AGP Executive Report

Meta Child-Safety Trial: A coalition of 29 state attorneys general begins opening statements in Oakland, accusing Meta of designing Facebook and Instagram to hook kids and of violating child privacy rules; the states are seeking penalties that could reach $1.4 trillion and court orders forcing product changes, while Meta calls the claims unsubstantiated. New Mexico AG Push: New Mexico Attorney General Raúl Torrez is reportedly drafting new consumer-protection and child-safety online bills, aiming to build on the state’s recent Meta win and expand coverage to AI and chatbots. Presidential Primary Timing: Democrats voted to move New Mexico’s 2028 presidential primary up by about four months, potentially making it the fourth-earliest, pending state legislative approval. Local Government (Truth or Consequences): City commissioners approved final general obligation bond issuance for street and water/wastewater work, plus equipment purchases and other local project actions. Public Safety: New Mexico State Police are investigating a Mora shooting after officers shot a man accused in a domestic violence incident; the suspect was hospitalized. Legislative Staffing: The Legislative Council named Ethan Watson as the next director of the Legislature’s nonpartisan legal research and bill-drafting arm.

Meta Child-Safety Ruling: A New Mexico judge ordered Meta to pay $567 million into a children’s mental health fund, calling Facebook/Instagram a “public nuisance” and directing changes like deleting accounts for kids under 13 and limiting minors’ notifications. Project Jupiter Pushback: State senators held a public listening session on the hyperscale AI data center plan, with community members pressing for more transparency and oversight as legislation is prepared. Behavioral Health 911 Expansion: New Mexico’s behavioral health team is expanding 911 response with paramedics and field medication, aiming to improve crisis care. Election Security Watch: Democrats and state officials are moving to fortify election processes ahead of November amid fears of federal interference. DNC 2028 Calendar: The DNC approved a 2028 primary lineup that puts South Carolina first and keeps New Mexico in the early window. Colorado River Alarm: Lake Powell hit a record low, threatening water and power supplies across the Southwest, including New Mexico. Albuquerque Governance: Mayor Tim Keller advanced an “abundance agenda” in his State of the City address, while public safety and housing concerns drew interruptions.

Meta Youth-Addiction Ruling: A New Mexico judge ordered Meta to pay $567 million into a children’s mental health fund, calling Facebook/Instagram/WhatsApp a “public nuisance” and directing changes like deleting accounts under 13 and limiting minors’ push notifications. Border Surveillance Contract: A private contractor, Metrea, has been reported flying surveillance-equipped aircraft along the U.S.-Mexico border, raising questions about “signals intelligence” gear and mission scope. Colorado River Fallout: Lake Powell hit a record low, adding pressure to already-stressed water and power supplies as states and the federal government remain stuck on a long-term plan. NM Public Safety: New Mexico State Police are investigating a Mora officer-involved shooting after a domestic violence incident, with the suspect injured and in custody. Behavioral Health Funding: NM’s behavioral health reform committee approved more than $40M across rural regional plans, with more sign-offs expected by year’s end. Crime & Schools: A teen accused in a Santa Rosa Middle School threat case is facing charges after investigators traced firearms tied to the alleged threat. 2028 Democratic Primary Calendar: Democrats approved a new 2028 calendar putting South Carolina first, followed by Nevada, with New Mexico voting Feb. 15—part of a push to elevate Black, Latino, and union voters early.

