AGP Executive Report

PFAS Accountability: The U.S. Justice Department reached a $450 million settlement with Chemours over “forever chemicals,” including a $22.5 million penalty and $90 million in cleanup steps tied to facilities in West Virginia, North Carolina and New Jersey—an outcome North Carolina AG Jeff Jackson called an “insult” to Eastern NC. State Tech Procurement: NCDIT named Shannon Casucci Chief Procurement Transformation Officer, aiming to streamline how agencies buy technology and improve transparency for taxpayers. Education & Civil Rights: Federal Title IX actions targeting bathroom policies for transgender students now include Buncombe and Cabarrus County districts, with the Trump administration saying it will investigate potential violations. Sports & Local Pride: Raleigh’s Stanley Cup celebration drew massive crowds, but one op-ed warns that public money for a potential Wake County MLB stadium shouldn’t come before core budget work. Public Health: N.C. State researchers say canine “dementia” gait changes may help flag cognitive decline earlier. Business/AI: Unilever is expanding AI digital twins after success at its Raeford, NC manufacturing plant.

State Politics: North Carolina Republicans overrode Gov. Josh Stein’s vetoes, turning new laws into effect that ban DEI practices in schools and universities and require state law enforcement to cooperate with federal immigration enforcement. Governor’s Response: Stein blasted the moves as culture-war distractions while teachers and law enforcement wait on pay raises. Housing & Courts: NC Attorney General Jeff Jackson reached a $7 million settlement with landlord LivCor, barring the company from using algorithmic pricing to set rents and from sharing sensitive data with other landlords. Environment & Health: Federal and state leaders are reacting to a major Chemours PFAS settlement, with NC officials arguing the deal doesn’t do enough for eastern North Carolina’s contaminated water. Local Growth Planning: Leland highlighted progress on its 2045 comprehensive plan, including updated rules for data centers and steps to manage growth along Highway 74/76. Tech & Education: Caldwell Community College’s cybersecurity program earned an NSA and DHS “National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense” designation. Sports: The NBA draft’s Round 1 ended with AJ Dybantsa going No. 1 to the Wizards, and Round 2 is set to begin Wednesday.

NBA Draft (North Carolina ties): The Washington Wizards won the night by taking BYU freshman AJ Dybantsa No. 1, with Utah selecting Kansas guard Darryn Peterson at No. 2; Round 2 starts Wednesday. Local sports spotlight: North Carolina’s Caleb Wilson went No. 4 to the Chicago Bulls, while Duke’s Cameron Boozer went No. 3 and other North Carolina prospects like Henri Veesaar are still in play for Day 2. World Cup ripple effects: In the U.S., World Cup travel is boosting local food and seafood businesses, including Seattle-area watch parties and special menus. North Carolina business & policy: North Carolina Lottery results for June 23 were published, and the state is also weighing new rules around e-bikes amid safety concerns. Public finance & governance: North Carolina Senate action on tax changes and property-tax related bills continues to draw attention.

Helene Recovery Push: Gov. Josh Stein and Sen. Kevin Corbin urged Congress for more than $10 billion to keep rebuilding western North Carolina after Hurricane Helene, focusing on homes, water and wastewater, roads and dams, and small businesses. Utilities & Cost of Living: Duke Energy Carolinas cut its pending rate hike request before the N.C. Utilities Commission after public affordability concerns, lowering the overall increase from 14.3% to 9.3% and residential from 18% to 11.6%. Property Tax Rules: The N.C. Senate is set to vote on public notice requirements for property tax increases, aiming to prevent surprise higher bills after revaluations. Local Government Finance Shock: Buncombe County faces budget uncertainty tied to a 2026 property tax reappraisal moratorium, with a possible Senate bill that could exempt the county. Workforce Funding: NCWorks opened applications for Workforce Pell, expanding federal aid for short-term training programs starting July 2026. Drought Watch: N.C. forestry experts urged landowners to monitor trees for drought stress and protect young seedlings as dry conditions worsen. Community & Education Wins: North Carolina placed second nationwide at SkillsUSA, with community college students leading the medal haul. Data Center Debate: Triad mayors signaled openness to data centers if communities are involved and water impacts are addressed.

