AGP Executive Report

Epstein Files Fight: New Mexico AG Raúl Torrez says the U.S. Justice Department is withholding unredacted Epstein records, delaying the state’s reopened Zorro Ranch investigation and raising statute-of-limitations concerns. Wildfire Relief: FEMA will pay more than $3.5 billion to Hermit’s Peak-Calf Canyon Fire survivors in New Mexico, as western leaders push for better wildfire coordination with the U.S. Forest Service. Pet Health Alert: Veterinarians warn New World screwworm cases are showing up in Texas and New Mexico dogs, urging owners to watch for wounds, foul odor, and larvae. Local Business/Jobs: Albuquerque’s meat processor expansion adds 10 jobs. Housing & Growth: New Mexico lawmakers plan a 2027 moratorium on large data centers, citing concerns tied to Project Jupiter in Santa Teresa. Health Costs: A new report highlights how ACA coverage shifts are leaving many consumers with higher out-of-pocket risks.

Robocall crackdown: New Mexico’s AGs are backing a push for tougher FCC rules to stop scammers from buying legitimate phone numbers, after Americans lost nearly $2 billion to robocalls and texts. Cash App settlement: California AG Rob Bonta joined a multistate deal for $45 million with Block over alleged misleading safety claims and weak fraud protections on Cash App. Screwworm alert: New World screwworm has been confirmed in Texas and New Mexico, including two dog cases, prompting vets to urge daily wound checks and fast treatment. Wildland firefighter health: Federal agencies expanded protections for crews, including N95 use on the fireline, more showers and gear cleaning, and “clean air” recovery periods. Project Jupiter hearing: NM Environment Department will hold a public hearing on the air-quality permit for the Oracle/OpenAI data center in Doña Ana County after complaints about names used without consent. NMHU investigation: Highlands University faces a criminal probe into alleged fraud and civil-rights violations tied to hiring practices. Local governance: Roswell city manager Hess Yntema resigned, citing completed audits and progress on flights and jobs. Tax fight: House Republicans renewed calls for eliminating New Mexico’s personal income tax, arguing it would return about $2.1 billion annually to taxpayers.

DEA fentanyl accountability push: Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham is demanding federal action after a DEA whistleblower allegation that agents let large amounts of fentanyl reach New Mexico, saying the President and DOJ must respond; a 2019 protocol aimed to prevent distribution, while later wording gave investigators more discretion. APD shooting scrutiny: A civil rights attorney says cell phone videos from an Albuquerque police shooting near Third and Central could help clarify timelines and whether officers followed policy as APD reviews footage, body cams, and witness accounts. Screwworm alert for pets: New World screwworm cases in Texas and New Mexico are rising, with veterinarians urging pet owners to watch for wounds and seek care fast. Energy and growth in NM: The PRC says 16 community solar projects are now online statewide, and Titan Development broke ground on a second Mesa del Sol housing phase with 185 lots. Robocall crackdown: New Mexico AGs joined a multistate push urging the FCC to block scammers from buying legitimate phone numbers.

Meta Youth Safety Lawsuit: California, Colorado, Kentucky and New Jersey are seeking up to $1.4 trillion from Meta over claims Facebook and Instagram were designed to addict young users, with Meta calling the figure unprecedented and unsupported as a trial is set for August in Oakland. New Mexico Politics: House Republicans in Santa Fe are pushing Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham to call a special session to repeal New Mexico’s personal income tax, arguing a one-time rebate isn’t enough for lasting relief. Public Safety & Consumer Protection: New Mexico Attorney General Raúl Torrez issued wildfire guidance urging residents to report price gouging and charity fraud, including fake fundraising during emergencies. Local Housing: Roswell city leaders are set to consider condemning a long-vacant Plaza apartment complex, citing dilapidation, safety concerns, and repeated fires. Water Rights: A major Colorado River tribal water settlement is stalled as Upper Basin states—including New Mexico—raise concerns, leaving some communities without running water. Agriculture & Land Use: The federal government is rewriting public-land grazing rules for 155 million acres, with critics saying the overhaul could reduce public input while expanding livestock grazing.

