AGP Executive Report

State Health Care Costs: The NC State Health Plan Board voted to raise Medicare Advantage rates and adjust provider tiers, with out-of-pocket maximums climbing (Base: $4,000→$4,500; Enhanced: $3,300→$3,700) as it tries to close a projected 2027 gap. Politics & Rights: A new NC House bill would require state-funded pregnancy centers to publicize confidential financial and staffing details, a move critics say targets women’s health providers and chills speech after a recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling. Federal Scrutiny of Power: ProPublica reports the Pentagon’s $620M loan to a North Carolina startup tied to Donald Trump Jr. was pushed by a White House adviser, raising fresh questions about cronyism. National Security: The U.S. Senate rejected advancing a warrantless surveillance measure (Section 702), with seven Republicans joining Democrats. NC Courts & Governance: Democrats propose constitutional changes aimed at limiting GOP power transfers and boosting court oversight. Public Safety: NC Attorney General Jeff Jackson warned of a workers’ compensation fraud scheme impersonating officials. Local Education: West Pender Middle School named Dr. Ashley Goodlett as principal. Business & Jobs: AbbVie announced a 185-acre Durham campus investment creating 734 jobs. Health Care Quality: UNC earned first-in-NC accreditation as a Pulmonary Embolism Center of Excellence.

State Politics: President Trump says he’ll nominate acting AG Todd Blanche for a full term, setting up a tough Senate confirmation fight as GOP senators weigh his past comments and party revolt. Elections & Voting Rights: A second Senate attempt to advance the SAVE America Act collapsed after GOP defections, with North Carolina Sen. Thom Tillis among those voting against the election-integrity measure. Energy Costs & Utilities: Durham residents and allies rallied against Duke Energy’s proposed rate hikes, arguing the increases would help “frontload” data-center growth and hit households hard. Child Welfare: North Carolina is expanding “professional foster parenting,” including the Bridging Families program, to keep siblings together and improve outcomes for children in care. Nursing Homes (CMS): New CMS ownership and rating details show a mix of performance across the state, from 4- and 5-star facilities to a 1-star home in Winston-Salem. Local Economy: Hendersonville commissioners approved $3.5M in tax incentives for a $124M manufacturing project creating 148 jobs.

Local Government: Robbinsville’s Local Government Commission says Mayor Shaun Adams’ May 6 claims about tax “withholding” and potential fines were inaccurate, after the town board discussed retirement-system penalties and interest. Energy & Industry: President Trump announced a $700 million “clean, beautiful coal” push using the Defense Production Act, including upgrades for 13 coal plants (including in North Carolina) and funding for a new Oakland export terminal. Public Health: A Texas Rio Grande Valley community faces pesticide-linked Parkinson’s risk, with researchers pointing to environmental exposure as a major driver for many cases. Courts & Politics: Senate Republicans cleared an early step on immigration-funding legislation while Democrats try to block a $1.776 billion “anti-weaponization” settlement fund; GOP unity is being tested with more votes ahead. North Carolina Policy: The NC Senate is set to advance a backyard cottage bill that shifts some zoning control from cities to the state, sparking a power struggle over local land-use authority. Community & Education: NC Commerce extended public comment on Opportunity Zone nominations to June 21, and the state launched a Superintendent’s Parent Advisory Council to boost family input in public schools.

Hurricane Prep: Outer Banks residents and carriers are ramping up for the 2026 season, using drones and AI to keep cell service running when storms hit. Consumer Protection: The BBB is warning of America 250 merchandise scams, with fake logos and non-delivery showing up in online sales. NC Tech & Youth Policy: A fast-moving NC bill would blend AI literacy in schools with new rules on minors’ social media access. Federal Ethics & NC Business: ProPublica’s reporting has prompted Democratic lawmakers to demand answers over a $620 million Pentagon loan tied to a North Carolina startup linked to Trump Jr. Data Center Pushback: North Carolina’s House advanced a bill to curb data center impacts (energy, water, noise) and block local incentive deals, while another measure would make highway license-plate reader use permanent. Environment & Health: UNC researchers found antidepressant drugs in NC waterways at potentially harmful levels near wastewater outflows. Local Government & Schools: Moore County’s board named Jennifer Purvis superintendent, and Bladen County commissioners face backlash over a proposal to shrink the board. Aging Care Watch: CMS data highlights mixed nursing home performance across several NC counties, including low ratings at some facilities and top scores at others.

