AGP Executive Report

Big Tech & Youth Safety: A New Mexico judge ordered Meta to pay $567M into a teen mental-health abatement fund and make sweeping changes to Facebook and Instagram for users under 18, after an earlier $375M jury award—totaling $942M; Meta says it will appeal. Public Health & Climate: Heat is driving a surge in New Mexico emergency-room visits for heat-related illness, with officials urging hydration and extra precautions for kids and older adults. Water & Infrastructure: Lake Mead hit a new record low, underscoring the Colorado River crisis and raising pressure for conservation across the Southwest. Energy & Industry: Devon Energy defended its $2.6B purchase of federal acreage in the Delaware Basin, arguing it’s competitive despite a lower royalty burden. Permitting & Local Development: New Mexico tightened Project Jupiter public-comment rules after finding 42 fake submissions tied to the Dona Ana data center. Aviation & Defense Tech: An NTSB preliminary report links a fatal New Mexico medevac crash to U.S. military GPS jamming during the flight. Construction & Safety: Albuquerque warned residents about hazardous items in trash after garbage truck fires tied to extreme heat and improper disposal. Manufacturing & Sales: Platinum Tooling added a Southwest manufacturers rep group to expand coverage in Arizona, southern California, Colorado, and New Mexico.

Meta Child-Safety Ruling: A New Mexico judge ordered Meta (Facebook/Instagram) to pay $567M into a teen mental health fund and tighten youth protections, calling the platforms a “public nuisance” and adding to a prior $375M penalty for a $942M total; Meta says it will appeal. Food Safety Recall: Walmart-linked Bettergoods pistachio nut butter sold in 19 states was recalled after salmonella was found in jars; no illnesses reported, and New Mexico is on the distribution list. Energy & Gas Prices: AAA reports New Mexico’s average regular gas price at $3.92, down 14 cents week-over-week, while still higher than a year ago; national average is about $4.06. Water Watch: Lake Mead hit a record-low level of 1,040.5 feet as the Colorado River crisis deepens. Local Weather: Heat advisories returned for the Albuquerque metro and parts of Northern New Mexico as temperatures push near records, with monsoon storms possible. Defense Tech: The U.S. Army is moving to make high-energy lasers a permanent counter-drone capability, with White Sands testing tied to potential large-scale procurement. Solar Manufacturing for Food: Sandia in Albuquerque tested a solar-thermal approach that could help convert gas coffee roasters to solar-powered roasting.

Child Safety & Courts: A New Mexico judge ordered Meta to pay $567 million and overhaul teen protections on Facebook and Instagram, calling the harm a “public nuisance” tied to addictive design and inadequate safeguards; the ruling follows a prior $375 million jury verdict and requires limits on teen use, notification restrictions, tighter controls on adult-minor contact, AI chatbot safeguards, and stronger handling of child sexual abuse reports, with Meta saying it will appeal. Food Safety: A major Salmonella egg recall is underway after more than 19 million eggs were linked to illnesses, with affected brands including Kroger and Simple Truth and distribution reaching New Mexico. Public Health & Water: The U.S. Drought Monitor says monsoon rains may ease some Four Corners drought, but large parts of Colorado and New Mexico remain dry, keeping Colorado River uncertainty front and center. Workforce & Justice Access: New Mexico approved a bar-exam bypass via supervised apprenticeships to help fill legal-service gaps in rural areas.

Defense & Tech: The Army is nearing a contract award for its Enduring High Energy Laser (E-HEL), aiming to give U.S. forces a more affordable way to counter drones and missiles without relying only on costly interceptors. Aviation Safety: A May medevac crash near Ruidoso is again tied to U.S. military GPS jamming at White Sands, with investigators saying the aircraft lost GPS moments before hitting terrain. Legal/Policy: The New Mexico Supreme Court approved a skills-based pathway for law graduates to become licensed through supervised work and a skills portfolio, targeting “legal desert” counties. State Politics: Rep. Joanne Ferrary announced her retirement from the New Mexico House after a decade of work on healthcare, working families, and environmental issues. Energy & Grid: As data centers and electrification strain interconnection queues, developers are leaning harder on on-site solar, storage, and distributed energy resources to bridge delays. Agriculture & Food Safety: A salmonella outbreak tied to recalled eggs has spread to 17 states, including New Mexico, even where the recalled cartons weren’t distributed. Tribal & Data Centers: A Navajo Nation community push is underway to block data centers, arguing the expansion targets tribal lands as commodities. Water/Infrastructure: Raton commissioners approved water and sewer rate changes and a new municipal budget, citing rising operating costs.