Project Jupiter Permit: The New Mexico Environment Department will hold a public hearing on Project Jupiter’s air quality permit for a fuel-cell microgrid in Doña Ana County after residents said their names were used on supportive comments without consent. Tax Fight in Santa Fe: New Mexico House Republicans urged Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham to call a special session to eliminate the state personal income tax, arguing it would beat her proposed one-time $250 rebate. Homelessness Funding Lawsuit: Colorado and New Mexico are among states suing HUD to block changes that would cap funding for permanent supportive housing, warning tens of thousands could lose homes. Meta Teen Safety Case: Meta says states are seeking $1.4 trillion in penalties over claims Facebook and Instagram were designed to harm teens; the company calls the figure unprecedented as an August Oakland trial looms. Uranium Mining Push: Catron County residents and a conservation group are mobilizing against a “massive” proposed uranium exploration project in Cibola National Forest. Wildfire Safety Warning: Officials warned parents about a viral microwave challenge involving gel fidget toys after reports of serious burns to children, including in New Mexico. Consumer Rankings: A ConsumerAffairs study ranked New Mexico among the worst states to move to in 2026, while Wisconsin landed 16th.

Project Jupiter jobs: New Mexico approved a $3.06 million grant to train 95 workers for Oracle/OpenAI’s hyperscale data center in Santa Teresa, with initial operations targeted for late 2026. Fentanyl fallout: After an AP report said DEA agents allowed fentanyl into New Mexico during trafficking probes, Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham says the state may seek millions in civil damages, while the DEA points to an Inspector General review. Meta youth-safety trial: Meta disclosed that four states are seeking $1.4 trillion in penalties over claims Facebook/Instagram were designed to addict children and misled the public; the case heads to trial in August in Oakland. Public lands grazing overhaul: Federal rules are being rewritten to expand grazing across 155 million acres, with critics saying it cuts public input and could worsen environmental harm. Veterinary loan help: New Mexico extended access to its Veterinary Medicine Loan Repayment Program, offering up to $80,000 for vets serving rural, frontier and tribal food-animal communities, with an Aug. 1 deadline.

Border dispute in southern NM: The Diocese of Las Cruces says the federal government is trying to seize church-owned land near Mount Cristo Rey to build a bigger border wall, arguing the diocese has already allowed limited access and sensors since 2021. Earthquake update for northern NM: New Mexico Tech seismologist Urbi Basu links Monday’s 4.2 and 4.0 quakes near Raton to “induced seismicity” tied to coal bed methane extraction and wastewater disposal in the Raton Basin. Campaign fallout beyond NM: Calls intensified for Maine Senate nominee Graham Platner to withdraw after a Politico report alleged sexual assault; top Democrats said the DSCC won’t invest if he stays on the ballot. Governor’s race money watch: Deb Haaland outraised Gregg Hull in the month after the June 3 primary, with Haaland reporting about $1.1M raised and nearly $2.3M cash on hand. Local business and storefront news: Albuquerque’s Fresh Coat Grant is funding Route 66-area storefront upgrades, while the Eastdale Shopping Center is getting about a $1M exterior refresh. Food insecurity push: St. Felix Pantry in Rio Rancho launched a raffle to raise funds as demand for food assistance keeps climbing.

PFAS/AFFF Cleanup: The Pentagon says hundreds of military sites have AFFF contamination and must remove millions of gallons as PFAS health concerns and lawsuits push faster cleanup nationwide. Minimum Wage: Seventeen states raised pay this month, widening the gap with the unchanged $7.25 federal floor and highlighting inflation pressure on workers. Energy Policy: Trump’s administration is sending new money to keep coal plants running, including a nearly $21 million deal for an Arizona facility, despite broader calls to move away from coal. New Mexico Economy & Politics: Candidates for governor are cool on Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham’s proposed $250 rebate, with Deb Haaland and Gregg Hull arguing for longer-term tax and affordability fixes. Colorado River Talks: Western governors met to pursue a deal to slow Colorado River shortages and avoid court fights, with New Mexico among the states at the table. Wildfire Impacts: Fire danger across the West continues to drive evacuations and memorials for firefighters killed on the Colorado-Utah border. Child Care Experiment: A podcast episode spotlights New Mexico’s universal child care push as a model Massachusetts lawmakers are watching for lessons. Tech/AI Supply Chain: Nvidia and Intel tout U.S. chip progress, but a key Blackwell packaging step still sits offshore, even as investment ramps up.