World Cup Knockout Prep: Australia’s Socceroos are mapping scenarios heading into their Group D finale vs Paraguay, with a win or draw likely locking in a Round of 16 path. NBA Draft Watch: The Wizards face a franchise-defining choice at No. 1 between AJ Dybantsa and Darryn Peterson, with Giannis trade talk still hanging over the board. College Baseball: Oklahoma routed North Carolina 13-2 to win the College World Series title, capping a run that ended UNC’s long championship drought. Sports Betting Taxes: North Carolina lawmakers agreed to raise the online sportsbook tax from 18% to 23%, a move bettors and industry groups say could mean fewer promos. Local Government Finance: Rocky Mount says it’s made “steady” progress after a state audit, with a newly approved budget helping it avoid harsher oversight. UNCW Growth: UNCW approved a new Bachelor of Science in Data Science starting August 2026, plus multiple DeJoy-Woś scholarship winners. Public Safety: The N.C. Department of Labor fined a Carolina Beach amusement operator $37,500 after a ride restraint issue injured a rider.

Healthcare Investment: UNC Health will invest at least $675M over 15 years to expand and integrate UNC Health Wayne, a move Wayne County leaders say will strengthen services and workforce development. Workplace & Industry: Karl Storz says it will lay off 108 employees in Morrisville as it ends development of Asensus’ standalone robotics platform and shifts work into its broader R&D. Public Safety: North Carolina Labor officials issued a serious violation and $37,500 in penalties after a Carolina Beach amusement ride incident where a lap restraint came loose during operation. State Policy: Gov. Josh Stein signed a bill creating a yearlong property tax reappraisal moratorium in certain counties, aiming to ease costs for residents. Business & Jobs: Baldor Specialty Foods is expanding into North Carolina, bringing thousands of specialty products to the Triangle, Triad, and Charlotte. Economy & Courts: The N.C. AG secured a $7M settlement with LivCor tied to algorithmic rent-setting practices. Aerospace: JetZero broke ground on a major aircraft manufacturing campus in Greensboro, targeting 14,500 jobs over the next decade. Sports & Culture: MLB expansion talk in North Carolina is heating up again as fans and investors eye a future franchise.

Rural Funding: Gov. Josh Stein’s Rural Infrastructure Authority approved $4M+ for projects like a Lexington textile hub, Reidsville mattress manufacturing, and Asheboro street/sidewalk upgrades. Food Security: With summer break, about 850,000 NC students lose school meals for roughly 10 weeks, pushing families toward pantries and weekend food bags as SNAP rules tighten. Education & Research: UNC-Chapel Hill faces renewed scrutiny over DEI practices despite reform efforts, while UNC’s School of Medicine research funding is rising and NC State engineering interim dean Veena Misra steps in after decades of leadership. Politics: U.S. Rep. John McGuire faces a tougher-than-expected 2026 primary test as Democrats target Virginia’s 5th District, and Senate campaigns are fanning out across North Carolina. Legal/Business: Swizz Beatz joins a federal suit against a Lake Norman venue over alleged unlicensed DMX music. Public Health & Safety: The FDA flagged a Walmart-distributed Great Value bread recall tied to contamination on packaging surfaces. Community & Culture: A veteran broadcaster takes over as KSQM program director, and students explore aviation through a local camp that ends with discovery flights.

NBA Draft Focus: The 2026 NBA Draft heads to Barclays Center in Brooklyn Tuesday (first round) and Wednesday (second), with the Clippers holding the No. 5 pick and plenty of buzz around top prospects including North Carolina’s Caleb Wilson. Housing & Consumer Protection: North Carolina’s housing costs stay in the spotlight as AGs move to crack down on algorithmic rent-fixing; Illinois announced a $7M LivCor settlement tied to RealPage’s pricing system. State Tax Policy: Gov. Josh Stein signed a property reappraisal pause for Buncombe County, offering targeted relief while warning about potential knock-on effects for Helene recovery. Public Health: A rare tickborne illness called Bourbon virus is drawing attention after a New York case, underscoring how easily clinicians can miss tick-related diseases. Agriculture & Trade: For cash-strapped farmers, an end to Iran fighting may ease fuel and fertilizer costs—but the damage to 2026 crop finances is already done. Local Business & Tech: A Raleigh-based Hispanic contractor startup, FieldSub, launched a fully bilingual app aimed at helping subcontractors manage jobs, crews, tools, and profitability. Community Spotlight: Durham’s Village Hearth highlights LGBTQ+ senior cohousing built on neighbors “stepping up” for one another.