Data Center & Air Permits: New Mexico regulators ordered Project Jupiter’s builder to respond to a motion to dismiss its air quality permit, as clean-energy groups challenge the Santa Teresa complex’s fuel plan and the impacts on water and local resources. Aviation Safety & GPS Jamming: The NTSB says military GPS jamming was active when a New Mexico medevac crash killed four in May, with investigators still working to determine probable cause. Water & Border Wall Drilling: The state engineer ordered border-wall-linked drilling companies to stop unauthorized well work near protected groundwater basins, citing permit violations and risks to livestock and aquifers. Nuclear Policy & FOIA: Nuclear Watch New Mexico sued the federal government for withholding a plutonium pit production study tied to Los Alamos and Savannah River. Legal Fight Over Epstein Files: New Mexico sued the U.S. DOJ seeking access to unredacted Epstein-related documents, alleging stonewalling of the state’s sex-crimes investigation. Housing Supply & Construction: A Roswell modular builder told lawmakers modular construction could help rural New Mexico address the skilled-workforce crunch. Education & Workforce Pipeline: UNM will launch a new bachelor’s in bioengineering aimed at careers spanning health care, agriculture, food science, and pharmacy. Agriculture & Prices: Tyson warned cattle shortages are pressuring beef performance as consumers face elevated prices.

Colorado River: The federal government released a new framework after seven states failed to agree on sharing cuts, leaving Arizona and other basin states facing steep reductions and major uncertainty that could spill into court. SNAP Oversight: USDA data shows 41 states (plus D.C.) had SNAP payment error rates above 6% in FY2025, raising the risk of new state cost-sharing bills and possible service cuts. Drug Pricing/Antitrust: New Mexico is among 25 states suing over Trump’s forced-labor tariff claims, while separate multistate action moves forward on a proposed $400M+ settlement with Sandoz over alleged generic drug price-fixing and competition limits. Energy & Mining: Western Star Resources says it expanded its U.S. tungsten portfolio, including a 100% interest in a New Mexico project and plans for 2026 drilling permitting. Law & Workforce: The New Mexico Supreme Court approved an alternative licensure pathway letting law graduates bypass the bar exam via supervised work to address a rural lawyer shortage. Water & Public Safety: McKinley County water systems begin hazard mitigation planning for rural utilities, and Cibola County’s inmate victim-notification system remains offline pending repairs. Local Culture: Hatch green chile roasting returns to Las Cruces-area stores through August, and Las Cruces unveiled a new Chiva Town mural celebrating local history.

Border Water Crackdown: New Mexico’s State Engineer threatened to revoke licenses of border-wall well-drillers after finding “unauthorized” wells in protected basins, raising groundwater contamination and rancher water-supply concerns. Data Center Cost Fight: Sen. Martin Heinrich introduced the GRID Savings Act to require large electricity users like data centers to pay for grid upgrades, aiming to stop families and small businesses from subsidizing hyperscalers. Local Oversight for Project Jupiter: Doña Ana County commissioners weighed a citizen-led monitoring committee for Oracle/OpenAI’s Project Jupiter in Santa Teresa, pushing for independent, conflict-free oversight. Childcare Fallout in Court: A second former New Mexico Early Childhood Education and Care budget official sued, alleging retaliation after flagging a $258M shortfall tied to universal childcare funding gaps. Health Coverage Pressure: KFF reports ACA marketplace enrollment fell to 19.2M as enhanced subsidies expired; New Mexico was the exception, using state funds to keep coverage up. Food Safety: Walmart recalled Bettergoods pistachio nut butter in 19 states, including New Mexico, after Salmonella was found in a single lot; no illnesses reported. Tariff Legal Push: A 25-state coalition, including New Mexico, sued over Trump’s new tariffs, calling them an unlawful pretext after a Supreme Court defeat. Beef Prices Squeeze: Tyson warned cattle shortages are keeping beef prices elevated as the U.S. herd hits its lowest level in 70+ years.

Border Wall Water Fight: Contractors building Trump’s border wall in drought-hit New Mexico have been ordered to stop drilling new wells after ranchers warned groundwater pumping could threaten livestock and livelihoods. Tariff Legal Pressure: New Mexico is among 25 states suing the Trump administration over new “forced labor” tariffs, arguing the move is a pretext and exceeds legal authority. Water Supply Incentives: Colorado officials outlined a voluntary program to pay some households and sectors in Colorado, Utah, Wyoming and New Mexico to use less Colorado River water as federal cut plans loom. Local Infrastructure: Bernalillo County closed part of SW Albuquerque’s 2nd Street while crews repair a collapsed sewer line using trenchless methods, with access and detours in place. Energy & Tech: Sandia and UNM are partnering with Maxwell Labs to test laser-based photonic cooling for computer chips, targeting data-center energy and water strain. Business & Growth: Suntex Enterprises’ JA Development & Construction was selected to manage AirTopia’s multi-market build-out starting in Roswell, NM. Public Health: FDA recalled Bettergoods pistachio nut butter sold at Walmart in 19 states, including New Mexico, over possible salmonella contamination.

