AGP Executive Report

Air Service Funding: The U.S. DOT awarded nearly $12M to 14 communities to plug regional air-service gaps, including projects aimed at connecting smaller airports to major hubs and reducing airline launch risk. Elections & Mail Voting: A new look at USPS network changes and court fights highlights how mail-ballot timing rules in 2026 primaries could shape what happens in November, including disputes over postmarks and ballot handling. U.S.-China/AI & Data Centers: North Carolina lawmakers and House Republicans are pressing Treasury and the IRS to scrutinize pro-China nonprofits’ tax-exempt status amid concerns about efforts to slow U.S. data-center buildouts. WNC Recovery & Tourism: Two years after Helene, reporting details lingering damage to Smokies, the Blue Ridge Parkway, and the Appalachian Trail—plus how tourism businesses and land managers are still rebuilding. NC Senate Politics: A Washington Post report says GOP officials are privately conceding North Carolina’s Senate seat may be slipping unless Trump’s approval and voter pocketbook pressures improve. High Country Tourism Numbers: A new Visit North Carolina study says 2025 travel spending generated $1084.78M across the High Country, supporting thousands of jobs and delivering tax savings to residents. Local Public Safety: A Stokes County man was sentenced to 20+ years after pleading guilty to juvenile sex offenses across multiple counties.

Midterm Money & Messaging: Republicans are pouring unprecedented cash into red states to defend House and Senate control, but party insiders say the GOP’s spending edge may not overcome voter anger over fuel prices and an unpopular war. North Carolina Politics: A Politico report says GOP operatives are even weighing “surrender” scenarios in Georgia and North Carolina Senate races, with internal polling showing former Gov. Roy Cooper leading Michael Whatley. Public Safety & Courts: Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police identified the man killed in an officer-involved shooting and asked a judge to release body-camera footage. Local Government: Davidson is set to reverse course on the I-77 South toll lanes after other towns and Charlotte flipped, raising the stakes over potential repayment to NCDOT. Disaster Resilience: Hendersonville announced $72 million in grants and low-interest loans to expand and flood-proof its wastewater treatment system after Hurricane Helene. Education Governance: Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools voted to terminate Superintendent Dr. Crystal Hill and reshuffle board leadership. Labor & Rights: An Oxfam report ranks North Carolina near the bottom for worker legal protections.

Immigration & Local Economy: A new analysis says Trump-era ICE raids can hit city economies for far longer than the raids themselves, with lost consumer spending tied to both fewer workers and fewer shoppers. U.S. Senate Race (NC): In North Carolina’s open Senate fight, Republicans are pushing crime and public safety—highlighting the 2023 Charlotte light-rail killing of Iryna Zarutska and earlier COVID-era inmate releases under Roy Cooper—while Democrats defend Cooper’s record and tie GOP allies to other figures. Election Law: The U.S. Supreme Court blocked a Trump mail-ballot restriction plan, ruling states need more time to implement it. Energy Prices: Diesel hit a record average as GOP candidates increasingly call for action on Iran-linked fuel costs, a pressure point heading into midterms. Local Government: Boone and Blowing Rock officials held a panel on what towns can and can’t do, while Cabarrus County Commissioner Larry Pittman resigned and the board begins the replacement process. Courts & Justice: A North Carolina teen accused in a San Diego mosque attack says prosecutors haven’t provided enough details to defend her. Military & Infrastructure: The Navy is moving ahead with nearly $600M to replace crumbling Marine Corps barracks at Camp Lejeune and Cherry Point.

WakeMed-Atrium Merger: Wake County commissioners approved a roughly $2 billion WakeMed-Atrium deal in a 5-2 vote after a revised agreement added $150 million for a “Whole Health” program and included price-cap and charity-care commitments. Local Transportation: Charlotte City Council reversed course and voted 7-4 to revive the I-77 South toll lane expansion, avoiding an estimated $69 million repayment and securing $300 million in promised community benefits. State Health Policy: A coalition led by NC Attorney General Jeff Jackson is pushing back on proposed federal Medicaid rules that could threaten state funding and oversight. Public Safety & Courts: A Lenoir County man, Kenji Chiba Jerkins, was sentenced to more than 10 years in federal prison for meth trafficking after a chase and crash. Family Law: A North Carolina lawmaker advanced divorce law changes to shorten the mandatory separation period and remove the state’s alienation of affection law. Economy & Jobs: Eli Lilly broke ground in Houston on a new active pharmaceutical ingredients site tied to its GLP-1 medicine Foundayo, part of a broader reshoring push. Energy Prices: GasBuddy reported some of the lowest regional premium and midgrade prices in parts of eastern NC, even as national fuel costs remain volatile. Politics & Press: VP JD Vance defended Trump’s White House media access ban on CNN, MS NOW and Politico, arguing it’s about “special access” rather than free speech.

