AGP Executive Report

Higher Ed Accountability: New Mexico Highlands University is facing a criminal investigation into alleged fraud and forgery, after the Board of Regents fired President Neil Woolf and the state auditor flagged concerns. Local Governance & Privacy: A new Driver Privacy and Safety Act took effect, tightening rules on automated license plate readers and limiting sharing tied to immigration, out-of-state probes, and certain sensitive activities. Public Safety: State Police are running July sobriety checkpoints and saturation patrols statewide, while New Mexico State Parks ramps up anti-BUI enforcement for the Fourth of July weekend. Community & Culture: Mary H. Weir Public Library welcomes a new executive director, and Las Vegas celebrates its Fiestas with a new Fiesta Reina and a grand marshal rooted in local education and tradition. Sports & Pride: Albuquerque soccer fans are leaning into World Cup culture as a family-and-community moment, not just a scoreboard. Science & Space: UNM researchers say NASA’s TESS detected a distant planet via gravitational microlensing, expanding what the mission can find. Immigration Courts: A federal appeals ruling orders release of an ICE detainee denied bond hearings, calling the policy unlawful.

Route 66 & Family Fun: The Albuquerque Balloon Museum is hosting a Route 66-themed STEAM Night on July 18, with hands-on activities, local history, a presentation by New Mexico State Historian Rob Martinez, and music—plus a balloon display if conditions allow. Local Arts & Culture: “Alebrijes and Nahuales” brings Mesoamerican-inspired wooden sculptures to Downtown Albuquerque’s Robinson Park through July 17. Community & Belonging: A Route 66 dispatch highlights queer hope in New Mexico and Arizona, tying the Mother Road to safety-building and community rebuilding. Education Leadership: Santa Fe Community College selected Mandie R. Pritchard as its new Associate Vice President for Student Affairs, starting June 29. Faith & Borderland Life: Las Cruces Bishop Peter Baldacchino held Mass atop Mount Cristo Rey amid an ongoing legal fight over the land, drawing hundreds of faithful for prayer and unity. Policy Watch: New Mexico leaders reacted to the Supreme Court’s birthright citizenship ruling, with House Speaker Javier Martínez calling it a victory for immigrant communities. Public Records Pressure: In Silver City, a state public records task force heard concerns that the Inspection of Public Records Act is being used heavily—especially via body-cam video requests—turning transparency into a workload burden.

Childcare & Local Rules: New Mexico is rolling out about 20 new laws this week, including a measure meant to make it easier to open in-home childcare centers by limiting how zoning can block them. Health & Equity: Doña Ana County Commissioner Gloria Gameros says her breast cancer diagnosis exposed long waits and insurance problems for care—even with coverage—raising questions about what happens to uninsured neighbors. Public Safety & Pride: A USPS worker in Clovis, NM was arrested after allegedly threatening a mass shooting at a Texas Pride parade; the event went on as planned. Courts & Trans Rights: The U.S. Supreme Court upheld state bans on transgender athletes in Idaho and West Virginia. Justice System & Mental Health: A court found Juniper Blessing’s alleged killer unfit for trial and ordered treatment, with a reassessment set for September. Culture & Art: Santa Fe-area artist Carmen Selam is using Indigenous queer storytelling across multiple mediums, blending pop culture and personal history. Community Care: RezRoads Rescue is helping Navajo families with stray dogs and cats, pairing education with hands-on support.

