AGP Executive Report

Epstein Files Push: House lawmakers say they have the votes to force a House floor vote on the Epstein Files Transparency Act Two, a move that could strengthen New Mexico AG Raul Torrez’s push for unredacted records. Federal Health Fight: AG Kwame Raoul secured a court order blocking Trump administration changes that would gut health, education, and social services for low-income families—part of a broader coalition challenge. Housing & Courts: Homewise sued Santa Fe, alleging the city rewrote Affordable Housing Trust Fund rules to block a recommended $750,000 award, seeking to halt payouts pending the case. Education Policy: A New Mexico task force urged guidance to eliminate screen time for K-2 students, citing research on early childhood impacts and concerns about state testing tools. PFAS Legal Setback: A federal court preliminarily blocked New Mexico’s PFAS product-labeling rule over First Amendment concerns, while other PFAS requirements remain in place. Public Safety: Clovis police report two arrests after a search warrant turned up cocaine and 17 firearms, including alleged straw purchases. Election Season: New Mexico’s media coalition renewed calls for a televised governor debate ahead of early voting. Local Government/Community: Albuquerque unveiled a new Sunport mural, and New Mexico reported $445M in individual income tax collections in Q1 2026.

State Ethics & Leadership Scrutiny: New Mexico Senate President Pro Tem Mimi Stewart faces fresh questions after Santa Fe’s interim police chief confirmed she ran over a pedestrian’s foot on Jan. 16, 2024, and after a separate ethics complaint she said was withdrawn is now drawing attention. Federal Privacy Fight: A coalition led by state attorneys general won a court order blocking the Trump administration from demanding CDL drivers’ personal data from AAMVA and threatening federal funding over the proposed database. Colorado River Fallout: Federal water officials released a final decision framework that would force major Lower Basin cuts, with New Mexico and other Upper Basin states watching closely as the plan could reshape basinwide negotiations. New Mexico Election Context: The Secretary of State launched a statewide voter information campaign ahead of the 2026 general election, aiming to reach voters with “good questions” and election facts. Public Safety Preparedness: Albuquerque and other NM counties posted updated sandbag locations as storm risk rises. Corrections Update: Two MDC inmates died in separate incidents, prompting investigations by local law enforcement and MDC oversight.

Ethics & Leadership Scrutiny: New Mexico Senate President Pro Tem Mimi Stewart faces fresh scrutiny after Santa Fe police confirmed a 2024 traffic incident where she ran over a pedestrian’s foot; separately, a withdrawn ethics complaint she described as a “private matter” is also drawing attention. Gubernatorial Debate Fight: With early voting looming, Gregg Hull says Deb Haaland keeps rejecting debate proposals, while Haaland’s team accuses Hull of “debate about the debate” tactics; the Journal is still pushing for a governor debate and will host a lieutenant governor debate instead. PFAS Legal Setback: A federal court preliminarily blocked New Mexico’s PFAS product-labeling mandate, finding the state’s compelled-speech case weak, though other PFAS reporting and sales rules remain. Energy & Uranium: Laramide disputes claims its La Jara Mesa uranium project is “on pause,” saying it only sought a delay in a federal permitting schedule while state permitting work continues. Weather & Water: Monsoon season is winding down with a final rainy push and flash-flood risk across parts of the state, while Rio Grande irrigation deliveries are resuming. Local Governance: Luna County commissioners voted to censure Sheriff Mike Eby, accusing abuse of office over selective misconduct complaints. Election Integrity Warning: Otero County commissioner Vickie Marquardt says she wouldn’t rule out refusing to certify again, raising concerns about midterm chaos if election denialism spreads.

