AGP Executive Report

North Carolina Politics & Voting: Homeland Security Investigations obtained voter files from Forsyth County and Texas counties, seeking registration and voting details as part of a broader push to investigate alleged noncitizen voting, raising fresh concerns about how federal immigration enforcement intersects with local elections. State Budget Watch: North Carolina still lacks a full budget, but GOP leaders say a draft could be ready soon for negotiations between Senate leader Phil Berger and House Speaker Destin Hall. Local Government & Public Safety: Richmond County approved its 2026-27 budget with a 4% pay increase for full-time employees and more funding for first responders and rescue organizations, and first responders there completed autism training to better support people during emergencies. Business & Jobs: Amazon signed a multibillion-dollar deal with Corning to supply fiber optic cables for data centers, with expected manufacturing and construction jobs in North Carolina. Health & Consumer Safety: The FDA issued a high-risk recall for Alfredo sauce sold in 41 states after reports tied to bacterial contamination. National Crime & Courts: A South Carolina federal jury convicted a fraud ring leader and his niece, including a Charlotte defendant, in a major business email scam that drained victims’ accounts.

Politics & Public Trust: A new state-by-state approval map shows President Donald Trump still underwater as he turns 80, with margins weaker than at the start of his second term—especially in battlegrounds. Local Courts & Utilities: A North Carolina Supreme Court decision last year upheld Duke Energy’s 2023 rate hikes, and a fresh opinion piece argues Chief Justice Paul Newby should have recused himself due to financial ties. Health & Safety: The FDA issued a highest-risk Class I recall for Alfredo sauce sold in 41 states after a dry milk ingredient raised salmonella concerns. North Carolina Growth & Housing: North Carolina Commerce announced $2.5 million in CDBG-NR Neighborhood Revitalization grants for Bladen County, plus other statewide awards totaling more than $13.7 million. Business & Community: Duke Energy Foundation is awarding $500,000 in grants to help North Carolina nonprofits support small businesses through microgrants. Immigration & Labor: Advocates are warning that heat stress and housing problems for H-2A migrant farmworkers remain urgent heading into a long, hot summer.

Durham Philanthropy: More than 400 people packed a Durham luncheon hosted by The Links’ Triangle Park chapter to raise money for education, health, and economic development programs across the region. Health Alert: North Carolina readers are being urged to learn about alpha-gal syndrome, a tick-bite-linked meat allergy that can trigger life-threatening reactions and is reportedly rising. Local Housing Funding: Bladen County won a $2.5 million Neighborhood Revitalization grant through the state’s CDBG-NR program to support housing and infrastructure for low- and moderate-income residents. Data Center Politics: A new national look at the data center boom shows it’s colliding with midterm politics, with residents and candidates battling over power, water, farmland, and local impacts. NC Business Support: Duke Energy Foundation announced $500,000 in grants to help nonprofit partners fund microgrants for small businesses across North Carolina. Hemp Regulation: NC lawmakers advanced a bill that would bar people under 21 from buying or possessing certain hemp-derived products and kratom, with ID checks required.

Data Centers & Local Impact: A North Carolina resident says Microsoft’s data center construction has brought nonstop noise and disruption, echoing broader complaints about visual impact, emissions, and how projects are approved. Local Governance: Sanford/Lee County/Broadway is set to review a proposed $900 million data center, with a 300,000-square-foot Phase One planned and 30–40 jobs expected. Elections & Voting Access: Wake County Republicans rejected NC State’s Talley Student Center as an early voting site, citing parking, despite its past use and the large campus community. State Housing Grants: Gov. Josh Stein announced $13.7 million in Neighborhood Revitalization grants for 13 communities to support housing and infrastructure. Business & Community: Wake Forest’s “Friday Night on White” draws crowds but some merchants say it hurts sales and raises safety concerns. Health Policy: A Medicare payment fix for physicians is moving through Congress, but whether doctors keep the 2026 raise remains uncertain. Sports & Culture: The RnB Soul Picnic returns to High Point June 27 with music, wellness, and a reported economic boost.

