AGP Executive Report

Screwworm Alert: New World screwworm cases keep spreading in the Southwest, with Texas reporting 10 detections since June 3 and adding new quarantine zones as officials urge faster inspections and treatment to protect cattle, goats, and even pets. FDA Emergency Action: The FDA has issued emergency approval for an over-the-counter drug to treat dogs and cats, giving veterinarians another tool to contain outbreaks. Local Safety & Mobility: A New Mexico pedestrian-safety report shows progress, but cyclist deaths have surged to the highest level in 20 years, renewing calls for safer “share-the-road” policies. Child Well-Being: A new Kids Count report says child well-being worsened in 29 states from 2021 to 2025, with declines in education and health and rising child poverty. Community & Culture: Albuquerque’s Native vendors get a more permanent home as the New Mexico Indian Market debuts a Sunset Night Market, aiming to keep local businesses from being displaced. Sports & Local Pride: The Albuquerque Professional Baseball Hall of Fame announced inductees Branch Rickey and former Isotopes manager Lorenzo Bundy for June 27.

Child Well-Being: A new Kids Count report says child well-being worsened in 29 states from 2021 to 2025, with New Mexico still ranking 49th overall as education and family stability lag. Screwworm Response: New World screwworm keeps spreading—US cases now total 9, including a dog in Lea County, and Texas/parts of New Mexico are expanding quarantines and emergency pet treatment options. Border Safety: U.S. Border Patrol is warning people about deadly dangers in the U.S.-Mexico canals, where strong currents and undertows have led to drownings and smugglers’ “jump in” tactics. Prediction Markets Fight: The CFTC sued New Mexico in federal court over efforts to apply state gambling rules to Kalshi, escalating a dispute that began with the state’s own lawsuit. Local Governance: Albuquerque’s council advanced its Infrastructure Capital Improvement Plan and a judge dismissed a challenge to the state’s universal childcare program, keeping the program running. Public Safety: The state Law Enforcement Academy named Fabian M. Valdez as its new director, and Albuquerque announced a federal hate-crime charge after an alleged synagogue and Jewish Community Center attack.

Screwworm Watch: The New World screwworm fight is accelerating after detections in Texas and New Mexico, with USDA releasing sterile flies and expanding surveillance and quarantine zones; U.S. senators are pressing USDA for more research, outreach, and coordination as cases rise. Animal Health Response: FDA has authorized emergency use of nitenpyram tablets for dogs and cats (with age/weight limits), while states tighten movement rules—Colorado now requires livestock entering from infested states to be inspected. Legal Clash in NM: The CFTC sued New Mexico in federal court over prediction market enforcement, arguing federally regulated contracts can’t be treated as state gambling. Public Safety Leadership: New Mexico’s Department of Public Safety named Fabian M. Valdez as the new director of the Law Enforcement Academy. Child Well-Being: A Kids Count report shows child well-being slipping in many states, with New Mexico improving on child poverty but still ranking near the bottom overall, especially in education. Local Culture: The Route 66 Centennial Caravan stopped in Albuquerque, highlighting Route 66 neon collector Carlos Garcia and the road’s lasting local pull.

Screwworm Alert: The New World screwworm has reached New Mexico, with officials confirming a case in a dog and warning residents to watch pets and livestock as the parasite spreads from Texas; Florida has responded by blocking shelter animals from affected states, while Idaho and Colorado are tightening animal entry rules and movement protocols to slow further spread. Beef Prices & Supply: With cattle herds already low and beef at record highs, ranchers and industry leaders warn the outbreak could keep grocery bills elevated if cases grow into a wider problem. Legal Fight in NM: The U.S. Justice Department sued the New Mexico Supreme Court and the state Board of Bar Examiners, alleging they violated the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act by refusing to recognize out-of-state law licenses for military families. State Infrastructure & Safety: New Mexico launched its first $220 million transportation bond sale, and pedestrian fatality rankings improved as the state moved from No. 1 to No. 9 in a national measure. Child Well-Being: A new Kids Count snapshot shows New Mexico making slow progress on child poverty and health, even as education indicators still lag.

