AGP Executive Report

Federal Funding Fight: Pennsylvania’s AG Kris Mayes joined 25 states suing the Trump administration over FEMA/DHS disaster and counterterrorism grant conditions that would force election changes and immigration enforcement. Local Elections & Voting Integrity: A separate dispute in New Jersey over thousands of noncitizens allegedly ending up on voter rolls has turned into a blame fight between the state and its contractor. Healthcare & Economy: Independence Health’s proposed merger with WVU Medicine drew public support at a Pennsylvania AG hearing, with promises of major investments and job stability. Education Access: Jefferson plans a new four-year medical campus in Allentown to expand physician training in the Lehigh Valley. Sports & Culture: The Eagles received a $4 million state grant for Jefferson Health Training Complex renovations, while LeBron James’ Sixers move is driving major local buzz. Public Safety Debate: West Manchester Township approved a 287(g) ICE partnership despite strong opposition from residents.

Iran War Powers: The House voted 214-208 to halt U.S. action in Iran, while the Senate fell short on a binding measure, leaving airstrikes ongoing and pressure on President Trump still rising. Pennsylvania Politics & Courts: Pennsylvania’s election rules fight keeps heating up as states and officials push back on federal attempts to tie disaster aid to election and immigration demands. Energy & PJM: FERC warned PJM stakeholders it could step in with governance reforms if they don’t agree on changes by late September, amid complaints about transparency and affordability. Data Centers & Shapiro: Records show Shapiro’s data-center “GRID” standards were drafted with input from Amazon and industry, fueling criticism as the Senate debates the framework. Public Health: A new study links GLP-1 weight-loss drugs to higher alopecia risk, while the CDC tied Pennsylvania to an expanded cyclosporiasis outbreak. Local Spotlight: The State Museum of Pennsylvania is set to close early for renovations through early 2029.

Felony-Murder Deadline: With one day left, Pennsylvania lawmakers narrowly passed a bill to respond to the state Supreme Court’s ruling that life without parole for second-degree murder is unconstitutional, but House leaders added revisions that go beyond the court’s 120-day assignment—leaving the clock ticking on guidelines for resentencing. ICE Detention Plan Dropped: The Shapiro administration says DHS has withdrawn its appeal and ICE will not use two proposed rural Pennsylvania warehouse sites as detention centers, after DEP orders blocked water and sewer use. Election-Funding Lawsuit: Pennsylvania AG Nick Brown and a multistate coalition sued DHS/FEMA over conditions tied to federal counterterrorism and emergency grants, including demands that states change election practices and help enforce immigration law. Data-Center Politics: The White House expanded Trump’s “Ratepayer Protection Pledge,” with more GOP governors and utilities signing on to argue data-center grid upgrades shouldn’t hit local utility bills. Penn State Research Grant: Penn State won a $20M NSF award to lead an AI “programmable cloud laboratory” network for automated science. Local Education Support: The Pocono Environmental Education Center says EITC-backed funding helped 1,000+ students with classroom and field trips across the Delaware Water Gap. Business Brief: CNB Financial reported $28.3M net income in Q2.

Sports Betting Policy: A Pennsylvania commission’s 126-page study urges tighter rules to curb problem gambling, including limits that could target microbets and VIP perks, as lawmakers draft a bill to reduce addiction risk. Local Transportation: Philadelphia’s taxi regulators say state law blocks Uber/Lyft-style app coordination, even as other cities move toward rideshare-linked cab dispatch. Public Safety & Health: New research links GLP-1 weight-loss/diabetes drugs (like Mounjaro, Ozempic, Wegovy) to higher rates of hair loss, prompting calls for clinicians to factor the side effect into treatment choices. Cybersecurity: Federal agencies warn Iranian-linked hackers expanded an industrial attack, using legitimate vendor software to falsify readings and disable safety alarms across critical infrastructure. Economy & Jobs: A Shapiro-era budget keeps higher-ed funding flat for community colleges and PASSHE universities, renewing pressure for more investment. Politics: U.S. House Republicans advanced a defense bill with major Israel security funding, while election officials nationwide push back on claims of election threats.

