AGP Executive Report

LSC Football Buzz: Central Washington is picked to repeat as Lone Star Conference champs in the 2026 preseason poll, with Western Oregon QB Jordan McCarty and Central Washington LB Brycen Indell named preseason players of the year. New Mexico Sports Spotlight: The Enchantment forced a win-or-go-home Game 3 after a big Game 2 road win, while the Connie Mack World Series pool play schedule is set in Farmington. Hollywood Business: Paramount Skydance agreed to extend its pause on the Warner Bros. Discovery merger until June 2027 as a federal antitrust fight plays out. Tech & Teens: Meta is asking a federal appeals court to block states’ next trial over claims Instagram was designed to be addictive to minors. Local Culture: Cardboard Playhouse Theater Company kicks off New Mexico’s first stage run of How to Train Your Dragon with a 43-kid cast in Albuquerque. New Mexico Tribes vs. Prediction Markets: Four tribes seek an injunction to stop Kalshi from offering sports-event contracts on tribal lands. Animal & Food Safety: Eggs sold across multiple states, including New Mexico, are recalled over possible salmonella.

Wildlife & Public Safety: A bear was spotted stranded atop a New Mexico utility pole near Highway 56 in Union County, clinging to the crossarm before dying from electrocution despite officials’ efforts to keep people back. Tech & Parenting: A New Mexico-focused op-ed argues social media and AI platforms are harming kids and calls for stronger protections, pointing to recent Meta-related court fights and claims of algorithmic harm. Legal/Media: New Mexico’s Supreme Court rejected a GOP challenge to the state’s universal childcare program, keeping the rules in place. Community Giving: Bank of Albuquerque donated $10,000 to Roadrunner Food Bank as food insecurity continues to rise. Sports (UNM & Local): UNM football’s Brian Booker says he wants to replace lost defensive-line production; plus, New Mexico United closes its road swing in Alabama against Birmingham Legion FC. Arts/Pop Culture: Netflix’s “Ransom Canyon” Season 2 keeps drawing buzz, with fans fixating on a breakout cowboy character and the show’s New Mexico filming locations.

RMAC Football Buzz: Colorado School of Mines is ranked No. 3 in the RMAC preseason coaches’ poll, with CSU Pueblo taking the top spot as camp opens Aug. 5. Tribal Gaming Fight: Four indigenous nations are asking a New Mexico federal judge to block Kalshi from offering sports prediction contracts on Native land. Local Screen Culture: Netflix’s Ransom Canyon is back for season two, and it’s still very New Mexico—Albuquerque, Santa Fe and Las Vegas among the filming spots. Entertainment Industry Legal Drama: The LA County Board of Supervisors backed California’s lawsuit to block Paramount Skydance’s Warner Bros. Discovery takeover after a court-ordered pause. Health & Community: “El Movimiento, Revisited” at WNMU spotlighted Chicano health practitioners in a “Health as a Human Right” discussion. Food Safety: Nearly 1.6 million dozen eggs sold in New Mexico and other states were recalled over possible Salmonella contamination. Monsoon Watch: Flash flood risk continues across parts of the Southwest as storms roll through.

Historic Celebration: Las Trampas marked the San José de Gracia Church’s 250th anniversary, honoring a fortress-and-prayer landmark built between 1760 and 1776. Art & Recovery: Roswell Museum flood recovery is slow but steady as the city approved about $596,000 for disaster conservation of nearly 300 collection items, with work expected to run 4–5 years. Indigenous Pride in Sports: The Albuquerque Isotopes’ Aug. 8 Native American Heritage Night spotlights a jersey design by Evone “Snowflake” Martinez, meant to honor her ancestors and 23 New Mexico tribes. Local Music/Community: The Whole Enchilada Fiesta is returning to Las Cruces in October 2027, reviving a beloved tradition last held in 2014. Media & Law: A Florida teen withdrew his Meta lawsuit over social media addiction harms, ending a bellwether case without a trial. Entertainment & Pop Culture: Marvel teased major October 2026 solicitations tied to San Diego Comic-Con, including the new Midnight Universe line. Sports Spotlight: UNM QB Jack Layne says he’s “feeling good” after offseason elbow surgery as fall camp brings another quarterback competition.

