AGP Executive Report

Florida GOP Shake-Up: Embattled Rep. Cory Mills is projected to lose his Florida 7th District primary to Ryan Elijah, after ethics and DOJ scrutiny over sexual misconduct and campaign finance allegations. US Senate Spotlight: Darline Graham and Ralph Norman squared off in South Carolina’s Senate runoff debate ahead of the Aug. 25 vote. North Carolina Courts & Voting: Gov. Josh Stein vetoed sweeping election and judicial bills, including measures that would tighten early voting and let the chief justice suspend judges without pay. Meta Trial: A federal trial over whether Facebook and Instagram addictive features harmed children kicked off, with attorneys general arguing Meta misled the public. Charlotte Immigration Case: A judge said lost ICE surveillance video is “troubling” but still sent protesters’ assault case to trial. Local Tech & Privacy: New Hanover County commissioners will review a $219,000 Flock Safety contract after public backlash over automated license plate readers. Transit in the Queen City: Charlotte airport leaders are exploring a “people mover” linking a planned light rail stop to the terminal. Public Safety: Fayetteville police warned of a suspected fentanyl overdose spike. Energy & Growth: North Carolina’s new e-bike classifications are prompting local safety discussions.

Immigration & Due Process: ICE detained an Indian-origin grandmother and green-card holder in Charlotte despite a judge dismissing her deportation case, raising fresh questions about how court rulings are being followed. Public Safety: ICE also filed a detainer tied to a fatal hit-and-run in Sylva, where a man is charged with killing a North Carolina father. State Politics: Gov. Josh Stein vetoed multiple North Carolina bills affecting elections and judicial authority, including a sweeping election reform measure and changes that would let the chief justice suspend judges. Environment: Local riverkeepers warned that federal Endangered Species Act rollbacks could leave eastern NC waterways and listed species more exposed, after the federal government narrowed what counts as “harm.” Federal Oversight: The Pentagon ordered 30 U.S. universities to audit foreign research and financial ties by Aug. 31 or risk losing federal funding. Congressional Race Watch (NC-11): President Trump endorsed state Rep. Jennifer Balkcom as the GOP nominee for North Carolina’s 11th District after Chuck Edwards dropped his re-election bid. Community & Service: VolunteerNC announced $13.2M in AmeriCorps funding to expand service programs statewide.

Election Law Showdown: Gov. Josh Stein vetoed HB 958, a sweeping election bill that would cut early voting in primaries/special elections, require post-election audits, and use federal databases to flag people who may have died but remain on voter rolls; House Republicans say they’ll pursue an override. Judicial Independence Fight: Stein also vetoed HB 377, rejecting a plan that would let the state Supreme Court chief justice suspend trial judges without pay, arguing it threatens judicial independence and politicizes oversight. Public Transit Accountability: A state auditor’s review of Charlotte Area Transit System (CATS) found fare-enforcement gaps, security shortcomings, and failures to follow Federal Transit Administration safety guidance after a fatal 2025 light-rail stabbing. Local Government & Growth: Waxhaw approved a one-year moratorium on new data center proposals to avoid being “caught unprepared,” pausing acceptance and approval of related development applications. Housing Costs: Mecklenburg County leaders warned rising property values could price out longtime homeowners as new tax bills roll out after revaluation. National Security Politics: North Carolina Sen. Thom Tillis joined bipartisan lawmakers pushing back on Trump’s move to scale back joint U.S.-South Korea drills, warning it could aid adversaries. Public Safety: Surf City signed a long-term partnership with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to renourish its shoreline every six years for decades.

U.S. Senate Race: A new Elon University poll shows Roy Cooper holding an 11-point, double-digit lead over Republican Michael Whatley in North Carolina’s Senate contest, with Cooper at 53% to Whatley’s 42% among likely voters. Election Watch: North Carolina’s voter rolls keep shifting toward independents, with the State Board of Elections reporting a net gain since the primary that is overwhelmingly unaffiliated. Election Law Fight: Gov. Josh Stein is expected to veto House Bill 958 at a “Protect Our Vote” event, arguing it would shorten early voting and add new challenges to ballots; Republicans could still try to override. Courts & Power: Stein also says he’ll veto House Bill 377, which would let the state Supreme Court chief justice suspend trial judges without pay during investigations, raising alarms about judicial independence. Local Government: In eastern North Carolina, Rep. Don Davis helped with upgrades at VFW Post 2057, highlighting ongoing community support for veterans. Energy Costs: Diesel prices in North Carolina rose over the past week, a reminder of how transportation costs can quickly feed into household affordability debates.

