AGP Executive Report

FDA Leadership: President Trump says he’ll nominate Dr. Heidi Overton, a White House domestic policy aide and UNM medical school alum, to lead the Food and Drug Administration, stepping in after months of upheaval at the agency. Meta Trial & Youth Safety: In Oakland, a former Meta engineering director testified that Zuckerberg’s top-down culture left the company slow to act on internal warnings about harm to children using Facebook and Instagram, as states press a landmark case. Public Lands & Wildfire: The Trump administration moves to rescind the 2001 Roadless Rule, a change that could reshape how millions of acres of national forests are managed and logged. New Mexico Environment: An environmental group asked the New Mexico Supreme Court to pause Project Jupiter’s air permit hearing, arguing the process makes public participation too difficult. Health & Safety in NM: New Mexico reported six heat-related deaths so far this year, with hundreds of ER visits tied to heat illness. Rural Health: New Mexico is taking applications for a Rural Health Transformation stakeholder advisory committee to guide rural and Tribal health improvements. Food Safety: The FDA elevated a Salmonella egg recall to its highest-risk category, with New Mexico listed among affected states.

Meta Child Safety Trial: A landmark federal case opened in Oakland as 29 states accuse Meta of designing Facebook and Instagram to be addictive to children, citing internal work like “The Young Ones Are the Best Ones.” California and other lead states are seeking about $200 billion, while Meta argues the demand is closer to $1.4 trillion and says it used safeguards and was transparent. New Mexico Energy Bills: PNM says summer heat and meter-reading delays tied to staffing shortages are driving higher power bills, with some customers reporting charges over $220. Immigration Enforcement in NM Jails: Federal court records say ICE has used jail roster checks and other county resources to find noncitizens in Bernalillo, Santa Fe and Rio Arriba jails, despite local noncooperation policies. Public Lands: The Trump administration proposed rescinding the “roadless rule,” a move that would reopen about 44 million acres of national forest to logging and road building, drawing environmental backlash. Local Alerts & Safety: A statewide Silver Alert was issued for missing New Mexico woman Wanda Fahey, last seen in Kansas; and Mora County saw a domestic violence call followed by an officer-involved shooting that closed Highway 518.

Meta Trial in Oakland: A coalition of 29 states opened a landmark federal case accusing Meta of designing Facebook and Instagram to hook kids and mishandling children’s data, with California’s attorney general saying the model is “hook, hold, harvest, hide” and seeking penalties that could reach $1.4 trillion. Local Shelter Tensions: In Albuquerque, neighbors urged city council to delay a vote on a shelter permit after complaints about gunshots, trash, needles, and drugs near the Yale Boulevard area. DEA Fentanyl Scrutiny: The DOJ inspector general is set to investigate DEA policies tied to alleged “letting drugs walk,” including cases involving Albuquerque and New Mexico. Isleta Boulevard Work Pause: Bernalillo County suspended roadwork on the Isleta Boulevard Corridor Project for four months so New Mexico Gas Company can finish utility work. FDA Egg Recall Upgrade: The FDA reclassified a salmonella egg recall to Class I, covering about 1.6 million cartons distributed across multiple states including New Mexico. Earthquakes Reported: Two quakes hit central New Mexico, including a 3.1 magnitude event near Pueblitos and a 2.5 magnitude quake shortly after midnight. Navajo Code Talkers Museum Plan: New Mexico is moving ahead with a scaled-down Code Talkers museum at Navajo Preparatory School in Farmington, drawing criticism from descendants who say they weren’t consulted.

Meta Trial Over Youth Safety: Meta goes on trial in Oakland Tuesday as California, Colorado, Kentucky and New Jersey argue Facebook and Instagram were designed to be addictive for children, seeking up to $1.4 trillion and court-ordered app changes; Meta denies wrongdoing and says a New Mexico case it lost is being used against it. New Mexico Weather: Above-average heat returns Tuesday with isolated monsoon storms possible, with the best storm chances Wednesday. Fentanyl Oversight in NM: A DOJ inspector general review will focus on DEA fentanyl investigations, including older New Mexico disputes over whether pills were seized. Public Safety—Mora County: New Mexico State Police say a woman died after a domestic violence incident in Mora County; a man later was shot by police during a chase. Food Assistance Pressure: Demand is rising at southern New Mexico food pantries as federal food aid shrinks and SNAP cuts ripple through communities. Local Government: Rio Rancho approved two new childcare projects, expanding preschool and daycare capacity. Health & Safety Recall: Walmart tomato bisque soup kits recalled in 29 states, including New Mexico, over possible listeria contamination.

