AGP Executive Report

AI in Courtrooms: The New Mexico Supreme Court fined attorney Stephen Aarons $5,000 and held him in contempt after a ChatGPT-assisted murder appeal brief included fabricated police testimony and fake witnesses—an escalating warning for anyone filing AI-generated material without strict verification. Endangered Species Act Fight: Michigan AG Dana Nessel joined a coalition of 21 attorneys general suing the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service over Endangered Species Act rollbacks that weaken habitat protections for threatened and endangered wildlife. Sandia Quantum Sensing: Sandia National Laboratories reported progress on a compact, low-power quantum motion sensor using atom-guiding and chip-scale approaches, aiming at inertial sensing in hard environments. Space Tech: Rocket Lab released its inverted metamorphic Apex solar cell for high-efficiency space power, designed to avoid germanium supply bottlenecks. Wildfire Science: New research in Science Advances links faster, more severe wildfires to long-term ecosystem shifts, with climate change expected to accelerate the trend. New Mexico Broadband/Power: Invenergy and HASI expanded a partnership for a 2.7-GW renewables portfolio including New Mexico projects, while a separate broadband item highlights ongoing rural connectivity buildouts. Climate Extremes: Reports say August was the hottest on record in California and globally, tied to fossil-fuel emissions and El Niño-linked ocean warmth. Education Tech: Farmington school leaders considered pausing mandatory online elementary assessments, citing screen fatigue and anxiety, and asked for paper alternatives. New Mexico on Maps: The state’s congressional delegation urged Apple and Google to keep “New Mexico” on maps after Trump floated “New America.” Stratospheric Connectivity: Sceye’s stratospheric platform completed a record trans-Pacific test flight from New Mexico to Japan and back, validating mobile broadband and edge connectivity.

Quantum Tech in NM: Sandia National Laboratories unveiled progress toward a chip-scale quantum motion sensor, trapping cesium atoms with an optical nanofiber and low power, aiming for GPS-denied navigation and other inertial sensing uses. UNM Quantum Expansion: UNM announced it’s strengthening academic pathways in quantum information science, engineering, and technology, adding curriculum alignment, faculty capacity, and research/career connections tied to New Mexico’s growing quantum investments. AI in Schools: A growing number of districts are using AI chatbots to support students amid counselor shortages, with one report describing how an AI alert helped staff intervene in a self-harm plan. Water & Climate Pressure: New Mexico’s House Water Task Force will meet at New Mexico Tech in Socorro to discuss expanding water supply via reuse and produced water technologies. Public Lands Policy Fight: Conservation groups are organizing a community meeting in Silver City over a proposed rollback of the Roadless Rule, which would reopen large areas to new road construction. Cybersecurity & Crime: DOJ said a ringleader in a $245M crypto theft pleaded guilty; prosecutors noted a New Mexico home break-in tied to stealing a hardware wallet. State Tech & Industry: Oracle updated Doña Ana County commissioners on Project Jupiter, including a plan to seek 2 GW of carbon-free energy and funding for carbon capture and sequestration research. Biodiversity & Wolves: Trump’s executive order could move Mexican gray wolves toward delisting, renewing the long-running dispute between ranchers and conservationists. Health Care Recognition: UNM Hospital earned national honors for patient care, equity, and community impact.

Endangered Species Act Fight: 20 states and Washington, D.C. sued the Trump administration over final rules that narrow “harm” and weaken protections for newly threatened species and critical habitat. New Mexico Climate Reality: A New Mexico Tech climate expert says hotter temperatures, shrinking snowpack, and deeper drought match long-running Southwest projections. Water Under Pressure: NASA satellite data shows Elephant Butte Reservoir at about 1.4% capacity in July 2026, highlighting how drought and early snowmelt are squeezing the Rio Grande lifeline. Local Energy Buildout: NextEra’s $696M Magpie solar-and-battery project on Pajarito Mesa is seeking a Bernalillo County tax break under new community benefits rules. Wildfire Aftermath: Frijoles Fire runoff is clogging acequias with ash and silt, raising flood concerns for nearby communities. Space & Tech: Sceye completed a 30,000-km stratospheric direct-to-device connectivity test flight between New Mexico and Japan. AI in Education: Schools are using an AI chatbot to flag student crises amid counselor shortages, sparking debate over safety and effectiveness. Wildlife Conflict: Wolf restoration is intensifying disputes with livestock producers as depredations and economic stress mount. ERCOT Data Center Update: Ionic Digital says ERCOT provisionally classified its remaining 466 MW request as base load in Batch Zero, targeting full energization by end of 2027.

