AGP Executive Report

Fentanyl Fallout: Federal agents allegedly let staggering amounts of fentanyl pills reach New Mexico streets from 2023 to 2025 without seizing them, as DEA pursued bigger cases—an accusation DEA disputes and that has reignited questions about public safety. Judicial Appointment: Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham named veteran attorney Dylan O’Reilly to a new First Judicial District Court seat covering Santa Fe, Rio Arriba and Los Alamos, with him taking the bench July 4. Wildfire Watch: A lightning-sparked Deer Canyon fire in Torrance County triggered evacuations as smoke pushed toward homes; officials reported no structures hit so far. Behavioral Health Scrutiny: New Mexico spent about $843.5M since 2022 to rebuild behavioral health, but a Legislative Finance Committee report says outcomes still lag and overdose deaths rose. Screwworm Response: New World screwworm has been confirmed in Texas and New Mexico, prompting tighter animal import rules in other states and renewed biosecurity focus. Road Disruption: I-25 Montgomery Boulevard bridge demolition starts June 28, closing lanes overnight for about five days and sending drivers onto frontage-road detours. Local Giving: HB Construction marked 35 years by donating $500,000, including $350,000 to UNM’s School of Engineering.

Fentanyl Probe in NM: The Associated Press reports DEA agents in New Mexico let “staggering amounts” of fentanyl pills reach streets from 2023 to 2025 while monitoring shipments but not seizing them, with whistleblowers saying the approach “poisoned our community” and may have led to deaths. Drug-Testing Wastewater: Cities and schools are testing wastewater for illicit drugs, using results to warn communities and responders as drug use shifts. El Niño for NM: Forecasters say a strong El Niño could bring above-normal precipitation and cooler temps to New Mexico this winter. Screwworm Alert: USDA confirmed three more New World screwworm cases in Texas, keeping New Mexico in the spotlight as officials expand monitoring and response. Local Governance & Courts: Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham appointed Dylan O’Reilly to a new First Judicial District judgeship starting July 4. Economy & Jobs: State and Albuquerque back BlackVe’s expansion, aiming to add 152 jobs and a satellite manufacturing facility. Fusion Energy Push: Santa Fe hosted the first Fusion Supply Chain Trade Show, signaling growing NM interest in fusion industry growth. Open Meetings Watch: NMFOG says Las Cruces held secret meetings tied to police policy decisions, and is pursuing transparency enforcement.

DEA Fentanyl Whistleblower: The Associated Press reports the DEA let hundreds of thousands of fentanyl pills reach New Mexico streets from 2023 to 2025 while agents monitored shipments but didn’t seize them, a tactic critics say gambled with public safety and may have violated Justice Department rules. Public Health & Animal Threat: New World screwworm remains a growing concern after cases in Texas and New Mexico, with ranchers and officials pushing for tighter biosecurity and faster treatment as the parasite spreads. Local Business & Community: Sparklight awarded more than $125,000 in charitable giving fund grants to 28 nonprofits across its service area, targeting education, food insecurity, and community development. Tech & Access: Sensible Care announced “SC Now,” aiming to connect patients to mental health providers in as little as 20 minutes for same-day virtual appointments. Local Economy & Growth: Raton residents are organizing against a proposed AI data center, citing worries about water, energy, and impacts on daily life.

Border Wall Fight in Las Cruces: A Catholic diocese is suing to block the Trump administration from using eminent domain to seize 14 acres for a border wall near Mount Cristo Rey, arguing it would desecrate a 29-foot Jesus statue and violate religious freedom. Wildfire Pressure on the West: Utah’s Iron fire forced evacuations near Eureka as extreme heat and drought fueled multiple blazes; officials warned conditions could worsen. New Mexico Drug-Exposure Policy Under Fire: Tribes and advocates say New Mexico’s newborn drug-exposure rule threatens Native sovereignty and due process, with the ACLU challenging it in court. Local Public Safety: Albuquerque police investigated a suspicious death in northwest Albuquerque after a tense, police-involved incident earlier in the week. Water Protection Rules: New Mexico is updating surface-water protections after a Supreme Court narrowing of Clean Water Act coverage, with acequia leaders pushing for strong safeguards. State Politics: Senate Majority Leader Peter Wirth announced he won’t seek re-election as majority leader, setting up leadership changes in Santa Fe. Health & Food Assistance: A House reconciliation plan would cut SNAP by nearly $300 billion through 2034, a major blow to anti-hunger funding nationwide.

