AGP Executive Report

Biotech & Finance: Shattuck Labs (Durham) kicked off a proposed public stock offering, signaling fresh funding momentum for its DR3 antibody pipeline. Energy & Manufacturing: Hubbell completed its acquisition of NSI Industries, with NSI headquartered in Huntersville, expanding electrical components capacity. AI & Privacy: A Wilson founder opened preorders for HYVE Ether OS, an “on-device” AI operating system aimed at reducing cloud dependence and boosting user control. Healthcare Research: UNC-Chapel Hill researchers presented new phase 2 results for berobenatide, a long-acting GLP-1 candidate targeting obesity and type 2 diabetes with weekly-to-monthly dosing. Public Health: FDA expanded a recall of GO Raw LLC freeze-dried and frozen raw pet foods after low thiamine levels were found. Local Economy: Duke Energy Foundation announced $500,000 in grants for North Carolina nonprofits to distribute microgrants for small-business upgrades. Tech Jobs: Amazon and Corning signed a multibillion-dollar fiber-optics manufacturing deal, tied to 1,000 jobs across Corning sites in North Carolina. Legal & Tech Risks: A Charlotte man was exonerated after an AI facial recognition misidentification helped drive a wrongful arrest in Florida. Environment: The UN warned oceans face “severe and intensifying” stress, with sea-level rise accelerating. Education & STEM: NC’s teacher colleges are improving low marks, while UNC-Chapel Hill’s faculty salary pay gap remains a concern.

Data Centers in the Spotlight (NC): Charlotte approved a five-month moratorium on new data center construction as residents push for more scrutiny of air and water impacts, while city attorneys note limits under state law. Fiber for AI (NC Jobs): Amazon and Corning announced a multibillion-dollar optical fiber deal to expand U.S. data center capacity, adding 1,000 advanced manufacturing jobs at Corning sites in North Carolina and funding fiber-optic training with Catawba Valley Community College. Ocean Monitoring Cuts: Scientists warn the planned dismantling of the Ocean Observatories Initiative could create a major climate “blind spot,” including loss of sensors off North Carolina. STEM Expansion (NC A&T): N.C. A&T received approval to launch the first standalone HBCU Ph.D. in bioengineering, boosting advanced STEM research and training. Health Policy Watch: A global study finds sugar-sweetened beverage taxes are spreading fast, with adoption driven more by obesity and type 2 diabetes burdens than by drink consumption rates. Tech & Immigration: A federal judge struck down Trump’s $100,000 H-1B fee as an unlawful tax, a win for U.S. employers relying on skilled foreign workers.

Education & Tech in Schools: A new debate is heating up in North Carolina over how much classroom tech—Chromebooks, apps, and even YouTube—should be used in early grades, with parents arguing it can distract and collect data without clear benefits. Public Health & Water: The FDA says PFAS levels have fallen more than 90% over recent decades, while North Carolina water officials testified that monitoring and minimizing PFAS in biosolids should stay science-led. Broadband & Manufacturing Jobs: Amazon and Corning announced a multibillion-dollar fiber deal that will add about 1,000 Corning jobs in North Carolina and expand fiber-optic technician training with Catawba Valley Community College. Consumer Safety: North Carolina’s AG is warning renters about rental scams, urging people to verify listings, identities, and ownership before sending money. Immigration Policy: A federal judge struck down Trump’s proposed $100,000 H-1B fee as an unlawful tax, a potential relief for U.S. tech hiring. STEM & Research: N.C. A&T is launching a bioengineering Ph.D., including tracks in neurotechnology and molecular/cellular systems. Climate: NOAA reports spring 2026 was the second-warmest on record for the contiguous U.S.

Health Informatics: Duke’s Joanna Cavalier says hospitalists are increasingly moving into digital strategy and informatics roles as hospitals lean harder on EHRs, dashboards, and health data exchanges. Diabetes Drug Pipeline: Diasome reported Phase 2b results for hepatocyte-directed vesicle insulin lispro (HDV-LIS), showing non-inferior A1C control and fewer severe hypoglycemia events versus standard insulin. Obesity/GLP-1 Advances: Pfizer’s berobenatide updates at ADA 2026 point to robust weight loss with a Phase 3 program now recruiting and planned. Bioplastics in Sports: PlantSwitch’s CompostZero PHA resin—made in Sanford—will be used for World Cup stadium foodware at SoFi Stadium. Ocean Monitoring Cuts: The Trump administration is dismantling the Ocean Observatories Initiative, removing instruments off Oregon, North Carolina, and elsewhere as scientists warn the timing is risky. Defense Tech: A House NDAA amendment would require DoD to deploy transportable nuclear microreactors in the Indo-Pacific by 2030. Public Health & Safety: Officials warn North Carolinians about rip currents as summer beach crowds return. Aging Care Watch: CMS data highlight top-rated for-profit nursing homes in Buncombe and Mecklenburg counties, alongside ongoing fines/penalties at some facilities.