Medicaid Fight: Twenty-five Democratic-led states and D.C. sued the Trump administration over Medicaid work requirements, arguing new guidance narrows the “medically frail” exemption and could push ill and disabled people off coverage. Border Faith & Politics: U.S.-Mexico border bishops held a Mass, rosary, and procession for migrants ahead of the nation’s 250th, while Las Cruces’ diocese fights federal plans tied to Mount Cristo Rey. New Mexico Leadership: New Mexico House Republicans elected Rep. Gail Armstrong as the first woman to lead their caucus. Local Health & Care: Sidney Health Center received a 2026 Quality Improvement Award for infection-prevention and isolation-room process upgrades. Catholic Schools: The Archdiocese of Santa Fe announced two school closings in Albuquerque and Santa Cruz due to declining enrollment and finances. Community & Economy: New Mexico awarded $375,000 in grants to business incubators for certification and feasibility work, and labor groups endorsed Deb Haaland for governor. Culture & Identity: UNM law school faculty defended admissions amid protests over dean Camille Carey, and the Supreme Court upheld transgender athlete bans in Idaho and West Virginia. Wildfire Update: Evacuation orders are lifting for the McCauley Springs Fire area, with proof of residency required.

Fentanyl Fallout in New Mexico: Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham says the state may pursue billions in civil compensation after disclosures that DEA operatives repeatedly allowed fentanyl shipments into communities while building bigger cases—calling it a “stunning failure” and pushing for federal changes. Wildfire Watch: The McCauley Springs Fire in Sandoval County and the Santa Fe National Forest is at 716 acres with 33% containment; evacuations and road closures remain, with some residents expected back Tuesday morning. Borderland Faith & Land Fight: Parishioners hiked Mount Cristo Rey for a pilgrimage and Mass amid a legal battle over border wall land seizure plans, with church leaders framing it as religious liberty, not politics. Local Governance & Public Health: A federal charge has been filed against a Church Rock woman accused of assault causing serious bodily injury, following an incident last September. Culture & Community: Los Ranchos resident Stella Chavez marked 100 years, reflecting on farm life, World War II memories, and how Route 66-era change reshaped her community. Arts & Preservation: Las Cruces honored Historic Preservation Committee Chair Jerry Wallace with a state Heritage Preservation Individual Achievement Award. Healthcare Business: PACS Group agreed to buy 34 skilled nursing facilities from Eduro Healthcare, including one New Mexico location.

Borderland Catholic action: Hundreds climbed Mount Cristo Rey for a pilgrimage and Mass tied to the fight over federal border land plans, with bishops calling for unity and religious freedom. Local infrastructure: Albuquerque drivers face overnight I-25 closures at Montgomery Blvd (8 p.m.–6 a.m. through Thursday) for bridge demolition and detours via frontage roads and nearby streets. Education & community spaces: New Mexico Junior College approved a $6.99M remodel of Mansur Hall, aiming to modernize classrooms and cut operating costs. Culture & identity: A New Mexico lawmaker urged tribes to revisit the tribal gaming compact amid Kalshi online sports betting lawsuits, pushing for a statewide online wagering framework that could bring in taxes. Public safety & health: New Mexico Wild highlighted Rio Grande water crises at a weekend event, while a separate national report points to microplastics concerns and a new federal borrowing transparency rule affecting grad students. Arts industry hit: Netflix’s “The Boroughs” cancellation dealt a blow to New Mexico’s film economy after a major local production run. Wildfire watch: McCauley Springs fire updates kept evacuations in place in Sandoval County and the Santa Fe National Forest.

Native Rights & Water: A major Colorado River tribal settlement is being blocked by Upper Basin states, leaving Navajo and Hopi water protections in limbo and reigniting a long fight over federally promised tribal water rights. Local Culture & Youth Art: Los Alamos MainStreet and Creative District launches “Voltage Visions,” turning transformer boxes into murals designed with teen artists. Education & Books: New Mexico’s Imagination Library continues expanding access to free early childhood books, aiming to boost reading for kids who need it most. Community Grants: Santa Fe Community Foundation awards $70,000 to groups supporting Black life, arts, and culture, with more grant cycles opening soon. Family-Friendly Events: Santa Fe’s 505 Night Market debuts this summer as a free, evening marketplace for local food, art, and music. Sports & Community Wellness: New Mexico United hosts an international friendly with Liga MX side Atlante FC, adding to the club’s growing global schedule. Road & Safety Updates: Vehicle registration fees rise July 1, and Albuquerque adds more speed cameras as the state and city push road projects and enforcement. Homelessness in Santa Fe: Camping ban enforcement ramps up, with illegal camping charges spiking in 2026.

