AGP Executive Report

Local Transit Safety: Albuquerque installed new flashing warning signs along Central Avenue near ART stations (Atrisco, 59th Street, New York Avenue) to cut crashes caused by illegal left turns, aiming to prevent at least one collision per month and save about $360,000 a year in repairs. Social Media & Teens: A new analysis argues Meta’s $17–$18B settlement is a bad deal for teens and all users, pointing to age-assurance requirements and restrictions that may increase surveillance. Arts Education: Brockway Center for Arts & Technology welcomed Aaron Rosa as its new ceramics teaching artist and studio manager, bringing a background in building arts programs and hands-on studio work. Hollywood Legal Fight: Red-state attorneys general asked the U.S. Supreme Court to toss a suit trying to block Paramount Skydance’s Warner Bros. Discovery merger. Health & Culture: An NIH-funded program (TACUNA) tailored for urban Indigenous young adults is reported to reduce substance use and anxiety by blending evidence-based care with Indigenous practices. NM Sports Spotlight: Piedra Vista named powerlifting coach Tyrell Curtis as its new baseball head coach after a state title season. Community Recovery: New Mexico’s Recovery Awareness Month kicks off in September with 30+ events across 20 counties. Gaming Nostalgia: The New Mexico Lottery launches a $3 Frogger Scratcher with prizes up to $5,000 and a second-chance promotion.

Meta & Teen Safety: Meta agreed to strengthen age checks for Facebook and Instagram as part of an $18B settlement, but the details raise big questions about how proof of age will work in practice. Local Courts & Gaming: A judge blocked SunRay Park and Casino’s plan to move from Farmington to Clovis, ruling the Racing Commission lacked authority to relocate a racing license. Health Watch: New Mexico health officials say the state will launch a statewide awareness campaign ahead of looming Medicaid changes, with notices going out to hundreds of thousands of enrollees. Arts & Community: Los Alamos Arts Council announced September events, including the Plein Air Painters of New Mexico show and the Pajarito Literacy Festival. Pop Culture: “Coyote vs. Acme” is back in theaters after a long, rocky path, and early reviews are turning the comeback into a feel-good story. Sports Spotlight: UNM football opens Saturday vs. Central Michigan, with coach Jason Eck saying multiple quarterbacks will play.

Albuquerque Film Scene: ¡Cine Magnifico! returns for its 14th edition with 11 Spanish-language films, including a documentary spotlighting Albuquerque resident Martha Hurt, running Sept. 4-6 and Sept. 11-13 at the National Hispanic Cultural Center. Route 66 Spotlight: The Guild Cinema marks 60 years as Nob Hill’s independent art-house landmark, celebrating decades of foreign, cult, documentary and local filmmaker programming. Baseball & Community: The Albuquerque Isotopes’ late-season homestand brings themed nights like Women in Sports Night, ASL Night, fireworks, and a Bark in the Park event. Local Culture & Food: Red or Green Day at the Rail Yards Market turns chile season into a full-on community celebration with ristra-making, performances, and new public art. Big Screen Buzz: Norman Reedus is set to star with James Marsden in Apple TV’s spy series Disavowed. Pop Culture/Animation: Coyote vs. Acme keeps rolling out its cast and behind-the-scenes story, leaning into its courtroom-style Looney Tunes chaos. Tech & Work Watch: A new report highlights how constant employee monitoring is spreading, raising concerns about what it does to workers.

Meta Settlement Watch: Meta’s landmark teen-safety deal with 52 U.S. attorneys general is set to reshape Facebook and Instagram use, including a default two-hour daily cap for under-18s and overnight restrictions—plus a reminder that the company’s core business model is still intact. Local Records Fight: Albuquerque Public Schools is urged to finally comply with the New Mexico Supreme Court and release public records tied to former Superintendent Winston Brooks’ 2014 departure, ending a 12-year legal standoff. Arts & Community: Palestinian pop star Mohammed Assaf is bringing music and cultural celebration to Albuquerque’s Popejoy Hall on Sept. 6. Wildlife & Water: AMAFCA faces accusations of burying animals alive during a Rio Grande drainage operation, as drought-driven bear behavior continues to put animals and people at risk. Sports & Entertainment: New Mexico United’s match vs. San Antonio FC ended with a late equalizer waved off, while ENMU women’s soccer opened with a 2-1 win and UNM’s Mountaineering Club keeps outdoor access growing.

