AGP Executive Report

Holocaust Education in New Mexico: NMSU hosted Holocaust survivor Andy Holten as part of the American Library Association’s “Americans and the Holocaust” traveling exhibition, sharing how persecution unfolded for his family in Amsterdam during WWII. Wildfire Recovery Update: The U.S. Forest Service says soil burn severity from the Frijoles Fire was mostly low (about 80%), with plans for a fuller post-fire report next week—good news for Santa Fe National Forest’s long-term recovery. Water Crisis Push: Archbishop John Wester urged New Mexicans to protect water, warning the Rio Grande is worsening under drought and calling attention to acequias and equitable water policy. Mental Health Data: New Mexico’s suicide rate fell 19% from 2024 to 2025, reaching the lowest level in decades, though suicide remains a leading cause of death for teens. Travel Costs for Federal Trips: GSA’s FY 2027 per diem hikes will raise Albuquerque’s max lodging rate 44% (from $144 to $208), affecting federal travelers starting Oct. 1. Local Access & Land Use: Sandoval County commissioners opposed a Cochiti Pueblo land transfer tied to Cochiti Highway/Forest Service Road 268, after public comments supported keeping access options open. Air Travel Disruption: A Delta flight from LAX to JFK diverted to Albuquerque after a smoky odor was reported; passengers continued safely after the unscheduled stop. Outdoor Nature Spotlight: “Desert of Water” highlights the San Andres National Wildlife Refuge’s ancient seabed and fossil evidence of Earth’s biggest mass extinction. Sports on the Road: New Mexico Highlands opens RMAC play in Durango against Fort Lewis, kicking off Saturday night.

Mental Health Update: New Mexico’s suicide rate fell 19% from 2024 to 2025, hitting the lowest level in decades (19.2 per 100,000), as more people talk openly and use supports like 988. Air Travel Disruption: A Delta flight from Los Angeles to New York diverted to Albuquerque after a smoky/electrical odor was reported; passengers deplaned safely and were rebooked. Federal Travel Costs: GSA’s FY 2027 per diem hikes make Albuquerque’s max lodging allowance jump to $208 a night (44% higher), effective Oct. 1, 2026—big news for business travel budgets. Outdoor & History: A new “Desert of Water” segment highlights ancient fossil evidence at San Andres National Wildlife Refuge, where access is limited by the White Sands Missile Range. Local Access Fight: Sandoval County commissioners backed opposition to a Cochiti Pueblo land transfer tied to a road and access concerns. Road Trip Culture: MapQuest billboards across major U.S. and Canadian cities push directions to “Lake Ontario” after Trump’s “Lake America” rename. Wildlife/Conservation: Cochiti land and road access remains a flashpoint as communities weigh flooding recovery and public access.

Business Longevity: A LendingTree analysis finds only 34% of California businesses last 10 years, with New Mexico and Wyoming among the lowest survival rates (New Mexico at 27%). Air Travel Buzz: A Delta flight from Los Angeles to New York was diverted to Albuquerque after a smoky smell spread in the cabin, with several celebrities among the passengers. Mountain West Football: ESPN’s Week 2 power rankings put UNLV and New Mexico in the top 100 (New Mexico at No. 64), while other Mountain West teams sit lower. Space Tourism: Virgin Galactic says its $750,000 flights from New Mexico have a waiting list of 700+ people. Local Events & Tourism Tech: The New Mexico Open (Sept. 14-16) will feature an AI-generated golf commentator on broadcast coverage. Outdoor & Recovery: The Forest Service released a soil burn severity map for the Frijoles Fire, showing most burned acres at low severity. Travel Culture: “Coyote vs. Acme” debuts with Albuquerque as a key setting, adding another pop-culture draw for visitors.

New Mexico Open on TV/YouTube: The 2026 New Mexico Open at Turtleback Mountain Golf & Resort (Sept. 14-16) will be streamed free across YouTube, Facebook, Instagram and Connected TV, with Notah Begay III and Ryan Burr joined by AI golf commentator “Duff Foreman” for nine hours of live coverage. Lodgers Tax Funding Crunch (Silver City): Silver City’s lodgers tax advisory board says 85% of event money is tied up in fixed costs, leaving under $60,000 for tourism groups this year, and it’s pushing a new application process. Gas Prices Up in NM: AAA New Mexico reports regular gas averaging $4.31 statewide, up 26 cents from last week, driven by crude oil climbing above $100/barrel. Space Tourism Demand: Virgin Galactic says its $750,000 flights (launching from New Mexico) have a waiting list of 700+ despite the one-hour ride. Ski Pass Expansion: Ikon Pass adds Japan and China resorts for winter 26/27, boosting Asia access for NM travelers planning winter trips. Rural Health Funding: New Mexico awards $2.2M to Socorro General Hospital for obstetric care and $2M to Catron County Cowboy Clinic to stabilize primary care.