Endangered Species Rollback: The Trump administration’s wildlife chief issued a directive that would let developers and loggers kill endangered animals during projects, as long as the activity’s purpose isn’t killing—sparking alarms that the Endangered Species Act could become “meaningless.” Election Prep: New Mexico’s Secretary of State launched the statewide “Good Questions” campaign to answer voter registration, mail ballot, security, deadlines, and auditing questions ahead of November. Data Privacy Fight: A federal judge blocked a Trump administration push to obtain commercial drivers’ personal data from states, a case that New Mexico AG Brown joined in a coalition. Border Surveillance & Health: New Mexico expanded surveillance after a second New World screwworm case in Grant County, while reporting also highlights broader surveillance efforts tied to border crossings. Local Government: Santa Fe agreed to a $1.25 million settlement in a use-of-force case. Business & Community: Nothing Bundt Cakes opened a new West Side Albuquerque location, and Bank7 announced a deal to buy Century Financial Services, adding New Mexico deposits.

Project Jupiter & energy policy: New Mexico Supreme Court lifted stays and let Project Jupiter permit proceedings move forward, dealing opponents a setback as the air-quality permitting fight continues. Data centers & elections: Senate Democrats blocked a bill aimed at shielding Americans from rising data-center electricity costs, while New Mexico governor candidates outlined competing plans for the industry. Child welfare & accountability: A new report says New Mexico’s investments in children must translate into real access to child care, health care, and family supports—especially in rural areas—highlighting the hard part is implementation. Foster care failures: New Mexico’s child-custody dashboard shows 56 children in foster care who have run away and can’t be located, raising questions about how the state tracks safety. Courts & criminal justice: Federal prosecutors dropped a child sexual abuse images charge against Albuquerque attorney Brian Pori, though other felony allegations remain. Water & conservation: The state water board approved a one-year, state-run conservation program tied to Colorado River drought response. Immigration enforcement: ICE arrested a Salvadoran man wanted for the rape of a 13-year-old, with removal proceedings ongoing.

Project Jupiter Water Fight: New Mexico’s Office of the State Engineer is accused of skipping required public notice and hearings after an “emergency” authorization let Santa Teresa Capital repurpose an agricultural well for a data center, pumping 100+ million gallons before stopping—raising fresh questions about whether Big Tech got special treatment. Data Center Costs & Politics: A separate push to make data centers pay more for rising electricity costs is being blocked by Democrats, keeping the fight over who shoulders the bill front and center in the run-up to November. Public Safety Funding Snub: A guest column argues Albuquerque and Las Cruces declined nearly $300 million in DOJ Model Cities Initiative money for policing, forensics, mental health, and youth violence prevention—framing it as reflexive opposition to anything tied to Trump. Workforce Shortage & Labor Policy: An opinion piece says New Mexico can’t afford workforce policy that favors one union model over others, warning the state needs electricians, plumbers, welders, and contractors to compete for skilled labor. Election/Pay Debate: Another story spotlights the ballot fight over whether New Mexico lawmakers should finally get salaries, with veteran Rep. Pete Campos warning it could reshape who runs for office. Local Government Transparency: Bernalillo County deputies are back on “On Patrol: Live,” returning after community concerns were addressed.

Legislative Pay Ballot Fight: Las Vegas Democrat Pete Campos says New Mexico’s proposed constitutional change to pay lawmakers a salary could reshape the Legislature and shrink the pool of outside-career candidates, as voters decide the measure in November. Data Center Politics: A new national push to make data centers cover electricity and grid upgrade costs is colliding with New Mexico’s own Project Jupiter permitting fight and broader concerns about energy, water, and Native treaty rights. Debate Showdown: A Republican Party of New Mexico release says Deb Haaland declined a KRQE debate while Gregg Hull accepted, turning the campaign into a “no-show” dispute. Utility Accountability Clash: Sam Kane’s campaign attacks AG Raúl Torrez for waiting four years to question PNM rate hikes, after Torrez’s office sent a late letter demanding answers. Election-Season Transparency: An opinion piece highlights public-records fights over DOT contracting emails tied to a Senate Finance chair’s family-linked company. UNM & Business: Frontier Restaurant CEO Shannon Rainosek donates $250,000 to UNM’s business school to fund student internships and travel. Local Government: Bayard council hears updates on converting a former union hall into a mining museum. Flood Response: Navajo Nation declares a state of emergency after flash flooding kills three people, including a 7-year-old preparing for her birthday.

