AGP Executive Report

Teen Social Media Liability: Meta warned a federal court it could face up to $1.4 trillion in penalties in an August trial over claims Facebook/Instagram were designed to addict children and violated youth privacy rules, with states’ penalty math called “outlandish.” Data Center Pushback in New Mexico: Lawmakers are moving toward a statewide moratorium on large-scale data centers for 2027, citing water, energy, emissions, ratepayer impacts, and “microgrid loopholes,” while the NM Environment Department schedules a public hearing for Project Jupiter’s air permit after residents said their names were used without consent. Water Stress, Up Close: A report highlights how the Rio Grande is drying in Albuquerque, leaving farmers weeks behind on irrigation, as leaders point to storage and other tools. Agriculture & Livestock: The New Mexico Cattle Growers’ Association won an American AgCredit Rural Roots Grant to support ranchers and next-gen leaders, while officials urge vigilance as New World screwworm cases spread in the Southwest, including New Mexico. Local Housing: Roswell city leaders plan to consider condemning a long-vacant apartment complex over safety and maintenance concerns. Energy & Industry: NM’s advanced energy sector received over $7M in state awards, and Sandia National Labs unveiled MAD³ software aimed at accelerating materials simulation for manufacturing. Community & Culture: The Santa Fe Indian Market spotlights tribal partnerships and sponsor programming, and the Fuzión Radio network debuted a new Spanish Christian station in Dallas-Fort Worth.

Housing & Homelessness Funding Fight: Colorado AG Phil Weiser joined a multistate lawsuit to block HUD from capping permanent housing funding under the Continuum of Care program, warning tens of thousands could lose homes if the new limits stand. Social Media Accountability: Meta disclosed states are seeking about $1.4 trillion in penalties in an August Oakland trial over claims Facebook and Instagram were designed to harm teens and mishandled children’s data; Meta calls the demand unprecedented. Energy & Mining: Catron County residents and New Mexico Wild are mobilizing against a “massive” uranium exploration proposal in Cibola National Forest, with potential for hundreds of mining claims if drilling finds deposits. AI Data Centers Under Pressure: Food & Water Watch urged New Mexico lawmakers to adopt a data center moratorium, citing projected air pollution and heavy water/energy use tied to projects like Project Jupiter. Broadband Expansion: Kit Carson Electric Cooperative won a $100,000 planning grant to map broadband gaps and feasibility for Hernandez, Chamita and Alcalde. Local Business/Finance: Bank7 agreed to buy about 71% of Century Bank, extending its Southwest footprint into New Mexico. Infrastructure Disruption: I-25 reopened after downed power lines south of Santa Fe. Fuel Watch: GasBuddy reported Valencia County midgrade at a low of $3.77 in the week ending June 27.

Meta Legal Showdown: Meta disclosed in a court filing that four states—California, Colorado, Kentucky and New Jersey—are seeking about $1.4 trillion in penalties over claims Facebook and Instagram were designed to be addictive to children and misled the public about safety, with an August trial set in Oakland and Meta calling the figure unsupported. Water & Industry Risk: A new look at the Colorado River crisis says the basin is near a breaking point as reservoirs shrink and states remain deadlocked, even as local managers pursue partnerships to keep supplies flowing. Immigration Oversight: Virginia joined a multistate push urging the Trump administration to restore ICE death-reporting and investigations, arguing the rollback weakens public accountability. New Mexico Workforce & Agriculture: New Mexico expanded its Veterinary Medicine Loan Repayment Program, offering up to $80,000 for vets serving rural, frontier and tribal communities, with an Aug. 1 deadline. Local Safety: Las Cruces police say a fatal shooting July 1 stemmed from a suicide attempt that went wrong, with a son facing involuntary manslaughter charges.

