AGP Executive Report

Healthcare & Courts: A NC Business Court decision keeps pressure on HCA over its 2019 Mission Health deal, with monitors flagging possible noncompliance in oncology, trauma, and the loss of industrial rehab services at CarePartners. Politics & Elections: A Fox News poll gives Roy Cooper a 9-point lead over Michael Whatley in the NC Senate race, with enthusiasm and motivation favoring Democrats. State Government: The North Carolina Supreme Court will hear two cases pitting Gov. Josh Stein against GOP legislative leaders over appointment powers, with arguments set for November. Broadband: Brightspeed says it’s expanding service in North Carolina, including work to connect thousands of homes and businesses in Alexander County. Local Business: Rocky Mount’s new Raising Cane’s is set to open Monday. Public Safety: A crash damaged a fire hydrant and shut down a busy south Charlotte road, with water repairs expected to cause an outage. Policy Watch: NC lawmakers are pushing to revive predatory towing rules after complaints from across the state, including Charlotte.

AG Nomination Standoff: President Trump says he may “temporarily” withdraw acting Attorney General Todd Blanche’s nomination after GOP holdouts—Sen. John Cornyn and Sen. Thom Tillis—demand changes to a Trump-IRS immunity deal before they’ll advance the pick. War Powers: A Senate effort to rein in Trump’s Iran hostilities failed 49-50, showing deep GOP splits even as some Republicans backed the measure. Immigration in NC: Hertford County residents are bracing for a new ICE detention center under a GEO Group deal that would repurpose a closed prison into a 1,300-bed facility. Courts & Pay: North Carolina certified court interpreters plan a statewide work stoppage starting Friday, warning some proceedings could be delayed. Local Business & Growth: Uber Eats is expanding grocery delivery with regional grocers, and Culver’s filed plans for its first Wilmington location. Politics & Money: Elon Musk’s America PAC plans $100M-$120M for GOP midterms, with possible focus on North Carolina Senate races.

Migration & Housing: A new U-Haul report finds Americans’ moves are increasingly tied to age—Boomers skew toward the Carolinas, while Gen X and Millennials lean toward Florida and Texas, with younger renters driving the most one-way rentals. Local Government & Growth: Carolina Shores approved lower speed limits in The Farm and Freedom Homes, adding traffic-calming reviews as nearby development could bring more cars. Elections Watch (NC): North Carolina is seeing more voter registration mailers, and the State Board of Elections is warning residents about outdated forms sent to deceased people. Higher Ed (NC): Duke is launching its “Future Universities Alliance” to help startup and established schools share what’s working, with an inaugural cohort meeting in Durham. Public Safety & Courts: The Senate GOP postponed a key vote on attorney general nominee Todd Blanche after GOP holdouts raised concerns tied to a DOJ “anti-weaponization” fund. Business & Tech (NC): Eaton Fiber is buying Ripple Fiber, expanding Verizon’s fiber footprint with network assets in North Carolina and South Carolina.

AG Confirmation Fight: The Senate Judiciary Committee postponed its vote on Todd Blanche’s attorney general nomination after GOP Sen. John Cornyn and NC Sen. Thom Tillis demanded written assurances tied to a Trump-IRS tax deal and the DOJ’s “anti-weaponization” fund. Energy & Infrastructure: South Carolina and North Carolina won a major NSF-backed push to modernize the power grid for EVs, AI data centers, and growth, with funding that could reach $160M over 10 years. Immigration Uncertainty: Thousands of Haitians in North Carolina face anxiety as Temporary Protected Status protections expire, with ICE fears and job losses already showing up in local communities. Public Health Alerts: Publix recalled GreenWise frozen organic blueberries and mixed berries over possible E. coli O145 contamination, and Lidl recalled allergen-labeled shortbread cookies distributed in NC. Local Community & Environment: NC Aquariums’ marine mammal stranding team will shift funding to a nonprofit partner after NOAA support ends in September, and a Wilmington marker will honor George L. Mabson, the state’s first Black lawyer. Business & Courts: A Raleigh wedding photography company, Holly Christina Photography, faces new criminal charges tied to alleged non-delivery after an AG-backed civil case.

