AGP Executive Report

New Mexico Politics: Deb Haaland has won the Democratic nomination for governor, beating Albuquerque DA Sam Bregman and setting up a November matchup against Republican Gregg Hull, with Haaland promising lower costs, safer communities, and expanded healthcare. Local Fire & Air Quality: A second blaze hit the South Valley recycling plant in less than a month, sending thick smoke over Albuquerque and triggering a health alert and road closures. Space & Science: Sandia National Laboratories tested NASA heat-shield materials tied to Mars Sample Return, pushing aerospace tech for extreme reentry conditions. Missing Lab Worker: Los Alamos National Laboratory employee Melissa Casias—missing since 2025—was found dead in Carson National Forest; investigators say a handgun was recovered, with cause still pending. Arts & Entertainment (National): A “Bleak Week” film festival is leaning into “cinema of despair,” while TV composers discuss how they’re scoring Emmy-contending longform shows. Sports (NM ties): Former UNM tennis players Albie Huang and Nico Acevedo are finding new success in pro pickleball.

Tour News (Metal): Motionless In White added a 14-date fall North American leg of The Sweat And Blood Tour, starting Oct. 30 in Worcester and running through Nov. 20 in Pittsburgh, with Lorna Shore, Fit For A King and Static Dress on summer dates and Dayseeker, The Devil Wears Prada and Dark Divine joining the fall lineup. Local Live Music (Albuquerque): Hatebreed will headline the second leg of Summer Slaughter Tour, kicking off Aug. 20 at El Rey in Albuquerque and ending Sept. 13 in Norwalk, CT. TV Buzz (New Mexico ties): Vince Gilligan says Rhea Seehorn could lead “any show on television,” praising her range and work ethic. Film Culture: Bleak Week, a “cinema of despair” festival that started in L.A., has gone global with screenings in 100 theaters across 73 cities. Community & Health (NM): Renew Health expanded online addiction counseling in New Mexico, adding telehealth options for intensive outpatient care and medication-assisted treatment. Sports (Aztec softball): Aztec High’s Kamora Henry helped the Tigers reach the Class 4A state runner-up finish.

AI & Accountability: Florida sued OpenAI and Sam Altman, arguing ChatGPT was marketed as safe while allegedly failing to reliably protect users. Local Arts & Culture: Albuquerque’s free “Summertime in Old Town” concert series returns June 5–July 26 with flamenco, mariachi, blues, jazz, reggae and more. Tragic Local Mystery: New Mexico State Police identified the remains of Los Alamos National Laboratory worker Melissa Casias, missing since June 2025, found in Carson National Forest with a handgun nearby. UNM Sports: UNM announced themes for six home football games this fall, including a “Real Ones” opener and Hispanic Heritage Night. Primary Day Info: New Mexico’s semi-open primary is underway Tuesday, with officials noting early/absentee turnout topping 181,900 voters. Entertainment Watch: Dua Lipa and Callum Turner are married, according to London officials. What to Stream: Netflix’s “The Boroughs” is drawing comparisons to “Stranger Things” for its setting and mystery-driven setup.

Lowrider Culture at the de Young: Rose B. Simpson’s LEXICON exhibit is pairing rebuilt classics with Pueblo-inspired paint, and the museum’s June 6 Lowrider Culture Celebration brings cars, a movie screening, art activities, and a DJ. Local Politics & Cost of Living: Albuquerque City Council is set to vote tonight on raising the city minimum wage to $15 (and $9 for tipped workers) starting in January, with supporters citing economic studies and opponents warning it could hurt small businesses. Community Sports Abroad: The Albuquerque Aardvarks are heading to Ireland in August for mixed-ability rugby, cultural exchange, and visits to inclusive rugby programs. Mystery in the Woods: Los Alamos National Laboratory employee Melissa Casias has been identified after nearly a year missing, with the cause of death still pending. Social Media Fallout: A Kentucky school district settlement puts Meta, TikTok, Snap, and YouTube in the spotlight over claims of addictive design and youth harm. Music Buzz: Phoebe Bridgers is rolling out surprise shows, with a $1 Madison Square Garden pop-up this week.

