AGP Executive Report

UNC Football: Bill Belichick’s Tar Heels opened Year Two with a 15-10 upset of TCU in Dublin, leaning on a shutdown defense and a major QB upgrade from Billy Edwards Jr., who threw for 232 yards and helped spark an offense led by Jordan Shipp and Jelani Thurman. G20 & Iran: U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent is in Asheville pushing G20 finance talks on trade imbalances and growth while warning countries about secondary sanctions tied to Iran oil and transactions. AI Supply Chain: Corning says the AI data-center boom is driving demand for optical fiber, and it’s partnering with NVIDIA on new manufacturing facilities in North Carolina and Texas expected to add 3,000+ jobs. Public Health (Medicaid): New local Medicaid spending snapshots show Archdale Surgery claims up 25.9% (to $686) and Spencer Evaluation & Management payments jumping 96.2% (to $197,288) in 2024. Courts & Crime: A federal judge sentenced Raul Ramirez to 15 years for supplying fentanyl pills into Raleigh-area drug networks. Sports (Soccer): Kansas City Current beat the North Carolina Courage 3-2, with Temwa Chawinga returning as a second-half sub.

Public Health: NCDHHS and Durham County are investigating possible rabies exposures tied to Farm Adventures Mobile Petting Zoo after baby goats tested positive; people who had contact with goats at the Harmony base or at off-site events in multiple counties (July 28–Aug. 27) are being told to contact local health departments for guidance. Weather: Eastern North Carolina is bracing for another stretch of dangerous heat, with heat index values potentially topping 105–110° midweek. College Football (UNC): Bill Belichick’s Tar Heels opened the season with a 15-10 upset of TCU in Dublin, powered by a disciplined, defense-first effort that held the Horned Frogs scoreless after the first quarter. NWSL: Ashley Sanchez kept her scoring surge going for the North Carolina Courage, netting two goals to break the franchise single-season goals record in a win over Angel City. International/Policy: European central bankers are signaling worry about future turbulence in U.S. policy norms after Treasury actions tied to the yen and borrowing costs. Local Travel: Raleigh-Durham International is climbing into the top tier for international flight deals, according to flight-deal data.

College Football (UNC–TCU in Dublin): North Carolina opens its 2026 season against TCU at Aviva Stadium, with TCU missing top returning WR Jordan Dwyer due to a foot injury. UNC Football (Belichick staff): UNC also faces defensive coaching disruption, with defensive coordinator Steve Belichick on medical leave, shifting duties to the staff. Injury Update: UNC DE Melkart Abou Jaoude exited early vs. TCU with an apparent injury. Public Health (Rabies alert): Health officials confirmed rabies in baby goats at Farm Adventures’ mobile petting zoo in Iredell County; anyone who had close contact at events between July 28 and Aug. 27 is urged to contact local health departments for risk assessment. Local Agriculture: NC Cooperative Extension announced a Premium Heifer Development Project and Sale, with heifers developed at Waynesville or Butner and a nomination deadline of Sept. 1. Politics/Economy (G20 in Asheville): Protesters criticized the G20 Finance Track meetings in Asheville, arguing the summit won’t deliver real recovery after Tropical Storm Helene. Sports Betting (Week 0 promos): Multiple sportsbooks and prediction-market platforms are rolling out Week 0 welcome offers tied to UNC–TCU and other early-season games.

College Football (UNC vs. TCU): The Tar Heels open Week 0 in Dublin, Ireland, against TCU on ESPN, with kickoff set for noon ET and streaming via Fubo/DIRECTV/ESPN app. Public Health (Brain-eating amoeba): North Carolina health officials say a teen is critically ill after a rare Naegleria fowleri infection tied to warm freshwater exposure, urging families to avoid getting water up the nose during summer activities. Elections & Voting Access: A federal judge temporarily blocked USPS enforcement of parts of new mail-in ballot rules, setting a Sept. 3 hearing as the legal fight over federal control of election mail continues. Housing & Cost Pressure: Foreclosure filings rose 10% year over year in July, signaling ongoing financial strain for some homeowners. Local Safety: Cary police charged a driver in a pedestrian death on Ederlee Drive, where neighbors say speeding and lack of a signalized crossing have long been concerns. Environment & Water: Drought conditions eased in some areas but persist statewide, with parts of Brunswick County still in exceptional drought. Sports (MLB): Twins called up North Carolina product Walker Jenkins, batting ninth and playing center field in his big-league debut.