Stanley Cup Celebration: Thousands of Carolina Hurricanes fans flooded downtown Raleigh for the Stanley Cup parade, with police estimating about 150,000 attendees and Gov. Josh Stein calling it a “joyous day for North Carolina.” Local Government & Infrastructure: Stein also dedicated a stretch of Edwards Mill Road as “Hurricanes Highway” in honor of the win. Workforce & Education: The NC Business Committee for Education and the Siemens Foundation launched 12 Summer Electrical Academies to train 220 students at community colleges, building toward a larger electrical careers push. Summer Travel Trends: With higher airline prices, more travelers are planning “playcations” around activities, and North Carolina surf spots like Holden Beach and Nags Head are trending. Sports (College Baseball): UNC and Oklahoma meet again in Game 2 of the College World Series finals, with the Tar Heels looking to bounce back after a Game 1 loss. Local Business: Raising Cane’s is set to open a new Jacksonville, NC location July 13, bringing 160 jobs.

Stanley Cup Celebration: An estimated 150,000 fans packed downtown Raleigh for the Carolina Hurricanes’ Stanley Cup parade, with coach Rod Brind’Amour saying he was “in shock” at the turnout. State Workforce Training: Gov. Josh Stein and the NC Business Committee for Education launched 12 Summer Electrical Academies, training 220 students at community colleges with Siemens Foundation support. Local Government & Infrastructure: The Local Government Commission approved $200 million in debt for Lenovo Center upgrades, aiming to modernize the venue and expand its sports and entertainment draw. Public Health Funding Watch: New Medicaid billing figures show sharp local increases in categories like Evaluation and Management, Surgery, and Dental services across multiple NC communities. Agriculture Guidance: NC State Extension answered peanut growers’ questions on herbicide tank mixes, warning that certain combinations can reduce control and advising timing and surfactant adjustments. Community Change: The Ballantyne YMCA in Charlotte will close after a $42.5 million sale to Moments of Hope Church, with the site staying open through summer 2027. Business & Jobs: Raising Cane’s announced a July 13 opening in Jacksonville, bringing 160 jobs and starting pay of $13 an hour.

Tomatoflation Hits Grocery Carts: Florida’s winter freezes and Mexico’s tomato setbacks pushed the national average fresh tomato price to a record $2.689 a pound in April, with retail prices expected to ease as Florida rebounds. NC Jobs & Rural Growth: Gov. Josh Stein announced $1.862M for Hendersonville infrastructure tied to a BorgWarner plant, aiming to support a $100M project and hundreds of jobs. Election Overhaul in Raleigh: House Bill 958 would expand absentee/provisional ballot processing, tighten electioneering rules, and add “performance” audits—sparking a public fight between Gov. Josh Stein and State Auditor Dave Boliek. AI Data Center Pushback: Reports say MGX is weighing a multibillion-dollar bid for data center operator DayOne, underscoring how fast the AI infrastructure race is moving. Local Business Watch: Neese’s Country Sausage is changing hands after a period of uncertainty, with Jesse Jones LLC acquiring the brand and planning a production restart. Culture & Community: MC SHA-ROCK and George Clinton were named to the North Carolina Music Hall of Fame class, and the NC Blueberry Festival drew crowds to Burgaw.

Property Taxes: Gov. Josh Stein signed a one-year moratorium on property tax reappraisals statewide, pushing most county updates to 2027 while carving out limited exemptions. Public Safety & Courts: A Raleigh man was charged in federal court for allegedly threatening the President, with investigators citing Facebook videos and a car search tied to possible explosive materials. State Politics: Stein also signed UNC-related capital contracting changes to help meet University of North Carolina system needs. Economy & Jobs: The state approved $4.09M in rural infrastructure grants expected to create 396 jobs and spur $126M in public and private investment. Business & Growth: JetZero broke ground on a $4.7B Greensboro aircraft campus, targeting 14,500 jobs over the next decade. Sports & Culture: The Hurricanes’ Stanley Cup win is now “Stanley Cup Summer,” with a Raleigh parade Saturday and a new “Hurricanes Highway” designation. Health & Environment: A UNC study links higher PFAS exposure in childhood to lower bone density by age 12, raising fracture concerns. Public Health Policy: SNAP enrollment fell sharply nationwide, with North Carolina among the states seeing steep declines.