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” tied to youth harm; the order also requires major account and feature limits for kids, and Meta says it will appeal. Health & Weather: With record heat gripping the state, New Mexico is seeing a spike in heat-related emergency-room visits, and one Santa Fe family says their apartment’s air conditioning failed during the hottest months. Public Safety & Courts: The Justice Department’s watchdog is reviewing a DEA tactic that let fentanyl “walk” to build bigger cases, after AP reporting highlighted monitoring of major shipments in New Mexico. Local Infrastructure: In Williamsburg, trustees updated progress on wastewater delays and Riverside improvements, with roadwork expected to resume after utility adjustments. Food Safety: Walmart recalled more than 3,000 tomato soup kits in multiple states, including New Mexico, due to possible listeria contamination. Education & Economy: New Mexico climbed to No. 18 nationally for higher education in U.S. News rankings, citing affordability and student success gains. Culture: A Seattle pop-up by former Shins guitarist Dave Hernandez brings New Mexico flavors to the Pacific Northwest, including sopaipillas and carne adovada.

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” tied to youth harm; the order also directs major changes for users under 13, including deleting accounts and limiting certain notifications and features. Colorado River Crisis: Lake Powell hit a record-low level, underlining the Colorado River drought’s threat to water and hydropower across the Southwest, including New Mexico. Trial Watch (National): States are set to begin a landmark trial against Meta in California over claims the company designed platforms to hook children, with plaintiffs seeking sweeping operational changes. Local Weather: Monday brings a chance of monsoon showers and isolated thunderstorms across New Mexico, with temperatures near seasonal norms before a warmer stretch later in the week. Sports (NM): New Mexico United stayed undefeated in USL summer play with a 1-0 win over FC Tulsa, while the New Mexico Goatheads added more players ahead of their inaugural pro hockey season. Wildlife: Wildlife officials captured another bear in Rio Rancho, adding to recent metro sightings.

Meta’s 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” tied to youth harm; the order also requires deleting accounts under 13 and tightening minor notifications and “likes.” Colorado River Crisis: Lake Powell hit a new record-low level, underscoring how the drought-strained system is pushing utilities and water users toward hard limits. 2028 Primary Shakeup: Democrats approved a new 2028 presidential primary calendar that puts South Carolina first, followed by Nevada, then New Hampshire, New Mexico, Michigan and Virginia—moving away from Iowa’s early spot. New Mexico Health & Community: Santa Fe Brewing plans to take over the former Bosque Brewing location in Las Cruces, aiming for a late-August or early-September opening. Weather Watch: Monsoon storms are expected across New Mexico with flood risk in parts of the state, while smoke from the Frijoles Fire could affect northern areas. Local Culture: Taos-born singer Max Gomez and Howe Gelb bring their “Desert Companion Tour” to venues including Santa Fe’s Tumbleroot and Truth or Consequences’ El Cortez Theatre.

Meta Child-Safety Ruling: A New Mexico judge ordered Meta to pay $567 million into a children’s mental health fund, calling the company’s platforms a “public nuisance” and directing changes for minors, including deleting accounts under 13 and limiting push notifications. Democratic Primary Shakeup: The DNC approved the 2028 presidential primary calendar with South Carolina first (Jan. 22), Nevada second (Feb. 1), and New Mexico fourth (Feb. 15), aiming to boost early influence from Black and Latino voters. Local Governance: Albuquerque Mayor Tim Keller used his State of the City address to push an “abundance agenda,” arguing city government should reduce friction in residents’ daily lives. Weather & Smoke: Northern New Mexico faces weekend air-quality impacts from wildfire smoke, with Sunday storms bringing a risk of flash flooding in the northeast. Public Safety: New Mexico State Police arrested a 14-year-old tied to a Santa Rosa Middle School shooting threat involving Discord and firearms. Wildlife: Soras and Virginia rails are feeding and nesting at Market Lake Wildlife Management Area as water levels change. Sports: UNM marked the 60th anniversary of The Pit with a new logo and video, while the Lobos opened fall camp with a scrimmage full of early takeaways.

