AGP Executive Report

Child Well-Being Watch: A new Kids Count Data Book finds child well-being worsened in 29 states from 2021 to 2025, with education taking the biggest hit and mental health concerns rising nationwide. New Mexico Kids Count Update: New Mexico nudged up from 50th to 49th overall, with gains in economic well-being and health, but education and family stability still lag. Universal Childcare in Court: A New Mexico judge dismissed a lawsuit challenging the state’s universal childcare program, clearing the way for the program to continue while plaintiffs signal an appeal. Screwworm Alert for Livestock and Pets: New World screwworm cases climbed to 9, including a first confirmed dog case in New Mexico, as USDA expands treatment access and urges vigilance. Local Culture & Community: Route 66 in western New Mexico is spotlighted as a living Native crossroads, while Albuquerque marked the loss of Al Hurricane Jr. with a rosary service honoring his impact on New Mexico music. Public Safety & Hate Crime: An Albuquerque man faces federal hate crime charges after allegedly threatening “kill all Jews” and damaging a synagogue and Jewish Community Center. STEM for Eastern New Mexico: The Steadfast Line opened a STARBASE facility at Cannon Air Force Base, bringing hands-on STEAM learning to local students starting this fall. Arts & Authors: Pulitzer winner Andrew Sean Greer is set to speak at South Broadway Cultural Center in Albuquerque.

Child Well-Being Watch: New Mexico inched up in the Annie E. Casey Foundation’s KIDS COUNT, moving to 49th overall, with gains in economic well-being and health but still weak education and family stability. Screwworm Alert: New World screwworm cases climbed to 9, including a dog case in Lea County, New Mexico, as USDA ramps sterile-fly releases and the FDA authorized an OTC treatment for pets. Housing & Growth: Albuquerque heard from housing journalist Jerusalem Demsas, who argued that zoning and local planning decisions shape affordability and livability—and that “growth” can help if supply barriers fall. Community & Culture: Albuquerque’s Foxy Festival returns at the Rail Yards with music, art, vendors, and family activities, while Ruidoso Downs relocated its 2026 races to Albuquerque after flooding, bringing a boost to local businesses. Local Justice: An Albuquerque man faces federal hate-crime charges after an alleged attack on a synagogue and Jewish Community Center. Education & Native Pathways: Tribal leaders and the University of Arizona are building new routes for Native students through a statewide summit. STEM for Kids: The Steadfast Line opened a STARBASE facility at Cannon AFB, partnering with Clovis Community College to bring hands-on STEAM learning to students.

Border & Food Security: A new SNAP push from Attorney General Letitia James urges Congress to restore benefits in the Farm Bill, warning the latest cuts are driving hunger and shifting costs onto states. Water Worries: Arizona faces up to 77% Colorado River cuts if Upper and Lower Basin states can’t reach a deal, with talks still stalled. Livestock Health Alert: New World screwworm is spreading—USDA reports the first US case in Texas and confirms a New Mexico dog case—prompting quarantine rules and heightened vigilance for ranchers and pet owners. Local Culture & Community: Albuquerque’s Foxy Festival returns at the Rail Yards with music, art, and family activities, while Santa Fe hosts Emi Arte Flamenco, bringing UNESCO-recognized flamenco to New Mexico stages. Education & Access: New Mexico opens a Native American Tuition Scholarship for students attending eligible neighboring-state colleges, and a new Native American scholarship program joins broader efforts to expand opportunity. Arts & Ideas: A fresh Georgia O’Keeffe documentary aims to humanize the modernist icon, not just mythologize her.