College Sports: Gonzaga and UCLA are set to renew their rivalry with a Dec. 5 nonconference matchup in Anaheim, part of the West Coast Hoops Showdown. Local Arts & Culture: Albuquerque’s city council approved an outdoor amphitheater project for Revel Entertainment near its current site. Music: Hatebreed announced its new album Fatal Paradox (Nov. 6) and dropped the single “Kill Count Increase,” with an Aug. 20 stop at El Rey in Albuquerque. Tech & Media: Meta is rolling out parental controls on Threads in the U.S. next week, including screen-time limits and nighttime lockouts. Education Policy: Cobre schools are seeking public input on a district cell phone policy for the 2026-27 handbook. Public Safety/Health: Native Air added a Las Cruces-based fixed-wing air ambulance to expand patient transport options across New Mexico and beyond. Environment: Elephant Butte Lake State Park remains open as crews respond to low water levels and exposed hazards. Local Business/Community: NMSU received a $31.2M state investment to modernize its IDEAL energy research lab. Entertainment Buzz: Kacey Musgraves goes fully nude in her steamy “Mexico Honey” music video.

Local Government & Land Use: Chaves County commissioners will consider a contract with Nevada nonprofit American Stewards of Liberty to advise on endangered species and federal land issues, with payments up to $20,000 annually. Entertainment Business & Courts: Los Angeles County backed a lawsuit effort to block the Paramount–Warner Bros. Discovery merger, joining a broader push after a federal judge paused the deal. Higher Ed: New Mexico Highlands University faces a retaliation lawsuit from a former administrator who claims he was fired after raising safety concerns about athletes’ equipment and facilities. Sports (NM): New Mexico State’s Trey Hedden is the presumptive starting QB heading into fall camp, while UNM’s basketball team wrapped an open practice after a tougher workout. Arts & Community: Revel Entertainment is planning a new boutique outdoor amphitheater in Albuquerque, aiming to open by next April with community-focused programming. Local Spotlight: Los Alamos High School grad Zachary Sestric earned a $1,000 scholarship from the New Mexico School Boards Association. Music/Pop Culture: Marvel is rolling out “Infinity Vision” for select El Paso theaters ahead of Avengers: Doomsday.

Hollywood Antitrust: A federal judge in California issued a 14-day restraining order blocking Paramount Skydance’s $110B merger with Warner Bros. Discovery, setting an Aug. 3 hearing after a 12-state coalition (including New Mexico) argued the deal could crush competition in films and cable. Local Arts & Culture: Albuquerque’s El Palacio magazine just launched a new website from the New Mexico Department of Cultural Affairs, expanding access to its 1913-era history, art, and culture coverage. Music Spotlight: Taos-born singer-songwriter Max Gomez is teaming with New Mexico River Adventures for a Labor Day Rio Chama trip, plus Desert Companion Tour dates across NM and AZ. Community Events: Evergreen’s 46th annual Summerfest at Buchanan Park drew 6,500+ and broke its all-time attendance record, with local artists and nonprofits leading the weekend. Fashion Legacy: Celebrated designer Emil DeJohn, a longtime college fashion professor, died at 88. Sports & Entertainment: Cheap Trick added fall tour dates, including an Aug. 21 stop in Albuquerque at Isleta Resort & Casino. New Mexico News: Albuquerque drivers can clear speed camera tickets with four hours of community service instead of paying the $100 fine.

Music & Local Culture: Charley Crockett is set to play Thursday at the Norman & Vi Petty Performing Arts Center’s Mesa Theatre in Clovis, following his album “Clovis,” recorded at the historic Petty Studio and featuring regional references like “Albuquerque Lights.” Entertainment Business: A federal judge ordered Paramount and Warner Bros. Discovery to pause their $110B merger for at least two weeks after a coalition of 12 states sued, arguing the deal would “extinguish competition” and reduce choices for consumers. Sports (MLB): The Dodgers acquired reliever Seth Halvorsen from the Rockies, with Los Angeles expected to send him to Triple-A Oklahoma City; Colorado received minor leaguers Nick Frasso and Landyn Vidourek. Community Sports: Albuquerque’s Isotopes Park hosts the second annual “Guns & Hoses” charity softball game Friday, with Special Olympics New Mexico athletes joining law enforcement and firefighters. Arts Education: New Mexico School for the Arts received a $100,000 Legacy Grant from the Life Center Foundation to renovate a new Guitar Studio. Health Tech: UNM Comprehensive Cancer Center is among the few facilities offering MRI-linear accelerator treatment, improving precision for radiation therapy.

Paramount-Warner Merger Halt: A federal judge has temporarily blocked Paramount Skydance and Warner Bros. Discovery from closing their roughly $81B deal, issuing a 14-day pause after 12 states (including New Mexico) sued over antitrust concerns—setting up a major fight over what it could mean for moviegoers, cable bills, and content choices. Local Arts & Culture: The Armory Show’s 2026 edition is set to spotlight emerging galleries and art from the Caribbean and its diasporas, with Albuquerque Contemporânea among the featured stops. Music Spotlight: Kehlani has announced a 33-city 2026 world tour across the U.S. and Canada, with tickets now on sale and an “exclusive experience” giveaway tied to the announcement. Community & Public Safety: New Mexico’s Department of Public Safety and Santa Fe Police are teaming up for National Night Out on Aug. 4, with school supplies, family resources, and local entertainment. Sports in the Spotlight: Heinrich and New Mexico tribes are urging senators to rein in sports prediction markets, warning online gambling apps could threaten tribal gaming revenue and sovereignty.

