AGP Executive Report

Federal Politics: The U.S. Senate confirmed Todd Blanche as attorney general in a 50-49 vote, with Susan Collins and Lisa Murkowski joining Democrats in opposition, setting up a new DOJ era under President Trump. Hemp & Funding: A stopgap funding deal cleared the Senate and would delay a nationwide hemp-derived THC ban, pushing final action to the fall and aiming to avoid a shutdown before midterms. Local Law Enforcement: Gastonia police and partners carried out a two-day “larceny blitz,” arresting 28 people and recovering thousands in stolen goods. Public Safety: Charlotte police arrested a man tied to a disturbing random street attack caught on video, leaving a woman with serious injuries. North Carolina Politics: State Sen. Tim Moffitt withdrew from consideration to replace Rep. Chuck Edwards in NC-11, saying family and business duties won’t allow a full run. Community & Culture: Pitt County approved a new logo as part of a five-year strategic plan, rebranding around “Community at Heart, Innovation in Mind.”

U.S. Politics: The Senate confirmed Trump loyalist Todd Blanche as attorney general in a 50-49 vote early Saturday, with GOP holdouts Lisa Murkowski and Susan Collins joining Democrats; the narrow win followed last-minute concessions tied to a disputed $1.8 billion “anti-weaponization” fund and protections in a Trump-IRS settlement. North Carolina Politics: In the 11th Congressional District, Rep. Chuck Edwards is stepping aside after a House Ethics censure recommendation, leaving Western North Carolina Republicans scrambling for a replacement nominee ahead of the November race. Public Health: CDC added 94 measles cases nationwide, pushing the 2026 total to 2,465 and raising school-year exposure concerns as a federal verification review approaches. Food Safety: A Salmonella outbreak linked to imported Mexican jalapeños has sickened people across 27 states, prompting recalls. Local Growth & Housing: Brunswick County’s planning board will consider rezoning/development requests that could add 700 homes near Bolivia. Environment & Health: N.C. State research finds small greenspaces and birdsong can boost mental well-being. Business & Education: Forbes ranked Elizabeth City State University among the nation’s top public HBCUs.

FCC Power Shift: President Trump nominated North Carolina native Danielle Thumann Severs to the FCC, a move that could let him reshape the commission’s balance and potentially fire Commissioner Anna Gomez. Justice Department Watch: The Blanche attorney general nomination keeps moving after Sen. Bill Cassidy said he’ll back Todd Blanche, even as GOP Sen. Lisa Murkowski remains opposed. Public Safety: Dunn’s 601 Bar had its ABC permits suspended after a fatal Aug. 2 shooting tied to a history of violence and violations. Local Economy & Growth: Outer Banks officials are spending $50 million to rebuild eroded beaches in Buxton to protect tourism and homes. Health & Data in Raleigh: Duke and UNC researchers tested whether sewer “food DNA” can track community nutrition trends, aiming for faster, cheaper public-health insights. Business & Jobs: Daimler Truck says it plans a new Carolinas manufacturing plant, targeting a 2029 opening. Community Spotlight: Black Business Month highlights North Carolina’s Black entrepreneurs and the local businesses that keep neighborhoods thriving.

Attorney General Fight: GOP Sen. Lisa Murkowski says she will oppose Todd Blanche’s nomination, tightening the path to confirm him as Trump’s top Justice Department pick. She cited concerns about DOJ handling of Epstein-related files, sweeping tax-audit immunity, and a proposed $1.8 billion “anti-weaponization” fund. Tariffs in North Carolina: NC Attorney General Jeff Jackson joined 24 Democratic-led states suing the Trump administration over new sweeping tariffs, arguing they’re illegal and could cost the average NC family about $1,100 a year. Local Growth & Housing: Rutherfordton is considering updates to its development ordinance, including smaller lot sizes to support cottage homes and infill development. Road Work: NCDOT says the Winston Road widening project will shift traffic into newly built lanes the week of Aug. 10, keeping the project on schedule for completion by late November. Science & Policy: A White House report argues decades of U.S. science policy have been too bureaucratic and slow, sparking debate over how to keep America’s research edge.

