AGP Executive Report

AI & Power Grid: North Carolina’s AI push is colliding with electricity costs and data-center expansion plans, with protesters pointing to rate hikes, generators, and air-permit concerns tied to major projects. Defense Tech & Jobs: Silentium Defence opened a North American headquarters in Apex, bringing passive radar work and 30–50 jobs as the Triangle deepens its defense/aerospace footprint. Smart Tech in Public Safety: Police say a missing 13-year-old was found in North Carolina after Meta smart glasses footage and Flock license-plate cameras helped track a suspect vehicle within hours. Health Tech Accuracy: An NC State-led study finds an AI-enabled digital stethoscope can miss murmurs in cats and can flag arrhythmias incorrectly in dogs, raising caution for “reassurance” tools. Education Policy: New state rules restrict cellphone use during instructional time, and districts are rolling out different enforcement approaches. Community Science: Volunteers are being recruited for the Great Southeast Pollinator Census, including North Carolina counts focused on plant-by-plant observations. Local Workforce Training: Vance-Granville Community College is advancing a Transportation Training & Technology Center in Soul City with CDL, heavy equipment, and diesel mechanics programs.

Higher Ed Oversight: Yavapai College is under Higher Learning Commission “embedded monitoring,” with a mid-cycle assurance review due by February after a board complaint raised accreditation concerns. Privacy Tech & Policing: Asheville is moving to end its Flock license-plate camera contract, as residents and officials debate surveillance and data-sharing risks. Energy Resilience: North Carolina electric co-ops are rapidly adding battery storage to blunt outage impacts and rising demand from storms and data centers. Biotech & Manufacturing: Roche/Genentech is investing $750M to expand injectable manufacturing in Hillsboro, Oregon, while Roche also continues building in North Carolina. Renewables & Recycling: NC solar recycling firms face certification deadlines as economics push more reuse-focused recovery. Health & Research: UNC researchers report Mediterranean-style eating supports weight loss and diet quality, and a NC tick study finds Lyme bacteria in nearly 40% of adult deer ticks. Local STEM & Community: Precise Bio’s 3D-printed corneal implants aim to ease donor shortages, and UNCW received a $10,000 Willie Stargell Foundation scholarship for renal-care nursing students.

G20 in Asheville: U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent says global growth is the top agenda for the G20 finance chiefs meeting in Asheville Aug. 31–Sept. 1, with deregulation and a possible expansion of a debt buyback program also on the table. Coastal fisheries in court: A Wake County judge ruled North Carolina violated constitutional and public-trust duties to protect coastal fisheries, setting up a remedy phase that could reshape shrimp trawling and other rules. Healthcare capacity debate (Wilmington): Novant, UNC Health, and Atrium Health are competing for state approval of 225 new hospital beds, with community members weighing in on access and costs. Biotech workforce push: Central Carolina Community College opened a new biotechnology training facility at its E. Eugene Moore Manufacturing and Biotech Solutions Center to expand advanced manufacturing and life-sciences training. UNC nutrition study: UNC researchers report a Southeast-adapted Mediterranean-style diet (Med-South) can improve diet quality and support weight loss. DMV digital ID: North Carolina’s mobile ID is rolling out via the NC Wallet app for TSA use at in-state airports, starting this winter. Invasive Joro spiders: Joro spiders are again being spotted across the Carolinas and beyond, and parks are asking residents to report sightings. Staph resistance research (UNC Asheville): UNC Asheville students and faculty identified how disabling an enzyme (YqeK) can weaken drug-resistant Staphylococcus aureus without using antibiotics.

Nuclear & Infrastructure: AtkinsRéalis will keep supporting NCDOT’s statewide traffic operations and Transportation Systems Management and Operations program for another stretch, extending a 14-year partnership. Surveillance & Transit: North Carolina’s automatic license plate reader rollout is under fresh scrutiny after misuse cases, while Charlotte’s transit system faces security gaps and fare-evasion losses in a new state auditor report. Energy & Environment: Brunswick County residents are pushing back on a proposed expansion of a sand mine, citing well impacts and worsening water quality; elsewhere, communities oppose a Duke Energy natural gas plant crossing under the Yadkin River. Materials Science: Northrop Grumman SYNOPTICS grew a large Yb:YLF crystal at its Charlotte operation for high-energy laser research, supporting future fusion-laser work. STEM Education: TVA and Bicentennial Volunteers are funding robotics education across 187 schools and nonprofits in the TVA region, including 11 in Kentucky. Public Health Tech: Proclaim Health launched the Proclaim Perio Pathway, using at-home gum testing to manage inflammation through its OralDNA®-powered system. Local Science Engagement: The Great Southeast Pollinator Census is back, inviting citizen scientists across the Carolinas and beyond to count pollinators.