New World screwworm: The flesh-eating parasite is spreading beyond Texas, with a confirmed case in New Mexico (a dog in Lea County) as USDA ramps up sterile-fly releases and urges daily checks of pets and livestock. Livestock and border pressure: Experts warn the comeback is tied to illegal cattle transport and organized crime, raising fears for the cattle industry and consumer prices. State response: Idaho tightened animal-entry rules after detections in Texas and New Mexico, requiring veterinary inspections and documentation for warm-blooded animals. Local impacts: A new interactive “Refinery Risk Map” estimates health effects from oil refineries across the Mountain West, including New Mexico, highlighting nearby schools and hospitals. Health research: UNM researchers report microplastics found in human brain tissue at higher levels in donors with dementia, calling it a medical emergency. Education and budgets: Roswell school district budgets for 2026-27 were approved, including a change tied to reduced PreK funding.

New World screwworm: New Mexico livestock officials issued an emergency declaration after the state confirmed its first case in a Lea County dog, triggering a quarantine and expanded surveillance as Texas reports more infected animals and federal teams ramp up sterile-fly releases. Agriculture & trade ripple effects: Mexico suspended most live-animal imports from the U.S., and Florida, Idaho and other states tightened entry rules for pets and livestock from affected areas. Public health reassurance: Officials stressed the outbreak is not a food-safety issue, but urged ranchers and pet owners to inspect wounds and report suspected cases quickly. Federal court fight over contractors: New Mexico and other state attorneys general joined lawsuits challenging new Trump administration contract terms tied to “DEI” restrictions, arguing they’re vague and could cost contractors billions. Local business leadership: Albuquerque-area nonprofit DreamSpring named incoming CEO Charles McElrath, as the organization prepares for a new leadership transition. Energy market note: A local oil-patch update says jet fuel output hit record highs as refinery runs and yield shifts respond to Middle East disruptions.

New Mexico Agriculture & Livestock: The USDA confirmed New World screwworm cases beyond Texas, including a first detection in Lea County, putting New Mexico ranchers and pet owners on alert as officials push surveillance and quarantine steps. Public Health & Economy: Markets are watching closely after the parasite’s return, with cattle futures reacting while USDA and livestock experts say the outbreak is not expected to hit meat safety. Local Governance: In Cibola County, unofficial primary results show tight races for probate judge and contested county commission seats ahead of canvass. Courts & Wildlife Management: New Mexico’s appeals court upheld the state’s elk management authority, rejecting landowners’ claims that elk damage amounts to a constitutional taking. Families & Child Care: New Mexico’s universal child care rollout is highlighted through a Ruidoso family’s shift from patchwork, part-time care to full-time coverage. Health & Research: A new study reports microplastics in human brain tissue linked to dementia and cardiovascular risk, with UNM among the researchers. Energy & Industry: An oil-patch update notes New Mexico’s rig count is down while jet fuel output hits record highs, reflecting refinery yield shifts.

Screwworm Alert for New Mexico Ranchers and Pet Owners: USDA confirmed the New World screwworm has reached New Mexico via a dog in Lea County, adding to Texas cases and raising alarms for livestock and nearby communities; officials urge people to inspect animals for open wounds and report suspected cases fast as eradication efforts ramp up. Water Protection in New Mexico: New Mexico has started rulemaking to create a state surface-water pollution permitting program after federal protections weakened, aiming to keep rivers, streams, lakes and wetlands covered. Homeland Security Walks Back Voter-Data Plan: A federal filing says DHS is pulling back, for now, from a plan to share mail-voter data, tying any next steps to USPS rulemaking and privacy limits. Colorado River Management Update: Federal officials say they’ll use a shorter-term 10-year framework with new operational guidelines every two years while states still can’t agree on a deal. Child Spending Trend: A new report finds federal investments in children are expected to keep declining, even as overall federal spending rises.

Screwworm Alert: The USDA confirmed three more New World screwworm cases, bringing the U.S. total to five, including the first New Mexico detection: a dog in Lea County. Officials say the case is believed isolated, but they’re inspecting other animals at the dog’s home and stepping up outreach as Texas detections expand. State Oversight: New Mexico launched a Technology and Innovation Network Advisory Board to guide more than $200 million in planned tech investments, including a $110 million research, development and deployment fund. Local Politics & Jobs: New Mexico Legislative Council Service director Shawna Casebier is stepping down after less than two years, and CNM Ingenuity CEO Kyle Lee will step down Aug. 3 after a decade leading workforce and economic development. Health & Environment: A study involving UNM researchers found microplastics in human brain tissue linked to dementia and cardiovascular risk, while another report ties wildfire smoke exposure to reproductive harm in bulls—raising questions about human impacts.

