AGP Executive Report

Attorney General Standoff: President Trump says he may temporarily withdraw and delay Todd Blanche’s nomination, tying any move to concessions from GOP holdouts Sen. John Cornyn and Sen. Thom Tillis over the DOJ’s “anti-weaponization” fund dispute. Court System Disruption: North Carolina certified court interpreters begin a statewide work stoppage Friday, warning proceedings could be delayed or postponed after contract pay increases were left out of the new budget. Environmental Fight: Gov. Josh Stein and environmental groups urge the federal government to reject a proposed Chemours PFAS settlement, arguing it’s too lenient on “forever chemical” cleanup. Local Land-Use Pressure: A proposed 28-mile Enbridge natural gas pipeline through Chatham County is drawing pushback from landowners over property rights and environmental impacts as surveying ramps up. Water & Drought Watch: Recent rainfall improved drought conditions in parts of Caldwell County, but officials caution the state is still recovering and conditions may not quickly worsen or fully rebound. Immigration Spotlight: A Venezuelan woman with expired TPS and a pending asylum case was detained by ICE after clearing airport security while traveling within the U.S. Public Safety: North Carolina’s drought and court-access issues come amid broader political turbulence, while a separate report notes a NC husband and wife found dead after an automated smartwatch 911 call.

AG Confirmation Fight: Senate Judiciary leaders postponed a key committee vote on President Trump’s attorney general nominee Todd Blanche after GOP holdouts, led by Sen. John Cornyn, demanded written assurances tied to the Trump-IRS “anti-weaponization” fund and IRS audit protections—pushing the nomination toward possible delay into fall. Elections & Voting Rules: North Carolina’s State Board of Elections moved to make it easier to toss ballots, while separate coverage highlights the broader push to tighten election procedures ahead of the midterms. Immigration Detention in NC: GEO Group says it has a deal with ICE to reopen the closed Rivers Correctional Institution in Hertford County as a large federal immigration processing center, drawing opposition from Gov. Josh Stein. Public Safety & Local Government: Ocean Isle Beach approved permanent changes to block dangerous left turns onto the Causeway Drive intersection and adjust pedestrian crossings; Brunswick County is set to hold a hearing on increasing fire fee caps after state budget approval. Health & Education: The U.S. Education Department opened investigations into medical school admissions practices, and New Hanover County schools canceled a LifeWise public hearing after state law changes allow religious instruction absences. Drought Update: Rain helped shrink drought conditions across North Carolina, with the Triad seeing major improvement in the latest U.S. Drought Monitor.

Immigration & TPS: Thousands of Haitians in North Carolina face uncertainty as Temporary Protected Status protections expire, with advocates warning families are already feeling job loss and fear of ICE. Federal confirmation fight with NC ties: The U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee postponed a vote on acting Attorney General Todd Blanche after Sen. Thom Tillis (NC) and Sen. John Cornyn (TX) demanded written assurances tied to Trump’s IRS tax-audit immunity deal and the “anti-weaponization” fund. Local law enforcement oversight: A Charlotte-Mecklenburg officer was arrested after state investigators alleged he misused Flock camera access for non-law-enforcement purposes. Immigration detention expansion: GEO Group announced a five-year ICE support services contract to activate a 1,320-bed processing center in Winton, Hertford County. NC politics & voting access: North Carolina election changes continue to move through the legislature, including bills affecting early voting and audits. Public safety & infrastructure: NCDOT rejected an unsolicited proposal for the Cape Fear Memorial Bridge replacement, while a separate NC 89 road project threatens property relocations in Surry County. Defense jobs: A Ukrainian drone manufacturer, Skyeton, plans a Cumberland County drone production facility tied to Fort Bragg workforce needs.

Mental Health Access: NAMI of Pitt County opened a new community resource center in the Heart for ENC Business Center, focusing on peer support and education for families and people living with mental illness. COVID Trends: CDC modeling shows COVID infections are rising or likely growing in 37 states, including North Carolina, marking the first nationwide upward trend since spring 2026. U.S. Senate Politics (Regional): South Carolina’s GOP narrowed the U.S. Senate special primary field from 12 to nine after three candidates were decertified. Elections & Voting Rules (NC): North Carolina lawmakers advanced a controversial elections bill that cuts early voting days and adds more voter purge and audit requirements, with the Senate splitting the package and sending changes back to the House. Public Safety & Health (NC): North Carolina reported a surge in cyclosporiasis cases, with health officials reiterating the food supply is safe as investigations continue. Local Governance & Community: Pitt County held information sessions on home repair assistance for eligible homeowners as local recovery and affordability needs continue.