Meta Child-Safety Ruling: A New Mexico judge ordered Meta to pay $567 million into a children’s mental-health fund, calling Facebook/Instagram/WhatsApp a “public nuisance” and directing changes like deleting accounts under 13 and limiting minors’ notifications and “like” visibility. Democratic Primary Calendar: The DNC approved a 2028 schedule that puts South Carolina first (Jan. 22), then Nevada (Feb. 1), with New Mexico moving to Feb. 15 as part of an early-state push aimed at Black, Latino, and union voters. Border Enforcement Power: The DOJ says troops in designated National Defense Areas can pursue and detain migrants outside military zones, while detainees must be turned over to civilian law enforcement. Local Public Safety Response: Bernalillo County’s Behavioral Health Unit keeps expanding and handling thousands of 911 calls, while Santa Fe’s Alternative Response Unit is facing staffing and service declines. Environment & Waste Policy: NMED launched a Circular Economy Plan and opened applications for $11.5 million in reuse, recycling, and recovery funding for businesses, local governments, tribes, schools, and nonprofits. State Politics & Housing: Albuquerque Mayor Tim Keller used his State of the City to push an “abundance agenda” and outline affordable housing and public safety priorities. Energy/Climate Debate: Opinion pieces argue New Mexico should do more than small gas rebates to address fossil-fuel costs and climate impacts. Crime: Eddy County is investigating a homicide after a teen was found dead with gunshot wounds in Loving.

Democratic presidential calendar: The DNC approved a new 2028 primary lineup that puts South Carolina first (Jan. 22), followed by Nevada (Feb. 1), New Hampshire (Feb. 8), New Mexico (Feb. 15), Michigan (Feb. 22) and Virginia (Feb. 29), pushing Iowa out of the early window and aiming to “battle-test” candidates with a more diverse electorate. Meta in court: A New Mexico judge ordered Meta to pay $567 million into a children’s mental health fund, calling the platforms a “public nuisance” and directing changes for minors, as Meta says it will appeal. State politics & legal fallout: A New Mexico AG candidate criticized Raul Torrez for sending major Meta-related legal work to an out-of-state firm, arguing it will drain money from New Mexico. Public safety: New Mexico State Police arrested a 14-year-old tied to a Santa Rosa Middle School threat involving Discord and firearms. Native affairs: After years of delays, the Navajo Code Talkers museum plan cleared a major step with nearly $20M in state funding, with questions still looming over long-term operating support. Health access: A Las Cruces mother won insurance coverage for her child’s cleft palate treatment, a first for New Mexico. Local governance: Doña Ana County turnout rose in 2026 after permanent absentee voting and open primaries let more unaffiliated voters participate.

Meta Youth Mental Health Ruling: A New Mexico judge ordered Meta to pay $567 million into a children’s mental health fund, calling Facebook/Instagram/WhatsApp a “public nuisance” and directing major changes for minors, including deleting accounts under 13 and restricting certain features during school hours. Public Corruption Fallout: Sheryl Williams Stapleton was convicted on federal charges tied to diverting education money from Albuquerque Public Schools, adding to a growing list of New Mexico lawmakers facing corruption cases. CYFD Missing Teen: A 13-year-old in CYFD custody remains missing after running from UNM’s child psychiatric center, renewing scrutiny of youth behavioral health security and handoffs. Behavioral Health Funding: A state committee approved $40M+ for rural behavioral health plans, with more regions expected to be signed off before year’s end. Uranium Policy Push: A Bernalillo-area lawmaker is calling for a uranium mining moratorium while New Mexico reviews permits and regulation. Legislative Operations: The Legislative Council selected Albuquerque City Clerk Ethan Watson as the new director of the Legislative Council Service. Navajo Code Talkers Museum: New Mexico awarded nearly $20M to move the Navajo Code Talker Museum forward on Navajo Nation land in Farmington. Colorado River Tensions: Arizona objected to a federal Colorado River plan that could cut its water supply, setting up potential legal fights. Election Politics: Democrats set an early 2028 presidential primary calendar that includes New Mexico in the first wave.

Meta Youth Harm Ruling: A New Mexico judge ordered Meta to pay $567 million into a children’s mental health fund, calling Facebook/Instagram a “public nuisance” and directing changes like deleting accounts under 13 and limiting minors’ notifications. CYFD Accountability: A 13-year-old in CYFD custody remains missing after running from UNM’s child psychiatric center, raising fresh questions about security and coordination. Public Safety: New Mexico State Police arrested a 14-year-old in Santa Rosa after a reported plan to shoot at Santa Rosa Middle School and livestream it. Behavioral Health Funding: A state committee approved $40M+ for rural behavioral health plans, with more regions expected to get sign-off by year’s end. Water & Environment: NMED says Los Alamos National Laboratory hasn’t complied with demands to stop a spreading chromium plume; separately, Arizona warns a federal Colorado River plan could cause “catastrophic harm.” Politics & Power: Democrats selected former state Sen. Lisa Curtis to fill an Albuquerque House seat vacancy. Public Corruption: Sheryl Williams Stapleton was found guilty on federal charges tied to diverting education funds.