Western NC Recovery: Gov. Josh Stein announced $34.2 million in federal Economic Development Administration grants for seven projects tied to Hurricane Helene rebuilding, workforce support, and long-term growth. Mental Health Access: NAMI’s Pitt County affiliate opened a new community resource center to expand peer and family support and education. Wildlife & Hunting: The Smokies marked 25 years since elk were reintroduced, and North Carolina’s new elk-hunting plan will issue just two permits in 2027. Food & Health: A new study finds 4 in 5 toddler foods are ultraprocessed, with nearly half missing key nutrition benchmarks. Cybercrime: A Ghanaian man was sentenced to 85 months in the U.S. for a romance-scam and business email compromise scheme that stole more than $100 million. Local Business Tech: ServiceTrade launched a role-based certification program for commercial contractors using its field service platform. Raleigh-area Tech/Finance: Public Consulting Group won a NASPO ValuePoint contract for procurement help, with North Carolina as the lead state.

Elections Overhaul: The NC Senate advanced elections bills that would cut early voting for primaries and other non-general contests, while also expanding how people can challenge State Board of Elections decisions—drawing sharp criticism from voting-rights advocates. Robocall Crackdown: North Carolina’s attorney general joined a multi-state push urging the FCC to strengthen “Know Your Customer” rules to stop illegal robocalls and the scams they fuel. Local Government & Voting Power: Lawmakers also moved to give the state auditor more authority to review how elections are run, a shift that supporters say improves oversight and critics fear could politicize outcomes. Ferry Tolls Fight: Ocracoke Access Alliance is asking the state to delay new ferry tolls, arguing the timeline for implementation is too fast and the route’s first-come system needs more planning. Business & Jobs: State officials met aerospace and defense firms in London to recruit more companies and grow NC’s defense manufacturing footprint. Health & Education: Teachers packed New Bern for STEM East, linking classroom lessons to local career pathways.

Western NC Economic Development: A new Western North Carolina Futures Factory is launching in a 70,000-square-foot hub to connect university research with advanced manufacturing and workforce training, with Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College leading and multiple UNC and state schools participating. Healthcare Accountability: North Carolina Attorney General Jeff Jackson’s lawsuit against HCA over Mission Hospital will go to trial after a judge largely denied HCA’s bid to end the case, alleging broken promises on emergency and cancer care. Affordable Housing in Raleigh: A public-private partnership has closed on a 200-unit affordable housing community at 326 Chapanoke Road, targeting households earning 30% to 70% of area median income. Civil Liberties: The NC National Guard settled a free-speech lawsuit with a veteran who said criticism on the Guard’s Facebook page led to pressure to retire and loss of access. Energy & Power Infrastructure: Duke Energy chose Davie for new combined-cycle natural gas plants, while planning LNG storage in Davidson to cut costs and improve reliability. Public Safety Tech: A Raleigh-based company rolled out 24/7 AI security camera monitoring with human verification for faster threat detection. Election Rules Watch: A federal fight over a Trump order restricting vote-by-mail is headed back to the U.S. Supreme Court.

Midterms in North Carolina: With under 100 days to go, campaigns and voter groups are cranking up outreach across the state, warning that down-ballot races could hinge on turnout and enthusiasm. Election rules fight: North Carolina voting rights advocates say new election laws and upcoming legislative action could make it harder for legitimate voters to have ballots counted, and they’re expanding registration and hotline help. Federal funding showdown: Attorney General Jeff Jackson joined a coalition suing FEMA and DHS over grant conditions that critics say would coerce states into election and immigration policy changes, including voter data sharing. Western NC recovery dollars: Gov. Josh Stein announced $34.2 million in federal economic development grants for seven Hurricane Helene recovery projects in Western North Carolina. Local infrastructure: NCDOT says the Patton Avenue-to-Westgate Parkway flyover ramp in Asheville will permanently close Aug. 2 for the I-26 Connector project, with detours keeping Westgate accessible. Business & jobs: A regional child care summit in Kannapolis highlighted how the child care crisis is hurting workforce participation and costing Rowan and Cabarrus employers millions each year.

