AGP Executive Report

Renovation & Arts Access: Silver City’s Silco Theatre closed June 1 for summer renovations to improve its stage and make it more multi-use for live productions, with the concession area still open Fridays and Saturdays and a reopening expected in early August. Animal Welfare: Santa Fe Animal Shelter is pushing back on the “no-kill” label while highlighting its high save rate and a careful, personality-matching adoption process for thousands of incoming pets each year. Early Childhood Education: Las Vegas City Schools will launch Little Cardinal Academy, a new pre-K program for 3- and 4-year-olds starting this fall, funded by a $1.8M New Mexico Pre-K grant. Public Health & Recovery: Renew Health is expanding online rehab and outpatient addiction treatment across New Mexico as overdose deaths remain a major concern. Livestock Protection: New Mexico officials are urging federal action after the first confirmed New World screwworm case in Texas, warning of risks to cattle and wildlife. Politics & Community: Deb Haaland won the Democratic nomination for governor, setting up a November matchup with Republican Gregg Hull. Culture & Music: Hermanos Gutiérrez announced a new album, Los Ojos Del Cóndor, with Andes-inspired sounds and a new video for “Canto Andino.”

New Mexico Governor Race: Deb Haaland won the Democratic nomination and will face GOP nominee Gregg Hull in November, with both campaigns leaning hard into New Mexico identity—Haaland celebrating her Laguna Pueblo roots and Southwestern culture at Albuquerque’s Old Town Plaza. U.S. Senate Shakeup: Albuquerque write-in candidate Larry Marker won the GOP Senate nomination, setting up a November rematch against Sen. Ben Ray Luján. LGBTQ+ & Faith: Santa Fe Archbishop John Wester published a candid reflection urging the Church to draw closer to LGBTQ+ Catholics, framing it as a pastoral and synodal shift. Local Planning & Community Tensions: A proposed North Valley mosque drew intense resistance at a Bernalillo County meeting; the appeal hearing was deferred to July 1. Health & Aging Watch: Silver City Care Center ranked No. 2 nursing home in Grant County for Q1 2026, with a CMS overall rating of 2/5 and reported fines. Culture & Education: Las Vegas First kicks off its First Fridays Arts Walk season, while local students earned major Davis scholarships and New Mexico students competed in the Supercomputing Challenge at Los Alamos. Indigenous Land Rights: Navajo allottees opposed an exclusionary zone near Chaco Canyon that would limit mineral development tied to private rights.

New Mexico Politics: Former U.S. Interior Secretary Deb Haaland won the Democratic nomination for governor, beating Bernalillo County DA Sam Bregman, while the GOP nomination went to former Rio Rancho mayor Gregg Hull—setting up a Haaland vs. Hull showdown in November. Public Health: A 16th measles case was reported at the Luna County Detention Center, with exposure noted at a Las Cruces federal courthouse; health officials are urging MMR vaccination. Immigration & Health Care: A major KFF Health News/AP investigation says detainees across at least 33 states report serious medical neglect, including missed meds and untreated conditions, as lawsuits challenge ICE detention conditions. Education & Community: East Mountain is breaking ground on an expansion of East Mountain Middle School to meet growing demand. Culture & Food: Michelin’s latest guide expansion highlights Southwest food destinations, reinforcing that the best dining draws travelers beyond the usual big-city scene. Travel: United announced new seasonal and year-round routes, including service to Los Cabos and Chiapas, Mexico. Environment & Agriculture: USDA says a flesh-eating New World screwworm was found near the border in Mexico, prompting renewed concern for U.S. livestock.

New Mexico Politics: Deb Haaland won the Democratic nomination for governor, beating Bernalillo County DA Sam Bregman, and is now set to face Republican Gregg Hull, who clinched the GOP nod after a three-way primary. Election Rules & Turnout: Secretary of State Maggie Toulouse Oliver called New Mexico’s first-ever semi-open primary a success, with more than 37,000 independents casting ballots and turnout topping 343,000 total voters. Local Governance & Community Life: New Mexico MainStreet and the McCune Charitable Foundation awarded Resilient Communities Fund grants to eight MainStreet districts, backing downtown events, tourism maps, and small-business revitalization in places like Alamogordo, Belén, and Deming. Education & Culture Wars: A nonprofit campaign is pushing for transparency in New Mexico K-12 around gender-related policy priorities, arguing parents are being shut out while schools struggle with basic academic outcomes. Higher Ed Oversight: New Mexico Highlands University is facing a special forensic audit after state concerns about procurement, contracting, financial management, and governance following leadership changes. Immigration & Health: Lawsuits and reporting highlight alleged medical neglect in immigration detention, including cases tied to New Mexico facilities.