Election 2026 Prep: Buncombe County shared key dates and how to register for the Nov. 3 midterms, including same-day registration during early voting (Oct. 15-31). Voting Rights Fight: North Carolina AG Nick Brown’s coalition won a temporary restraining order blocking a new USPS mail-ballot rule that would have forced states to redesign ballots and use a federal portal. Public Health: A central N.C. teen is critically ill with Naegleria fowleri (“brain-eating amoeba”), with officials stressing it’s spread when warm freshwater enters the nose, not by swallowing. Local Safety & Community: Ashe County will host an “Out of the Darkness” suicide prevention walk Sept. 13 to raise funds for local youth mental health support. Health Care Costs: NC extended the Medicaid DME rate floor through June 30, 2029, easing provider pressure locally while stakeholders warn reimbursement strain is growing nationwide. Western NC Water: Caldwell’s drought is largely easing after rainfall, but Stage 2 mandatory water restrictions remain in place. Data Centers: Cary approved a long data-center pause to write rules, with residents pushing for stronger water and environmental protections. Sports: UNC opens the season in Dublin vs. TCU (Week 0), with the game set for Saturday at noon ET.

US Army Nuclear Plan: The Army signed deals worth up to $2.2B with five companies to develop microreactors for bases, including Fort Bragg in North Carolina, aiming to deploy 20+ units by 2028. Legal Fight Over Arbitration: A North Carolina appeals court said the Federal Arbitration Act can override a state law that voids out-of-state arbitration clauses, in a Durham concrete dispute. Meta Settlement for Kids: North Carolina is set to receive up to $645M from a social-media addiction settlement, with funds tied to youth safeguards and mental health. Health & Food Safety: The FDA says the cyclospora outbreak linked to recalled iceberg lettuce has spread to 20 states, with illnesses now reported at 11,458. Local Economy & Resilience: Chatham County ranked 4th in N.C. for visitor-spending growth, while Shallotte is seeking public input for a coastal resilience planning program. Sports (NC Ties): Walker Jenkins was called up by the Twins; UNC and TCU open the season in Dublin.

Microreactor Push for Fort Bragg: The U.S. Army is awarding up to $2.2B to build and operate tiny nuclear reactors, including a project at Fort Bragg, aiming for a first deployment by 2028. Local Public Safety Tech: Transylvania County Schools is rolling out wearable panic buttons that send real-time location data to first responders. Major Drug Case: A North Carolina-linked fentanyl and heroin trafficking leader, Alexander “Snow” Trowbridge, was sentenced to more than 20 years in federal prison. Community Aftermath: Downtown Sparta is rallying for recovery after a massive Main Street fire damaged multiple businesses and apartments. Meta Settlement Fallout: North Carolina is among states tied to a landmark Meta deal focused on child safety changes for Instagram and Facebook. G20 in Asheville: Finance leaders are meeting in Asheville with growth, debt, and digital assets on the agenda. Hendersonville Apple Festival: The 80th annual North Carolina Apple Festival runs Sept. 4-7 with a downtown street fair and parade.

Meta Settlement: North Carolina is set to receive at least $451 million (possibly up to $650 million) from Meta’s landmark child-safety settlement, with AG Jeff Jackson saying the money should go toward youth mental health and the deal requires new limits for users 17 and younger. Defense & Energy: The U.S. Army says it will spend up to $2.2 billion to build and operate nuclear microreactors at five bases, including Antares Nuclear at Fort Bragg in North Carolina, aiming for a first reactor to be operating by Sept. 30, 2028. Public Safety: A man pleaded guilty in the 2025 Harris Lake boating crash that killed a 10-year-old girl and injured a woman and was sentenced to 144–185 months for second-degree murder plus additional boating while impaired terms. Local Economy: Boater’s World Manufacturing will create 179 jobs in Beaufort County with a new boat manufacturing facility in Chocowinity, investing more than $6 million. Sports: Ashley Sanchez scored twice as the North Carolina Courage beat Angel City 2-0, breaking the club’s single-season goals record.