National Parks Policy Backlash: The Trump administration’s “snitch signs” push in national parks drew about 35,000 public comments, with many visitors blasting efforts to remove or rewrite “negative” history tied to enslavement, discrimination and land theft. Capitol Hill, NC in the Mix: Sen. Thom Tillis pressed Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent over a reported feud with Bill Pulte, and Bessent said he told Pulte he would “kick his a,” not punch him. **Local Elections: Apex is weighing a switch from odd-year to even-year mayor and council elections, aiming to cut costs and boost turnout. Data Centers & Power Costs: Sen. Mark Warner backed the “Power for the People Act” to push data centers to cover grid upgrade costs and reduce electricity price impacts. North Carolina Economy & Sports: North Carolina is touting its “Summer of Soccer,” supported by the MEGA Fund, highlighting major events and World Cup-related training partnerships. Public Safety Advocacy: Families are urging rideshare safety changes after an Uber driver was killed in North Carolina. Courts & Justice: A Supreme Court ruling supports more racially diverse juries in capital cases, with North Carolina advocates pointing to past jury-selection tactics. Environment & Science: The Trump administration plans to dismantle a deep-ocean monitoring system, raising alarms as ocean conditions worsen.

Public Health: The CDC’s National Wastewater Surveillance System faces steep federal funding cuts in President Trump’s budget plan, raising alarms that the U.S. could lose a key early-warning tool as a new COVID-19 “cicada” variant spreads. Local Health & Safety: Veterinarians warn North Carolina cat owners about “bobcat fever” (cytauxzoonosis), a tick-borne illness spread by Lone Star ticks, urging consistent flea-and-tick prevention and keeping cats indoors. Nursing Home Watch (CMS): New CMS Q1 2026 data spotlights wide performance gaps across the state, with several facilities earning 5-star ratings (including Clapps Nursing Center in Guilford and Abernathy Laurels in Catawba) while others scored 1 (like Camellia Gardens in Vance and Fletcher Rehabilitation in Henderson) and some reported substantial fines. Immigration Language: A new White House “aliens.gov” site uses “aliens” rhetoric aimed at immigrants, drawing criticism for dehumanizing wordplay. Community & Culture: A free Milepost Music concert featuring Scott Ainslie is set for June 7 at Mabry Mill on the Blue Ridge Parkway.

Workers’ Memorial Day: North Carolina Labor Commissioner Luke Farley marked the day by remembering the 67 workers who died on the job in the past year, urging safer workplaces. Data Centers & Power Costs: The NC House advanced a sweeping “Ratepayer Protection Act” to regulate data center growth, limit local incentive giveaways, and require Duke Energy to get approval for a new nuclear plant before retiring coal or gas; separately, the state AG says Duke “overshot the mark” in its proposed rate hikes. Offshore Wind Fight: Blue-state attorneys general, including New York, sued the Trump administration over a deal to pay TotalEnergies nearly $1 billion to cancel offshore wind leases off New York and North Carolina. Public Safety: A Shelby police officer fired after doorbell video showed him punching a Black woman faces assault charges. Local Politics: Charlotte opened applications for interim mayor after Mayor Vi Lyles’ resignation, with a June 22 target for the council’s appointment.

Toxic Cleanup in Raleigh: EPA clearance allows N.C. State to demolish Poe Hall after studies found carcinogenic PCBs and exposure concerns tied to higher cancer rates among female employees. Public Safety & Justice: A former Shelby officer turned himself in after doorbell video showed him punching a woman during an arrest; SBI says the case involves alleged excessive force. Major Crash Fallout: A Virginia grand jury indicted the bus driver in the I-95 crash that killed five, and federal transportation officials subpoena New York over his licensing and training. Reentry Support: A new AI app, Next Steps, helps people leaving incarceration quickly find housing, health care, and other resources from a verified database. North Carolina Economy & Growth: The first Buc-ee’s in N.C. is set for a June 10 groundbreaking in Mebane, with opening pushed to late 2027. Health & Prevention: ViiV Healthcare launched the “PrEP Wisdom” campaign to boost informed choices about long-acting injectable HIV prevention.

