AGP Executive Report

New Mexico Tech & Innovation Funding: New Mexico’s Technology and Innovation Network Advisory Board met June 1 to oversee more than $200M in planned state tech investments, including $110M for the Research, Development and Deployment Fund, with Sandia, Los Alamos, universities, community colleges, and private-sector leaders at the table. Bio/Health Tech: UNM researchers reported microplastics in human brain tissue tied to dementia and cardiovascular risk, finding higher plastic loads in brain samples than liver or kidneys and a rise in burden from 2016 to 2024. Public Health Data Tools: UNM is also developing a machine-learning approach to detect hidden self-harm history in Veterans Health Administration records, aiming to help clinicians focus on care instead of searching through notes. Agriculture Biosecurity: The New World screwworm surge continues, with USDA confirming three more cases in Texas and reclassifying a dog case as New Mexico’s first, prompting quarantines and new animal-movement restrictions across the region. Local Tech Workforce: CNM Ingenuity CEO Kyle Lee will step down Aug. 3 after a decade expanding workforce and economic development statewide. Community Data Center Fight: Socorro County residents pushed back hard on a proposed large data center, with New Mexico Tech pausing progress and the county moving toward a one-year moratorium.

Agriculture Biosecurity: USDA confirmed three more New World screwworm cases in Texas, bringing the total to five, including a dog case later reclassified as New Mexico’s first confirmed detection—officials are now inspecting animals in the affected Lea County household and ramping outreach as the parasite’s return threatens cattle health. Climate & Heat: NOAA reports spring 2026 as the second-warmest on record for the contiguous U.S., with New Mexico among the hottest states, reinforcing a long-term warming trend. Water Tech & Forecasting: Researchers are improving Colorado River forecasting by using satellite-informed models that track water stored in snow and soil—aimed at helping Southwest managers plan under drought pressure. Broadband Infrastructure: Kinetic hit 2 million fiber premises passed across its service area, including New Mexico, as it scales fiber buildouts and expands partnerships. Deep-Time Science: Paleontologists described a new late Triassic crocodile relative, Labrujasuchus expectatus, found at Ghost Ranch, New Mexico. Public Health Policy: A PFAS compliance update highlights shifting federal and state rules and looming deadlines that affect how risks are tracked and litigated.

Water & Climate Policy: The U.S. Supreme Court cleared a Rio Grande deal that forces southern New Mexico to cut groundwater pumping by 18,200 acre-feet over 10 years, aiming to keep more water flowing as stretches of the river run dry. Astronomy & Engineering: The Very Large Array’s successor, the ngVLA, hit “first light” with a prototype antenna in New Mexico, moving from construction into astronomical testing. Local Science & Community Data: Albuquerque, Santa Fe, and Silver City wrapped up the City Nature Challenge, with citizen scientists logging thousands of observations via iNaturalist. UNM Research Leadership: Janette Kim was named director of UNM’s Design and Planning Assistance Center, bringing an ecology-and-equity focus to community design work. Tech & Society (Opinion): Local commentary argues proposed moves to politicize federal basic-research grants would undermine peer review and science. Education & STEM Culture: Luna Community College revived its 17th Annual Car Show, originally built to showcase student tech programs and fund scholarships.

Radio Astronomy: The Very Large Array’s successor is moving from build to test as the ngVLA prototype antenna in New Mexico achieves “first light,” giving astronomers a real-world check on the engineering for a future 244-antenna array. UNM & Community Design: Janette Kim has been named director of the University of New Mexico’s Design and Planning Assistance Center, bringing a background in ecology, social equity, and built-environment research to a long-running community design hub. Citizen Science: The City Nature Challenge results are in for Albuquerque, Santa Fe, and Silver City, with house finch topping the animal list and threatened species recorded across all three cities. Tech & Art in Santa Fe: Currents 2026 returns with immersive installations, VR, robotics, and wearable art across Santa Fe from June 12–21, including offsite tech experiences at IAIA’s Digital Dome and other venues. Health Access: New Mexico’s Health Care Authority announced a $76.2 million rural health funding opportunity to expand specialty, maternal, behavioral, and chronic disease care through regional hub partners. Mental Health Data: UNM researchers report that self-harm history is often missing from diagnosis codes in Veterans Health Administration records, using machine learning to estimate far higher rates than coding alone suggests. Local STEM/Policy: UNM’s machine-learning work and the ngVLA milestone both point to a busy week for New Mexico science—while state-level decisions on eligibility rules and access to care keep showing up in the real world.