DOJ Independence Fight: Newly confirmed AG Todd Blanche told NBC’s “Meet the Press” he won’t pledge the Justice Department will act independently of the White House, arguing no attorney general should make that kind of promise. Local Law Enforcement: Northampton County’s “Operation Street Sweep” involved multiple agencies and led to 50 traffic stops, arrests, and seizures of suspected narcotics and firearms. Courts & Public Safety: A former NC officer accused in a New Orleans mass-shooting plot was released after a Louisiana grand jury declined to indict. State Politics & Ethics: Rep. Chuck Edwards withdrew his re-election bid after a House Ethics report recommended censure over allegations of fostering a hostile work environment and sexual harassment. Health Regulation Watch: FDA inspection data show one Durham-area firm (Cancer Diagnostics, Inc.) received a July inspection marked “Voluntary Action Indicated,” while Wake County saw two inspections with one “No Action Indicated.” Tech & Community Backlash: A statewide survey finds 53% of North Carolinians oppose local data centers, with opposition strongest among women, Democrats, and independents. Local Governance: Mecklenburg County is suing to dissolve its decade-old Brooklyn Village partnership with BK Partners. Education: Bertie and Duplin county school districts reported enrollment declines in 2024-25, underscoring ongoing funding and staffing pressures. Media Business: Spectrum and Optimum expanded local news access and advertising capabilities, with Spectrum News set to reach more markets including North Carolina.

State Budget/Medicaid: North Carolina’s new budget left dental Medicaid coverage at ambulatory surgical centers in limbo after two buried paragraphs appear to “sunset” billing-code changes, with the Medicaid dental director saying he doesn’t understand the provision and is seeking guidance. Local Governance/Infrastructure: Chatham County residents packed a public meeting to oppose Enbridge’s proposed 28-mile natural gas pipeline, urging commissioners to use every legal tool despite limits on county authority. Local Governance/Water: Pender County is weighing refunds for about 1,500 residents who paid upfront in the 1990s for future water service but still don’t have hookups. Elections/Law: Attorney General Todd Blanche says DOJ may ask the U.S. Supreme Court to step in on federal fights over states’ voter-roll access ahead of the midterms. Public Safety: Kannapolis police fatally shot a man during an alleged carjacking attempt. Civic History: Wilmington unveiled a historical marker honoring George L. Mabson, North Carolina’s first Black lawyer.

State Politics & Courts: An op-ed argues Gov. Josh Stein should veto a bill that would expand power for NC Supreme Court Chief Justice Paul Newby, including suspending judges without pay. Elections & Party Strategy: The DNC approved a 2028 presidential primary calendar that puts South Carolina first (Jan. 22) and Nevada early (Feb. 1), with party leaders saying candidates must prove they can win support from Black and Latino voters and union members. Campaign Watch: GOP Senate nominee Michael Whatley released a new ad featuring retired Army Master Sergeant Jerry Torres, as the race against Roy Cooper stays competitive. Local Government & Civic Life: Henderson County has mailed 2026 property tax bills, with a Sept. 1 due date and a $0.4740 per $100 rate after a 4.3-cent increase. Public Safety: Kannapolis police say they fatally shot a man during an alleged carjacking; in Kentucky, authorities are searching for a tow truck driver who fled after a fatal I-65 crash involving a North Carolina man. History & Community: Wilmington unveiled a historical marker honoring George L. Mabson, described as North Carolina’s first Black attorney.

U.S. Politics: Republicans are pressing President Trump to chart a way out of the Iran war as midterms near, arguing the conflict is driving up costs and hurting GOP prospects. State Government: NC Treasurer Brad Briner says the state employee and retiree health plan is his toughest, most time-consuming job, after a reported $507 million budget hole and years of renegotiations with providers and plan members. Elections & Representation: A DSCC fundraising push for the Senate race is sending $40 million to 10 battleground states including North Carolina, while leaving out Mississippi—an omission Democrats won’t explain. Criminal Justice: A North Carolina law firm fight over divorce property reached the state’s courts, with a ruling that “personal goodwill” tied to a practice isn’t marital property. Local Governance: Avery County’s school board picked longtime educator Dr. Jamie Johnson as superintendent in a 3-2 vote. Public Safety Tech: Flock Safety camera rules and data retention remain under scrutiny as privacy backlash spreads.