Local Politics & Ethics: Western North Carolina’s Rep. Chuck Edwards has dropped out of the NC-11 race after a House Ethics Committee censure recommendation tied to allegations of inappropriate conduct toward staffers, and Republicans will now pick a replacement nominee for the November ballot. State Policy: The NC House delayed a vote on an intoxicating hemp ban after protests from both sides, as lawmakers weigh whether to tighten rules on THC products. Courts & Education: The DOJ says Duke Law School discriminated based on race in admissions, setting up a major legal fight. Business & Jobs: STERIS will invest $600 million in a Sanford manufacturing campus, creating 335 jobs, while Raleigh’s New Bern Avenue BRT construction continues to disrupt traffic and small-business access. Community & Culture: The Museum of Coastal Carolina’s Sandbar Lecture series returns in August with free talks on coastal history and wildlife, including a shell-hunting strategy session.

Public Health & Food Safety: Cyclospora linked to iceberg lettuce has spread to 15 states, with North Carolina now on the list as investigators focus on recalled lettuce from Taylor Farms. Immigration & Medicaid: North Carolina is among GOP-led states requiring Medicaid recipients flagged as having questionable legal status to be reported to federal immigration authorities, a move researchers say could spread. Western NC Planning: Buncombe County’s Swannanoa small area plan—expanded after Tropical Storm Helene—remains open for public comment through Aug. 17, with in-person sessions set Aug. 7 and Aug. 13. State Government & Boating: The state is accepting applications for the 2027 North Carolina Boating Infrastructure Grant Program, aimed at improving access to coastal waters. Local Law Enforcement: The North Carolina Sheriffs’ Association elected new executive committee officers, including Sheriff Cleveland “Clee” Atkinson as president and Sheriff Joey Lemons as secretary. Politics: Rep. Chuck Edwards withdraws from reelection after an ethics investigation recommended censure, leaving Republicans scrambling for a replacement in NC-11.

Western NC Politics: Rep. Chuck Edwards has withdrawn from the NC-11 race after a House ethics report recommended censure over alleged inappropriate conduct toward two young female staffers, leaving Republicans scrambling for a replacement nominee as the GOP executive committee moves quickly. Hemp & Elections: The NC House delayed a hemp THC restriction vote until at least November after protests and industry pushback, while election-security bills also moved toward Gov. Josh Stein. Legal Fight Over Press Access: A Greensboro newspaper’s reporter notes dispute is headed to the North Carolina Supreme Court after years of efforts to get seized court notes back. Workforce & Training: Blue Ridge Community College held graduation for 16 Apprenticeship Blue Ridge students, highlighting paid, hands-on training for local employers. Health & Community: NAMI Pitt County opened a new community resource center for mental health support groups and education. Business & Jobs: STERIS plans a major Sanford investment and job creation, while Smith Drug Company announced a transition of its wholesale operations. Public Safety & Health Alerts: North Carolina reported its first West Nile virus illness of 2026, and cyclospora-linked cases continue to expand nationwide, including in NC.

Congressional Ethics Fallout: Rep. Chuck Edwards (R-NC-11) has withdrawn from his reelection bid after the House Ethics Committee recommended censure over allegations of creating a hostile work environment and inappropriate conduct toward two young female staffers; the GOP replacement will be chosen by the district’s executive committee, with Democrat Jamie Ager still set to run. State Economy & Jobs: Steris will invest $600 million to build a 600,000-square-foot formulated chemistries manufacturing and distribution hub near the Raleigh-Durham area in Sanford, creating about 335 jobs and shifting operations from Missouri and Minnesota. Broadband Expansion: Kinetic says it added multi-gig fiber to 16,000 more homes across 40+ NC communities in Q2, bringing total access to more than 201,000 locations statewide. Health & Research: PaveX, a Purdue-linked startup, received an NSF grant to automate road-condition assessments, aiming to help agencies plan repairs sooner. Arts Leadership: Valerie Hillings, director of the North Carolina Museum of Art, was named inaugural director of Guggenheim Abu Dhabi.