New Mexico Open on TV/streaming: The 2026 New Mexico Open at Turtleback Mountain Golf & Resort (Sept. 14-16) will be streamed free worldwide on YouTube, Facebook, Instagram and Connected TV via KRQE (Albuquerque) and KTSM (El Paso), with Notah Begay III joining Ryan Burr and AI golf commentator Duff Foreman. State parks & family fun: Girl Scouts get free day use at New Mexico State Parks on Sept. 12-13. Outdoor & travel safety: A uranium exploration fight is heating up in Catron County near Pie Town/Datil, with residents pushing for stronger review and public comment as the state moves to restrict new uranium mining on some trust lands. Weather watch: Drought and abnormal dryness are expanding across parts of the central U.S., with New Mexico in the broader dry pattern—plan accordingly for outdoor trips. Local travel connections: Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham heads to Mexico City for a natural gas export-focused trade mission, signaling continued cross-border economic links that can affect travel and tourism planning. Road trip reminder: A deadly crash involving a UNM student highlights the need for extra caution on I-25/I-40 frontage roads.

New Mexico Trade & Energy: Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham is in Mexico City for a taxpayer-funded trade mission aimed at jump-starting natural gas export deals before she leaves office, highlighting New Mexico’s role as a top U.S. gas producer. Route 66 Tourism Boost: The Great American Road Rally is set to premiere on The CW starting Sept. 16, spotlighting Route 66 stories while raising money for the Route 66 Road Ahead Partnership’s preservation and small-business grant work. State Parks & Family Fun: Girl Scouts can get free day use at New Mexico State Parks on Sept. 12-13, a simple way to plan a low-cost weekend outdoors. Travel Safety & Planning: TSA is rolling out “Gateside by TSA PreCheck” at select airports, letting non-ticketed visitors with PreCheck/KTN apply for a free day pass—handy for meetups and helping family through the airport. Outdoor Health Alert: Montana is warning about a screwworm outbreak with confirmed cases in Texas and New Mexico, urging pet and livestock owners to watch wounds closely.

Wine & Weekend Plans: The 2026 New Mexico Harvest Wine Festival wrapped up at the Southern New Mexico Fairgrounds near Las Cruces, with multiple days of tastings, live entertainment, and family-friendly attractions. Conservation & Scenic Travel: A new partnership aims to protect about 6,000 acres around Ghost Ranch near Santa Fe, using conservation easements to safeguard land, water, and wildlife while keeping education and retreat programs running. State Parks for Families: New Mexico State Parks is rolling out “Ranger Rio,” a coyote-inspired mascot, debuting at the New Mexico State Fair Sept. 10 with stickers and park-visit prompts for kids and outdoor fans. Outdoor Water Reality Check: A national report highlights how sediment and extreme weather are shrinking reservoir storage capacity across the U.S., a reminder of what low water means for Western travel and recreation. Road Safety: A deadly head-on crash on SR 260 near Heber killed four people and sent two others to hospitals, with charges filed against the suspected driver. Local Culture: The New Mexico Ice Wolves unveiled a massive indoor mural at Outpost Ice Arena ahead of the Sept. 11-12 season-opening weekend.

Public Safety & Courts: Bernalillo County DA Sam Bregman says his office will launch a dashboard tracking repeat offenders released before trial, including stats broken down by judge and whether people land back in trouble. Road Safety: A fatal head-on crash on SR 260 near Heber, Arizona, killed four (including two young children) and led to manslaughter charges against a New Mexico driver; in Albuquerque, police also investigated a fatal Big-I crash where a semi ran a red light and killed an Audi passenger. Community & Culture: Native American students in Albuquerque will compete for six spots on a slam poetry team that could travel statewide and beyond, with performances tied to the State Fair and a youth festival in San Francisco. Local Attractions: The New Mexico Ice Wolves unveil “Spirit of New Mexico,” a 4,200-square-foot indoor mural at Outpost Ice Arena, debuting during the Sept. 11-12 season-opening weekend. Travel/Regional Interest: A Santa Fe estate tied to Georgia O’Keeffe’s circle is listed for $13.8 million, with guest casitas and extensive grounds. Outdoor/Environment (National): A new report warns U.S. reservoirs are losing storage capacity to sediment as extreme rain and wildfire worsen the cycle—an issue that hits the Southwest hardest.