Ocean Science Under Pressure: The Trump administration is dismantling the $368M Ocean Observatories Initiative, removing more than 900 instruments off Oregon, Washington, Alaska, North Carolina and Greenland—raising alarms as scientists say the data is crucial for tracking climate, ocean heat and flooding risk. AI at Work, Faith Included: A North Carolina software engineer won a religious exemption to avoid using AI tools at work, arguing ethical and environmental concerns; the case lands amid broader workplace AI debates and new religious opt-out momentum. Health Tech & Weight Loss: Pfizer’s monthly GLP-1 berobenatide is moving into phase 3, after phase 2b results showed sustained weight loss with a tolerable safety profile, with UNC’s John Buse highlighting the once-a-month appeal. Public Safety: North Carolina ranks 10th worst for road rage, with aggressive or careless driving tied to thousands of fatal crashes and deaths. Energy & Power Costs: Duke Energy’s push to raise distribution charges is in the spotlight, with critics warning of higher bills. Weather Watch: Humidity and heat build this week, with rain chances returning and heat illness risks highlighted late week into the weekend.

Deep-Ocean Science Under Threat: The Trump administration is dismantling the $368M Ocean Observatories Initiative, removing 900+ instruments off Oregon, Washington, Alaska, North Carolina and the Irminger Sea—scientists warn this will weaken climate and ocean-current monitoring. Healthcare Costs in Focus: Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina posted a $497M loss, raising the odds of premium hikes for its 4.3M members, while WakeMed’s proposed “strategic combination” with Atrium Health adds to concerns about consolidation and costs. Defense Tech Update: At MCAS Cherry Point, Fleet Readiness Center East completed the first F-35B Technology Refresh-3 upgrade, setting up future Block 4 changes. AI for Sports (and Limits): UNC and Northeastern researchers tested major AI models on 35,000 hours of sports footage and found they struggle with more than just spotting actions. Drought Watch: North Carolina remains in extreme or severe drought despite some recent rain improving deficits in parts of the state. Weight-Loss Drug Pipeline: Pfizer shared Phase 2b results for berobenatide, aiming for monthly GLP-1 options that could mean fewer injections for patients.

Drug Development: Pfizer shared Phase 2b results for berobenatide (PF’3944), a potential first-in-class monthly GLP-1 peptide, reporting near-16% weight loss at 32 weeks on a 2.4 mg weekly dose and favorable tolerability, as it lines up Phase 3 studies. Medical Research: Bio Preventive Medicine and Precision Diabetes presented new CREDENCE-trial analysis suggesting DNlite™ may better flag kidney risk in type 2 diabetes and chronic kidney disease beyond standard markers. AI & Computing Infrastructure: Gaon Cable says it has completed a full-stack power role for U.S. AI data centers, adding bus duct supply after landing major contracts tied to Meta. AI in Practice: UNC and Northeastern researchers tested major AI models on sports “strategic video intelligence,” finding they struggle even at basic sports understanding. Climate & Ocean Science: The NSF plans to dismantle the Ocean Observatories Initiative, removing 900+ instruments that track ocean conditions off the Carolinas and beyond. North Carolina Environment: Drought updates show most of the state still in extreme or severe drought despite some recent rain improving conditions in parts. Local Health & Policy: Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina reported a $497 million loss, signaling possible premium increases for millions of members. Public Safety: N.C. rescuers found a man injured in the Watauga River after a cliff fall, with the extraction complicated by terrain and prior storm damage.

AI & Libraries: UNC Chapel Hill is launching a Local Libraries and Generative AI project (2026-2028) to study how North Carolina communities use generative AI and how libraries can help residents use it responsibly. Public Health & Food Policy: A new American Journal of Public Health push highlights broad public support for stricter action on ultra-processed foods, including safety testing, limits on additives, and warning labels. Energy & Grid Reliability: North Carolina leaders are arguing for a more diverse energy grid to cut outages and stabilize costs as demand rises. Coastal & Fisheries Rules: New Marine Fisheries Commission rules are now in effect, including updates for false albacore management and pot marking. Tech & Telecom Finance: Uniti priced $1.14B in secured fiber network revenue term notes, with assets tied to multiple states including North Carolina. Local Tech/Design for Safety: Western Carolina University engineering students used drones and 360-degree cameras to build 3D models for a Haywood County shelter expansion planning effort. Health Care Costs: A WakeMed-Atrium merger could raise State Health Plan premiums if rates climb, according to state plan leaders. Science/Space-Adjacent Industry: The Coast Guard accepted delivery of its 19th HC-130J long-range surveillance aircraft, with missionization work completed in Elizabeth City.