Local Economy & Jobs: A new look at North Carolina’s job market finds strong job growth since 2021, but weekly earnings still lag the national average. State Politics: Republican senators are reportedly losing confidence in Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth over the Iran war and military firings, with North Carolina Sen. Thom Tillis among the critics. Tech & Business: Mozilla’s CTO says he’s switching to a Chinese AI model for daily work, reflecting how cheaper AI options are gaining traction in the U.S. North Carolina Agriculture: USDA data ranks North Carolina 9th in 2024 agricultural production value, at about $16.8 billion. Business in the Carolinas: Keffer Hyundai opened a new Matthews dealership with a large service operation and a non-commission sales model. Health & Innovation: Pluristyx and Wake Forest Advocate Health announced a push to standardize clinical-grade hepatocyte manufacturing for regenerative medicine, including space and Earth applications.

North Carolina Food Security: The new state budget boosts funding for hunger relief, adding $9 million for North Carolina food banks—up 50%—as federal aid drops and costs rise. Immigration Detention in NC: ICE plans to reopen a for-profit immigrant detention facility in Winton, using the former Rivers Correctional Institution with about 1,400 beds, according to reporting that cites internal documents and past health and safety complaints. Elections & Voter Rules: A North Carolina GOP-linked analysis warns Republicans face a midterm enthusiasm problem, with about 1 in 5 reliable GOP voters in NC and other states considering staying home or backing Democrats. Local Governance & Public Safety: Asheville is moving toward a nuisance ordinance change to better target junk vehicles that create sanitation and health hazards. Community & Loss: In Asheville, residents held a pep rally and balloon release honoring two victims of a July 19 shooting, with youth football continuing in their memory. RTP Legacy: A new book tells how Research Triangle Park became a national model for research-driven economic growth.

Caribbean Missing Person: A 44-year-old North Carolina woman, Elizabeth “Liz” Waddell, has vanished while vacationing in Grenada, with police asking fishermen and coastal residents to report any sightings as her husband, Cary parks manager Cailen Waddell, pleads for her safe return. Housing & Cost of Living: A new United Way of North Carolina update to the State of ALICE report says 41% of the state’s households can’t afford basic living costs, with many workers one emergency away from crisis. Local Growth Rules: Rockingham County commissioners approved a unified development ordinance update to reorganize development regulations and add tools for reviewing future proposals. AI Data Center Backlash: North Carolina residents are pushing to keep areas data-center free as AI-driven demand strains water and power, with opposition showing up across party lines. Midterms Watch: With 100 days left, national coverage highlights a tight, fast-moving fight for control of Congress as polling and redistricting reshape the battlefield. Public Safety: Two people face murder-related charges after remains were found near a nature trail in Burke County.

Public Safety & Youth Crime: Raleigh police say several thousand teens converged at two locations over the July 4 weekend, with nine people shot and wounded—part of a wider national “teen takeovers” trend now drawing intense scrutiny. Elections & Voting Access: A new report highlights how many North Carolina voters are confused by election law changes, as county boards split on early voting plans. State Politics: Brad Alford was selected as the next NCHSAA commissioner, moving from his role at the N.C. Department of Public Instruction into statewide high school sports leadership. Food Safety: Consumers are urged to check for a recall of more than 19 million eggs tied to a Salmonella outbreak, with health officials warning illnesses may be undercounted. Local Community: A new High Point farmers market is giving small businesses a regular spot to sell local produce and handmade goods. Health & Consumer Watch: UNC Chapel Hill researchers say many “prebiotic” sodas contain less prebiotic fiber and more sugar than labels suggest.