North Carolina law enforcement: A former Shelby police officer, Karson Blake Hyder, 22, was charged with assault after a viral doorbell video showed him repeatedly punching a woman during an arrest; the SBI says it investigated an allegation of excessive force and Hyder turned himself in, with Shelby officials saying he was fired. State politics & schools: A North Carolina Senate bill would steer more than $10 million in recurring funding to Khan Academy for an AI tutoring program, despite the nonprofit’s founder saying early classroom impact fell short. Business & development: Asheville launched the “Asheville Recovers Together” grant program, offering $5,000 to $75,000 to small businesses still recovering from Hurricane Helene, funded through HUD disaster recovery money. Public safety & infrastructure: The North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher shut down for a major renovation, including a new shark habitat and expanded education space, with a temporary setup opening at Independence Mall. Economy & consumer life: North Carolina’s first Buc-ee’s in Mebane is set to break ground June 10, with an opening now pushed to late 2027. Health & families: SUN Bucks summer benefits begin for 2026, with the first round reaching more than 1 million children statewide.

Local Justice: A Shelby, N.C., police officer was fired after a viral home-security video showed him repeatedly punching a Black woman during an arrest; the department says an administrative investigation followed. Public Safety: In Virginia, a bus crash on I-95 killed five and injured dozens after the bus failed to slow for a work zone; authorities say the driver’s licensing and training are under scrutiny. Drugs & Courts: A New Bern fentanyl dealer was sentenced to more than 12 years after pleading guilty to selling fentanyl and possessing a gun tied to the crime. Health & Community: Camp Victory, a vitiligo-focused camp, is set to return to Concord, N.C., giving kids a supportive space to connect and build confidence. Sports (NC): UNC baseball advanced to super-regionals with a 9-3 win over East Carolina, completing a regional run without a loss. Sports (US): The U.S. men’s team beat Senegal 3-2 in a World Cup tune-up in Charlotte, with Christian Pulisic ending his goal drought.

Public Safety: A Shelby police officer was fired after doorbell video showed repeated punches during an arrest; the SBI opened an inquiry at the request of the department and the DA. Transportation Tragedy: In Virginia’s I-95 crash, authorities say a charter bus driver who allegedly didn’t slow for a work zone has been charged with involuntary manslaughter after killing five, including a Greenfield family of four; investigators say more charges may follow. North Carolina Health & Policy: DHHS approved the consolidation of Vaya Health and Partners Health Management into Vaya Partners, effective Oct. 1, 2026, to serve 222,000 people across 47 counties. Reproductive Rights: NC Rep. Keith Kidwell introduced a bill to classify abortion as first-degree murder and allow deadly force to stop it, drawing sharp criticism. Community & Workforce: Boone’s chamber foundation launched a retention bonus drive for childcare workers in Watauga County, aiming to raise $60,000–$75,000. Local Governance: BRCC recognized six employees for completing leadership programs across the state community college system.

I-95 Crash Update: Federal investigators are still looking into Friday’s deadly Stafford County, Virginia bus crash on I-95 that killed five and injured dozens, with 14 discharged and five still in a trauma center as the NTSB works alongside Virginia State Police. Public Safety & Accountability: In Shelby, North Carolina, the SBI is investigating allegations of “excessive force” after a viral video appeared to show an officer punching a woman during an arrest; the officer was fired. Housing & Transit: A new look at North Carolina’s growth argues that even with denser cities, most residents still won’t rely on public transit, as ridership remains below pre-pandemic levels. Veterans Housing: VA data shows 4,716 VA home purchases in North Carolina in Q1 FY2026, totaling $1.7 billion—down from Q4 FY2025. Local Business: Buc-ee’s is moving forward with its first North Carolina location, breaking ground June 10 in Mebane with an opening targeted for late 2027. Sports: The Carolina Hurricanes advanced to the Stanley Cup Final after a dominant win over the Montreal Canadiens.

