AGP Executive Report

Commonwealth Games Spotlight: Scottish distance star Josh Kerr is in the spotlight at Glasgow 2026, with coverage also zeroing in on his personal life—his wife, Larimar Rodriguez, and their long-running engagement. College Sports Legal Shake-Up: A Colorado federal judge’s “5-for-5” eligibility injunction could let hundreds of athletes return this fall, with UNM players among those potentially affected. UNM & NCAA Fallout: The same ruling is driving transfer-portal movement, including former UCLA guard Donovan Dent entering the portal after retiring just two months earlier. New Mexico Sports Calendar: UNM released its fall camp practice schedule, with all 13 sessions open to the public for free. Local Soccer: New Mexico United hosts Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC at Isotopes Park in a key Western Conference matchup. Arts & Community: Los Alamos Arts Council announced August events, including an Aug. 8 arts and crafts fair and the return of its afterschool art studio program starting Aug. 10. New Mexico Culture: A new Route 66 monument and time capsule were unveiled outside the Route 66 Casino Hotel in Laguna Pueblo, celebrating the “deep connection” to the Mother Road. Public Safety: Albuquerque police shared more details about the July 3 downtown shooting that killed Stephen Griego and injured a bystander.

Colorado River Fallout: Federal officials released a long-awaited Lake Powell/Lake Mead operating framework, proposing major cuts—Arizona, California and Nevada would reduce use by 3 million acre-feet over the next decade—while Upper Basin states get voluntary conservation options. Local Arts & Culture: Roswell’s Lelantos Holdings is turning a 10-screen cinema into a 50,000-square-foot Airtopia family entertainment destination with luxury theaters, an adventure park, arcade, and dining. New Mexico Spotlight: NMSU Foundation CEO Sylvia Acosta says the nonprofit has topped $500 million in assets, aiming to expand student access and research funding. Public Safety: Albuquerque police released new details after officers shot and killed a man downtown following an altercation, with multiple people injured. Entertainment & Community: Shepard Fairey is bringing his justice-focused work to New Mexico, with new murals and an exhibition planned through Aug. 10. Sports: Josh Kerr targets Commonwealth Games mile gold at home in Glasgow.

Music Spotlight: Riley Green teases his fourth album That’s Just Me with “Imagine That,” and adds more dates to his Cowboy As It Gets Tour. Local Sports Buzz: New Mexico United stays home after a rough Alabama stretch, while a Friday boxing card in Albuquerque features Josh Torres with a late opponent swap. Community & Culture: Las Vegas celebrates the restored Railroad Avenue Aug. 1 with mariachi and an NMHU student multimedia “love letter” projection; Albuquerque’s Isotopes mark Native American Heritage Night Aug. 8 with IPCC partnership and performances. Arts & Events: Deming Arts Center opens its free August show Aug. 1–3 with pottery, water paintings, and longtime muralist work. Faith & Safety: Archbishop John C. Wester defends religious liberty amid Albuquerque mosque tensions, after an alleged gun incident at a Catholic parish. Public Service: PNM warns customers about summer utility scams—real workers won’t show up unannounced or ask for sensitive info. Digital Equity: PRC begins rules for New Mexico’s low-income broadband discount program, with applications slated to start in December.

Digital Equity in New Mexico: The PRC has started rulemaking for the Low-Income Telecommunications Assistance Program (LITAP), using $10M from the State Rural Universal Service Fund to cut broadband bills by up to $30 monthly (up to $70 on tribal lands), with applications targeted to begin in December. Local Arts Spotlight: New Mexico sculptor Alicia Jones won “Best of Show” at SculptureWalk Sioux Falls for “Exquisite Trio,” a bronze piece now on display through spring 2027. Film Industry Watch: AMC Theaters CEO Adam Aron publicly backs the Paramount-Warner Bros. merger, arguing it’s “critical” for the industry’s future despite legal challenges. Star Trek Legacy: Nichelle Nichols, who broke barriers as Lieutenant Uhura, has died at 89 in Silver City, New Mexico. Music & Live Events: Cheekface released a new video for “There Is a God,” with an Albuquerque stop on the tour; and The Beths and Beach Bunny play Santa Fe’s The Bridge on July 31. New Mexico Sports: New Mexico United hosts Colorado Springs Switchbacks at Isotopes Park Saturday night. State Open Update: The 2026 New Mexico Open at Turtleback Mountain is raising its pro purse to $137,000.