Wildfire Update: Firefighters in the West marked the deaths of three colleagues killed on the Colorado-Utah border as nearly 40 large fires still burn, with more evacuations ordered in Colorado and drought plus erratic winds driving fast spread. Local Public Safety: Albuquerque police seized illegal fireworks and a separate report says officers killed an armed man in Downtown Albuquerque, with others injured by gunfire. State Politics & Health: New Mexico’s fentanyl crisis remains in the spotlight as lawmakers and officials trade blame over DEA actions, while Bernalillo County leaders argue federal moves have undercut local prevention and treatment efforts. Energy Infrastructure: Western governors, including New Mexico’s, backed a multi-state task force to study and expand the regional power grid to cut bottlenecks and improve reliability. Community & Culture: Santa Fe’s International Folk Art Market returns to the Railyard Park, and Albuquerque’s Hotel Parq Central marks 100 years along Route 66. Sports: New Mexico United’s Cristian Nava is back in form after injuries, scoring in front of a packed home crowd.

Route 66 & Local History: Hotel Parq Central on Central Ave is marking its 100th anniversary, built in 1926 the same year the federal highway system and Route 66 got rolling. Fentanyl & Accountability: New Mexico Democrats are pushing back on blame as state leaders react to reports that DEA tactics helped suspects “walk” fentanyl pills into Albuquerque neighborhoods, worsening the crisis. Public Safety & Fireworks: Wildfire danger is already forcing some western towns to cancel or scale back Fourth of July fireworks, with dry conditions and fast-spreading fires driving the decisions. Local Governance & Housing/Business Mindset: An Albuquerque opinion piece argues the city needs an “abundance mindset” to speed up major projects like the Rail Trail instead of managing decline. Higher Ed & Transparency: UNM is accused of skirting state law by not disclosing details of a law school dean retention vote, reigniting debate over open-records compliance. Economy & Jobs: New Mexico approved $3.06M to help train workers for Project Jupiter data center hires in Santa Teresa, part of a broader push to lock in local talent. Sports: Cristian Nava’s return to form for New Mexico United drew a big home crowd as he scored in a win over Oakland Roots.

Space Weather: A surprise G3 geomagnetic storm lit up auroras across 30+ states on July 3–4, including New Mexico, after NOAA expected only a weaker event. State Politics: New Mexico’s gubernatorial candidates are cool on Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham’s proposed $250 rebate round, with Deb Haaland and Gregg Hull saying they want longer-term relief instead. Economic Development: New Mexico approved a $3.06M grant to help train 95 local hires for Project Jupiter in Santa Teresa, as construction ramps toward early operations in late 2026. Local Accountability: Doña Ana County residents and lawmakers are pushing back on Project Jupiter, alleging compliance delays and missing required job reports and environmental assessments. Public Safety: Albuquerque police are investigating a downtown shooting that killed an armed man and left two others hospitalized, with questions about which rounds hit victims. Small Business & Regulation: NFIB is suing over a New Mexico PFAS labeling rule that it says creates a heavy compliance burden for small manufacturers. Historic Preservation: A coalition is fighting the NSF plan to demolish the Sunspot Solar Observatory near Alamogordo after a mercury leak forced closure.

Wildfire & fireworks curbs: With drought and dangerous fire weather across the West, Utah and other communities are canceling or restricting Fourth of July fireworks, as large fires burn with little containment. Local politics: A recount in New Mexico’s House District 66 confirms LeAnne Gandy won the GOP primary, setting up the November general election. Privacy fight in Santa Fe: Santa Fe retailers are using controversial license plate-reading cameras that can track plates on private property, raising surveillance and data-use concerns. Small business pressure in Albuquerque: Downtown restaurant My Mom’s will close July 31, citing rising food and supply costs that are squeezing Albuquerque small businesses. Election access legal battle: New Mexico’s AG Aaron Ford is part of a multistate push urging the USPS to drop a proposed rule opponents say could restrict mail-in voting. Public health: A CDC study finds alpha-gal allergy markers in a significant share of blood samples in several states, linked to tick exposure. Data center backlash: Sierra County residents met to discuss organizing against data center development, including concerns tied to Project Jupiter. Community & culture: New Mexico’s “Arts of Democracy” exhibit on a traveling RV highlights how founding ideals played out in the state’s history.