Elections Overhaul: The NC Senate advanced two elections bills, including a measure that cuts early voting in primaries/runoffs/specials from 17 to 10 days and expands post-election audits and ballot-challenge rules, drawing sharp opposition from Democrats. Budget Power Shift: Lawmakers are already rewriting the recently signed 2026 budget, moving quickly on changes that would shift control over local-government oversight and adjust funding and staffing, plus add new policy items. Policing Transparency Reversed: North Carolina quietly ended decades of statewide tracking of racial disparities in policing as the new budget repealed the requirement. Hurricane Helene Spending Scrutiny: A state auditor report says Helene disaster base camps cost more than $111 million, averaging over half a million dollars a day, with federal reimbursement cited. Ferry Tolls Fight: The Ocracoke Access Alliance is pushing to delay new ferry tolls expected to start by Jan. 1, 2027, arguing there isn’t enough time for public input and due process. Robocall Crackdown Push: NC’s attorney general joined a bipartisan push urging the FCC to strengthen “Know Your Customer” rules to stop illegal robocalls. Hemp/THC Age Limits: The Senate approved a bill to bar hemp and CBD sales to anyone under 21, with penalties for violations.

First Amendment & the National Guard: North Carolina’s National Guard settled a lawsuit with veteran Timothy Stanhope, who said officials pressured him to retire after he criticized leadership on the Guard’s official Facebook page, restoring his access. Elections & local costs: A new audit says odd-year municipal elections in 91 of 100 counties cost $8.4 million in 2025, with per-ballot costs ranging from about $5 to $1,500 depending on county size—raising questions as absentee ballots are set to go out Sept. 4. K-12 safety software mandates: A wave of state requirements is pushing districts toward formal behavioral threat and suicide risk assessment systems, with North Carolina’s HB 605 cited as part of that shift. Hunger response in the Triangle: The Food Bank of Central & Eastern North Carolina opened a new Food Lion FEEDS Hunger Solution Center in Durham to expand food distribution and volunteer/advocacy efforts amid record hunger levels. Prison & mental health crisis: A national investigation highlights repeated fires at Illinois’ Joliet Treatment Center, underscoring ongoing concerns about mental health care behind bars. Vote-by-mail fight heads to SCOTUS: The Trump administration asked the U.S. Supreme Court to uphold its sweeping order restricting vote-by-mail after lower courts blocked it, setting up a major election-season showdown.

FEMA Funding Fight: North Carolina Attorney General Jeff Jackson is joining a coalition of Democratic-led states suing FEMA over grant conditions that could force states to change election administration or risk losing counterterrorism and emergency money. Election Pressure in Washington: President Trump is demanding Senate Majority Leader John Thune cancel the August recess to pass the SAVE America Act, but Thune says there’s no path to passage without votes. Midterms Countdown: With under 100 days to November, North Carolina campaigns and voting-rights groups are ramping up outreach, while political scientists warn enthusiasm gaps could shape down-ballot races. Duke Energy vs Ratepayers: Duke joined the White House “Ratepayer Protection Pledge” on data-center costs, but NC leaders are pushing to make protections legally enforceable through state regulators. UNC Football Contracts: Documents show UNC’s 2026 nonconference slate includes Ireland vs. TCU and Notre Dame and UConn on the schedule, with specified payments. Public Safety & Courts: A North Carolina mother missing in Grenada was last seen on security video entering the water near a pier; separately, a Caldwell County proposal would restructure local health and social services boards under commissioners. Crime & Violence: Police reported a road-related shooting on I-77 in Mooresville, and a separate investigation continues after two people were shot on I-77 in Mooresville.

Local Crime: A suspect was arrested in the Friday night shooting at the Bearded Viking in King, with Kaleb James Robbins charged with felony assault inflicting serious bodily injury after police say he fled the scene in a SUV. Church & Law: Catholic leaders are warning against “online ordinations” for lay people to officiate weddings, saying only properly ordained clergy can officiate under Church law. UNC Watch: UNC football’s top executive, general manager Michael Lombardi, has been placed on paid administrative leave, adding to ongoing scrutiny around the program. Immigration Courts: A federal judge ordered DHS to help return a Honduran immigrant to the U.S. after finding likely constitutional violations tied to access to counsel and a deportation process. Elections & Voting Rules: A federal court fight over Trump-era election integrity efforts continues, with reporting highlighting how state certification rules could become a flashpoint in 2026. State Government: North Carolina’s attorney general is cited in coverage over a last-minute Medicaid rule change that could cost counties millions. Public Safety/Policy: North Carolina’s highway license plate reader pilot program is reported to be made permanent, while other coverage tracks ICE detention expansion plans and related legal pushback. Business & Economy: Philip Morris says it doubled its Colorado Zyn investment to about $1.2 billion through 2028, noting its North Carolina manufacturing footprint.