Meta Trial (Tennessee): A seven-week court fight begins in Nashville over claims that Instagram’s “addictive” design harmed teens, with Tennessee arguing Meta ignored internal research and kept features like autoplay and notifications running. AI Bets vs. Investors: Meta also faces Wall Street pressure after a weak quarterly revenue forecast and the lowest free cash flow in years, as it pours money into AI data centers and smart glasses. New Mexico Sports: Tony Sanchez has named Trey Hedden the starting QB for New Mexico State’s season opener at Florida State, while UNM’s Brett Karhu sues the NCAA for a fifth year of eligibility. Local Community & Faith: Albuquerque faith leaders rally against threats tied to a proposed North Valley mosque. Southern NM Data Center Tensions: At a Project Jupiter meeting in Las Cruces, scuffles and arrests followed heated public comment over the Santa Teresa hyperscale project. Golf: The New Mexico Open at Turtleback Mountain boosts its purse to $137,000, with $30,000 for the winner. Scam Alerts: NMDOJ launches “Stop. Drop. Verify” to help residents spot AI-fueled scams.

Local Arts & Education: New Mexico Highlands University has started a search for a new president after regents voted to hire an outside firm, following months of upheaval that included the paid leave and firing of former president Neil Woolf and other leadership shakeups. Music & TV: “American Idol” is renewed for a landmark 25th season, premiering in 2027 on ABC with next-day streaming on Disney+ and Hulu; auditions kick off Aug. 25 with “Idol Across America,” plus open-call dates and a full schedule of audition locations. Sports Spotlight: The 2026 New Mexico Open at Turtleback Mountain is boosting its pro purse to $137,000, with a $30,000 first prize—positioning it among the top-paying state opens. Community & Culture: The Connie Mack World Series continues to bring local flavor to Farmington, with concession staff and families sharing what it’s like to run the event even when they can’t always catch the action. Public Safety & Health: A heat wave is driving renewed warnings about heat-related illness across a wide swath of the U.S., including the Four Corners region.

Local Sports: Colorado Springs Switchbacks kept rolling with a 2-1 win over Charleston Battery, and they’re headed to Albuquerque to face New Mexico United at Isotopes Park on Saturday. Community Events: Los Alamos Summer Concert Series is bringing Candace Vargas and NortherN 505 to Ashley Pond Park Friday night, with Los Lumbros kicking things off and free festivities for families. Arts & Culture: Renowned El Paso author Benjamin Alire Sáenz has died at 71; the Borderland literary world is mourning a writer known for bold, heartfelt storytelling. Tech & Media: Meta and BlackRock announced a $14B El Paso data center venture, while a Tennessee trial is putting Meta’s Instagram teen-harm claims back in the spotlight. New Mexico Practical Picks: New Mexico’s back-to-school tax holiday runs July 31–Aug. 2, with shoppers able to skip GRT on qualifying school supplies, clothing, and tech. Business/Local Governance: Raton City Commission approved water rate changes and final budgets, including a $2.10 per 1,000-gallon increase.

Local Arts & Books: A new western novel, What Came West, is getting a spotlight with author Josh Weil, plus a desert-focused “observatory” project tied to The Odyssey buzz. Sports & Community: Silver City’s Woman’s Club launched a Children’s Fun Fest with face painting, games, and local youth orgs. New Mexico Culture/Events: Albuquerque’s Foxy Festival returns to the Rail Yards with live music, poetry, vendors, and family activities. Tech & Social Media: Meta is rolling out Threads parental supervision tools in the U.S., while separate lawsuits keep pressuring the company over teen harm and platform design. Education Policy: New Mexico’s broadband office is offering $1M in grants to help schools implement anti-distraction screen-time rules. Sports Business/Local Pride: New Mexico United will honor Triple Crown-winning jockey Mike Smith with “Mike Smith Night” on Aug. 26. Outdoors: State fish stocking reports warn drought is hitting Rio Grande flows, urging anglers to fish smarter and consider catch-and-release limits.

