AGP Executive Report

North Carolina Politics & Courts: Gov. Josh Stein vetoed sweeping election and judicial bills, including House Bill 958, arguing they would undermine voting rights and judicial safeguards. Local Governance & Growth: UNC Health rebranded Rex Health Ventures as UNC Health Ventures, expanding its corporate venture capital push to back new healthcare companies across North Carolina. Public Safety & Privacy: New Hanover County commissioners will review a $219,000 Flock Safety contract after protests against automated license plate reader surveillance. Economy & Jobs: Caldwell County’s tourism spending rose to $81.2 million in 2025, supporting 489 jobs, while the Foothills Regional Airport sewer extension won $1.5 million from Golden LEAF to unlock industrial development. Infrastructure & Planning: Salisbury commissioners heard a “crash course” on data centers as they weigh moratorium requirements and public input. Consumer & Fraud Watch: BBB Scam Tracker ranked Raleigh 42 scam reports in July, with Charlotte leading statewide.

Immigration & Public Safety: ICE filed a detainer in a Sylva hit-and-run case that killed a North Carolina father, adding federal pressure to a state prosecution. State Politics: Gov. Josh Stein vetoed major election and judicial bills, including measures that would have expanded the chief justice’s power to suspend judges and tightened voting rules. Environment: Local riverkeepers warn Trump-era Endangered Species Act changes could weaken protections for eastern NC waterways by narrowing what counts as “harm.” Local Economy & Jobs: Cummins’ Rocky Mount engine plant says it’s investing heavily, with about $2 billion in annual sales and roughly 2,000 employees. Health & Education: ECU Health Medical Center surpassed 100 GammaTile procedures for brain tumors, while Wake Forest welcomed its Class of 2030 during move-in day. Business & Tech: ServiceTrade named a Durham-based CTO, and Tucker Bria Wealth Strategies adopted an AI-native platform after transitioning to Cetera. Community & Courts: A Raleigh family law firm opened a relocated office in North Hills.

Elections in the spotlight: North Carolina Gov. Josh Stein vetoed House Bill 958, calling it “anti-voter” for cutting early voting in primaries and special elections, expanding voter-roll maintenance, and requiring post-election audits. House Republicans say they plan to try to override. Courts and judicial power: Stein also vetoed House Bill 377, arguing it would let the state Supreme Court chief justice suspend trial judges without pay—something he says threatens judicial independence. Local infrastructure: Charlotte broke ground on a roughly $24 million Rail Trail Pedestrian Bridge over I-277 to reconnect neighborhoods and ease detours for walkers and runners. Water policy: Brunswick County eased drought rules after improving conditions, moving from Stage 3 to Stage 2, which expands the limited automatic irrigation schedule. Business and jobs: FedEx accelerated its Network 2.0 overhaul, shutting hundreds of U.S. package facilities and warning of major workforce impacts.

Court Fight: Gov. Josh Stein says he’ll veto a North Carolina bill that would let the state Supreme Court chief justice suspend trial judges without pay, calling it a threat to judicial independence. Higher Ed Policy: A new DEI restriction law requires Sampson Community College to certify compliance by Sept. 1, though the school says it expects little day-to-day change. Election Watch: North Carolina’s voter rolls since the primary show a big tilt toward independence, with unaffiliated voters now making up about 40% of registered additions. Local Government: Boone has retained an interim town manager, naming William H. “Hank” Perkins to lead while the council searches for a permanent hire. Business & Growth: WhiteFiber, shifting from crypto to AI data centers, bought a 96-acre Madison site for up to $60M as it plans to scale power capacity. Consumer Costs: Diesel prices in North Carolina rose week over week, adding pressure for trucking and household budgets ahead of absentee ballots.

Election Integrity: North Carolina lawmakers approved two election-rule bills—one with mostly administrative changes and another that tightens early voting and updates audit and reporting rules—now headed to Gov. Josh Stein. Local Governance: A Mecklenburg County partnership tied to the Brooklyn Village redevelopment is headed to court as the county seeks to dissolve its deal with BK Partners. Public Safety & Health: The FDA reported just one Durham-area company inspection in July, while Wake County saw two; separately, a Walmart-sold Marketside tomato bisque kit recall warns of possible listeria contamination. Community & Economy: Data center expansion is facing growing neighborhood pushback, with a statewide poll showing 53% opposition. Fraud Watch: BBB Scam Tracker data shows Jacksonville tied for 13th in NC scam reports in July, with nine reports. Media & Business: Spectrum and Optimum struck a deal to expand access to local news channels, including bringing Spectrum News to North Carolina customers.

