AGP Executive Report

New Mexico Politics: President Trump’s Truth Social “New America” map-meme for New Mexico sparked immediate backlash from Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham and other Democrats, who say the state’s name “isn’t up for debate” and note he lacks authority to rename states. Local Childcare Reality Check: A year after New Mexico rolled out free childcare for all families, parents in childcare-short areas still can’t find spots, with waitlists and patchwork care remaining the norm. Film & Culture: Scottsdale filmmaker Larry L. Sheffield brings his new documentary “The Cosmic Trigger” to Harkins Shea 14 (Sept. 11–17), exploring UFO reports after the 1945 Trinity atomic test. TV Pop Culture: “Breaking Bad” returns to the spotlight with a fresh look at how the series kills off its main characters. Sports (NM ties): Week 1 college football headlines SMU vs. Florida State (ESPN, 7:30 p.m. ET Monday), while New Mexico’s own sports scene continues with Mountain West action and local athlete roster updates. Community Arts: Wild Hearts Gallery opens a Marcia Rackstraw retrospective in Placitas through Sept. 27.

Politics & Culture Clash: President Donald Trump reignited his geographic name-changing spree by suggesting New Mexico be renamed “New America,” posting a map with “Mexico” crossed out and “America” added—then the White House reposted it. Local Pushback: Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham shut it down fast, saying the name “isn’t up for debate” and accusing Trump of trying to distract from gas prices and other pressures. Misinformation Backdrop: Reports say the idea spread after a satirical hoax, but lawmakers still pounced on the real-world implications of the rebrand talk. New Mexico Sports Spotlight: The UNM Lobos opened strong with a 38-7 win over Central Michigan, while the Lobos women’s soccer team fell 3-0 at Colorado. Cinema in the Duke City: “Coyote vs. Acme” hits theaters nationwide, with much of it shot in Albuquerque—turning local spots into a big-screen corporate-corruption comedy.

State Identity Clash: President Donald Trump posted a map on Truth Social suggesting New Mexico be renamed “New America,” replacing “Mexico” with “America” and sparking immediate backlash from New Mexico Democrats and lawmakers who say the move can’t erase the state’s history. Local Arts & Ecology: Josephine Sculpture Park artist-in-residence Shawn Smith will preview new work at historic Rockdale Estate Sept. 12, including a workshop where students build pollinator hotels. UNM Sports Spotlight: UNM opened its season with a 38-7 win over Central Michigan, and local coverage highlights what the Lobos’ multi-quarterback approach could mean going forward. Entertainment for Fans: Guy Ritchie’s Netflix return, The Gentlemen (Season 2), is being pitched as a blend of Peaky Blinders grit and Breaking Bad swagger. Film & Pop Culture: Reviews and commentary keep rolling in for Coyote vs. Acme and The Dog Stars, with Coyote vs. Acme drawing extra attention for its Albuquerque connection in the story. Safety Watch: Child-safety advocates are tracking what Meta’s U.S. settlement could mean for online rules in Europe. Crime Update: Santa Fe police report a woman died in an “accidental” shooting involving her adult brother.

Local Sports Buzz: New Mexico United bounced back from last week’s loss with a “buzzing” 2-1 comeback win over Las Vegas Lights FC, with Hurst and Keller scoring to keep the club rolling. UNM Football: The Lobos opened strong under Jason Eck, throttling Central Michigan 38-7 behind a dominant defense that held CMU to just 30 passing yards. Aggies Home Opener: New Mexico State erupted late to beat Mercyhurst 51-14, sparked by Nick Sessions’ pick-6 on the first play and a big rushing surge. Community & Causes: Albuquerque’s “For the Love of Lymphoma” fundraiser at Tractor Brewing drew locals for live music, a car show, and vendor support for Blood Cancer United. Arts & Tradition: Santa Fe’s 102nd Burning of Zozobra drew nearly 50,000 people, with Helene Luna passing the torch to Than Povi Martinez. Film Review: Adria Arjona leads A24’s “Onslaught,” a lean ’80s-style action throwback built around super-soldiers and a sniper protecting her daughter. Legal/Media: The Babylon Bee is suing New Mexico over an AI political-content disclosure law, arguing it targets satire and parody.