New Mexico Politics: The New Mexico Supreme Court denied Amy Barela’s appeal, keeping her ouster as chair of the state Republican Party in place. Public Health: New research links microplastics in artery plaque to higher odds of stroke, heart attack, or sudden death, while regulation still lags. Federal Watchdog: The DOJ’s Epstein Files Transparency Act release is drawing fresh questions after CBS found millions of pages appear missing or heavily redacted. Local Environment & Climate: A Rio Grande column argues fossil-fuel pollution and warming are drying the river, with record-low snowpack blamed on hotter winters. Space & Tech: An Arizona startup is racing to rescue NASA’s Swift telescope as drag and solar activity push it toward reentry. Community & Culture: Rio Rancho’s Juneteenth celebration highlighted Black businesses, grants, and microloans. Sports: Charlie Condon keeps raking for the Albuquerque Isotopes as he waits for a Rockies call-up. Business/Local Life: Flying Star’s new owners say they’re keeping the cafe as a neighborhood gathering spot.

AI Data Center Backlash in Socorro County: New Mexico Tech is stepping back from a proposed 10,000-acre AI data center after residents and officials questioned developer Jason Bak’s track record and water claims, with talk of a possible one-year moratorium. Navajo Nation Housing Scandal: A key witness in the ZenniHome case told the Navajo Nation Council she was targeted and says accusations against her are false, after the company built only a fraction of planned modular homes. Lt. Gov. Race Shake-Up: RPNM says Maggie Toulouse Oliver’s decision to suspend her campaign will force a major political scramble over who fills the Democratic ticket vacancy. Medicaid Spending Watch: New Mexico communities saw big swings in Medicaid billing, including sharp increases in dental services and other categories across places like Santa Teresa, Tucumcari, Rio Rancho, and Portales. Assisted Suicide Court Fight: A roundup highlights major U.S. court cases that shaped the assisted-suicide debate, as states face new legal challenges. Border Mission Scrutiny: Lawmakers question whether troop deployments along the Mexico border are draining readiness and putting service members at risk. Local Governance: Bayard will hold a special meeting on whether to demolish a fire-damaged house or grant more time to remodel.

Border Wall Fight: The Tohono O’odham Nation sued the federal government to stop construction of a 62-mile border wall across reservation land, arguing it’s a major land grab and seeking an injunction. Catholic Church vs. Eminent Domain: The Diocese of Las Cruces asked a federal judge to block the U.S. from immediately taking land at Mount Cristo Rey for a border-wall sector, warning construction could start before the case is decided. Screwworm Alert: New World screwworm is spreading fast after Texas detections, with officials urging residents not to move suspected animals and to report open wounds and larvae; the outbreak is now tied to cases in New Mexico as well. Space & Jobs: NM FAST is launching a free space-sector SBIR/STTR accelerator for New Mexico startups, while BlackVe expands satellite manufacturing in Albuquerque with state and city incentives. Local Governance & Water: Questa’s green hydrogen plan faces scrutiny as safety and water studies are weighed amid drought concerns and conflict-of-interest allegations involving the mayor. Education & Politics: A New Mexico education system critique says the state’s structure is set up to fail, while New Mexico’s lieutenant governor nominee Maggie Toulouse Oliver suspended her campaign for health reasons.

Screwworm Alert: New Mexico’s first New World screwworm case in a Lea County dog has triggered emergency steps and a new push for federal action, with U.S. Reps. Gabe Vasquez and Teresa Leger Fernández announcing the Protecting America’s Herds Act and criticizing USDA’s response as too slow. Local Jobs & Space Tech: Albuquerque and New Mexico are backing BlackVe’s satellite manufacturing expansion with more than $1.5 million in incentives, aiming to add 152 high-paying jobs and generate $228 million in economic impact. State Politics Shake-Up: Maggie Toulouse Oliver suspended her lieutenant governor campaign, setting off a Democratic scramble as the runoff approaches. Public Health & Safety: A Washington Post report raises questions about how quickly USDA disclosed the outbreak after New World screwworm was found in Maryland, as confirmed cases now include Texas and New Mexico. Education Leadership: UNM-Gallup appointed Joe Kee as interim dean of instruction starting July 1 amid leadership transitions.

