AGP Executive Report

Power Deal: NextEra Energy and Dominion Energy just announced a definitive all-stock merger to create the world’s largest regulated electric utility, serving about 10 million customers across Florida, Virginia, North Carolina and South Carolina, with 110 gigawatts of generation and proposed bill credits for Dominion customers in VA/NC/SC—expected to close in 12 to 18 months. Water Safety: The EPA proposed rolling back “forever chemical” drinking-water limits for four PFAS compounds while keeping the strictest standards for two others, a move that’s already drawing sharp pushback from public health advocates. Memorial Day Crackdown: North Carolina is gearing up for Memorial Day enforcement on land and water, with Click It or Ticket and a boating safety push aimed at cutting alcohol- and inattention-related crashes. Local Health Care: CMS updates show a mix of nursing home performance across the state, including some facilities earning higher-than-average ratings. Agriculture & Prices: New reporting ties grocery inflation to disaster-hit crops, with recent flooding and freeze losses driving up food costs.

Medicare Advantage Shake-Up: CarolinaEast Medical Center in New Bern says it’s dropping UnitedHealthcare and Blue Cross Blue Shield Medicare Advantage plans for non-emergency care starting July 1, citing “burdensome payment policies, denials, and reimbursement delays,” while emergency access stays in place and negotiations continue. Energy Megamerger: NextEra Energy agreed to buy Dominion Energy in a roughly $67B all-stock deal, aiming to serve about 10 million customers across Florida, Virginia, North Carolina and South Carolina as AI-driven data center demand pushes power needs higher. Public Safety: North Carolina’s Memorial Day “Click It or Ticket” seat belt crackdown runs May 18–31, with officials pointing to last year’s thousands of citations and hundreds of deaths/injuries tied to unbuckled riders. Heat Preparedness: Gov. Josh Stein proclaimed May 18–22 Heat Safety Week, highlighting Operation Fan Relief and heat-illness warning signs. Local Watch: Chapel Hill-area animal control is responding after two reported fox bites, urging extra caution around pets and children.

Medicare Advantage shake-up: CarolinaEast Medical Center in New Bern says it will drop UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage and Blue Cross Blue Shield Medicare Advantage networks effective July 1, citing “burdensome” payment rules, denials, and reimbursement delays; emergency care will still be in-network, and CarolinaEast Physicians will remain in-network. Election integrity fight: The Trump administration has run 67 million voter registrations through a DHS eligibility verification effort, with critics warning it could wrongly flag and remove eligible voters before November. Local schools & health: Onslow County named nursing instructor Erica Boone Teacher of the Year, while Bladen County says no district-wide password reset is needed after a Canvas breach. Opioid recovery: Guilford County is set to fund a new outpatient treatment program for pregnant and parenting women using opioid settlement dollars. Community & jobs: Camp Lejeune will host a small business outreach event on Tuesday to help firms pursue Department of War contracts.

Health Care Shake-Up: CarolinaEast Medical Center in New Bern says it’s dropping out-of-network status for UnitedHealthcare and Blue Cross Blue Shield Medicare Advantage plans starting July 1, blaming “burdensome” payment rules, denials, and reimbursement delays—while emergency care stays covered and CarolinaEast Physicians remain in-network. Politics & Power: The U.S. Supreme Court rejected Virginia Democrats’ bid to restore their congressional map, keeping a GOP-leaning advantage as redistricting fights heat up ahead of the midterms. Election Anxiety Watch: A report says the Trump administration has run tens of millions of voter registrations through DHS checks, flagging many as possible noncitizens or deceased—critics warn it could wrongly purge eligible voters. Local/Business Notes: A Charlotte-area tire veteran, Jason Miller, is retiring and launching a residential real estate practice. Travel Trend: Airbnb says “playcations” are driving summer trips—more short, hobby-focused getaways, including along the NC coast.

Medicare Advantage Network Shake-Up: CarolinaEast Medical Center in New Bern says it will drop out-of-network status for UnitedHealthcare and Blue Cross Blue Shield Medicare Advantage plans starting July 1, blaming “burdensome” payment policies, denials, and reimbursement delays; emergency care will still be covered, and CarolinaEast Physicians will remain in-network. NC State Faculty Move: Rhea Banerjee, a Rutgers counseling professor focused on mental health disparities in immigrant communities, is joining NC State as an assistant teaching professor effective Aug. 16. Lottery Results: Powerball (08-37-40-44-65, PB 18, PP 3) and Pick 3/4/Cash 5 results for May 16 are out. Redistricting Fight: The U.S. redistricting battle is heating up again, with accusations of cheating and voter suppression as Republicans and Democrats race to redraw maps. Open Meetings Law: Graham city council’s April closed meeting over a mayor “performance” discussion is flagged as a state Open Meetings Law violation.