State Budget Breakthrough: North Carolina finally passed a comprehensive $34 billion budget after a long stalemate, ending months without one and including pay raises for teachers and law enforcement plus income tax cuts. Public Safety & Courts: The NC Judicial Branch is partnering with retailers to warn people about court-payment scams, pushing signage at gift card kiosks and online verification links. Elections & Voter Access: An Elon University poll shows Roy Cooper leading Michael Whatley by 11 points in the U.S. Senate race, with expectations the contest could tighten as voters learn more about the GOP nominee. Surveillance Policy: New Hanover County is reviewing how long it retains Flock license plate reader data after national scrutiny and Flock’s announced policy changes. Campaign Trail: Cooper and Whatley both hit affordability and public safety themes in voter tours. Local Water Resilience: Lenoir and Valdese will consider a $24.8 million water interconnection to improve emergency backup and redundancy. Health & Food Safety: FDA and CDC began inspections at Taylor Farms’ Mexican plant tied to a cyclosporiasis outbreak affecting North Carolina and 16 other states. Higher Education Rights: A federal judge ruled HGTC violated a student’s First Amendment rights over discipline tied to social media posts.

State Supreme Court Fight: Gov. Josh Stein and top GOP legislative leaders will clash in North Carolina’s highest court on Nov. 10 over limits on Stein’s appointment authority, with two consolidated cases set for 2 1/2 hours of oral arguments and briefs due Sept. 2 and Oct. 30. Rural Health Funding: UNC Health will run a new ROOTS Hub for a 14-county region, overseeing a competitive $39 million pot for perinatal health, chronic disease, nutrition, and workforce priorities, with community listening sessions scheduled in Nash, Vance, Caswell, and Chatham counties. Maternal Care Push: Hospitals across the country are expanding a North Carolina-led effort using “I Gave Birth” wristbands to flag postpartum risks and reduce maternal deaths, with more expansion planned using federal rural health dollars. Military Training in NC: The Army’s Robin Sage special-operations exercise begins Friday at Fort Bragg and will run Aug. 14-27 across dozens of NC counties, with residents warned to expect blank fire and flares. Voting Access Watch: A new report says some county election boards are targeting student voters by cutting or excluding on-campus early voting sites ahead of November. Local Governance & Growth: Raleigh filed a friend-of-the-court brief in a casino zoning lawsuit at the state Supreme Court, arguing rulings could reshape zoning litigation and development decisions statewide. Public Safety Tech Backlash: Wilmington is taking four Flock Safety license plate readers offline amid privacy concerns and misuse allegations, while other states consider new guardrails. Education & Housing: North Carolina A&T celebrated a new dorm opening as enrollment climbs, adding to a broader push to expand housing at Black colleges.

Gun policy shakeup: A federal court ruling is prompting gun rights groups to move toward suppressor transfers without the usual NFA registration process, a major shift that could ripple into North Carolina’s gun-rights debate. Higher ed & tech: North Carolina Central University cut the ribbon on a new $7.2 million AI institute building—an HBCU first—aimed at ethical, human-centered AI research and training. Courts & access to justice: Guilford County opened a second Legal Support Center location in Greensboro to help people handling civil cases without lawyers navigate forms and procedures. Military & jobs: Rep. Don Davis and Lt. Gov. Rachel Hunt highlighted Lockheed Martin’s F-35 work at Lenoir Community College, tying aerospace investment to eastern NC workforce opportunities. Election integrity politics: A North Carolina auditor’s office liaison used state GOP preferences in pushing early voting plan decisions in at least two counties, according to public records. Privacy vs. policing: Flock Safety announced new safeguards for its license-plate camera network after backlash over retention and misuse concerns. Local governance: Surry County residents pushed back against an N.C. 89 road expansion that would require relocating dozens of homes and businesses. Public health spending: Medicaid billing data shows Kinston and Smithfield providers saw growth in dental services and “temporary codes” claims in 2024.

U.S. Senate Race: Elon University polling shows Roy Cooper leading Michael Whatley 53%-42% among likely voters, with Cooper far more familiar to North Carolina voters—setting up a late-summer contrast between a known incumbent and a challenger still building name ID. Federal Policy: Republicans are split over the Trump administration’s sweeping deregulation of Head Start, with Sen. Thom Tillis warning against “turning a blind eye” while others worry standards meant to protect kids could be cut too broadly. Veterans Benefits: A proposed settlement in a class-action says a VA computer glitch wrongly dismissed disability appeals for more than 90,000 veterans, with a hearing scheduled in the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims. Privacy & Policing: Flock Safety says it’s rolling out updates aimed at stopping officers from misusing license plate reader data after public backlash and high-profile misuse allegations. Healthcare Costs: A GAO report finds major retailers, including Walmart and Amazon, employ workers who rely on SNAP and Medicaid—fueling new pressure on “low-wage” business practices. Local Governance: Greenville is weighing tighter city control of the independent Greenville Housing Authority after HUD flagged life-threatening deficiencies and potential funding freezes.