College Football (NM focus): UNM opens its Saturday season opener with a plan built around Central Michigan’s physical front, with Lobos defenders emphasizing early-down execution and stopping the run to force tougher third downs. ACC Spotlight: Florida State’s Labor Day matchup vs. No. 19 SMU has the Seminoles trying to steady a shaky Week 0, while SMU arrives with momentum from a strong ACC transition. Local Sports & Community: New Mexico Highlands kicks off cross country at the NMSU Art Morgan Classic, and the week’s roster roundup highlights NM-area athletes landing on college volleyball and soccer teams. Arts & Culture: Hatch Chile Festival returns for Labor Day weekend in Hatch, bringing food, music, and the state’s signature green chile. Local Governance/Environment: Silver City residents are organizing after learning about a proposed Grant County data center via a public notice, pushing for more transparency and potential action. Crime & Public Safety: A New Mexico man faces charges in the fatal shooting of his cousin after an argument over how spicy enchiladas were.

Local Arts & Culture: Santa Fe’s Zozobra returned for the 102nd burning, with Helene Luna passing the torch to dancer Than Povi Martinez as “Old Man Gloom” crumbled to ash at Fort Marcy Park. Music Spotlight: Halestorm shared a recent in-studio performance for “Ernie Ball: BIG SOUND,” previewing more tour dates after the session. Horse Racing Shakeup: Ruidoso Downs owners agreed to move the All American Futurity and other signature races to Lone Star Park in Texas starting in 2027, a major blow to New Mexico’s quarter-horse centerpiece. Sports (UNM & Beyond): UNM is leaning into a “quarterback by committee” approach ahead of its opener vs. Central Michigan, while New Mexico United looks to bounce back after an unbeaten run ended. Community & Outdoors: PEEC and New Mexico Wild host a “Wild Waters” rivers book tour stop Sept. 10 at the Los Alamos Nature Center. Election Watch: New Mexico’s KOB-TV will broadcast the Oct. 8 governor debate, with KANW rebroadcasting for wider access.

Uranium Moratorium: New Mexico banned new uranium leasing on state lands, a move officials say protects communities and water as the Trump administration pushes to restart mining. Local Crime & Tech: Bernalillo County arrested Jevon Martinez for stealing 10 Flock cameras and livestreaming it, with charges tied to a broader history of vandalism and felony cases. Defense Tech: The U.S. Army approved first production orders for AeroVironment’s drone-killing laser, LOCUST X3, built in Albuquerque. Wildfire-Ready Water: Researchers are studying how releasing 650 million gallons into the Rio Grande’s Bosque could help cottonwoods and make ecosystems more resilient. Social Media Fallout: A major Meta child-safety settlement story explains how states built their case over platform design and harm. Arts & Film: “Onslaught,” shot in New Mexico, lands in theaters with Adria Arjona leading a trailer-park siege thriller. Music Spotlight: Garth Brooks revived his Yukon Jack alias for a surprise Denver set. Sports (NM angle): Week 1 college football TV/streaming guides and New Mexico recruit rankings keep the spotlight on local talent.

Local Film Spotlight: Albuquerque’s Guild Cinema hosted the 9th Annual Mindfield Film Festival, where British short Ma Prison won Diamond Awards for Best Narrative Short and Best Supporting Actress (plus Gold for Best Actress and Bronze for Best Original Score). Immersive Travel & Art: Virgin Hotels Edinburgh debuted the Spellbound Suite in Old Town, built around a hand-painted mural by local artist Lynsey Jean Henderson and her family collective. Santa Fe Tradition: Zozobra returns for its 102nd year, with “Old Man Gloom” set to burn Sept. 4 as thousands write down “glooms” to let go of worries. Albuquerque Sports & Community: SAFC snapped a two-match skid with a 2-1 win over New Mexico United, while the APS Metro Soccer Championships delivered dramatic overtime finals (Rio Grande boys, Hope Christian girls). New Mexico Public Art: CABQ unveiled a new nature-inspired mural at Balloon Fiesta Park, debuting during October’s festivities. Statewide Debate: A KOB poll finds strong opposition to Project Jupiter in southern New Mexico, with water-use limits and local job commitments topping what would sway support. College Football Scheduling: Week 1 kicks off with some awkward matchups tied to conference realignment and the NCAA’s calendar shift.

