AGP Executive Report

9/11 Remembrance in Pennsylvania: Philadelphia marked the 25th anniversary with reflections on the panic, evacuations, and community response that followed Sept. 11, 2001, as educators and families grapple with how to teach the day to a generation that wasn’t alive for it. Local Justice: A former Ukrainian Catholic priest, Gregory Madeya, faces a Pennsylvania case after being extradited from Florida over alleged theft of more than $740,000 from churches, parishioners, and his mother; bail set at $25,000. Fayette County Energy Fight: Plans for the “Trump Power Plant” natural gas generation hub have sparked local questions and property-owner pressure as residents weigh deadlines and compensation. AI Data Center Backlash: A new push to use cloud seeding to boost rainfall near data centers is being pitched as a fix for water concerns, despite long-running scientific and legal skepticism. Pennsylvania Business & Finance: QNB Corp. announced a securities portfolio repositioning and swap unwind tied to a projected pre-tax loss, while Hershey named Dave Hulays as CFO. Health & Policy: Pennsylvania lawmakers and health experts continue pushing kratom regulation as measles cases climb.

Labor Day & unions in Philly/Pittsburgh: Thousands of union members marched Monday in Pittsburgh’s Labor Day parade and in Philadelphia’s Tri-State Labor Day event, with workers pointing to rising costs and worries about attacks on collective bargaining. 9/11 remembrance: Pennsylvania marked the 25th anniversary with a new PHMC exhibit, “Witness to History: Pennsylvania on September 11, 2001,” focused on Flight 93 and the state’s recovery response. SEC vs. proxy adviser: The SEC sued Institutional Shareholder Services in federal court over withheld documents tied to proxy voting operations. Social Security politics: As the Social Security trust fund nears a shortfall, some Republicans are signaling openness to raising taxes via payroll changes. Healthcare & policy: Georgetown moved to sharply limit international students’ off-campus work approvals after new federal guidance. Pennsylvania consumer enforcement: Pa. AG Dave Sunday sought contempt penalties against tow companies accused of violating a 2022 settlement, alleging continued predatory towing and excessive fees. Trade pressure: Canada’s counter-tariffs are set to hit U.S. goods Tuesday, with Pennsylvania among the hardest-hit swing states.

Affordable Housing for Veterans: Scranton native Jody Tighe, a military veteran who faced foster care, discrimination, and service-related injuries, was selected for United NEPA Alliance’s Welcome Home Program and will buy a home in Wilkes-Barre through a pilot effort backed by a city-donated lot. Local Food Access: Culineer is expanding across Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Maryland, adding 700+ producers and linking shoppers to farmers markets with recipe ideas to make local food a habit. State Grant for Philly Dining Expansion: Friday Saturday Sunday won a $1.5 million state grant to expand its Michelin-starred Rittenhouse Square restaurant by converting a neighboring rowhouse, aiming to create 100 jobs and draw criticism over tax dollars. Industry & Jobs in Western Pa.: Brunk Industries plans a $31.7 million expansion in Armstrong County, supported by state financing, to add a new manufacturing facility and 64 jobs. Air Pollution Enforcement: Pennsylvania DEP fined Shell $15 million over air permit violations at its Monaca plastics plant, including excess emissions and required testing failures. 9/11 Health Toll: New reporting highlights that illnesses tied to Sept. 11 response work are still killing first responders and other workers decades later.

Pennsylvania Economy & Industry: Keurig Dr Pepper is selling its Chobani stake back to the yogurt maker for $800 million, plus an Allentown manufacturing site and warehouse for $125 million—$925 million total—as the company prepares to split into two public firms in early 2027. Public Health: Measles is spreading again in the Lehigh Valley, with two cases reported since August as Pennsylvania’s total climbs to 577; the state’s vaccination rate is cited around 88.9%, below the 92–94% threshold. Education Outcomes: Allegheny County’s six-year bachelor’s completion rate for Hispanic/Latino students reached 78.8% by 2024, outpacing the statewide 54.4% figure for the same cohort. Politics & Governance: The Pennsylvania House is set to leave Harrisburg for Philadelphia, with reporting focused on what’s driving the move. Sports & Culture: Andy “The Butcher” Williams, a Millvale wrestler and Every Time I Die guitarist, died at 48 after a medical emergency during a match.