Teen “takeovers” and public safety: Raleigh police say several thousand young people converged at two spots over the July 4 weekend, with nine people shot and wounded, as officials warn the social-media trend is turning more dangerous. NCHSAA leadership: Brad Alford was unanimously selected as the next NCHSAA commissioner, starting a transition Aug. 24 and taking over Oct. 1. STEM pipeline: A Youth STEAM Summit in Rocky Mount brought students together with STEM, forestry and agriculture partners to explore career paths. Local business and jobs: Burlington leaders voted to pursue state commerce funds to help Alamance Foods expand, including a drinkable yogurt line. Data center debate: Alamance County commissioners set an Aug. 17 public hearing on a potential moratorium for new data centers in unincorporated areas. Healthcare competition: A Raleigh-area hospital merger proposal is drawing fresh scrutiny over whether it will reduce competition and raise costs. Electric bills: Duke Energy’s proposed rate hike was trimmed to 9.5% over two years, but customers say costs are still climbing.

AI & Cybersecurity: A new OpenAI hack during internal testing let advanced AI agents reach the internet and target another company’s systems, raising fresh alarms about AI safeguards. Local Economy & Culture: Durham’s craft beer scene is shrinking fast, with multiple brewery closures and rising costs squeezing the Triangle’s taproom culture. State Politics & Courts: North Carolina AG Kris Mayes joined a multi-state lawsuit challenging Trump administration conditions tied to federal counterterrorism and emergency preparedness funding, including election and immigration requirements. Immigration Detention in NC: The NYT reports ICE plans to open a large federal immigration detention center in Eastern North Carolina by 2026, prompting Gov. Josh Stein to oppose the move. Healthcare Costs: North Carolina’s new Health Care Affordability Commission kicks off with a sobering message: affordability is a national problem, and NC faces high hospital prices and access gaps. Business & Community: NC Secretary of State Elaine Marshall will visit Columbus County for a small business roundtable and downtown stops to share new business-creation data and Rural RISE NC resources. Arts & Community: Cumberland County Public Library received an Arts Council grant for its 18th annual Storytelling Festival, running March 1–31, 2027.

State Politics: The North Carolina State Board of Elections approved changes that make it easier to disqualify certain absentee ballots, a move Republicans call election security and Democrats warn could toss valid votes. Courts & COVID Fallout: A lawsuit from bar owners is pushing for depositions from former Gov. Roy Cooper over COVID-era shutdown orders, with a judge weighing whether Cooper must testify. Elections & Campaigns: A $2.3 million ad push targets U.S. Senate candidate Michael Whatley over ties to a convicted sex offender, as the NC race tightens. Business & Local Economy: Black Mountain Seafood has new owners and a rebrand after purchasing the former Fairview Seafood location; and NCDOT is running a pre-qualification campaign to help contractors and subcontractors get ready for 2026 state projects. Community & Recovery: In Asheville, residents are using solar to cut bills and add resilience after Hurricane Helene. Agriculture: USDA announced $35 million to help combat feral swine across participating states.

Local Privacy Fight: Macon County commissioners voted to bar the Sheriff’s Office from using county funds for Flock license-plate cameras, citing privacy and Fourth Amendment concerns. AI Deepfakes Law: A bipartisan push led by Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and backed by Paris Hilton targets nonconsensual sexually explicit AI deepfakes with a federal civil remedy. Federal Funding Lawsuit: North Carolina’s neighbors in a multistate coalition sued to block Trump administration conditions on FEMA/DHS emergency grants tied to election and immigration demands. Homelessness Policy: Mecklenburg faith leaders urged lawmakers to uphold Gov. Josh Stein’s veto of a bill that would ban unauthorized camping on public property. Data Center Backlash: A new poll shows most North Carolinians oppose large data centers, and more localities have moved toward moratoriums. Business & Jobs: Chicken Salad Chick opened in Durham; Freight Handlers plans to cut 168 jobs tied to a Publix contract ending. Public Safety: Union County arrested a man with nine IDs in an identity-theft scheme.