Border Wall Materials vs. Water Supply: Crews building Trump’s border wall in drought-stricken New Mexico were ordered to stop drilling new wells after ranchers warned concrete work could drain aquifers needed for livestock. Colorado River Fight: Lower Basin leaders pushed back on Interior’s Colorado River water-cut plan, while Upper Basin states largely backed it—setting up major pressure on regional water planning. Tariffs in Court: New Mexico joined a 25-state lawsuit challenging Trump’s latest tariffs as a pretext to replace taxes the Supreme Court struck down, with claims the move will raise costs for families and businesses. Food Safety: Walmart recalled Bettergoods Pistachio Nut Butter in 19 states, including New Mexico, after Salmonella was found in testing. Workplace Health Rules: New Mexico environment officials proposed delaying heat-safety worker protections to early 2027, citing difficulty reaching stakeholder consensus. Local Infrastructure: Albuquerque’s North Domingo Baca Aquatics Center is still under construction but faces at least a $16 million funding gap as costs rose. Energy & Environment: New Mexico reported record progress plugging abandoned oil and gas wells, while about 1,600 remain awaiting cleanup.

Cybersecurity & IT Expansion: Logicalis US is buying Loial, a New Mexico-based cybersecurity and managed services provider, to establish a permanent Logicalis presence in the state and grow its Southwest team. Energy & Tech Manufacturing: Intel says its Rio Rancho, New Mexico advanced packaging work is scaling AI chip performance through next-gen packaging methods. Real Estate Development: A CREDA poll finds New Mexico developers still bullish on mixed-use growth, but deal velocity and affordability remain sticking points. Credit & Consumer Finance: A federal appeals court ruling could make it harder for consumers in the 10th Circuit to challenge false or disputed debts on credit reports. Tribal Waste & Recycling: EPA grants totaling $2.1M will fund recycling and composting upgrades for the Pueblo of Isleta and Pueblo de Cochiti. Water Policy: A new federal Colorado River plan threatens steep cuts for Arizona, with Upper Basin states including New Mexico watching closely. Agriculture & Livestock Biosecurity: USDA plans to resume Mexican cattle imports Aug. 24, despite New World screwworm concerns in Texas and New Mexico. Food Safety: The explosive diarrhea/cyclosporiasis outbreak continues to spread across more states, while New Mexico’s Hatch green chile season drives local retail activity. Local Courts: Bernalillo County agreed to pay $2M to families of first responders killed in a 2022 helicopter crash.

Space & Tech: A wayward SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket stage is set to hit the Moon Aug. 5, creating a new crater and offering scientists a rare look at lunar surface conditions and the growing space-debris problem. Weather & Energy Demand: Albuquerque faces another round of extreme heat Monday, with heat advisories noon–8 p.m. across parts of central and western New Mexico. Housing & Development: Santa Fe is weighing a proposal to triple a “fee in lieu” charge for developers who don’t include affordable units, a move supporters say could boost the Affordable Housing Trust Fund and critics fear could slow construction. Food Safety: A federal egg recall linked to drug-resistant Salmonella has sickened 98 people across 17 states; recalled cartons with specific codes and sell-by dates are still in homes with a recall window running through mid-August. Politics & Transparency: A New Mexico In Depth report says out-of-state political groups can sidestep state disclosure rules, leaving voters unclear on who is funding ads and mailers. Oilfield Automation: Atlas Energy Solutions plans to expand autonomous truck operations in the Permian Basin from 28 to 100 by mid-2027, aiming to speed sand logistics for fracking. Local Business & Community: Farmington’s Piedra Vista community mourns baseball coach Jeff Kiraly, who died at 53 after a motorcycle crash.

Colorado River Policy: Federal water managers unveiled a 10-year Colorado River framework that keeps New Mexico out of mandatory cuts for now, but still sets up frequent renegotiations every two years that could reshape Southwest water planning. Nuclear & Federal Safety: A federal safety board flagged a preventable glove box fire at Los Alamos National Laboratory’s plutonium facility, adding to a pattern of similar incidents since 2023. Local Housing & Development: Santa Fe Mayor Michael Garcia is pushing to triple a developer fee tied to affordable units, with a vote set for Aug. 12—supporters say it boosts supply funding, critics worry it could slow building. Defense/Industry Watch: Torrance County residents are raising alarms about “Project Mars,” saying details are scarce due to nondisclosure agreements and that a proposed defense contractor manufacturing site could displace cattle leases. Public Health/Utilities: Doña Ana’s water system received a public notice violation after delayed customer notification of a uranium exceedance. Community Safety: Farmington police shared strategies to curb crime and disorder in the Animas District, where residents link problems to liquor sales and public safety pressures.

