AGP Executive Report

CYFD Lawsuit: New Mexico Attorney General Raúl Torrez sued CYFD after reports the agency left a 15-year-old boy at the U.S.-Mexico border and told him to cross alone to reunite with his mother, arguing it violated the teen’s constitutional rights and seeking a restraining order. Data Center Fight: Sierra County approved an 18-month data center moratorium as residents and officials push back on water and environmental impacts, while Doña Ana County’s Project Jupiter drew arrests and a scuffle during a tense public presentation. Robocall Crackdown: New Mexico and other state attorneys general urged the FCC to strengthen “Know Your Customer” rules to stop illegal robocalls and scams. Health Coverage: A new KFF analysis finds Obamacare enrollment fell in nearly all states as enhanced federal subsidies expired, with New Mexico the lone exception for replacing the aid. Local Impact: Albuquerque postal workers protested USPS privatization and demanded more funding; and New Mexico’s back-to-school tax holiday runs July 31–Aug. 2.

Education & Youth: WalletHub ranks Florida near the bottom for early-education outcomes, with New Mexico’s neighbors watching how “quality” can’t fully offset weak access and resources. Public Safety & Health: CDC says this season’s norovirus totals are down sharply from last year, but still fall in the “typical” range—New Mexico remains part of the sentinel reporting network. New Mexico Politics: Democrats are choosing a lieutenant governor nominee internally: about 500 State Central Committee members will vote until Wednesday, with the winner expected Thursday after Maggie Toulouse Oliver withdrew. Water & Power: Lake Powell and Lake Mead hit a new record-low combined level, while DOE issued an emergency order for 17 states—including New Mexico—to reduce blackout risk during extreme heat. Economy & Trade: USDA will begin phased reopening of Mexican cattle imports, with New Mexico crossings slated after an Aug. 24 start, contingent on screwworm safeguards. Local Tech & Schools: New Mexico’s broadband office is funding school anti-distraction screen-time policies, and ABQ-Net is drawing new quantum companies to Albuquerque.

US-Mexico Cattle Trade: USDA says the yearlong ban tied to New World screwworm is easing, with the Douglas, Arizona port reopening Aug. 24 and possible later reopenings at Santa Teresa and Columbus, New Mexico—every animal will face full USDA inspection and the plan can pause if risk rises. Local Public Safety: Albuquerque police arrested a 17-year-old after a chase downtown for carrying a loaded rifle stolen from his father, highlighting ongoing concerns about teens’ access to guns. State Politics: Two New Mexico House Democrats—Susan Herrera and Joanne Ferrary—left office early, setting up county-led processes to pick replacements for the rest of their terms. Big Tech & Youth: Tennessee’s Meta trial opened with claims that Instagram features were kept on despite internal warnings about teen harm; New Mexico previously saw a Meta loss tied to child harm. Environment & Transparency: A coalition says the U.S. Forest Service quietly replaced biological documents for grazing on the Santa Fe National Forest, raising alarms about safeguards for imperiled wildlife. Community & Culture: Paris Baguette is planning a second Albuquerque café on the West Side, with the first location already weeks from opening. Wildlife Watch: New Mexico wildlife officers captured a mother bear and cub in northwest Albuquerque after recent sightings.

Cattle Trade & Biosecurity: USDA says it will phase back Mexican cattle imports starting Aug. 24, reopening the Douglas, Arizona port first, with New Mexico’s Santa Teresa and Columbus to follow, after a yearlong screwworm-driven shutdown; every animal will get full USDA inspection and the schedule can shift based on Mexico’s compliance. Flood Response in NM: Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham ordered $500,000 for western New Mexico flooding help, including sandbags and National Guard support, as Gallup officials also push back against an AI outlet they say is spreading misleading flood claims. Border Wall of Legal Fight: NM AG Jay Jones joined a coalition suing the Trump White House over federal counterterrorism and emergency funding conditions that would require states to share voter data with DHS and help enforce federal immigration law. NM Broadband Plan: New Mexico is rolling out an ACP-like Low-Income Telecommunications Assistance Program, with enrollment starting in December after rulemaking. Local Courts: A former Aztec IT director sued the city alleging discrimination, retaliation, and a rigged procurement process. Earthquake Watch: A magnitude 3.8 quake hit northern NM near the Colorado line, the latest in a run of similar-sized temblors.