Wildfire science: A new study in Science Advances finds that when wildfires spread faster across conifer forests, they burn hotter and leave more areas with near-total tree loss—making recovery harder as the West gets warmer and drier. Water resilience: New Mexico’s Lower Rio Grande Bureau secured nearly $20 million for five projects in Doña Ana and Sierra counties to cut flood damage, recharge groundwater, modernize water infrastructure, and restore habitat. Solar manufacturing: Array Technologies opened a new $50+ million, 216,000-square-foot Albuquerque factory, aiming to expand domestic production and add about 300 jobs amid a volatile solar market. Defense tech: AeroVironment won its first international LOCUST laser counter-drone order, a deal worth more than $50 million, following a major U.S. laser contract. Energy-efficient computing: Sandia National Laboratories unveiled ETCRAM, a new analog memory approach designed to improve the energy efficiency of future electronics. Climate records: NOAA reported the U.S. had its hottest summer on record, with August and the June–August period both setting new highs. Endangered species lawsuits: Multiple states, including New Mexico’s neighbors, sued to block new federal Endangered Species Act rules that narrow protections for habitats and threatened species.

Directed-Energy Defense: AeroVironment says its LOCUST laser weapon system has landed its first international order, a deal worth $50M+ that follows a $464.8M U.S. Army award and new Albuquerque manufacturing investment. Renewables & AI Power Demand: Oracle issued an RFP for 2GW of new renewable capacity in New Mexico to support Project Jupiter’s push toward 100% carbon-free energy matching by 2031. Local Grid & Water Reality: Phoenix’s plan to keep taps flowing under new Colorado River cuts could cost billions, while Grants is seeking ~$494,000 to design drainage upgrades to reduce future flooding. Wildfire Accountability: New Mexico sued FEMA over refusing to reimburse the state for at least $61M in Hermits Peak-Calf Canyon wildfire costs tied to National Guard response. Nuclear Policy Watch: New Mexico’s land commissioner banned new uranium leases on state trust lands, escalating the fight in Cibola County. Tech & Privacy: Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office is switching to Axon for license plate reader tech after ending a deal with Flock, citing data-control concerns. Food Security: SNAP cuts could ripple into school breakfast and lunch eligibility, putting more than 1M children at risk.

Project Jupiter Watch: Oracle and Bloom Energy updated Doña Ana County commissioners on the 1,400-acre AI data-center build, but an air-quality permit is paused after New Mexico’s Supreme Court put the process on hold—pushing back a Sept. 14 hearing and raising local questions on water, energy, noise, and hiring. Local Tech & Public Safety: Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office is expanding its Axon automatic license plate reader program after ending a deal with Flock, emphasizing tighter control of ALPR data, retention, and audit logs. AI Face Recognition: Research from the University of Notre Dame finds AI can match human face-similarity judgments, with accuracy shaped by both the person’s and the face’s race—raising fairness concerns for real-world use. Cybercrime & Social Engineering: Malone Lam pleaded guilty in a $245M crypto theft scheme that tricked victims via fake “Google/Gemini” security access. Water & Climate Stress: A new report warns proposed Colorado River cuts for Arizona, California, and Nevada would be “unprecedented,” with no historical analogy as reservoirs hit record lows. New Mexico in the Spotlight: A ProCare analysis ranks New Mexico No. 2 nationally for school meals reach and access in 2026.

Directed Energy & Defense Tech: AeroVironment secured its first international purchase order for the LOCUST® laser counter-drone system, following a major U.S. Army high-energy laser production contract—another sign directed energy is moving from demos to real deployments. Public Safety Tech & Privacy: A debate over surveillance tech is heating up as Prop. 319 would curb police use of automated license plate readers for traffic monitoring, with critics warning it expands mass surveillance beyond safety. Health Tech & Addiction Treatment: Quel Health launched as a national telehealth company built around GLP-1 receptor agonists for addiction, partnering with Caron Treatment Centers and rolling out care across 41 states. Wildlife & Climate Impacts: Drought-linked food shortages are driving more bear conflicts across the Rockies, including cases where bears get trapped in vehicles—wildlife agencies say New Mexico is seeing record “hungry bear” behavior. Water & Research: Reporting on the Colorado River highlights how much water goes to irrigation and how evaporation losses complicate negotiations, using federal data to quantify what’s really in the system. New Mexico Politics: Democrats pushed back hard on Trump’s “New America” renaming talk, defending New Mexico’s name and identity.

Public Health: A new Lancet Regional Health–Americas analysis finds alcohol-attributable cancer deaths in the U.S. doubled from 1990 to 2023, with the biggest burden in men and adults 55+, and liver, esophageal, and colorectal cancers leading the toll. Wildlife & Conservation Staffing: The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has shed about 3,600 jobs in Trump’s second term, with steep cuts across the West, raising concerns for species protection and enforcement. New Mexico Environment & Water: Protests in arid regions, including New Mexico, are targeting AI data center expansion over water scarcity and the local impacts of power and cooling demand. Space & Policy: A U.S. push to expand spaceports aims to support 1,000+ launches and reentries annually by 2030, reflecting surging commercial satellite and defense needs. Local Tech/Research: UNM hosted an “AI Futures” exercise with students imagining how AI could reshape society and even the Rio Grande’s future. Community & Industry: New Mexico’s chile sector discusses acreage declines and efforts to preserve and promote certified New Mexico chile.