Mountain West Football Buzz: UNM’s Lobos hit Mountain West Media Days in Las Vegas with Jaxton Eck, Jack Layne, Brian Booker and Malik Aliane, plus five preseason All-Mountain West selections and Eck earning Defensive Player of the Year. Santa Fe School Board Drama: President Kate Noble is defending her “one voice” policy, limiting other board members’ media comments and drawing pushback from open-government advocates. Solar for All Legal Fight: AG Anthony G. Brown co-led a lawsuit challenging the EPA’s abrupt Solar for All grant cancellations, arguing the agency unlawfully clawed back funds meant for low-income households. World Cup Watch Party: Albuquerque fans packed Winrock Town Center for the Spain–Argentina final, with Spain winning 1-0 and local supporters raising money for Somos Unidos Foundation. Baseball Loss: Duane Ward, a 1992/1993 Blue Jays World Series reliever and Farmington High standout, died at 62 in Toronto. Local Arts & Events: Santa Fe Opera’s “Madama Butterfly” returns with a Japan-inspired “blown-off roof” set, and the Contemporary Hispanic Market celebrates its 40th anniversary in Santa Fe with 128 booths. Community Music: Los Alamos’ Co-op Summer Showcase brings “Escape On A Horse” to Co-op Park on July 24 for a free community concert.

Local Arts & Culture: Santa Fe Opera’s “Madama Butterfly” returns with Japanese-inspired “blown-off roof” staging and standout soprano Karen Chia-ling Ho, plus a new Rail Runner late-night train package for Friday and Saturday performances. Community Events: Route 66 centennial celebrations keep rolling—Albuquerque’s Summerfest drew thousands in Nob Hill, and Santa Fe’s Traditional Spanish Market returns July 25-26 with 128 booths and a focus on passing down craft traditions. Navajo Sports & Film: Shiprock basketball culture may be rebounding as Analyss Benally brings a camp home, building on the buzz from Netflix’s “Rez Ball.” Music & Beer: Santa Fe Brewing releases Zozobra 102, a Mexican dark lager, earlier and in greater quantity for the Sept. 4 festival. Sports Spotlight: British runner Josh Kerr smashes the men’s mile world record in London, while New Mexico’s Eli Bickel gets MLB umpire training at Isotopes Park. Legal/Entertainment Buzz: Timothy Busfield denies child-sex-abuse allegations after grand jury testimony; influencer brothers Andrew and Tristan Tate are arrested in Miami amid extradition efforts. Food & Lifestyle: A Pillsbury frozen bread roll recall sold at Walmart flags possible glass.

NMSU Football: New Mexico State added 25 offensive newcomers for 2026—15 transfer portal arrivals, eight high school recruits, and two junior college players—highlighted by QB Trey Hedden (Furman) and other key skill-position and line additions. DEA Whistleblower: A DEA special agent says a controversial “let some shipments go” tactic during a fentanyl operation “got people killed,” while federal officials defend the overall investigation and prosecutions. Local Arts & Transit: Santa Fe Opera and Rail Runner teamed up for a late-night train package—$25 round trip plus shuttle service—for Friday and Saturday shows through August. Combat Sports: Bosque Farms’ Katherine Lindenmuth captured the WIBA flyweight title in El Paso, with hints the bout could be among her last. Sports Spotlight: British runner Josh Kerr shattered the 27-year-old mile world record in London as “Project 222” paid off. Community Events: Albuquerque’s Route 66 Summerfest in Nob Hill drew thousands with live music, vendors, and decade-themed performances. Scam Watch: A new warning flags scammers leaning on device access and spelling tricks to target adults. Entertainment & Legal Drama: Influencer brothers Andrew and Tristan Tate were arrested in Miami amid UK extradition efforts tied to rape and sex trafficking charges.