Energy & Climate: New York and six Democratic-led states sue the Trump administration over an offshore wind lease buyout with TotalEnergies, while separate coverage highlights how solar is still expanding despite partisan pushback. Nuclear Supply Chain: Urenco’s push to ramp up U.S. uranium enrichment capacity is framed as a key step for domestic nuclear fuel. Politics & Voting: New Mexico’s semi-open primary is underway with early/absentee turnout topping 180,000, and independents leaning heavily toward Democratic ballots as the governor’s race heats up. Local Culture & Arts: Los Alamos County seeks public input on the theme for Fire Station #4 artwork, centered on wildfire adaptation and community resilience. Faith & Community Debate: A Presbyterian pastor in New Mexico faces indefinite suspension after a trial over slavery-related comments and other online speech, reigniting internal church tensions. Public Safety: New Mexico State Police ramp up June DWI enforcement with checkpoints and saturation patrols statewide. Immigration & Health: Reports and lawsuits allege widespread medical neglect in detention, including cases tied to New Mexico. Tech & Economy: Albuquerque-backed New Mexico Tech Week launches Oct. 26–31 to spotlight the state’s growing startup and investment scene. Education & Achievement: UC Davis names Los Alamos student Jason Pieck top graduating senior for 2026 commencement.

Primary Day, New Mexico Politics: New Mexicans head to the polls Tuesday in the state’s first semi-open primary, with more than 181,000 voters already casting ballots early or by absentee. Public Health Alert: The NM Department of Health reports the 16th measles case of the year, tied to a federal detainee at the Luna County Detention Center, with possible exposure at the Las Cruces courthouse. Local Culture & Community: Albuquerque’s free “Summertime in Old Town” concert series returns June 5–July 26, bringing flamenco, mariachi, blues, jazz, and more. Higher Ed Governance: The ousted president of New Mexico Highlands University sues, alleging retaliation after refusing what he calls illegal orders from the Board of Regents. Animal Services: Bernalillo County is moving ahead with buying the former VCA Animal Hospital for a new Northeast Heights adoption and low-cost vet care center. Faith & Immigration: A federal judge issued an emergency order protecting a newly ordained Nigerian priest’s immigration status while his authorization is sorted out.

AI in Schools: New Mexico lawmakers are pushing for a statewide plan to regulate artificial intelligence use in classrooms, including an oversight body as districts struggle with privacy, cheating, and overreliance concerns. Native Education Equity: A Legislative Education Study Committee questioned whether the Indian education funding formula shortchanges Navajo students, with most money going to salaries and fewer dollars reaching the Navajo Nation. Early Literacy for Native Students: The National Fund for Excellence in American Indian Education won a $10M federal grant to improve K–3 reading in up to 60 BIE-funded schools across Arizona and New Mexico. Local Pay & Cost of Living: Albuquerque City Council is set to vote on raising the minimum wage to $15 and adding annual cost-of-living adjustments tied to housing and inflation. Culture & Community: Phoebe Bridgers is staging a phone-free Madison Square Garden pop-up on June 4, with proceeds supporting immigration bond help. Arts & Heritage: The Yellowstone Tribal Heritage Center opens for the season, giving visitors a dedicated Indigenous space at Yellowstone. Food Security: New Mexico’s summer free-meals program kicks off with hundreds of sites and added grocery assistance via “Son Bucks.”

Education & Tech Policy: New Mexico lawmakers are pushing for a statewide plan to govern AI use in schools, citing worries about student data privacy, cheating, and overreliance. Local Schools & Enrollment: Santa Fe Public Schools is looking at “innovation” models at private and charter campuses as enrollment drops and closure fears rise. Health Through Play: Grassroot Soccer, co-founded by a Dartmouth alum, is using soccer to teach teens about HIV/AIDS, mental health, and reproductive health across dozens of countries. Culture & Community: Albuquerque’s new Route 66 trolley tour blends history, local art, and augmented reality for a more hands-on Mother Road experience. Public Safety & Justice: A Clovis police arrest follows a deadly church parking lot shooting, with investigators recovering the suspected weapon. Native Education Access: New Mexico launched a Native American tuition scholarship covering full in-state tuition for eligible tribal students attending public colleges in neighboring states. Arts & Literature: San Juan College faculty member Ron Striegel’s novel “Land Shadows” earned multiple national literary honors. Weather & Daily Life: Forecast calls for warmer summer conditions with scattered showers and storms, plus ongoing wildfire smoke concerns.

