AGP Executive Report

NASA & Hampton Roads: NASA’s Langley Research Center cut the ribbon on its first new wind tunnel in 40 years, a $53 million Flight Dynamics Research Facility built by BL Harbert, with test runs expected after certifications. Virginia energy policy: Virginia is back in RGGI, and a new $13 monthly fee could still lower power bills for many households if carbon-market revenue flows into energy-efficiency upgrades. Tech + local jobs: A new report highlights how the AI/data-center boom is pulling skilled trade workers into training pipelines—while also raising concerns about where the work goes and what communities pay in the process. Data-center backlash: Across the U.S., polling and local fights show growing opposition to data centers over water, electricity, noise, and subsidies. National politics (Reflecting Pool): Trump escalated criticism after a DOJ move to drop charges tied to the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool renovation, arguing contractor issues were secondary to vandalism claims. Community & agriculture: Virginia Agriculture in the Classroom is accepting educator grant applications (up to $500) to fund hands-on school projects tied to farming and food. Sports/entertainment: The Seahawks’ “Hard Knocks” returns Tuesday, with coaches emphasizing authenticity even under the cameras.

Ukraine Aid Shift: The Pentagon is set to end U.S. leadership of NATO’s Ukraine Security Assistance Group in Germany, with command expected to move to another NATO country over up to a year, while U.S. involvement continues via a deputy. Trade & Human Rights: The U.S. added 43 more Chinese companies to the Uyghur forced-labor import ban list, expanding the entity count to 187. Virginia Voting Rights: Gov. Abigail Spanberger restored voting and other civil rights to more than 60,000 Virginians, ahead of early voting for the 2026 midterms. Data Center Fight: Virginia lawmakers are calling for a statewide data-center moratorium as residents raise concerns about water and power impacts; in Franklin County, FOIA-linked “Project Flash” records are fueling transparency complaints. Workplace Pay Rules: Virginia’s pay transparency law now requires salary ranges in job postings and bans salary-history questions. Local Spotlight: A Roanoke County “Cuts with Cops” back-to-school event provided haircuts, supplies, and vaccinations.

Missing Persons: Supporters gathered in Manassas Park, wearing red, to mark two years since Mamta Kafle Bhatt disappeared; prosecutors say surveillance showed her husband buying items including knives and gloves, and investigators are still working without a body found. Health Care: Sentara says contract talks with Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield stalled, warning some commercial, Medicare and Medicaid agreements could expire if no deal is reached, though coverage for members is expected to continue for now. Virginia Elections: Early voting ends Saturday ahead of Virginia’s Aug. 4 primary; voters can check polling locations and use provisional ballots if needed. Local Politics: Magnolia’s mayoral race has three candidates filed so far—Jeffrey Cheatham, James Jefferson Jr., and Kelli B. Souter—with petitions due Aug. 5. Public Safety/Drugs: On Virginia’s Eastern Shore, 7-OH (hydroxymitragynine) is being sold over the counter until Aug. 5, when it becomes a Schedule I drug, raising concerns about addiction and underage access. Business/Innovation: Gov. Abigail Spanberger announced $2.4 million in non-dilutive grants for Virginia life sciences startups via Virginia Catalyst, backing biomedical innovation. Tech & Infrastructure: Virginia Mobile ID expanded statewide to Southwest Virginia, letting users verify identity or age via QR scan at participating locations.

Health Care Fight: Virginia AGs are joining a multi-state lawsuit to block a federal rule that would expand catastrophic plans and raise costs, with HHS projecting millions could lose coverage. Local Health Access: Virginia hospital emergency departments are seeing a four-year high in self-pay visits, a sign more people may be uninsured or unable to show coverage. Virginia Politics: Voters head to the Aug. 4 primary with contested races shaping the November ballot, including the 7th District GOP field and the 5th District where both parties have primaries. Data Centers & Water: A Botetourt County Google data center plan is drawing scrutiny over water and energy use, and it’s already spilling into the 6th District campaign. Transportation/Business: The FAA has cleared environmental review for expanding Washington Manassas Airport, leaving one more step before commercial flights. Public Safety: A Silver Spring synagogue is suing Montgomery County over a firearms restriction near religious services. Community & Economy: A Cyclospora outbreak is driving demand for locally grown produce in Franklin County. Science & Jobs: NASA Langley opened its first new wind tunnel in 40+ years, a $57 million facility aimed at future aeronautics work.