Public Health: A new Lancet Regional Health analysis finds alcohol-attributable cancer deaths in the U.S. doubled from 11,361 (1990) to 23,126 (2023), with the biggest burden among men and people 55+. Wildlife & Conservation: A Center for Biological Diversity report says U.S. Fish and Wildlife staffing has fallen by about 3,600 since Trump’s second term began, with major drops in the West. New Mexico Politics & Accountability: A New Mexico Highlands University memo obtained by Searchlight New Mexico alleges administrators knew about dangerous track-and-field conditions after injuries and that hazards remained unaddressed. Tech, Water, and AI: Protests in arid regions—including Arizona and New Mexico—target AI data center expansion, arguing water scarcity and energy demand are colliding with rapid buildouts. Space & Policy: A U.S. National Space Transportation Policy update pushes for more than 1,000 launches and reentries per year by 2030, driving renewed interest in expanding spaceports. Local Environment: In Datil, residents oppose early-stage uranium drilling plans, citing potential aquifer contamination concerns.

New Mexico Politics & Tech Policy: Trump’s Truth Social post proposing to rename New Mexico “New America” sparked immediate backlash from Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham and candidates Deb Haaland and Gregg Hull, while the White House amplified the map—raising questions about what, if anything, could change in federal naming systems. Public Health & Research: UNM researchers in Taos are testing animals for hantavirus (Sin Nombre), focusing on western deer mice after a local resident’s severe illness; separately, New Mexico reported another wild plague case after a rat tested positive in Santa Fe County, following multiple dog cases this year. AI & Education: UNM held an “AI Futures” exercise with students and faculty imagining future impacts of AI in schools and daily life. Water & Infrastructure: A new report highlights protests from Texas to New Mexico against data center expansion over water and energy use, while another story notes the Rio Grande’s extreme dryness and what it could mean for the region. Uranium & Local Risk: In Datil, residents packed a gym to oppose a proposed uranium exploration plan, citing potential aquifer contamination. Space/Defense History: A Sept. 6, 1947 milestone revisits the first V-2 rocket launch from a U.S. aircraft carrier, assembled at White Sands. Health & Outcomes: A national study ranks Wisconsin highest for hospital patient experience, with New Mexico not highlighted in the excerpt.

UNM hantavirus research in Taos: UNM Center for Global Health teams fanned out across Taos properties to study Sin Nombre virus in western deer mice, after a Taos resident became the first New Mexico case in 2020. AI + water use debate: A new look at data-center and AI water consumption argues the issue is real but often exaggerated, and points to cleaner power sources like solar and wind. Uranium supply chain risk: Analysis warns the U.S. enrichment gap won’t close as fast as the end of Russian imports approaches, leaving utilities exposed. Online safety after Meta settlement: Child-safety advocates are watching how Meta’s $18B U.S. deal could shape rules abroad, including limits on teen feeds, notifications, and posting at night. New Mexico mail voting workaround: With Trump’s mail-voting fight headed to the courts, New Mexico officials are reportedly talking with FedEx and UPS as a backup delivery plan. Data centers vs. water protests: Across the Southwest, locals are pushing back on data-center expansion over water and energy use, even as experts say comparisons to other industries are complicated. UNM education outcomes: UNM Main reports a 50.9% six-year bachelor’s completion rate for students of two or more races (2018 cohort), with statewide context. Spaceport-era tech history: A Sept. 6 space milestone revisits the first sea launch of a V-2 rocket, assembled at White Sands from captured parts. Local science spotlight: A Taos-area science fair win highlights coconut fungi that may help filter plastics and sunscreen from ocean water.

Federal Wildlife Policy: President Trump signed an executive order pushing Interior to consider weakening Endangered Species Act protections for gray wolves and Mexican gray wolves, with critics arguing it’s a distraction from bigger policy and climate realities. Mail Ballots “Plan B”: New Mexico election officials are reportedly talking with FedEx and UPS about delivering mail ballots if Postal Service rules or court fights derail the usual process. STEM & Education: New Mexico Tech Monitor readers may want to watch how UNM-Main Campus graduation outcomes vary by race, with a reported 58.8% six-year bachelor’s completion rate for white students in the 2018 cohort. Public Health & Tech: A New Mexico Mining Watch release backs a state ban on new uranium leases on trust lands, while broader reporting highlights how data centers can raise local health concerns like air quality and noise. Online Safety: A national push for stronger child online protections continues, but experts say the hard part is turning platform concerns into enforceable rules.