Veterans’ Financial Help: Pennsylvania’s Department of Military and Veterans Affairs is urging eligible veterans and surviving dependents to apply for the Veterans Temporary Assistance program, offering up to $1,600 in a 12-month period for urgent needs like food, shelter, fuel and clothing. Criminal Justice: Federal officials say more than 100 child pornography files were found on laptops and drives belonging to former state Rep. Jesse White, who is charged with receipt and distribution of child porn. Health Watch: A new study in the British Medical Journal links GLP-1 drugs used for type 2 diabetes and obesity to a higher risk of hair loss, though the overall risk is low. Education Funding: Pennsylvania’s newly approved 2026-27 budget includes additional money for schools, including increases for basic education, special education, and a Ready to Learn block grant. Local Business & Jobs: SBA announced a $6 million competition to modernize Women’s Business Centers, with Pennsylvania among the states eligible for new lead-center support. Public Health Alert: The U.S. has recorded 2,260 measles cases this year, driven largely by summer travel.

Data Center Zoning Fight: Lancaster City Council adopted new rules to rein in data centers, requiring zoning hearings and adding noise, setback, and decommissioning requirements—an effort aimed at stopping “the horses” from bolting after earlier approvals. Pennsylvania Courts & Public Safety: The Pennsylvania Supreme Court ruled warrantless searches by state game officials unconstitutional, tightening limits on how enforcement can operate. Health Policy Clash: Pennsylvania Medicaid now covers abortion, but the fight is headed to an appeals battle as pro-life groups challenge how long the coverage will last. Higher Ed Costs: Penn State trustees approved the 2027–28 budget, including tuition increases, as the university faces lost revenue and rising personnel costs. Local Economy & Infrastructure: State funding backed water and wastewater upgrades in Quincy Township and Shippensburg Borough, targeting resiliency and treatment reliability. Sports & Community: The Phillies host the Dodgers July 22 at Citizens Bank Park, while across the state youth sports and local events keep drawing crowds.

Pennsylvania Innovation Push: Gov. Josh Shapiro toured Philadelphia’s B+labs and highlighted major 2026-27 budget investments, including $125 million for Innovate in PA 2.0 to back startups, expand a life-sciences clinical trial network, and strengthen the state’s innovation pipeline. Maternal Health Funding: First Lady Lori Shapiro and Health Secretary Debra Bogen visited Pittsburgh’s Alex Joy D’Achille Center for Perinatal Mental Health, touting $5.2 million in the new budget and $17.5 million over nearly four years to expand postpartum screening and care. Data Center Politics: A national debate over AI data centers is spilling into 2026 races, with Pennsylvania lawmakers and others weighing moratoriums as critics cite power, water, and community impacts. Legal Deadline on “Skill Games”: Pennsylvania lawmakers face a clock on “skill games” after a Supreme Court stay made them illegal, with leaders scrambling for a fix before the safe-harbor window ends. Local Public Safety: In St. Marys, officials praised first responders after a July 6 flood and explained why the city didn’t meet PEMA emergency-declaration guidelines.

Rape Crisis Funding: Pennsylvania’s new budget nearly doubled state support for rape crisis centers, boosting funding from $12.1 million to $24.1 million and backing services across all 67 counties. Immigration & Public Safety: A White House narrative is drawing fire after it turned a Pennsylvania trooper’s death into an immigration scare story, reigniting debate over how the case is being framed. Local Schools: Moniteau School District board member Michael Baptiste resigned July 20, and the district will now fill the vacant seat within 30 days. Higher Ed Affordability: PASSHE’s 10 state universities will consider offering three-year bachelor’s degrees to cut credits and help students graduate faster. Community & Libraries: Spotlight PA reports many Pennsylvania libraries are expanding into community centers, but funding stays flat, squeezing budgets. Jobs & Economy: The Cleveland Fed says business activity in its region is up, but higher fuel costs are still pushing prices. Education & Workforce: Butler County Community College students pursuing CPA careers received $1,000 scholarships from the Pennsylvania Certified Public Accountant Foundation. Renewables: Exus Renewables closed about $356 million in construction financing for two Pennsylvania wind projects.

