By Julia Goldberg | Editor-in-Chief
Good morning, folks. It’s Thursday ahead of a long weekend. Most of government will be closed tomorrow, but we will still arrive in your inboxes. As for today, look for reporting from this morning’s Public Regulation Commission meeting considering pending issues with the PNM/private equity merger and plenty more at sourcenm.com. Until then, much news awaits below.
Wednesday marked the effective date for more than a dozen new laws that the Legislature approved during the recent legislative session. (Photo by Patrick Lohmann/Source NM)
Laws related to license plate readers, wildlife and violence against police take effect
Wednesday marked the start of state government’s fiscal year and therefore the day many new New Mexico laws passed by the Legislature earlier this year went into effect. Source’s Patrick Lohmann takes a look at a few of the high-profile new laws related to license plate readers, wildlife and violence against police officers, and provides a chart to review the rest.
New Mexico Economic Development Secretary Rob Black speaks before state lawmakers on the interim Economic and Rural Development and Policy Committee in Los Lunas on June 30, 2026. (Photo by Joshua Bowling/Source NM)
NM economic development secretary offers lawmakers reassurances amid film industry slowdown
While New Mexico has had some bad news about its film industry, including the recent cancellation of Netflix's “The Boroughs,” Economic Development Secretary Rob Black told lawmakers this week about several bright economic indicators for the state. He also debriefed legislators on the state’s strategy to recruit high-tech industries, such as quantum.
Santa Fe County Commissioners this week unanimously passed an 18-month moratorium on new data center developments. (Screenshot)
Santa Fe County becomes latest New Mexico community to adopt data center moratorium
Thus far, no data centers have been proposed for Santa Fe County but, citing projects across the state, Santa Fe County Commissioners this week decided to be “proactive” and passed a temporary moratorium. The pause will run for 18 months while county staffers develop regulations on water, energy, noise and more, according to Source senior reporter Joshua Bowling.
Doula Melissa Marie Lopez-Sullivan, practicing body balancing techniques on Nicara Rodriguez Hardin to help the baby move into the optimal position for birth, says New Mexico’s approach to mothers who have used alcohol and drugs is eroding the relationship between expectant mothers and providers. (Courtesy photo)
Medical providers say NM policy of taking custody of substance-exposed newborns hurts families
As New Mexico’s Health Care Authority rolls out new rules governing its administration of the federal Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act, some medical practitioners say the state’s approach is hurting families by discouraging pregnant patients with possible substance-use issues from seeking help. In a story for Source NM, journalist Cecilia Nowell spoke with providers about their concerns.
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