Gender-Affirming Care Access: A New Mexico transgender patient says even with state protections, getting hormone prescriptions can mean months-long specialist delays and forced treatment interruptions. Food Assistance in Court: A federal judge temporarily blocked USDA from enforcing new SNAP funding conditions tied to gender and immigration policies, arguing they create unlawful roadblocks. Rural Health Funding: New Mexico Health Care Authority announced a $76.2 million Healthy Horizons opportunity to expand specialty, maternal, behavioral health, and chronic care via regional “hub” partners. Mental Health Data in EHRs: UNM researchers used machine learning on Veterans Health Administration records and found self-harm history is often missing from diagnosis codes, with coded data capturing only about a quarter of what clinicians documented. Colorado River Management: Federal officials plan a shorter-term 10-year framework with updated guidelines every two years if states can’t agree, with a final environmental plan expected mid-to-late summer. Pancreatic Cancer Research: Albuquerque’s Polly’s Run (17th year) raised $620,000+ for UNM pancreatic cancer research, highlighting new work aimed at doubling survival time. Border Wall & Contracts: Reporting says DHS border-wall spending has surged, with billions in contracts going to a small set of firms tied to the White House and GOP. Nuclear for Space: A startup test reactor reached criticality in Idaho, a step toward power for lunar and deep-space missions. Wildfire Preparedness: Experts warn that dry conditions plus federal staffing cuts could worsen fire outcomes, even as mitigation efforts like thinning and prescribed burns vary by state.

Science & Society: A UNM-led study finds self-harm history is often missing from diagnosis codes—machine learning suggests clinically documented self-harm appears in about 7.9% of Veterans Health Administration patients, not the quarter captured by coding, raising stakes for mental-health planning and care. Water & Climate: Federal officials say Colorado River management will shift to a shorter-term 10-year framework with new operational guidelines every two years if states can’t agree, as experts warn Lake Mead and Lake Powell could face “system crash” conditions without faster cuts. Wildfire Readiness: Fire watchdogs warn that dry conditions plus thinning and prescribed burns matter more than forecasts, while federal staffing reductions could complicate mitigation. Border Tech & Spending: DHS border-wall contracting has surged, with billions flowing to a small set of firms tied to the White House and GOP, and critics flag transparency and cost-growth concerns. Rural Health: New Mexico’s Health Care Authority announced $76.2 million to expand specialty, maternal, behavioral, and chronic care via regional “hub” partners in rural, frontier, and Tribal communities. Local STEM & Community: Española’s Performance Maintenance Inc. earned SBA New Mexico Small Business Person of the Year, highlighting long-running local growth tied to practical services. Health Policy Courtroom: A federal judge blocked new SNAP funding conditions from being enforced while legal challenges proceed.

Rural Health Funding: New Mexico’s Health Care Authority announced a $76.2 million federal opportunity to build regional “hub” partnerships that expand specialty, maternal, behavioral, and chronic care across rural, frontier, and Tribal communities. Mental Health Tech: UNM researchers say self-harm history is often missing from diagnosis codes—machine learning estimates it appears in about 7.9% of Veterans Health Administration patients, not the quarter captured by standard coding. Colorado River Policy: Federal water managers will move to a shorter-term, 10-year Colorado River operations framework with updated guidelines every two years if states can’t agree, with a final environmental plan due mid-to-late summer. Nuclear & Energy Innovation: A privately developed reactor test reached criticality at Idaho National Lab, a step toward power for lunar and deep-space missions; separately, the Air Force deployed a hydrogen backup generator pilot at Cannon AFB to strengthen water and energy resilience. AI Infrastructure Water Pressure: Reporting highlights growing local opposition to data centers in water-stressed regions, with ranchers and residents pushing for safeguards as AI demand rises. Border Tech & Contracts: The Trump administration is accelerating border wall spending via large, fast-tracked contracts, raising transparency concerns.