Colorado River Policy: The U.S. Interior Department released a final 10-year operational framework for Lake Powell and Lake Mead, setting up steep potential cuts for Arizona, California and Nevada through 2036 as drought worsens. Nuclear Safety: A federal safety board flagged a “preventable” glove box fire at Los Alamos National Laboratory’s plutonium facility, citing a pattern of similar incidents since 2023. Energy & Utilities: New Mexico’s PRC ordered Blackstone and TXNM Energy to unwind an unlawful $400 million stock transaction; the companies reversed it, keeping the broader PNM acquisition review moving. Defense Tech: Hermeus’ Quarterhorse Mk 2.1 successfully released an external payload during a HyCAT hypersonic test flight over New Mexico, advancing toward operational military use. Trade Enforcement: DOJ’s Trade Fraud Task Force topped $1 billion in recoveries and charged losses in under a year, targeting customs and supply-chain fraud. Agriculture & Health: USDA confirmed New World screwworm cases in Texas and a dog in Lea County, New Mexico, triggering movement controls and expanded surveillance. Local Business/Tax: Curry County adopted a rounding rule for cash property tax payments after the federal government stopped manufacturing pennies. Racing: New Mexico stewards summarily suspended quarter horse owner Samuel Valeriano after a USDA report alleged illegal medication injections tied to EIA positives.

Colorado River Water Rules: The U.S. Interior Department released a final 10-year framework for operating Lake Powell and Lake Mead through 2036, setting flexible “sideboards” and paving the way for steep cuts—up to 40% of Arizona/California/Nevada’s combined allocation in worst conditions—while asking upper basin states including New Mexico to pursue voluntary conservation. Home Insurance Pressure: New Mexico saw a record 6,200 home insurance non-renewals in 2025 as insurers retreat from wildfire risk, with regulators tracking what’s driving coverage losses. Border Child-Custody Lawsuit: New Mexico AG Raúl Torrez filed a civil lawsuit against CYFD alleging the agency violated state law and constitutional rights after abandoning a 15-year-old at the U.S.-Mexico border. Horse Racing Integrity: The NM Racing Commission summarily suspended quarter horse owner Samuel Valeriano after a USDA-linked investigation tied alleged shared-needle injections to an EIA outbreak. Food Safety & Local Farms: A salmonella outbreak tied to recalled eggs has sickened nearly 100 people; New Mexico retailers and farms are promoting fresh local eggs as an alternative.

Colorado River Water Cuts: The Interior Department released a 10-year Colorado River management framework that could force Arizona, California and Nevada to reduce use by up to 3 million acre-feet annually through 2036, while Colorado, New Mexico, Utah and Wyoming face voluntary conservation targets—setting up major legal and planning fights for Southwest water users. New Mexico Angle: Multiple reports say New Mexico is spared mandatory cuts for now, but the basin-wide rules still raise pressure on regional water planning and operations. Project Jupiter Air Permit: New Mexico’s air quality permit hearing for the Oracle/OpenAI data center in southern New Mexico has been rescheduled to September after scheduling confusion, with environmental attorneys calling the shift concerning. Heat Safety Rule Delay: The New Mexico Environment Department proposed pushing worker heat-protection rulemaking to early 2027, citing difficulty reaching stakeholder consensus. Health Care Lawsuits: New Mexico’s AG is among state leaders suing to block federal ACA changes that could make coverage more expensive and harder to get. Power Reliability: A federal emergency order covers New Mexico and 16 other states to reduce blackout risk during extreme heat. Other NM Business Notes: Sandoval County approved its 2026-27 budget, and Bernalillo County’s economic development director is set to leave for a housing collaborative role.

Border & Livestock Trade: USDA says the Douglas, Arizona cattle port will reopen Aug. 24 under a phased plan, with New Mexico ports (Santa Teresa and Columbus) next on the table, while also backing a $25M sterile-fly dispersal facility to keep New World screwworm from returning. Energy Reliability: The DOE issued an emergency power order for 17 states through Aug. 3 as extreme heat raises blackout risk, letting the Southwest Power Pool pull extra backup generation. Utility & M&A: New Mexico regulators gave final approval for Emera to sell New Mexico Gas Company to Bernhard Capital Partners, with base rates frozen through Jan. 2028 and an added $10M for economic development. Grid & Clean Power: A New Mexico clean-energy case study highlights how the state’s shift toward renewables has kept electricity cheaper even during peak cooling demand. Workforce & Tech: New Mexico community colleges are expanding AI, machine learning, aerospace, and quantum technical certificates with $60M in state funding. Local Infrastructure: Luna County won $9.17M to upgrade the Hondale substation in Deming to support more community solar. Food & Consumer Costs: Gas prices stayed near $4.09 nationally, with crude volatility still a concern for summer pump relief.