Grid Reliability: NLR and NERC launched a partnership to plug high-resolution reliability data into NLR grid modeling, aiming to keep electricity reliable and affordable across North America. Public Safety Tech: In Tennessee, a missing 13-year-old was found safe in North Carolina after citizen smart-glasses video and Flock license plate readers helped police track the suspect vehicle; two NC residents were arrested. Health Care Quality: Three coastal Novant Health hospitals earned American Heart Association Get With The Guidelines honors for heart failure and stroke care. Mental Health Genetics: UNC researcher Cynthia Bulik helped publish a major study mapping distinct genetic profiles in binge eating vs. anorexia nervosa, pointing to more tailored treatments. Food Safety: CDC data suggests cyclosporiasis cases are trending down after a summer surge tied to recalled iceberg lettuce. Wildlife & Climate: NC researchers are using Motus bird-tracking towers to map migratory routes over the Carolinas, while scientists are also studying drone footage of sharks near Masonboro Island. Energy & Jobs: Prysmian will invest $1B+ in Claremont, adding 385 jobs and expanding fiber optic and R&D capacity. Batteries: Forge Nano broke ground on a Morrisville expansion targeting up to 3 GWh annual lithium-ion production. Local Tech Policy: Communities across the U.S. are escalating backlash against license plate reader surveillance, including calls to “De-Flock America.”

Surveillance & Privacy: North Carolina’s new budget makes it easier to deploy fixed Automated License Plate Readers across most state-maintained roads, expanding a pilot into a statewide option. Biotech & Health Research: ACTG opened STAIR-HIV at UNC to test whether alendronate can act as a latency-reversing agent in people with controlled HIV. Climate & Materials Science: NC State researchers unveiled a “fluffy net” biopolymer mesh that can capture microplastics in freshwater and seawater. Defense Manufacturing: NC State leads a up-to-$480M, 10-year FutureTEX push to modernize textile manufacturing for defense and domestic use, with Drexel as a key node. AI & Data Centers: A new report highlights growing backlash and local pushback as AI data center siting heats up nationwide. Workforce & Education Tech: NC lawmakers added $5M for a statewide digital credential system for community colleges, with budget language raising questions about vendor favoritism. Corporate & Local Economy: Prysmian plans a $1B fiber optic expansion in Catawba County, adding 385 jobs. Public Health: A study links opioid use disorder with higher complication rates and costs after hysterectomy.

Defense & Research Security: The Pentagon ordered audits at 30 U.S. universities to review foreign research and financial ties, including China-affiliated Confucius Institute-linked groups, raising stakes for research integrity. Health Innovation: UNC Health rebranded Rex Health Ventures as UNC Health Ventures, expanding its corporate venture platform to back early healthcare technologies across North Carolina. Public Health: School vaccination rates hit historic lows as exemptions rise again, with federal data showing more kids opting out for nonmedical reasons. Climate & Coasts: Scientists say human-caused climate change is driving record European sea heat, with major risks for marine ecosystems and coastal economies. Local Tech & Infrastructure: Charlotte and other NC communities are holding public discussions and moratorium debates over data centers’ power, water, and neighborhood impacts. STEM & Workforce: NC commerce leaders say the state must “own a mine” in the AI boom, while TVA-backed robotics funding supports schools across the region. Environment & Safety: NC’s Extreme Heat Dashboard highlights rising heat risk and alerts as another hot stretch hits.

Defense & Research Security: The Pentagon ordered 30 U.S. universities to audit foreign research and financial ties by Aug. 31, with potential loss of federal funding for noncompliance. AI & Education: North Carolina districts are expanding AI use in classrooms, including MagicSchool AI, while some counties set up steering committees and guardrails for student access. Public Health Tech: A wearable skin patch from NC State research aims to detect poisons and alert wearers via targeted haptic buzz patterns. Water & Conservation: Local riverkeepers warn federal Endangered Species Act changes could weaken protections for eastern NC species by narrowing what counts as “harm.” STEM Opportunity: Society for Science selected 100 educators for its 2026–2027 Advocate Program, funding $326,000 to expand student research and science competitions. Coastal Safety Tech: Caswell Beach will receive a remote-controlled robotic rescue lifebuoy to help first responders during surf rescues. Healthcare Innovation: ECU Health surpassed 100 GammaTile procedures for operable brain tumors, highlighting growing access to targeted radiation therapy. Drug Supply Shift: UNC’s Street Drug Analysis Lab reports medetomidine is overtaking xylazine in illicit samples, with withdrawal risks that can escalate quickly. Local Food Access: New Hanover County launched a two-year food and medication delivery program with Instacart, funded by a $1.2M grant. Drone Delivery: Uber Eats partnered with Zipline for autonomous drone deliveries, aiming to scale to more U.S. cities. Data Center Power Debate: Protesters and residents are challenging NC’s AI/data-center plans over electricity costs and new infrastructure needs.