Navajo Nation Flood Tragedy: Three members of a Navajo family were killed in flash flooding near Newcomb as storms swept the Four Corners, prompting a Navajo Nation state of emergency and road closures. Data Centers, Water, and Politics: Sen. Martin Heinrich blocked a Senate push to shield Americans from data-center electricity costs, arguing the bill lacked “real teeth,” while New Mexico governor candidates are trading barbs over moratoriums and guardrails. Project Jupiter Update: The New Mexico Supreme Court allowed the Project Jupiter air-quality permitting process to move forward, keeping the fight over the controversial project alive. Rural Health Funding: The Health Care Authority selected regional “Healthy Horizons” hub organizations for more than $74 million to expand access to care in rural, frontier, and tribal communities. Courts on the Ballot: A judicial performance panel recommended retaining all 41 state judges up for retention in the Nov. 3 general election. Local Legal Accountability: A federal judge ruled prosecutors violated victims’ rights in the Jal case after dropping it without required family consultation.

Data Centers & Energy Costs: Sen. Martin Heinrich blocked a Senate push to shield Americans from higher electricity bills tied to AI data centers, arguing the “Ratepayer Protection Act” lacks “real teeth,” even after it cleared the House overwhelmingly. Gubernatorial Race: New Mexico governor candidates are doubling down on the issue: Deb Haaland says she’d sign a day-one moratorium on new large-scale data centers pending protections, while Gregg Hull warns a moratorium won’t solve the broader policy fight. Project Jupiter Courts: The New Mexico Supreme Court lifted a stay and let Project Jupiter’s air-quality permit process resume, dealing a setback to opponents. Nuclear Oversight: New Mexico lawmakers sent a letter to the DOE raising alarm over sweeping changes to nuclear safety directives, saying they moved forward without enough transparency. Higher Ed: UNM reported its second-largest freshman class on record, but graduation rates remain a concern. Rural Health Funding: The Health Care Authority selected regional hub organizations for a $74M effort to expand access to care in rural, frontier, and tribal communities. Courts & Public Safety: A federal judge ruled prosecutors violated victims’ rights in the Jal case involving former officers convicted in Hector Nava’s death. Elections & Courts: A judicial performance panel recommended retaining all 41 state judges up for retention on Nov. 3. Public Safety/Crime: Albuquerque police reported a pedestrian death in the International District after a crash with a blue Chevy truck. Business/Defense: Verus Research named a new president as it continues work tied to hypersonic missile development.

Project Jupiter Court Fight: The New Mexico Supreme Court rejected two environmental groups’ challenges and lifted stays, letting the Project Jupiter air-quality permitting process resume in Doña Ana County. Gubernatorial Politics: Democratic Gov. candidate Deb Haaland says she’d sign a day-one executive order imposing a moratorium on new large-scale data centers, even as reporting highlights campaign donations from data center developers. Campaign Finance: In the first reporting period for the Sept. 14 deadline, Haaland outraised Republican Gregg Hull ($3.4M vs. $943K), bringing Haaland’s total to $17.3M. Water & Tribal Infrastructure: A House Natural Resources panel advanced Rep. Teresa Leger Fernández’s technical corrections tied to rural water and tribal water settlements, aiming to restore interest and fund infrastructure. Public Safety & Accountability: Farmington agreed to settle a police shooting wrongful-death lawsuit tied to a 2023 fatal shooting, with the payout coming from insurance. Agriculture & Border Trade: USDA confirmed a New World screwworm case in a horse in New Mexico and is preparing to reopen a livestock port of entry next week.

