AGP Executive Report

Local Government: Watauga County commissioners honored longtime community leader Lowell Younce with the Order of the Long Leaf Pine, approved county project change orders, and rescinded a $12,000 economic development incentive for Rootsii after learning the company was negotiating deals elsewhere. State Politics & Civic Life: Gov. Josh Stein ordered all U.S. and NC flags at state facilities lowered for Gloria Steinem, running Sept. 6–10. North Carolina Economy: A new report says NC job growth in July stalled, with no net payroll gain and only about 1% year-over-year growth. Elections & Democracy: Prediction-market trading tied to races is surging as states debate treating platforms like unlicensed casinos and worry about how odds could shape public trust. Business & Growth: TD Bank opened a large new Ballantyne office as it pushes to become one of North America’s biggest banks. Public Safety: Search efforts expanded on Lake Waccamaw for a missing kayaker, with drones grounded after safety concerns.

Plane Crash Fallout (MIA): The NTSB says an Amazon Air cargo Boeing 767-300 overran Miami International’s runway and hit vehicles, killing five and injuring others, with investigators now focused on landing details and airport safety systems. North Carolina Business & Tech: Raleigh-based TARGAN, acquired by Merck Animal Health, says its AI hatchery tech is expanding its 24/7 support and has processed 2.5 billion chicks, with systems now operating across multiple countries. Local Economy & Cost of Living: AAA reports record Labor Day gas prices, with North Carolina drivers feeling the squeeze—especially diesel-dependent small trucking businesses. Sports (NCWU): North Carolina Wesleyan men’s soccer posted a tie and a loss on a Virginia trip, with weather delays and strong goalkeeper play in the mix. Elections & Voting Fight: California Gov. Gavin Newsom campaigned in Charlotte, attacking Trump’s mail-ballot restrictions as legal battles continue. UNC Football Probe: Bill Belichick stayed guarded as UNC’s investigation continues after Michael Lombardi’s resignation. Public Notices: A Craven County foreclosure sale is scheduled for Sept. 18, 2026, and a Craven County estate notice was filed for Melba Currence Tyson.

Aviation Tragedy: Federal investigators laid out plans Monday to determine what caused an Amazon Prime Air cargo jet to overrun a runway at Miami International Airport, killing five and injuring five after the Boeing 767 struck vehicles and burned; the NTSB says its chairwoman will brief the public. North Carolina Politics: A Reuters roundup flags North Carolina as a key Senate battleground as Democrats target retiring GOP Sen. Thom Tillis, with former Gov. Roy Cooper leading in polls. Food Insecurity: Hunger is worsening in North Carolina as Feeding America reports 1 in 7 residents are unsure where their next meal will come from, with food banks facing more demand amid federal cuts. Local Housing: Ashe County is among western NC counties that could tap $53.38 million in federal workforce homeownership funding tied to Hurricane Helene recovery. Business & Growth: Vertiv is moving ahead with a $1.45B acquisition of Raleigh-based UtilityInnovation Group to expand data-center power and cooling capabilities. Community Events: The Festival for the Eno is returning Sept. 12 in downtown Durham, shifting from its usual riverfront July setup after storm flooding and construction at West Point on the Eno.

Aviation Tragedy: An Amazon Prime Air cargo plane overran a runway at Miami International Airport, killing at least five people and injuring five others after striking vehicles and bursting into flames; investigators are still sorting out whether victims were on board or in cars on the ground. North Carolina Business & Industry: Airbus says its push to build 12 A350 jets per month by 2028 is in doubt as production delays tied to its Kinston, N.C., composite facility ripple through the supply chain. Local Schools & Law: In the Charlotte area, 11 public districts are starting earlier than state calendar rules allow, a rare enforcement gap that raises questions about how far local boards will go. Elections & Voting Rights: The Trump administration again asked the U.S. Supreme Court to allow mail-ballot restrictions as courts keep blocking parts of the Postal Service changes—while ballots are already going out in North Carolina. Public Safety & Health: A Greenville medical technology firm, Perfusio, won a $75,000 state grant to develop a handheld burn-imaging device for faster, more objective care decisions. Community & Culture: Raleigh’s Game & Geek Expo returned to the convention center with esports, cosplay, and a large vendor lineup, plus scholarship-focused competitions.