Philadelphia Courts DraftKings: DraftKings is challenging a Philadelphia consumer-protection law, arguing the city can’t create its own enforcement track separate from the state’s UTPCPL. The dispute centers on a City subpoena seeking details on how much the sportsbook earned from gamblers identified through analytics. Public Safety Funding: Gov. Josh Shapiro signed a budget deal boosting Pennsylvania rape crisis center funding to $24.1 million—up from $12.1 million—calling it the highest level ever and a 24/7 support lifeline for survivors. Housing Affordability: A Realtor.com analysis says starter-home affordability is still squeezed: the typical starter home rose from $256,000 (2019) to $344,000, and the share of listings under $350,000 fell sharply. Local Justice & Accountability: Pennsylvania State Police are investigating an alleged sexual assault at a York County business, with charges including indecent exposure and harassment. Economy Watch: Pennsylvania’s unemployment rate reportedly fell to 4.1% in June as nonfarm jobs hit a record high.

Pennsylvania Budget: GOP lawmakers and Gov. Josh Shapiro landed on a $50.8 billion 2026-27 budget, but Republicans are split—Sen. Scott Hutchinson says it leans on delayed Medicaid payments and other accounting moves to cover a roughly $5 billion gap, while Rep. R. Lee James calls it a workable compromise. Data Centers in PA: Lawmakers passed a limited measure requiring large data centers (over 10 MW) to disclose energy and water use, while leaving a major sales tax exemption in place and failing to advance broader local-control or tax-break curbs. Youth Voting: A new study finds Pennsylvania ranks last for 18-year-olds registering to vote—only 22% are registered—pushing calls for preregistration at 16 to boost turnout. Local Spotlight: Philadelphia’s Frankford Avenue Bridge, completed in 1697, remains in continuous vehicle use and is widely cited as the oldest surviving roadway bridge still carrying traffic. Health & Safety: Experts warn of a rise in “sadistic online exploitation” of vulnerable children, where predators coerce victims into producing sexual content and can drive self-harm.

DOGE Afterlife: Despite promises to end by July 4, 2026, the federal “Department of Government Efficiency” has largely gone quiet online while its people and influence reportedly remain embedded across agencies. AI Data-Center Backlash: Anti–data center protests surged into a coordinated national day with 142 rallies in 42 states, including Pennsylvania-area fights over power, land use, and “not in my backyard” concerns. Local Land Decisions: One family reportedly rejected a $26M offer to preserve farmland targeted for an AI data center, while another sold a struggling farm for $22M—showing how uneven the boom’s payoff can be. Pennsylvania Politics & Loss: Pa. lawmakers issued statements after the death of former U.S. Congressman Tim Murphy, 73. Food Safety: Taylor Farms expanded a cyclospora-linked iceberg lettuce recall to products shipped to 27 states, including Pennsylvania. Sports & Culture: Christopher Nolan’s “The Odyssey” opened big at the box office, and Shane Gillis set a Guinness record with 77,047 tickets sold for a solo show at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia.

Food Safety: Taylor Farms expanded its iceberg lettuce recall to products shipped to 27 states, including Pennsylvania, after a possible link to the cyclospora outbreak; consumers are told to discard the lettuce. Local Development: Honesdale’s 12th Street Promenade park project has begun, with a planned spring 2027 finish and about $11 million in funding from state programs, tax credits, and local donations. Public Health & Weather: Philadelphia and much of Pennsylvania are still dealing with extreme conditions—wildfire smoke clearing into fresh storm threats, including heavy rain, flooding risk, and possible tornadoes. Energy & Property Rights: A national wave of protests against AI data centers is underway, with opponents citing power, water, pollution, and eminent domain fights. Politics & Voting: The Trump administration is pressing claims about noncitizens on voting rolls and warning states about possible penalties, as experts dispute the numbers. Sports & Crime: Eagles star Saquon Barkley’s Pennsylvania home was burglarized; police are investigating and asking for help identifying suspects.