Route 66, remixed for the modern era: Albuquerque’s new “Route 66 Remixed Tour” blends Old Town and Central Avenue history with local art and augmented reality, turning a classic road trip into a tech-forward storytelling ride. Public art in the spotlight: Downtown Albuquerque’s Robinson Park is hosting monumental fiberglass “alebrijes” sculptures—big, colorful, LED-lit creatures that are equal parts spectacle and community selfie magnet, running through July 17. Health through the beautiful game: Grassroot Soccer, co-founded by Dartmouth alum Tommy Clark ’92, MED ’01, is using soccer to teach young people worldwide about HIV/AIDS, mental health, and reproductive health, reaching more than 25 million adolescents across 60+ countries. Sports with New Mexico ties: NBA Finals fans looking for a local connection can point to Knicks coach Mike Brown, who keeps an offseason home in Albuquerque. Drought and fishing reality check: A new weekly report warns that low Rio Grande flows and drought conditions are reshaping trout fishing plans, with stocking and streamflow details aimed at Northern New Mexico anglers.

Livestock Watch: A New World screwworm threat is spreading across Mexico and Central America, and with cases reported near the U.S.-Mexico border, federal officials have banned live cattle imports and ramped up monitoring and sterile-fly production—raising fears for already-high beef prices. Albuquerque Arts & Culture: Downtown’s Robinson Park is hosting huge, night-lighting fiberglass alebrijes (Mexican-inspired creatures) through July 17, turning public art into a must-see summer stop. Local Entertainment: Frankie Valli has canceled the rest of the Four Seasons’ 2026 tour dates to focus on his health. Boxing (Borderland): Albuquerque’s Holly Holm fell again to El Paso’s Stephanie Han in a WBA lightweight title rematch, leaving Holm’s big-title hopes on life support. Sports (UNM): UNM sprinter Taniya Looney qualified for the NCAA outdoor championships in the 100 and 200—first Lobo woman to do so since the early 1980s. Community Spotlight: Nine-year-old Hunter Rael returned home to Albuquerque after 193 days in Denver following two heart transplants, celebrated with a homecoming escort and music.

Arts & Culture (Albuquerque): Americans for the Arts’ AFTACON returns to the spotlight with Albuquerque hosting the national conference June 2–5, as leaders warn arts funding is still shaky amid federal uncertainty and shifting audience habits. Music (UNM): The UNM Wind Symphony is heading to Rio de Janeiro for an international conference and performances across the city, including an exchange concert and a stop at the Theatro Municipal. Sports (New Mexico): Bloomfield sophomore Ryli Heckman bounced back from a fractured ankle to win state hurdles gold at the NMAA Class 4A meet. Community & Sports (Tucson): The Tucson Saguaros are calling for host families this summer, highlighting how housing helps players chase pro dreams. Local Beer Culture: New Mexico Pint Glass Day is set for June 17, with participating breweries selling commemorative glasses to benefit the New Mexico Brewers Guild. Tech for First Responders: New Mexico search-and-rescue teams are increasingly using drones with thermal detection to speed up locating stranded people and getting help to them faster. Media & Law (National, with NM relevance): Meta, Snap, TikTok and YouTube agreed to pay a Kentucky school district $27M to settle a lawsuit over alleged social media addiction harms.

Wolf Watch: Records show U.S. Interior officials delayed the Mexican gray wolf release of Asha after local pushback, highlighting growing rural resistance as wolf numbers rise. Local Crime: APD arrested two more suspects in the 2025 Old Town murder of Luis Ortiz, adding to a growing teen case. Book Buzz: Reviews in brief spotlight Danny Blanchflower’s authorized life story and a “lost gem” of American literature, Ladies of the Rachmaninoff Eyes. Boxing (Borderland): Stephanie Han and Albuquerque’s Holly Holm headline a big ESPN card in El Paso, with Holm promising changes after her loss; meanwhile, Amanda Serrano brings unified featherweight fire. Albuquerque Sports: Josh “Pitbull” Torres keeps chasing glory over pay as he prepares for a welterweight bout. Streaming Picks: This weekend’s binge list leans into Netflix’s The Boroughs and other fresh debuts. HBO Spotlight: Miss You, Love You lands on HBO, with Allison Janney and Andrew Rannells leading a grief drama built around an impressive long take. Housing & Costs: A new report says renters are getting hit by the property insurance crisis too, with costs often passed along. Music & Events: Adele MacConnell closes Sterling’s free concert season June 5. Podcasting: KRWG-TV hosts a public taping for Pass the Sopapillas.