Food Insecurity: A new Food Bank of Central and Eastern North Carolina report says hunger across the region is now worse than pandemic levels, with nearly 630,000 people lacking consistent access to food and pantry visits up sharply as costs rise. Consumer Fraud: BBB Scam Tracker data shows Apex logged five scam reports in July, tying for 33rd among NC cities, with counterfeit products and online non-delivery among the most common schemes. Public Safety & Community Memory: Hamlet marked 35 years since the Imperial Foods fire that killed 25 and injured 54, with state labor officials and local leaders honoring victims and survivors. Minimum Wage Debate: A fresh push argues the federal minimum wage’s $7.25 level since 2009 keeps workers stuck while living costs climb. Health & Cancer Support: A Kannapolis pizza shop is joining a childhood cancer fundraiser, donating per-slice proceeds to support families and research. Transportation Disruptions: Amtrak warned of Labor Day weekend cancellations and delays at major stations, including Chicago and St. Louis.

US Mail Voting Fight: The Trump DOJ asked an appeals court to pause a judge’s block on new USPS mail-ballot restrictions, arguing states like North Carolina can comply and calling election officials’ concerns overstated. Outer Banks Transportation: As NCDOT keeps holding ferry toll meetings, Dare and Hyde counties are pushing back against new tolls on untolled routes and a $150 annual pass for residents, with more sessions set for Hatteras and Ocracoke. North Carolina Politics & Policy: Lawmakers are weighing how to regulate hemp intoxicating products as federal rules stay in flux, with North Carolina’s next steps likely to land after November. Public Safety & Health: A historic Catawba County cemetery was damaged in an impaired-driving crash, while Labor Day weekend weather watches and severe thunderstorm risks include parts of the Triangle and Asheville. Community & Culture: Blue Ridge Rising’s two-state summit drew nearly 200 leaders to coordinate tourism and economic development across the Parkway region. Sports (NC ties): Former UNC captain Power Echols’ latest Seahawks roster move came after an injury-setback stretch.

Mail Voting Fight: A federal judge in Boston extended a nationwide block on Trump-era USPS mail-ballot changes as North Carolina begins sending its first midterm ballots, keeping the dispute alive heading into Election Day. Pentagon Security: The U.S. military disabled advertising trackers on government devices after concerns that commercial location data could help target troops. North Carolina Fraud Watch: Oriental ranked among the state’s higher BBB scam-report cities in July, with online purchase scams driving reported losses. Local Culture & Community: Downtown Raleigh is gearing up for the 17th annual African American Cultural Festival, with organizers expecting 35,000–40,000 attendees. Workforce: Greenville’s Better Skills, Better Jobs Fair returns Oct. 1 with more than 110 employers and training partners. Science Giving: A Hobart graduate donated $4.5 million to fund summer science research programs.

Mail Voting Fight in Court: A federal judge extended a block on Trump-backed USPS rules that would have tightened mail-in voting, saying the changes likely violate the Constitution and could disenfranchise eligible voters; the administration is expected to appeal. NC Election Rules on the Ground: North Carolina’s first mail ballots went out as the state Board of Elections approved “numbered memos” that can spoil ballots with improperly sealed inner envelopes and limit who can return ballots for voters. Tax Limits on Ballots: A new poll finds strong, bipartisan support for two constitutional amendments on Nov. 3—capping the state income tax rate at 3.5% and limiting property tax increases by local governments, though support for property-tax limits drops when voters hear about possible service cuts. Local Fire Displacement: Forest City businesses hit by a downtown fire tied to the old Farmers Hardware building are searching for temporary locations while investigators continue looking into the cause. Arts & Culture: A North Carolina children’s history book, “Blue’s March,” was selected for the Library of Congress National Book Festival reading list. Business & Jobs: Boater’s World Manufacturing Group plans a Beaufort County boat campus in Chocowinity, aiming to create 179 jobs.