Workforce & Education: Surry-Yadkin Works is expanding its Construction Academy, pairing high school students and recent graduates with 10-week, hands-on training through local employers and Surry Community College, backed by Gov. Josh Stein’s apprenticeship and workforce funding. Local Governance & Energy: More than 350 Chatham County residents packed a public meeting to oppose Enbridge’s proposed 28-mile natural gas pipeline, urging commissioners to use every legal tool available even as much of the permitting power sits outside county control. State Budget & Health Care: North Carolina’s Medicaid dental coverage is facing confusion after two budget paragraphs appear to sunset changes to billing codes for dental procedures at ambulatory surgical centers, leaving the Medicaid dental director seeking clarification. Education & Tech Use: Granville County and other North Carolina districts are pushing back on constant device use, with more “purposeful screen” guidance and moves toward laptops-free days and paper-based learning. Consumer & Public Safety: A Concord driver says he was hit with a $325 towing bill after parking in a private lot, reigniting complaints about “no parking” signage and towing practices. Business Closures: Flavor Hills, a Black-owned franchise, is closing its Downtown Raleigh and Durham locations effective immediately.

North Carolina Politics: An op-ed argues Gov. Stein should veto a bill that would give NC Supreme Court Chief Justice Paul Newby sweeping power to suspend judges without pay, warning it’s too much authority for one person. U.S. Senate Race: A new GOP ad spotlights Michael Whatley’s pitch to North Carolina voters, leaning on veterans and affordability themes as the contest against Roy Cooper stays competitive. Local Business: Flavor Hills is shutting down its Downtown Raleigh and Durham locations immediately, saying the closures end a community space built around Black excellence. Public Safety/Health: Hillsborough issued a boil water advisory after a water main leak dropped pressure in parts of town; officials expect repairs and testing before lifting it. Invasive Species: North Carolina heat could help spotted lanternflies and other invasive insects spread faster, since warmer weather speeds insect development. Consumer Safety: Walmart-linked Marketside Tomato Bisque Soup Kits are recalled over possible Listeria contamination. Scams: BBB Scam Tracker data shows Raleigh ranks high statewide for scam reports, underscoring ongoing fraud risk for Triangle residents.

Local Water Safety: A boil water advisory was issued for parts of Hillsborough after a 6-inch water main leak dropped pressure overnight; the town is buying water from Durham to refill a tank and expects pressure to be restored by Saturday afternoon, with residents told to boil water for drinking, cooking and brushing teeth and to conserve water. Community & Agriculture: Lowe’s awarded the Eastern North Carolina Farmer Collaborative a $50,000 grant to renovate its Educational Food Safety Center, adding upgrades like a plumbed-in bathroom, covered wash-and-dry space, and more refrigeration to help small and beginning farmers handle and store products safely. State Health Costs: NC Treasurer Brad Briner says overseeing the state health plan for about 770,000 beneficiaries is his toughest job, including plugging a $507 million budget hole by negotiating with providers and asking plan members to contribute more. Food Safety Recall: Walmart shoppers are warned about a recalled tomato bisque soup kit sold in nearly 30 states due to possible Listeria contamination. Politics & Messaging: In the U.S. Senate race, Roy Cooper and Michael Whatley kept trading affordability and cost-of-living themes as the campaign enters a new phase. National Security & Trade: Trump faces GOP pressure over how to end the Iran war as voters weigh gas prices and inflation, while drone tariffs add new uncertainty for the supply chain.