Virginia Politics & Elections: The UVA Crystal Ball shifted 14 congressional contests toward Democrats ahead of the 2026 midterms, including a competitive Virginia 7th District primary where Rep. Eugene Vindman faces challengers Philip Harding, Douglas Ollivant and Rick Smithers. National Guard Misconduct: Federal prosecutors say a National Guard major used a government travel card and forged documents to maintain a secret second marriage, including a fake divorce decree, while awaiting sentencing. Public Health & Federal Oversight: The Senate health committee advanced CDC director nominee Erica Schwartz, with Virginia Sen. Tim Kaine backing the pick; a separate judge rejected states’ bid to delay Medicaid work requirements. SNAP Fraud Prevention: Pennsylvania is moving SNAP recipients to EMV chip EBT cards to cut skimming theft, with Virginia among states already in the transition. Data Centers & Power Costs: A new look at the data-center buildout argues Virginia’s equipment tax break shifts costs to schools and residents while other states require bigger new users to pay more or manage demand. Local Business: Nordstrom Rack plans new stores, including a Williamsburg, Va. opening on Oct. 22. Community & Culture: Virginia Fresh Match highlights National Farmers Market Week and the role of farmers markets in boosting local agriculture and SNAP access.

Education Policy: Sen. Tim Kaine (D-Va.) helped win a bipartisan Senate education committee vote to keep key Education Department offices intact, including special education, pushing back on the administration’s reorganization. Defense & Jobs: The Navy’s $76.6 billion submarine package includes major new Electric Boat contracts tied to Virginia- and Columbia-class work, with General Dynamics citing workforce and delivery timelines. Local Government & Growth: Richmond is weighing a solar power purchase deal that would put panels on about 40 city buildings with no upfront cost, aiming to lock in electricity rates as bills rise. Infrastructure: VDOT opened new eastbound lanes on the $300 million Route 58 Lovers Leap widening project in Patrick County, removing a tractor-trailer restriction as remaining work continues. Data Centers & Water: Botetourt County supervisors voted to create an independent commission to review a planned Google data center’s impacts, with residents and planners focused on water use during drought. Business: Virginia Catalyst awarded $2.4 million in non-dilutive grants to three biomedical startups. Public Safety: Alexandria Police is expanding its Dog Walker Watch program, encouraging residents to report non-emergency issues and suspicious activity.

Energy & Grid Reliability: Rappahannock Electric Cooperative is partnering with Virtual Peaker to let members enroll smart thermostats, batteries, EV chargers, and EVs to help manage demand as Virginia power costs rise. Public Safety & Health: Virginia Attorney General Jay Jones announced a new Regulated Products Enforcement Unit to crack down on illegal vapes, THC and hemp-derived products, kratom, and other emerging intoxicants. Major Infrastructure: Trump unveiled a $22.5 billion Dulles International Airport makeover aimed at retiring the “people movers,” adding new train service, tunnels, moving walkways, and new concourses. Defense & Shipbuilding: The Navy awarded Electric Boat a record-setting $76.6 billion package for Virginia- and Columbia-class submarines, with major work tied to the Virginia shipbuilding base. Local Government & Growth Pressure: A growing number of communities are weighing moratoriums or tighter rules on data centers as residents raise concerns about water, energy, noise, and long-term impacts. Business Earnings: SunCoke Energy reported strong second-quarter results and raised its full-year 2026 guidance range.

Dulles Airport Overhaul: President Trump announced a $22.5 billion makeover of Washington Dulles, aiming to replace the hated “people movers” with an expanded AeroTrain, a central walking tunnel, new moving walkways and updated concourses, plus a new 32,000-vehicle parking garage. Virginia Pay Transparency: A new Virginia law took effect July 1 requiring employers to list salary ranges on job postings and banning salary-history questions. Data Center Water Fight in Botetourt: Botetourt County approved an independent commission to assess potential impacts from a proposed Google data center campus, with residents focused on water use and other effects. Local Elections: Virginia’s 2026 primary is set for Tuesday, Aug. 4, with polls open 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. and early voting on select weekends, plus ID rules and mail-ballot deadlines. Navy Shipbuilding: The Navy awarded $76.6 billion for new Virginia-class and Columbia-class submarines, including major work at Newport News Shipbuilding and Electric Boat. Food Safety Recall: Publix recalled GreenWise Organic frozen blueberries and mixed berries in multiple states, including Virginia, due to possible E. coli O145 contamination.