Screwworm Alert: The USDA confirmed three more New World screwworm cases in Texas and clarified that a dog case is the first in New Mexico, raising alarms for ranchers and pet owners as federal and state teams ramp up quarantines, surveillance, and sterile-fly efforts. Child Safety in Court: New Mexico’s Supreme Court rejected an ACLU emergency bid to stop Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham’s policy placing drug-exposed newborns into protective custody, saying the directive has already moved more than 130 infants into foster care or other placements. Utility Oversight: New Mexico regulators found PNM and private equity Blackstone violated state law in a $400 million stock sale tied to the acquisition, recommending PRC approval and penalties. Wildlife Fraud: Federal prosecutors charged three men in an alleged New Mexico elk-tag scheme involving out-of-state hunters, fraudulent documents, and unpaid IRS reporting. Local Business: Golf Envy opened Albuquerque’s first indoor, tech-powered golf club, bringing simulator practice to the city. Toxic Exposure: Deming reported another suspected toxic incident at a Popeyes, adding to a recent string of cases affecting emergency responders across southern New Mexico.

Child Well-Being Update: New Mexico is showing “slow but steady” gains in child poverty and health, with the Kids Count Data Book citing a drop in the child poverty rate to 22%—the lowest in at least 16 years—though education indicators still lag post-COVID and the state ranks 49th overall. Higher-Ed Leadership Shakeup: New Mexico Highlands University’s Board of Regents dismissed President Neil Woolf without cause about a month after he was placed on paid administrative leave, as a lawsuit he filed alleges improper pressure tied to a campus construction contract. Water & Courts: The U.S. Supreme Court cleared a Rio Grande settlement that requires New Mexico to cut groundwater depletions near the river over the next decade, a move aimed at protecting downstream flows as parts of southern New Mexico face dry stretches again. Local Politics & Community: The U.S. House passed the Albuquerque Indian School Act to return 10 acres to a tribal trust for the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center, advancing to a Senate committee. Business & Industry: Allstream Energy Partners was named official media partner for the 2nd Annual Permian Power Conference in Midland, highlighting growing power demand tied to AI and data centers. Health Tech: Ceribell announced a new peer-reviewed publication linking its seizure-burden AI tool to better neurological outcomes at discharge, using data that includes UNM.

Local Politics: Independent gubernatorial candidate Ken Miyagishima sued New Mexico’s Secretary of State over signature rules he says unfairly burden independents trying to reach the November ballot. Courts & Public Safety: Albuquerque defense attorney Brian Pori faces a federal child pornography charge after an FBI probe tied to alleged drug smuggling; the NM Supreme Court suspended his law license. Wildlife Management: A New Mexico appeals court tossed elk nuisance claims by Catron County ranchers, rejecting arguments that state elk policies amount to a property taking. Health Care: An opinion column argues New Mexico’s medical malpractice debate misses the real strain—delayed transfers, staffing shortages, and overwhelmed emergency departments. Science & Space: The Very Large Array’s successor, an ngVLA prototype antenna in New Mexico, reached “first light,” moving from construction to testing. Community & Culture: UNM and Albuquerque are pushing to host NCAA Tournament preliminary-round games at the Pit. Arts & Tech: Santa Fe’s Currents New Media festival returns June 12-21 with immersive art and technology across multiple sites.

Meta Lawsuit & Business Climate: A New Mexico attorney general lawsuit against Meta is drawing sharp criticism from a local columnist who argues it sends a chilling message to future investors, even as the state frames the case around consumer protection. Water, Wildfire & AI Data Centers: Another opinion piece says New Mexico is “running out of excuses,” pointing to low snowpack and drought while questioning support for high-water, high-energy projects like AI data centers. Screwworm Threat to Livestock: USDA confirmed New World screwworm in a Texas calf, prompting Navajo Nation officials to review their emergency plan and ranchers to brace for possible spread that could hit cattle markets. Prep Sports Eligibility Vote: The NMAA board advanced a “one-time” transfer eligibility bylaw that member schools will vote on by June 19, with concerns it could fuel a college-style athlete pipeline. Food Aid Funding Fight: A federal judge temporarily blocked USDA from tying billions in funding to Trump-era gender and immigration conditions, keeping nutrition programs on track while the case proceeds. Local Courts: An Albuquerque man faces hate-crime charges after alleged window-smashing at a synagogue and Jewish Community Center, with prosecutors seeking to seize firearms.