Tourism & Events: Twilight In Concert is back for an expanded 2027 U.S. tour, bringing the live-to-film “Twilight” experience (with a 12-piece ensemble) to 60+ cities; presales begin Sept. 8 and general tickets go on sale Sept. 10. Local Sports (ABQ/Las Cruces): UNM beat New Mexico State 3-1 at The Pit in a big Labor Day crowd night, while NM State volleyball also returned to action after a strong weekend. Ruidoso Downs & Horse Racing: Ruidoso Downs’ Triple Crown races—including the $3M All American Futurity—are set to move to Lone Star Park in Texas in 2027, with officials citing repeated disruptions and concerns about the economic and cultural hit to New Mexico. Road Safety (Albuquerque): Albuquerque’s “Rest in Red” approach—rewarding speed-limit driving with green lights—has helped reduce speeds and crashes on busy corridors. State Policy & Travel Impact: A new analysis warns rural hospital obstetrics closures could mean much longer drives for pregnant Medicaid patients, affecting access for travelers and locals alike. Culture/Film (Albuquerque): “Coyote vs. Acme” is tied to the Breaking Bad universe and is set in Albuquerque. Outdoor/Conservation: BirdCast and eBird tools highlight massive fall migration activity, with researchers using radar-backed forecasts to track where birds are headed.

Trail Tourism: The Continental Divide Trail Coalition brought Trailfest to Steamboat, spotlighting the 3,100-mile CDT that runs through New Mexico and other Western states, with local trail work and business outreach. State Identity & Travel Branding: President Trump’s push to rename New Mexico “New America” is drawing backlash from Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham, raising questions about how such rebranding could ripple into maps, signage, and visitor-facing materials. Ruidoso Racing Impact: Ruidoso Downs says its Triple Crown races—including the $3 million All American Futurity—will move to Lone Star Park in Texas starting in 2027, worrying New Mexico fans and local businesses about the cultural and economic hit. Road Safety for Visitors: Albuquerque is using “Rest in Red” style signals that reward posted-speed drivers with green lights, aiming to cut speeds and crashes on busy corridors. Weekend Planning (Sports + Culture): Labor Day week brings major college football matchups featuring New Mexico State, plus a Route 66-themed radio segment and a Santa Fe photographer exhibition—good fuel for itinerary ideas beyond the outdoors. Family Travel Reality Check: New Mexico’s free childcare rollout is still struggling with shortages, leaving some parents on long waiting lists.

Trail Tourism: The Continental Divide Trail Coalition brought Trailfest to Steamboat, highlighting the 3,100-mile CDT that runs through New Mexico and other Western states, with local business tie-ins and trail work near the Muddy Pass gap. State Identity & Travel Branding: President Trump’s Truth Social push to rename New Mexico as “New America” drew immediate backlash from Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham, keeping the state’s name—and its tourism brand—front and center. Ruidoso Downs & Visitor Economy: Ruidoso Downs says its Triple Crown races, including the $3 million All American Futurity, will move to Texas in 2027, raising concerns about what the loss means for New Mexico fans and local businesses. Road Safety for Travelers: Albuquerque’s “Rest in Red” program rewards speed-limit drivers with green lights, aiming to cut speeds and crashes on busy corridors. Family Travel Reality Check: New Mexico’s free childcare rollout is still leaving parents stuck on waiting lists, a reminder that planning trips also means planning care. Hot-Air Balloon Disruptions: Balloon rides were grounded by wind during a Labor Day Lift Off event, with operators urging safety-first rescheduling.

Labor Day & cost-of-living pressure: A new Labor Day op-ed spotlights how wages still don’t cover basics for many New Mexicans working in essential jobs, from teachers and drivers to first responders. Homelessness enforcement debate: Albuquerque’s “Enhanced Service and Safety Zone” push to criminalize sidewalk camping is back in focus, with critics warning it traps people in fines and jail cycles instead of solving housing needs. Nursing home quality in Raton: A profile of Miners’ Colfax Medical Center highlights rare, top-rated long-term care for former miners—plus why that model is hard to copy statewide. State parks outdoors for kids: Girl Scouts get free day use at all 35 New Mexico State Parks on Sept. 12–13, with troop events and self-guided adventures. Local sports leadership: Albuquerque Isotopes GM Chrissy Baines shares how her role is resonating with fans and families. Travel safety note: The U.S. restricted official travel to Nogales, Mexico, to essential daytime movement only due to an unspecified security threat. Legislator-pay amendment polling: A KOAT/Albuquerque Journal poll finds 39% support for paying lawmakers a base salary, but many voters remain undecided.