Elections & Voting Rules: North Carolina House lawmakers sent two election bills to Gov. Josh Stein, including HB 958 to shorten early voting and let challenges to early-voted ballots be filed up to three business days after Election Day, a change critics warn could spark post-election chaos. Hemp Policy: After major protests and industry pushback, the House tabled a controversial hemp restriction bill (HB 328) that would have capped THC at 0.4 milligrams per container and limited purchases to adults 21+, with businesses warning it could wipe out inventories and jobs. Attorney General Fight: Sen. Susan Collins said she will vote against Todd Blanche’s attorney general nomination, citing concerns about DOJ independence as the Senate Judiciary Committee advanced it after GOP holdouts demanded changes to a disputed $1.8 billion “anti-weaponization” fund. Public Health: The cyclospora outbreak expanded to 15 states with more than 10,000 confirmed cases, including North Carolina. Housing & Local Growth: A Forest City rezoning approved a new 96-home development, a $30 million project expected to start in summer 2027. Drugs & Courts: A North Carolina man was sentenced to 10 years in federal prison for his role in a multi-county meth and fentanyl trafficking ring.

AG Confirmation Watch: A Senate Judiciary Committee vote is expected Tuesday to advance acting Attorney General Todd Blanche after GOP holdouts John Cornyn and Thom Tillis said they’ll support him once Blanche formally rescinded the $1.8 billion “anti-weaponization” fund and clarified limits on Trump tax-audit immunity. Tariff Legal Fight: A coalition of 25 state attorneys general and governors, including North Carolina, sued to block Trump’s forced-labor tariffs under Section 301, arguing the move is unlawful and a pretext after earlier tariff efforts were struck down. North Carolina Schools: Davidson County Schools reported record facility needs of $353 million, driven mostly by aging HVAC and other mechanical systems. Local Law Enforcement Leadership: Edgecombe County Sheriff Clee Atkinson was elected president of the North Carolina Sheriffs’ Association. Housing Research: An Urban Institute study highlights mixed-income multifamily housing as a potential way to boost supply, affordability, and neighborhood opportunity. Business & Community: KS Bank opened a new Lillington branch, and Rocky Mount welcomed a new Raising Cane’s location.

Tariff Lawsuit Hits North Carolina: A coalition of 25 Democratic-led states, including North Carolina, sued the Trump administration in federal trade court over new 10%–12.5% tariffs on goods from 60 trading partners, arguing the move is illegal and a “pretext” to replace duties the Supreme Court struck down. Ethics Spotlight in Congress: The U.S. House Ethics Committee recommended censure of North Carolina Rep. Chuck Edwards after finding a pattern of inappropriate conduct toward two young female staffers, including gifts and personal attention that blurred workplace boundaries. AG Confirmation Deal: GOP Sens. John Cornyn and Thom Tillis said they’ll back acting attorney general Todd Blanche after the Justice Department formally terminated Trump’s $1.8 billion “anti-weaponization” fund, clearing a key hurdle for his nomination. Rural Listening Tour: State leaders met with eastern North Carolina officials at Lenoir Community College to discuss rural housing and transportation problems as part of Gov. Josh Stein’s Rural Listening Tour. Local Watchdog Review: WECT reports the N.C. DOJ and State Auditor are reviewing complaints about a nonprofit run by Pender County Commissioner Jimmy Tate, including allegations involving Medicaid and misuse of funds. Gas Prices: AAA says North Carolina gas dipped under $3.80, to about $3.78 a gallon for unleaded.

Attorney General Fight: Acting AG Todd Blanche formally rescinded President Donald Trump’s $1.8 billion “anti-weaponization” fund after weeks of negotiations with GOP senators John Cornyn and North Carolina’s Thom Tillis, clearing a major hurdle for Blanche’s Tuesday Senate Judiciary Committee vote. State Politics: The standoff also highlights how thin Senate margins are shaping confirmations and how Trump has threatened to keep Blanche acting if resistance continues. Budget Watch: Senators released a stopgap funding bill to keep the government running through December, but it doesn’t include key Trump demands, setting up another round of bargaining before midterm politics intensify. Local Business & Jobs: Royal Farms says its new Elizabeth City store is on track to open Sept. 28, with construction nearing completion and about 40 jobs expected. Health Care: KFF reports ACA enrollment is dropping amid higher premiums and deductibles, while fraud crackdowns are blamed by the administration but disputed by experts. Public Safety: Greensboro police say nine people were injured in a targeted shooting at Royal Banquet Hall; two men were taken into custody.