High School Sports: The New Mexico Activities Association is rushing a major prep-athletics eligibility change to a June 19 referendum, voting 7-3 to create a “one-time” transfer rule without penalty if schools can show it wasn’t driven by undue influence or recruitment—though small-school leaders warn it could turn athletics into a college-style revolving door. Livestock Health: The New World screwworm is back in the U.S., confirmed in two Texas calves, and Navajo Nation agriculture officials say they’re reviewing their long-standing emergency plan as ranchers brace for possible spread. Water & Courts: The U.S. Supreme Court approved a Rio Grande water settlement that Texas says secures its downstream share, while federal managers also move toward a shorter Colorado River plan if states can’t agree. Local Justice: A Grant County jury awarded Nichelle Nichols’ estate $13 million in a wrongful-death case against Gila Regional Medical Center, but New Mexico law caps the hospital’s portion at $400,000. Borderland: Hikers at Mount Cristo Rey are weighing the impact of plans to extend the border wall at the sacred site. Community & Culture: Riley Green added more fall 2026 dates, including an Albuquerque stop at First Financial Credit Union Amphitheater.

Gila Cattle Fight: A federal appeals court tossed New Mexico Cattle Growers’ lawsuit over aerial shooting of feral cattle in the Gila, saying the Forest Service has mostly eradicated the herd and is now focused on capturing any stragglers instead. Flood-Linked Water Aid: After the 2022 Hermits Peak-Calf Canyon Fire and later heavy-metal contamination findings, USDA is offering up to $1 million to help Mora and San Miguel counties pay for drinking-water repairs and treatment. SNAP Legal Block: A judge halted the Trump administration from enforcing new SNAP funding conditions, siding with 19 Democratic-led states that said the requirements could disrupt help for low-income families. Border Wall Clash: Rights groups are challenging plans to extend the border wall near sacred Mount Cristo Rey, arguing it would turn a religious site into a symbol of division. Mental Health Data Gap: UNM researchers found self-harm history is often missing from diagnosis codes in veterans’ records—only about a quarter of documented cases show up—raising concerns for planning and care. Local Fire Update: A second fire at a South Valley recycling center damaged nearby businesses and led to condemnations, with cause still under investigation. Native Politics: Native Organizers Alliance Action Fund hailed Deb Haaland’s Democratic primary win as a historic milestone for Native representation. Sports & Community: Duke City BMX hosted the USA BMX Spring Nationals, drawing riders from across the country to Albuquerque.

New Mexico Politics: New Mexico’s primary election wrapped up this week with unofficial results showing Deb Haaland winning the Democratic governor nomination and Gregg Hull taking the GOP nod, as voters weighed in at about 24.6% turnout statewide and more than 37,000 independents cast ballots. Local Community: Rep. Teresa Leger Fernández helped push the El Valle Community Center and Library in Villanueva toward renovations, announcing $562,500 in federal Community Project Funding to match local and partner dollars. Tribal & Federal Land: Senators Brian Schatz and Lisa Murkowski held a legislative hearing on bills tied to tribal land transfers and settlements, including the Albuquerque Indian School Act. Public Lands Watch: U.S. Rep. Gabe Vasquez introduced the Public Lands Integrity Act aimed at blocking “last-minute, backdoor” public-land selloffs tucked into unrelated budget bills. Water: With Colorado River talks stalled, federal officials say a 10-year operating framework could be imposed if states can’t agree, while Colorado and Nevada negotiators push back on parts of the plan. Health & Safety: New Mexico credit unions warned members as fraud cases rise, and a federal court dismissed a challenge to aerial shooting of feral cattle in the Gila as the Forest Service says it won’t resume lethal removals.