AGP Executive Report

Jail Medical Care Scrutiny: A Santa Fe County jail death is prompting questions about intake and whether a detainee with serious health issues was placed in the right medical housing, after records point to confusion during booking. New Mexico Identity Clash: President Trump’s Truth Social map posts suggesting New Mexico be renamed “New America” drew fast pushback from Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham, Deb Haaland and other leaders, who say the state name isn’t up for debate and that a president can’t legally rename it. Child Care Shortfall: One year after free child care launched in New Mexico, demand is outpacing available slots, leaving parents on long waiting lists and cobbling together care. Local Economy & Culture: Ruidoso Downs plans to move major horse races to Texas in 2027, worrying New Mexico fans and businesses about losing a long-running tradition. Health Care Access: A new analysis warns rural hospital obstetrics closures could mean much longer drives for Medicaid patients seeking maternity care. Teen Safety Online: New Mexico’s debate over social media rules for teens continues as lawmakers weigh bans against concerns about benefits and enforcement. Energy & Permitting: Energy Transfer delayed its New Mexico Green Chile Project to Feb. 2027 amid regulatory and land-rights issues tied to the Project Jupiter data-center push. Federal Immigration Tuition Fight: The Justice Department sued multiple states, including New Mexico, challenging in-state tuition rules for illegal immigrants. National Politics & Trade: Trump escalated rhetoric over Labor Day, including threats tied to Canada’s Bombardier and broader map-style posts. Community Events: Albuquerque’s Harvest Wine and Music Festival highlighted local producers facing higher shipping costs and the importance of keeping dollars in-state.

State Identity Clash: President Trump’s Labor Day Truth Social posts and maps suggesting New Mexico be renamed “New America” sparked immediate backlash from Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham and other Democrats, who called it a distraction and said the state’s name “isn’t up for debate.” Constitutional Limits: Multiple reports note Trump can rename federal landmarks, but changing a state’s name would require action within the state—setting up a likely legal and political wall. Campaign Pressure: New Mexico Democrats framed the rebrand talk as noise while kitchen-table costs rise, while Republicans pushed a “New Mexico is not for sale” message ahead of the midterms. Local Life Angle: A separate look at New Mexico’s free childcare rollout finds demand still outpacing available centers, leaving some parents on long waiting lists. Other NM News: The Albuquerque-area debate over surveillance tech continues as a man accused of taking down Flock cameras shows up at a sheriff’s department with more devices.

State Identity Clash: President Trump reignited a fight over New Mexico’s name, posting a map that crosses out “Mexico” and replaces it with “America,” calling it “New America.” Local Pushback: Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham and other New Mexico Democrats slammed the idea, saying the name isn’t up for debate and accusing Trump of distracting from gas prices and other costs. Misinformation Angle: The latest uproar followed a debunked viral claim that Trump had already signed an order to rename the state; fact-checkers traced it to satire, while the White House has not announced any formal process. Broader Rebranding Pattern: The post fits Trump’s wider geographic name changes, including “Lake America” and “Gulf of America,” which have drawn international and domestic criticism. Other NM Watch: A KOAT–Albuquerque Journal poll finds voters split on a legislator-pay amendment, with many still undecided.

Online Safety Watch: Child-safety advocates are watching closely after Meta’s $18 billion U.S. settlement, which requires limits on teen usage time, notification muting during school hours, stronger age checks, and options like non-algorithmic feeds—moves that could set expectations far beyond the U.S. New Mexico Courts & Water: New Mexico Attorney General Raúl Torrez backed emergency petitions at the state Supreme Court over Project Jupiter permitting, arguing agencies skipped required notice and hearings for water-related decisions. State Politics: A Journal Poll finds voters are more open than opposed to a constitutional amendment to pay legislators a salary, but many remain undecided. Nuclear Legacy & Land: The state land commissioner signed an order banning uranium mining on New Mexico trust lands, citing contamination risks from the state’s long uranium history. Nursing Home Scrutiny: A report highlights staffing and quality problems in New Mexico nursing homes, with many facilities receiving high numbers of health citations. Utility Oversight Debate: An Albuquerque column questions whether the Public Regulation Commission can provide strong oversight as private investors seek control of key utilities.