Universal Childcare Fight: A New Mexico judge dismissed a lawsuit challenging the state’s universal childcare program, keeping the rules in place for now as Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham calls the challenge “frivolous.” Child Care Capacity: Even with lower costs, demand is outstripping available spots, leaving families to navigate a system still catching up. Education & Leadership: Los Alamos Public Schools announced 2026-2027 principal changes, while Roswell’s assistant superintendent highlighted efforts to reduce chronic absenteeism. Public Safety on Foot: New Mexico’s pedestrian fatality ranking improved, dropping from No. 1 to No. 9, tied to Target Zero safety efforts. Animal Welfare: Bernalillo County approved $4.9M for a Northeast Heights pet adoption and education center to ease shelter overcrowding. Health & Aging: The state is updating its dementia and brain health plan through 2031, seeking public input as caregiver strain grows. Agriculture Threat: U.S. officials are responding to the New World screwworm return, warning ranchers to watch herds and treat wounds quickly. Culture & Community: Albuquerque hosted a Mexican World Cup watch party, and local school and community events kept the spotlight on youth, water education, and pride.

Social Media & Jewish Creators: A Jewish Facebook creator says automated copyright enforcement wiped her monetization after a Disney claim, with no human review and account tagging that blocks even public advocacy links—raising fresh alarms about how Meta moderates antisemitism versus content that targets Jews. Aging & Caregiving: New Mexico is updating its dementia and brain health plan through 2031, with public comments open until June 23 as cognitive decline and caregiver strain grow. Immigration at Major Events: As ICE presence around the World Cup looms, fans and local leaders are bracing for how immigration enforcement could affect a global sports moment. Public Health & Livestock: New World screwworm keeps spreading north, with New Mexico now in the mix—prompting warnings for pets and people, not just ranchers. Universal Childcare Court Fight: A judge weighs arguments over New Mexico’s universal childcare program, with a potential pause threatening thousands of families and business planning. Culture & Community: Albuquerque’s lowrider culture gets spotlighted in a new book, and local dance programming continues to expand with Elevation on Tour drawing studios from New Mexico and beyond. Native Education: A Diné scholar is joining UNM Native American Studies as a 2026-27 postdoctoral fellow.

Universal Childcare Court Fight: A New Mexico judge is set to hear arguments in a challenge to the state’s universal childcare program, with plaintiffs saying the administration changed eligibility rules before lawmakers approved funding. Higher Ed Turmoil: New Mexico Highlands University faces mounting scrutiny after multiple employees were placed on leave or terminated since May 1, with former officials saying no reasons were given. Local Youth Safety: Albuquerque honored 13 high school graduates tied to its School-Based Violence Intervention Program, spotlighting mentorship for students at elevated risk. Community & Culture: Albuquerque photographer Nathaniel Testuro-Paolinelli is releasing a new book on lowrider culture, and a new balloon-and-Route 66 exhibit at the Anderson Abruzzo Balloon Museum ties local ballooning identity to road-trip history. Health & Rural Care: Sierra Vista Hospital & Clinics welcomed a new family nurse practitioner for its walk-in clinic, aiming to strengthen rural access. Sports & Events: The 40th Annual Milkman Triathlon returned to Bottomless Lakes National Park, and Roswell school district budgets for 2026-27 were approved. Public Safety Concerns: Protests in Albuquerque renewed calls for body-camera footage and different crisis response after officer-involved shootings.

Caregiving & immigration: Rep. Gabe Vasquez introduced the Careworker Visa Act, aiming to create a three-year work authorization pathway for qualified childcare, eldercare, and in-home caregivers—an effort tied directly to New Mexico’s worker shortages and rising care costs. Public health & pets/livestock: The New World screwworm threat keeps moving north after confirmed cases in Texas and New Mexico, triggering new animal movement restrictions and expanded sterile fly releases. Local culture & community: A proposed North Valley mosque and school in Albuquerque faces neighborhood opposition, with residents citing traffic and “fit” concerns alongside Islamophobic rhetoric at the appeal hearing. Education & access: New Mexico’s universal child care rollout is helping families stitch together stable schedules and benefits, with one Ruidoso couple describing a shift from patchwork daycare to full-time care. Health policy data: Santa Rosa Medicaid spending for pathology and lab services rose to $37,289 in 2024, reflecting how local billing patterns track public health funding. Tech & teaching: FETC 2027 named Albuquerque Public Schools edtech specialist Christina (Tina) Nuñez as a Classroom Leaders Track speaker focused on practical AI use for teachers. Environment & outdoor life: The Continental Divide Trail Coalition is warning that a proposed uranium mine in the Carson National Forest could threaten trail integrity and the Chama watershed. Community governance: Doña Ana County residents vented frustration after a data center town hall for Project Jupiter turned into a job fair instead of a clear Q&A. Arts & events: The Deming Arts Council and Potters’ Guild of Las Cruces are gearing up for the Fire and Fiber Art Show in July, with free admission and artist meet-and-greets. Business/community finance: DreamSpring named Charles McElrath as incoming CEO, betting on expanded mission-driven lending across 27 states. Obituaries: Multiple local death notices were published, including Mary Alice Harney and Jack Edward Lovett.