Meta Teen Rules: Meta’s landmark $18B child-safety settlement is set to reshape Facebook and Instagram for users under 18, including a default two-hour daily cap and tighter overnight access, with parents getting more control. Local Schools: Albuquerque Public Schools is urged to finally release records after a New Mexico Supreme Court ruling, ending a long-running fight tied to former superintendent Winston Brooks. FSU vs. NMSU: Florida State opened 2026 with a 34-17 win over New Mexico State, but the performance left fans uneasy and raised fresh questions about execution and defense. NM United: New Mexico United’s unbeaten run ended after a late equalizer was waved off in a 2-1 loss to San Antonio, with costly mistakes and officiating frustration in the mix. Sports Spotlight: Chase Jackson of Los Alamos broke her own American shot put record with a 21.02m throw in Berlin. Arts & Community: Former UNM students launched Phintch, a New Mexico-focused streaming app for independent films made by New Mexicans.

Meta Child-Safety Shakeup: Meta has agreed to an $18 billion settlement with 48 states, including new limits for kids under 18 on Instagram and Facebook—age-estimate upgrades, two-hour daily caps, and overnight blocks from midnight to 6 a.m.—though critics say it still won’t fix the deeper addictive design issues. Local Education Accountability: A judge ordered Albuquerque Public Schools to release a long-hidden investigative report tied to former superintendent Winston Brooks’ 2014 resignation, with only one paragraph redacted. Santa Fe Arts Spotlight: Dolly Parton is set to be honored at Santa Fe’s Burning of Zozobra, with a remixed “Jolene” performance during the Sept. 4 event. Sports on the Ground: Florida State opened its season with a 34-17 win over New Mexico State, while Hobbs student Larissa’s case—alleging she was raped on campus and later punished with on-campus suspension—continues to raise questions about belief and response. Weekend Watchlist: Nebraska vs. Texas volleyball headlines the national slate, airing on Fox with streaming options via fubo.

Meta Teen Safety Settlement: Meta’s $18B child-safety deal is rolling out new limits for Instagram and Facebook users under 18, including a two-hour daily cap, overnight blocks, and hiding “like” counts—big changes, but advocates warn they won’t fix everything overnight. Local Arts & Film: Silver City’s Silco Theatre is set to reopen the weekend of Sept. 11 after major upgrades, including a new retractable screen and expanded stage built with state and grant funding. Sports Spotlight (NM ties): Florida State kicks off its season Saturday vs. New Mexico State at 7 p.m. on The CW, with the Seminoles heavily favored as they debut a revamped roster. College Football Hype: Week 0 is here with a full slate of games and a flood of streaming and betting promos, but the NM headline remains FSU-NMSU. New Mexico Policy: The U.S. Department of Justice sues New Mexico over a long-running higher-ed benefits program for immigrants, seeking to block enforcement of the 2005 law. Community & Outdoors: Sierra County keeps wildfire restrictions in place while officials monitor local conditions, emphasizing that each county’s risk can differ. Handball Upgrade: Angelo State’s renovated handball courts—funded by a $220,000 donation—are powering a new invitational and future tournaments.

Meta Settlement: Meta agreed to pay about $18B and overhaul Facebook/Instagram for teens, including daily limits and tighter overnight access—raising big questions about what it means for users beyond the U.S. New Mexico Angle: The deal follows New Mexico’s own Meta case, where the state previously won a separate $942M judgment, and advocates here are watching how the new rules land locally. Local Sports: New Mexico United beat Lexington SC 2-1, with Zico Bailey hitting his 100th appearance milestone in the win. College Football (NM): UNM will open with “multiple quarterbacks” after QB competition, while New Mexico State heads to Florida State for Week 0. Entertainment/Film: Albuquerque’s “Coyote vs. Acme” hits theaters, highlighting local crew and performers. Community Safety: NM wildlife shared tips to keep bears out of yards as sightings rise. Pop Culture: Dolly Parton’s New Mexico legacy is being celebrated through her Imagination Library affiliate work.

