AGP Executive Report

State Identity Clash: President Trump doubled down on a “New America” rebrand for New Mexico after a viral, debunked hoax—posting a map with “Mexico” crossed out and “America” added, drawing fast pushback from New Mexico Democrats and lawmakers who say the name carries generations of history and culture. Elections & Voting Access: Nevada Attorney Gen. Aaron Ford won a preliminary court order blocking USPS from enforcing a vote-by-mail rule while the case proceeds, part of a broader fight over how states handle mail ballots. Online Safety: A major Meta settlement is being watched closely by child-safety advocates in Europe, with officials weighing what the U.S. changes could mean for youth protections abroad. Community Calendar (Faith): West Central and Northwest New Mexico churches posted schedules for adoration and confession events running Sept. 6–12. Local Culture & Arts: Josephine Sculpture Park’s artist-in-residence Shawn Smith will preview new work at historic Rockdale Estate, blending contemporary art with ecology and education. Education & Daily Life: New Mexico’s universal free school lunch program is set to remain intact through at least 2030, even as SNAP cuts raise concerns elsewhere.

Endangered Species Clash: President Trump signed an order that could weaken Endangered Species Act protections for gray wolves and Mexican gray wolves, drawing sharp pushback from conservation groups. Local Governance & Culture: A Journal Poll finds New Mexico voters are split but leaning toward support for a constitutional amendment to pay legislators a salary—while many still want more details. Health & Policy Watch: A new HHS report argues New Mexico’s youth gender medicine industry may be “fraud” and urges scrutiny of what pediatric care is funding. Faith & Military: Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth promised to protect service members at Kirtland Air Force Base who deliver religious greetings after complaints. Community & Lifestyle: Albuquerque’s “For the Love of Lymphoma” fundraiser at Tractor Brewing raised money for Blood Cancer United with music, cars, and local vendors. Education & Food Security: New Mexico says its universal free school lunch program will stay in place until at least 2030 despite SNAP cuts. Local Pride in Sports: Albuquerque native Tim Barreras is umpiring for the Isotopes in a home-city milestone. Native Culture: Peña Adobe Park hosted a Native-American heritage celebration focused on education and living history. Arts & Weird Reads: Bookworks will host Benjamin Radford discussing “Weird New Mexico,” spotlighting miracles, monsters, and mysteries. Sports (NM): Colorado Mesa beat Eastern New Mexico 42-23 in a road opener.

Military & Faith: Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth says the Pentagon will protect service members at Kirtland Air Force Base who deliver religious greetings after complaints and a nonprofit intervention. Civic Pay Reform: Vote for Change and NM CAFé kick off a statewide campaign for a legislator-pay amendment, arguing Santa Fe’s per-diem-only setup keeps everyday New Mexicans out of politics. Food Security: New Mexico’s universal free school lunch program is set to stay in place until at least 2030, even as SNAP cuts threaten meal funding nationwide. Native Culture & Education: Peña Adobe Park spotlights Native-American heritage through community teaching and living-history programming, while new efforts aim to strengthen Native language learning in Tribal Head Start. Local Sports Dream: Albuquerque’s Tim Barreras returns as a Triple-A umpire with the Isotopes, chasing the Major League path from home. Water & Power: An opinion piece connects drought, low Rio Grande levels, and water crisis power dynamics to real impacts on communities. Online Safety: Meta’s teen-safety settlement is framed as a global model, with knock-on effects for expectations around youth protections. Uranium Watch: New Mexico Mining Watch praises a state order blocking new uranium leasing on trust lands, pushing cleanup over new development. Community Events: Hatch Chile Festival 2026 brings Labor Day weekend food, music, and culture to Hatch.

Native Language & Early Childhood: U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich introduced new legislation to strengthen Native language learning in Tribal Head Start programs, even as the Trump administration pushes for English-only instruction. Native Communities & Culture: A new Native voice is set to become the Zozobra Fire Spirit for the first time, tying tradition to today’s community leadership. Uranium & Public Lands: New Mexico Mining Watch praised State Land Commissioner Stephanie Garcia Richard’s executive order banning new uranium leasing on state trust lands, directing cleanup focus instead of new development. Education Accountability: Plaintiffs in the Yazzie-Martinez education lawsuit asked a judge to reject the state’s reform plan and let them write their own, arguing it lacks timelines and measurable benchmarks. Local Schools Under Scrutiny: Albuquerque Public Schools faces a lawsuit over allegations that a former Cibola High School teacher groomed students; APS says it will address claims through the legal process. Tech, Privacy & Policing: APD detailed its use of 19,000 camera views and license plate readers, stressing law-enforcement purpose and saying it doesn’t support immigration enforcement. Horse Racing Shift: Ruidoso Downs owners are moving the All American Futurity and related events to Texas in 2027. Community Events: PEEC and New Mexico Wild host a “Wild Waters” rivers book tour stop in Los Alamos on Sept. 10.