High School Sports: Volcano Vista’s David Lunn III, the 2025-26 New Mexico Gatorade Player of the Year, is transferring to CATS Boston in Massachusetts after a fifth straight state title run. Public Safety: Clovis police arrested Andrew Robles in connection with a deadly church parking lot shooting, charging him with first-degree murder and related counts. Higher Ed Leadership: UNM President Garnett Stokes announced she’s retiring in July after eight years steering the university through major crises. State Politics & Cost of Living: Ben Ray Luján and other candidates are centering affordability and health care access, including concerns about Medicaid funding. Digital Rights: A bipartisan coalition is pushing state attorneys general to hold “nudify” apps accountable for nonconsensual sexual deepfakes. Immigration & Civil Rights: Rights groups sued ICE over alleged inhumane conditions at Camp East Montana in El Paso, the largest U.S. detention center. Culture & Community: Downtown Albuquerque’s Robinson Park is hosting monumental “alebrijes” public art through July 17, blending spectacle with local creativity. Weather & Drought: Forecast calls for warmer summer conditions with scattered storms and ongoing wildfire monitoring.

Immigration & Civil Rights: Civil rights groups including the ACLU and Human Rights Watch sued ICE over alleged “inhumane” conditions at Camp East Montana, the largest U.S. immigration detention center in El Paso, citing deaths and dozens of detention-standard violations. Education & Community: Students and staff gathered for Jose Barrios Elementary’s final day as the building’s ownership shifts to Aldo Leopold Charter School for fall classes. Arts & Culture: Albuquerque hosts AFTACON, a major national arts conference, as leaders push back against federal arts funding uncertainty and argue the arts stay nonpartisan. Local Lifestyle & Outdoors: New Mexico’s Pint Glass Day returns June 17, with participating breweries selling commemorative glasses to support the New Mexico Brewers Guild. Environment & Recreation: The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service says more than 95% of refuge lands could be open to hunting, including new sport-fishing access at Sevilleta National Wildlife Refuge in New Mexico. Science & Heritage: UNM Wind Symphony heads to Rio for an international conference and performances, bringing New Mexico music to global stages. Politics & Money: New Mexico’s governor primary is shaping up as the state’s most expensive ever, with Democratic candidates’ spending surging past $17 million ahead of June 2.

Quantum Economy Win: New Mexico and Sandia just landed a national State and Local Economic Development Award for building a quantum tech sector, citing major funding and partnerships that helped attract five companies in under two years. Local Traffic Policy: Roswell’s Legal Committee is weighing higher traffic violation fines, with some penalties doubling, as leaders argue for stronger consequences to improve road safety. Wildlife & Community Tensions: Records show the Interior Department delayed the Mexican gray wolf release of Asha after internal concerns and local pushback, highlighting growing rural resistance as wolf numbers rise. Albuquerque Guaranteed Basic Income: One year in, Albuquerque says its $750 monthly guaranteed basic income pilot is helping participants save more and stabilize—some even becoming homeowners. Rural Health Gap: A national look at the shortage of large-animal veterinarians points to incentives and support programs as states try to keep vets in rural communities. Gubernatorial Race Watch: With New Mexico’s June 2 primary near, fundraising reports show spending topping $17 million, while candidates pitch experience and local-first solutions. Native Education Funding: Pueblos, tribes, and nations received an initial $30 million from the Indian Education Fund, with more planned over three years for language and culture programming. Public Lands Hunting Push: The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service says most refuge lands could open to hunting and sport fishing, including new access in New Mexico. Culture & Community: “Pass the Sopapillas” is hosting a public podcast taping at KRWG-TV, and a Fatherhood/healthy masculinity radio conversation invites listeners to weigh in.

Local Politics & Health: State Rep. Anita Amalia Gonzales is campaigning to keep House District 70, highlighting rural healthcare and higher-ed funding, including major UNM medical school capacity money. Education & Tech Policy: A New Mexico legislative analyst urged lawmakers to set clearer rules for AI in schools, including privacy, curriculum, and tribal sovereignty, since current guidance is non-binding. Public Records: The NM Supreme Court ordered Albuquerque Public Schools to publicly disclose a former superintendent’s investigative report, allowing only limited parts to be withheld under specific exceptions. Immigration Enforcement: NM’s attorney general is suing Curry and Torrance counties over alleged illegal ICE agreements, while a separate border update tracks stalled deportations into Mexico and ongoing wall construction concerns. Culture & Community: Netflix’s “The Boroughs” puts senior citizens front and center, blending sci-fi thrills with serious themes and featuring trans creative leadership. Arts & Learning: New Mexico educators and students are making waves—from DECA students at an international conference to a Sandia-led quantum camp cohort. Sports & Lifestyle: Domino’s franchisee Brian Bailey, based in Roswell, is now the nation’s largest Domino’s operator with 160 locations. Media & Civic Life: The FCC warned broadcasters that using public spectrum comes with public-interest obligations.