Local Crime: Albuquerque police say 22-year-old Ervin Gutierrez fatally shot his cousin after an argument over how hot the enchiladas should be. Anime & Pop Culture: Saboten Con is taking over downtown Phoenix hotels with cosplay, panels and concerts, drawing an expected 50,000+ fans. Film Buzz (NM): “Coyote vs. Acme” lands as a live-action/animated satire about monopolies and the legal system, with Albuquerque as a key stop in the story. Sports (NM + region): Central Michigan opens its season at New Mexico, while Navarro College hosts New Mexico Military Institute in a matchup that’s already drawing local attention. Arts & Community (NM): Albuquerque’s Rail Yards Boiler Shop is being recast as a film and digital media training center, and the city’s Recovery Month push adds more arts-and-community programming. Music (NM): George Strait is set to headline Boots In The Park in Albuquerque in 2027. Outdoors/Health: USDA launched new New World screwworm resources for wildlife pros and hunters as hunting season ramps up.

Local Courts & Tech: New Mexico takes on Facebook/Meta in Santa Fe next week, with jury selection set to begin in New Mexico v. Facebook—another chapter in the state’s privacy push after the Cambridge Analytica data scandal and Meta’s recent $17B child-safety settlement. Film & Pop Culture (NM connection): “Coyote vs. Acme” keeps rolling into the spotlight, including a New Yorker-origin story that traces how an Albuquerque street connection helped bring the Looney Tunes legal-comedy concept to Hollywood. Music (NM): Pickamania Acoustic Music Festival returns Sept. 4–6 at Black Range Lodge in Kingston, with a family-friendly lineup and local food partners. Community Arts: Ben Caldwell Square is dedicated in Leimert Park, honoring the longtime filmmaker and educator’s decades of arts impact. Sports (NM): New Mexico Highlands opens with a 35-34 win over Eastern New Mexico, while Mayfield faces NMAA discipline after a sideline skirmish with Organ Mountain. Fashion Trend: Fringe is back for autumn 2026, with styling tips aimed at keeping the look modern.

Film & Training Boom: CNM and the City of Albuquerque just opened a $73M film and digital media training center at the Rail Yards, turning the historic boiler shop into a new hub for production skills and creative careers. Local Sports Spotlight: New Mexico United and Meow Wolf are teaming up again for Meow Wolf Night on Sept. 26, with a costume contest, live music, and a “March to the Match” before the match vs. Sacramento Republic. Big Screen Buzz: “Coyote vs. Acme” is getting fresh attention for its Looney Tunes-meets-corporate satire, while “Godzilla” director Adam Wingard’s new grindhouse-style sci-fi horror “Onslaught” leans hard into that throwback energy. Tech & Kids Policy: Meta’s massive teen-focused settlement is driving more calls for stricter social media rules, including California’s push to ban addictive features for users under 16. Community & Culture: Route 66’s centennial is being celebrated with new looks at how the road shaped American pop culture—and New Mexico’s place in the story. Sports Legal Update: Missouri DT Sterling Webb remains eligible after a judge denied the NCAA’s motion, keeping him on track for the season opener.

Local Film & Media Boom: CNM opened a nearly $73M Film and Digital Media Training Center at Albuquerque Rail Yards, with sound stages, postproduction suites, and a Dolby-certified setup—aimed at launching a new wave of student filmmakers. Big Tech & Teens: Meta’s massive settlement over alleged harm to young users includes new age-check requirements and limits on late-night access, while critics argue the rules still don’t go far enough. Wrestling History: WWE/WCW-era performer George Wells’ death was confirmed years later, with tributes resurfacing for his WrestleMania 2 moment. Pop Culture in New Mexico: “Coyote vs. Acme” hits theaters with Albuquerque as a key setting, bringing more Hollywood attention to the state. Community Spotlight: Safety plans are in place for the 102nd burning of Zozobra in Santa Fe, with screening and crowd-management steps for an expected 50,000. Sports & School Pride: UNM cornerback Azariah Levells returned to practice after a restraining order against the NCAA, ahead of the Lobos’ opener.

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.