework, setting the stage for steep, recurring water cut negotiations for Arizona, California and Nevada as Lake Powell and Lake Mead keep dropping. Foster Care & Borders: New Mexico AG Raúl Torrez sued CYFD, alleging a 15-year-old teen who is a U.S. citizen was taken to a Texas border crossing and forced to walk back to reunite with his mother in Mexico-linked circumstances. Local Housing: Santa Fe is weighing a proposal to triple a “fee in lieu” charge on developers who don’t build affordable units, a move supporters say could boost supply while critics warn it may slow projects. County Secrecy: Torrance County residents are demanding answers about “Project Mars,” a state trust land development tied to a DoD contractor and shrouded in nondisclosure claims. Catholic Church: Catholic dioceses nationwide are consolidating parishes and closing churches as Mass attendance and priest numbers decline. Community & Culture: Los Alamos Arts Council announced August events, including an Aug. 8 arts and crafts fair and returning afterschool art programming.

Colorado River: The Interior Department released a 10-year operating framework for Lake Powell and Lake Mead, setting up steep cuts for Arizona, California and Nevada through 2036 as drought worsens. Local Energy & Regulation: In New Mexico, the PRC ordered Blackstone and TXNM Energy to unwind an unlawful $400 million stock transaction tied to the proposed PNM acquisition, and the companies moved to reverse it—showing the process is working while the broader deal review continues. Public Safety & Health: Gila Regional Medical Center is expanding in Silver City after buying two former clinic buildings, including plans for an urgent care clinic and the start of a residency program. Water & Community Politics: A Santa Fe Democratic nomination story highlights how Grant County politics is shaping statewide leadership. Wildlife & Agriculture: New Mexico officials say venomous snakes were recovered in a South Valley drug raid, while USDA updates also confirm New World screwworm cases in Texas and a dog in Lea County, triggering movement controls and surveillance. Economy & Daily Life: A new report notes New Mexico is among states that tax Social Security benefits, and a separate local column argues Mountain View residents want strict oversight and infrastructure fixes before any industrial expansion.

Colorado River Water Cuts: The Interior Department released a final 10-year framework for Lake Powell and Lake Mead operations, setting up steep potential reductions for Arizona, California and Nevada while sparing Colorado, New Mexico, Utah and Wyoming from mandatory cuts for now. New Mexico Courts & Child Welfare: New Mexico’s attorney general filed a civil lawsuit against CYFD, alleging the agency violated state law and constitutional rights by abandoning a 15-year-old at the U.S.-Mexico border and effectively forcing him into Mexico. Healthcare Access: A KFF analysis finds Obamacare enrollment fell in 49 states as enhanced federal subsidies expired, with New Mexico the lone exception because it replaced the aid with state funding. Racing Integrity: New Mexico Racing Commission stewards suspended quarter horse owner Samuel Valeriano after a USDA-linked investigation alleged illegal medication injections using the same needles. Local Environment: Albuquerque is doubling down on its “Bee City” push, expanding pollinator habitat in medians and parks and distributing thousands of plants and kits. Immigration Legal Aid: A federal contract ending legal representation for unaccompanied immigrant children could leave thousands facing immigration court alone. National Spotlight: The Marine Corps reported an F-35B crash near Miramar; the pilot ejected and is expected to survive.

Colorado River Fallout: The U.S. Bureau of Reclamation unveiled a 10-year Colorado River management framework that could force Arizona, California and Nevada to cut up to 3 million acre-feet annually through 2036, while Colorado, New Mexico, Utah and Wyoming face only voluntary conservation targets—setting up fresh legal and political fights as states miss deadlines. Heat & Power Reliability: The DOE issued an emergency order for New Mexico and 16 other states to reduce blackout risk during extreme heat. Local Housing Enforcement: Albuquerque code enforcement ordered repairs and temporary cooling at Sunport Plaza Apartments after multiple units were found without working air conditioning. Education Tech Privacy: Santa Fe Public Schools will pause a state-required AI reading program over concerns about voice recordings and student privacy. Health Care Lawsuits: New Mexico’s AG joined other states in suing to block federal rules that would weaken Affordable Care Act protections and raise costs. Business/Justice: A federal antitrust schedule fight over the Warner Bros.-Paramount deal heads to court, with trial dates contested. Courts & Public Safety: Prosecutors moved to drop charges in a Lincoln Memorial reflecting pool case, saying damage came from a botched renovation, not vandalism.

Border & Agriculture: USDA says the Arizona cattle border will reopen Aug. 24 at the Douglas Port of Entry under a phased plan, after New World screwworm concerns shut the trade down; at the same time, the federal government is putting $25 million into a sterile fly dispersal facility to keep the pest contained. State Energy & Utilities: The New Mexico Public Regulation Commission gave final approval for Emera to complete its sale of New Mexico Gas Company to Bernhard Capital Partners, with base rates frozen through Jan. 2028 and $10 million earmarked for low-income assistance. Child Welfare Lawsuit: New Mexico AG Raúl Torrez is suing CYFD and seeking a restraining order after allegations that foster care staff drove a 15-year-old to the Texas border and forced him to walk into Mexico alone to reunite with his mother. Community & Culture: Presbyterian Health Plan and Presbyterian Medical Group are hosting free Albuquerque back-to-school events with backpacks, supplies, vaccinations, and family resources. Health Watch: A cyclosporiasis outbreak now spans 45 states, with Ohio reporting thousands of cases as infections continue to climb.

Border & Child Welfare: New Mexico AG Raúl Torrez sued CYFD after a teen was allegedly told to cross into Mexico alone to reunite with his estranged mother, seeking the child’s return and limits on similar future reunifications. Energy & Utilities: New Mexico regulators approved the sale of New Mexico Gas Company to Saturn Utilities Holdco/BCP, with conditions including a base-rate freeze through early 2028, $22.4M in bill credits, and a $10M economic development investment. Agriculture & Biosecurity: Rep. Lupe Diaz joined USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins in Douglas for the phased reopening of the Douglas Port of Entry for live cattle imports and a new sterile fly distribution center to fight New World screwworm. Tech & Economic Development: ABQ-Net’s open-access quantum network is expanding with defense and other quantum innovations, positioning Albuquerque as a quantum hub. Local Safety: Albuquerque added speed cameras on Tramway near Lomas and Paseo Del Norte near Barstow, with more planned for early August. Politics: Democrats selected Stephanie Garcia Richard as their nominee for lieutenant governor after ranked-choice voting. Health Coverage: A KFF analysis found Obamacare enrollment is falling nationwide, but New Mexico is the lone exception due to state-funded replacement of expired subsidies.

Energy & Politics: The DOE acknowledged in court filings that it cut 284 energy grants to “blue states” based on political identity, including $135 million withheld from New Mexico recipients. Border & Agriculture: USDA says the U.S. will resume Mexican cattle imports in phases starting Aug. 24, with New Mexico crossings expected to follow if screwworm controls hold; the agency also announced $25 million for a sterile fly dispersal facility in Douglas, Arizona. Public Health: Cyclosporiasis is now reported in 45 states, with 6,707 lab-confirmed cases since May 1 and thousands more pending confirmation as investigators track multiple outbreaks. Local Courts: A civil dispute involving Chaves County officials and a Roswell police officer could move from state court to federal court. Community & Culture: A New Mexico State University art professor and student returned from an Italy residency using robots to carve ancient marble. Tech & Safety: Attorneys general are urging the FCC to strengthen “Know Your Customer” rules to curb illegal robocalls.