Medicaid Overhaul in NC: New federal rules tied to H.R. 1 will tighten Medicaid eligibility starting Oct. 1 for many noncitizens and add work/school activity requirements for most expansion adults on Jan. 1, with as many as 345,600 people potentially losing coverage. DMV Modernization: NCDMV will go fully electronic for vehicle registration renewals Oct. 1, ending paper stickers and printed cards (a $5 fee if requested). Marijuana Retail Model: A state cannabis advisory council is weighing a hybrid plan: state-run retail with private cultivation, manufacturing, and wholesale distribution. Election Security Pushback: Republican election officials are disputing Trump’s claims of “shocking vulnerabilities,” saying his speech offered no new proof and that declassified materials don’t support his alarm. PFAS Settlement Fallout: NC leaders are fielding questions after a $590M DuPont/Chemours deal over “forever chemicals,” the state’s biggest environmental damages recovery. Local Politics: Pender County GOP upheld its recommendation to appoint Beth Burns to a commissioner seat, clearing the way for her to move from the school board. Education Funding: NC approved $1.2M in digital teaching and learning grants for 17 districts/charters. Sports-Betting Economics: Charlotte’s WTA Finals bid is backed by state MEGA fund dollars sourced from sports betting tax revenue.

Courts & Elections: The U.S. Supreme Court rejected President Trump’s push to restrict mail ballots for the midterms, letting states keep using existing mail-voting processes as voting already ramps up. Health Care & Local Power: Wake County commissioners are set to vote on a WakeMed-Atrium merger after Gov. Josh Stein said Atrium agreed to cap WakeMed price increases and fully fund a $2 billion investment, while boosting indigent care and creating a community fund. Immigration Enforcement: A Deportation Data Project report says ICE apprehensions in North Carolina topped 5,000 in 2026 so far, fueling fear among immigrant families. Public Safety: Cumberland County health officials confirmed a tuberculosis case tied to Seventy-First High School and identified more than 260 potential close contacts. State Politics & Ballot Questions: North Carolina voters will see multiple 2026 ballot referendums, including a proposed constitutional photo ID requirement for all voters and other amendments. Consumer Costs: Gas prices remain volatile statewide, with multiple counties reporting midgrade and premium lows for the week ending Sept. 12. Scams: AG Jeff Jackson warned domestic violence victims about phone scams impersonating law enforcement and court officials to steal money.

Midterms & the economy: A new NBC News poll shows President Trump’s approval at 41% and 55% of voters saying his policies have hurt the economy, with gas prices tied to the Iran war driving frustration as early voting ramps up. Gas prices in North Carolina: GasBuddy reports the lowest midgrade price in Vance County at $4.19 for the week ending Sept. 12, while the state average for midgrade sits at $4.35. Trump campaign strategy in NC: Republicans are debating whether Trump helps or hurts in competitive districts after he rallied in Gastonia for Senate candidate Michael Whatley, while some GOP candidates quietly downplayed Trump on their websites. FBI & AI claims: FBI Director Kash Patel says the bureau increased its AI use by 605% and used it to help prevent school shootings, including in North Carolina—sparking debate over what the figure means and how AI is being used. Local law enforcement: A Cary police chase ended with a wanted man’s arrest after a domestic disturbance call, though police said there was no evidence of assault at the scene. Courts & public records: A North Carolina Judicial Branch shift to cloud storage is criticized as moving public court history into profit-driven, paywalled systems.

Immigration Enforcement: ICE has detained more than 5,000 people in North Carolina this year, with advocates in the Triangle saying the renewed pace is driving fear and anxiety for immigrant families, including detentions tied to routine check-ins. Elections & Voting Rules: A federal appeals panel heard arguments over North Carolina’s “ballot selfie” ban, with a Libertarian candidate arguing the law criminalizes political speech protected by the First Amendment. U.S. Senate Race Watch: Former Gov. Roy Cooper returned to Charlotte to push his “Make Stuff Cost Less” message ahead of early voting, while GOP Senate nominee Michael Whatley sent an urgent fundraising appeal warning he’s “dead in the water” without more cash. Campaign Trail & Messaging: Trump told a Gastonia crowd he’s “very close” to a major Mexico trade deal as the T-MEC review nears, adding uncertainty for cross-border business. Public Safety & Courts: A Watauga County woman was charged with death by distribution in a fentanyl/cocaine case tied to her son’s death, and a Guilford County cemetery operator faces a cease-and-desist after families complained about maintenance and marker issues. Tech & Privacy: Surveillance company Flock Safety offered voluntary exits as cities cancel contracts amid privacy and misuse concerns.