Election Integrity Fight: A federal appeals court upheld a block on President Trump’s plan for a federal voter list and tighter mail-in voting rules, striking down the executive order affecting 23 states and D.C. Immigration Enforcement: ICE is set to reopen a for-profit immigrant detention facility in North Carolina, with reporting citing plans for a 1,400-bed mass center at the former Rivers Correctional Institution. Midterm Politics: Republicans are sounding alarms about a “scary” enthusiasm gap, with about 1 in 5 reliable GOP voters in states including North Carolina considering staying home or backing Democrats. State Budget Impacts: North Carolina food banks are getting $9 million in new purchasing funds—up 50%—to help cover gaps as federal pandemic-era support ended. Child Care: The new state budget adds more than $100 million for child care and early education, including higher reimbursement rates and a statewide minimum reimbursement floor. Public Safety & Local Governance: Asheville is moving toward an ordinance change to tackle junk vehicles as nuisance litter, aiming to streamline enforcement across city departments. Health: A cyclospora outbreak has reached nine states, including North Carolina, prompting local guidance on food handling and hydration.

Immigration Enforcement: ICE plans to reopen a for-profit immigrant detention facility in Winton, NC, using the former Rivers Correctional Institution under a GEO Group deal with about 1,400 beds—sparking local anger and renewed debate over safety and oversight. Public Safety Tech: North Carolina’s budget eliminates the Criminal Justice Information Network (CJIN), ending the ankle-monitor system that helps enforce no-contact orders in domestic violence and stalking cases. Local Government & Growth: Rockingham County commissioners approved a unified development ordinance update to reorganize development rules and add tools for reviewing proposals, aiming to align with state law and make the system easier to use. Elections & Voting Rules: A North Carolina absentee ballot rules explainer highlights what Buncombe County voters should know, as election-law confusion and disputes continue to swirl ahead of the 2026 midterms. Midterms Watch (National): With 100 days left, new polling and analyses show a tight, geography-driven fight for Congress, with Trump underwater in major battleground states. Courts & Schools: Two lawsuits were filed against an Alamance-Burlington school board and a former Andrews Elementary teacher over alleged assaults on disabled students.

Election Integrity Fight: A First Circuit panel refused to pause a lower-court order blocking parts of President Trump’s election-integrity executive order in 23 states, keeping limits on DHS citizenship-list sharing and new mail-ballot rules for elections before Nov. 3, 2026. Absentee Voting: Buncombe County election officials say proposed State Board of Elections changes to permanent absentee rules aren’t adopted yet, urging voters to keep following current instructions as stricter processing and documentation requirements move through rulemaking. Immigration Enforcement in NC: The New York Times reports ICE plans to open a detention center in rural North Carolina by end of 2026 at a shuttered Hertford County prison site, drawing opposition from Gov. Josh Stein and sparking protests. Data Centers & Local Control: A Town of Staley public notice sets an Aug. 11 meeting on a temporary moratorium covering data centers and related uses, reflecting growing local pushback amid national AI data-center expansion. Public Safety: Asheville police confirmed a Glock switch was used in the fatal Biltmore Avenue shooting, raising questions about how easily such devices can be obtained. NC Politics & Institutions: The N.C. Community College System named Monty Sullivan as president, succeeding Jeff Cox, as leadership turnover continues across the system.

Election Integrity & Voting Rules: North Carolina Republicans’ latest election-law changes keep drawing fire, with critics arguing the state’s “integrity” push has mostly shifted power and made voting harder rather than proving widespread fraud. State Elections Board: The State Board of Elections has also moved to tighten absentee voting rules, including changes that make it easier to discard mail-in ballots—fueling more debate ahead of the 2026 midterms. Surveillance & Public Safety: A new budget provision makes the Automatic License Plate Reader pilot permanent on state highways, expanding ALPR access statewide while raising oversight questions. Healthcare Competition: A North Carolina hospital market debate is heating up as officials and advocates argue mergers can reduce competition and raise costs. Military & Youth Support: The “Purple Star Schools” designation is highlighted as a way to welcome and support military-connected students through frequent moves. Sports Governance: Brad Alford is set to become the next NCHSAA commissioner, taking over after a transition period. Local Economy: Burlington plans to seek state help for Alamance Foods’ expansion, aiming to add production capacity and jobs. Military-Related Tragedy: The Pentagon’s Iran-war death toll and troop-return details continue to reverberate, including a North Carolina service member named among the fallen.