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” tied to the youth mental health crisis; the order also requires major changes for minors, including deleting under-13 accounts and limiting push notifications. Wildfire Updates: The Frijoles Fire in Santa Fe County has grown to 8,921 acres and is 12% contained; evacuation zones were adjusted to READY for Borrego Mesa and the Nambe Pueblo Lake area, with road closures including NM 503 between County Road 98 and State Road 76. Public Health Alert: The FDA upgraded a salmonella egg recall affecting about 19 million eggs to its highest risk level, citing nearly 100 illnesses and 26 hospitalizations across multiple states, including New Mexico. Local Governance/Accountability: The Navajo Code Talkers museum plan is moving forward with a $20 million state grant, but descendants are criticizing the site choice as an overstep. Energy/Infrastructure: New Mexico DOT is set to start a $2.6 million safety project on N.M. 26 (Hatch Highway) with daytime lane closures and centerline rumble strips aimed at reducing crashes.

Meta Teen-Safety Ruling: A New Mexico judge ordered Meta to pay $567 million for harm to children’s mental health, calling the platforms a “public nuisance” and directing major changes like deleting accounts under 13 and limiting certain notifications during school and late-night hours. Food Safety: The FDA upgraded a Texas-based egg recall to its highest risk level after salmonella concerns, with affected cartons sold in New Mexico and other states; separately, Walmart’s Marketside tomato bisque soup kits were recalled nationwide over possible listeria contamination, including New Mexico stores. Local Courts & Politics: Former Rep. Sheryl Williams Stapleton’s case continues to ripple after her conviction tied to diverted education funds, while Democrats selected attorney Lisa Curtis to fill an Albuquerque House seat vacancy. Environment & Weather: The Frijoles Fire’s growth stalled again as crews swelled to 403 responders, and forecasters warn of weekend monsoon storms with flood risk near Ruidoso. Infrastructure: NMDOT named a new I-25 frontage-road maneuver the “Q-Turn,” aimed at reducing delays.

Meta Youth Safety Case: A New Mexico judge ordered Meta to pay $567 million into a children’s mental health fund, bringing the total in the case to $942 million, and ordered major teen-facing changes like deleting accounts under 13 and limiting push notifications during school and late-night hours. Higher Education Funding: The state Higher Education Department wrapped statewide capital outlay tours and hearings, with colleges and universities pitching $301.2 million in projects to address deferred maintenance, expand capacity, and upgrade campuses. Public Health Alerts: The FDA upgraded a multistate egg recall tied to Salmonella to its highest risk level, with New Mexico listed among distribution states; separately, NMDOH reported an 18th measles case in 2026 and warned of possible exposures in Artesia at Walmart and a hospital. Safety and Crime: Three men pleaded guilty in a Las Cruces school-zone shooting case tied to shots near Hermosa Heights Elementary and Young Park. Energy and Environment: A New Mexico senator called for a uranium mining moratorium, citing concerns about new extraction interest and the need for stronger regulation. Border Policy: The Justice Department issued a legal opinion expanding the military’s ability to detain migrants near border “National Defense Areas.”

Meta Youth Safety Trial: A New Mexico judge ordered Meta to pay $567 million into a children’s mental health fund and overhaul teen protections, calling the platforms a “public nuisance” and directing changes like deleting accounts under 13 and limiting minors’ push notifications. Big Tech in Court: The broader fight is playing out in California as 29 states press Meta over alleged social media addiction harms, while Meta calls the claims “unsubstantiated.” Wildfire & Weather: Frijoles Fire grew by about 400 acres as monsoon storms returned to northern New Mexico, with lightning raising the risk of new fires and smoke affecting air quality. Water & Health: The New Mexico Environment Department expanded free private well water testing statewide, screening samples for key contaminants at field offices. Food Assistance: U.S. Rep. Melanie Stansbury met with Albuquerque’s Roadrunner Food Bank as SNAP cuts leave more New Mexicans struggling to get enough to eat. Local Safety: Santa Fe wildlife crews tranquilized two bears and relocated them after sightings near neighborhoods prompted warnings to keep kids and pets inside. UNM Leadership: UNM named Rebecca Sánchez senior vice provost, a top academic role overseeing faculty and academic affairs.