Netflix & Aging Sci-Fi: “The Boroughs” is getting buzz for flipping the script on senior TV—Alfred Molina leads a retirement-center monster fight that feels like “Stranger Things” meets “Cocoon.” Local Arts Calendar: New Mexico Museum of Art’s First Friday Silent Film Series screens “The Passion of Joan of Arc” on June 5 with live musical accompaniment. Sports Spotlight: BYU’s Jane Hedengren set a facility record in the 10,000m semifinal to advance, while New Mexico’s Pamela Kosgei made a late move. Combat Sports: Holly Holm and Stephanie Han meet again in El Paso for Han’s WBA lightweight title, with Holm chasing a world-title moment after a controversial first fight. Community & Culture: “La cultura cura” highlights how Southwest culture functions like public health—connection, continuity, and collective care. Albuquerque Events: “Live at Winrock” returns as a free concert series at the Sunward Amphitheater, running through July and back in September.

UFO Watch: A New Mexico–linked wave of “unusual lights” posts (plus soucouyant talk) is sparking fresh debate over what people saw—drones, satellites, atmospheric effects, or something stranger. Film Economy: A 4 Investigates report says New Mexico’s film boom is cooling, raising questions about how long the state’s tax-incentive strategy can keep paying off for local workers and small businesses. Local Justice: Family members are demanding police reform after the fatal shooting of 23-year-old Jose Armas, who reportedly called for help during a mental health crisis. Youth Addiction: Serenity Mesa Recovery Center is pushing for more teen treatment options as advocates point to rising drug addiction rates in New Mexico. Arts & Community: Village Arts’ desert-themed exhibit “Just Deserts” runs through June 13, spotlighting local and regional artists. Sports Spotlight: New Mexico United players lean on routines and video games to handle a long East Coast road trip. Public Records: The NM Supreme Court ordered disclosure of Albuquerque Public Schools records tied to a former superintendent’s resignation.

Local Arts & Community: Santa Fe honored slain University of Washington student Juniper Blessing with a celebration of life at the New Mexico School for the Arts, where family and friends shared stories of their warmth and music. Music & Culture: The New Mexico music community is mourning Al Hurricane Jr., with local performers calling his passing the end of an era for the sound that helped define the region. Film/TV Buzz: Netflix’s “The Boroughs” keeps drawing attention for its sci-fi mystery set in a New Mexico desert retirement community, with multiple takes on why it works—and why it doesn’t. Public Art: Farmington installed 20 new downtown sculptures for its 2026-27 Outdoor Sculpture Exhibition, running through May 2027. Policy & Safety: New Mexico’s attorney general sued Curry and Torrance counties over ICE agreements, arguing they violate the state’s Immigrant Safety Act. Broadcast/Media Rules: The FCC’s June deadlines include Annual EEO Public File Reports due June 1 for New Mexico stations with enough employees. Entertainment Events: ABQ BioPark’s Zoo Music and Garden Music returns with interactive summer programming.

Albuquerque Arts & Culture: “Alebrijes and Nahuales” brings bright, fantastical Mexican folk-art creatures to Central Avenue this summer, with sculptures placed from 7th Street to the 8th Street roundabout and around Robinson Park. Entertainment Spotlight: Netflix’s new sci-fi mystery “The Boroughs” leans into New Mexico vibes with a retirement community full of eerie secrets—critics say it’s strong early, then drifts. Local Sports Buzz: Holly Holm (Albuquerque) and Stephanie Han (El Paso) run it back Saturday in a Most Valuable Promotions title rematch at the El Paso County Coliseum, headlining a women’s-heavy card on ESPN. State Legal/Policy: New Mexico Attorney General Raúl Torrez filed lawsuits against Torrance and Curry counties over alleged “illegal ICE agreements,” tied to the state’s Immigrant Safety Act. Sports Betting Regulation: A bipartisan group of 41 AGs led by Ohio’s Dave Yost urged the CFTC to treat sports-related prediction markets as state-regulated gambling. Wildfire Economics: New research puts a price tag on prescribed burns, finding major public savings from fuel-reduction work.