Oil & Gas Accountability: New Mexico Land Commissioner Stephanie Garcia Richard says the state’s “stripper well” subsidy program now has zero participating wells and is urging lawmakers to end it for good. Water Crisis: Colorado River reservoirs Lake Mead and Lake Powell hit record lows as basin states clash and the federal government moves toward a post-2026 management plan. Border & Ranching: USDA announced a phased reopening of southern cattle ports starting Aug. 24, with strict screwworm safeguards, beginning with Douglas, Arizona and later New Mexico ports. Flood Response: Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham issued an executive order allocating $500,000 for western New Mexico flood response, including sandbags and National Guard support. Health Care: New Mexico Cancer Center debuts estrogen receptor-targeted PET imaging for recurrent or metastatic breast cancer. Housing Costs: A record number of New Mexico homeowners faced insurance nonrenewals in 2025, with wildfire-prone counties hit hardest. Politics: Democrats narrowed the 2028 presidential primary calendar, leaving Iowa out and placing South Carolina first, with Nevada and New Mexico among early states. Local Economy: The Rail Runner turns 20, with supporters touting transit value and critics questioning the cost.

Economy & Jobs: New Mexico’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate held at 4.8% in June, down from 4.9% in May, with payrolls up 10,600 jobs year over year. Local Governance: Democrats will pick a new lieutenant governor nominee after Maggie Toulouse Oliver withdrew; nearly 500 state central committee members will vote by ranked-choice. Energy & Utilities: A Sierra County panel approved an 18-month data center moratorium after Spaceport America-linked plans sparked backlash over power and water strain. Environment & Water: Southwest cities are ramping up Colorado River conservation as Lake Powell drops toward “dead pool,” raising concerns for power and irrigation. Agriculture: Chile farmers report an early, promising season despite past drought and labor pressures, with harvest and roasting ramping up across southern New Mexico. Business & Community: The Jemez Insurance Agency in Los Alamos earned Liberty Mutual’s “Next Level” recognition among top independent agencies. Arts: Shepard Fairey is in New Mexico for murals and a Santa Fe gallery show, with a second Albuquerque Rail Yards mural set to finish this weekend. Public Health: Federal officials say nearly 100 people in 17 states have been sickened in a salmonella outbreak tied to recalled eggs, with about 19 million eggs pulled from shelves. Housing & Homelessness: Albuquerque’s latest point-in-time count shows an 8% rise in people experiencing homelessness, while the city continues shelter and safety-zone efforts.

Flood Response: Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham signed an order to allocate $500,000 for New Mexico flood response, including sandbags, communications gear and National Guard support, as communities deal with outages and damage. Food Safety: Health officials urged New Mexicans to check fridges after more than 19 million eggs were recalled over Salmonella risk, tied to illnesses and hospitalizations; the FDA also widened a cyclosporiasis investigation linked to shredded iceberg lettuce. Cattle Trade & Prices: USDA says Mexican cattle imports will resume in phases after a yearlong screwworm ban, with a Douglas, Arizona port reopening Aug. 24 and New Mexico ports later—aimed at easing beef supply pressure. Energy & Jobs: New Mexico Land Commissioner Stephanie Garcia Richard issued a lease for a wind farm repower expected to add 135 megawatts and generate millions for schools. Local Life: New Mexico United teamed with the Girl Scouts for a “girls in the game” patch-earning fundraiser; Olivia’s Café was named Small Business of the Year. Politics: The DNC recommended South Carolina lead off the 2028 Democratic presidential primary calendar, with New Mexico added to early voting states.

Clean Energy Grants: The Trump administration acknowledged in court filings that it canceled $7.6 billion in clean energy grants for hundreds of projects “based solely” on whether the recipient state voted for Kamala Harris in 2024, drawing fresh backlash from Democrats and environmental groups. Democratic Primary Fight: The DNC chose South Carolina to lead the 2028 presidential calendar, with Nevada next and New Mexico slated for Feb. 15, leaving Iowa out and sparking pushback from Iowa Democrats. Food Safety: The FDA says nearly 100 people in 17 states were sickened in a salmonella outbreak tied in part to a massive Texas egg recall, with Kroger and Brookshire among retailers that sold the affected eggs. Livestock & Border Policy: USDA announced a phased reopening of Mexican cattle imports starting Aug. 24 at Douglas, Arizona, with Columbus and Santa Teresa in New Mexico later, as screwworm concerns shape the schedule. Local & State Watch: The U.S. Forest Service and New Mexico signed a 20-year shared stewardship agreement aimed at thinning forests, cutting wildfire risk, and expanding wood use. Community Notes: UNM-Gallup hosted a fiber optic technician bootcamp that certified 31 participants, and Bookworks and Garcia Street Books listed multiple author events on the Bosque this week.