UNM Law Leadership Fight: Former UNM law dean Sergio Pareja is pushing back hard against calls to oust Dean Camille Carey as her contract renewal nears, disputing claims about admissions, faculty turnover, and campus culture. Santa Fe Community Culture: The 505 Night Market is set to debut this summer as a free, family-friendly evening marketplace spotlighting local food, art, and music, with 80+ vendors already signed up. Wildfire Watch (Jemez): The McCauley Springs Fire is still growing with evacuations in Sandoval County and the Santa Fe National Forest; a community meeting is planned for Sunday, and Stage II restrictions remain in effect. Public Safety (Albuquerque): APD charged Jaylen Hopewell in a second homicide, linking him to a homeless man’s stabbing outside a church. Local Food & Business: Albuquerque’s West Side is welcoming a new Japanese brunch spot, Shoku House, expected to open by August. Arts & Learning (Los Alamos): The Los Alamos Arts Council released its July lineup, including indigenous mural talks and multiple summer camp options. Route 66 Road Trip Flavor: Two features highlight classic Route 66 stops—Newkirk’s roadside history and Clines Corners’ long-running fudge-and-souvenir culture. BioPark Moment: Albuquerque BioPark shared a feel-good update: a siamang named Eve cared for a baby bird that wandered into her habitat. Sports With Heart: Boise State will honor leukemia survivor Kayly Pau with a special awareness night as the Broncos open Mountain West play against New Mexico.

Homelessness & Public Safety: Santa Fe police ramped up enforcement of the camping ban, with charges for illegal camping spiking in 2026—one case described repeated jail time tied to missed court appearances while addiction and housing instability drove the cycle. Courts & Immigration: A federal judge blocked the Trump administration from withholding billions in transportation funds from states that won’t comply with certain immigration enforcement demands. Education & Equity: New Mexico’s Legislative Finance Committee says the state’s $2.6B push to add instructional time has “largely failed,” with chronic absenteeism and teacher absences driving most “time loss.” Culture & Community: UNM Press says a 1983 children’s book, “The Weighty Word Book,” surged after a TikTok revival. Native Rights: A Diné advocate urged a global study of forced sterilization of marginalized populations after recounting a federally funded IHS hospital procedure in New Mexico. Arts & Summer Plans: Los Alamos Arts Council released a full July lineup, including indigenous mural lectures and new family/teen/ceramics camps. Local Business: A Japanese brunch spot, Shoku House, is set to open on Albuquerque’s West Side by August. Wildfire Watch: The McCauley Springs fire in the Jemez area grew to about 722 acres with evacuations and Highway 4 closures in place.

Border Wall & Faith: New Mexico’s Diocese of Las Cruces is challenging the Trump administration’s use of eminent domain to seize land for a border wall near a 29-foot Jesus statue, arguing it would block access to a key pilgrimage site. Wildfire Watch (McCauley Springs): The McCauley Springs Fire in the Jemez Mountains is still at about 708 acres with 0% containment, with evacuations and Highway 4 closures in place and Stage 2 fire restrictions added. Local Food & Community: A Japanese brunch spot, Shoku House, is set to open on Albuquerque’s West Side at McMahon Marketplace by August. Crime & Courts (Albuquerque): APD charged jail inmate Jaylen Hopewell with a new murder count tied to a church-area stabbing, after linking him to another fatal attack connected to the Frontier Restaurant. Culture & Arts: Los Alamos Arts Council is rolling out July programming and summer camps, including new family, teen, and ceramics options. Sports & Hometown Pride: The New Mexico Goat Heads named Zack Stortini as their first head coach as the inaugural season approaches. Music: Weird Al’s tour stop brought a crowd-pleasing mix of eras and comedy to the stage.