Uranium Ban: New Mexico’s public lands commissioner signed an order ending uranium mining on state trust lands, citing contamination risks and the state’s nuclear legacy. AI & Free Speech: The Babylon Bee sued to block enforcement of New Mexico’s AI political-content disclosure law, arguing it violates First Amendment protections for satire and parody. Project Jupiter Fight: The NM Supreme Court denied a bid to partially lift a stay tied to Project Jupiter permits, while the attorney general backed emergency petitions from environmental groups over air and water issues. Nursing Home Scrutiny: A report highlights staffing shortages and serious safety problems in New Mexico nursing homes, including high citation rates and concerns as a major operator faces bankruptcy. Legislator Pay Push: A statewide campaign kicked off for a constitutional amendment to pay New Mexico legislators a salary instead of only per diem and travel. Local Crime: Police say a man killed his cousin after an argument over how spicy their enchiladas were. Military Religious Freedom: Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth promised to protect service members at Kirtland Air Force Base who deliver religious greetings, after a nonprofit challenged the practice.

NM Supreme Court & Elections: The New Mexico Supreme Court ruled Democrats can’t fill two House vacancies (HD-04 and HD-23) with replacement nominees after withdrawals missed the 90-day deadline, a move RPNM called election interference. Project Jupiter Fight: The NM Supreme Court denied a bid to partially lift a stay on air-quality permit proceedings for the Santa Teresa AI data center campus, while the NM attorney general backed emergency petitions from environmental groups. Uranium on State Lands: New Mexico’s land commissioner issued an executive order banning new uranium leasing on state trust lands, directing the state to prioritize cleanup of legacy sites instead. Cannabis Retail Costs: Cannabis businesses say the state’s new “seed to sale” tracking system is causing major sales losses after technical failures and mislabeling. Wolves Policy: President Trump ordered a federal review of gray wolf and Mexican wolf protections that could lead to delisting or downlisting, drawing conservationists’ ire. Federal Staffing: A report says U.S. Fish and Wildlife staffing has dropped sharply in the West, including big cuts in Oregon and Washington.

Uranium policy showdown: New Mexico Land Commissioner Stephanie Garcia Richard issued an executive order banning new uranium leasing on state trust lands, directing the state to prioritize cleanup of legacy contamination instead of expanding mining—an effort critics say counters the Trump administration’s push to ramp up production. Cannabis business hit: Retailers say the state’s new “seed to sale” tracking system (NMS2S) is causing technical failures and mislabeling that are tying up inventory and forcing extra staffing. Voting rights in court: A coalition led by Attorney General Nick Brown won a preliminary injunction blocking USPS rules that would have forced major changes to mail-ballot design and tracking ahead of the Nov. 3 midterms. Albuquerque policing transparency: APD detailed its use of 19,000 camera views and license plate readers, saying monitoring is for law-enforcement purposes and not immigration enforcement. Education case: Yazzie-Martinez plaintiffs asked a judge to reject the state’s court-ordered education plan and let them write their own. Local culture & sports: Zozobra’s 102nd Burning returned to Santa Fe, and New Mexico United plays Las Vegas Lights FC as it tries to bounce back after its unbeaten run ended.

Rio Grande Water Release: Researchers say 650 million gallons of “environmental flow” water is moving down the Rio Grande toward Albuquerque to help stressed cottonwoods and wildlife after an extreme dry year, with scientists racing to track what the short-term surge can (and can’t) fix. Ballot Fight in Santa Fe: The New Mexico Supreme Court blocked two Democratic replacement candidates from the Nov. 3 ballot, tightening rules on how late parties can swap nominees and setting up Republicans to gain control in a rural House district. Project Jupiter Pressure: New Mexico’s attorney general backed legal challenges to Project Jupiter permits, as lawmakers and advocates continue to question the data center’s water use. Local Crime Update: Albuquerque police say a man arrested for dismantling Flock cameras had a long criminal history and that only part of the equipment was tied to the county contract. Mental Health Access: A report from Crisis Text Line finds people in Mountain West states are more likely to seek help for suicide in crisis texts, with rural barriers likely playing a role. Business: Curia opened an expanded Albuquerque manufacturing campus after a $200 million investment to boost domestic sterile injectable production.

