AGP Executive Report

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.

Immigration & Courts: New Mexico is among states challenging a Trump DHS “public charge” rule that would let immigration officials weigh use of benefits like Medicaid and SNAP against green-card applicants; the lawsuits were filed in federal court in New York and argue the policy unlawfully expands discretion and creates a chilling effect on families seeking care. Elections & Voting Access: The U.S. Supreme Court blocked efforts to curb mail voting this fall, leaving in place a lower-court pause on USPS changes that would have forced states to redesign election mail processes. State Government & Education: The New Mexico Public Education Department says it’s using its new accreditation system and spring 2026 test results to connect schools with targeted support, with most schools rated “Approved with Conditions.” Cybersecurity: CyberSandia convened state cybersecurity leaders to discuss public-sector cyberthreats and resilience. Local Politics: New Mexico’s ballot access fight is escalating as the state DOJ sides against the Secretary of State in a case involving Forward Party candidates. Public Safety/Tech: A Santa Fe jury heard Sheryl Sandberg’s testimony in New Mexico’s Facebook/Cambridge Analytica lawsuit, including warnings about third-party app developers. Energy & Costs: GasBuddy reports Hidalgo County’s lowest regular gas at $3.61 and Valencia County’s lowest diesel at $4.99 for the week ending Sept. 5. Data Center Watch: A Santa Teresa data-center dispute continues as New Mexico Supreme Court timing for air-quality permit hearings is set for Nov. 23, drawing concern from environmental groups and developers.

Albuquerque Public Safety: An Albuquerque man faces an open murder charge after police say a family argument over whose green chile enchiladas were spicier escalated into a fight, then gunfire that killed his cousin. State Government & Utilities: New Mexico Attorney General Raúl Torrez’s office pressed PNM over “unusually high” customer bills, focusing on complaints tied to estimated meter readings. Education Policy: The New Mexico Higher Education Department launched a Workforce Pell application for colleges to fund eligible short-term workforce programs, with tribal colleges highlighted as major beneficiaries. K-12 Data & Privacy: The state’s AI reading assessment, Amira ISIP, continues to draw scrutiny as districts opt in or out and the AG’s office seeks clarity on where student data goes. Tribal & Federal Justice: The New Mexico Supreme Court fined a defense attorney $5,000 and held him in contempt after he filed an appeal brief containing ChatGPT-made-up testimony and witnesses. Energy & Water: The U.S. and Mexico signed a new Colorado River sharing deal for 2027-2028, with Mexico taking larger cuts as the river shrinks. Local Ballot Watch: A mill levy proposal heads to the November ballot in Doña Ana County’s soil and water conservation district, with officials explaining what it funds. Public Health: Albuquerque firefighters responded to thousands of overdose calls as the fentanyl crisis continues, underscoring pressure on EMS and first responders.

Election 2026 (South NM): Pete Buttigieg campaigned in Las Cruces for Deb Haaland’s bid for governor and Rep. Gabe Vasquez’s push for a third term, framing the race around protecting universal childcare and other New Mexico gains while attacking Trump-era proposals to rename the state. Legal/Justice: The New Mexico Supreme Court sanctioned a defense attorney after it found he filed a murder-appeal brief containing “fake testimony” generated by AI, sending the case to discipline. Federal-State Funding Fight: New Mexico sued FEMA after the agency denied at least $61 million in New Mexico National Guard costs tied to the Hermits Peak-Calf Canyon Fire. Public Safety/Crime Trial: A Rio Arriba County jury heard opening arguments in the murder and arson case of Leonel Andrade Garcia, accused of killing Analilia Morales and burning her Chimayo home. Environment/Climate: A New Mexico Tech expert says recent heat, shrinking snowpack, and drought match long-running Southwest climate projections. Energy Prices: GasBuddy reports diesel and regular gas price dips in several counties, with Roosevelt County regular gas hitting $3.93 in the week ending Sept. 5. Immigration & Elections Security: A national report warns election officials fear federal interference risks, including from Trump’s allies, as states prepare for legal fights.