Meta Youth Harms Ruling (NM): A New Mexico judge ordered Meta to pay $567 million into a children’s mental health fund and imposed major platform changes, including deleting accounts under 13 and restricting minors’ notifications and “like” visibility. Tech + Privacy Fight (NM): Michigan AG Dana Nessel joined a coalition suing the Trump administration over demands for 17 million CDL drivers’ personal data, arguing federal officials are violating privacy laws and bypassing states. Utility Merger Fallout (NM): A private equity firm tied to PNM’s parent company returned $13.3 million in dividends after regulators ruled a stock transaction was illegal. Election Security (National, with NM relevance): Democrats are preparing for potential federal interference in November voting as Trump pushes to tighten and nationalize election rules. AI Satire Lawsuit (NM): The Babylon Bee sued New Mexico over a law targeting AI-generated “materially deceptive” political media in the run-up to elections. Local Justice Oddity (NM): A Catron County wolf case highlights a dispute over prosecutors requiring a trapper to use an app tied to land boundaries. Energy/Politics: The DNC is set to finalize the 2028 primary calendar, with New Mexico slated early in February. Water/Infrastructure: Colorado River negotiations continue as states await federal decisions on potential cuts.

Big Tech & Youth Safety: A New Mexico judge ordered Meta to pay $567 million for harms to children’s mental health, calling Facebook/Instagram a “public nuisance” and directing changes like deleting accounts under 13 and limiting minors’ push notifications. Privacy & Federal Overreach: Multiple state attorneys general sued to block the Trump administration from demanding CDL driver data from states, arguing the move violates privacy laws and threatens federal funding. Public Health: New Mexico confirmed a measles case in Eddy County, bringing the state total to 18 in 2026, with Artesia exposure sites listed for Aug. 6-11. Local Governance: Albuquerque launched a program to put vacant city-owned land to use by publicly listing nearly 200 properties for sale or lease. Energy & Infrastructure: The U.S. Energy Department canceled three Biden-era transmission line projects, including a corridor that runs across New Mexico, after local opposition. Courts: A federal jury began deliberations in the Stapleton trial over alleged theft of more than $2 million in education funding. Community & Media: KRWG Public Media visited Truth or Consequences to gather listener feedback on local programming. Uranium Cleanup: Work is set to begin on a major cleanup at the Church Rock uranium site, overseen with the Navajo Nation.

Meta Youth Trial in Oakland: Jury selection began in a landmark federal case accusing Meta of designing Facebook and Instagram to harm children and illegally collecting kids’ data; the Oakland trial will cover allegations from California, Colorado, Kentucky and New Jersey, with Mark Zuckerberg and Instagram head Adam Mosseri expected to testify. New Mexico Court Fallout: A New Mexico judge ordered Meta to pay $567 million and overhaul teen safety features, adding to earlier penalties and prompting lawmakers to consider new social media protection bills. CYFD Reform Pressure: Senate Republicans held a “Re-Imagining CYFD” task force hearing featuring testimony from a 17-year-old who described years of instability in state custody, as House Democrats also unveiled their own overhaul plans. Housing Permitting Push: A nonprofit housing developer urged the Legislature to streamline local permitting by-right approvals, improve data collection, and strengthen the state housing agency to address a reported 58,000-unit shortage. Public Safety Spending Scrutiny: A Legislative Finance Committee analysis found New Mexico’s National Guard deployments in Albuquerque and Española cost over $22 million without clear measurable crime impacts. Project Jupiter Backlash: Doña Ana-area lawmakers held a town hall on the Santa Teresa AI data center project after residents criticized the process and demanded state agency participation. Wildfire Betting Watch: U.S. senators asked the CFTC to rein in prediction market apps that let people wager on wildfire outcomes, warning it could encourage arson.