Utilities & Cost Fight: North Carolina Attorney General Jeff Jackson says he won’t sign a Duke Energy Progress settlement that would still raise residential bills about 6.8% over two years, arguing it’s too high and pushing for a separate rate class for data centers and other large energy users. Public Safety vs. Privacy: Harnett County residents are debating Flock automated license plate readers, with some calling for removal and others backing the cameras as a tool for policing. Elections & Power: An Elon University poll shows Roy Cooper leading Michael Whatley by 11 points in the U.S. Senate race, with Cooper also ahead on name recognition. Education Funding: New state data show multiple NC districts with declining enrollment in 2024-25, including Union, Stokes, Nash, and McDowell—while a report again flags the state’s low per-pupil funding. Justice System: A Davidson County convicted killer from 1975 is being considered for parole by the state parole commission. Workforce & Training: Lenoir Community College showcased an F-35 flight demonstrator at its Aviation Center for Excellence, highlighting military training partnerships.

Public Safety Accountability: Buncombe County DA Todd Williams said no charges will be filed in an Asheville officer-involved knife shooting after reviewing body-worn camera footage and SBI-provided materials. School Policy Watch: A state cellphone ban law left districts with a patchwork of “instructional time” rules, and early reporting suggests devices may still be distracting students. Economic Development: Gov. Josh Stein announced a $1 billion Prysmian expansion in Claremont adding 385 jobs, while Ashe County received a $267K EDA grant for shell buildings at Ashe Industrial Park. Hemp & Elections: Sen. Ted Budd pushed to keep a federal hemp THC crackdown on track, arguing the Senate delayed the ban’s effective date to protect an intoxicant market. Healthcare & Government Oversight: North Carolina said it will not change its childhood vaccine schedule despite a White House push; separately, a federal Sunshine Act case highlighted kickbacks tied to a Cary drugmaker. Local Government Turmoil: Two Selma Town Council members resigned minutes apart, blaming Mayor Byron McAllister for division inside Town Hall.

Budget Power Shift: Gov. Josh Stein signed budget changes that reduce his authority and reroute funding set in July, praising parts like disaster relief and teacher pipelines while calling some provisions “petty.” Public Safety & Accountability: A Durham assistant police chief is on administrative leave after an alleged hit-and-run in Wake County, with the Highway Patrol investigating. Courts & Criminal Justice: NC’s Appeals Court heard arguments over whether a judge properly vacated murder convictions tied to the 2002 killing of NBA star Chris Paul’s grandfather, with prosecutors arguing the only remedy should be a new trial. Elections & Party Politics: The NC GOP moved to replace Rep. Chuck Edwards on the November ballot, selecting state Rep. Jennifer Balkcom after Edwards’ withdrawal. Higher Ed Policy: UNC Chancellor Lee Roberts defended the university’s 2024 Equality Policy, saying DEI offices were closed and savings redirected to student success. Local Governance: Ronda residents could vote on dissolving the town amid a financial crisis, with commissioners warning services may be cut if it stays incorporated. Health & Medicaid Spending: Durham Medicaid claims for “drugs administered other than oral method” rose to $440,985 in 2024, up 43.4% from 2023.

NC-11 GOP Shakeup: North Carolina Republicans picked state Rep. Jennifer Balkcom to replace Rep. Chuck Edwards on the November ballot after a House Ethics Committee censure recommendation, setting up a fall matchup with Democrat Jamie Ager. Election Administration: Poll-worker recruiting is emerging as a major midterm fight as both parties build “election armies” ahead of 2026. Courts & Local Power: Raleigh filed a friend-of-the-court brief in a casino zoning lawsuit at the North Carolina Supreme Court, arguing the ruling could reshape how future zoning challenges work as the Triangle grows. Public Safety & Utilities: Rocky Mount leaders voted to continue utility cutoffs despite deaths and calls for resignations, while Wilkes County approved larger water and sewer lines tied to N.C. 115 expansion. Health & Policy: A new state youth survey finds improved mental health and fewer risky behaviors among NC high schoolers, and a report raises questions about a state-funded nonprofit promoting pediatric gender treatments despite existing state restrictions. Education: Wilkes County will again offer free breakfast and lunch to all students under the Community Eligibility Provision. Defense & Industry: Marines at Camp Lejeune tested closer infantry integration of drones, and Joby Aviation agreed to buy Resonant Sciences in a $500 million defense deal.