Politics & Voting: A new SurveyUSA poll commissioned by KOB shows Rep. Gabe Vasquez leading GOP challenger Greg Cunningham in New Mexico’s 2nd District by 3 points—inside the margin of error—while Trump’s favorability in the district is net negative. Energy & Environment: New Mexico’s outgoing land commissioner issued an executive order banning new uranium mining on state trust lands, aiming to counter federal expansion plans and refocus on cleanup of abandoned sites. Tribal & Land Rights: Tribes are central to the uranium lease ban, with the order targeting new leases while leaving existing permits largely intact. Public Safety & Privacy: Albuquerque Police Department laid out how it uses 19,000 camera views and license plate readers, saying it monitors for law-enforcement purposes and does not support immigration enforcement. Education Accountability: APS released a long-delayed report tied to former superintendent Winston Brooks’ 2014 resignation, ending a 12-year fight for details. Schools & Safety: A lawsuit alleges APS failed to act against a former Cibola High School teacher accused of grooming students; the case is pending. Culture Spotlight: Santa Fe’s Zozobra returns, with coverage of the history and legacy of Old Man Gloom. Community Activism: NMSU hosted Sumud Fest, a Palestine-justice and immigration-justice event blending mutual aid, music, and advocacy. Health Policy: Twenty-one states and D.C. sued the Trump administration over a rule that would block Medicaid federal funding for transgender youth gender-affirming care.

Arts & Film: A24’s “Onslaught” brings director Adam Wingard back to New Mexico’s desert, filming near Moriarty as a story about a rogue Army squad of genetically engineered soldiers turns local landscapes into a backdrop for government malfeasance. Jazz & Live Music: The 20th annual New Mexico Jazz Festival kicks off with William Parker’s adventurous free jazz and Fred Hersch’s piano, with nearly two dozen performances and a Cecil Taylor record-release celebration. Local Culture: Santa Fe’s Zozobra returns for its 102nd burning, inviting people to write down “glooms” and watch “Old Man Gloom” go up in flames for community catharsis. Education & Policy: Albuquerque Public Schools approved the Albuquerque Teachers Federation contract through 2028, adding caseload caps and expanded paid leave after student assaults. Safety & Accountability: A lawsuit targets Albuquerque Public Schools after allegations that a former Cibola High teacher groomed students and began sexual relationships shortly after they turned 18. Health Coverage: New Mexico is preparing to mail Medicaid notices tied to federal work requirements, with projections that 89,000 residents could lose coverage starting in 2027. Public Opinion: A Journal poll finds New Mexicans aren’t enthusiastic about the state economy and remain highly concerned about crime. Immigration & Work: Somos Un Pueblo Unido launched a platform connecting foreign-born residents to New Mexico workforce programs amid federal threats. Native Language: U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich introduced legislation aimed at strengthening Native language immersion in Tribal Head Start.

Native Language & Education: U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich’s new legislation aims to strengthen Native language learning in Tribal Head Start, including pathways that let elders and fluent speakers help lead classrooms. Immigrant Workforce: Somos Un Pueblo Unido launched “Somos Futuro,” an online platform connecting foreign-born New Mexicans to state workforce training and job opportunities amid federal pressure. Arts & Culture Calendar: Silver City is gearing up for a new Xantolo celebration (Day of the Dead) with Teatro del Cobre, blending remembrance with community cultural traditions. Local Community & Privacy: Bernalillo County ended Flock Safety camera contracts over privacy concerns, and a Rio Rancho man was arrested after allegedly removing cameras and driving them to the sheriff’s office. Film & Pop Culture: “Coyote vs. Acme” lands in Albuquerque as a comedy about monopolies, consumer harm, and the legal system. Money & Work: A new report finds teachers earned about 25% less than comparable college graduates in 2025, widening over time.

Public Health & Food Security: A Journal poll finds New Mexicans’ top worries are inflation/cost of living (about 47%), healthcare access (17%), and financial insecurity (16%), with crime, education, and immigration next. Education & Tech: Parents are pushing back on New Mexico’s mandatory “Amira” AI reading tests for young children, raising concerns about how recorded voices are stored and whether scores reflect speech patterns instead of reading ability. Community Youth Programs: Socorro-area youth will get a $200,000 boost to expand after-school and out-of-school activities through SCOPE’s Out-of-School Time grant. Animal Health & Agriculture: U.S. border and agriculture agencies are coordinating to eradicate the New World screwworm, including one confirmed case in New Mexico, using sterile insect releases. Local Culture & Arts: The State Fairgrounds redevelopment in Albuquerque has residents “in the dark” about updates, while Truth or Consequences honors Fire Chief Paul Tooley’s decades of service and a Pickamania acoustic festival returns Sept. 4–6. Safety & Justice: Authorities captured an escaped federal inmate near Tucson the same day, after a prison camp escape.