State Budget Breakthrough: North Carolina finally passed a comprehensive budget after months of deadlock, setting a $34 billion plan that includes teacher and law enforcement raises, income tax cuts, and funding for NC State’s Poe Hall remediation—while leaving a proposed Raleigh-area baseball stadium unfunded. Local Infrastructure & Jobs: Golden LEAF awarded Caldwell County $1.5 million to extend sewer service to the Foothills Regional Airport Industrial Park, a key step toward making about 800 acres more viable for development. Transportation Update: NCDOT is using a new delivery approach to speed up the Wrightsville Beach bridge replacement, aiming to finish by spring 2030—about two years earlier than before. Public Safety Tech Debate: Flock Safety ALPR cameras are facing backlash after vandals targeted readers nationwide, raising fresh questions about local oversight and privacy. Health & Food Safety: FDA and CDC began inspections at Taylor Farms’ Mexican plant tied to a cyclosporiasis outbreak that has reached 9,481 cases across 17 states, including North Carolina. Drought Relief for Small Businesses: SBA disaster loans are now available for drought-impacted North Carolina counties, including Surry, with low-interest terms for eligible businesses and nonprofits.

Duke Energy Fight in Davidson/Davie: About 70 residents packed a Reeds meeting to oppose Duke Energy’s proposed Davie-Davidson Energy Complex, arguing it could harm water, land and air quality; organizers say it’s not a done deal as the project moves through approvals. Raleigh Zoning Lawsuit Watch: Raleigh filed a friend-of-the-court brief in a casino-related North Carolina Supreme Court case, warning that the ruling could reshape zoning litigation statewide as the city grows fast. Solar Market Shift: North Carolina rooftop solar installs fell about two-thirds after the federal 30% tax break expired, but installers say demand is picking back up as leases, battery incentives and higher power bills improve the math. Teacher Pay Pressure: A new national look at K-12 pay points to collective bargaining as a key divider, with teachers in many states still losing ground after inflation. Public Safety Training at Fort Bragg: Robin Sage begins Friday, running Aug. 14-27 across dozens of NC and SC counties, with blank gunfire and flares possible. Local Consumer Fraud Snapshot: Swansboro ranked among the state’s higher scam-report cities in July, with two online purchase scams totaling about $854 in losses. Taxpayer Outreach: N.C. Rep. Rodney Pierce’s “Bringing the Capital to the Constituents” series will host NCDOR Secretary McKinley Wooten Jr. Aug. 21 in Weldon.

Western North Carolina Farming: WNC AgOptions is taking proposals for its 2027 grant cycle, offering $10,000 awards to eligible family farms to boost efficiency, diversify income, and strengthen long-term sustainability. Public Safety & Privacy: A judge’s ruling has set off a new fight over gun silencers, with gun-rights groups moving to transfer suppressors without the usual federal NFA registration. Local Government & Elections: An NC auditor’s office liaison allegedly pushed state GOP preferences into county early voting plans, including guidance on what the board and party would approve. Healthcare Costs & Accountability: North Carolina’s AG says Duke Energy’s proposed residential rate increase would be 9.3%, not 6.8%, and says the company “got it wrong under oath.” Community & Childcare: On Hatteras Island, moms formed a nonprofit and secured startup funding to bring back licensed childcare by early 2027. Education & Innovation: NCCU cut the ribbon on a new $7.2 million AI institute building—first of its kind at an HBCU. Business: flyExclusive reported record Q2 revenue of $111.1 million and a return to positive adjusted EBITDA. Environment: Wilmington is using $1.5 million in federal grant money to inventory trees, plant more, and remove hazardous ones.

U.S. Senate Watch: An Elon University poll finds Roy Cooper leading Michael Whatley for North Carolina’s U.S. Senate race, 53% to 42%, with familiarity still a big gap. Public Safety Tech: Flock Safety says it’s rolling out updates aimed at stopping police misuse of license plate reader data after privacy backlash and misuse allegations. Healthcare Costs: A new look at knee replacement pricing highlights how hospital market power can drive big cost differences for the same procedure across North Carolina. Education & Child Care: Trump’s drastic Head Start rule rollback is drawing bipartisan concern, including from Sen. Thom Tillis, over cuts to disability screenings, class-size limits, and other safeguards. Business & Jobs: Prysmian is set to expand in Catawba County with a $1 billion project and 385 new jobs, while other Triangle-area business moves include new leadership at Pace(R) Life Sciences. Drought Update: The latest drought monitor shows conditions easing in parts of NC, but Brunswick County remains the worst, with water restrictions still in place.