FEMA Fight: New Mexico is suing FEMA after the agency denied the state at least $61 million in New Mexico National Guard costs tied to the 2022 Hermits Peak-Calf Canyon Fire, with more claims still pending and the state seeking $128 million total. Data Center Transparency: Letters to the editor argue the EPA is weakening clean-air rules for AI data centers, letting construction start before permits and increasing reliance on dirty generators while limiting public input. Immigrant Rights: Teague González, newly leading the New Mexico Immigrant Law Center, says her work is shaped by how big economic forces can upend families, including her own experience after a classmate’s disappearance tied to Mexico’s financial crisis. Courts & Social Media: Testimony in Santa Fe’s trial against Facebook/Meta says human review processes can delay removal of hate speech and misinformation for accounts on cross-check lists. Energy & Defense: Fusion startups are increasingly pitching defense uses as climate-tech funding tightens, aiming to get electrons on the grid while finding new backers. Elections Watch: A national midterm races roundup highlights the Senate map and the GOP’s vulnerabilities as voters weigh cost-of-living and foreign policy.

Federal Courts & Tech Accountability: In Santa Fe, testimony in New Mexico’s trial against Facebook focused on how Meta’s “cross-check” lists can keep harmful content up longer, raising questions about human review delays and platform safeguards. Education & Local Infrastructure: Albuquerque’s Harrison Middle School unveiled the first phase of a $30.3 million makeover, adding a new gym, cafeteria, and arts facilities funded by 2021 voter-approved bonds plus state matching dollars. Public Safety & Law Enforcement: Colfax County Sheriff’s Office arrested Cameron Ogletree of Maxwell on Sept. 11 on child sexual exploitation charges tied to CSAM found during a June search warrant. Water Policy & Governance: A New Mexico attorney general argued the state engineer acted within authority in approving an emergency well authorization for Project Jupiter, framing it as a lawful replacement tied to an existing water right. Energy & Utilities: PNM’s clean-energy transition plan still leans on aging gas plants to cover nighttime demand, with Albuquerque’s Reeves Generating Station highlighted as a key “thermal” backstop. Politics & Campaign Signals: Republican Party of New Mexico promoted U.S. House candidate Greg Cunningham’s Midterm Convention speech, emphasizing border security and safe communities. National Politics & Messaging: Congresswoman Teresa Leger Fernández faced renewed criticism from downwinder advocates after joining a uranium leasing ban announcement, with opponents pointing to her earlier votes against RECA expansion. Surveillance & Privacy Clash: A Rio Rancho man was arrested after filming himself removing Flock Safety license plate reader cameras in Bernalillo County, as the sheriff weighs contract changes.

New Mexico Supreme Court sanctions lawyer over AI-made-up testimony: The court fined Santa Fe defense attorney Stephen Aarons $5,000 and held him in contempt after his murder-appeal brief included fabricated police testimony and witnesses generated with ChatGPT, sending the matter to the state bar for discipline. Albuquerque street safety push: City Council passed a “Quick Build” amendment to speed up cheaper, faster pedestrian and cyclist safety upgrades during repaving and construction. ALPR privacy fight in Albuquerque/Bernalillo: Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office is switching ALPR vendors (from Flock to Axon) amid privacy concerns, while ACLU-NM warns mass surveillance is mass surveillance. Crypto ATM crackdown: Albuquerque banned crypto ATMs after scam reports statewide totaled about $2.2 million in losses in 2025. PNM energy transition update: PNM’s updated resource plan leans on wind and solar but still depends on aging gas plants to cover nighttime demand. Los Alamos plutonium oversight pressure: A clean-water coalition urged NM’s congressional delegation to release overdue DOE/NNSA plutonium safety reports tied to LANL pit production expansion. Tribal endorsement in governor race: Ohkay Owingeh Pueblo unanimously backed Deb Haaland for New Mexico governor, citing stewardship, education, healthcare, public safety, and economic development.