Lieutenant governor shake-up: New Mexico Secretary of State Maggie Toulouse Oliver suspended her Democratic campaign for lieutenant governor, citing health changes, setting off a scramble to replace her on the November ballot. Screwworm response: After New World screwworm cases were confirmed in New Mexico, lawmakers and state leaders backed a bipartisan bill to fund training, inspections, and education to protect livestock and pets. Child care expansion: NM Higher Education Department announced $10 million for on-campus child care upgrades at five universities and colleges, aiming to support students and families. Forever chemicals: PFAS cleanup in the Southwest will take generations, experts warned at a conference in Arizona, with New Mexico included among the affected region. Epstein files scrutiny: New Mexico’s Epstein truth-finding commission issued nine more subpoenas to federal prosecutors and state agencies as questions grow about gaps and blacked-out material in the released documents. Energy milestone: New Mexico’s SunZia wind and transmission project is now fully operational, delivering power to Arizona and onward to California. Local governance: Albuquerque Business First ranked the state’s biggest SBA loan approvals from Q2 2026, highlighting where small-business financing is flowing.

Screwworm Response: New Mexico lawmakers and federal officials are stepping up as the New World screwworm spreads beyond Texas, with U.S. Reps. Gabe Vasquez and Teresa Leger Fernández unveiling new legislation aimed at slowing the parasite’s march and improving protections for herds, pets, and wildlife. Behavioral Health Funding: New Mexico has spent about $843.5 million since 2022 to rebuild its behavioral health system, but a Legislative Finance Committee report says appointment access and outcomes still lag, with overdose deaths rising sharply in the state. Energy & Jobs: SunZia’s massive wind and transmission project is now fully operational, marking a major milestone for New Mexico clean power delivery across the Southwest. Local Innovation: U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy visited Reliable Robotics at Albuquerque’s Sunport, highlighting the company’s role in FAA advanced air mobility testing. Clean-Energy Financing: New Mexico is moving to bolster its C-PACE program, aiming to make energy-efficiency loans easier for commercial property projects. Community & Pride: Several Republican-led states are rebranding June with “nuclear family” style proclamations, while Albuquerque continues hosting Pride events. Housing Help: A Santa Fe family received up to a $25,000 down-payment grant through the Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas and Homewise to achieve homeownership.

Screwworm Alert: The New World screwworm has reappeared in the U.S. Southwest, with Texas and New Mexico reporting cases and officials urging ranchers and pet owners to watch for painful wounds and follow transport and treatment rules. State & Local Response: Virginia’s agriculture department issued guidance after confirmed cases in calves in Texas and a dog in New Mexico, highlighting sterile-fly releases and close monitoring. New Mexico Governance: New Mexico Highlands University and its Board of Regents accuse the fired president of improper hiring, financial mismanagement, and retaliation, as the regents’ fight continues. Water & Economy: Drought concerns are already showing up in northern New Mexico tourism planning, with Angel Fire and Eagle Nest Lake officials weighing possible summer recreation limits. Child Well-Being: A national report says child well-being deteriorated in 29 states from 2021 to 2025, with New Mexico in the broader picture of worsening education and health indicators. Energy & Data: New Mexico Tech helped launch DETECT, a statewide energy data platform meant to give the public and policymakers a single place to track production, emissions, and infrastructure.

Meta Child-Safety Fight: New Mexico AG Raúl Torrez is pressing for nearly $1 billion from Meta after a jury found the company liable for endangering children, with filings seeking $953 million into a fund for education and behavioral health. Local Business Permits: Albuquerque permit records show In-N-Out has advanced plans for three restaurants, including a Coors Blvd site and another on Gibson near I-25. Epstein Probe Expands: New Mexico DOJ investigators sent record-preservation letters to JPMorgan Chase, Google and dozens of other firms tied to Epstein’s Zorro Ranch, aiming to lock down financial, travel and digital data. Border Wall Land Dispute: A federal judge approved the U.S. depositing $183,071 for land at Mount Cristo Rey as the government seeks to seize property for border-wall fencing. Animal Health Watch: Michigan rolled out new rules for warm-blooded animal movement to prevent New World screwworm spread, as the pest remains detected in Texas and New Mexico. State Budget Oversight: A legislative finance report says Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham used emergency orders hundreds of times to spend hundreds of millions without lawmakers’ approval.