Medicare Coverage Shake-Up: CarolinaEast Medical Center in New Bern says it will drop out-of-network status for UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage and Blue Cross Blue Shield Medicare Advantage plans starting July 1, citing “burdensome” payment policies, denials, and reimbursement delays; emergency care stays covered and negotiations continue. Food Safety: A powdered milk recall tied to possible salmonella contamination keeps expanding nationwide, with North Carolina consumers urged to check affected products. Health Tech: United Therapeutics says the FDA cleared it to proceed with a clinical study of its pig-derived UHeart xenotransplant, with an initial two-participant cohort. Local Watch: In Nash County, George’s Sauce received an FDA inspection in April with “No Action Indicated,” while Franklin County saw one FDA inspection in April. Public Health: New federal SNAP rules add work/volunteering/training requirements, shifting more admin burden to counties and raising fears of increased food insecurity.

Medicare Advantage Shake-Up: CarolinaEast Medical Center in New Bern will drop UnitedHealthcare and Blue Cross Blue Shield Medicare Advantage plans starting July 1, citing “burdensome payment policies, denials, and reimbursement delays” that became “financially and operationally unsustainable.” Emergency care will still be in-network, and CarolinaEast Physicians will remain in-network. Local Education & Community: Rowan-Cabarrus Community College celebrated the Class of 2026 with 700+ graduates at Cabarrus Arena, highlighting workforce pathways. Health & Safety: A child was bitten by a sloth at Aloha Safari Park in Harnett County; the zoo paused public sloth interactions after a small chin wound. Environment & Conservation: North Carolina’s Venus flytrap poaching remains a felony since 2016, but conservationists say illegal harvesting still feeds a wider market. Grid Resilience: Siemens unveiled a solar-plus-battery microgrid at its Wendell site, aiming for carbon-neutral operations and better protection during outages.

Medicare Advantage Shake-Up: CarolinaEast Medical Center in New Bern will drop out-of-network status for UnitedHealthcare and Blue Cross Blue Shield Medicare Advantage plans starting July 1, citing “burdensome” payment policies, denials, and reimbursement delays—while emergency care stays in-network. Emissions Testing Exit: North Carolina is moving to end emissions inspections for the last 19 counties still doing them, with Mecklenburg left out, after EPA agreement—drivers and repair shops in places like Gaston County say the change could cut costs but also threaten local business. State Pay Pressure: A state employee group says an auditor’s report points to a “pay crisis,” with thousands of long-term vacancies tied to low compensation. Tech & Safety Growth: Hux Safety Solutions plans a permanent home office plus three regional hubs across NC to expand its confined-space rescue training and digital credential platform. Campus Spotlight: Queen Latifah energized NC A&T’s Class of 2026 commencement.

Federal Reserve Shake-Up: Kevin Warsh was confirmed as the next Fed chair, ending Jerome Powell’s run as markets watch how quickly rates can move amid stubborn inflation. North Carolina Politics: Republicans say they’ve cleared the big fights in the state budget framework, with proposed 8% average teacher raises and 3% average state-employee raises, while other pay bumps target law enforcement and retirees. Healthcare Access: CarolinaEast Medical Center in New Bern will drop out-of-network status for some Medicare Advantage plans from July 1, citing payment burdens and reimbursement delays. State Courts & Voting: A new Florida congressional map heads to its first legal challenge Friday, part of a broader redistricting fight playing out across the country. Business & Industry: Inox Clean is buying Boviet Solar’s U.S. assets for $750 million, adding 3 GW of module capacity and a deal for more cell manufacturing. Local Flashpoint: Police responded to a fight at Rocky Mount City Hall during a council meeting.

Fed Power Shift: Jerome Powell’s Fed chair term ends May 15, with Trump’s pick Kevin Warsh set to take over as the political fight over rate cuts and central bank independence keeps simmering. Redistricting Blitz: After the Supreme Court gutted the Voting Rights Act, southern states are moving fast to redraw maps to dilute Black voting power—Georgia is calling a special session to redraw 2028 maps, and other states are lining up similar moves. NC Education Tech Hit: Wake County Public School System says a Canvas breach started April 25, temporarily disabling Canvas access while it works with vendors. Housing Progress: Durham broke ground on The Villages at Hayti, a 252-unit mixed-income development led by the Durham Housing Authority. Workforce Push: Gov. Josh Stein’s Council on Workforce and Apprenticeships is seeking 50,000 employer partners to strengthen NC’s talent pipeline. Local Business/Health: CarolinaEast Medical Center in New Bern will leave some Medicare Advantage networks July 1, citing payment burdens and delays.

Federal Reserve Shake-Up: The U.S. Senate confirmed Kevin Warsh as the next Fed chair in a 54-45 vote, handing the central bank new leadership at a tense moment for inflation and Fed independence. Medicare Crackdown: CMS is pausing new hospice and home health provider enrollment for six months, aiming to stop fraud that’s been draining Medicare. Healthcare Network Shift (NC): CarolinaEast Medical Center in New Bern says it will drop out-of-network status for certain Medicare Advantage plans starting July 1, citing “burdensome” payment rules and reimbursement delays. State Policy (NC): Gov. Stein signed House Bill 433 to support rural broadband and more resilient water infrastructure. Local Business Pressure: A Winston-Salem lawn care owner says rising gas prices are cutting customers and forcing tough cost decisions. Sports Recruiting: Top247 RB Aiden Gibson committed to Penn State, while Rutgers landed big-framed WR Jamar Taylor.