Data Centers in the Governor’s Race: Deb Haaland says she’d sign a day-one executive order for a statewide moratorium on new large-scale data centers until stronger protections are in place, while Gregg Hull argues for project-by-project “guardrails” and local control instead of a blanket pause; the debate is also tied to scrutiny of Project Jupiter-related donations. NM Supreme Court on Project Jupiter: The New Mexico Supreme Court lifted stays that had paused parts of Project Jupiter’s permitting, clearing the way for key air and water steps to move forward. Nuclear Safety Alarm: A bipartisan New Mexico legislative committee warned federal nuclear oversight rollbacks and reduced independent review pose an “urgent threat” to workers and communities, urging federal action. Education Accountability: The Public Education Department released school accreditation results and statewide assessment updates, citing progress in literacy proficiency and steady math performance. Border Livestock Reopening: After a New World screwworm case in a horse, USDA plans to reopen the Santa Teresa livestock crossing next week as sterile-fly operations continue. Consumer Protection in AG News: New Mexico’s Meta litigation fight continues as the state seeks $5.45 million in costs, while Meta argues the state’s outside counsel paid those expenses. Public Health/Community: Santa Fe County promoted free suicide intervention training for Suicide Prevention Awareness Month.

Immigration & Public Safety: A new analysis finds New Mexico’s “Immigrant Safety Act” hasn’t stopped ICE arrests from rising, with local jail enforcement still acting like a pipeline into federal immigration action. State Ethics & Data Centers: The New Mexico State Ethics Commission says Oracle’s $3.4M “Project Jupiter” ad push was aimed at influencing NMED’s air-permitting decisions, including canvassing and sponsored content tied to the permit process. Elections & Campaigning: With early voting starting soon, plans for New Mexico’s gubernatorial debates remain unsettled, leaving Haaland and Hull racing the calendar. Land, Roads & Sovereignty: Santo Domingo Pueblo’s planned closure of a major access road near N.M. 16 has some Santa Fe County residents worried they’ll be effectively landlocked for medical and emergency travel. Courts & Accountability: The New Mexico Supreme Court sanctioned a lawyer after finding ChatGPT-generated fake testimony was used in a murder appeal. Navajo Nation Flooding: Floodwaters on the Navajo Nation killed three people, prompting an ongoing investigation. Public Service: New Mexico’s “Forgotten Heroes” program will hold a military burial for 50 unclaimed veterans in Albuquerque and Santa Fe. Energy & Agriculture: The Santa Teresa port of entry is set to reopen for limited cattle trade after screwworm-related closures, with ripple effects for livestock markets.

Education: Albuquerque Public Schools is weighing possible school closures after enrollment fell by more than 22,000 students over the last decade; the district says a quarter of its campuses have fewer than 250 students and one in six is operating below half capacity, with public input starting now and a decision potentially as early as next year. Courts & Public Safety: Bernalillo County DA Sam Bregman released a public dashboard on pretrial detention decisions, including how often motions are granted or denied and how many released defendants later reoffend—while judicial leaders warn residents not to read the numbers as direct judge-by-judge verdicts. Politics: The New Mexico governor’s race heats up with attacks on Republican Gregg Hull’s comments about SNAP, Medicaid, and universal childcare, plus fresh fundraising disclosures showing Hull’s donor overlap with Trump-aligned contributors. Environment & Development: The New Mexico State Ethics Commission says Oracle spent over $3.4M on ads aimed at influencing NMED’s air permitting for the Project Jupiter data center. Economy & Tourism: New Mexico is bucking the national trend with international visits up about 1.1% in 2025, reaching an estimated 760,000 travelers. Military & History: Sgt. Melvin E. Jones, a WWII POW who survived the Bataan Death March, was laid to rest in Portales 84 years after his death.