Nuclear Power & Grid Resilience: Alameda-based Kairos Power says its molten-salt, TRISO-fueled reactors are built for safer, carbon-free electricity as AI and data centers drive round-the-clock demand. Hydrogen for Critical Infrastructure: At Cannon Air Force Base, the Air Force and Prometheus deployed a hydrogen backup generator pilot to keep water systems running during outages. Aerospace/Science Curiosity: A hydrogen balloon team is now over the Atlantic on a bid for the first trans-Atlantic crossing in a hydrogen-powered open-basket balloon, with New Mexico’s Peter Cuneo aboard. Health & Risk Communication: An infectious-disease expert argues hantavirus pandemic fears are low, with most cases tied to the Southwest and travel exposure. Wildfire & Forest Management: Nevada researchers are using federal funds to cut hazardous fuels in the eastern Sierra to reduce high-severity fire spread near communities. Local Tech Policy: New Mexico’s Legislative Council Service director Shawna Casebier resigned, setting up a leadership change at the state’s legal and legislative support hub. AI, Water, and Local Backlash: El Paso’s drought-stressed water fight is heating up as Meta’s AI data center plans face mounting community opposition. Healthcare Costs: New maternity billing codes starting in January shift toward itemized charges, raising questions about whether pregnancy care will cost more. Public Safety Tech: Los Alamos clarified how its automated license plate reader data is stored and restricted under state rules starting July 1.

Education & Conservation: Robertson High School and Memorial Middle School students finished a year with New Mexico’s Trout in the Classroom, raising trout, testing water quality via macroinvertebrates, and releasing fish in the Pecos area. Energy & Power Markets: Freeport-McMoRan set its Q2 2026 copper sales target at about 750 million pounds as it restarts underground production at Grasberg and ramps leaching efforts. Health & Agriculture: Wildfire smoke exposure was linked to higher bull sperm sample rejection rates, raising concerns for reproductive health and for wildland firefighters. Public Health & Regulation: EPA PFAS actions are in flux, with drinking-water standards for PFOA/PFOS retained while other PFAS standards are proposed for rescinding and state bans/controls accelerating. Solar Research: UTEP found dust-soiling losses for solar panels in Alamogordo are only about 2–3%, suggesting less frequent cleaning may be needed than in other desert regions. Local Tech & Infrastructure: New Mexico DOT will hold a public meeting June 10 on Phase IA planning for the NM 11 corridor between Deming and Columbus. Digital Equity: Nevada expands eduroam secure Wi‑Fi to more public locations, boosting connectivity for students and researchers. Science Mystery Update: Authorities confirmed the remains of Los Alamos National Laboratory worker Melissa Casias were found in Carson National Forest, with a handgun recovered nearby; cause and manner are still pending.

Broadband Policy: A new push to keep State Broadband Offices fully empowered as BEAD rolls out—warning that “sunset” dates and limited authority could slow mapping and deployment. Energy & Grid Reliability: A Progressive Policy Institute report argues New Mexico’s net-zero deadlines could raise power-price and reliability risks without enough firm, carbon-free generation. Data Centers & Water: Albuquerque and Colfax County officials are weighing safeguards as AI-driven data center proposals grow, with concerns about electricity demand and long-term water use. Nuclear Lab Mystery: New Mexico State Police confirmed the remains of Los Alamos National Laboratory worker Melissa Casias were found in Carson National Forest; a handgun was recovered nearby, and cause/manner of death are still pending. STEM & AI Education: A study finds federal AI education funding is concentrated in a few states, with New Mexico ranking near the top. Wildfire Impacts: Research highlights a troubling pattern: fewer wildfires overall, but larger acres burned—matching what western communities are seeing.