Public Transit Security & Fares: A state audit says Charlotte’s CATS is losing an estimated $5M–$6.5M a year to fare evasion and has security gaps, including no turnstiles or gates, after a 2025 light-rail stabbing. Higher Ed & Civil Rights: The U.S. Justice Department opened a probe into College of William & Mary scholarships and financial aid over possible discrimination tied to Supreme Court limits on racial preferences. Defense Research Oversight: The Pentagon ordered 30 universities, including UNC-Chapel Hill, to audit foreign research ties and assess risk to sensitive or export-controlled work or risk losing federal funding. Health Tech for Moms: ECU Health’s “I Gave Birth” postpartum wristbands are expanding beyond North Carolina, with hospitals in at least 24 states using them to flag after-delivery risks. North Carolina STEM & Industry: NC State will lead a 10-year, up to $480M Department of War effort to modernize U.S. defense textile manufacturing. Environment & Public Health: UNC-led research finds Lyme-carrying ticks gaining ground in western North Carolina, with infection rates comparable to parts of the Northeast. Local Science Learning: New Hanover County cut the ribbon on the Cape Fear Museum of History and Science, opening Aug. 18 with a planetarium and hands-on science exhibits.

AI Infrastructure & Cooling: Trane Technologies and Eaton unveiled a reference design for next-gen AI data centers that targets faster deployment plus up to 15% combined energy efficiency gains, cutting copper use and installation costs. Wearable Safety Tech: North Carolina State University researchers developed a “poison-snooper” wearable skin patch that vibrates on contact with hazards like heavy metals, toxic aerosols, and dangerous gases. Medical Access in Rural Areas: A VCU–James City County study is testing drone-delivered defibrillators in North Carolina’s Forsyth County, aiming to speed bystander care after heart attacks. Neuroscience Breakthrough: China’s first human trials of DREADDs chemogenetic brain-control tools are drawing major attention from U.S. researchers. Public Health & Drugs: Brown University researchers reported new malaria drug-resistance mutations after sequencing parasites from Uganda patients. Climate & Water: Lake Powell hit a record low, raising alarms for Colorado River hydropower and water supplies. Higher Ed Policy: Sampson Community College must certify compliance with North Carolina’s new DEI restrictions for public colleges. Tech & Business: Nvidia disclosed a massive SpaceX stake, while Harvard also revealed a $2.2B SpaceX holding.

Biotech IPO Watch: Raleigh-based Vogenx raised $81M in its Nasdaq debut, advancing an oral SGLT1 inhibitor (mizagliflozin) in clinical testing for post-bariatric hypoglycemia, a condition with no FDA-approved therapies. Privacy & Surveillance Tech: A new “Have I Been Flocked” site lets drivers check whether their license plate was searched in Flock Safety’s camera network, as backlash grows over automated plate tracking and data retention. Energy & Grid Planning: Reporting highlights how EV charging and data-center growth are reshaping U.S. peak-demand forecasts, pushing utilities toward more direct control of charging behavior. Public Health: North Carolina State University researcher Christopher Hayes warns bedbugs are rising and may spread antibiotic-resistant infections like MRSA, urging residents to stay alert. Local STEM/Workforce: Surry-Yadkin Works expands its Construction Academy with a 10-week, jobsite-and-class model supported by state apprenticeship funding. Healthcare in the Sandhills: FirstHealth’s lung cancer program earned GO2 for Lung Cancer Center of Excellence status, citing higher early-stage detection and multidisciplinary care. Education Leadership: Summit Cove Elementary named longtime educator Shelly Martinez interim principal for 2026-27 as leadership plans continue.

Military & Policy: Trump’s shifting claims about U.S. munitions stockpiles are colliding with reports of earlier Ukraine aid strain, as the debate turns to what’s actually in reserve and who leaked concerns. Elections & Courts: AG Todd Blanche says the DOJ may ask the Supreme Court to step in on cases over federal access to state voter rolls ahead of November. Public Health: A University of Florida study highlights cogongrass as a tick-friendly invasive grass that can let lone star ticks survive longer, raising Lyme risk. Cancer Care: FirstHealth’s lung cancer program in Pinehurst was named a GO2 Center of Excellence, citing stronger screening and earlier-stage detection. Environment & Land Use: Conservation groups oppose a Blue Ridge Parkway fuel-reduction plan, warning heavy equipment could worsen erosion and spread invasives after Tropical Storm Helene. Tech & Education: Aiken Technical College is rolling out an AI chatbot platform to streamline admissions and student support, with alerts for concerning academic changes. Local Science: CDC-linked research finds high Lyme-causing bacteria rates in blacklegged ticks collected around Asheville, suggesting clinicians may need updated training.