Meta Child-Safety Settlement: North Carolina is set to receive up to about $645 million from a landmark $17.1 billion multistate deal with Meta over Instagram and Facebook child-safety claims, with sweeping platform changes promised as part of the agreement. USPS Voting Fight: Attorneys general are renewing legal challenges to a Trump administration push that would give USPS more control over vote-by-mail procedures, arguing it risks chaos and disenfranchisement. Local Elections & Access: In Cullowhee, Jackson County election officials say the State Board approved a revised early-voting plan with fewer sites than originally proposed, reigniting concerns about access. App State Flock Cameras: Appalachian State’s Flock system was searched about 1.5 million times over three months, mostly by out-of-state agencies, before the university cut off national access—raising transparency questions. NC Jobs & Industry: Gov. Josh Stein announced Boater’s World Manufacturing Group will create 179 jobs in Beaufort County with a new boat manufacturing campus. Environment & Public Input: Great Smoky Mountains National Park is seeking public comment through Sept. 7 on floodplain findings for planned improvements to the Oconaluftee River Trail. Transportation: Expect overnight delays in Virginia on I-77, I-81, I-66 and I-495 due to an oversize load traveling from North Carolina.

Data Centers & Politics: A national backlash to data centers is reshaping the midterm map, with rural water and pollution worries pushing communities to fight back and forcing big tech to defend its plans. Local Governance & Privacy: Asheville City Council voted 5-2 to terminate its Flock Safety contract after residents raised privacy concerns about license-plate reader cameras. Education Oversight: Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools board members voted to release more of the superintendent investigation into Dr. Crystal Hill, aiming to share process and recommended governance changes. Public Safety: A multi-agency effort helped salvage a Williamston building after a fast-moving structure fire. Health & Community: UNC Health Appalachian’s “Moving Forward with Diabetes” program earned American Diabetes Association recognition for diabetes education services. Sports & Talent: North Carolina Courage midfielder Riley Jackson was named Special Olympics North Carolina’s first community ambassador. Arts & Legacy: Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library continues to expand early literacy in North Carolina, distributing free books to children.

Manufacturing & Jobs: Gov. Josh Stein announced ProVia will invest $120 million in Davie County to build a window manufacturing facility in Mocksville, creating 400 jobs and adding 580,000 square feet. Workforce Housing: North Carolina Commerce’s Division of Community Revitalization released a $53.38 million federal funding opportunity to build workforce homeownership units across western NC counties still recovering from Hurricane Helene. Courts & Schools: A North Carolina appeals court rejected a lawsuit claiming a charter school was responsible for an eighth-grader’s suicide, saying the “special relationship” standard doesn’t extend to schools broadly. Elections: The U.S. Supreme Court’s preliminary mail-voting approval order adds uncertainty for states, including North Carolina’s overseas and military ballots, as new USPS formatting and tracking rules loom. Public Safety & Immigration: ICE arrests in Charlotte more than doubled year over year, while local public-safety updates include a new Project Lifesaver program in Monroe County to help locate people prone to wandering. Community & Culture: Battleship North Carolina launched a statewide art contest to design a future specialty license plate. Local Leadership: Alamance County Community YMCA named Kim Grooms as its new CEO starting Sept. 14.

Mail Voting Fight: The U.S. Supreme Court cleared the way for President Trump’s mail-ballot restrictions to move forward, restarting legal uncertainty just as North Carolina prepares to send ballots to overseas and military voters in early September. Google Settlement: North Carolina consumers are set to receive about $20 million in restitution from a $700 million Google Play Store antitrust settlement, after the state alleged Google blocked competition and steered purchases through its own billing. Drought Update: Heavy rain helped Caldwell County improve from moderate drought to abnormally dry conditions, with the share of residents affected dropping sharply. Public Safety & Surveillance: Greenville residents packed city hall to protest Flock cameras and raise concerns about recent police misconduct. Immigration Detention: A Cary woman and permanent resident is reportedly being held in ICE detention in Georgia after a Charlotte check-in. Education & Research: Fayetteville State University received a $300,000 NIH award to expand student pathways into biomedical research focused on neurological disorders and rural health. Local Sports: Week 1 high school football in southeastern NC saw multiple weather-related postponements and reschedules.