Legal/Workplace: A New Mexico school board says the EEOC can’t enforce subpoenas seeking seven years of applicant and employment data in a race-discrimination probe, arguing the dispute must be resolved first in court. Energy/Policy: A coalition led by AG William Tong urges the U.S. Trade Representative to drop Trump’s proposed tariffs on the EU and 59 countries, calling them unlawful and a direct hit to household costs. Local Infrastructure: Albuquerque crews begin renovating the traffic signal at Camino del Valle and Isleta Blvd, with lane shifts and all-way stops expected through July 31. Agriculture/Biosecurity: USDA confirms 32 New World screwworm infestations—31 in Texas and one in New Mexico—raising pressure on ranchers and animal health officials to prevent spread. Water/Industry: Federal pressure is mounting as Colorado River basin states and tribes face possible large allocation cuts, with New Mexico among the states planning for tougher reductions. Regional Economy: Oklahoma’s Bank7 moves toward a court-ordered acquisition of Santa Fe’s Century Bank, a deal that could expand Bank7’s New Mexico footprint.

Helium & AI infrastructure: Desert Mountain Energy CEO Robert Rohlfing says the company is expanding helium and natural gas infrastructure near Roswell, citing a Roswell-Chaves County Economic Development Corporation letter of support as global helium markets tighten. Chipmaking finance: SK Hynix launched a massive $28.07B U.S. share sale via Nasdaq ADRs to ride the AI boom, with major investors signaling interest. Archaeology in New Mexico: White Sands footprints dating to about 23,000 years ago are getting fresh testing, strengthening the case for unexpectedly early human presence in the Americas. Public safety tech: Las Cruces residents are pushing back on Flock license plate readers, with the state ACLU raising mass-surveillance and data-sharing concerns. Postal service disruption: New Mexico’s congressional delegation is pressing USPS for answers on delays to the Chimayó Post Office rebuild, now pushed to spring 2027. Road construction: NMDOT details the $268M I-25 Montgomery-to-Comanche project, including new “Texas U-turn” lanes and a spring 2027 completion target. Energy grid planning: Western governors back WestTEC, a multi-state effort to study and expand the regional transmission grid, including New Mexico. Wildfire pressure: Western states continue battling major blazes as conditions stay unusually dry and hot, with memorials held for firefighters killed on the Colorado-Utah border.

Wildfire & public-safety pressure: Western states are bracing for an early, aggressive fire season as drought and dry winters leave conditions ripe; NIFC has escalated preparedness and multiple large fires are burning, including in/near New Mexico. Energy grid planning: Western governors backed WestTEC, a multi-state task force aimed at updating transmission lines to cut bottlenecks and improve reliability—New Mexico is among the signatories. Fuel watch (NM): GasBuddy price checks show week-ending June 27 volatility across counties, with regular gas lows like Taos at $4.15 and Valencia at $3.47, plus diesel deals such as Otero at $4.37. Animal health & livestock risk: Colorado confirmed a second New World screwworm case? (VSV instead): Colorado reported a second Vesicular Stomatitis case in Montrose County with quarantined premises; New Mexico still has two affected counties. Local business & tourism: Santa Fe’s International Folk Art Market returns July 9–12 at the Railyard Park, highlighting maker-driven sales and economic empowerment. Finance spotlight: An Albuquerque-based wealth adviser profile highlights holistic planning for clients across income levels. Healthcare costs: A Colorado “birthday rule” story spotlights how a decades-old insurance coverage trigger can drive massive NICU bills. Real estate/industry: Hotel Parq Central in Albuquerque marks its 100th anniversary, tying local hospitality to Route 66’s long economic pull.