Mail-ballot fight heats up: The U.S. Supreme Court is again being asked to block or allow new limits on USPS mail voting as North Carolina begins mailing absentee ballots, with the State Board of Elections weighing last-minute guidance that could affect how counties handle and cure ballots. Election stakes in NC and beyond: National midterm voting is underway, and forecasts keep pointing to a tight Senate and a possible House shift—while NC voters report confidence in the process but ongoing fraud concerns. Cyber and privacy: The Pentagon says it disabled advertising trackers on military devices after concerns that commercial location data could be used to target troops. Iran sanctions and costs: Treasury says the EU has “officially joined” a major Iran sanctions push, while diesel prices hit a new U.S. record, squeezing farmers and voters. Local North Carolina: Ashe County took ownership of Deep Ford River Access Park, creating the first formal public access near Lansing; McDowell County also moved toward a six-month moratorium on data centers amid water, noise, and jobs concerns. Tech policy: The U.S. backed OpenAI in its copyright dispute with the New York Times, arguing training AI on copyrighted text can be fair use.

Iran Conflict & Gas Prices: VP JD Vance said the Iran fight isn’t a “war” because there’s “no active shooting,” while the Pentagon reports 18 U.S. deaths and hundreds wounded since the conflict began. Elections & Voting Rules: The House cut its work schedule to one more stretch before midterms, while DOJ and courts keep battling over USPS mail-ballot changes. North Carolina Politics: A First Alert investigation fact-checks an attack ad linking Roy Cooper to a 22-year-old’s murder, and NC Republicans face fresh scrutiny in state politics. Local Governance: Cabarrus County’s school bathroom policy fight is escalating worries about LGBTQ harassment. Public Safety & Health: FDA expanded a frozen berry recall tied to E. coli to Walmart’s Great Value product in 16 states including North Carolina. Economy & Jobs: NC A&T joined an NSF clean-economy push to turn rural-grown crops into materials for vehicles, construction, and packaging. Energy & Environment: DMF opened public input on possible new sea mullet harvest limits. Community: Governor Stein proclaimed September Smart Start Month, highlighting early childhood support across all 100 counties.

G20 in Asheville: Finance ministers and central bank chiefs are meeting in Asheville, putting post-Helene recovery and federal aid frustrations in the international spotlight, with local leaders calling it a “tale of two cities.” Surveillance backlash in WNC: Residents in Western North Carolina are pushing back on Flock license-plate cameras, raising privacy concerns and complaining about difficulty getting records. AI and data centers: At the G20, U.S. officials and tech leaders are urging a lighter touch on AI rules while arguing data centers need faster permitting and more power. Road safety: North Carolina’s “Booze It & Lose It” Labor Day crackdown runs through Sept. 13, with officials citing alcohol-related crash deaths. Local business: Little Mama’s is opening a third location in Cornelius on Sept. 7, bringing brick-oven pizza to Lake Norman. Arts: High Point Arts Council’s free Day in the Park festival returns Sept. 12, celebrating John Coltrane’s 100th birthday.

Semiconductor Tariffs Watch: U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick says Washington is shaping a “targeted” and “thoughtful” chip tariff plan, with relief for firms that build in the U.S., while South Korea says it’s closely monitoring impacts. G20 Tech Rules: G20 ministers meeting in Chapel Hill agreed on “Carolina Principles” urging governments to avoid inflexible new AI rules and instead use existing regulations while backing research and commercialization. Charlotte Immigration Trial: A federal jury in western North Carolina split verdicts in a protest case tied to an ICE confrontation, convicting two protesters on petty offenses and finding one not guilty of assault. Markets Under Strain: A global bond rout is raising fears of a disorderly correction, with attention on leverage, sovereign debt fragilities, and AI-related investment risks. Local Governance: Pender County Commissioner Brett Springer was elected to the NC Association of County Commissioners board for 2026-27. Public Health: North Carolina health officials are tracking a rare brain-eating amoeba case after a teen was critically ill, with the exposure source still under investigation.