Child Care & Early Learning: New Mexico’s universal child care push is getting real-life test drives from families who say full-time access finally makes work and health insurance possible. Kids Count Watch: The Annie E. Casey Foundation’s 2026 KIDS COUNT Data Book puts New Mexico at 49th overall for child well-being, with education still stuck at 50th for the 10th straight year. Health & Safety: A measles case tied to the Luna County Detention Center has prompted exposure guidance for Las Cruces court workers, with officials urging vaccination and quick medical calls if symptoms show up. Mental Health Care: UNM Health is preparing to open a new $36 million children’s psychiatric center with 36 beds (expandable), aiming to modernize inpatient care. Local Education Leadership: San Jon’s school board has hired its principal, Sharla Rusk, as superintendent. Community Culture: Deming’s Arts Council is gearing up for a clay-and-fiber show through July, with free admission and artist meet-and-greets. Public Policy & Immigration: Albuquerque and New Mexico’s attorney general are moving to dismiss a federal lawsuit challenging local limits on cooperating with immigration detention. Agriculture Alert: The New World screwworm is spreading beyond Texas, and New Mexico officials are urging pet and livestock owners to watch wounds closely and seek treatment fast.

Child Well-Being & Education: New Mexico’s Kids Count results show the state still near the bottom on education and child well-being, even as some health and economic measures improve—another reminder that recovery since COVID is uneven. Immigration & Local Control: New Mexico and Albuquerque are pushing to dismiss a federal lawsuit over state and city limits on helping with Trump’s mass deportation efforts, setting up a high-stakes legal fight over local resources and federal authority. Screwworm Threat: The New World screwworm keeps spreading—USDA confirms additional cases and Texas ramps up surveillance and sterile-fly strategy, while New Mexico reports its first detection in a dog. Caregiving Workforce: Rep. Gabe Vasquez introduces the Careworker Visa Act to address childcare and eldercare shortages, arguing immigration reform could lower care costs—especially as New Mexico struggles to meet universal childcare promises. Culture & Community: Festival Flamenco Albuquerque 39 returns June 20 at the National Hispanic Cultural Center with major performances and cross-art collaborations. Sports & Local Talent: Idaho State signs Laila Carter, a transfer from the University of New Mexico, adding UNM experience to the Bengals’ 2026 roster. Travel/Photo Culture: Photowalks TV’s Walkies Awards name 15 top U.S. walking routes, blending walkability picks with smartphone-friendly photo tips.

Child Well-Being Watch: New Mexico climbed to 49th in the Annie E. Casey Foundation’s KIDS COUNT, a step up from last place, helped by child tax credits and lower child poverty—but education and family measures still drag the state down. Public Health & Livestock Alert: The New World screwworm is spreading beyond Texas, with a confirmed infested dog case in Lea County, prompting inspections and outreach as officials warn the parasite threatens pets, livestock, and wildlife. Local Leadership & Jobs: CNM Ingenuity CEO Kyle Lee will step down Aug. 3 after a decade expanding workforce training and economic development across New Mexico. Community Culture: Las Cruces’ Cannes spotlight keeps growing—I’ll Be Gone in June premiered at the festival, filmed across Doña Ana County. Local Governance: Socorro County residents are pushing for a one-year data center moratorium as New Mexico Tech pauses a major proposal tied to water and land concerns. Lifestyle & Leisure: Golf Envy opened its first New Mexico indoor golf club in Albuquerque, bringing tech-powered practice to the city.