Federal Election Security: Maryland Gov. Wes Moore says he’s “very concerned” Trump could use federal power to disrupt midterms, citing efforts to restrict voting by mail and seek voter data. AG Confirmation Fight: Trump tells GOP senators to stop blocking Todd Blanche’s attorney general confirmation, tying it to a dispute over an “anti-weaponization” fund. North Carolina Politics: A major NC elections and campaign finance bill (HB 958) advanced in the Senate with multiple lawmakers voting yes or no, keeping the state’s election rules in flux. Local Tech & Privacy: A nationwide camera network is raising alarms after reports of rogue officers using it for stalking. Food Safety: Nearly 23,000 pounds of Ukrop’s baked spaghetti and chicken cobbler were recalled in Virginia, North Carolina and West Virginia over possible metal slivers. Energy & Jobs: Blue Ridge Energy is bringing in summer interns for hands-on utility work, while North Carolina continues grappling with drought conditions.

NC Politics & Elections: North Carolina Democrats rallied at the Raleigh Unity Dinner with Elizabeth Warren and former Gov. Roy Cooper, pitching affordability as the central 2026 message in a tight Senate race. Voting Security Scrutiny: The FBI has started requesting internet protocol data tied to online voter registrations as federal election investigations expand, including a South Carolina request for an IP address tied to a voter registration. Public Safety & Community Health: A new Ukrop’s baked spaghetti and chicken cobbler recall affects Virginia, North Carolina and West Virginia due to possible metal slivers; no injuries reported. Local Law Enforcement: The NC Sheriffs’ Association elected new executive committee officers, including Edgecombe Sheriff Cleveland “Clee” Atkinson as president. Infrastructure Update: NCDOT says more than 99% of roads closed after Helene have reopened, with major reconstruction continuing in Hickory Nut Gorge. Culture & Community: The NC Chamber opened nominations for its “Coolest Thing Made in NC” contest, with Alamance County manufacturers among recent standouts.

Hurricane Helene Recovery: NCDOT says more than 99% of roads closed after Helene have reopened, with about 8,500 damaged sites repaired and major reconstruction continuing in places like Hickory Nut Gorge, where full-corridor work on key routes is expected to start in spring 2027. Election & Campaign Finance: North Carolina’s HB 958 would tighten election administration and campaign finance rules, including changes to early voting site requirements, ballot handling, and higher contribution reporting thresholds; Sen. Gladys A. Robinson voted no as the Senate advanced the measure. Public Safety & Local Government: The North Carolina Sheriffs’ Association held its annual business conference and elected new executive committee officers, including Edgecombe Sheriff Cleveland “Clee” Atkinson as president. Workforce Development: Gov. Josh Stein announced STEP-NC, the state’s first health care apprenticeship program, aimed at building a pipeline for clinical and non-clinical roles. Health & Community: Alzheimer’s advocates are gearing up for the Sept. 19 Walk to End Alzheimer’s in Mount Airy, with local participation and team sign-ups underway. Consumer Alert: Publix expanded its recall of GreenWise frozen organic blueberries and mixed berries due to possible E. coli contamination, including shipments to North Carolina.

Election 2026: Prediction markets are heavily favoring Roy Cooper for North Carolina’s U.S. Senate seat, with Cooper at about 90% on major platforms as absentee ballots head toward a Sept. 4 mail date. Education Funding: Bladen County says the state’s exceptional-children funding cap is leaving districts scrambling, with most districts exceeding the limit and costs for therapies rising faster than reimbursements. Elections Bill: The General Assembly approved HB 958, which would shorten primary early voting, raise campaign finance reporting thresholds, and expand voter-challenge and audit powers—now awaiting Gov. Josh Stein’s decision. Justice Department Fight: Trump says he’ll keep acting AG Todd Blanche if Senate Republicans block confirmation, while the Blanche standoff continues to hinge on demands from Sens. Thom Tillis and John Cornyn. Public Safety & Courts: A Brennan Center report traces how voter-challenge laws have long been used to suppress Black voters, pointing to Wake County’s history of challenges. Health & Food: Publix expanded an E. coli recall to GreenWise frozen blueberries and mixed berries shipped to North Carolina and several other states.