Federal Reserve Watch: Kevin Warsh has begun a four-year term as Federal Reserve chair, with lawmakers and analysts watching how much independence the “Warsh Fed” will keep while balancing inflation and jobs. State Politics & Voting Rights: A Wake County court ruled North Carolina can’t let “never-resident” voters—people who’ve never lived in the state—vote in state elections, a major shift for election rules. Public Safety: Wake County residents are being warned about a resurfaced jury duty scam that uses spoofed numbers and threats of arrest to push people into paying. Housing & Community Investment: Gov. Josh Stein announced $13.7 million in Neighborhood Revitalization grants for 13 local governments aimed at housing, infrastructure, and neighborhood improvements for low- and moderate-income residents. Local Economy & Labor: A Kenan Institute report says immigrant labor shortages are already hurting North Carolina’s urban economies, with fewer international arrivals and more departures tied to enforcement changes. North Carolina Business: The Accidental Baker in Hillsborough keeps growing from a home-based start into an award-winning cracker maker. National Politics: North Carolina is among states opting out of Trump’s Great American State Fair, citing cost and concerns about politicization.

NC Politics: Top forecasters say North Carolina’s Senate race is no longer a toss-up, with Gov. Cooper leading and ratings moving the contest toward Democrats. Tariffs & Courts: Attorney General Ford keeps pushing back against Trump’s unlawful tariffs. State Government & Housing: A bill advancing in the NC Senate would cap nonprofit hospital CEOs’ pay, while lawmakers debate how to handle homelessness, including an Asheville fight over an encampment ban and tougher drug zones. Energy & Data Centers: As Duke Energy seeks a major rate hike, NC advocates want data centers on a separate electric bill, and lawmakers weigh new rules to protect ratepayers. Economy & Families: Rising costs are pushing more NC families to delay or forgo having children. Helene Recovery: Gov. Stein asks Congress for $10B more for Hurricane Helene relief, with updated requests focusing on gaps. Local Business: An affordable housing development opens in Apex as the state pushes more options. Sports & Culture: A new Carolina Museum of the Marine opens in Jacksonville, drawing early crowds.

Hurricane Helene Recovery: Gov. Josh Stein asked North Carolina’s congressional delegation for about $10.15 billion in additional federal help, cutting roughly $3 billion from his earlier request as he argues more money is needed for housing buyouts and stalled infrastructure repairs in western NC. State Budget Fallout: NC Senate Democrats say the legislature still hasn’t passed a budget after nearly 1,000 days, pushing state workers to the breaking point and calling for inflation-matching pay, hazard pay for corrections officers, and help for displaced workers. Medicaid Work Rules: New Medicaid work requirements and guidance are leaving recipients worried and states confused about who will qualify for exemptions and how coverage could change. Local Courts & Public Safety: A Wake County businesswoman was arrested on felony state tax embezzlement charges tied to multiple restaurants, while in Catawba County charges against a police chief in a decades-old cold case were dismissed after a judge found prosecutors didn’t prove their case. Tribal Recognition: The Catawba Nation became North Carolina’s ninth state-recognized tribe after the Commission of Indian Affairs approved its petition. Economy & Housing Signals: A new analysis finds vacation-home purchases have fallen sharply since 2021 across multiple states, reflecting tighter finances and shifting demand.

Hurricane Recovery: Gov. Josh Stein is asking Congress for about $10.15 billion in additional Helene relief, including major needs for housing, water systems, local infrastructure, and economic recovery in western North Carolina. Energy & Growth: Data center expansion is drawing organized pushback in Davie County, where residents say the projects could strain water, raise noise, and bring unknown health impacts. State Policy: The NC Senate Judiciary Committee advanced a statewide homeless camping ban, a move that sets up more debate over how local governments handle homelessness. Elections & Messaging: A new poll finds crypto has become a bigger 2026 election issue, with privacy emerging as a key concern for voters. Local Business & Community: Vontier is launching a Raleigh-area food drive with the NACS Foundation and Convoy of Hope, packing 10,000 pounds of groceries for families facing hunger. Public Safety: ICE says it arrested criminal illegal aliens convicted of serious crimes, highlighting its enforcement push.