New Mexico Politics & Government: Albuquerque approved an ordinance banning crypto ATMs after officials tied the machines to more than 100 scams statewide in 2025, with about $2.2 million in losses. State Courts & Policy: New Mexico’s Supreme Court fined and held a defense lawyer in contempt for filing an appeal that included AI-fabricated police testimony and witnesses, underscoring the risks of unverified AI legal work. Healthcare & the ACA: New Mexico’s AG Raúl Torrez backed the Forward Party’s ballot-access fight in federal appeals court, while separately Attorney General Raoul (Illinois) urged a federal appeals court to uphold a ruling blocking Trump-era changes that would make Affordable Care Act coverage harder to keep. Local Governance: Santa Fe County introduced a “County for Citizenship” proclamation and a community trust ordinance limiting county resources used for civil immigration enforcement. Public Safety & Infrastructure: Transportation analysts told lawmakers New Mexico has $7.5 billion in scoped road projects but lacks funding; meanwhile, auto theft in Albuquerque reportedly fell 32%. Nuclear Oversight: A Los Alamos-focused clean water coalition demanded release of overdue plutonium safety reports tied to pit production expansion. Elections & National Politics: Texas lawmakers held hearings on annexing border counties from New Mexico, a move sparked by earlier NM proposals. Federal Watch: A federal judge dismissed a DOJ lawsuit seeking Minnesota voter data, rejecting a broad request for state voter rolls.

New Mexico Courts & Justice: The state Supreme Court fined Santa Fe attorney Stephen Aarons $5,000 and held him in contempt after his ChatGPT-assisted murder appeal brief included fabricated police testimony and wholly made-up witnesses, sending the matter to the attorney disciplinary board. State Tech & Privacy: New Mexico Department of Justice continued its Facebook/Meta trial by playing Mark Zuckerberg’s deposition video, pressing questions on data access through third-party apps and content moderation. Public Funding: New Mexico awarded nearly $6 million to expand public Wi-Fi statewide through ARPA Community Wi-Fi grants, targeting parks, public housing, and community spaces. Local Crime: Albuquerque reported auto thefts are down 32% year-to-date, citing arrests and warrant clearances by its Auto Theft Unit. Politics & National Context: New Mexico lawmakers asked Apple and Google to ignore any push to rename the state “New America” on maps, after Trump’s social media posts. Energy & Environment: The EPA is moving to loosen methane rules for low-producing “stripper wells,” a shift critics say will increase pollution.

Albuquerque City Hall Power Shift: The Albuquerque City Council confirmed new city attorney Joshua Boone and overrode Mayor Tim Keller’s veto of an ordinance expanding the city attorney’s role in council legal matters, after a monthslong dispute over prior legal support. AmeriCorps Legal Win: New Mexico AG Nick Brown joined a multistate settlement blocking further Trump administration attempts to dismantle AmeriCorps, protecting FY26-27 funding and participants. Facebook Trial in Santa Fe: New Mexico DOJ continued its Facebook/Meta case tied to the Cambridge Analytica scandal, playing a Mark Zuckerberg deposition video that probed data practices and misinformation controls. Congressional Spotlight: New Mexico’s 2nd District race drew national attention at the RNC as GOP candidate Greg Cunningham attacked Rep. Gabe Vasquez on crime and border security; Vasquez hit back on “New America” rhetoric. Water & Land Use: Volunteers built beaver-dam “analogs” on the Rio Cebolla to boost Rio Grande flows, while environmentalists held a “people’s public hearing” opposing USDA’s proposed Roadless Rule rollback. Tech & Security: Sandia advanced chip-scale quantum sensing that could help navigation when GPS is jammed. Local Housing: Homewise unveiled a new 72-unit all-electric townhome community, Sombra del Oeste, in southwest Albuquerque.

Meta Trial in Santa Fe: New Mexico and Facebook opened arguments in the state’s data privacy case tied to the Cambridge Analytica scandal, with the state alleging Facebook knowingly misled users about third-party data sharing. Immigration Enforcement: Michigan AG Dana Nessel joined a multistate push to limit ICE warrantless arrests, arguing federal officers must follow statutory safeguards. Endangered Species Act Fight: Democratic attorneys general filed lawsuits challenging Trump administration rollbacks to the Endangered Species Act, including narrower “harm” rules and weaker protections for newly threatened species. New Mexico Climate Warnings: A New Mexico Tech climate expert says hotter temperatures, shrinking snowpack, and drought match long-forecast Southwest trends. Local Energy Deal: Bernalillo County is weighing a major tax-break request for NextEra’s $696M Pajarito Mesa solar-and-battery project. State Politics & Courts: New Mexico’s Facebook trial and other legal battles underscore how federal policy shifts are landing in state courtrooms. National Politics: Trump’s “Trump Dividend” $5,000-per-adult pledge at the GOP midterm convention drew immediate scrutiny and partial walkback from JD Vance.