Rural Jobs Boost: Pitt County says Winterville Machine Works will expand with a $100,000 state Building Reuse grant, investing $474,640 to renovate its facility and adding nine jobs. Energy Innovation: Gov. Josh Stein and partners tout the Carolinas Grid Modernization Engine as an NSF Regional Innovation Engine, with $15 million in federal support over two years and potential for up to $160 million. Forestry Manufacturing: Scotland County is set to gain 43 jobs as Great Southern Wood-NC builds a $40 million lumber treatment facility at Laurinburg-Maxton Airport, backed by a $200,000 One North Carolina Fund grant. Maternal Health Tool: ECU Health’s “I Gave Birth” wristbands are expanding in North Carolina to help flag postpartum risks and reduce maternal deaths. Weather Watch: Forecasts warn of storms across the Southeast and Mid-South, with possible flash flooding and damaging winds reaching into the Carolinas. Politics & Voting: Attorneys general are withholding emails tied to early plans to sue the Trump administration, according to a report. Sports (NC vs. TCU): Week 0 kicks off Saturday in Dublin, with UNC starting Billy Edwards Jr. against TCU and the matchup drawing national attention.

Lottery Win: A Craven County man, Robert Scott Bascom-Cohane, matched four balls and the Powerball with a $3 Power Play ticket to win $100,000—taking home about $72,011 after taxes. Drug Enforcement: Onslow County probation officers and deputies seized about 93.9 grams of fentanyl, crack cocaine, Suboxone and other drugs, plus firearms; two people were arrested in Hubert. Courts & Zoning: Attorneys spar ahead of a Monday hearing in Hendersonville over a developer’s lawsuit challenging the city’s denial of a rezoning request for a planned 180-unit apartment complex. Transportation Policy: The debate over Charlotte’s I-77 South toll lane project is heating up as a Sept. 23 vote nears, with some cities weighing whether to reverse course to avoid repayment penalties. Public Safety & Health: North Carolina reports a small earthquake near Weaverville (magnitude 2.0) with no damage; and a multi-state alfalfa sprout recall is tied to E. coli and Salmonella illnesses. Back to School: Students return Monday across Cumberland, Durham and Wake counties, with Wake leaders also weighing how AI should be handled in classrooms.

Legal Accountability: Iryna Zarutska’s family sued Charlotte and a security contractor, alleging the city and transit security failed to prevent her fatal light-rail stabbing and that basic steps like fare enforcement and staffing could have stopped it. Public Safety & Crime: ALE raided an illegal Durham nightclub, arresting six and seizing firearms, cocaine, meth, liquor, and cash. Food Safety: A multistate E. coli and Salmonella outbreak linked to alfalfa sprouts has sickened 55 people and hospitalized four; North Carolina is among the affected states as recalled sprouts sold under Calco and Everything Sprouts brands are pulled. Local Economy: GasBuddy reports the lowest regular gas price in Northampton County hit $3.67 for the week ending Aug. 15, with the state average around $3.68. Tech & Kids: North Carolina AG Jeff Jackson is leading a major federal trial accusing Meta of designing Facebook and Instagram to be addictive to children, with the case focused on mental health harms. NC Spotlight: NASA astronaut Christina Koch is visiting NC State this week for public and student events.

Weather & Resilience: Sunday brings drier, sunnier conditions across Eastern North Carolina, with only a coastal storm chance returning Monday. Affordable Housing: Raleigh hosted an Affordable Housing Convention and laid out a three-pronged approach—more subsidized housing, more overall supply, and fewer homelessness crises—as the state faces a major unit shortfall. Local Governance: Chatham County commissioners are holding a two-day housing retreat to map next steps for housing investment and supply. Public Safety: Virginia State Police are investigating a road-rage shooting on I-77 in Carroll County that left two sisters injured; both were flown to a North Carolina hospital. Elections: The NC elections board voted to drop Sunday early voting hours in 10 more counties. Health Alerts: A multi-state recall of alfalfa sprouts linked to E. coli and Salmonella includes North Carolina. Sports: The North Carolina Courage beat Boston Legacy 2-1, with Ashley Sanchez scoring twice, including a late penalty kick. NASCAR: Bowman Gray Stadium in Winston-Salem will host a Craftsman Truck Series points race in 2027.