Property Taxes: The NC House sent Gov. Josh Stein a bill delaying 2026 property tax reappraisals for counties that already reassessed this year, giving residents a break on sudden value jumps while setting a new schedule for when updated values kick in. Homelessness Policy: An NC Senate panel revived a measure that would restrict “unauthorized public camping or sleeping,” pushing local governments to designate approved, time-limited sites with restrooms, water, and public safety coverage. Crypto Regulation: The NC House advanced a bill to regulate crypto ATMs, aiming to curb scams by requiring operators to be licensed and follow consumer-protection rules. Local Business & Jobs: Buc-ee’s broke ground on its first NC location in Mebane, targeting an opening by November 2027 and promising major traffic upgrades and about 200 full-time jobs. Community & Culture: Juneteenth celebrations across North Carolina are gearing up for bigger crowds, with events spanning Raleigh, Durham, Charlotte, Greensboro, and more. Higher Education: A university reorganization at Gonzaga sparked controversy over budget pressures, including changes to its Office of Inclusive Excellence.

Fiber optics jobs in NC: Amazon and Corning announced a multibillion-dollar deal to expand U.S. fiber-optics manufacturing, with Corning expected to add 1,000 jobs in North Carolina and a new training push with Catawba Valley Community College. Local governance: Wrightsville Beach is weighing doubling fines for dog owners who don’t pick up pet waste, from $250 to $500, as complaints continue. Healthcare oversight: Wake County commissioners heard from WakeMed and Atrium Health on the proposed $2 billion merger, with questions about what it could mean for costs and state workers. State politics: A North Carolina House bill to regulate crypto ATMs advanced to the Senate after unanimous passage, aiming to curb kiosk scams. Community & agriculture: Halifax County Cattlemen’s Association announced its 37th Annual Beef Roast fundraiser June 17 to support youth programs, agriculture scholarships, and disaster relief.

Court & Accountability: A Wake County judge dismissed a lawsuit by 31 former N.C. State athletes accusing ex-sports medicine director Robert M. Murphy Jr. of abuse, saying key claims are time-barred and that other allegations must go through the state Industrial Commission. State Politics: Rep. Sarah Stevens resigned from the N.C. House to focus on her bid for the state Supreme Court, setting up a GOP replacement process. Public Safety & Health: Federal prosecutors say a Charlotte light rail stabbing suspect, DeCarlos Brown Jr., is mentally unfit for trial for at least four months, sending him for hospitalization and further evaluation. Consumer Protection: N.C. Attorney General Jeff Jackson and the Real Estate Commission warned renters about rental scams, urging people to verify listings and avoid pressure to pay deposits. Energy & Resilience: Duke Energy highlighted that the Walters Dam and powerhouse withstood Hurricane Helene’s surge with little damage. Business & Jobs: Gov. Josh Stein and Commerce Sec. Lee Lilley promoted North Carolina in Switzerland and Germany, citing major investment and job announcements. Tech & Local Economy: A rural Wilson founder opened preorders for an “on-device” AI operating system aimed at reducing reliance on cloud data centers.

Fiber & Jobs: Amazon’s multibillion-dollar deal with Corning will supply optical fiber for U.S. data centers, creating 1,000 advanced manufacturing jobs in North Carolina plus hundreds of construction jobs and a new fiber-optic training program with Catawba Valley Community College. Local Governance: Charlotte voted to pause new data center construction for five months, citing concerns about public scrutiny, clean air and water, and neighborhood impacts. Politics & Power: A Democratic group, American Bridge 21st Century, is launching a $50 million ad push aimed at flipping control of Congress in midterms, targeting more than a dozen House and Senate races. Higher Ed & Culture: Colleges are stepping back from Pride Month messaging and events amid new state and system rules restricting how campuses weigh in on gender and sexuality. Public Safety & Health: North Carolina’s volunteer fire departments received more than $180,000 in state grants for equipment and safety upgrades in Lenoir County. Sports & Community: Dave Matthews defended his Israel-related comments as not antisemitic, speaking at the Coastal Credit Union Music Park in Raleigh.