Midterm Politics: With 45 days until Nov. 3, Republicans are facing fresh pressure as a new North Carolina poll shows former Gov. Roy Cooper leading GOP Senate nominee Michael Whatley by 15 points, adding to concerns about party strain with President Trump and tightening races elsewhere. Elections & Voting Security: A separate report highlights how Russia is again running covert online disinformation operations aimed at sowing distrust ahead of the midterms, while North Carolina’s own election administration continues to prepare for absentee and early-voting changes. State Government: State Sen. Jim Burgin was appointed to the Senate Select Committee on Property Tax Reform, tasked with reviewing proposals tied to rising local property tax burdens. Local Law Enforcement: In Greenville, an 18-year-old was jailed without bond on charges tied to alleged child sexual exploitation; in Asheville, a 16-year-old surrendered in a case connected to an April shooting tied to earlier summer violence. Community & Economy: Surry-Yadkin Electric awarded its first Powering Our Future Scholarships, and a new national mayors’ affordability report finds housing costs are the top concern for cities nationwide.

Data Center Fight: Pasquotank County is moving toward a ban while Elizabeth City weighs letting data centers in via a new zoning ordinance, with limits tied to size and power. Local Elections: Onslow County sets early voting for Oct. 15–31, with multiple sites and same-day registration options. U.S. Senate Race: Roy Cooper campaigns in Charlotte for the seat held by Thom Tillis, after Trump stumped for Michael Whatley in the state. Mail Voting Push: The APWU launches a North Carolina TV ad backing vote-by-mail as the Supreme Court blocks USPS rule changes tied to Trump’s effort to limit mail voting. Courts & Governance: A 4th Circuit decision delays action on an FCC dispute involving Roy Cooper and other Democrats. Public Safety: A UNC professor’s 2023 killer was found not guilty by reason of insanity and will remain in a mental hospital. Environment: A Wake County judge ruled North Carolina failed to protect coastal fisheries, and the state faces further proceedings on remedies. Economic Pressure: NC AFL-CIO highlights wages and affordability concerns at its convention as gas and living costs squeeze families.

Elections & Voting Access: Early voting is underway for the 2026 midterms, with Americans casting ballots as control of Congress hangs in the balance and election officials say the process remains accurate and secure. Election Security: In Durham County, election officials have added panic buttons, bulletproof glass, armed guards, and other upgrades after years of false fraud claims. Crypto Policy: The Senate failed to advance the CLARITY Act, a major setback for digital-asset regulation; Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong says the industry will pursue another path through federal regulators. N.C. Courts & Justice: A federal jury in Asheville acquitted Derrick Cucumber of first-degree murder and related charges, finding he acted in lawful self-defense. N.C. Economy & Jobs: The U.S. Navy opened a new aircraft maintenance complex at the N.C. Global TransPark in Kinston, expected to create 400+ jobs and drive major annual economic impact. N.C. Energy Costs: Gas prices remain a political and pocketbook issue, with multiple counties reporting midgrade and premium prices around or above $4 per gallon. Public Safety & State Government: North Carolina is launching Child Passenger Safety Week with statewide car seat checks and a major donation of safety seats.

U.S. Senate Race in NC: President Trump stumped in Gastonia for Michael Whatley, attacking Roy Cooper on crime and reviving the Willie Horton ad from 1988—an episode critics say leans on racist tropes. Elections & Voting Access: Early voting begins Friday for the Nov. 3 midterms, while Common Cause is launching a nationwide election protection push with volunteers at polling sites. Mental Health Oversight: North Carolina and the U.S. Justice Department asked a federal court to end 14 years of federal monitoring tied to the state’s mental illness housing settlement, a move that could shift accountability for community care. Public Health: A new report says one in six NC counties is a maternity care desert, with rural areas hit hardest and Black infant mortality still far higher than white rates. Energy Costs: Gas prices remain a political pressure point as the national average for regular climbs to about $4.43 a gallon, with state-by-state figures showing wide variation. International Trade: Canada’s PM Mark Carney welcomed an EU “associate member” proposal as Trump threatened tariffs over the idea. Legal/Justice: Federal authorities arrested a Charlotte man accused of mailing antisemitic threats to Jewish organizations and leaders.