Immigration & Public Safety: ICE says it arrested “worst of the worst” criminal illegal aliens tied to child abuse, robbery, and drug trafficking, including a New Mexico drug-trafficking case. Education & Tech: New Mexico lawmakers are pushing back on the mandatory AI “Amira” reading tests for K-2, raising alarms about voice recording, storage, and transparency as districts opt out. Local Culture & Arts: CNM and partners opened a new film and digital media training center at Albuquerque’s Rail Yards boiler shop, turning an industrial landmark into a workforce pipeline. Community & Family Life: Truth or Consequences’ volunteer Fire Chief Paul Tooley is profiled as a long-time civic builder, and the Pickamania Acoustic Music Festival returns Sept. 4-6 in Kingston. Sports & School Discipline: Mayfield football received a first NMAA sportsmanship strike after players rushed the field during a skirmish with Organ Mountain. Workforce & Opportunity: New Mexico launched Workforce Pell applications for short-term training programs, aiming to help students earn credentials faster. Business & Growth: Evergreens announced a franchise program targeting New Mexico and other Western states.

Education & Youth Advocacy: Youth Heartline is expanding its Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) program to New Mexico’s Fourth Judicial District, training volunteers to represent children’s best interests in court and connect judges to educational and medical needs. Local Culture & Learning: CNM opened a nearly $73M film and digital media training center at the Albuquerque Rail Yards, giving students industry-standard sound stages and Dolby-certified audio. Community Health Policy: New federal Medicaid work requirements are set to trigger notices to more than 230,000 New Mexico recipients, with exemptions for Native Americans and people with complex medical conditions. Public Safety Tech Debate: The City of Grants will discontinue its Flock automated license plate reader camera services, saying the benefits don’t match the investment and its public safety approach. Arts & Heritage: UNM’s Maxwell Museum opened “Coiling Kin: The Life of Pueblo Pottery,” featuring more than 60 pots and hands-on storytelling from Pueblo co-curators. Lifestyle & Food: Green chile roasting season is heating up, with tips on choosing Pueblo green chiles and how to roast, peel, and freeze them for winter. Sports & Community Pride: Notah Begay III joins Turtleback Mountain Golf & Resort as founding ambassador and strategic advisor ahead of the New Mexico Open. Tech & Growth: Evergreens launched a franchise program targeting New Mexico and other Western states. Civic Process: NMDOT is seeking public comment on a draft 2027 Programmatic Agreement to streamline how transportation projects protect cultural resources.

Albuquerque Transit Safety: The city installed new flashing “Bus approaching when flashing” signs along Central Avenue to cut ART bus crashes caused by illegal left turns, aiming to prevent costly collisions during big events. Education & Culture: UNM’s Maxwell Museum opened “Coiling Kin: The Life of Pueblo Pottery,” a long-running exhibit (through May 2028) built around Pueblo pottery-making process and co-curators. Community Health: New Mexico kicked off Recovery Awareness Month with 30+ events across 20 counties, spotlighting overdose prevention and 988 support. Native Youth & Sports: Adam Martinez won the NB3 Native Youth Golf Championship in Santa Ana Pueblo, adding another title to a standout summer. Indigenous-Led Substance Use Support: An NIH-funded program, TACUNA, pairs evidence-based care with urban Indigenous practices to reduce substance use and anxiety for young adults. Local Policy & Immigration: DOJ sued New Mexico and other states over in-state tuition rules for undocumented students, as federal pressure on immigration policy continues. Tech & Privacy: Meta’s $17B settlement faces backlash for pushing age-assurance and teen restrictions that critics say increase surveillance. Civic Planning: NMDOT seeks public comment on a draft 2027 Programmatic Agreement to streamline how transportation projects protect New Mexico’s cultural resources.

Medicaid Shake-Up: New Mexico health officials say about 89,000 residents could lose coverage under new Medicaid work requirements, with a statewide awareness push kicking off as notices go out to more than 230,000 people. Immigrant College Tuition Fight: The Trump administration is suing New Mexico and other states over in-state tuition for undocumented students, escalating a legal battle with big consequences for college access. State Politics Watch: A new Journal Poll shows Sen. Ben Ray Luján leading Larry Marker in the U.S. Senate race, while Democrats also hold advantages in several statewide contests. Local Culture & Community: Albuquerque’s ¡Cine Magnifico! returns with Spanish-language films, and the Los Alamos Arts Council announces September events including the Pajarito Literary Festival and Plein Air Painters show. Religion & Public Life: Rio Rancho police say a man tried to stop a Catholic Mass during communion, sparking a tense confrontation. Health & Safety: Overdose deaths are down nationally, but New Mexico’s ongoing work remains urgent. Arts Leadership: The New Mexico Medical Society names Richard J. Berry as its new executive director/CEO.