Project Jupiter Fallout: New Mexico AG Raúl Torrez is backing emergency petitions arguing state agencies violated due process while approving parts of Oracle’s Project Jupiter near Santa Teresa, including how a well was expedited and how an air-quality permit hearing was handled. Public Pushback: A KOB poll of New Mexico’s 2nd Congressional District finds voters oppose Project Jupiter by 21 points, with most saying costs outweigh benefits and only a small share backing the plan as proposed. Medicaid Warning: New Mexico is preparing letters to more than 230,000 Medicaid recipients ahead of new federal work requirements, with Health Care Authority projections that 89,000 could lose coverage starting Jan. 1, 2027. Healthcare Politics: Republican governor candidate Gregg Hull is also drawing fire for threatening cuts and for a proposal to sell off more clinics to private equity. Local Impact: Bernalillo County held an annual memorial for 170 unclaimed residents, highlighting families who couldn’t afford burial. Ruidoso Downs Update: Flood-damaged Ruidoso Downs is moving major Quarter Horse events to Lone Star Park in Texas starting in 2027. Tech & Science: New Mexico Tech students won NASA’s Best Innovation Award for a spider-inspired sensor designed to detect tiny meteorite impacts and hazards in space.

Project Jupiter Fight: New Mexico DOJ backed emergency petitions at the state Supreme Court, arguing agencies cut corners on required notice and hearings tied to the Doña Ana County AI data center’s water approvals. Local Water Stress: Taos approved Phase 3 water restrictions amid severe drought and strain on its municipal system, with limits hitting residential and commercial users. Utility Ownership Push: More than 1,400 New Mexicans and dozens of groups urged leaders to consider buying a stake in PNM’s parent TXNM Energy as a Blackstone Infrastructure takeover faces legal and regulatory setbacks. Education & Workforce: Albuquerque Public Schools laid out its academies transition and AI-era learning goals in its State of the District address. Health Coverage: New Mexico kept residents covered after federal enhanced subsidies expired, but BeWell premiums are still set to rise 24.4% for 2027. State Politics: A House resolution condemning socialism passed 220-192 with only eight Democrats voting for it, including Gabe Vasquez of New Mexico. Business & Growth: Curia held a ribbon-cutting for a $200 million Albuquerque expansion, adding fill-finish and sterile training capacity. Sports Betting Watch: A legal roundup highlighted growing scrutiny of prediction markets, especially sports-related contracts.

Project Jupiter water scrutiny: U.S. Rep. Melanie Stansbury says new information about the data-center construction site’s water use raises “serious concerns,” and she’s pushing for more state investigation into whether proper water rights and permits were followed. Local courts & elections: A federal judge denied the New Mexico Forward Party’s emergency request to keep its candidates on the November ballot after signature rules disqualified them; the party says it will appeal. Meta in Santa Fe: New Mexico is set to face Facebook again in a Santa Fe courtroom next week, the third Meta-related trial this year tied to privacy and Cambridge Analytica fallout. Public safety tech backlash: A man was arrested after showing up outside the Bernalillo County Sheriff’s headquarters with multiple Flock cameras, claiming he was “returning” them after the county ended its contract. Hamas crypto crackdown: DOJ says FBI seized about $560,000 in cryptocurrency tied to Hamas fundraising and took control of parts of the online donation infrastructure. Energy utility update: PNM launched a mobile app for payments, budget billing and outage info as it rolls out smart meters.

Ballot Access Fight: A federal judge denied the New Mexico Forward Party’s bid to pause enforcement of the state’s minor-party ballot access rules, focusing on a narrower motion and giving the party until Sept. 16 to respond. AI in Schools: Lawmakers are pressing the Public Education Department over Amira AI, after districts and charters opted out over concerns about transparency, data safety, and how student voice recordings are used. Workforce Training Funding: New Mexico launched the application process for colleges to offer Workforce Pell, opening a new path for short-term, credential-focused training. Rio Grande Water Update: After record dryness, Albuquerque-area officials released 615 million gallons expected to reach the city by Thursday, aiming to help vegetation and provide drought data. Local Economy & Jobs: CNM opened a $73 million film and digital media training center at the Rail Yards, and Curia marked a $200 million Albuquerque expansion with a ribbon-cutting tied to 250-plus jobs. Tech, Kids, and Regulation: California lawmakers advanced a bill targeting “addictive” social media features for users under 16, echoing broader youth-safety pressure on platforms. Business Expansion: FNBO agreed to acquire InBank, adding branches in Colorado and four in northern New Mexico, pending regulatory approval.