Transportation Safety: A North Carolina-based travel bus operated by E&P Travel crashed on Virginia’s I-95 near a work zone, killing 5 and injuring 34; officials say the driver, Jing S. Dong, failed to slow and charges are pending. State Politics: Former Gov. Roy Cooper brought his “Make Stuff Cost Less” message to west Charlotte, arguing for lower everyday costs and pushing utilities and data-center power demands as a driver of higher bills. Justice System: Federal prosecutors in the Comey case say the lead prosecutor stepped aside, with Timothy Severo replacing Matthew Petracca, as the seashell-number indictment faces scrutiny. Courts & Public Safety: North Carolina prosecutors urged an appeals court to reject a bid to overturn a contempt ruling tied to hearsay testimony. Community Support: Davie County schools are gearing up for summer SUN meals as districts plan for rising demand for free breakfasts and lunches. Health & Research: The 2026 Consortium of Multiple Sclerosis Centers meeting in Charlotte highlights new MS care and treatment research, including late-breaking comparisons of therapies. Local Business: Woworks hired a new chief growth officer to accelerate franchising, including multi-unit deals in the Raleigh-Durham area.

Workforce Pell Rollout: The U.S. Education Department published the final Workforce Pell Grant rule, extending federal aid to short-term collision repair and auto technician programs starting this summer, with most provisions effective July 20 and eligibility tied to program length (150–599 clock hours), completion, and job outcomes. Higher Ed Impact: Education officials project more than 100,000 students could benefit in early years, with colleges now needing to apply for program approval under state frameworks. Local Transportation Decision: Wilmington’s WMPO voted 12-1 to remove the Independence Boulevard Extension from the state’s 2026-2035 transportation plan, a major shift for a project estimated at $424 million. Public Safety & Health: UNCP’s new occupational therapy master’s program earned full seven-year accreditation from ACOTE, and Kind Behavioral Health marked Mental Health Awareness Month by expanding access to evidence-based autism care across 19 North Carolina locations. Flood Resilience: NC DEQ announced a $1.6 million nature-based flood project in Bladenboro to restore streamflow and create floodplain storage.

National Security: The Pentagon says U.S. troops in war zones have been targeted using commercially available location data, with lawmakers warning the “adtech” industry could be treated like a national security risk. Public Health & Safety: AngioDynamics says Medicare coverage guidance for its NanoKnife irreversible electroporation (IRE) is now set for prostate and liver cancer, effective July 5, 2026. Healthcare Watch: North Carolina’s uninsured rate is projected to rebound after years of decline as enhanced ACA marketplace subsidies expire, potentially shrinking enrollment and shifting risk. State & Local Economy: Gov. Josh Stein visited Pitt Community College to push construction apprenticeships tied to affordable housing and workforce needs in eastern North Carolina. Food & Consumer Oversight: The FDA conducted 181 inspections at 180 North Carolina food and cosmetics companies in 2025, with Carolina Bakery leading in citations. Community: OneBlood is urging donations of all blood types, especially O negative and O positive, to meet local hospital needs. Sports & Culture: “Top Chef: Carolinas” visited Asheville restaurants, highlighting Western North Carolina’s food scene and Hurricane Helene impacts.

Offshore Wind Fallout: U.S. Rep. Deborah Ross and other Democrats demand answers from the Trump administration over nearly $2 million in taxpayer payouts tied to offshore wind lease buyouts in North Carolina, alleging “bribery” to push companies out of the market. Pentagon Loan Scrutiny: A ProPublica investigation says a White House adviser personally pushed a record $620 million Pentagon loan to a North Carolina rare-earth startup linked to Donald Trump Jr., raising fresh cronyism concerns. Local Government Watch: Carolina Shores approved about a $980,000 road repaving and is moving toward a new sidewalk plan; Brunswick County will hold a June 1 budget hearing keeping its property tax rate at $.342 per $100. Project Delays: Shallotte leaders are set to decide next steps on the Price Landing park project after the contractor was declared in default for delays and quality issues. Public Safety: A raccoon in Chapel Hill tested positive for rabies after an incident involving two dogs; officials urge people to avoid contact and follow exposure guidance. Weather & Water: Most of North Carolina remains in extreme or severe drought, though recent rains helped in parts of the state. Sports & Community: Guilford County’s Sports Hall of Fame announced 11 new Class of 2026 inductees.