SNAP Work Rules: SNAP rolls are down about 10% after Congress expanded work and paperwork requirements, leaving some North Carolina-area families and others nationwide scrambling to cover groceries. Rural Jobs & Infrastructure: Gov. Josh Stein announced Rural Infrastructure Authority grants totaling $126M+ in investment and 96 new jobs, including Taylorsville’s VitalNow Urgent Care building reuse and Caldwell County sewer upgrades for an airport industrial park. Ocean Monitoring Reversal: The Trump administration backed off plans to dismantle the Ocean Observatories Initiative, with NSF saying it will keep operating and redeploy equipment tied to marine research off NC and other coasts. Local Tax Pressure: Guilford County warned property tax bills may be delayed into August after state law blocks use of new revaluation values for one year. Housing & Rent-Fixing Fallout: LivCor faces major legal consequences tied to algorithmic rent coordination, as antitrust scrutiny grows around software-driven pricing. Public Health & Safety: A federal Title IX probe is underway into Buncombe County Schools, while officials also continue warning about hot-car dangers for kids. Food Safety: A multi-state Clover Hill Dairy cheese recall expanded after Listeria concerns, including sales in NC. Arts & Community: Tryon Palace’s inclusive public art project is underway in New Bern, spotlighting Black artisans’ stories.

Local Courts & Housing: A North Carolina federal judge denied Wells Fargo summary judgment in a finance manager’s disability bias lawsuit, keeping key issues headed to trial. Consumer & Housing Enforcement: Liberty Mutual told a North Carolina federal court it’s owed about $1.5M tied to a school construction bond dispute. Rent-Fixing Fallout: The DOJ says property manager LivCor helped coordinate rents using RealPage-style tools; a $7M settlement is part of the antitrust push. Education & Civil Rights: Buncombe County Schools faces a federal Title IX investigation over restroom allegations, following similar scrutiny of Cabarrus County. State Policy & Infrastructure: Greensboro City Council weighs data-center rules; one councilwoman calls for a 6-month pause while others warn against demonizing AI. Environment & Public Health: Exceptional drought has expanded to 10 central NC counties, with water systems urged to follow shortage plans. Culture & Community: An Appalachian Summer Festival global film series brings international movies to UNC School of the Arts’ Schaefer Center in late June and July.

Local Water Crisis: Durham moved straight to Stage 2 mandatory water restrictions June 15 after Lake Michie fell to about 40% capacity, with officials warning the drought is hitting earlier than past events. Energy Reliability: Duke Energy says its self-healing grid tech is reducing outage impacts in Catawba County, serving more than 66% of customers there and helping avoid thousands of outages since 2022. State Politics & Taxes: North Carolina lawmakers are pushing two voter-facing constitutional proposals—capping the personal income tax rate at 3.5% and limiting property tax increases after revaluations—setting up a major ballot decision. Public Safety: Federal prosecutors charged a Raleigh-area man with threatening to kill President Trump and referencing pipe bombs in Facebook videos. Community & Culture: Gov. Josh Stein presented the Order of the Long Leaf Pine to Charlotte leaders including Mayor Vi Lyles and Panthers owner David Tepper. Sports & Entertainment: The Old Opera House’s New Voice Play Festival returns with four comedy one-acts, plus audience voting for top prizes.

Economic Development: Obrecht Properties LLC is entering North Carolina’s commercial real estate market with a near-30-acre Fayetteville-area project, The Gateway at Military Business Park, aiming to deliver 325,550 sq. ft. of flex/industrial space near Fort Bragg. Local Governance: Goldsboro City Council unanimously approved a stormwater management plan to guide ditch maintenance and protect water quality, with updates required every five years under federal Clean Water Act rules. Public Health & Courts: A North Carolina appeals panel issued a second opinion in a COVID vaccination lawsuit, allowing a teen’s mother to pursue claims against a school district and a medical society clinic. Community & Culture: Black Voters Matter held an advocacy day at the North Carolina General Assembly focused on policy priorities like gun violence, housing, and voting rights. Business & Jobs: Duke University began construction on a new graphics processing unit data center near central campus, expanding research and AI capacity while drawing neighborhood concerns. Statewide Recognition: Gov. Josh Stein honored Mecklenburg County leaders with the Order of the Long Leaf Pine.