Data Centers & Jobs: New Mexico approved a $3.06M grant to train 95 workers for Project Jupiter’s hyperscale data center in Santa Teresa, with construction underway and initial operations targeted for Q4 2026. Local Accountability: Doña Ana County residents are pushing back as Project Jupiter is said to be out of compliance, with critics citing missed job reports and pending environmental assessments tied to the project’s incentive package. PFAS Regulation Fight: NFIB and small manufacturers sued New Mexico over a new PFAS labeling rule, arguing it creates a heavy compliance burden without improving consumer safety. Agriculture Workforce: The American Business Immigration Coalition Agricultural Council backed the Securing Agriculture’s Workforce Act, aiming to modernize H-2A visa access and stabilize farm labor. Energy/Travel: Gas prices continue to ease in parts of the state, while Route 66 tourism and EV charging are getting a boost from Independence Day travel coverage. Public Health & Food: New World screwworm remains a major animal-health concern, with leaders stressing it’s not a direct threat to food safety.

Workforce & Data Centers: New Mexico approved a $3.06M grant to help staff Project Jupiter, aiming to train 95 workers in Santa Teresa as the hyperscale Oracle/OpenAI complex pushes toward early operations in Q4 2026. Local Accountability: A Doña Ana County column argues Project Jupiter is missing required job reports and requested environmental assessments, calling out delay and “corporate spin” around the project’s compliance. PFAS Compliance Fight: NFIB and partners sued in federal court to block New Mexico’s PFAS labeling rule for small manufacturers, saying it’s a broad compliance burden that complicates “commercial speech” without improving safety. Energy & Costs: GasBuddy price reports showed some of the week’s lowest regular gas in Valencia County ($3.47) and Mora County ($3.95), while diesel lows included Cibola County ($4.43). Public Safety & Weather: New Mexico warned of hot, dry Fourth of July conditions with limited storm chances and urged residents to avoid fireworks amid elevated fire risk. Community & Culture: The Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library unveiled a Native-designed medicinal garden to renew tribal partnerships, using traditional seeds and a tipi-skin-inspired layout. Crime Update: San Juan County investigators are probing a Saturday shooting that left one person dead and another injured.

Data Centers & Local Politics: Sierra County residents met to organize against new data center development, citing Project Jupiter talks in Doña Ana County and calls for a statewide moratorium on large-scale facilities. Energy & Infrastructure: New Mexico regulators ordered PNM and Blackstone to unwind a controversial $400M stock sale, while separate coverage highlights the grid strain behind the AI energy boom. Public Safety & Construction: A $7.89M U.S. 54 pavement rehab between Tularosa and Carrizozo starts Monday with lane closures through about 100 working days. Water & Tribal Rights: Colorado River Indian Tribes leaders pushed legal personhood for rivers at a New Mexico summit, aiming to strengthen protections as drought tightens the basin. Agriculture & Biosecurity: USDA confirmed 31 New World screwworm infestations (30 in Texas, one in New Mexico), and the University of Arizona received $3.74M to prepare for potential spread. Workforce & Childcare: UNM Children’s Campus won a $4.71M grant to expand early childhood capacity by 52 children, targeting a waitlist of 2,400+. Privacy & Retail Tech: Santa Fe retailers face scrutiny over license plate-reading cameras installed on private property. Business & Community: Demolition began on Albuquerque’s Route 66 Bliss Building, with owners suing the city and State Farm.

Data Centers & Local Control: New Mexico lawmakers plan a 2027 statewide moratorium on “large-scale” data centers, aiming to pause new projects while the state studies water use, power demand, ratepayer impacts, and community benefits—amid mounting backlash tied to Project Jupiter. Community Pushback: Sierra County residents met to organize against data center expansion, citing Socorro’s temporary moratorium and ongoing Project Jupiter concerns in Doña Ana County. Energy Infrastructure: SunZia, the nation’s largest wind farm in central New Mexico, has begun operations, with 916 turbines and a 550-mile transmission line exporting power to Arizona and Southern California. PFAS Compliance: New Mexico finalized a PFAS consumer-products rule with phased sale prohibitions, labeling, reporting, and testing starting July 1, 2026, with key deadlines in 2027. Livestock Health: USDA confirmed 31 New World screwworm infestations across the U.S., including one in New Mexico, as officials urge vigilance for at-risk animals. Road & Construction: A $7.89M U.S. 54 pavement rehab between Tularosa and Carrizozo starts Monday, with lane closures through early November. Public Safety & Heat: Hot, dry conditions keep fire danger high heading into the Fourth of July weekend.