Transportation & Policy: Charlotte’s I-77 Express Lanes plan is stalled after the CRTPO rescinded support, leaving truckers worried about delays and fuel waste while local leaders push for a transportation model study and congestion relief ideas. Forensics in Court: The Tru Colors double homicide trial continues as NC State Crime Lab experts testify on DNA and fingerprint findings alongside phone records. Biotech in the Triangle: Shattuck Labs will hold an investor call June 8 on Phase 1 data for its DR3-blocking antibody SL-325 and an updated pipeline. Life Sciences Growth: AbbVie is investing $1.4B in a new 185-acre Durham campus, aiming to add 730+ jobs and expand lab and manufacturing capacity. Health Care Accreditation: UNC earns first-in-N.C. Comprehensive Care Pulmonary Embolism Center of Excellence status through the PERT Consortium. Environment & Public Health: UNC researchers report antidepressants detected at potentially harmful levels in some NC waterways near wastewater outflows. Marine & Fisheries Rules: New NC Marine Fisheries Commission rules take effect, including updates on false albacore management, pot marking, and shellfish lease/franchise procedures. Energy & Industry: Trump-era changes and offshore wind uncertainty ripple into regional planning, with Virginia’s offshore wind panel weighing Dominion’s merger and future project prospects. Agriculture & Climate: North Carolina farmers face severe drought stress, with extension specialists warning yields and pollination timing could be hit if steady rains don’t arrive. Tech & Education: NC lawmakers advance open-enrollment discussions for public schools, while the state also moves on data-center regulation and oversight.

Medical Research: Phase 3 MS trials report strong efficacy and favorable safety for fenebrutinib, a Bruton tyrosine kinase inhibitor, as researchers look for better ways to slow both inflammation and progression. Environment & Climate Science: North Carolina State University researcher Mohammad Nasir Shalizi says Afghanistan’s forest cover has rebounded since 2011 after wartime deforestation, while volunteers in Great Smoky Mountains National Park push to document species before climate-driven changes and federal monitoring cuts erase long-term data. Local STEM & Community: A Great Smoky Mountains volunteer group is naming and cataloging rare moss and lichen finds, and the Museum of Coastal Carolina’s Sandbar Lecture Series brings free talks on marine mammals and habitats. Child Welfare: North Carolina is expanding “professional foster parenting” through Crossnore’s Bridging Families model, aiming to keep siblings together and improve reunification outcomes. Tech & Industry: Charlotte-based F. D. Hurka Metrology highlights common setup mistakes that can throw off vision measurement accuracy in precision manufacturing. Public Health Outreach: The American Heart Association and NWSL roll out CPR and AED education efforts with a 2026 ambassador class that includes North Carolina Courage players. Policy Watch: A NC Senate bill would repeal the ban on hardened coastal erosion control structures, reopening debate over permits near inlet areas.

Ocean Monitoring Under Threat: The Ocean Observatories Initiative is set to go dark as the NSF dismantles hundreds of deep-sea instruments, including sensors off Oregon, Washington, Alaska, North Carolina, and Greenland—raising alarms about lost climate and marine data. Data Centers vs. Communities: North Carolinians are pushing back on Duke’s planned data center, while a separate national report highlights how loud, water- and power-hungry data centers are driving local moratoriums and stricter state rules. AI Education Funding: A new analysis finds federal AI-related education dollars are concentrated in a handful of states, with North Carolina’s lawmakers using the issue to argue for broader AI literacy and workforce prep. NC Policy Watch: The NC Senate advances a bill on social media and AI safety for minors, including age verification requirements. Healthcare Expansion: Ignite Medical Resorts is entering North Carolina by acquiring four Charlotte-area skilled nursing facilities. Energy Politics: Trump’s wartime powers are being used to funnel $700m to coal plants, including keeping facilities operating in North Carolina. Local Life & Tech: Duke’s Central Campus is building a GPU-focused center to support research, starting with a 1.5-megawatt draw.

Ocean Monitoring Cuts: The Ocean Observatories Initiative is being “descoped,” with more than 900 deep-sea sensors set to be dismantled off the Pacific and Atlantic, including off Oregon, Washington, Alaska, North Carolina and Greenland—scientists warn this will erase key long-term climate and ocean data. NC Tech & Policy: The NC House advanced a bill to regulate data centers and push for more nuclear power, aiming to address grid and water concerns as local moratoriums spread. AI Governance in Raleigh: A fast-moving NC bill (HB301) would add AI literacy to K-12 standards while also creating new rules for minors’ social media access. Health & Environment: UNC researchers report antidepressant drugs at potentially harmful levels in North Carolina waterways near wastewater outflows. Genetics & Dementia: A new study links genetic variants tied to higher pulse pressure with increased dementia-related mortality risk. Hurricane Readiness: Duke Energy highlights self-healing grid tech and storm hardening as hurricane season ramps up. Broadband Milestone: Kinetic says it has passed 2 million fiber premises, including builds supported by BEAD funding in North Carolina. Clinical Research: ACTG opened an HIV cure study testing oral dasatinib to target the HIV reservoir in people on ART.