Data Centers vs. Communities: Activists staged 142 protests across 42 states, including in Wilkes-Barre, as residents question water use, environmental impact, and local accountability amid the AI infrastructure boom. Politics & Elections: Gov. Josh Shapiro launched “Rise Up Pennsylvania,” a $3.3 million coordinated effort to help elect Democrats statewide with shared voter registration, field organizing, and turnout work. Public Health & Safety: Taylor Farms issued a full recall list for iceberg lettuce tied to a cyclospora outbreak affecting 27 states, including Pennsylvania. Air Quality Crisis: Wildfire smoke continued to blanket parts of the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic, with officials warning conditions may linger even as some improvements are possible with storms. Weather & Local Incidents: A severe thunderstorm watch ran until 9 p.m. across 33 counties, while a person was rescued after falling 40 feet from a cliff in Lawrence County. Consumer Watch: Pennsylvania cities reported scam activity in June, with Irwin and West Chester among those logging multiple BBB Scam Tracker reports.

Election & Courts: DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin warned Pennsylvania officials they could lose funding or face investigations over election security demands, as federal courts rejected the Justice Department’s push for access to state voter rolls. State Politics: The Pennsylvania Democratic Party rolled out “Rise Up Pennsylvania,” pitching it as the biggest coordinated midterm effort in state history, with Gov. Josh Shapiro backing it with $3.3 million. Economy & Jobs: Pennsylvania’s unemployment rate fell to 4.1% in June, staying slightly below the U.S. rate, while employment and nonfarm jobs hit record highs. Local Government & Environment: Clearfield Municipal Authority discussed biosolids disposal and wastewater treatment capacity at its sewage plant meeting. Public Health: The FDA classified a North Jersey ice pop recall as Class I after undeclared allergens were found; products were distributed in Pennsylvania. Business & Growth: Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board reported FY 2025/26 gaming revenue topping $7B for the first time. Community & Food: Clearfield County Fair crowned its 2026 Fair Queen, and local grape growers continue adapting after Refresco canceled contracts. Protests & Energy: Data center opponents plan national protests Saturday, targeting AI infrastructure expansion over power bills, water use, and pollution.

Wildfire Smoke Health Crisis: Erie’s air quality hit “hazardous” levels for the first time since 1980, forcing closures at Waldameer Park and Water World and shutting the Erie Zoo again, with officials urging residents to stay indoors and cut activity. Election Security Push: Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin warned states that refuse new voter-roll checks could lose federal election reimbursement, with fines or prison time for officials who ignore DHS information. Politics in Harrisburg: Pennsylvania Democrats unveiled “Rise Up Pennsylvania,” a coordinated midterm effort backed by Gov. Josh Shapiro’s $3.3 million commitment to unseat Republicans and expand control in the state legislature. Legal/Local Government: A Third Circuit ruling lets bankrupt Chester keep revenue tied to its casino and trash incinerator, rejecting creditors’ claims that liens survived Chapter 9. Economy & Jobs: Shapiro’s administration announced $52.6M in 42 NEPA projects through RACP, aiming at public safety, infrastructure, workforce development, and community revitalization. Sports Betting Clash: DraftKings sued Philadelphia over the city’s consumer protection investigation, arguing state law and the Gaming Control Board should control.

AI Data Centers in the Spotlight: A new Quinnipiac poll finds Pennsylvanians are increasingly uneasy about AI data centers, with 34% disapproving of Gov. Josh Shapiro’s handling and public concern rising as construction accelerates. Public Safety & Health: Wildfire smoke pushed Pennsylvania into Code Red and then Code Purple, forcing outdoor limits and shifting the Phillies–Mets start time in Philadelphia. Local Land-Use Fight: An opinion piece argues central Pennsylvania’s farmland is being swallowed by tract housing, warehouses, and data centers, warning communities are losing character and facing higher infrastructure burdens. Criminal Justice Update: Lawmakers recessed without fixing Pennsylvania’s unconstitutional second-degree murder sentencing setup, leaving about 1,000 “lifers” in limbo after a state Supreme Court ruling. Immigration Enforcement: ICE arrested a Chinese human rights lawyer in Cumberland County, raising fears he could be sent back to persecution in China. Business/Healthcare: Meritus Medical Center in Washington County performed a lung blood-clot removal for the first time as a major case, with the patient recovering.