Neuroscience Breakthrough: UNC School of Medicine’s Bryan Roth says China has launched at least seven human trials using chemogenetic DREADDs to control brain circuits in conditions like epilepsy and Parkinson’s, raising hopes for more precise “designer drug” therapies. Public Health in the Mountains: A CDC study found nearly 40% of blacklegged ticks in a town near Asheville carry Lyme bacteria—prompting calls for better local clinician training and earlier testing. Food Safety Watch: North Carolina has logged 906 cyclospora cases since May 1, and officials say parsley and cilantro show up most often among patients, even as multiple FDA probes remain without a single confirmed source. Climate & Health: Warming temperatures are forcing marathon organizers to shift dates and start times to reduce heat risk for runners. Tech, Policy & Privacy: A new analysis argues AI in law firms fails less from “fake” citations and more from control problems—who can see what inside tightly walled legal systems. Local STEM & Defense: North Carolina National Guard engineers and Special Forces are training alongside Botswana Defence Force personnel during Southern Accord 2026. Business & Broadband: A Charlotte startup, Summit Growth Group, is betting on sales execution to help broadband providers turn network buildouts into paying customers.

Defense & Supply Chains: Trump is shifting his story on U.S. munitions stockpiles, first blaming Ukraine aid for “depleted” ammo and later claiming the U.S. still has “massive amounts,” as new Ukraine packages and earlier shipment pauses raise questions about readiness. Public Health: A fast-moving Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo has killed more than 2,000, with experts urging Americans to stay calm while global response teams try to slow spread. Local Tech & Privacy: Flock Safety is tightening automated license plate reader rules—shorter data retention, more search justification, and limits on cross-jurisdiction queries—after backlash and reported misuse. STEM in NC: ECU physics graduate research is exploring how to weaken bacterial defenses to improve antibiotic treatments. Health Innovation: A new vaccine approach aims to intercept pancreatic cancer early by training the immune system to target a common KRAS mutation. Engineering & Industry: Drone tariffs are hitting an “engineering wall” because key materials—magnets and battery cells—still largely come from China. Environment: Xerces’ “Leave the Leaves” campaign urges residents to keep leaf litter to protect overwintering pollinators.

Public Safety Tech & Privacy: New Hanover County is reviewing how long it keeps Flock license plate reader data, moving from a 30-day policy toward national recommendations of 7 days after public backlash and misuse concerns. Local Governance: The same Flock controversy is driving broader changes, with agencies across the country canceling or unplugging contracts and the company tightening oversight and audit requirements. Education & Workforce: Durham Tech reports a surge in students pursuing health care, IT, and skilled trades, highlighting hands-on training that can lead to fast job pathways. Biotech & Regulation: A South Korean delegation toured Raleigh gene-editing firm Pairwise to compare U.S. safety and regulatory frameworks for biotechnology. Food Safety: FDA and CDC began onsite inspections at Taylor Farms’ Mexican plant tied to a cyclosporiasis outbreak affecting 17 states, including North Carolina. Climate Watch: NOAA says El Niño could become “very strong,” raising odds of a wetter winter for North Carolina. STEM in the Field: Lockheed Martin’s F-35 Lightning II update in Kinston spotlighted aerospace jobs and supplier activity across eastern North Carolina.

Energy & Environment: Duke Energy’s proposed Davie-Davidson Energy Complex is drawing pushback in Davidson and Davie counties, with residents and groups warning about water, air and land impacts from two 1,300-megawatt gas plants plus LNG storage tied together by a pipeline. Maternal Health: ECU Health’s “I Gave Birth” wristband program is spreading nationwide, and North Carolina plans to expand it using Rural Health Transformation funding to flag postpartum risks and reduce maternal deaths. Public Health & Repro Tech: N.C. Wesleyan and ARTLAB launched a 10-week applied reproductive biology/IVF lab certificate aimed at filling workforce gaps in assisted reproduction. Privacy & Surveillance Tech: Wilmington is taking four Flock Safety automated license plate readers offline as lawmakers and civil-liberties groups press for guardrails; Flock says it’s tightening audits and shortening data retention. Space/Science: A Reuters report links new oil slicks in the Gulf to escalating tanker risks, raising concerns for marine damage near the Strait of Hormuz. STEM/Defense: Lockheed Martin showcased an F-35 interactive cockpit simulator at North Carolina’s Global TransPark in Kinston, highlighting local defense supply-chain jobs.