Consumer Protection: North Carolina AG Jeff Jackson says Ticketmaster is responding after complaints about Stanley Cup Final ticket problems, including presale access issues and steep resale prices. Public Safety & Health: NCDHHS is awarding $10 million to 39 rural EMS agencies to strengthen Mobile Integrated Health and expand access to mental health and substance-use treatment. State Politics & Governance: State Auditor Dave Boliek warns more NC cities are facing financial distress, pointing to Rocky Mount’s management failures and budgeting red flags. Local History: Goldsboro’s Historic District Commission is working to protect architecturally significant properties tied to the city’s late-1800s to early-1900s growth. Energy & Cost of Living: Duke Energy is getting a $28.4 million federal grant for a Person County coal plant upgrade, while critics say it’s a wasteful push away from cheaper clean power. Business & Jobs: Amazon and Corning’s multibillion-dollar fiber deal promises 1,000 new Corning jobs in NC plus workforce training with Catawba Valley Community College. Sports & Community: Durham’s Carolina Blaze launches the state’s first permanent city-based pro women’s softball season.

Immigration & Border: The U.S. Senate voted to fund ICE and immigration enforcement for the rest of Trump’s term after a GOP revolt delayed the bill, clearing a major step toward about $70B for enforcement agencies. State Budget Uncertainty: North Carolina’s Senate Bill 889 would pause 2026 property tax revaluations for some counties, putting Onslow County’s budget timing and revenue projections in limbo. Healthcare & Aging: CMS ownership and ratings updates spotlight nursing home performance across the state, including a Rowan County nonprofit with a 4-star rating and for-profit facilities with lower scores. Infrastructure: Lake Lure Dam bridge replacement is delayed again, pushing planning and construction further into the next decade. Public Safety: A manhunt continues for two armed inmates who escaped the Vance County Detention Center, with the FBI now involved. Local Economy/Jobs: Commerce approved a $15M incentive for MrBeast’s “Beast Games” Season 3 to film in North Carolina. Politics & Voting Rights: Commentary and reporting continue to swirl around election integrity fights involving North Carolina Sen. Thom Tillis and the SAVE America Act.

Defense & Energy: A House amendment to the FY2027 National Defense Authorization Act would require the U.S. to deploy transportable nuclear microreactors in the Indo-Pacific by Jan. 1, 2030, with North Carolina Rep. Pat Harrigan backing it while Guam’s delegate raises concerns about transparency and Guam’s interests. Healthcare Access: Martin County residents are still feeling the fallout from a closed local hospital and limited emergency services, a story highlighting how rural health gaps can turn emergencies into long, dangerous waits. Health Costs & Reform: Blue Cross NC says its value-based care deals have generated more than $1 billion in savings since 2019, with reported quality gains across primary and specialty care. Local Government & Taxes: Wilkesboro Mayor Dale Isom is asking county commissioners to consider a PILOT-style payment for town services tied to county facilities. State Policy: North Carolina House lawmakers advanced a Ratepayer Protection Act aimed at keeping data-center development from driving utility costs onto other customers. Public Safety: Five firefighters were injured in a major furniture store fire in Jacksonville, N.C., as crews battled flames and a partial roof collapse. Community & Mental Health: Raleigh-area organizers with Darkness RISING are using arts and wellness events to reduce stigma and expand mental health support in Black communities.

Raleigh Convention Center Deal: Raleigh is weighing selling naming rights to the Atlantic Union Bank Convention Center, with the city council seeking public input June 16; the proposal would pay $525,000 a year (2% annual bumps) for at least 15 years. Healthcare Costs: Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina reported a $497 million loss, a move that could push premiums higher for its 4.3 million members statewide. AI at Work: A North Carolina software engineer won a rare religious exemption to opt out of using AI tools at her job, after Pope Leo XIV’s push for “disarming” AI adds fuel to workplace faith-exemption debates. Data Centers & Utilities: Two Midwestern governors paused major data-center tax incentives over water and power strain—an issue that’s also driving North Carolina policy fights. Local Safety: A missing 52-year-old man from Cherokee County was found dead on U.S. Forest Service land; officials say no foul play is suspected. Lottery Results: NC Lottery Pick 3 and Powerball drawings for June 4 and June 6 were released.