College Football (Week 0): Florida State opens its season at home Saturday against New Mexico State, with kickoff set for 7 p.m. on the CW, and plenty of hype around FSU’s loaded offense and a big spread. Local Sports & Community: Albuquerque’s Outpost Arena is getting a fresh 4,200-square-foot mural for the Ice Wolves, while a rare lightning-stopped high school showdown at Wilson Stadium ended in a 43-43 tie after double-overtime plans were derailed. Meta & Social Media: Meta’s landmark teen-safety settlement is reshaping Facebook and Instagram rules, including limits on teen usage and new protections tied to the broader youth addiction case. Tech, Law & Voting: Attorney General William Tong and other states won a temporary restraining order blocking a USPS rule that would have added new burdens to vote-by-mail systems ahead of November. Arts & Pop Culture: Marvel’s “Midnight Universe” line is set to debut with three horror-leaning titles, and “Coyote vs. Acme” continues to draw attention with fresh reviews and behind-the-scenes talk. New Mexico in the News: A new Transportation Systems Technology Center opened in Rio Rancho through CNM and Rio Rancho Public Schools, expanding hands-on training for transportation careers.

Meta Teen Safety Settlement: Meta has agreed to an $18 billion settlement with U.S. states and territories over claims Facebook and Instagram were designed to harm children, with a California judge approving the deal; the package includes a default two-hour daily limit for teens, overnight and school-day notification muting, hidden “likes,” and options like non-algorithmic feeds and no video autoplay. Local Tech & Innovation: Santa Fe’s New Mexico Innovation Hub is hitting capacity after adding new tenants, including Bandelier Technologies and Slazer AI, bringing fresh activity to the midtown campus. College Football (Week 0): The season kicks off Saturday with TCU vs. North Carolina in Dublin (ESPN), plus USC vs. San Jose State and other early matchups that set the tone for 2026. Music Spotlight: Deathcore veterans Carnifex announced their new album “More Than Misery,” with a title-track single and video, arriving Nov. 6. New Mexico Sports Calendar: Albuquerque hosts New Mexico Games arm wrestling and horseshoe tournaments this weekend, with events open to competitors statewide.

Looney Tunes on the big screen (Albuquerque): “Coyote vs. Acme” finally hits theaters after years of delays and a Warner Bros. tax-shelving saga, with director Dave Green saying he was “in total shock” when it was acquired and released. Horror tease from New Mexico: “Pendulum” drops a new trailer starring Joseph Gordon-Levitt as a couple heads to a New Mexico retreat where healing may be a trap. Route 66 centennial snack: New Mexico Tourism is teaming with Chex Mix BOLD on a limited-edition bag celebrating the state’s continuous stretch of the Mother Road. Meta teen-safety shakeup: Meta agreed to pay up to about $18B in a landmark settlement over alleged child addiction, with major new limits for teens and pressure aimed at TikTok/YouTube. Local school upgrades: Bernalillo High School unveiled new scoreboards for Spartan Stadium and the gym. Music & community: New Mexico Jazz Festival marks its 20th anniversary, and the week’s local arts calendar is packed with events.

Big Tech Accountability: Meta has agreed to pay up to $18 billion to settle U.S. lawsuits claiming Facebook and Instagram were designed to hook kids, and it’s also rolling out teen protections like default daily time limits and overnight “night mode” blocks unless parents opt in. Local Arts & Film: “Coyote vs. Acme” is finally landing in theaters, and New Mexico’s Rail Runner is celebrating its on-screen cameo after the Warner Bros. shelving saga. Scam Alert: A man accused of posing as an NFL player and running a romance-and-investment scheme scammed at least 26 women out of $1.3 million, with arrests tied to fake profiles and a fake “financial adviser.” Sports Spotlight: The UNM Lobos men’s basketball added Mercer to the 2026-27 schedule, while UNM’s Brett Karhu is still waiting on a court decision tied to NCAA eligibility. Community Watch: Albuquerque neighbors helped stop a routine arroyo trash-rack cleanup from turning into a wildlife burial scare, turning a maintenance job into a rescue mission.

