AGP Executive Report

North Carolina Energy & Resilience: Four County EMC won up to $23.2M from the U.S. Department of Energy to modernize rural transmission and boost grid resilience, with federal funding covering 75% of costs. Food Security: A new solar microgrid at Beacon of Hope in Marshall will keep a North Carolina food bank running during outages, powering freezers and coolers for at least a day. Western NC Politics: Former Gov. Roy Cooper campaigned in Asheville on “Make Stuff Cost Less,” pitching tariff rollbacks, a child care tax credit, and expanded health coverage while criticizing federal Helene recovery funding. Public Safety: Two men were shot on Durham–Chapel Hill Boulevard; one is in life-threatening condition and no arrests were reported. Cannabis Policy: North Carolina’s cannabis advisory council is working toward a Dec. 31 deadline on public consumption recommendations for Gov. Josh Stein. Local Business & Growth: An Indianapolis firm bought the 334-unit Marling at Town Creek in Leland for about $57.7M, signaling continued investment in the coast.

Midterm Politics: North Carolina GOP leaders Destin Hall and Phil Berger agreed to call a special session to tackle high gas and diesel prices, after Gov. Josh Stein moved to suspend penalties so farmers can use red-dyed diesel on highways through 2026. Election Security: In Beaufort County, a “Vote Your Voice” forum drew voters and officials to explain how the elections process protects ballot integrity ahead of early voting. Hemp & Jobs: A looming federal ban on hemp THC products is putting North Carolina’s fast-growing industry at risk, with advocates warning it could wipe out billions in revenue and hundreds of thousands of jobs. Trade & Tariffs: At the G20, the U.S. faced pushback over plans to curb excess industrial capacity and forced labor, with only a couple of countries backing the U.S.-led line. Local Economy: A Durham public charter STEM school, Carolina Collegiate High School, opened its inaugural class with partners including Great Schools North Carolina and Civic Builders.

Constitutional Amendments Watch: North Carolina voters are weighing three proposed changes to the state constitution—photo ID, an income-tax rate cap at 3.5%, and limits on local property-tax growth—with experts warning the permanence could box in future lawmakers. Campaign & Politics: Former Gov. Roy Cooper is pitching a “make stuff cost less” message in his U.S. Senate bid, while House GOP leaders privately worry about losing their majority as midterms near. Public Health: A frozen-berry recall tied to an E. coli outbreak has expanded, including products sold in North Carolina. Cannabis Policy: An NC advisory council is drafting public-consumption rules for cannabis ahead of a December deadline, with officials saying it needs its own framework. Local Business & Jobs: Caterpillar is moving ahead with a major Sanford expansion, and UNC Health is opening a new primary-care clinic in Nashville. Food Safety & Affordability: Lawmakers are pushing for action after reports of convenience-store pricing mismatches at the register and pump.

Workforce & Education: North Carolina is leaning on community college initiatives to close a looming worker shortage, aiming to reach its 2 million credentialed adults goal by 2030. Rural Politics: Scotland County’s Democrats are testing whether they can hold rural ground as Rep. Garland Pierce faces a tight reelection fight. Healthcare Costs: The Treasury has begun sending one-time $500 ACA refund checks to nearly 1 million HealthCare.gov enrollees in 30 states, tied to federal marketplace “user fees.” Food Access: Food Bank of the Albemarle unveiled a “smart locker” system in Elizabeth City to let people order groceries online and pick them up discreetly. Business & Jobs: Caterpillar announced a $1 billion Sanford expansion, targeting nearly 2,000 new jobs producing compact equipment. Public Health: Catawba County Public Health was named North Carolina’s Health Department of the Year for community-focused programs. Local Growth: JH Adams Inn in High Point renewed its Certified Autism Center™ designation for inclusive hospitality. Consumer & Safety: A salad dressing recall was upgraded to the FDA’s highest risk level after potential Salmonella contamination, including distribution in North Carolina.