9/11 Remembrance in PA: LSU’s Brookshire Military Museum is honoring Lt. Michael Scott Lamana, a Baton Rouge native killed in the Pentagon attack 25 years ago, with an exhibit featuring his Navy uniform. Measles Fight in Lancaster: U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. says a Lancaster County coroner now attributes a second infant death to measles, escalating the dispute over how Pennsylvania reports measles fatalities amid a fast-growing outbreak. Statehouse in Philly: Pennsylvania House lawmakers will hold a rare session in Philadelphia’s Congress Hall next week, marking the first time in 39 years they meet outside Harrisburg. Public Health & Policy: Pennsylvania lawmakers heard calls for more reporting on tick-borne illnesses beyond Lyme, as experts warn other diseases are likely undercounted. Workforce & Training: Northampton Community College opened a Precision Machining and Tool Design Center, launching new machining credentials backed by state funding. Local Food Insecurity: Centre County commissioners declared September Hunger Action Month as the food bank reports 12.5% of residents face food insecurity. Tech Backlash Watch: NPR reports rising public backlash to data centers is forcing Pennsylvania politicians to scramble on the issue. Business/Community: Camp Cranium in Columbia County is moving ahead for kids with brain injuries, despite uncertainty around federal support.

Senate Scrutiny in PA: A Wall Street Journal report says U.S. Sen. John Fetterman is drawing mounting criticism for skipping meetings and committee work while leaning into conservative media and Israel advocacy, with former staffers and lawmakers citing internal messages and records. Ballot Fight in Lehigh Valley: A Commonwealth Court judge ordered the Green Party remove Andrew Tupone from the PA-7 ballot, ruling he wasn’t properly endorsed and improperly used the party’s name to qualify. Local Storm Response: Hempfield Township in Westmoreland County will open self-service storm debris drop-off sites starting Sunday, with separate locations for flood/yard waste and yard-only piles. Science Watch: Researchers report graphene superconductivity in magic-angle twisted bilayer graphene can be switched off by screening electron interactions, pointing to unconventional superconductivity. Consumer/Business: Luzerne County’s new property-buyer contact-info rule takes effect Sept. 18, with possible fines for false or outdated information. Sports: The Phillies appear ready to adjust how they use Orion Kerkering in the bullpen bridge to closer Jhoan Duran. Health & Safety: A Pennsylvania infant death tied to measles remains at the center of a CDC/CDC-data dispute as the outbreak grows.

Data Centers & Politics: President Trump escalated his push for data centers, warning that communities opposing them will be “backwards and poor,” putting Pennsylvania Republicans in a tougher spot as the midterms near. Housing Supply: Gov. Josh Shapiro’s successor, Abigail Spanberger, convened the new Housing Production Commission’s first meeting, focusing on coordination and funding tools to speed homebuilding across Pennsylvania. Measles Fight: Lancaster County’s measles outbreak remains a flashpoint, with state Rep. Dave Zimmerman pushing for more public health data sharing so counties can respond faster. Labor Market Watch: A new Pennsylvania report says unemployment is low, but hiring growth is slowing and wage gaps are widening by race and gender. Local Infrastructure: Kensington neighbors say Amber Street is caving in, with residents paying for private pipe repairs while complaints pile up. Sports & Community: ESPN is backing youth sports with $5M, aiming to reverse declining participation.

Ballot Access Fight: A Pennsylvania judge disqualified Green Party candidate Andrew Tupone from the Nov. ballot in the Lehigh Valley’s 7th Congressional District race, after questions about whether his petition reflected official Green Party support. Measles Clash in Lancaster County: A six-week-old Amish infant died of measles, Lancaster County Coroner Stephen Diamantoni confirmed, as the dispute between Gov. Josh Shapiro and the Trump administration over how Pennsylvania deaths are counted continues—CDC updates still omit the deaths. Public Health Response: Doctors describe a low-profile, door-to-door style vaccination push across Amish and Mennonite communities to slow spread. Labor/Justice Update: Former Philadelphia labor leader John “Johnny Doc” Dougherty was released from federal prison after Trump commuted the rest of his sentence, leaving his conviction in place. Environment & Industry: Shell Chemicals Appalachia agreed to pay $15M to settle Beaver County air pollution violations. Local Politics: Greene County solicitor Robert (Gene) Grimm was named Pennsylvania Solicitor of the Year. Tech/Business: Keurig Dr Pepper is selling its Chobani stake and the Allentown plant back to Chobani as part of a $1.2B Pennsylvania investment plan.