U.S. Senate Race: A new Carolina Journal poll shows Roy Cooper leading Michael Whatley by 15 points (49%-34%), with Republican support for Whatley slipping and more GOP voters now undecided. Campaign Trail: Trump stumped in Gastonia for Whatley, attacking Cooper over violent-crime releases and tying the argument to a 2021 inmate-release deal. Fed & Cost of Living: The Federal Reserve raised rates again, and Trump used a North Carolina stop to blast the Fed as “hostile” and demand cuts to 1% or less. Trade & Europe: Canada’s Mark Carney embraced an EU “associate member” pitch, while Trump warned it could trigger heavy tariffs or trade cutoffs with Europe. State Courts & Environment: North Carolina is appealing a judge’s ruling that the state failed its constitutional duty to protect fisheries. Public Safety: AG Jeff Jackson warned domestic-violence victims about scams that impersonate law enforcement or court officials to pressure quick payments. Health Policy: Minnesota Sen. Tina Smith’s tick-borne disease bill, named for former NC Sen. Kay Hagan, advanced to Trump’s desk. Local Tech Oversight: Brunswick County commissioners pressed for details on Flock camera costs and contracts after a sheriff’s office employee resigned amid alleged misuse.

U.S. Senate Race in North Carolina: President Trump returned to Gastonia to rally for Republican Michael Whatley, attacking Democratic nominee Roy Cooper over crime and Hurricane Helene response and leaning on “law-and-order” messaging as polls show Cooper ahead. Federal Reserve Clash: Trump blasted Fed Chair Kevin Warsh and the board after the Fed raised rates for the first time in three years, calling the decision political while the hike threatens higher borrowing costs for households. Trade and Tariffs: Trump escalated his dispute with the EU over Canada’s proposed associate-member status, warning “very heavy tariffs” or trade cutoffs if he deems the move hostile. PFAS Fallout in NC: North Carolina and local governments reached a $590 million settlement with Chemours and DuPont to resolve PFAS contamination claims, including long-term payments and a reserve for compliance. Immigration Enforcement in NC: A Guilford County detention officer was arrested and accused of forging magistrate signatures on ICE-related paperwork, raising new questions about jail procedures and detainer handling. Local Government & Public Safety: Wilmington Police won NCLEWA’s 2026 Agency of the Year award, highlighting support for women in law enforcement. Sports Economy: Charlotte secured the WTA Finals and WTA global headquarters starting in 2027, with the deal supported by state and local special-event funding.

Midterm Voting Fight: U.S. Supreme Court kept in place a block on Trump’s plan to restrict mail ballots, as civil rights leader Bishop William Barber warned that confusion tactics could depress turnout ahead of early in-person voting in North Carolina. NC Senate Race Spotlight: President Trump is set to campaign in Gastonia Wednesday with GOP nominee Michael Whatley, a move aimed at shoring up support against Roy Cooper as road closures begin. Ethics & Power in Congress: Western North Carolina Rep. Chuck Edwards filed an ethics complaint against House Ethics Committee leaders, alleging they bypassed procedures before recommending his censure. State Courts & Elections Administration: Appeals Court sent part of a dispute over coastal rules back for more arguments, while another appeals ruling upheld transfer of NC elections appointments to Boliek. Public Safety & Health: Federal judge set non-jury trials for Camp Lejeune toxic-water cases in November. Local Government & Policy: DMV will phase out paper registration cards and stickers starting Oct. 1, relying on electronic checks. Economic Development: Gov. Josh Stein announced Charlotte will host the WTA Finals and become WTA’s global HQ with a $14.4M MEGA grant. Sports & Culture: The PGA Tour’s Biltmore Championship Asheville kicks off this week at The Cliffs at Walnut Cove.

Bridge Replacement Debate: NCDOT held public hearings on replacing the Cape Fear Memorial Bridge, with Brunswick residents pushing back on possible tolls and questioning the proposed bridge height and whether alternatives were fully considered. Supreme Court Mail Voting: The U.S. Supreme Court rejected Trump’s effort to tighten midterm mail-ballot rules, keeping current voting-by-mail practices in place as states already began mailing ballots. GOP Senate Push in NC: President Trump is set to campaign in Gastonia for Republican U.S. Senate candidate Michael Whatley, as Democrats try to flip the seat held by Thom Tillis. Film Incentive Uncertainty: Gov. Josh Stein and Commerce Secretary Lee Lilley discussed North Carolina’s film incentive program at Cinespace Studios, with leaders acknowledging grant funding gaps and the need for a fix. Election Access How-To: A Rowan County guide explains how absentee ballots work in North Carolina and key deadlines for requesting and returning them. Local Governance: Buncombe County commissioners covered housing and disaster recovery updates, conservation funding, and multiple community proclamations.