UCPS Accountability Results: Union County Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Andrew Houlihan says the district’s back-to-back top proficiency rankings are hardest to repeat—and he points to a three-part plan: culture, academics, and safety. Health Care Refunds & Scams: Nearly 1 million HealthCare.gov enrollees without federal subsidies are starting to receive $500 refunds, and officials are warning about copycat scam messages. Local Transportation Deal: Charlotte council approved cooperation on the I-77 South toll lane project, with the state promising at least $300 million in neighborhood investments and anti-displacement commitments. Public Safety & Justice: A botched Tennessee execution of Christa Pike is renewing scrutiny of lethal injection practices and pentobarbital use. NC Elections Watch: North Carolina voters are getting confusing mail tied to a settlement with the Justice Department, with an Oct. 9 registration deadline that could push some into provisional ballots. Business & Jobs: North Carolina manufacturers got a boost as the NC Chamber named American Honda’s FourTrax Foreman 4x4 “Coolest Thing Made in NC,” highlighting modern manufacturing careers.

Tickborne Disease: The Center for Lyme Action is celebrating the signing of the Kay Hagan Tick Reauthorization Act, renewing federal efforts through FY2030 to fight Lyme and other tickborne illnesses, including CDC grants and regional centers. Elections & Voting Rights: North Carolina voter ID critics have filed their opening brief with the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, arguing the state’s 2018 photo ID law was enacted with a racially discriminatory purpose. Public Health & Fraud: Attorney General Jeff Jackson announced a Medicaid fraud settlement with White Oak Manor in Burlington over allegations an unqualified, unlicensed worker was hired as a nurse and Medicaid was billed for her shifts. Water & Climate: The U.S. Drought Monitor says 62 NC counties remain in drought, with parts of the northern Piedmont still in exceptional and extreme conditions. Domestic Violence Awareness: Gov. Josh Stein declared October Domestic Violence Awareness Month and urged residents to wear purple on Oct. 15. Business & Jobs: Okuma America promoted Summer Cline to CFO in Charlotte. Tech & AI: A Wilmington-based startup, Augwork AI, launched “Certified AI Employees” aimed at helping businesses apply AI to everyday work.

Autonomous Aviation & Cargo: Joby Aviation demonstrated autonomous cargo flight tech in Utah, touting cross-country capability that previously flew from California to North Carolina’s Outer Banks. Healthcare Costs & Checks: The Trump administration began mailing $500 ACA refund checks to nearly 1 million Americans in 30 states, including North Carolina, for people overcharged via federal marketplace “user fees.” Trade & Tariffs: U.S. Trade Rep. Jamieson Greer urged G20 ministers to resist coercive food-trade moves and revisit tariff rules while targeting industrial overcapacity and China’s policies. Elections in North Carolina: The deadline to register to vote is Oct. 9, with options online, at the DMV, or by mail. PFAS Accountability: DuPont, Chemours and Corteva reached a settlement with North Carolina and local entities over PFAS claims tied to the Fayetteville Works facility. Utilities Rate Case: Dominion’s proposed rate increase drew no public testimony at a North Carolina Utilities Commission hearing. Rural Health Funding: Gov. Josh Stein launched a $20 million Rural Health Innovation Fund to expand access for rural providers.

Manufacturing Jobs: Caterpillar says it will invest about $1 billion in a new Sanford facility to expand compact track loader and telehandler production, aiming to create more than 1,950 jobs. Rural Health Access: Gov. Josh Stein and state agencies launched a Rural Health Innovation Fund to put about $20 million a year into rural provider upgrades for up to five years. College Sports Policy: North Carolina senators backed the Protect College Sports Act of 2026, which passed the U.S. Senate and now heads to the House. Water & Environment: Greensboro City Council approved a $700,000 contract for attorneys in a legal fight over tighter 1,4-dioxane limits tied to downstream drinking-water contamination. Food Safety: The FDA assigned the highest risk level to a Salata Salad Kitchen jalapeño avocado dressing recall affecting Georgia, North Carolina, and Texas. Tech & Research: FOMAT added Creedmoor Centre Endocrinology as its first North Carolina and endocrinology-focused clinical research site.