Border Faith & Land Rights: Borderland Catholic bishops are calling for a pilgrimage up Mount Cristo Rey on Sunday, framing it as prayer for unity and religious freedom as federal plans target church-owned land for a border wall. Historic Preservation Funding: New Mexico’s Cultural Properties Restoration Fund is now taking applications for its third cycle, offering up to $500,000 for preservation of culturally significant sites. Campaign Trail: Deb Haaland’s gubernatorial bid is interviewing five potential lieutenant governor nominees, including Stephanie Garcia Richard and state lawmakers, as Democrats finalize her running mate. Local Arts & Youth: Los Alamos Arts Council is rolling out July programming and summer camps, including new family, teen, and ceramics options. Public Safety Tech Debate: Los Alamos County is set to hear from Police Chief Dino Sgambellone on cameras and data collection at Tuesday’s council meeting. Education Logistics: Albuquerque Public Schools is asking the community for feedback on student meals and transportation, with a survey open until July 10. Health Research: UNM School of Medicine is studying a gene mutation linked to cerebral cavernous malformation, offering education and DNA testing to northern New Mexico residents. Wildfire Watch: The McCauley Springs Fire remains at 708 acres with 0% containment, with evacuations and Highway 4 closures still in effect.

Education & Community Recognition: The New Mexico School Boards Association named 2026 Excellence in Student Achievement Awards recipients, including multiple San Juan County educators and administrators honored at local board meetings. Youth, Safety & Mental Health: Albuquerque launched a guaranteed basic income pilot for 20 at-risk young people ages 16–24 and a new therapy program through Youth Development Inc., aiming to curb addiction and mental health crises before they escalate. Local Culture & Arts: Taos tea.o.graphy opened its first tea house, blending handmade organic teas with a quiet, community-minded space for reading, writing, and socializing. Sports & School Spirit: Green Canyon High School’s marching band won its ninth straight state championship and also placed third at a major regional competition. Policy & Lifestyle: A New Mexico lawmaker urged tribes to reopen the intertribal gaming compact to allow statewide online sports betting, arguing it could unlock tens of millions in revenue. Public Health & Environment: Researchers flagged new concerns about data center fire risk and the water needed to fight those fires, adding pressure in water-stressed regions. Immigration & Accountability: A civil lawsuit alleges FirstBank Puerto Rico helped enable Jeffrey Epstein’s sex-trafficking operation, with claims tied to delayed suspicious activity reporting.

Water & Climate: New Mexico researchers at NMSU’s Water Resources Research Institute are fielding urgent questions as drought deepens and snowpack shrinks, with 98% of the state in drought as of June 12. Rio Grande Storytelling: A new book, “Ribbons of Green,” traces how Albuquerque’s institutions shaped the Rio Grande—and warns that today’s drying river echoes a century-old turning point. Data Centers & Community Costs: A conversation on the data-center boom (and “hyperscalers”) spotlights local frustration over water strain, higher power costs, and pollution risks. Public Safety & Fire: The McCauley Springs Fire near Jemez Springs hit 708 acres with 0% containment at last update, keeping evacuations and Highway 4 closures in play. Outdoor Life & Loss: “Backpacker Bill” Kemsley, founder of Backpacker magazine and a public-lands advocate, died at 98 in Taos. Family Fun Upgrade: ABQ BioPark’s Children’s Fantasy Garden is getting a $5.5 million redesign shaped by 1,500+ community responses. Health Watch: NM health officials warn about West Nile virus after positive mosquito tests in Bernalillo County. Local Commuter Reality: Nightly I-25 closures begin June 28 for Montgomery bridge demolition, with detours and added commute time expected. Culture & Faith: Bishops are organizing a Sunday pilgrimage Mass at Mount Cristo Rey in Sunland Park amid a legal fight over border-wall land seizure. Sports & Eligibility: UNM coach Jason Eck backs the NCAA’s new “5-for-5” age-based eligibility rule, ending redshirts and most waivers. Pop Culture: A new “Batman comics” roundup and a “Love Island USA” controversy involving alleged racial slurs are making waves.