Governor Race: Democrat Deb Haaland and Republican Gregg Hull won their primaries, setting up a November matchup for New Mexico’s next governor. Missing Scientist/Los Alamos: Melissa Casias, a Los Alamos National Laboratory employee missing since June 2025, was identified after remains were found in Carson National Forest; reports cite a gunshot wound to the skull, with investigators and her family now focused on what happened. Biosecurity: USDA confirmed a New World screwworm fly in a calf in South Texas, the first U.S. livestock detection in decades, triggering quarantines, movement controls, and sterile-fly releases. Broadband & Tech: Kinetic said it has passed 2 million fiber premises across its footprint, including New Mexico, as it pushes faster rural connectivity. STEM Education: Los Alamos hosted the Supercomputing Challenge, with New Mexico middle and high school teams presenting projects ranging from X-ray astronomy modeling to 3D printing analysis. Policy/Climate Science: California AG Rob Bonta joined a coalition urging the Federal Judicial Center to keep climate science guidance in its judicial manual. Local Governance: Albuquerque is funding a guaranteed income pilot via its cannabis tax and wants to make it permanent.

Space & Health Research: Virgin Galactic unveiled “Operation Period,” a 2027 microgravity mission led by a women’s health nonprofit to study how spaceflight affects menstruation and hormonal health. AI & Public Safety: A new wave of lawsuits is raising fears of an “AI Big Tobacco” moment, with product-liability claims targeting how AI and social platforms may harm users—after New Mexico’s own jury found Meta liable over safeguards against sexual predators. Online Safety for Kids: Illinois passed a bill requiring device-based age confirmation to limit minors’ exposure to harmful and addictive social media features. Nuclear & Energy Infrastructure (NM): Urenco USA plans a major expansion at its Eunice, N.M. enrichment facility, adding nearly 50% capacity via a new plant and more centrifuge cascades. Wildfire Readiness (Western US): Experts warn federal staffing cuts are slowing prescribed burning and thinning, just as forecasts call for above-normal fire potential. NM Water & Power: Eastern New Mexico Water Utility Authority secured funds to finish large-diameter pipe work and shift toward pump stations. NM Tech Policy: New Mexico Tech nixed a controversial data center proposal—for now. Healthcare Costs (US/NM): New maternity billing rules starting in January could make pregnancy costs less predictable as care shifts from bundled to separate charges. Immigration Detention Medical Care: A KFF/Associated Press investigation reports detainees across at least 33 states allege serious medical neglect, including in New Mexico. Local Tech & Education: Mesalands Community College advanced a plan to repower its wind turbine with state and federal support. Science Discovery (NM Fossils): Researchers identified a 210-million-year-old crocodile relative from New Mexico fossils, adding detail to Late Triassic evolution.

Ancient Life in New Mexico: Researchers report a new 210-million-year-old crocodile relative, Eosphorosuchus lacrimosa, from Late Triassic fossils, adding to the state’s growing paleontology cache. Public Health & Care: CMS data show Laguna Rainbow Nursing Center in Cibola County was the only non-profit nursing home in the county and earned an overall 2 rating for Q1 2026, below the statewide average. Mental Health & Sleep Policy: A review links daylight saving time changes to heightened mental health risks for people with chronic mental illness. Water Infrastructure: Eastern New Mexico Water Utility Authority cleared an $18.7M budget adjustment to finish large-diameter pipe work and move toward pump stations. Renewable Power in the Classroom: Mesalands Community College won a $2.3M state request to repower or replace its wind turbine, backed by federal matching funds. Wildfire Aftermath: Quay County declared a disaster after May wildfires burned 30,000+ acres near Nara Visa, aiming to unlock state aid. Nuclear Lab Mystery: New Mexico State Police identified remains in Carson National Forest as Melissa Casias, a Los Alamos National Laboratory worker missing since June 2025, with a handgun found nearby as investigators keep digging. Epstein Probe: New Mexico’s Epstein truth commission issued its first subpoenas to 14 organizations, including federal law enforcement and state offices, as it investigates alleged abuse and related networks. Tech & Data Centers: New Mexico Tech paused a controversial data center proposal after community pushback, with the university saying the current framework isn’t the right path. Space Tech Milestone: The ngVLA prototype in New Mexico reached “first light,” moving from construction into astronomical testing. Uranium Supply Chain: Urenco USA announced a major expansion at its Eunice enrichment facility, targeting new production capacity starting in the early 2030s.