Teen Safety Trial: Tennessee kicked off its Meta/Instagram case in Nashville, with lawyers arguing internal research showed teens were harmed while the company kept features like autoplay and notifications. Local Arts & Culture: MFA’s new “Fabric of a Nation” quilt exhibition pairs craft with hard history, including works that confront lynching and police violence. Route 66 Spotlight: A new documentary, “ROUTE 66: THE MAIN STREET OF AMERICA,” launches a roadshow premiere starting Sept. 1 in Chicago. Back-to-School Support: Albuquerque’s Rotary Club and Somos Unidos hosted free health clinics for families, including sports physicals, screenings, and glasses. Food & Community: Hatch Chile Festival returns to kick off chile season, while Dona Ana County Fair is set for July 31–Aug. 8. Sports (NM ties): The Basketball Tournament keeps rolling with New Mexico alumni represented by The Enchantment, and Sunset Little League’s 9-11 team won the state title in Rio Rancho. Tech/Media: Prism McKinley County is accused of spreading false flood stories as NM officials respond to flooding.

Meta Trial in Nashville: Tennessee’s AG opened arguments against Meta over claims Instagram is “an addiction machine” for teens, with internal workplace chats and company research at the center of the case. Social Media Safety Tools: Meta says Threads parental controls are rolling out now, but an internal study surfaced in court suggests time limits and restricted access may not curb compulsive use. Paramount-Warner Merger: Paramount CEO David Ellison told staff the $111B Warner Bros. Discovery deal is still on track, even as the merger is paused while antitrust lawsuits play out. Route 66 in NM: Route 66 Casino Hotel is hosting a Route 66 centennial weekend July 31–Aug. 2 with a monument dedication, time capsule, car show, and family events. Local Arts & Culture: Shepard Fairey’s new Rail Yards mural, “People Power Mosaic,” is now on view in Albuquerque. NM Community & Sports: Albuquerque starts registration for before- and after-school programs; New Mexico United will honor Hall of Fame jockey Mike Smith at its Aug. 26 match. USDA & NM Livestock: The USDA plans phased reopening of Mexican cattle imports starting Aug. 24, with New Mexico ports next, as officials work to prevent screwworm risks.

Art & Exhibitions: A new Courtauld exhibition will spotlight how Georgia O’Keeffe’s Ghost Ranch home shaped her work, with nearly two dozen rarely seen pieces headed to the UK in 2027. Local Arts Expansion: The Harwood Museum of Art is expanding into Santa Fe after acquiring the historic Peyton Wright Gallery property (Spiegelberg House), with a planned opening still a couple years away. Community Arts on the Move: Wonders on Wheels is bringing “The Arts of Democracy in New Mexico” to fairs, libraries, and festivals statewide this August. Pop Culture (Comics): DC teased more of its Absolute Universe at San Diego Comic-Con, including Absolute Batman Beyond Ark-M and new Absolute issue plans for October 2026. Sports Spotlight (NM): The Albuquerque Isotopes’ “Mayor” of Isotopes Park is getting attention for helping keep game-day joy going, even during stormy weather. New Mexico Health: A maternal mortality review found a COVID-era spike in pregnancy-related deaths concentrated among American Indian women in northwestern NM, with 2021 driving much of the increase. Flood Response: Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham issued an executive order allocating $500,000 to support western NM flood response efforts.