Wildfire Watch: The McCauley Springs Fire in the Jemez Mountains has grown to about 327 acres, with evacuations ordered in Sandoval County and parts of the Santa Fe National Forest, Highway 4 closed from mile marker 27 to 40, and power cut east of Thompson Ridge. Public Health: New Mexico health officials are warning residents about West Nile virus after mosquitoes tested positive in Bernalillo County, urging people to remove standing water as monsoon season ramps up. Education & Equity: Doña Ana County universities reported Hispanic students as the largest group in 2023-24 (65.4%), while completion gaps remain, with Hispanic students at 50.5% six-year credential attainment. Culture & Community: Albuquerque’s Rio Rally kicks off a citywide water-conservation scavenger hunt through July 12, pairing fun with practical sustainability steps. Local Spotlight: The Albuquerque Film Office was named a finalist for a Location Managers Guild International award for its support of Apple TV’s “Pluribus.” Faith & Borderland: Bishops in New Mexico and Texas are calling for a Mass and pilgrimage June 28 at Mount Cristo Rey as a legal fight over the border wall site continues.

Conservation Under Fire: A new analysis says the Trump administration has stripped protections from tens of millions of acres, threatening the bipartisan conservation legacy Americans associate with parks, wildlife, and clean water. Wildfire & Community Safety: In the Jemez Mountains, the McCauley Springs Fire grew to about 150 acres and triggered evacuations and closures, including parts of Sandoval County and Valles Caldera access limits, with smoke visible across the region. Heat-Ready Living: Albuquerque’s Operation Cool Down 2026 is running with cooling centers at libraries, pools, splash pads, and 24/7 shelter options, plus tips for protecting kids, pets, and neighbors during extreme temperatures. Immigration Policy at the Local Level: The federal government expanded its lawsuit over New Mexico immigration laws to include Bernalillo and Doña Ana counties, targeting local ordinances that limit ICE activity. Culture & Pride: A Pride weekend film release spotlights queer coming-of-age storytelling in “Sugar Beach,” while community Pride programming continues to grow across the region. Local Governance: Albuquerque council bills propose changes to public safety tax advisory board rules, aiming for clearer oversight and transparency. Sports & Education: Scott Waterman was named head men’s basketball coach at New Mexico Highlands, and New Mexico’s education policy debates keep rolling forward. Food Security Watch: A USDA report says New Mexico’s SNAP overpayment rate topped 15%, adding pressure on state accountability in a program tied to everyday household budgets.

Wildfire Watch: McCauley Springs Fire in the Jemez Mountains has triggered evacuations in Sandoval County and closures around Jemez Falls Campground, Sierra de los Pinos, and Vallecitos, with Highway 4 shut in parts and power cut east of Thompson’s Ridge. Community & Faith: Catholic bishops in Las Cruces and El Paso are urging a Mount Cristo Rey pilgrimage Sunday as the Church fights federal efforts to seize land for a border wall. Education: Two Albuquerque schools—Manzano High School and eCademy—were added to the PED’s struggling schools list for graduation-rate and improvement plans. Local Culture: Clovis Sound Studios is set to open in August, building a new recording space with vintage analog gear and a rock ’n’ roll legacy vibe. Arts & Identity: Pride-weekend release is set for the award-winning queer coming-of-age drama “Sugar Beach,” the first film in a planned trilogy. Immigration Policy: Doña Ana County was added to a DOJ lawsuit targeting New Mexico’s Immigrant Safety Act and related local “sanctuary” measures. Sports Betting: A New Mexico lawmaker is urging tribes to reopen the gaming compact to allow online sports betting statewide. Animal Welfare: Nexstar’s charitable giving program awarded $5,000 grants to Animal Humane New Mexico and Helping Other People Everyday. Entertainment: “Love Island USA” is in Casa Amor, with the finale expected around mid-July.