Data Centers & Water/Energy: New Mexico lawmakers are moving toward a statewide moratorium on large-scale data centers, aiming to pause new projects until the state sets guardrails for water use, power demand, emissions, and ratepayer impacts—amid local backlash tied to Oracle/OpenAI’s “Project Jupiter” in Santa Teresa. Utility & Finance: New Mexico regulators ordered PNM and Blackstone to unwind a controversial $400M stock deal, voiding the financing transaction and levying fines, with the merger timeline likely delayed. Public Safety & Health: The NM Department of Justice issued a formal records request to the U.S. DOJ over allegations about DEA fentanyl investigations in New Mexico from 2022–2025, seeking details on decisions to seize—or not seize—fentanyl. Ag & Biosecurity: New World screwworm continues to spread in the region, with experts urging livestock producers and pet owners to tighten biosecurity and watch for symptoms as cases are confirmed in Texas and New Mexico. Energy Prices: AAA reports New Mexico gas averages at $3.79/gallon, down week-over-week as crude prices fall, offering some relief for Fourth of July travel. Weather & Air Quality: Smoke advisories and haze are affecting parts of New Mexico, with forecasts pointing to smoke settling into valleys overnight.

Utility Regulation: New Mexico’s Public Regulation Commission ordered PNM and its private equity-linked parent to undo a controversial $400M stock sale because the companies completed it without required prior approval, though the broader merger case remains pending. Broadband & Permitting: The state rolled out a Community Wi‑Fi program to expand public wireless access and launched a Permit Finder Tool to help providers map the permits needed for construction statewide. Workforce & Research: UNM partnered with the state’s Division of Vocational Rehabilitation and United Way to place high school students in paid lab work, training them to monitor mosquitoes and other disease-carrying insects. Public Health & Safety: Albuquerque issued a smoke health alert tied to the Sacaton Fire in the Gila National Forest, urging residents with respiratory conditions to limit outdoor activity. Agriculture Biosecurity: New World screwworm response continues as Texas reports more confirmed cases and expands quarantine rules, with New Mexico also monitoring for impacts. Local Tech Policy: Santa Fe County approved an 18-month moratorium on new data center development to study water, e-waste, noise, and power costs. Veterinary Shortage: New Mexico extended its Veterinary Medicine Loan Repayment Program application deadline to Aug. 1, offering up to $80,000 for rural, frontier, and tribal service.

Wildfire & public safety: New Mexico is urging residents to skip backyard fireworks as extreme fire danger prompts statewide and local restrictions, with officials pointing to how quickly sparks can turn into major blazes. Water & agriculture: Chaves County producers are doubling down on water conservation, from more efficient irrigation and better scheduling to soil health practices that help retain moisture during hotter months. Drought pressure on local budgets: Colfax County officials warn worsening drought could hit ranching, tourism, and county revenues as forage shrinks and fire risk rises. Cannabis enforcement: New Mexico’s new cannabis enforcement bureau is starting to crack down on the black market, with industry groups watching for results as the team scales up. Energy & jobs: Economic Development New Mexico approved $12M through the Job Training Incentive Program to hire and train 440+ workers, with many projects tied to innovation and technology. Oil & gas cleanup rules: The New Mexico Oil Conservation Commission voted to raise bonding requirements for operators to better cover plugging and cleanup costs. Screwworm watch: USDA reporting shows New World screwworm cases remain concentrated in Texas and New Mexico, keeping livestock and pet movement rules in focus. Housing policy: HUD is encouraging New Mexico lawmakers and local housing authorities to adopt work requirements for tenants in subsidized housing, with potential impacts on eligibility and eviction timelines. Local infrastructure: Roswell released its annual water system Consumer Confidence Report, citing multiple 2025 violations and ongoing corrective work. Road travel: New Mexico is preparing for a busy Fourth of July travel rush, with TSA projecting 248,000+ airport passengers and officials urging early arrival.