Flood Response: Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham signed an executive order authorizing up to $250,000 in emergency funds for the New Mexico National Guard to support communities hit by flooding, including Gallup and Zuni Pueblo. Local Water Woes: Elephant Butte officials warned businesses are already feeling the pinch as lake levels drop, and the city council approved updates tied to public health services and meeting schedules. Food Safety: Midwest Poultry Services recalled nearly 19 million eggs over possible salmonella contamination; the eggs were shipped to New Mexico among other states, with no illnesses reported so far. Border Livestock Trade: USDA announced a phased reopening of southern cattle ports after the New World screwworm outbreak, with Douglas, Arizona set to reopen Aug. 24 and New Mexico ports (Santa Teresa and Columbus) next. Politics & Courts: New Mexico’s attorneys general are among states suing to block Trump administration grant conditions that would force election and immigration changes; separate legal fights also continue over the Paramount-Warner Bros. merger. Democratic Primary Calendar: A DNC panel set New Mexico’s Democratic presidential primary for Feb. 15, 2028, moving it into the early window. Wildlife: Santa Fe-area reports show rising bear activity, including a bear electrocuted after climbing power lines.

Flood Response: Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham signed executive orders to speed help for flood and flash-flood damage across New Mexico, including Zuni Pueblo, where officials say at least 20 homes were hit, some with up to 2 feet of water. Tribal Gaming Fight: Four New Mexico tribes asked a federal judge to block Kalshi from offering sports betting on tribal lands, arguing the company is running class III gaming without authorization. FEMA Funding Lawsuit: More than two dozen states, including New Mexico, sued the Trump administration over new disaster and homeland security grant conditions tied to election and immigration policies. Chaco Canyon Pressure: Pueblos and New Mexico lawmakers renewed calls to protect Chaco Canyon as the administration moves to rescind a drilling buffer around the park. Screwworm Alert: New World screwworm is back in the region after cases in Texas and one in New Mexico, prompting new animal-transport restrictions. Mining Boom: A review finds companies filed more than 12,000 mining claims in New Mexico since 2023—far more than the previous century. Local Politics: New Mexico Democrats plan to use ranked-choice voting to pick a new lieutenant governor nominee after Maggie Toulouse Oliver’s departure.

Food Safety Recall: Midwest Poultry Services is voluntarily recalling about 1.6 million dozen eggs (roughly 19 million eggs) over possible Salmonella contamination. The eggs were produced in Texas and sold at Kroger and Brookshire Grocery stores, including in New Mexico, with “sell by” dates from July 20 to Aug. 17, 2026; customers are told not to eat the eggs and to return them for a refund. Wildlife & Power Safety: A black bear climbed a high-voltage utility pole near Gladstone in Union County and died after electrocution, despite efforts to keep people away and encourage it to come down. State Courts: The New Mexico Supreme Court rejected a Republican challenge to Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham’s universal childcare program, keeping the policy in place. Environment & Water: Elephant Butte is at just 1.7% of normal capacity, the lowest since 1971, as drought and dam operations continue to shrink the lake. Local Economy/Workforce: Luna Community College is expanding its tuition-free CDL pathways and is moving toward becoming a licensed state CDL testing site for Northern New Mexico.

Chaco Canyon Fight: New Mexico lawmakers and tribal leaders rallied in Washington to push back on a proposal that would remove a 10-mile buffer around Chaco Canyon, warning it could open the area to oil and gas and mining; a 14-day public comment period runs through July 29. Insurance Pressure: New Mexico’s top regulators say insurers declined to renew a record 6,200 homeowners’ policies in 2025, with wildfire-prone areas flagged as the biggest driver. Water Crisis: Lake Powell and Lake Mead hit historic lows, underscoring the Colorado River squeeze and raising alarms for water and power across the Southwest. Food Assistance Shakeup: New SNAP rules tied to payment accuracy could push more states to pay a share of costs unless error rates improve, with New Mexico among those watching the fallout. Tech Push: New Mexico launched a $150 million fund aimed at quantum and other high-tech industries, betting on faster growth and more in-state jobs. Local Business & Safety: Albuquerque’s latest restaurant inspection list shows many green grades, while a separate national recall warns of 1.6 million eggs pulled over possible Salmonella contamination.