Nuclear Fuel Supply: Urenco USA says it will nearly double enrichment capacity at its Eunice, N.M. facility, adding 2.1 million separative work units and aiming for first low-enriched uranium production in 2032. Missing Scientist Case: Melissa Casias, a Los Alamos National Laboratory administrative worker, was identified after her remains were found in Carson National Forest; authorities also reported a handgun at the scene, while the cause and timing of death remain under investigation. State Tech Spotlight: New Mexico launches “New Mexico Tech Week” (Oct. 26–31) to spotlight the state’s tech and investment ecosystem with statewide events tied to TechFest. Energy & Climate Policy: A coalition led by Connecticut AG William Tong urged the Federal Judicial Center to keep climate science guidance in its scientific evidence manual, arguing removal happened under partisan pressure. Social Media Safety: Meta expands teen safety guardrails across Instagram, Facebook, and Messenger, adding tighter limits on interactions and certain sensitive topics for users under 16. Wildfire Research Funding: Researchers received federal support for hazardous fuel reduction work in Nevada’s wildland-urban interface, aiming to reduce high-severity fire spread. Primaries Today: New Mexico voters head to the polls for the June 2 primary, with early turnout already reported statewide.

Public Safety & Access: A Pecos River landowner, Erik Michael Briones, was arrested on aggravated assault counts after alleged firearm threats and “target practicing” intimidation of fishermen on public waters, following years of public-access litigation. Nuclear Research Mystery: New Mexico State Police identified the remains of Melissa Casias, a Los Alamos National Laboratory employee missing since June 2025; a handgun was found near the body, while the cause and manner of death are still pending. Science & Discovery: Yale paleontologists reported a newly identified 210-million-year-old crocodile relative from northern New Mexico fossils, adding detail to early crocodile diversification. Wildfire Recovery Research: Utah State University and the University of Idaho are seeking local input in Ruidoso/Lincoln County on response and recovery after the 2024 South Fork and Salt fires and related flooding. Tech & Industry: Intel is partnering with New Mexico-based 3D Glass Solutions on an advanced semiconductor glass-core packaging substrate facility in Odisha, India. Policy & Oversight: New Mexico’s Epstein “truth commission” announced it will issue 14 subpoenas to agencies, banks, and the Santa Fe Institute as it builds a public record.

PFAS Accountability in New Mexico: A new report spotlights how PFAS “forever chemicals” from military training foam at Cannon Air Force Base contaminated nearby wells, forcing a Clovis dairy to kill thousands of cows after regulators pulled permits. AI Governance in Schools: New Mexico lawmakers are urged to create a statewide AI oversight body for classrooms, citing privacy, cheating, and overreliance risks as districts aren’t required to follow existing state guidance. LANL Missing Worker Identified: Melissa Casias, a Los Alamos National Laboratory employee missing since June 2025, was identified from remains found in Carson National Forest; a handgun was found nearby, and cause and manner of death are still pending. Climate Policy Shake-Up: The SEC moved to repeal a Biden-era climate disclosure rule requiring some public companies to report emissions and climate risks, arguing it exceeds its authority. PFAS + Building Codes Watch: HVACR regulators and industry groups flagged evolving PFAS rules and A2L refrigerant building-code changes as contractors prepare for a patchwork of state requirements. El Niño Signals: Early signs of a developing El Niño point to wetter southern U.S. conditions and warmer, drier northern patterns, with hurricane-season implications. Tech + Safety Staffing Data: Coverage also highlights how workplace safety manager staffing varies across states as OSHA’s compliance workload grows.