Meta Child-Safety Ruling: A New Mexico judge ordered Meta to pay $567 million into a children’s mental health fund and ordered major teen-safety changes, calling the company a “public nuisance” and adding to earlier penalties that could push the case total near $942 million. Big-Tech Legal Fallout: Reuters reports the state’s outside law firm, Motley Rice, could seek up to $67.1 million in fees tied to New Mexico’s recovery—while Meta says it will appeal. National Trial Watch: Jury selection began in Oakland for a separate federal youth-harms case involving Meta and 29 states, with the trial expected to last weeks and seek nationwide platform changes. CYFD Overhaul Fight: Five New Mexico state senators held a task-force hearing on reforming the embattled child welfare agency, with Republicans pushing for their bills and Democrats unveiling a 2027 overhaul plan. Project Jupiter Pressure: Hundreds packed a Las Cruces town hall on the Santa Teresa AI data-center project, pressing lawmakers on water, air quality, permits, and accountability. Public Safety Spending Scrutiny: A legislative finance review says National Guard deployments in Albuquerque and Española cost over $22 million but showed “no clear impacts on crime.” DOH Hiring Backlash: New Mexico’s Department of Health fired a violence-prevention coordinator after questions about a 2024 battery conviction and whether a background check was done. Water & Permitting: Lawmakers and officials highlighted water conservation efforts and New Mexico’s broadband permitting tool aimed at speeding BEAD projects.

Meta Child-Safety Ruling: A New Mexico judge ordered Meta to pay $567 million for harms to children’s mental health, calling the company a “public nuisance” and directing new youth-safety steps like deleting accounts under 13 and restricting teen notifications. Youth Social Media Trial Watch: This week, Meta faces a major Oakland, California trial over claims Facebook and Instagram were engineered to keep minors hooked, with states seeking sweeping platform changes and massive penalties. Housing Permitting: A new report argues faster permitting could ease New Mexico’s housing shortage, pushing state and local governments to streamline approvals. Data Center Moratorium Debate: New Mexico Democratic lawmakers are floating a statewide data center moratorium for 2027, weighing guardrails amid lawsuits tied to Project Jupiter. Colorado River Pressure: Lake Mead hit a record low, raising stakes for downstream water cuts and hydropower impacts. Border Wall Expansion: The Trump administration is accelerating U.S.-Mexico border barrier construction, including major new miles of fencing and surveillance upgrades. Prediction Markets Fight: The CFTC used emergency power to keep Kalshi operating while it battles states over whether prediction markets are federal derivatives or state gambling.

CYFD Overhaul Push: New Mexico House Democrats unveiled sweeping plans for the 2027 session to reform the troubled Children, Youth and Families Department, including a stronger Office of the Child Advocate with real-time access and subpoena power, plus limits on congregate care for younger foster kids. Meta Child-Safety Ruling: A New Mexico judge ordered Meta to pay $567 million into a children’s mental health fund and imposed major platform changes, adding to a total $942 million in penalties as Meta says it will appeal. AI in Schools: The state Public Education Department let districts opt out of the Amira AI reading assessment after privacy and accuracy concerns, with several districts choosing alternatives for this school year. Data Center Fight: Doña Ana lawmakers and county officials are grappling with Project Jupiter and a proposed statewide data-center moratorium, as Republicans question the timing and Democrats seek a pause to set rules. Border Wall Backlash: Construction tied to Trump’s border wall is bulldozing parts of Big Bend National Park, drawing fresh outrage from residents and environmental groups. Tech Regulation Mood: A Reuters/Ipsos poll finds broad bipartisan support for age-verification rules for teens, but critics warn verification systems can create new privacy and access risks. Local Justice: Bernalillo County’s DA is seeking to exhume a veteran’s body tied to a 2002 rape case, using DNA to confirm identity. Public Safety: Las Cruces police reported results from Operation Not in Vain, citing drops in crime in targeted areas.