Baseball & Community: Albuquerque Isotopes GM Chrissy Baines is making history as the first female GM for the team, sharing how fans’ small gestures keep her mission grounded. State Parks Outdoors: Girl Scouts can get free day use at New Mexico State Parks on Sept. 12-13, with troop events and self-guided adventures across 35 parks. Voter Watch (Legislator Pay): A KOAT–Albuquerque Journal poll finds 39% support for a legislator-pay amendment, but 34% are undecided—plus a statewide “Vote for Change” campaign is ramping up. Border Travel Update: The U.S. restricted official travel to Nogales, Mexico to essential daytime movement only due to an unspecified security threat. Outdoor Safety for Visitors: New Mexico wildlife officials urge hikers to be alert during hunting season, especially on popular mountain trails where hunters and hikers overlap. Camping Gear: Kelty’s Car-Go-Box aims to keep car-camping organization tidy and reduce campsite clutter. Travel Disruption: A drone/balloon incident grounded flights at San Diego, with operators warning flights to “fly at their own risk.” Local Life: A New Mexico man faces charges after allegedly killing his cousin during an argument over how spicy enchiladas were.

Legislator Pay Vote: A new Journal Poll finds 39% of likely voters support New Mexico’s Constitutional Amendment 4 to pay lawmakers a salary, but 40% are still undecided—so expect a lot of outreach before fall voting. Campaign Trail: Vote for Change and NM CAFé kicked off a statewide door-knocking push in Las Cruces to explain the current per diem-only pay structure and why supporters want a base salary. Travel Disruption Watch: A drone and a stratospheric “cell tower” balloon near San Diego International caused hundreds of flights to be delayed, a reminder that even tech tests can ripple into travel plans. Outdoor & Weekend Planning: Labor Day weekend weather coverage flags heat and storm/flash-flood risk in parts of the Southwest, including possible monsoonal flooding concerns for Arizona/New Mexico. Local Sports: New Mexico Highlands improved to 2-0 with a 55-32 win over Western New Mexico, while New Mexico State football game details continue to roll out for the season opener.

Labor Day Travel Weather: The National Weather Service and Weather Prediction Center are flagging heat and storm risk for the Sept. 5–7 weekend, with monsoonal moisture raising the odds of flash flooding in parts of Arizona/New Mexico. Road Trip Deals: McDonald’s is running a $2 breakfast sandwich offer in its app through Labor Day (and into October), plus Shell Fuel Rewards discounts for members—useful for New Mexico travelers heading out early. Santa Fe Festival Spotlight: Zozobra’s 102nd burning at Fort Marcy Park wrapped up with Helene Luna passing the fire-spirit torch to a new dancer, keeping the tradition front-and-center for visitors. Ruidoso Downs Racing Change: The All American Futurity and other major events are moving to Lone Star Park in Texas starting in 2027, a big shift for horse-racing fans planning New Mexico trips. Albuquerque Safety/Traffic: Police say an Albuquerque GoPro joyrider led officers on a high-speed chase before crashing, facing dozens of charges. Community & Culture: Diné rapper Def-i is set to join a 73-hour Guinness World Records bid for the Infinite Cypher in Pennsylvania later this month.

Labor Day travel fuel & dining deals: McDonald’s Rewards members can grab a $2 breakfast sandwich in the app through Oct. 4, plus redeem points for 50 cents off per gallon at participating Shell stations (code via Shell app; redeem by Sept. 12). Labor Day weekend outdoors safety: New Mexico Department of Wildlife is urging visitors to keep a safe distance from deer, elk, bears and cougars, and to keep pets and kids close. Rio Grande water pulse: More than 650 million gallons were released into the Rio Grande to help the stressed Bosque ecosystem near Albuquerque; researchers are racing to see how cottonwoods respond. Ruidoso Downs racing shift: The All American Futurity and related events are moving to Lone Star Park in Texas starting in 2027. Local sports travel tie-in: Mercyhurst makes a historic trip to Las Cruces to play New Mexico State at Aggie Memorial Stadium (ESPN+). Wildlife encounter reminder: Enjoy the landscapes, but don’t approach animals—back away slowly if you meet a predator.