AGP Executive Report

Dance & Folklore: Albuquerque native Juliana Rubio Slager reimagines La Llorona as a mother in need of compassion in a ballet at the National Hispanic Cultural Center on Sunday. Film: The Santa Fe International Film Festival brings 175 films to New Mexico, including shorts from an Oscar-qualifying program; Albuquerque’s Chinese American Film Festival marks its 10th year. Living Traditions: New Mexico’s gay rodeo celebrates 50 years of competition and community. Route 66 at 100: Centennial coverage revisits the Mother Road’s influence on the movies, music and oddities that shaped its legacy.

Film & Festivals: Albuquerque’s Chinese American Film Festival marks its 10th year Saturday, with free screenings and a panel featuring local business owners and filmmakers. The Santa Fe International Film Festival is also bringing 175 films and major honorees to the state. New Mexico on Screen: Film production spending edged up to $327 million in fiscal 2026, its first annual increase in three years, though it remains far below the recent peak. Route 66 at 100: The centennial is inspiring a mix of cultural celebrations and a new Albuquerque robotics rally, bringing student teams to Old Town in November. Arts & Heritage: A New Mexico native is retelling the La Llorona legend through dance, while Albuquerque’s Sunport has earned a spot among USA Today’s best airport art collections. Child Care: New Mexico’s pioneering free-child-care program has added thousands of families, but growing waitlists and a shortage of early-education workers are testing its reach.

Project Jupiter: New Mexico’s attorney general says a “substantial share” of 17,419 comments on the data center’s air permit were not submitted independently by members of the public; the state investigation is ongoing. Santa Fe Community: ICE arrests at several construction sites have raised concern for workers and families, with local builders noting immigrants make up more than 30% of New Mexico’s construction workforce. Faith & Neighborhoods: Bernalillo County commissioners rejected an appeal, clearing the way for a North Valley mosque to proceed under conditions including a traffic study and no amplified outdoor sound. Film & Music: New Mexico-born producer Spencer Proffer returns to Las Cruces on Oct. 17 to screen his music documentary “The Day the Music Died” at the Las Cruces International Film Festival. Santa Fe’s festival is also bringing 175 films and major honorees to the state. Living Traditions: New Mexico’s gay rodeo marks 50 years of competition and community, while Albuquerque’s recent Indigenous Peoples’ Day celebration put Native culture and civic engagement in the spotlight. Balloon Fiesta: The 54th fiesta drew more than 500 balloons, though weather grounded flights on two days.

Arts & Film: The Santa Fe International Film Festival is bringing 175 films and major honorees to New Mexico, marking a major year for the state’s film scene. Local Landmarks: Socorro’s Capitol Bar turns 130 on Oct. 17 with mariachi, live bands and barbecue, while Albuquerque’s Sunport has made USA Today’s top 10 for airport art. Living Traditions: A new book, Los Llaneros, explores the Mexican, Indigenous, Spanish and Anglo histories of the Southern Plains, including eastern New Mexico; a separate look at Route 66 highlights the Mother Road’s Indigenous history. Community & Culture: New Mexico’s gay rodeo marks 50 years of competition and community, while Aztec’s library director says summer reading helped young readers build lasting habits. Arts Education: Sen. Ben Ray Luján has joined a bill to expand arts programs for learners from early childhood through high school.

Film & Culture: The Santa Fe International Film Festival opens this week with more than 175 films, including four made in New Mexico, plus appearances by Marc Maron, Zahn McClarnon and Pam Grier. School Lunches: Albuquerque Public Schools says the new scratch-cooking mandate has raised food costs by as much as 40% per meal, while cafeteria workers report heavier workloads and missed breaks. Hunting Traditions: Attorney General Raúl Torrez says reserving big-game tags for outfitter clients violates the state constitution, potentially changing access to a tradition important to New Mexico families. Native Heritage: The Albuquerque Isotopes won a Minor League Baseball award for their Native American Heritage Night, featuring Pueblo-designed jerseys and raising nearly $25,000 for an arts scholarship. Local Arts & Events: Los Alamos MainStreet’s October lineup includes farmers markets, an arts fair, a scarecrow contest and Halloween activities.