Meta Child-Safety Ruling: A New Mexico judge ordered Meta to pay $567 million into a children’s mental-health fund and ordered major teen-safety changes, adding to an earlier $375 million penalty and calling Meta’s platforms a “public nuisance.” Social Media Lawsuits: A federal appeals court cleared the way for thousands of “social media addiction” lawsuits against Meta, Google, TikTok and others to proceed, rejecting an early bid to use Section 230 as a shield. Age-Verification Push: A Reuters/Ipsos poll finds two-thirds of Americans back age-verification laws for teens, but warns that verification methods can be unreliable and create sensitive data risks. Climate Politics: A New Mexico-focused poll says Democrats who dodge climate change could lose, while voters show stronger support for clean-energy buildout than for bans or fees. Tax Fight: New Mexico House Republicans are pressing to eliminate the personal income tax, arguing revenue is surging; opponents warn it would hit low earners and strain services. Local Tax Tool: Roswell city council will consider putting a Local Option GRT for economic development on the Nov. 3 ballot. Wildfire Watch: Frijoles Fire expanded past 4,000 acres in northern New Mexico, prompting evacuations and smoke advisories.

Meta Child-Safety Ruling: A New Mexico judge ordered Meta to pay $567 million into a youth mental health fund and branded the company’s platforms a “public nuisance,” adding to earlier penalties and directing teen-focused changes like disabling certain push notifications and limiting use. Social Media Oversight Push: A Reuters/Ipsos poll finds 61% of Americans want stronger social media regulation and 66% back age-verification laws for kids under 16—while critics warn verification can misidentify teens and create security risks. Legal Battle Continues: A federal appeals court let thousands of youth-addiction lawsuits against major platforms move forward, rejecting early attempts to stop the cases. Spaceport America vs. Virgin Galactic: Spaceport America says Virgin Galactic has cut payments under a contract clause, squeezing revenue as the company delays flights. Food Relief Raffle: St. Felix Pantry in Rio Rancho launched a raffle for an AC unit with installation to support hundreds of weekly guests. GPS Jamming Aftermath: Federal safety reports reviewed in New Mexico detail years of warnings about GPS interference tied to a deadly air ambulance crash. Uranium Mine Hearing: Anti-uranium advocates challenged a proposed mine near the Navajo Nation, citing Church Rock-era harms and concerns about “clean” extraction claims. Border/Crime: A federal jury in El Paso convicted a man tied to a smuggling operation that used Santa Teresa, New Mexico, routes.

Meta Child-Safety Ruling: A New Mexico judge ordered Meta to pay $567 million more and tighten teen protections on Instagram and Facebook, adding to an earlier $375 million award and pushing the total in the case toward $942 million; the court also ordered limits on teen use and changes to default features. Social Media Crackdown Momentum: The ruling is landing as multiple states prepare further legal fights, including a major federal trial in California alleging Meta designed platforms to be addictive for children. Utility Privatization Fight: New Mexico regulators’ voiding of a TXNM Energy stock sale tied to a Blackstone takeover is now drawing fresh scrutiny from consumer and environmental advocates, who question whether the state should take a bigger public stake instead. Colorado River Pressure: Lake Mead hit a new record low, intensifying negotiations over deep cuts that could reshape water planning across the basin, including New Mexico’s role. Northern NM Wildfire: The Frijoles Fire grew to about 3,000 acres in the Pecos Wilderness with no evacuations yet, as crews and aircraft work to slow lightning-driven spread. Surveillance Tech Backlash: A report highlights vandalism of Flock Safety cameras in multiple states, including an alleged Rio Rancho incident, fueling debate over automated license plate readers. Wildfire Betting Warning: Sen. Martin Heinrich and colleagues urged federal regulators to crack down on wildfire prediction-market betting, warning it could encourage arson.