Wildlife Staffing Cuts: A new report says the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has lost about 3,600 staff during Trump’s second term, with steep drops across the West including New Mexico (down 149) and Oregon (down 40% since 2024). Conservation Policy: The administration also moved to consider delisting gray wolves and Mexican gray wolves from the Endangered Species Act, setting up likely court fights over whether protections are being removed too early. Local Water Reality: A planned release briefly revived parts of the Rio Grande in Albuquerque as researchers and water managers study drought’s toll on the bosque. Tech + Privacy: Albuquerque Police outlined its use of 19,000 camera views and license plate readers, stressing law-enforcement purpose and denying immigration enforcement use. STEM Education: UNM-Main reported a 58.8% six-year bachelor’s completion rate for white students (2018 cohort), while other county-level rates show big gaps. Health Training: UNM and Gila Regional Medical Center are partnering to bring family medicine residents into rural rotations, with plans to expand clinic services. Online Safety: Meta’s landmark settlement adds teen-focused defaults like time limits and night-mode controls, with knock-on expectations for other platforms.

Water & Climate in NM: A planned release sent about 650 million gallons down the Rio Grande toward Albuquerque to help stressed Bosque cottonwoods, with researchers racing to track how the temporary pulse affects trees and the wider ecosystem before it fades. Wildlife Policy: The Trump administration ordered Interior to consider delisting gray wolves and Mexican gray wolves from the Endangered Species Act, a move that could speed up lethal management; Mexican wolves in NM/AZ are just shy of the recovery threshold. Uranium & Land Protection: New Mexico Mining Watch praised a state order blocking new uranium leasing on state trust lands, urging cleanup of the uranium legacy instead of new development. Public Safety Tech & Privacy: Albuquerque Police detailed its use of 19,000 camera views and license plate readers, stressing monitoring for law-enforcement purposes and denying use for immigration enforcement. Local Tech & Health: A Rio Rancho company says it’s expanding RNA production with a new benchtop system aimed at speeding preclinical and translational research. STEM Education Spotlight: UNM recognized faculty and students with Research and Creative Works Leadership Awards, highlighting ongoing science and innovation work in the state.

Conservation Policy: President Trump signed an order pushing Interior to consider removing gray wolves from the Endangered Species Act and making it easier to authorize killing them, with Mexican gray wolves in New Mexico and Arizona tied to recovery-count rules. Wildlife Agency Staffing: A new report says U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service staffing has fallen by about 3,600 during Trump’s second term, with steep drops across the West including New Mexico. Public Safety Tech & Privacy: Albuquerque Police detailed its use of 19,000 camera views and license plate readers, stressing law-enforcement-only use and no immigration enforcement, while a New Mexico man was arrested after livestreaming the removal of Flock cameras. Water & Ecosystems: More than 650 million gallons were released into the Rio Grande to help stressed Bosque cottonwoods near Albuquerque, giving researchers a short window to track ecological response. Local Tech & Industry: Rio Rancho’s NTx Bio is rolling out a benchtop RNA production system aimed at speeding preclinical and translational research. Education Outcomes: New Mexico counties reported mixed six-year bachelor’s completion rates for Hispanic/Latino students, including Rio Arriba (32.5%) and Grant County (28.8%). Healthcare & Policy: Federal mail-voting changes were blocked longer-term in court, while Medicaid coverage for transgender youth faces new legal fights in multiple states.

Biotech & Manufacturing: Curia Global opened an expanded Albuquerque campus after a $200M investment to boost U.S. sterile drug manufacturing, adding 70,000 sq. ft., new aseptic filling lines, and lyophilization capacity plus automated inspection and training support. Space Tech: New Mexico Tech students built “SPIDER,” a low-power sensor for tiny meteorite impacts and hazards in space, winning NASA’s Human Lander Challenge Best Innovation Award. Aerospace Connectivity: Sceye’s high-altitude platform completed a 9,300-mile flight from New Mexico to Japan, running real-world mobile connectivity and emergency comms trials with SoftBank. Climate & Learning: An American Psychological Association report warns extreme heat slows kids’ thinking and raises absenteeism, urging schools to plan for heat like they do for major disruptions. STEM Ecosystem: UNM’s Rainforest Innovations says invention disclosures and patents are rising, but private capital gaps still limit startup growth. Policy & Tech Infrastructure: Arizona AG Kris Mayes pushed for a statewide pause on new data center approvals over water and power strain—an issue resonating beyond state lines. Local Tech/Community: A New Mexico man arrested for taking down Flock cameras highlights ongoing privacy fights around surveillance tech. Education Tech: Parents and districts keep clashing over AI tools in classrooms, including New Mexico’s “Amira” reading tests.