Measles Politics in PA: Pennsylvania’s measles outbreak is again driving a political fight that echoes the COVID-era backlash, after Gov. Josh Shapiro publicly announced two Lancaster County deaths and faced criticism over how the state reports and regulates infectious disease. Surveillance Cameras Backlash: Candidates and voters are increasingly targeting Flock Safety-style AI license-plate cameras, with privacy concerns and calls for bans spreading across state races. Data Centers vs. Local Control: Shapiro signed an executive order requiring local approval before DEP reviews data center permits, as Pennsylvania communities push back on power, water, and transparency impacts. Big Economy Moves: Burlington is relocating its HQ from New Jersey to Philadelphia, bringing about 2,000 jobs, while Chobani plans a $1.2B Pennsylvania dairy expansion expected to create 900 jobs. Health & Research: NIH terminated two Pitt Alzheimer’s studies, citing concerns about grant validity and language. Education & Aid: Pennsylvania students can now submit the first financial aid request through an AI-assisted planning program, MyAidAwards.

Politics & Justice: President Trump commuted the prison sentence of former Philadelphia labor power broker John “Johnny Doc” Dougherty, setting up an early release after his bribery and embezzlement convictions. Elections & Voting Rights: Pennsylvania AG Rayfield criticized a federal push to lift a Supreme Court block on USPS mail-ballot rules, arguing states—not Washington—run elections. Energy & Industry: Burlington Stores announced a $370M move of its HQ to Philadelphia, aiming for 2,000 jobs; and NextEra is advancing the Mid-Atlantic Resiliency Link power-line plan as data centers drive demand. Food Insecurity: Hunger Action Month coverage highlights how cuts to federal aid and higher grocery costs are pushing more Southwestern Pennsylvanians to food banks, with local nonprofits like Giving2Grow continuing grants for childhood hunger. Local Business & Community: A Delaware County cafe employing people with disabilities says thieves stole outdoor planters, sparking community support to replace them. Health & Research: A Penn-linked study reports aneurysm bleeding patterns tied to higher odds of vasospasm and delayed brain ischemia.

Measles Fight in Pennsylvania: U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. asked the CDC to remove references to two Pennsylvania deaths from the national measles tally after questioning whether the disease caused the fatalities, and the CDC director reportedly carried out the change—fueling fresh clashes with Gov. Josh Shapiro as Pennsylvania’s outbreak climbs to 540 cases and a Turnpike service plaza exposure is flagged. Healthcare Access in Western Pa.: Allegheny Health Network is launching a prehospital blood program in northern Butler County so paramedics can deliver blood products before patients reach the hospital. AI Data Centers vs. Voters: A growing backlash to data centers powering AI is showing up in politics, with Republicans facing pressure as communities worry about electricity costs and local impacts. Election Security: The U.S. Postal Service is building a mail-ballot screening system even as court fights continue, raising concerns about voter confusion and trust. Business & Jobs: Gov. Shapiro is tied to a major Chobani investment in Pennsylvania dairy manufacturing, promising hundreds of jobs. Local Spotlight: A 16-year-old Pennsylvania student, Gage Klein, is already running a second restaurant while still in high school.

Education Funding: Gov. Josh Shapiro highlighted a major boost to Pennsylvania public schools during a Scranton visit, pointing to billions in state subsidies and gains in attendance and graduation. Higher Ed Admin: University of Scranton announced a cabinet-style reorganization, naming Robert W. Davis Jr. executive vice president and reshuffling key compliance, finance, and HR leadership. Local Safety: East Lampeter Township is set to consider parking restrictions on Clover Heights Road near Noel’s Cafe after residents raised safety concerns. Health Care Fight: Pennsylvania is among states suing the Trump administration over a Medicaid/CHIP rule that would block federal reimbursement for gender-affirming care for low-income transgender youth. Data Centers Politics: Sen. John Fetterman doubled down defending data centers on CNN, arguing opposition is overblown—sparking backlash. Business & Jobs: Telit Cinterion will start U.S. production of 4G/5G IoT modules in Bristol, creating at least 50 jobs. Crime & Courts: A judge set $250,000 bail for an alleged Penn State cocaine ring leader. Transportation: Williamsport Regional Airport celebrated new daily nonstop service to Charlotte launching Oct. 19. Public Safety/Health Trust: Doctors urged updated vaccine guidance as CDC messaging gaps fuel confusion amid measles-related disputes.