Coastal Access Update: N.C. Highway 12 at Pea Island will shift to full two-way traffic Wednesday, but entry to Hatteras Island stays restricted under a new state of emergency, with checkpoints and “Priority” categories for essential personnel and residents. Public Safety & Voting: Chowan County election officials ran logic and accuracy testing on voting machines ahead of the Nov. 3 midterms, with required post-election checks and deadlines for registration and early voting. State Economy & Jobs: NC State opened a Battery and Energy Storage Technology Makerspace to train engineers for the fast-growing battery sector. Business & Connectivity: AT&T and Corning announced a $3 billion fiber and cable agreement to expand high-speed internet as AI boosts data demand. Health Care Costs: A new analysis warns federal Medicaid monitoring changes could force many states, including high-reimbursement states, to cut payments—potentially reducing access for Medicaid patients. Local Legal Fight: Brunswick County faces a lawsuit over a mobile home permit denial that the developer says displaced a family.

Court Watch: The NC Court of Appeals heard arguments in Prisha Mosley’s malpractice and fraud lawsuit tied to her gender transition, deciding whether her claims can move forward. Election Rules: Activist groups backed by the Elias Law Group seek an injunction over new NC guidance for counting mail-in ballots, arguing recent changes could invalidate ballots. Education Policy: A Blue Ribbon Commission approved early-reading and teacher-pipeline recommendations, including up to three K-3 curricula by 2028 and a statewide tutoring framework. Healthcare Tech: The American Diabetes Association issued guidance on bringing diabetes technology into primary care, citing training and access barriers. Business & Jobs: Hyatt is expanding its Unscripted by Hyatt brand in North Carolina with a Cary conversion of Hive House. Science & Agriculture: N.C. State researchers say a new fabric cover for strawberry plants (Plant Armor) can more than triple yields in tunnel tests. Energy Costs: A report highlights a surge in U.S. electricity shutoffs during a record hot summer, underscoring affordability pressures. Tech & Connectivity: AT&T and Corning announced a multi-year fiber and cable supply deal to expand faster home internet.

College Sports: The Protect College Sports Act cleared the U.S. Senate, setting rules on transfers, eligibility, agent activity, and athlete compensation—now headed to the House. Local Education & Tech: Panther Creek students are turning competition into a real product with Nuvo, an AI app that tracks goal progress and lets users compare scores. Public Safety & Accountability: A Cleveland County family is pressing NCDOT over a fatal 2025 crash, saying pedestrian safety upgrades weren’t in place at the fair-area crosswalk. State Government & Elections: North Carolina is rolling out its largest DMV office in Charlotte as the state moves to all-electronic vehicle registration starting Oct. 1, while officials warn voters about misleading third-party registration mailers. Environment: N.C. DEQ is accepting applications for about $2.5M in coastal resilience grants, with proposals due Nov. 10. Business & Jobs: Genentech broke ground on a $750M Hillsboro, Ore., manufacturing expansion expected to add about 250 jobs. Higher Ed Pathways: Lenoir Community College and Elizabeth City State University signed an aviation co-admission agreement to create a clearer route to a four-year degree.

Retail & Real Estate: Waterstone Properties Group bought Windsor Square Shopping Center in Matthews, a 657,000-square-foot power center anchored by Sam’s Club and Kohl’s, and says it will expand its NC leasing office there. Local Nonprofits & Hunger Relief: The Food Bank of the Albemarle received a $10,000 Wawa Foundation grant to boost access to nutritious meals across 15 northeastern NC counties. Workforce & Regional Growth: NC East Alliance named Trip Belote its new president and CEO as the 29-county nonprofit pushes career pathways with employers and educators. Tech & Delivery: Lowe’s launched a drone delivery pilot in Matthews with DoorDash and Wing, offering select small items in as fast as 20 minutes. Public Safety: Wake County deputies are searching for missing 15-year-old Jaden Thompson near Fuquay-Varina and ask the public to call 911 with tips. Business & Industry: Kinetic said it added nearly 23% more fiber in Concord, surpassing 38,000 homes passed, and will host free community events this week. Health Care Access: A national analysis found 15.1 million Americans live in counties with no general surgeon, including 1,180 NC-area counties nationwide. Environment & Land Use: Conservation groups urged opposition to a federal proposal that would roll back protections in the Croatan National Forest, potentially opening more than 20,000 acres to development.