Track & Field: British miler Josh Kerr shattered the 27-year-old mile world record at the London Diamond League, running 3:42.66 to beat Hicham El Guerrouj’s 1999 mark by 0.47 seconds, with Kerr crediting meticulous prep tied to “Project 222” and training in Albuquerque. Local Health Politics: U.S. Rep. Gabe Vasquez says Hidalgo Medical Services leadership failed to answer basic questions after a May town hall, while HMS counters that it invited him repeatedly—setting up a potential public meeting. Arts & Culture: Poppy skipped Upheaval Festival’s set due to hazardous air quality from wildfire smoke, explaining her band performed an instrumental-only show while she couldn’t safely breathe. Sports Entertainment: WWE added Trick Williams vs. Laredo Kid to tonight’s Saturday Night’s Main Event pre-show lineup. New Mexico Higher Ed: UNM launched its NM SPARK program, naming an inaugural cohort of faculty scholars across research and creative work. Comics: “Absolute Green Arrow #3” topped the weekly Wednesday-to-weekend comic bestseller list, nearly doubling “Avengers Armageddon #2.”

Local Crime Watch: AAA and FBI data point to vacation-time burglaries as a persistent risk, with New Mexico listed among the highest burglary-rate states. Borderlands Human Story: A new look at detention-center surroundings highlights how migrant remains data clusters include Doña Ana County, with volunteers still searching. Prep Sports Spotlight: Cliff High’s Brennan Shock becomes the inaugural Legacy on Tap Scholarship recipient, honoring late NMHSCA leader Buster Mabrey. Mountain West Football Buzz: At MW media days, coaches and players name UNM as a real title contender, praising the Lobos’ momentum and returning talent. Pro Sports in NM: The New Mexico Goatheads add forward Lynden Breen to their ECHL roster as the season approaches. Route 66 Culture: Trader Barb’s celebrates 50 years as a Frontier Days vendor, turning a yearly trip into a family tradition. Food & Retail: 66 Diner reopens after a city shutdown tied to cleanliness and food-handling issues. Tech/Environment: New Mexico’s Environment Department sets an October hearing for Project Jupiter’s air permit tied to the Santa Teresa data-center build. Media Biz: Netflix’s viewership report confirms The Boroughs was canceled after underperforming. Local Journalism: Roswell Daily Record’s swan song gets interrupted as New Mexico News Group acquires the paper. Entertainment Industry Legal: A judge is set to rule on a restraining order aimed at pausing the Paramount/Warner Bros. merger. Music/Pop Culture: Melissa Gilbert says she’s leaving When Calls the Heart due to budget issues.

New Mexico Child Care Expansion: The Early Childhood Education and Care Department is pushing faster licensing for new providers to grow the state’s free childcare system, including an Infant Toddler Contract Slots push and SB 96 changes that let home-based childcare operate with fewer local hurdles. Youth Online Rules: The state senate passed a social media bill aimed at dialing back addictive features for minors, adding limits around default settings, notifications, and age verification. Meta on Trial in Tennessee: Tennessee’s lawsuit accusing Instagram of fueling a mental health crisis is set to go to trial in Nashville, with the state arguing platform design is the problem. Albuquerque Arts & Culture: Route 66 Summerfest and Route 66 Remixed trolley tours are set to celebrate the Mother Road’s 100th year with live music, food trucks, and augmented reality stops. Local Sports & Media: New Mexico Open coverage is getting an AI boost, with an autonomous golf commentator set to appear on-screen during the Sept. 14–16 event. Community Spotlight: Albuquerque Public Schools hit reading targets for early grades but still fell short in middle-school math, according to district assessment updates. Entertainment & TV: Melissa Gilbert says she’s leaving “When Calls the Heart” after budget issues, while actor Timothy Busfield continues to deny allegations tied to a grand jury investigation in Albuquerque.

Meta & AI Backlash: A Meta feature that let others generate images from users’ photos was pulled after public outrage, raising fresh questions about transparency and consent. Obituary: Pulitzer-winning political cartoonist Pat Oliphant died at 90 in Santa Fe, remembered for fearless, widely syndicated political work. Local Flood Disruption: Ruidoso Downs Racetrack and Casino shut its doors temporarily after flood-damaged infrastructure concerns, with a state gaming board meeting set for July 22. Craft Funding: The Center for Craft and Etsy launched a $10 million Craft Catalyst Initiative, sending $100,000 grants to craft hubs including Santa Fe/Northern New Mexico. Health Care Expansion: CHRISTUS Health will break ground July 23 on a new community hospital in Los Alamos, adding emergency, surgical, imaging, infusion, and inpatient services. Sports & Community: Albuquerque’s Isotopes Park hosts a free MLB umpire camp Saturday, while UNM football media day coverage spotlights Jason Eck’s push to raise expectations in year two. Food Recall: Walmart-linked Pillsbury frozen bread rolls were recalled for possible glass contamination, affecting specific lots distributed nationwide including New Mexico. Mountain West Football: UNM’s Eck and the league’s media-day chatter reflect a new era after conference shakeups, with NDSU’s move to the Mountain West fueling extra intensity.