Public Safety: Albuquerque police say they arrested a man after APD detectives seized a large quantity of illegal fireworks from a home, using tips, surveillance, and an undercover purchase before serving a search warrant. Drug Enforcement: Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham says New Mexico could pursue billions in civil damages after revelations that DEA agents allegedly allowed fentanyl shipments into communities while building cases, calling it a “stunning failure.” Data Centers & Water: New Mexico lawmakers are moving toward a 2027 statewide moratorium on “large-scale” data centers, citing water, power, emissions, and community impacts as Project Jupiter concerns grow. Health Care: Providers warn that New Mexico’s policy of seeking custody of substance-exposed newborns is harming families, even after a state Supreme Court rejection of a bid to halt the directive. Animal Health: USDA confirms 31 New World screwworm infestations nationwide, including one in New Mexico, as officials urge vigilance for at-risk livestock and wildlife.

Data Centers in the Crosshairs: New Mexico lawmakers unveiled a plan to pursue a statewide moratorium on new large-scale data centers, saying the state needs guardrails for water use, energy demand, emissions, and community impacts before approving more projects. Fentanyl Scrutiny: State Attorney General Raúl Torrez is seeking federal records tied to reports that DEA agents allowed large amounts of fentanyl into New Mexico from 2022 to 2025, including decisions on whether to seize loads. Screwworm Alert: New World screwworm continues to spread, with confirmed animal cases reported in Texas and New Mexico and new efforts focused on quarantine, sterile fly releases, and rancher and pet-owner awareness. Local Education Oversight: Albuquerque Public Schools named Wilson Holland, a former Los Lunas athletics director, as assistant superintendent after an audit found he performed personal work during district hours while officiating out-of-state games. Independence Day in Santa Fe: Santa Fe is set for New Mexico’s official Fourth of July celebration for America’s 250th, featuring a free event with a drone show and fireworks at Franklin Miles Park.

Medicaid Fight: Nevada Attorney General Aaron Ford joined a multistate lawsuit challenging the Trump administration’s interim Medicaid work requirements for medically frail people, arguing the rule strips protections for vulnerable patients. Voting Rights Push: Ford also co-leads opposition to a USPS proposal that would use a centralized voter list and restrict mail ballots, with multiple states warning it would undermine state control of elections. NM Utility Oversight: New Mexico regulators voted 2-1 to force PNM and Blackstone to unwind a controversial $400 million stock sale, a major setback for Blackstone’s push to acquire the utility. Housing & Health Costs: A new report says more than 40% of New Mexico households can’t afford basic living costs, highlighting how low wages and limited savings keep families in financial danger. Local Economy: Albuquerque’s popular My Moms restaurant will close at month’s end, citing rising food costs, rent pressure, and debt. Water Crisis: Coverage spotlights how drought and stalled Colorado River and local water deals leave some communities without running water, including an immigration detention site that must truck water. Agriculture & Research: NMSU won a $759,000 grant to develop disease-resistant green chile, aiming to protect chile from a major soil-borne threat. Animal Health Alert: A screwworm explainer and outbreak updates underscore the ongoing threat to livestock and pets, including a case tied to New Mexico.

Local Law Enforcement Tech: Albuquerque Police will renew ShotSpotter for five years, adding 42 square miles of acoustic gunshot detection coverage, part of a broader Q2 wave of multi-year public safety contracts. North Valley Development: Bernalillo County planners cleared the way for the Albuquerque Islamic Center’s North Valley mosque after denying an appeal that raised noise, traffic, and zoning concerns. Public Safety & Health: New Mexico State Police plan July sobriety checkpoints and saturation patrols statewide to curb impaired driving. Water Watch: Roswell released its 2025 consumer confidence report, noting multiple past system violations and ongoing work expected to finish this December. Wildfire Smoke Reality Check: New research says most people can fail N95 fit tests without realizing it, as wildfire smoke reaches parts of the Southwest including New Mexico. Cannabis Crackdown: New Mexico is rolling out new cannabis enforcement officers aimed at the black market, responding to complaints that legal operators still face illegal competition.