G20 in Asheville: U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent used the finance meeting to press allies on Iran, warning airlines, maritime and even digital assets could be targeted and saying the U.S. has “quiet” talks with China and Russia about keeping the Strait of Hormuz open. AI policy fight: Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang urged G20 countries to avoid AI rules focused on “theoretical harms,” pushing for real-world, practical guardrails instead. North Carolina courts: The NC Supreme Court ruled a defendant knowingly and voluntarily waived his right to counsel after filing handwritten waivers and speaking with the trial judge. Transportation funding tension: NCDOT hasn’t given local governments a clear cost breakdown for possible reimbursement tied to the I-77 toll lanes, leaving leaders unsure ahead of a Sept. 23 vote. Public safety and health: Wake County plans to remove about 400,000 mugshots from its website; and a new analysis finds food insecurity in North Carolina is rising, with 15.5% of residents affected. Tech in traffic: NCDOT is rolling out ClearGuide® dash-cam imagery to improve traffic operations and visual verification.

G20 in Asheville: U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent says the U.S. held “quiet” talks with China and Russia about Iran, but China offered no specific commitment to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. Trade & debt: G20 finance chiefs (except China) backed action to curb “non-market” policies that fuel export overreliance and worsen imbalances, as bond markets reel and sovereign-debt worries grow. AI policy: At a parallel G20 innovation meeting, the U.S. pushed the “Carolina Principles” to avoid new AI rules and rely on existing law for truly novel issues. Japan/yen: Bessent urged the Bank of Japan to keep decisive steps to address yen weakness and inflation, while BOJ Governor Kazuo Ueda said the board will weigh upside price risks at its next meeting. North Carolina impact: State Fire Marshal Brian Taylor was elected president of the National Association of State Fire Marshals. Public safety: Orange County named its new crisis diversion facility the Jamezetta Bedford Crisis Care Center. Food recall: Over 10,000 cases of Hodo Lightly Fried Chili Crisp Tofu were recalled in 29 states over possible ink contamination.

NC Utilities Commission: Dominion Energy North Carolina’s proposed base rate hike is headed to a public hearing in Halifax County on Sept. 28, with the utility seeking an 11.99% overall increase (about $36.8 million) for roughly 129,000 customers. AI & Local Economy: Halifax County residents heard plans for a Quiet Data Centers AI data center in Enfield, including projected investment, jobs, and questions about water use. Health & Work: The EEOC sued Family Dollar of North Carolina over alleged pregnancy discrimination after a Greenville employee was fired following pregnancy-related medical limits. Education & Research: UNCW welcomed the 78-foot research vessel Osprey to expand coastal and marine science and hands-on learning. Public Safety & Courts: A judge ruled former Abercrombie & Fitch CEO Michael Jeffries is mentally competent to stand trial in a sex trafficking case. G20 in Asheville: U.S. and Japan officials emphasized “orderly” yen moves and coordinated efforts as finance leaders meet, while the U.S. pushes a lighter-touch approach to AI regulation. Community Events: The N.C. Mountain State Fair announces special themed days (including student, senior, first responder, and food drive admission deals) running Sept. 11–20 in Fletcher.

G20 in Asheville: Finance chiefs opened a two-day meeting with growth and debt on the agenda, but Iran tensions and a surprise Russian presence set the tone. U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent pushed a growth-first message while warning of pressure on Iran’s economy; European officials said Russia can’t be “normalized” while Ukraine’s war continues and even skipped a group photo. Press freedom at the summit: The Treasury Department barred some outlets, including Bloomberg and the Wall Street Journal, from covering the G20. North Carolina voting fight: The Trump administration asked an appeals court to revive parts of a USPS mail-ballot rule blocked by a judge, with North Carolina ballots scheduled to go out Sept. 4. Amazon lawsuit: The FTC and 22 states, including North Carolina, sued Amazon over alleged hidden ad surcharges that inflated prices. Public safety: Lundberg Family Farms expanded a white rice recall to more states over possible foreign material. Local business: Malone is set to welcome Marshalls, Shoe Dept. Encore, and Five Below at the former Big Lots site.