Homelessness Funding Overhaul: HUD is proposing to reshape federal homelessness grants by rewarding “treatment-first” approaches—more transitional housing, addiction treatment, and tighter coordination with law enforcement—while taking public comments through Oct. 13. Election Security Prep: A Reuters report finds state and local election officials across the country are planning for possible federal interference, threats, and misinformation ahead of the midterms. Immigration Court Fight (Public Charge): Michigan AG Dana Nessel joined a 21-state coalition suing to block Trump’s public charge rule that would let immigration officials penalize lawful use of public benefits. Opioid Settlement Spending: A New Mexico State Auditor report says agencies missed spending goals for opioid settlement money in FY2024 but improved in later years. PNM-Blackstone Merger: New Mexico’s PRC review continues as PNM and Blackstone filed an amended application, expanding ratepayer credits after earlier PRC concerns. Uranium Cleanup: Homestake met with residents in Grants to discuss groundwater contamination management and an alternate concentration limit for the mill site. Election 2026 Deadlines (Cibola): Registration by mail/online ends Oct. 6; absentee requests due Oct. 20; early voting runs Oct. 17–31. Local Campaign Finance (HD6): In Cibola County’s House District 6 race, Democrat Martha Garcia reports far higher fundraising than Republican Paul Spencer. Tech & Defense in NM: The U.S. Navy’s Blackbeard hypersonic weapon production order—up to $200M—includes manufacturing at Project Ranger in New Mexico. ALPR Surveillance Debate: A separate local report highlights how outside agencies can query a small-town camera network millions of times, fueling civil liberties concerns.

DOJ/Prosecutor Fight: A federal appeals panel in Virginia sounded skeptical about the Justice Department’s push to revive cases against former FBI director James Comey and NY AG Letitia James after a prior ruling found the prosecutor overseeing them was illegally appointed—an issue that could reshape how presidents pick prosecutors. Surveillance & Civil Liberties: Page Police Chief Tim Lange defended automated license plate readers and claimed strict guardrails, but reported a huge gap between local use and outside agencies’ queries. Opioids Oversight: State Auditor Joseph Maestas questioned DEA fentanyl tactics after overdose spikes in Santa Fe, Rio Arriba, and Taos counties, urging lawmakers to consider whether federal funds should be repaid. Criminal Justice Transparency: Bernalillo County DA Sam Bregman plans a public dashboard on repeat offenders and pretrial outcomes, drawing pushback from court officials and defenders. Campus Public Safety: UNM opened a new $16.3M police station to speed responses after a 2025 dorm shooting. Elections/Access: National voter registration efforts highlighted NM’s automatic registration via driver’s license renewal, with key deadlines approaching. Energy & Rates: PNM and Blackstone asked regulators to approve revised merger terms, including larger customer rate credits and grid investment commitments. Courthouse Finish Line: Mora County’s long-delayed courthouse project cleared a $12.6M state Board of Finance approval. Legal Ethics/AI: NM Supreme Court sanctioned a lawyer $5,000 for filing ChatGPT-made fake testimony in a murder appeal. Local Governance: Sierra County residents pressed commissioners over proposed data centers, citing environmental and cost concerns.

Immigration Court Fight: Colorado and other Democratic-led states and cities sued to block a Trump “public charge” rule that would let officials deny green cards to immigrants using public benefits, arguing it will scare eligible families away from food, healthcare, and housing help. New Mexico Legal Fallout: The New Mexico Supreme Court fined Santa Fe defense lawyer Stephen Aarons $5,000 and held him in contempt after a murder-appeal filing included fabricated police testimony and AI-made-up witnesses. Child Care Policy: New Mexico’s Early Childhood Education and Care Department will host a virtual info session Tuesday on how Senate Bill 241 changes the Child Care Assistance Program, including up to $700 million over five years. Energy & Land Use: New Mexico issued an executive order banning new uranium mining leases on state-managed land while prioritizing cleanup of legacy sites. Water & Public Lands: Navajo Nation law formally recognizes the Colorado River/Little Colorado River confluence as sacred, and federal roadless-rule rescission proposals are drawing warnings about impacts on rural economies. Local Notes: Albuquerque seeks volunteers for Balloon Fiesta cleanup; New Mexico’s Forgotten Heroes Funeral Program will honor 50 unclaimed veterans with full military honors.