Federal Reserve Shake-Up: The U.S. Senate confirmed Kevin Warsh as the next Federal Reserve chair, voting 54-45 and setting up a major policy shift after Jerome Powell’s term ends—Warsh’s path cleared once a Justice Department probe tied to Powell was dropped. Local Health & Care: In New Bern, CarolinaEast Medical Center says it will stop being in-network for some Medicare Advantage plans starting July 1, citing burdensome denials and reimbursement delays. AI in the Delivery Lane: Papa John’s is partnering with Alphabet’s Wing to test drone delivery in the Charlotte area, aiming to cut “last mile” costs with AI-powered ordering. Public Safety Tech Debate: Asheville City Council approved a $1.14M grant for a real-time police intelligence center that would let officers search city cameras, despite a packed backlash over civil liberties and data safeguards. Wildlife Response: USDA air-dropped 87,000 rabies vaccine baits across Buncombe and Henderson counties to curb raccoon-borne rabies.

Medicare Advantage shake-up: CarolinaEast Medical Center in New Bern says it will drop in-network status for UnitedHealthcare and Blue Cross Blue Shield Medicare Advantage plans starting July 1, blaming “burdensome” payment rules, denials, and reimbursement delays; emergency care will still be in-network, and negotiations are ongoing. Budget politics: Gov. Josh Stein says a new budget framework is only a start—pushing for real pay raises for teachers, law enforcement, and state employees—while warning a constitutional amendment could “wreak havoc” on public schools and public safety. Schools under pressure: A national report points to declining K-12 enrollment as birth rates fall, squeezing district budgets tied to student counts. Public safety tech: Rutherfordton is rolling out HAAS Alert’s digital emergency warning system for fire vehicles, starting with one engine and expanding to more apparatus. Health watch: North Carolina officials are monitoring a hantavirus exposure tied to a cruise ship passenger, stressing it’s not easily transmitted. Local business: Lenoir City Council approved a new Dutch Bros with traffic safeguards.

Jobs at Risk: Goodyear is in talks to close its Fayetteville plant by end of 2027, threatening more than 2,100 jobs in Cumberland County. Local Leadership: Greensboro swore in new Police Chief Kamran Afzal, as residents previously raised concerns about the selection process. Education Tech: Canvas access is back for Charlotte-Mecklenburg and Cabarrus County schools after an Instructure cyberattack, with districts saying there’s no ongoing compromise. Public Safety: Deputies are seeking help identifying a vehicle tied to a mail theft investigation. Business & Growth: Raising Cane’s will open its first Greensboro location May 22, hiring about 140 workers. Policy Watch (NC): Lawmakers revived a push to block “adversarial foreign governments” from buying farmland and property near military bases. National Politics: SCOTUS ended 60 years of affirmative action for House Democrats, reshaping how districts may be redrawn.

Medicare Advantage Shake-Up: CarolinaEast Medical Center in New Bern says it’s dropping UnitedHealthcare and Blue Cross Blue Shield Medicare Advantage plans effective July 1, citing “burdensome” payment rules, denials, and reimbursement delays; emergency care stays covered and negotiations are ongoing. NBA Draft Lottery: The Washington Wizards won the No. 1 pick in 2026, with the Jazz, Grizzlies, and Bulls rounding out the top four; the draft combine starts Monday in Chicago. Workforce & Industry: Caterpillar and Central Carolina Community College earned a 2026 Apprenticeship Champion Pinnacle Award for the Caterpillar Youth Apprenticeship program. Grid Pressure: Transformer shortages are now dictating project timelines nationwide, with lead times stretching up to four years. PFAS Fallout in Cumberland: The county is pressing state regulators over Chemours filtration systems and maintenance issues tied to ongoing contamination concerns. Local Business: Charlotte and Mecklenburg named 2026 Crowns of Enterprise Award winners, spotlighting small-business impact.

AI Power Crunch: A Reuters look at grid policy says utilities in at least 40 states are using “construction work in progress” charges to collect money before data-center projects are even finished—meaning higher bills now for promised savings later, as AI demand keeps climbing. NBA Draft Lottery Fallout: The Washington Wizards won the No. 1 pick, with the Jazz and Grizzlies close behind and the Bulls jumping to No. 4—setting up a June 23 draft that’s already being framed as the last big chance for tanking to matter. Public Safety & Health: Papa John’s is testing drone delivery in a Charlotte-area suburb, while the FDA flagged salmonella risks in recalled sunflower seeds and multiple pet-food recalls. Politics: Roy Cooper is taking heat over hundreds of inmates rearrested after COVID-era releases. Local Watch: Wilmington’s fire department is rolling out a new ladder truck, and Canvas access was temporarily disabled statewide after a major hack.