Project Jupiter: The New Mexico Supreme Court denied developers’ bid to partially lift a stay on an air-quality permit for a massive Santa Teresa data-center campus, keeping the Sept. 14 hearing paused while pipeline and access issues remain contested. Meta and teens: Meta agreed to pay up to $17.1 billion in a youth-safety settlement with most states, including new age-check and screen-time limits; New Mexico is not part of the deal. Albuquerque encampment lawsuit: City officials admitted deleting thousands of texts and other communications, prompting homeless plaintiffs to seek sanctions for evidence destruction. Rio Grande water: A 2,000-acre-foot release from Abiquiu is expected to reach Albuquerque Thursday to temporarily rewet the drought-stressed river stretch. CNM film hub: Central New Mexico Community College opened a nearly $73M film and digital media training center at the Rail Yards, with classes starting this fall. Local business/heritage: The Albuquerque Press Club won $116,315 in matching grants to repair the historic Whittlesey House, including security upgrades. Tech in the sky: Sceye and SoftBank demonstrated high-altitude connectivity in Japan after launching from New Mexico.

Rio Grande Water Return: Albuquerque is set to get millions of gallons back in the Rio Grande this week after a release from Abiquiu Reservoir, with officials saying it will help track how the river rebounds after extended dryness. Data Centers & Water: A researcher told state lawmakers New Mexico’s data-center water use could jump dramatically if planned facilities come online, raising concerns about transparency and planning. Gun Rights Court Fight: New Mexico House Republicans urged Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham and AG Raúl Torrez to stop enforcing the state’s seven-day firearm waiting period after a federal court ruling blocked enforcement. Racino License Ruling: A judge reversed a New Mexico Racing Commission decision involving SunRay Park and Casino, keeping the license transfer from San Juan County to Clovis on hold. Recovery Awareness Month: New Mexico announced more than 30 recovery events across 20 counties in September, highlighting 988 crisis support and expanded behavioral health services. Haaland Campaign Push: Deb Haaland’s first general-election TV ad leans on New Mexico landscapes as she and opponent Gregg Hull gear up for TV advertising. National Politics Watch: DOJ actions targeting Hamas crypto fundraising and a broader U.S. fight over measles reporting drew attention beyond New Mexico.

Medicaid Watch: New Mexico health officials say they’ll launch a statewide awareness push, with billboards and ads in English and Spanish, to help about 230,000 people understand upcoming Medicaid changes and avoid losing coverage starting in January. Racing & Gaming: A judge in Albuquerque blocked the New Mexico Racing Commission’s plan to transfer a “racino” license that would have moved live horse racing from Farmington to Clovis, calling it beyond the commission’s authority for now. Water Rights Fight: New Mexico sued federal border officials and contractors, alleging illegal groundwater drilling near the southern border and warning it could be “stealing” finite water from ranchers and water users. Local Public Safety: A new Shiprock First Responders Substation opened, consolidating medical, fire and rescue, law enforcement, and emergency management services for a wide northern area. Tech & Economy: The state opened applications for two grant programs that match outside investment for advanced tech and research, aiming to leverage federal, philanthropic, and private dollars. Community & Culture: Diné College expanded its student-run radio station, KXWR-LP, to reach more listeners across the Navajo Nation and beyond.

Fentanyl Oversight: House Oversight Chair James Comer opened a probe into alleged DEA tactics that let large fentanyl shipments reach New Mexico streets while agents monitored instead of seizing, echoing whistleblower claims and prompting requests for internal records from Attorney General Todd Blanche. State Courts & Permits: New Mexico’s high court paused issuance of air and water permits tied to Project Jupiter, a rare win for residents challenging the project’s approval process. Local Traffic Safety: Albuquerque and Portland credited a “rest in red” style system—speed sensors that reward drivers at or below the limit—with cutting crashes and injuries along a dangerous corridor on Lead and Coal avenues. Public Safety Training: A revamped New Mexico law enforcement legal training program has already graduated 178 learners at the DPS Law Enforcement Academy in Santa Fe, serving recruits, lateral officers, telecommunicators, and other agencies statewide. Tech & Teens: Meta agreed to strengthen age checks for Facebook and Instagram as part of an $18 billion settlement, adding new limits for under-18 users and raising questions about how age verification will work. Community & Relief: New Mexico’s Nepali community held a candlelight vigil and canceled a major festival after flooding in Nepal left families here grieving and waiting for answers.