Screwworm Response: New World screwworm continues to spread in the Southwest, with federal officials reporting 11 cases in Texas as quarantine and “infested zone” limits tighten livestock movement; New Mexico’s first confirmed infection was tied to a dog case later reclassified to Lea County, while ranchers and vets urge fast wound checks and treatment. State Politics: After 22 years in the Roundhouse, Senate Majority Leader Peter Wirth says he won’t seek reelection in 2028 and will step aside as floor leader, setting up a scramble for power in Santa Fe. SNAP Fallout: A New Mexico legislative report warns the state’s SNAP payment error rate is high enough to put more than $100 million a year at risk, with lawmakers pushing for stronger oversight and fraud controls. Local Economy & Retail: Whole Foods is set to open at Cottonwood Corners in northwest Albuquerque by early next year, with Sierra also planned for the shopping center. Public Health: New Mexico Department of Health offices will close June 19 for Juneteenth, with the helpline still available during regular hours. Courts & Accountability: An Albuquerque DWI case dismissal scheme tied to bribes is under federal scrutiny, with FBI wiretaps and guilty pleas already reported in the broader racketeering case.

Screwworm Watch: The New World screwworm is spreading beyond its first Texas and New Mexico detections, with the USDA and state partners pushing ranchers and pet owners to inspect wounds and act fast as cases climb and sterile-fly releases ramp up. SNAP Scrutiny: A New Mexico legislative report warns the state’s SNAP error rate is far higher than officials have acknowledged, saying New Mexico could face up to $173 million a year in added costs and that fraud may be undercounted. Prediction Markets Fight: The federal Commodity Futures Trading Commission has moved to block New Mexico’s lawsuit against Kalshi, arguing the agency has sole authority over prediction markets. Children’s Cabinet Push: Lawmakers are looking at a more coordinated, “really robust” Children’s Cabinet under the next governor to reconnect youth who are neither working nor in school. Statehouse Shakeup: Senate Majority Leader Peter Wirth says he won’t seek reelection or leadership again, setting up major changes ahead of the 2027 session. Water Rules: New Mexico is drafting new surface-water protections that include protections for acequias after a U.S. Supreme Court narrowed federal Clean Water Act coverage.

Screwworm Alert: The New World screwworm outbreak has reached 12 confirmed U.S. cases, including a dog in Lea County, New Mexico, as federal and state officials expand quarantines and sterile-fly releases to protect livestock and pets. Local Politics: Albuquerque City Council again voted down a proposed Gross Receipts Tax increase that would have raised the rate by 0.4875% to fund district projects and city operations. Water Watch: Lake Mead is projected to fall back to record-low levels by July and stay there for much of the next two years, as Colorado River negotiations stall. Energy: The SunZia Wind Project began commercial operations in New Mexico, adding 3,650 megawatts and powering about one million homes. Health & Equity: Indigenous women face disproportionately high pregnancy-related deaths, with new research and CDC outreach efforts aimed at warning signs and safer outcomes. Business & Culture: Albuquerque’s Bow & Arrow Brewing and Mesa Provisions were James Beard finalists, but both came up short in Chicago.

Screwworm Outbreak: The USDA confirmed 12 New World screwworm cases across the U.S., with New Mexico’s first reported case in Lea County involving a dog, as officials urge ranchers and pet owners to watch for infestations and report suspected cases fast. Public Health & Animal Safety: Senators Tammy Baldwin and colleagues pressed the USDA for more immediate action, while Florida expanded restrictions on shelter and rescue pet imports from Texas and New Mexico to slow spread. Legal Fight in NM: The U.S. DOJ sued the New Mexico Supreme Court and the Board of Bar Examiners over alleged violations of federal law affecting spouses of military members seeking NM law licenses. Local Politics: Otero County Commissioner Amy Barela said she’ll seek to reclaim New Mexico GOP chair after the state Supreme Court upheld her removal. Climate & Forests: A new analysis says tree deaths in New Mexico tripled in 2025 as warming summers fueled bark beetle-caused conifer mortality. Kids & Families: A Kids Count report found child well-being deteriorated in 29 states from 2021 to 2025, with education and health indicators worsening.