Pueblo Culture: UNM’s PlaceKnowing podcast returns with a season on contemporary Pueblo architecture, tracing its evolution and resilience; the project is also headed to the 2027 Venice Biennale. Albuquerque Arts: Outpost Performance Space has launched a $5.2 million campaign for renovations, expanded performance space and a music education center, with $2.5 million already raised. Local Food: New Mexico’s Double Up Food Bucks gives SNAP shoppers 50% off eligible locally grown produce. Meanwhile, 135 schools, preschools, senior centers and food producers were named Golden Chile Award winners for supporting local food. Outdoor Access: Attorney General Raúl Torrez says reserving 10% of hunting tags for clients of private outfitters is unconstitutional, arguing the policy favors wealthy, often out-of-state hunters.

Healthy Land: New Mexico’s agriculture department and Healthy Soil Working Group launched a statewide campaign featuring five farmers and ranchers sharing practices to improve soil, from composting to rotational grazing. School Priorities: Albuquerque Public Schools is gathering feedback on its 2027–28 budget at public meetings Tuesday and Wednesday; an online survey is open through Oct. 22. Ballooning Ahead: The Albuquerque Balloon Museum received a $400,000 donation for its outdoor exhibit, which will include an elevated walkway, interactive stations and a landmark Balloon Tower. Local Food: A state coalition will honor 136 schools, senior centers, preschools and food producers for supporting New Mexico-grown food at an Oct. 19 ceremony. Indigenous Culture: Albuquerque marked Indigenous Peoples Day with celebrations at the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center and voter outreach at Tiguex Park, highlighting Native history, culture and civic engagement. Early Education: New Mexico officials and program leaders are pushing back against proposed federal changes to Head Start, which they say could weaken services for nearly 8,000 children and families statewide.

Indigenous Culture: Albuquerque marked Indigenous Peoples’ Day with music, food and cultural events at Tiguex Park and the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center. Navajo football player Shiyazh Pete met fans, while Diné paddler Adam Becenti celebrated his culture on the international stage. Early Learning: New Mexico officials and Head Start leaders are pushing back against proposed federal changes that could affect nearly 8,000 local children and families, including English-only instruction and reduced staffing standards. Schools: Albuquerque Public Schools is seeking public input on its 2027–28 budget through an Oct. 22 survey and meetings Tuesday and Wednesday. Heritage: Federal cuts put several New Mexico park projects at risk, including tribal significance documentation at Petroglyph National Monument and work to identify museum items for return to Indigenous communities. Arts & Attractions: Albuquerque’s Balloon Museum received $400,000 toward an outdoor exhibit featuring hands-on ballooning experiences and family activities.

Indigenous Peoples’ Day: Albuquerque’s free celebration at Tiguex Park pairs Native music, food and vendors with voter-registration help; the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center and Santa Fe Plaza also host performances and cultural events. Diné Paddler: Gallup-born Adam Becenti says outrigger canoeing connects him to Indigenous traditions and community; he represented the U.S. at this year’s World Sprints. Local Style: Albuquerque Fashion Week brings eight New Mexico designers’ fall collections to the Wheels Museum on Oct. 16, with handmade fashion and fire performances. Food Scene: South Valley restaurant Barkadas ABQ is bringing Filipino dishes to a growing local scene. Balloon Fiesta Business: The nine-day event drew crowds to shops and restaurants across Albuquerque, giving local artisans and pop-up vendors a welcome sales boost.

Indigenous Culture: New Mexico marks Indigenous Peoples’ Day with events in Santa Fe and Albuquerque, including a Native artisan market and the annual Native Nations Powwow. Balloon Fiesta: Large crowds are bringing a welcome sales boost to Albuquerque shops and restaurants, with visitors spending well beyond Old Town. Local Fashion: Eight New Mexico designers will show handmade fall collections at Albuquerque Fashion Week’s “Nocturnal Flame” on Oct. 16. Food & Farming: Filipino restaurant Barkadas ABQ reflects a growing local appetite for Filipino cuisine, while drought, disease and flooding have sharply reduced Hatch chile supplies. Film Industry: New Mexico film production spending edged up to $327 million in fiscal 2026, its first annual increase in three years. Community Spirit: Albuquerque’s Rally in the Alley, led by Wendy Thomas, has raised tens of thousands of dollars annually for local cancer causes.

Film & Arts: New Mexico’s film industry saw spending edge up to $327 million in fiscal 2026, its first year-over-year increase in three years. It’s a modest rebound, but the Film Office expects activity to keep rising. Local Achievement: Santa Fe teacher Megan Eckert ran 636 miles in six days at a world championship in Hungary, setting a women’s world record. Food & Farming: Hatch chile growers are facing a historic supply low after drought, plant disease and flooding caused millions of dollars in crop losses. Albuquerque Life: The new French-Asian Tous les Jours bakery drew crowds for its opening, while Balloon Fiesta visitors praised the city’s food, scenery and welcoming locals.