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 new safeguards for minors, including limits on push notifications and hiding “like” counts unless a parent authorizes them. Legal Fees Watch: A Reuters analysis says the state’s contract with law firm Motley Rice could let it seek up to $67.1 million in fees if New Mexico’s total recovery tops $942 million. State Policy & Kids: New Mexico lawmakers are also weighing reforms to the Children, Youth and Families Department, with Republicans pushing staffing and training changes while Democrats focus on leadership transparency and stronger oversight. Food Safety: The FDA upgraded a Salmonella-linked egg recall to Class I risk after more than 38 million eggs were pulled; the distribution included New Mexico. Weather & Water: A monsoon outlook suggests some drought relief in parts of the Great Basin/Four Corners, but central and southern Rockies—including much of New Mexico—may stay dry. Wildlife Alerts: Bear sightings and a dog-bite incident in Cedar Crest highlight rising human-bear encounters across New Mexico.

Meta Child-Safety Ruling: 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 new teen safeguards on Facebook and Instagram, including limits on under-13 accounts and changes to notifications and “like” visibility. Legal Fees Watch: A Reuters analysis says the state’s outside lawyer, Motley Rice, could seek about $67.1 million in fees tied to the size of New Mexico’s Meta recovery. Local Governance & Privacy: Santa Fe City Council is weighing a $2 million, five-year expansion of its police drone program, with residents raising privacy and safety concerns. Public Safety Spending Scrutiny: A legislative finance review found New Mexico’s National Guard crime-fighting deployments cost more than $22 million but showed no clear impact on crime metrics. Border Human Toll: Despite fewer border crossings, Humane Borders reports a 24% rise in migrant deaths recovered in Arizona’s deserts this summer. Wildfire Smoke & Community Impact: Northern New Mexico residents continue to report heavy haze from the Frijoles Fire, with officials and families adjusting daily life as conditions linger.

Youth Online Safety: A New Mexico judge ordered Meta to pay $567 million into a children’s mental health fund and overhaul teen safeguards, calling the company a “public nuisance” and adding to an earlier $375 million judgment. Wildfire Smoke & Heat: Air quality alerts hit the Santa Fe area again as wildfire smoke lingers, while record-high temperatures keep heat illness risks in focus across the state. Geothermal Power: Zanskar says an AI- and drilling-driven turnaround has brought its rural New Mexico geothermal plant back to full 15 MW capacity, boosting firm, carbon-free power for PNM. Public Health Access: The New Mexico Health Care Authority released a grant request to expand Medicaid Ob/Gyn services in Northwest New Mexico, with applications due Sept. 10. Early Childhood: Farmington Preschool Academy opened a new $35 million facility, consolidating early education programs into one 23-classroom campus. Local Courts & Accountability: Meta’s New Mexico case continues to ripple as lawmakers and advocates look at what the ruling should change next.

Youth Safety & Courts: A New Mexico judge ordered Meta to pay $567 million into a children’s mental health fund and overhaul teen protections on Facebook and Instagram, calling the company a “public nuisance” and directing changes like deleting accounts under 13 and limiting certain notifications. Tech Regulation Mood: A new Reuters/Ipsos poll finds two-thirds of Americans back age-verification laws for teens, while lawmakers and courts keep pushing back against social media addiction claims. Local Impact—Wildfire Smoke: Frijoles Fire smoke has forced Santa Fe-area schools to keep students indoors and cancel outdoor activities, with forecasters hinting at improving conditions later this week. Environment & Fire Response: The Frijoles Fire grew past 6,200 acres in the Pecos Wilderness as crews dealt with drone incursions that temporarily grounded aircraft. Project Jupiter Watch: New Mexico’s Ethics Commission settled with Elevate New Mexico over Project Jupiter-related advertising disclosures, and lawmakers continue debating a statewide data center moratorium. State Child Welfare: House Democrats unveiled sweeping CYFD reform plans ahead of the 2027 session, aiming for stronger oversight and accountability. Power Bills: Alamogordo residents are frustrated after unexpectedly high electric bills tied to billing delays and estimated usage. Public Safety: A heavily armed man accused of tampering with home security cameras in Albuquerque was arrested. Politics: Republicans on New Mexico’s Epstein truth commission questioned why a Deb Haaland flight reference was left out of an interim report.