Data Centers & Water/Power Planning: Santa Fe County approved an 18-month moratorium on data center development permits, aiming to set guardrails on water, energy, noise and related impacts before new proposals land. Screwworm Watch (Livestock): USDA says New World screwworm cases have reached 29 nationwide, with nearly all in Texas and one domestic dog case tied to New Mexico; Sen. Chuck Grassley praised USDA’s response and urged continued containment. Workforce Funding: New Mexico’s Job Training Incentive Program approved $12 million to support hiring and training for more than 440 workers across 70 companies in FY26. Advanced Tech Push: Sandia researchers showcased AI tech to stabilize the electric grid as data centers and distributed energy grow, while state economic development leaders highlighted quantum and fusion investment momentum. Public Records Pressure: A New Mexico public records task force heard concerns that IPRA requests—especially for body-camera footage—are overwhelming some local agencies. Economic Development & Film: Economic Development Secretary Rob Black told lawmakers the state is still backing “shovel-ready” projects and pointed to LEDA results, even as film production slows. Energy Grid Coordination: Western governors advanced a multi-state transmission permitting task force to speed up grid upgrades across state lines. Community & Housing: Esencia de Santa Fe held a grand opening for a new 277-acre master-planned community. Wildfire Risk: New Mexico joined broader Western calls for fireworks restraint as drought and fire danger remain high.

Vehicle Fees & Road Funding: New Mexico is raising passenger vehicle registration fees 25% and the weight-distance tax 35% starting July 1, with an estimated $70 million headed to the State Road Fund for maintenance. Broadband Permitting: The state launched a free “Permit Finder Tool” so broadband builders can quickly identify local, state, and federal permits needed for projects statewide. Wildfire Response: Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham ordered $500,000 in emergency funding for wildfire response and directed additional money for firefighting as more than 16 large fires burn, including the McCauley Springs Fire. Livestock Health Watch: New World screwworm remains a major concern for New Mexico ranchers and pet owners as USDA reports rising U.S. cases; officials stress vigilance and movement rules. Energy & Industry: Western governors backed a multi-state task force to update transmission lines, aiming to cut bottlenecks and meet growing demand. Defense Supply Chain: Defense startups are moving into auto and fracking supply chains to speed weapons output. Local Construction: Albuquerque has begun demolition of the Bliss Building after owners failed to follow through, with asbestos remediation underway.

Medicaid Work Requirements Fight: 25 Democratic-led states (plus D.C.) sued the Trump administration over new Medicaid work rules, arguing the “medically frail” exemption is too narrow for ill and disabled people. USDA Screwworm Response Pressure: New Democrat Coalition lawmakers, including NM Rep. Gabe Vasquez, pressed USDA for more details and resources as the New World screwworm threat grows. Public Housing Work Rules: HUD told NM lawmakers it’s encouraging local housing authorities to adopt tenant work requirements (up to 40 hours/week) and potential eviction after two years in subsidized housing. Project Jupiter Data Center Pushback: NM residents say canvassers used their names without permission tied to air-quality permit comments for the $165B Project Jupiter campus; the public comment period runs through July 6. Energy & Oil Growth: EON Resources outlined a 2026-2030 plan to add drilling, completions, and acquisitions in New Mexico’s Permian to reach 10,000 BOPD by 2030. Statewide Traffic Enforcement: New Mexico State Police announced July sobriety checkpoints and saturation patrols across all counties, targeting impaired driving and license/registration compliance. Defense Industry: Lockheed Martin won a $3B FY26 Army contract to expand GMLRS rocket production for HIMARS and M270 launchers.