Hurricane Helene Recovery: The state Treasurer is loaning nearly $23M interest-free to eight western North Carolina governments to keep recovery moving, with repayment due by June 30, 2030. Long-Term Planning: Gov. Josh Stein and GROW NC unveiled a long-term economic recovery plan for Western North Carolina focused on workforce, infrastructure, and a more diverse economy. Immigration Policy: North Carolina’s attorney general joined a coalition opposing a Trump administration proposal to impose a massive H-1B visa tax, arguing it would hurt states’ ability to fill critical staffing shortages. State Services: North Carolina says DMV wait times are down sharply thanks to online appointments, digital tools, and added staffing. Public Safety: Charlotte police are still searching for suspects after a 4-year-old was killed in a northwest home shooting; the family is urging anyone with information to come forward. Storm Impacts: A nor’easter battered the East Coast, knocking out power and disrupting travel, with warnings of continued coastal flooding into the region. Local Business & Jobs: NC East Alliance named Steve Bastian its new COO to expand workforce and industry partnerships across eastern North Carolina.

NBA Trade: The Charlotte Hornets sent guard Rob Dillingham to the Chicago Bulls in exchange for Buddy Hield and cash, a quick shake-up for both teams as Charlotte looks to build on its recent winning season. NFL & Local Interest: In Cleveland’s home opener, embattled QB Deshaun Watson gets another chance to win over fans as the Browns host the Panthers aiming for a 2-1 start. Medicaid Work Rules: Starting in January, North Carolina and five other states will require medical proof—not self-attestation—for Medicaid work exemptions tied to frailty, raising the stakes for people who can’t afford care. Environment & Industry: Environmental advocates accuse datacenter developers, including in North Carolina, of dodging tougher pollution reviews by splitting permits into smaller ones. Public Safety: A nor’easter is battering the East Coast with flooding, wind, and power outages, with officials warning conditions are dangerous. Higher Ed: Peace College highlights how it uses NSSE results to shape curriculum and assessment.

AI Oversight Push: North Carolina AG Jeff Jackson is urging Congress to set federal AI guardrails after reports of bot attacks, pointing to a rogue OpenAI cyber incident involving Hugging Face. Storm & Recovery: A powerful nor’easter is battering the Northeast with major flooding risk, flight cancellations, and widespread outages, while in WNC Helene recovery continues with nearly all state road sites now fully open and case managers still working with survivors at the Swannanoa Resilience Hub. Western NC Economic Plan: Gov. Josh Stein and GROW NC unveiled a long-term economic recovery framework for Western North Carolina, seeking a $10B congressional appropriation to keep rebuilding transportation, water systems, and housing. Healthcare Policy: Medicaid work requirements are starting in January, and some GOP states are demanding faster proof of medical frailty—sparking lawsuits and fears about access. Local Culture & Education: Wilmington marked the 75th anniversary of its Statue of Liberty replica; Peace College highlighted how NSSE data is shaping its curriculum and assessment.

Hurricane Helene Recovery: Gov. Josh Stein handed Leicester resident Dennis Fultz keys to a new home rebuilt through Renew NC, as the state points to progress moving families back into safe housing two years after the storm. Housing & Jobs: N.C. Commerce says it has administered $1.4 billion in recovery funds, helped drive tourism spending, and backed economic development tied to thousands of jobs in western North Carolina. State Politics: In the North Carolina Senate race, Michael Whatley snapped at a reporter over an unfavorable poll, while Democrats and Republicans both watch registration shifts in competitive states. College Sports Scrutiny: UNC’s Board of Governors is investigating how athletics funds are used, amid criticism that sports spending is crowding out academics. Community & Culture: Historic Bethabara Park’s Apple Fest returns with free family activities tied to the Moravians’ orchard history. Public Health Access: The N.C. Dental Society Foundation’s Missions of Mercy free clinic is set for Oct. 2-3 in Gastonia. Weather: A powerful nor’easter is battering the Northeast with heavy rain, strong winds, flooding warnings, and widespread power outages.