Immigration Enforcement Clash: Gov. Josh Stein says he opposes a planned ICE detention center in Winton, arguing the state didn’t approve the deal and criticizing ICE’s record of detaining and abusing people, including U.S. citizens. Corrections Update: Winston-Salem officials say escaped Forsyth Correctional Center inmate Raymond Warren was recaptured and will face a new felony escape charge. Election & Federal Funding Fight: AG Kris Mayes joined a multi-state lawsuit challenging Trump administration conditions tied to federal counterterrorism and emergency grants, including demands that states share voter registration lists and help enforce immigration policy. Local Government: Lenoir town council will consider changes to its flood damage prevention plan that could affect flood insurance, and will also weigh a cell tower permit. Defense Policy: Rep. Don Davis (D-N.C.) co-leads a bill to keep at least 126 A-10 Thunderbolt II aircraft in service through 2033. Public Safety/Health: Wayne County confirmed a cyclosporiasis case as North Carolina reports a statewide outbreak. Community & Culture: Cleveland County announced a new communications push for its Justice Center project ahead of opening.

Election Administration: The North Carolina State Board of Elections approved changes that make it easier to disqualify certain absentee ballots ahead of the 2026 midterms, with Republicans arguing it boosts security and Democrats warning it could toss valid votes. Campaign Politics: A Democratic-aligned group launched a $2.3 million digital ad campaign targeting U.S. Senate candidate Michael Whatley over his ties to Harvey West, a convicted sex offender, as the NC Senate race tightens. Higher Education & Workforce: UNC’s Board of Governors approved UNC-Chapel Hill’s plan to offer a Bachelor of Social Work to help address social work workforce shortages. Public Safety & Courts: A federal court case tied to a dark-web drug operation led to charges against a North Carolina man after overdose deaths in Ohio, according to newly filed records. Energy & Tech: Duke Energy and other major utilities joined President Trump’s expanded Ratepayer Protection Pledge aimed at preventing ratepayers from absorbing AI data center buildout costs. Military & Federal Policy: UNC and Virginia Tech will host a new senior service college fellowship after the Pentagon ended partnerships with some private universities.

Federal Courts & Elections: A coalition of 25 states and D.C. sued FEMA and DHS over new disaster-grant conditions that would require states to share voter lists and cooperate with federal immigration enforcement, arguing the administration is using emergency money as leverage. North Carolina Politics: Gov. Josh Stein and AG Jeff Jackson urged the Utilities Commission to make Duke Energy’s new “Ratepayer Protection Pledge” commitment legally binding in writing, pushing for enforceable tariffs so data centers can’t shift costs to families. State Government & Public Safety: Union County approved a bond referendum for Nov. 3 to fund a new ~500-bed detention center after its current jail hit capacity and faces costly structural problems. Local Law Enforcement: Union County deputies arrested a New York man accused of identity theft and money laundering after he allegedly used multiple IDs to open business accounts across the state. Education & Civil Rights: The U.S. Department of Education launched investigations into five medical schools over alleged racial discrimination in admissions. Sports & Community: The NCHSAA named Brad Alford as its next commissioner, and Little League Softball’s World Series is set for Aug. 2-9 in Greenville with ESPN airing every game.

Federal Grants Watch: Proposed OMB rule changes could tighten grant requirements starting Oct. 1, raising new compliance worries for eastern North Carolina counties and nonprofits—Bertie County officials say they weren’t aware of a key concern letter tied to the shift. Elections Transparency: The NC State Board of Elections declined to release names of thousands of people flagged as dead on voter rolls, saying it could involve “subsequent investigations or prosecutions,” leaving voters without a way to verify removals. Early Voting Fight in Guilford: Guilford County’s board approved 17 early voting sites but rejected adding campus locations for NC A&T and UNCG, sending the dispute to the state board. Military & Politics: Trump attended a dignified transfer for four service members killed in the Iran conflict, while NC election officials say they’re largely ignoring Trump’s election-threat claims. Local Government & Growth: Brunswick County approved a commercial rezoning tied to a Sunset Beach extraterritorial jurisdiction change. Sports Business: Panthers owner David Tepper announced another $500M for Bank of America Stadium renovations, aiming to position Charlotte for major events.