Arts & Renewal: “Breaking Bad” actor Luis Moncada shared his story of change with incarcerated men at the Penitentiary of New Mexico, drawing applause as he urged them to believe change is possible. Local Culture: Albuquerque author James C. Wilson will lead a mystery-writing workshop Oct. 17, while the new French-Asian Tous les Jours bakery has drawn crowds since opening. Balloon Fiesta visitors praised Albuquerque’s food, scenery and welcoming locals, and monumental Catrinas from Aguascalientes brought Mexican art and tradition to the festival. On the New Mexico Map: Lonely Planet included New Mexico among its 50 best places to visit in 2027. Homegrown Sounds: Albuquerque band Savings performed its latest single from a hot-air balloon during Balloon Fiesta; Diné artist Raven Chacon also continues to bring New Mexico’s creative voice to audiences beyond the state.

Immigration: DACA renewal processing times in New Mexico have increased more than sevenfold, leaving some applicants at risk of losing work authorization and deportation protection while they wait. Child Care: Co-pays are coming for about 10% of families in New Mexico’s universal childcare program; the start date and costs have not been announced, and families will get at least 90 days’ notice. Balloon Fiesta Culture: Monumental Catrina figures from Aguascalientes are bringing Mexican art and tradition to Albuquerque’s Balloon Fiesta, while local band Savings performed its new single from a hot-air balloon. Education: New Mexico voters will decide on school-election changes and how university regents are appointed, alongside choosing the state’s next governor. Community & Land: A conservation easement will protect Corrales’ Indigenous Farm Hub, preserving six acres for farming and Indigenous youth education. Albuquerque Development: The state selected local firm Hartman + Majewski to create a detailed redevelopment plan for the State Fairgrounds, including proposed housing, park space and a stadium.

Childcare: New Mexico’s universal childcare program has triggered co-pays for about 10% of participating families. The start date and amounts aren’t set; affected families will get at least 90 days’ notice. Arts & Culture: Diné artist Raven Chacon brought a live, experimental sound performance to New York, while Santa Fe’s film festival returns with more than 60 films from 27 countries. Albuquerque Growth: The state picked local firm Hartman + Majewski to develop a detailed plan for State Fairgrounds redevelopment, including housing, a park and a stadium. Education: Albuquerque Public Schools approved a second campus for Montessori of the Rio Grande, which could more than double enrollment over five years. Public Lands: New Mexico groups are challenging the federal transfer of more than 110,000 acres along the border to the Defense Department, arguing it unlawfully restricts public access.

Film Culture: Santa Fe International Film Festival returns Oct. 14–19, with six days of screenings and Oscar-qualifying short-film programs; Zahn McClarnon and Pam Grier are this year’s honorees. New Mexico History: Historian Richard Melzer’s new book, A History of New Mexico in 100 Objects, traces the state through artifacts, with author events scheduled in Santa Fe, Belen and Albuquerque. Food & Heritage: A personal essay on autumn cooking connects roasted chile, tamales and posole with family memory and reflection on Indigenous Peoples’ Day. Local Traditions: Albuquerque’s Balloon Fiesta is underway, while the Way Out West Film Fest brings queer stories to the city for its 24th year. Travel: Lonely Planet names New Mexico one of its 50 best places to visit in 2027, highlighting its Native cultures, cuisine, dark skies and wide-open landscapes.

Arts & Film: Albuquerque’s 24th annual Way Out West Film Fest brings queer stories to the screen, while the National Hispanic Cultural Center is showing four free Spanish-language thrillers this month. Living Heritage: Hopi and Pueblo partners have completed the repatriation of Mimbres ancestral remains and cultural materials, and a New Mexico teen is turning Native beading skills into a business. Fall Traditions: Balloon Fiesta’s international launches continue, while Aztec’s Highland Games celebrated Scottish music, strength and community. On the Calendar: New Mexico Highlands tenor André García-Nuthmann and Eastern New Mexico University pianist Marina Bengoa Roldán will perform Spanish-language art songs in a free Oct. 15 concert. Campus Safety: UNM students and faculty are speaking out about sexual assault concerns, with protests calling for accountability.