Virginia Politics & Elections: Arlington Republicans are urging voters to turn out for next Tuesday’s U.S. Senate primary, where the GOP nominee will try to unseat Sen. Mark Warner. Public Safety & Accountability: A new report says Old Dominion University did not ask a student about his criminal history before readmitting him prior to the ROTC classroom shooting that killed Lt. Col. Brandon Shah. Local Labor: Prince William County employees voted to join SEIU Virginia 512, setting up contract talks with the Board of County Supervisors. Roads: VDOT will close the East Wythe Street ramp to I-85 and I-95 south in Petersburg for bridge repairs July 31–Aug. 3. Business & Defense: HII declared a quarterly dividend of $1.38 per share; and the U.S. Army is partnering with a rare-earth company for processing facilities on a military base. Health & Research: UVA researchers are testing a focused ultrasound approach to deliver microRNAs across the blood-brain barrier for glioblastoma. Tech & Economy: A new analysis says AI companies are poaching top economists to study how AI is reshaping jobs.

Intelligence Leadership: The U.S. Senate confirmed Jay Clayton as Director of National Intelligence in a 51-47 party-line vote, setting up a fight over the future of Section 702 surveillance after Democrats walked away from a reauthorization deal. Data Centers & Power: Botetourt County approved an independent commission to assess the proposed Google data center campus, weighing impacts on the environment, infrastructure, utilities, and quality of life. Local Government & Elections: Virginia’s Supreme Court blocked a voter-approved redistricting referendum, dealing a blow to Democrats’ push for extra House seats. Storms: Severe storms hit the D.C. region with tornado and flash-flood warnings, downing trees and flooding roads. Transportation: Virginia Breeze added a new “Tidewater Current” route connecting Harrisonburg to Hampton Roads, including stops in Richmond and Norfolk. Community & Health: Habitat for Humanity Virginia and GiveSolar reached 100 solar-powered homes statewide, while Virginia Tech earned a top Military Friendly ranking for supporting veterans.

Space & Tech/Investing: Six members of Congress bought SpaceX stock after the IPO, including a Virginia Republican (John McGuire), with filings expected to reveal more trades in the coming weeks. Northern Virginia Food & Business: A new Fairfax City restaurant, Chin’s Xi’An Style, is set to open this August inside 99 Ranch Market, bringing hand-ripped noodles and regional Shaanxi dishes to the area. Courts & Federal Power: ProPublica reports federal judges are increasingly criticizing DOJ conduct as “unlawful,” “unethical,” and “unseemly,” challenging whether prosecutors can be trusted. Virginia Energy Leadership: Gov. Abigail Spanberger named Vince Maiden to lead the Virginia Department of Energy as data center growth raises pressure on power costs and grid upgrades. Education Policy: Rockingham County schools are shifting some classes from traditional testing toward an inquiry model that emphasizes critical thinking over rote memorization. Defense/Quantico: Virtuix’s Omni One movement platform is being integrated into counter-drone training for the U.S. Marine Corps at Quantico. Elections: The Trump administration asked the U.S. Supreme Court to uphold sweeping limits on vote-by-mail, setting up a major fight ahead of November.

Virginia Data Centers & Power Costs: Virginia localities can say no to data centers, but the law decides how — and regulators are also weighing who pays as the boom strains grids. Local Governance: In Goochland, residents pushed back against a data center tract ahead of a permit fight. State Policy: Virginia’s new pay transparency law is changing how job postings work. Courts & Rights: Attorney General Jay Jones joined a coalition suing over Trump administration conditions tied to counterterrorism and emergency funding, including demands for sensitive voter data. Public Safety: In Loudoun County, the son of Kansas City Chiefs assistant Eric Bieniemy was charged after his mother was shot at their Virginia home. Health & Education: New federal student loan rules took effect July 1, reshaping Parent PLUS borrowing and repayment for families. Arts & Culture: Commercial Bank and VCUarts Qatar renewed a leadership-through-art partnership. Science: UVA researchers won grants to improve swelling care and lymphatic disease diagnoses.