New World screwworm alert: USDA confirmed a screwworm case in a dog in Lea County, New Mexico—far from the initial Texas outbreak—raising fears for livestock and pets as the parasite spreads through open wounds and Canada temporarily restricts Texas livestock imports. Healthcare access: New Mexico expanded its Health Professional Loan Repayment Program to tackle the doctor shortage, offering physicians up to $300,000 over four years and boosting support for other licensed health roles. Native community & land: The U.S. House passed the Albuquerque Indian School Act to return 10 acres from the former boarding school to a trust for New Mexico’s 19 Pueblos, with the bill now moving to a Senate committee. Culture on screen: The indie film “Road to Everywhere” opens nationally June 17, reuniting cast from “Driven” and pairing screenings with live music featuring Robert Mirabal and his band. Child well-being: A new Kids Count Data Book reports child well-being declined nationally from 2019 to 2024, with education setbacks driving much of the drop. Local events: Luna Community College brings back its 17th Annual Car Show June 13 in hopes of supporting scholarships and showcasing student programs. Monsoon readiness: Weather officials kicked off Monsoon Awareness Week, urging New Mexicans to prepare for flash flooding, lightning, heat, and dust storms.

Child Wellbeing Watch: The Annie E. Casey Foundation’s 2026 KIDS COUNT Data Book finds U.S. kids’ wellbeing slid from 2019 to 2024, with reading and math proficiency dropping in 47 states and child/teen deaths rising 8%—a reminder that recovery after COVID is uneven. Local Health & Equity: A separate look at uninsured children shows Arkansas slipping in the health domain, while New Mexico is named among states with lower overall scores—fueling renewed calls for stronger access to care. Native Land & Culture: The U.S. House advanced the Albuquerque Indian School Act, moving 10 acres from the former boarding school into a trust for New Mexico’s 19 Pueblos, with the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center planning an entrepreneur and light industry complex. LGBTQ+ Community Life: Los Ranchos’ Pride Fest highlighted local support for its LGBTQ+ community, while a New Mexico story on gender-affirming care underscores how protections don’t always translate into easy access. Faith & Community Spotlight: Sister Blandina Segale’s canonization cause cleared a key Vatican step, as New Mexico Catholic leaders say her work in education and healthcare helped the poor and marginalized. Arts & Tech in Santa Fe: Currents New Media returns with immersive art and technology across Santa Fe, including VR, robotics, and offsite installations. Science & Place: The ngVLA prototype at the Very Large Array site in New Mexico reached “first light,” marking progress toward next-gen radio astronomy. Southern NM Mutual Aid: Deming’s Silver Linings resource center is using federal dollars to expand meals and services for people facing homelessness and hunger. Entertainment: Netflix’s “The Boroughs,” filmed in New Mexico, puts retirees at the center of a sci-fi mystery—treating older adults as capable protagonists.

SNAP Fight in Court: A federal judge temporarily blocked Trump-era USDA SNAP funding restrictions that tied food aid to gender-ideology, immigration, and women’s sports rules, after states argued the conditions were vague and unconstitutional. Local Culture & Media: Netflix’s new sci-fi drama “The Boroughs” puts retirees at the center of a supernatural mystery, with production and storytelling that leans into New Mexico settings and treats older adults as capable leads. Tech & Science in NM: The next-generation Very Large Array prototype in New Mexico hit “first light,” moving from construction to testing for a future 244-antenna radio telescope. Faith & Community Tensions: Islamic groups and civil rights advocates condemned anti-Muslim opposition to a proposed New Mexico mosque, saying debate is drifting into Islamophobic hostility. Gender-Affirming Care Access: Even with New Mexico protections, transgender residents report long specialist waits and provider shortages that can interrupt hormone care. Energy & Land Use: A new report highlights how Lea and Eddy counties dominate federal onshore oil production, raising fresh questions about the pace of leasing and local impacts. Arts + Tech Festival: Santa Fe’s Currents New Media returns June 12–21 with immersive installations, VR, robotics, and offsite experiences across town. Sports & Youth Rules: Albuquerque’s NMAA is set for a referendum on a “one-time” transfer eligibility bylaw that could reshape prep athletics.