Meta Settlement: Meta (Facebook/Instagram) agreed to pay up to $16.68B (and up to $18B in broader terms reported elsewhere) to resolve state claims that it designed addictive features for kids, misled families about safety, and mishandled children’s data—plus it will add teen protections like daily time limits, nighttime blocks, school-hour notification limits, and stronger age checks. New Mexico Angle: The deal also folds in privacy claims tied to the Cambridge Analytica scandal, with New Mexico among the states receiving $459.3M in that separate resolution. Local Arts & Entertainment: Albuquerque’s trash-rack wildlife rescue at Coors Blvd/La Orilla Rd has AMAFCA relocating frogs and turtles while crews plan drainage fixes to prevent future pooling. Film Buzz: The live-action/toon hybrid “Coyote vs. Acme” lands in theaters with a comedy built around Albuquerque’s cartoon-meets-courtroom world. Sports Media: Georgia Southern announced a new Monday ESPN+ and local TV schedule for football updates. Honors: Albuquerque native Notah Begay III received the Payne Stewart Award for sportsmanship and Native youth work.

Meta Teen-Safety Trial: Instagram boss Adam Mosseri testified that only a small share of teens used the “Take a Break” feature before it became default, as states pursue claims Meta designed Facebook/Instagram to hook young users—amid talk of a possible mid-trial settlement and massive potential penalties. Local Sports Spotlight: New Mexico United hosts Lexington SC at Isotopes Park in a key Western Conference matchup, while UNM football looks ahead with defensive end Darren Agu back at a higher level after offseason setbacks. Dolly Parton in New Mexico: The country icon’s death at 80 sparked tributes across the state, with renewed attention on her Imagination Library, which has mailed books to thousands of New Mexico kids. Art & Culture: ASU professor JoAnna Reyes helps curate a major Indigenous art exhibit at the Phoenix Art Museum, expanding the story of Native modernism and contemporary work. Film Watch: Albuquerque-connected director Dave Green discusses how “Coyote vs. Acme” updated Looney Tunes for today while keeping the characters’ core spirit. Weather Note: Winter 2026/2027 forecasts point to a strong Super El Niño shaping a split pattern across North America and toward Europe.

Meta Child-Safety Trial: Instagram boss Adam Mosseri testified as 29 states argue Meta designed Instagram/Facebook to hook kids and mishandled under-13 data, with penalties potentially in the hundreds of billions. New Mexico Court Ruling: A Santa Fe judge ordered Meta to pay $567M to a teen mental-health abatement fund, framing social-media harm like public nuisance. Tech & Privacy Backlash: Pennsylvania AG Dave Sunday filed a new suit against Snapchat over teen safeguards, while lawmakers keep pushing on AI license-plate camera concerns. Film Review (NM-set): “Coyote vs. Acme” lands as a big, Albuquerque-flavored Looney Tunes-style comedy, with screenwriter Samy Burch talking the long road to the screen. Local Arts: Santa Fe Indian Market spotlights multigenerational beadwork and community-driven creativity. Sports (NM ties): Week 0 college football is here, plus New Mexico’s Mountain West settlement news and local high school football results. Environment: Frijoles Fire claims the life of a 62-year-old crew member from the San Carlos Apache Indian Reservation.

Baseball Debut: Rockies prospect Mason Adams is set for his MLB debut Tuesday vs. the Nationals after a quick climb from Triple-A Albuquerque. Local Sports Spotlight: Isotopes players teamed up with the Albuquerque Sign Language Academy ahead of Sept. 4’s American Sign Language Night. College Football Watch: NM State opens Week 0 at Florida State on Aug. 29, starting Tony Sanchez’s third season on the road. Pageantry in the Spotlight: Miss USA 2026 heads to Miami on Aug. 27—here’s the date, time, contestants, and how to watch. Community Fun: Globito Glow returns to Los Ranchos Oct. 5 with 66 remote-controlled miniature hot air balloons and live activities. Policy & Water: Nevada sued over the Colorado River plan’s mandatory cuts for Arizona, California, and Nevada, while Upper Basin states like New Mexico rely on voluntary conservation. Tech & Culture: A new push argues AI chatbots should be treated like a legal public nuisance for “psychological pollution.”