Pennsylvania Gaming: Rep. Russ Diamond (R-Lebanon) is pushing to update the state Gaming Act so “skill games” stay legal and regulated instead of going dark, arguing the move could also generate nearly $1 billion for property tax relief. Local Zoning: Cranberry Township supervisors held a public hearing on whether an amusement arcade can operate skill-game devices under the state Supreme Court’s June ruling, with a decision likely later this fall. Lehigh Valley Jobs & Dairy: Chobani announced a $1.2 billion investment in Upper Macungie Township, aiming to add 900+ jobs and use billions of pounds of Pennsylvania milk annually. Data Centers & Politics: Republicans are struggling to respond to growing community backlash against data centers as lawmakers weigh grid and water impacts. Health & Trust: Pennsylvania’s measles-death reporting remains a political flashpoint, with officials and critics trading claims over transparency and counts. Business & Energy: Air Products expanded hydrogenation testing in Allentown, while a new clean-energy storage push targets PJM demand for data centers. Public Safety: A crash into a gas station near the Rankin Bridge in Whitaker Borough drew heavy first-responder attention, with injuries not yet confirmed.

Organized Retail Crime: Pennsylvania AG Dave Sunday highlighted the Organized Retail Crime Section’s push at a Cranberry Township Walmart, saying the unit has made 100+ arrests, served 200+ search warrants, and is targeting sophisticated theft that drives up prices. Public Safety & Politics: The Philadelphia Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 5 endorsed Gov. Josh Shapiro for a second term, citing public safety funding and support for law enforcement. Economic Development: Shapiro announced Chobani’s $1.2 billion Lehigh Valley dairy investment, promising 900 jobs and a major boost for Pennsylvania milk producers. Local Governance: Rep. Aaron Bernstine urged DEP to step in over recurring well-water problems at Rolling Valley Estates in Connoquenessing Township, calling for enforcement and penalties. Energy & Data Centers: Trump doubled down on backing AI data centers, warning opponents could be “backwards and poor,” as Pennsylvania and other states face rising scrutiny over power demand and community impacts. Health & Accountability: A CDC review is again in the spotlight after Pennsylvania’s measles-death reporting became a political fight, with questions about how deaths are counted and communicated. Community & Crime Policy: A retail crime bill debate continues as civil liberty groups warn federal enforcement could expand surveillance powers.

Data Centers & Public Input: Trump is pushing to loosen federal public-participation rules for some air permits tied to data centers, while critics warn communities could lose their voice. Election Security & Voting: DHS is reportedly launching a “voter fraud surge” across multiple states, including Pennsylvania, ahead of the 2026 midterms. Gas Prices Scandal: Freedom Fuel, praised by Trump for cheap gas in PA and NJ, faces a lawsuit alleging a supplier wasn’t paid for about $4 million in gasoline—an accounting dispute, the company says. Pennsylvania Economy & Jobs: Chobani plans a $1.2 billion investment in Pennsylvania, converting an Allentown facility and creating about 900 jobs. Health & Schools: Allentown is named the top Asthma Capital for 2026, and Central Valley School District renewed ZeroEyes AI gun detection for its Beaver County schools. Tech & Leadership: Apple’s new CEO, John Ternus, takes over from Tim Cook as the company faces major AI and product challenges.

Overdose Recovery: Nearly 10 years after Alexandra Slane died from fentanyl addiction, her parents in Buffalo Township marked Overdose Awareness Day by launching “Alexandra’s Light of Hope,” a memorial and support effort for families affected by addiction. Privacy vs. Tech Policing: Pennsylvania Treasurer Stacy Garrity and Gov. Josh Shapiro both back banning Flock license-plate cameras, calling them an “invasion of privacy” as lawmakers weigh restrictions. Public Health Clash: The CDC is excluding two Pennsylvania measles deaths from its national tally, deepening a dispute tied to Lancaster County cases and political fighting over vaccine messaging. Consumer Fraud & Enforcement: The FTC and 22 states, including Pennsylvania, sued Amazon over alleged “hidden surcharges” and misleading ad-pricing practices, seeking restitution for advertisers. Gas Price Mystery: A lawsuit claims Freedom Fuel’s discounted gas came from unpaid deliveries worth nearly $4 million, adding to scrutiny after Trump praised the chain’s low prices. Local Economy & Jobs: Lycoming County officials plan to announce new airline service at Williamsport Regional Airport on Sept. 2. Education & Safety: Pennsylvania’s Labor & Industry reminded employers and families about child labor rules as students return to school, citing hundreds of violations found in recent investigations.