Virginia Jobs & Pay Transparency: Virginia’s new law now requires employers to post a good-faith wage or salary range in job postings, and it bars salary-history questions—aimed at giving workers more leverage. Rural Health Care: A new push in Virginia’s health care debate highlights how rural access is being squeezed, with lawmakers pointing to federal Medicaid cuts and proposed rule changes that could hit Virginia hospitals hard. White’s Ferry Reopening: A Virginia ferry co-owner has donated the dormant White’s Ferry operation to Montgomery County, a step meant to restart the Potomac crossing after years of suspension. Data Centers & Power: NextEra is positioning itself as the electricity partner for AI, touting Dominion’s pending merger review and grid connections as data-center demand surges. Privacy Backlash: Across the country, Flock’s license-plate camera network is expanding fast, while privacy critics push back as cameras are vandalized or removed. Local Culture: Charlottesville’s Soul of Cville festival returns with a “Future Heirlooms” theme spotlighting Black-owned businesses and community legacy. Sports/Politics Map Watch: A new analysis says the 2026 House map is more favorable to Republicans than 2024, but not necessarily more favorable than 2018.

Virginia Politics: Early turnout in Virginia’s 2026 primary is lagging 2024, with about 15,000 fewer votes in the Democratic primary and 10,500 fewer in the Republican primary, according to VPAP. U.Va. Health: U.Va. Health says it’s the first health system in Virginia to offer a new melanoma treatment for uveal melanoma that has spread to the liver. Data Centers & Water: Virginia released a long-delayed study warning groundwater declines are likely in the eastern coastal plain aquifer and calls for tighter rules on industrial water withdrawals tied to the data center boom. Broadband: Brightspeed is expanding fiber service in Carroll County, with construction underway for nearly 2,000 locations and more than 200,000 planned statewide. Public Safety: A hit-and-run in Southeast D.C. injured a 5-year-old scooter rider; police are searching for a dark blue Nissan with Virginia plates. Health & Environment: A peer-reviewed study reports measurable mifepristone-related compounds in municipal tap water samples from Blacksburg, Virginia, and two other cities.

Heat & Health: A new analysis says heat waves are driving a sharp rise in hospital visits in Hampton Roads, with 1,088 heat-related ER trips from May–September 2025—up 29% from 2024—showing how quickly summer conditions can turn dangerous. Public Safety: D.C. police are searching for a dark blue Nissan with Virginia plates after a hit-and-run left a 5-year-old with life-threatening injuries while riding a scooter. Local Law Enforcement: Cumberland police arrested a Rockville man after a disturbance at a Virginia Avenue business, charging him with assault on law enforcement and drug possession. Workforce & Business: McLean-based SMS Data Products Group ranked No. 2 among midsize Top Workplaces, while Chantilly’s Koniag Government Services also earned a No. 2 spot in the large-company category. Immigration & Courts: The Trump administration is ramping up denaturalization efforts, aiming for at least 250 cases by October, as it seeks to revoke citizenship for alleged fraud. Virginia Health Costs: A VHHA analysis finds self-paying ER visits in Virginia jumped 49% from 2022 to 2025, warning of pressure ahead as coverage changes loom. Data Centers Backlash: Politico reports Virginia regulators moved quickly to defend a Loudoun County data center that powers itself with natural gas turbines, as residents and advocates question pollution and oversight.

Data Centers & Power Costs: Virginia regulators are facing fresh scrutiny after reports that internal emails moved quickly to defend a Loudoun County data center’s pollution concerns, as the state weighs who pays for massive grid upgrades tied to the AI boom. Public Health: Measles cases hit a 35-year high, with 2,318 confirmed cases nationwide this year and outbreaks concentrated in under-vaccinated communities. Reproductive Health: A new study found anti-progesterone drug activity linked to mifepristone in water samples from Blacksburg, Va., plus two other cities, prompting calls for more investigation. Local Housing & Energy: Habitat for Humanity Virginia marked its 100th solar-roof project in Ashland, aiming to cut long-term utility bills for families. Immigration Policy: The DOJ escalated its crackdown on tuition benefits for illegal immigrants, filing another lawsuit—this time targeting Maryland. Community Safety: A driver crashed into a stand at the Fairfax Farmers’ Market, sending a woman and child to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.