Immigration & Local Power: New Mexico Attorney General Raúl Torrez sued Curry and Torrance counties over ICE agreements, arguing they violate a new state law that bars local deals for civil immigration enforcement. Courts & Public Records: The New Mexico Supreme Court ordered release of a secret 12-page investigative report tied to former Albuquerque Public Schools Superintendent Winston Brooks’ resignation and payout, ending a long fight over what APS tried to keep hidden. Drought & Community Safety: Corrales declared a village emergency as drought worsens, restricting fireworks and open fires and citing low river levels and shut-down pumping. Education & Scholarships: Bosque School in Albuquerque will receive $1 million annually for seven years from the Corio Foundation to expand need-based scholarships. Arts & Local Business: New Mexico CreativeCon returns June 6 at the National Hispanic Cultural Center, bringing workshops and resources for creatives and creative business owners. Health & Aging: CMS data shows Summit Care LLC’s Skies Healthcare & Rehabilitation Center in Albuquerque received a low overall rating of 1 in early 2026. Politics & Voters: A report says nearly 80% of independent voters chose Democratic Party ballots in New Mexico’s primary, reflecting how unaffiliated voters are adapting to the new semi-open primary rules. Culture & Community: Silver City named a new area poet laureate and continued public debate over the local museum’s leadership and alleged conduct.

Immigration & Local Power: New Mexico Attorney General Raúl Torrez sued Curry and Torrance counties over their ICE agreements, arguing they violate the state’s Immigrant Safety Act and raise concerns about training and racial profiling. Health Care Access: Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham expanded New Mexico’s Health Professional Loan Repayment Program to help close physician gaps, offering up to $75,000 a year for licensed physicians over four years. Housing for Seniors: Santa Fe is considering a resolution to place seniors experiencing homelessness into a new micro community on Richards Avenue, aiming to replace an ending hotel-based program. Community Health & Food: New Mexico programs are using “produce prescriptions” to connect patients with fresh fruits and vegetables during the growing season, supporting both families and local farmers. Higher Ed Leadership: UNM named interim provost Barbara Rodriguez to the full-time role. Culture & Identity: The Museum of Navajo Art & Culture in Farmington is hosting “The Global Language of Headwear” through September. Public Safety Education: BoatUS Foundation expanded its free, state-approved boating safety course to include New Mexico.

Immigrant Safety Act Fight: New Mexico AG Raúl Torrez filed lawsuits against Torrance and Curry counties over alleged “illegal ICE agreements,” arguing sheriffs can’t ignore the state’s Immigrant Safety Act (House Bill 9) that bars local cooperation used for federal civil immigration detentions. Healthcare & Workforce: Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham expanded New Mexico’s Health Professional Loan Repayment Program, offering up to $300,000 for doctors who commit to four years in-state—aimed at easing the doctor shortage. Arts & Community: Albuquerque’s Central Avenue gets a summer dose of Mexican folk fantasy with “Fantastic Animals from Mexico: Alebrijes and Nahuales,” placing colorful sculptures along the corridor. Local Culture & Education: Albuquerque’s youth arts funding is in limbo after a budget delay, while Los Alamos High School DECA students earned an American Marketing Association “Associate in Marketing” credential. Film & Pop Culture: Netflix’s “The Boroughs,” set in a New Mexico retirement community, continues to spark buzz—plus debate over its ending and what the final glitch means.

Health Care Access: New Mexico is expanding its physician loan repayment program to tackle the doctor shortage, boosting debt relief to $75,000 over four years (up to $300,000 total) for doctors who serve high-need communities. Higher Education & Equity: The state also logged one of the nation’s biggest FAFSA completion gains, with New Mexico hitting a 20%+ jump year over year as national rates reach an all-time high. Native Community & Environment: A Diné activist is pushing back as a uranium company’s finalized Mount Taylor plan would pump groundwater, treat it, and release it into the Rio San Jose—raising concerns about sacred land and water impacts. Campus Leadership: UNM-Gallup named John Zimmerman interim chancellor effective July 1 as Chancellor Sabrina Ezzell prepares to retire. Community Life: Albuquerque’s West Side gets a new YMCA after more than 30 years of waiting, adding fitness, classes, and child care. Culture & Learning: A New Mexico student team won NASA’s 2026 Lunabotics Challenge prize for lunar construction robotics, spotlighting local STEM talent. Immigration Detention: A hunger strike at ICE detention centers includes a New Mexico-linked case involving a Cuban immigrant alleging poor conditions and denied medical care. Weather & Safety: A funnel cloud formed east of Albuquerque near Sandia Park, with officials still assessing whether it reached the ground.