Nuclear & Land Use: An opinion piece argues NM is “in the crosshairs” of the nuclear industry as new uranium proposals circle sacred Mount Taylor, raising concerns about extraction near Traditional Cultural Property. Food Security & Rights: A federal judge temporarily blocked USDA SNAP conditions tied to Trump-era gender and immigration demands, a win for 19 Democratic-led states and D.C. Local Outdoors: Albuquerque released a new map covering 400+ miles of bikeways and trails, including crossings, Rail Trail segments, and loop routes. Community & Culture: Books on the Bosque hosts author Maceo Carrillo Martinet discussing “Healing the Land Teaches Us Who We Are,” linking Indigenous practices to sustainable futures. Youth & Sports Policy: NMAA is moving toward a “one-time” transfer eligibility rule for prep athletes, with a June 19 school referendum. Health & Care: SUN Bucks (Summer EBT) grocery benefits are set to reach nearly 293,000 NM children starting June 15 after a federal delay. Arts & Activism: Indigo Theater and KickStart Cafe team up for a documentary + live music event spotlighting social-justice musician Barbara Dane. Safety & Hate Crime: An Albuquerque man faces hate-crime charges after allegedly smashing windows at a synagogue and Jewish Community Center.

Healthcare & Accountability: A New Mexico jury awarded Nichelle Nichols’ estate $13 million in a wrongful death case against Gila Regional Medical Center, alleging missed cardiac care before her 2022 death in Silver City. Food & Community: The “Taste of America” festival marked the nation’s 250th birthday with regional cuisine stops that included New Mexico, turning Constitution Avenue into a one-night culinary tour. Culture & Reading: Books on the Bosque hosts Nathaniel Tetsuro Paolinelli discussing his lowrider photo book “Seventh and Central,” with a lowrider car show, kids’ haircuts, poetry, and music. Local Lifestyle: A Downtown Albuquerque gardening column spotlights vitex as a current “showstopper” bloom, plus tips for keeping ants away from hummingbird feeders. Food Budgets: A federal judge blocked new SNAP funding conditions, keeping grocery support steady for low-income families while the legal fight continues. Immigration & Activism in Pop Culture: Phoebe Bridgers’ no-device Madison Square Garden benefit called out ICE and raised funds for an immigration bond program. Environment & Values: A New Mexico op-ed urges action on plastic pollution, pushing for stronger statewide policy. Arts & Media: Netflix’s “The Boroughs” spotlights New Mexico filming locations as an eerie retirement-community mystery.

Books & Culture: Guardian readers crowned J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings the 100 greatest English-language novels, with votes spanning places like Albuquerque and beyond. Energy & Politics: President Trump says the federal government will pour $700M into coal power infrastructure, framing it as “clean, beautiful coal” while renewing attacks on renewables. Native Representation: Native Organizers Alliance Action Fund hailed Deb Haaland’s historic Democratic primary win for New Mexico governor. Immigration & Faith: A church-owned Mount Cristo Rey site near the border is facing backlash as border wall plans threaten its sacred status. Community & Food Security: New Mexico’s SUN Bucks (Summer EBT) grocery benefits will reach about 293,000 kids starting June 15 after a federal delay. Health & Safety: DEA reports fentanyl exposure incidents in New Mexico have led to multiple deaths and first-responder hospitalizations. Local Arts & Lifestyle: Corrales flamenco company Spanish Broom received a $25,000 state grant to expand accessible performances across the Southwest. Education & Youth: Albuquerque Public Schools’ “Story Time in the Park” pairs free lunches with reading sessions and books during summer break. Sports & Campus Life: UNM broke ground on “Lobo Crossing,” a major retail and dining development on South Campus slated for completion in fall 2027.