Albuquerque Crime Update: APD midyear stats show homicide down 19% and motor vehicle theft down 36%, but drugs/narcotics offenses jumped 76%, underscoring a mixed picture for public safety. Medicaid Costs: A New Mexico legislative report says average Medicaid spending per member rose from $576 a month in 2020 to a projected $883, with costs climbing even as enrollment fell. Chaco Canyon Fight: New Mexico’s congressional delegation and Pueblo leaders rallied in Washington to oppose a plan that would roll back a 2023 buffer protecting Chaco from oil and gas extraction. Child Welfare at the Border: CYFD is accused of dropping a 15-year-old at a Texas border crossing for reunification in Mexico after the case was closed, raising safety concerns among local professionals. Old Town Business Clash: Portal vendors say unpermitted renovations to the historic Armijo House could displace them, while the owner argues subdivision is needed for business. Local Development: San Mateo Towers redevelopment is moving forward despite vandalism, fires, and major system damage, with affordable housing required in the plan. Water Crisis: Lake Mead and Lake Powell hit record-low combined levels, pushing the region toward emergency talks and possible federal cutbacks. Data Centers: Sierra County approved an 18-month data center moratorium amid worries about water and rural impacts, following similar local pushback. Spaceport America Link: The moratorium resolution explicitly references Spaceport America’s proposed development and the concern it could affect groundwater and ranching. Epstein Investigation Fallout: Former NM AG Hector Balderas says federal prosecutors broke a 2019 agreement to share Zorro Ranch investigation files, fueling calls for unredacted records.

Immigration & Civil Rights: A new ACLU report says immigration agents in 2025 committed widespread civil rights abuses, including misconduct in more than 400 of 1,200-plus enforcement incidents reviewed across Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Illinois, Louisiana, Maryland, and New Mexico. Local Economy & Jobs: New Mexico’s unemployment rate fell to 4.8% in June, with the state adding more than 10,000 jobs and private-sector gains outpacing public-sector losses. Workforce Development: The New Mexico Department of Workforce Solutions received over $900,000 to expand apprenticeship programs, aiming to grow paid training in construction, healthcare, IT, and cybersecurity. Water & Climate: A federal Colorado River plan is expected soon, as states push for steps to prevent further collapse of the river system; meanwhile, Lake Powell continues shrinking and forces marinas to adapt. Tribal & Energy Policy: Tribal leaders, including from New Mexico, urged federal officials to keep Chaco Canyon protections as the BLM weighs reducing or removing a drilling buffer. Public Safety & Infrastructure: The NTSB is investigating whether U.S. military GPS jamming played a role in a fatal New Mexico medevac crash that killed two pilots and two nurses. Cybersecurity: Chick-fil-A disclosed a credential stuffing attack from June 17–19 that exposed customer data, including names, emails, membership numbers, and payment details. Education & Community: Los Alamos Public Schools announced a 2026 graduate, Zachary Sestric, received a $1,000 scholarship from the New Mexico School Boards Association.

Courts & State Politics: A federal judge set up a major Aug. 3 trial for former New Mexico House majority leader Sheryl Williams Stapleton and co-defendant Joseph Johnson, with jury questionnaires sent to 180 prospective jurors. Child Welfare: CYFD told an arbitrator it’s added 73 new foster families this year but still isn’t meeting lower-caseload targets, as the state tries to reduce burnout and turnover. Public Regulation: New Mexico’s Public Regulation Commission seat is up for grabs after Gabriel Aguilera’s term ends, with a nominating committee starting the process. Local Government: Deming City Council meets tonight to consider a preliminary FY 2027 budget and other resolutions, including road-funding awards and appointments. Roads & Economic Development: Luna County approved an economic development ordinance for Wesley Brothers Desert Studios and transportation funding agreements through state road programs. Business & Community: Revel Entertainment plans a new outdoor amphitheater on Albuquerque’s West Side, aiming for an intimate venue with public programming. Sports: New Mexico State’s Trey Hedden is the presumptive starting QB heading into fall camp, and NMHU’s fired administrator Paul Grindstaff is suing the university alleging retaliation over athlete safety concerns.

Paramount-Warner Merger Halt: A federal judge ordered Paramount and Warner Bros. Discovery to pause their $81 billion deal for at least two weeks while a coalition of 12 states, including New Mexico, fights the merger on antitrust grounds. Rio Grande Water Fallout: After Texas v. New Mexico’s settlement, farmers in southern New Mexico are weighing what the new water delivery index and groundwater buybacks will mean for agriculture. Maternal Health Data: New Mexico lawmakers heard that mental illness and substance abuse were major factors behind 74 pregnancy-related deaths from 2018 to 2023, with most labeled preventable. Road Safety: New Mexico again ranked worst in the nation for pedestrian deaths, even as overall traffic-related deaths fell. Local Fix for Speed Cameras: Albuquerque drivers can clear speed camera tickets with four hours of community service instead of paying the $100 fine. Weather Impacts: Weekend flooding hit southern New Mexico roads, including NM 146 and I-10 frontage roads, with debris and damage reported. Student Loan Defaults: A national surge pushed federal student loan defaults to record levels as pandemic-era protections ended. Food Recall: General Mills recalled 730,000+ Pillsbury bread rolls sold at Walmart in multiple states, including New Mexico, over possible glass fragments. Navajo Nation Politics: Navajo voters head to the polls July 21 for a presidential primary, with candidates traveling across the Southwest to court support.