Music & Live Shows: Darius Rucker kept the party going at First Financial Credit Union Amphitheater in Texas despite monsoon delays, with Austin Williams and Old Crow Medicine Show warming up the crowd before Rucker closed strong—plus a big singalong moment for “Wagon Wheel.” Metal & Touring: Five Finger Death Punch debuted new material during their Camden, NJ stop, including “Eye Of The Storm,” “De Oppresso Liber,” and the first live run of the “Legacy” title track. Comics/SDCC Buzz: Don’t overpay—Marvel’s “Midnight Universe” SDCC ashcan is being handed out to comic shops Aug. 19, even as eBay listings hit $150. DC Comics: DC teased major “Absolute” milestones at San Diego Comic-Con, including Absolute Batman #25, Absolute Superman #25, Absolute Wonder Woman #25, and a new Absolute Batman Beyond Ark-M special. Local Arts & Culture (NM): Wonders on Wheels is bringing “The Arts of Democracy in New Mexico” to fairs, libraries, and festivals statewide this August. Community Spotlight: Truchas Trout Unlimited hosts a meet-and-greet at Bathtub Row Brewing Co-op (July 29) for anglers and river-report talk.

Local Arts & Community: A dog-themed disco fashion show at Albuquerque’s Rail Yards paired models with adoptable dogs and pulled in 100+ vendor applications. Sports & Weather: Monsoon storms hit Albuquerque hard, bringing about 2 inches of rain to the Northeast Heights, plus a 78 mph wind gust—leading to postponements for New Mexico United and the Albuquerque Isotopes, and forcing musician Darius Rucker to wait out the weather. Soccer Spotlight: New Mexico United and the Girl Scouts of New Mexico Trails teamed up so troop members could earn a United patch while raising money. Pop Culture (Comics): At San Diego Comic-Con, DC teased major October 2026 “Absolute” releases, including Absolute Batman Beyond Ark-M and new Absolute Universe plans. New Mexico Culture: A photographer’s new book, “Seventh and Central,” spotlights lowrider culture across the state. Sports (Boxing): Albuquerque’s Cristian Cabral is set to face Martin Sollano in an eight-round bout at Embassy Suites.

San Diego Comic-Con Buzz: DC announced Absolute Black Canary—a one-shot by Pornsak Pichetshote and Belén Ortega—slotted between Absolute Green Arrow arcs, diving into Dinah Lance’s unresolved mysteries. Local Arts & Community: Silver City’s Gough Park gazebo turns 50, and the Silver City Museum is debuting a new micro-exhibit celebrating its history. New Mexico Culture Spotlight: Photographer Nathaniel Paolinelli released Seventh and Central, a 172-page photo book celebrating New Mexico lowrider culture and Route 66’s cruising connections. Sports on the Ground: The Connie Mack World Series kicked off with pool play, including Dulins Dodgers National’s 9-1 win over Brand of Athletes. Music & Roots Tour: Max Gomez and Howe Gelb team up for the Desert Companion Tour, with multiple stops across New Mexico and beyond. Health Watch: A salmonella-linked egg recall has expanded, with illnesses reported across multiple states including New Mexico. Media Business: Paramount is pausing its Warner Bros. deal as legal fights continue, adding more uncertainty to big-screen and streaming schedules.

Hollywood Legal Drama: Paramount has agreed to pause its $110B Warner Bros. Discovery merger until at least June 1, 2027 (or until the court fight ends), after a judge and a coalition of 12 Democratic-led states— including New Mexico—pressed antitrust concerns. Local Arts & Culture: Shepard Fairey is opening his first solo show in New Mexico and unveiling a new Albuquerque Railyards mural, following additional work in Santa Fe. New Mexico Sports & Community: UNM linebacker Jaxton Eck plans to use his extra NCAA eligibility year after the Mountain West’s defensive honors. Public Health: A salmonella outbreak tied to recalled eggs has sickened at least 98 people across 17 states, including New Mexico. Local Life: Albuquerque Public Schools is using $2.6M in opioid settlement funds for counseling and prevention programs, including student-led prevention clubs. Music on the Move: Max Gomez teams up with Howe Gelb and Slant Can for the Desert Companion tour with stops across New Mexico and beyond.

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.