Duke Energy Rate Fight: North Carolina Attorney General Jeff Jackson says a proposed settlement would still mean a 6.8% residential rate hike over two years, and he won’t sign it—pushing instead for stronger protections for ratepayers as Duke Energy Progress seeks new rules for data centers and other large energy users. Local Schools Watch: New enrollment figures show Union County Public Schools, Stokes County Schools, Nash County Public Schools, and McDowell County Schools all saw declines in 2024-25, while North Carolina remains near the bottom nationally on per-pupil funding. Workforce Funding: The NCWorks Commission approved 43 community college programs for the first round of Workforce Pell Grants, aiming to open Pell eligibility to short, job-focused training. Energy & Solar: A new bill could make rooftop solar and home battery installs cheaper and easier in North Carolina, potentially boosting backup power options for residents. Local Business & Community: A Warrenton board meeting cleared up confusion about Kosine LLC’s plans for Mag’s Marketplace, a rural wealth-building hub combining food, cooperative retail, and small-business support. Tech & News Access: Spectrum and Optimum struck new deals to expand local news carriage, including bringing Spectrum News to Optimum TV customers in North Carolina.

Major Jobs & Manufacturing: Gov. Josh Stein announced Prysmian’s $1 billion expansion in Claremont, adding 385 new jobs and boosting fiber-optic manufacturing capacity. Local Business Growth: Townsquare Ignite is partnering with Muirfield Broadcasting to expand data-driven digital advertising across Southern Pines and Pinehurst radio brands. Housing Market Watch: A Cary broker says the Triangle housing market is “balanced,” but above $700,000 it’s still drawing cash buyers from out of state. Education Policy: Two Triangle-area U.S. lawmakers introduced a bill to reauthorize Title VI of the Higher Education Act, aiming to strengthen foreign language and international study programs. Public Safety & Community: Wilmington is joining a statewide nightlife safety pilot with Raleigh and Charlotte, focused on alcohol regulation, transportation, and licensing. Health & Research: UNC researchers are testing whether wastewater can reveal community nutrition and food insecurity trends. Economy & Risk Management: North Carolina’s captive insurance boom is accelerating as more companies seek tighter control over coverage and costs.

State Budget Power Shift: Gov. Josh Stein signed two budget bills that redraw power in Raleigh, including changes that give Republicans more leverage over the governor’s Cabinet and adjust funding set in July, while Stein praised parts tied to disaster relief and teacher workforce pipelines and criticized “petty” provisions. Public Safety & Health Access: North Carolina’s Healthy Opportunities Pilots are ending, but a new statewide rural health transformation plan is set to roll out after the state won $213 million to expand non-medical supports like food and housing navigation for Medicaid enrollees. Local Business Spotlight: Raleigh Tree Service was named one of the best tree services in the Triangle by Expertise.com, citing strong customer satisfaction and service quality. Consumer Protection: New BBB Scam Tracker numbers show North Carolina logged 853 scam reports in July 2026, with online purchase scams the most common. Community & Culture: The 36th annual Blue Ridge Brutal returns Aug. 15 with 25–100 mile rides and a downtown Jefferson festival, with proceeds supporting local student scholarships.

NC Politics: North Carolina Republicans picked state Rep. Jennifer Balkcom to replace Rep. Chuck Edwards on the Nov. ballot after the House Ethics Committee urged censure over conduct toward two female aides, setting up a quick sprint to face Democrat Jamie Ager. Elections & Democracy: Poll-worker recruiting is turning into a major midterm battleground as both parties build election “armies,” with the RNC pushing that it’s already ahead on sign-ups. Courts & Growth: Raleigh is asking the NC Supreme Court for clarity in a casino-related zoning lawsuit, warning that rulings on who can sue could reshape future zoning fights as the Triangle grows. Healthcare & Workforce: ECU Health says five nurses were among the first graduates of East Carolina University’s adult gerontology acute care nurse practitioner program, aiming to boost specialty access in eastern NC. Local Business & Community: Duke Energy Foundation awarded a $25,000 grant to help a North Wilkesboro downtown microgrant program support small businesses. Public Health: Trump’s vaccine recommendation overhaul drew pushback from doctors and public health groups, with legal challenges expected.