Youth Nicotine Fight: New Mexico lawmakers want a more streamlined statewide approach to curb youth nicotine addiction, pointing to the need for an “overall strategy” as the Tobacco Settlement Permanent Fund is reviewed and the DOJ pushes retailer accountability. Online Kids Safety: NM AG Raúl Torrez joins a multistate coalition opposing the federal KIDS Act, warning it would weaken state power to protect children online while backing a stronger “duty of care” approach. UNM-Gallup Leadership: John Zimmerman has been appointed interim chancellor of UNM-Gallup effective July 1 as Chancellor Sabrina Ezzell prepares to retire June 30. UNM Football: Lobos QB James Laubstein is set to return for a sixth year after winning an NCAA eligibility waiver appeal. Local Arts & Culture: Albuquerque’s Richie B’s Pizza reports a second break-in in under 60 days at its new West Side location. Music & Pop Culture: Demi Lovato made a Texas stop at Buc-ee’s during her tour, and Kehlani announced a North America world tour with 33 dates. Sports Spotlight: NM State women’s golfer Emma Bunch wrapped up her NCAA Championship run in Carlsbad.

Crime Watch: Richie B’s Pizza in Albuquerque was hit by thieves for the second time in under 60 days at its new West Side spot, with broken glass and a torn-up wall after an overnight window break-in—owners say the damage suggests the burglars were trying to reach a neighboring smoke shop. Music & Pop Culture: Halestorm marked Stevie Nicks’ birthday with a live Apple Music Radio cover of “Gold Dust Woman.” Local Sports: UNM QB James Laubstein is returning for a sixth year after winning an NCAA eligibility appeal. Tech & Kids Online: New Mexico AG Nick Brown joined a bipartisan push against the KIDS Act, warning it would weaken state protections for children online while Big Tech avoids accountability. Health Care: Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham expanded New Mexico’s Health Professional Loan Repayment Program to help close physician gaps across the state. Space: Rocket Lab completed its acquisition of Mars-proven robotics company Motiv Space Systems. Courtroom: A judge urged New Mexico and Meta to take a “pragmatic” approach as the bench trial phase wrapped.

Online Safety Crackdown: Connecticut AG William Tong announced a multistate investigation into Roblox after reports of child exploitation, joining the growing push for stronger online protections for kids. Legal Pressure on Big Tech: The U.S. Supreme Court also refused to hear Meta’s bid to block Vermont’s lawsuit over claims Instagram was designed to be addictive to teens—another sign courts aren’t backing off youth-safety fights. Albuquerque Music Community: Japanese punk band Peelander-Z says multiple members were seriously injured when their tour van was rear-ended by a semi-truck on I-40 east of Albuquerque; shows were canceled and a GoFundMe is underway. Local Arts & Culture: Amarillo’s AMOA is highlighting Route 66-era creativity with an exhibit featuring Ed Ruscha and Ron Cooper. Sports & School News: Aztec High School hired former player Colton Weaver as head football coach, while UNM’s new $636M medical school plan aims to double doctor training by 2030.

Legal Fallout: The DOJ unsealed a superseding indictment tied to Raúl Castro and BTTR flights, renewing scrutiny of the 1996 incident involving Cuban MiGs and humanitarian aircraft. Politics & Campaigns: New Mexico’s governor race is getting rougher, with negative campaigning hitting all five candidates. Memorial Day in NM: Communities marked the holiday with tributes and ceremonies honoring fallen service members and Gold Star families, including events at the New Mexico Veterans Memorial and local picnics/honor gatherings. Sports Spending Watch: New Mexico’s small-college basketball budgets keep coming into focus—Navajo Tech, Western New Mexico, Highlands, ENMU, and others all reported 2024 men’s or women’s basketball expenditures that often lag state averages. Local Hoops & Playoffs: UNM-area basketball and baseball headlines rolled in alongside playoff results, including Mesilla Valley Christian’s 22-run title win and Las Cruces-area teams advancing. Entertainment Buzz: Netflix’s The Boroughs keeps drawing attention for its sci-fi mystery setup and New Mexico filming ties, while Phoebe Bridgers’ surprise show in Roswell-area fans’ orbit sparked major hype.