Education & Community Culture: St. John’s College in Santa Fe is getting a formal upgrade for its Great Books program, recognized as equivalent to a triple major—philosophy, literature, and natural sciences—while keeping its all-required curriculum intact. Local Arts: ¡Cine Magnifico! returns to Albuquerque with 11 Spanish-language films at the National Hispanic Cultural Center (Sept. 4–6 and 11–13). Public Safety & Daily Life: Albuquerque and Portland are using “rest in red” style signals with speed sensors to reward drivers who stick to the limit, cutting crashes along a busy corridor. Health Access: New Mexico is warning that federal Medicaid work/activity rules starting soon could lead to about 89,000 people losing coverage, with notices going out to 230,000+ members. Civic/Policy Watch: Santa Fe schools approved a new cybersecurity policy but delayed a broader student data privacy vote after parent concerns tied to the Amira AI reading assessment. Politics & Voting: State Democrats are scrambling to fill empty ballot spots after withdrawals, while Native nations sue over how Indian education programs were handled. Lifestyle/Local Win: A Rio Rancho resident claimed a $2 million Mega Millions prize.

Border & Faith: The Trump administration’s “smart wall” plan near the 29-foot Jesus statue at Mount Cristo Rey has triggered a legal fight with the Diocese of Las Cruces, with church leaders arguing it threatens religious freedom and harms a sacred site. Culture & Community: The Smithsonian’s Renwick Gallery is spotlighting New Mexico state-fair creativity through works like Carol Johnson’s ribbon quilt, turning local craft into national art conversation. Politics & Public Life: A new Albuquerque Journal poll finds Deb Haaland leading Gregg Hull for governor, but by a closer-than-expected margin. Education & Loss: San Juan County mourns teacher Varissa Heard, killed in Kirtland, as Kirtland Middle School begins the year with remembrance and support for students. Local Governance & Safety: Albuquerque’s “rest in red” traffic-signal approach is credited with cutting crashes by rewarding drivers who stick to the speed limit. Immigration Enforcement: ICE arrests are surging this summer, with many targets reportedly lacking criminal convictions. Arts & Activism: Palestinian pop singer Mohammed Assaf is set to perform at Popejoy Hall, offering a moment of joy amid ongoing Gaza coverage. Elections & Voting Access: AG Raúl Torrez joins a coalition suing USPS over a new vote-by-mail rule that could force states to overhaul systems on a tight timeline. Tech, Work & Lifestyle: A Dallas Fed report highlights workforce strain tied to data centers and AI—especially for electricians and technicians—showing how national tech trends land locally.

Immigration & Education: Tribes and Native students are suing over alleged Trump-era moves of Indian education programs without required tribal consultation, adding pressure to how federal agencies handle Native schooling. State Politics: A new Albuquerque Journal Poll puts Gov. Deb Haaland ahead of GOP challenger Gregg Hull by 6 points—close enough to feel like a real race, not a coronation. Local Culture & Community: Santa Fe’s Zozobra returns Sept. 4, with Fire Spirit Helene Luna set to pass the role after 30 years. Public Safety & Tech: Albuquerque and other cities are using “virtual speed bumps” to cut crashes by rewarding slower driving with fewer red lights. Environment & Wildlife: Neighbors helped stop arroyo catchment cleanup in Albuquerque, leading to the rescue and relocation of dozens of animals. Science & Place: After the Dunn Solar Telescope demolition decision, Sunspot advocates and Cloudcroft leaders are pushing for delays and new partners for the rest of the observatory site. Sports & Lifestyle: New Mexico State’s opener at Florida State ended 34-17, while local prep and college sports stories keep rolling. Scam Warning: FBI arrests in Idaho tie to a $1.3M romance/investment scam targeting women across multiple states.

Immigration & Faith Clash: A months-long legal fight in southern New Mexico pits the Diocese of Las Cruces against the federal government over land seized for a border wall near Mount Cristo Rey, where a 29-foot Jesus statue has drawn pilgrims for decades. Election Watch: A new Journal Poll shows Gov. Deb Haaland leading Gregg Hull for New Mexico governor, but by a narrower-than-expected margin as the race heads into the homestretch. Big Tech & Kids: Meta’s landmark settlement with 47 states puts new limits on teen-focused features and usage hours, with New Mexico tied to the broader fallout from earlier rulings. Public Safety & Mobility: Albuquerque is using “virtual speed bumps” that reward slower driving with fewer red lights, aiming to cut crashes along busy corridors. Local Environment: Dozens of animals were rescued from an Albuquerque arroyo catchment during maintenance after community members raised alarms. Culture & Community: Poet laureate Manuel González received an Academy of American Poets fellowship to expand Voces de la Tierra, bringing workshops and storytelling to tribal and rural communities.