Ocean Science Under Pressure: The Ocean Observatories Initiative is set to go dark in parts of the Pacific, starting with a buoy retrieval off Oregon on June 16, as the NSF “descopes” a $368M network that has fed hundreds of studies and spans sensors off Oregon, Washington, Alaska, North Carolina and Greenland. NC STEM & Workforce: NAVFAC Southeast hosted SMART Scholars for a two-day site visit at NAS Jacksonville, spotlighting Navy construction and engineering career paths. AI Hiring in Charlotte: Bank of America says it’s still bringing in 2,000 summer interns and 2,000 full-time recruits, using AI to redeploy work rather than cut campus pipelines. Agriculture Research in NC: NC State researchers identified the blueberry beetle species attacking farms as Prionus imbricornus, giving growers new molecular tools for targeted pest control. Policy Watch (Internet Safety): NC AG Jeff Jackson joined a bipartisan push against the federal KIDS Act, arguing it would weaken state protections for children online. Health Systems: The American Heart Association launched a national heart transplant research network to tackle gaps in outcomes and equity.

Public Health Tech: The CDC’s National Wastewater Surveillance System faces a major funding cut in President Trump’s budget plan, raising alarms that the U.S. could lose a key early-warning tool as a new COVID-19 “cicada” variant spreads. Ocean Monitoring: The National Science Foundation is also moving to “descop[e]” the Ocean Observatories Initiative, pulling instruments from waters including off North Carolina—scientists warn this could blunt climate and ocean tracking. Cybersecurity: North Carolina Gov. Josh Stein and the state’s IT department launched the Secure Your Square Challenge, pushing residents to adopt practical protections like stronger passwords and two-factor authentication. STEM & Space Training: UNC-linked research coverage highlights how colleges are using digital twins and robot training to prepare teams for lunar exploration. Local Health (CMS): Multiple North Carolina nursing homes reported varied CMS ratings, from five-star quality at The Lodge at Mills River to lower scores at some facilities, underscoring uneven long-term care performance across the state. Policy & Tech Governance: Durham debated renewing a $16M police surveillance tech contract with Axon, including drones, as residents weigh safety against privacy.

Data Centers & Nuclear Power: The NC House advanced the “Ratepayer Protection Act” (SB 730), aiming to curb data-center impacts with noise studies, closed-loop cooling, and limits on local incentive deals, while also requiring Duke Energy to get permission before building a new large nuclear plant. Energy Policy: A “Daily on Energy” roundup highlights a Trump administration fight over offshore wind lease buyouts, with Democratic-led states suing over the legality, plus updates on uranium enrichment capacity. Cybersecurity: Charter Communications faces class-action lawsuits after an alleged April breach exposed more than 42 million records, with plaintiffs claiming weak safeguards. Public Health & Medicaid: UNC researchers say North Carolina’s Healthy Opportunities Pilots cut Medicaid health costs by about $164 per month for participants, reducing ER visits and hospital stays—though the program’s funding is uncertain. Biotech: Moonlight Therapeutics begins a Phase 1 trial of a microneedle “stamp” for peanut allergy desensitization. Climate & Research Infrastructure: NSF plans to dismantle parts of the Ocean Observatories Initiative, removing hundreds of underwater instruments across multiple coasts including North Carolina. Agriculture Tech: A new NC project uses ground sensors and a predictive model to give farmers up to six hours of flood advance warning.

AI for Wildlife Monitoring: A new Australia-wide camera-trap platform, WildObs, is using AI and computer vision to speed up species ID and make wildlife data easier to share. Public Safety Tech Debate (NC): Charlotte is weighing noise-detection cameras to curb modified-vehicle loudness, but the tech would require state action to be legal. Health Access (NC): A Duke University Medical Center study finds Medicaid/CHIP kids in North Carolina face barriers to pediatric eye care, including limited provider participation and long waits. Coastal Science & Flood Risk (NC): A report links decades of wetland loss to higher flood insurance claim payouts, estimating major flood-damage increases tied to wetland decline in coastal NC. Space/Weather Research (UNCW): UNCW’s RAIN Lab joins JAXA to improve global precipitation measurements using satellite data and AI. Energy & Grid Planning: Duke Energy says it’s discussed nuclear builds with hyperscalers willing to share some financial risk. Reentry Support App: A new AI-powered app, Next Steps, helps people leaving incarceration generate personalized resource plans fast.