AGP Executive Report

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Transportation & Policy: Charlotte’s I-77 Express Lanes plan is stalled after the CRTPO rescinded support, leaving truckers worried about delays and fuel waste while local leaders push for a transportation model study and congestion relief ideas.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.

Higher-Education Oversight: The U.S. Department of Education is preparing a new accreditation player, the Commission for Public Higher Education, aiming to shake up a “mysterious” industry and increase scrutiny of how Southern colleges teach, evaluate faculty, and spend money. Workplace Safety Staffing: A new look at North Carolina workplace safety staffing finds managers are stuck in the middle range as OSHA rules expand. Public Safety Tech in NC: NCCON 2026 opens June 9-10 at NC State’s Hunt Jr. Library, spotlighting public-safety drone operations and counter-drone readiness. PFAS & Building Rules: EPA GenX limits may be rolled back, while HVACR contractors track evolving PFAS rules and A2L refrigerant building-code changes. Health & Research: A small clinical trial reports a vitamin D analog (paricalcitol) may help reshape pancreatic tumor defenses and improve outcomes when paired with chemotherapy. Local STEM/Industry: Diazyme Laboratories is acquiring Greensboro-based Carolina Liquid Chemistries, expanding diagnostic chemistry and enzyme/immunoassay capabilities. Education Outcomes: ACT results show 39.2% of NC juniors met the English college-readiness benchmark in 2024-25, with big county gaps.

Biomass-to-Graphite Breakthrough: N.C. State researchers are developing a delayed-coker process to turn forestry and agricultural waste into synthetic graphite at reduced temperatures, aiming to ease U.S. dependence on China for a key battery and steel input. Cancer Screening Update: GRAIL reported full PATHFINDER 2 results showing the Galleri multi-cancer test boosts detection when paired with standard screenings, with findings presented at ASCO. Health & Safety in the Spotlight: A North Carolina maternal health story highlights persistent racial gaps and preventable pregnancy-related deaths, while another piece explains how chronic pain can strain cardiovascular health. Tech & Industry in Raleigh: Techtextil North America returns to Raleigh in August, spotlighting technical textiles, nonwovens, and sustainability-focused programming. Local STEM/Workforce: Camp Victory brings vitiligo support and community to kids at Great Wolf Lodge in Concord, and a Boone-area effort targets childcare worker retention with a one-time bonus. Policy Pressure on Medicaid: States weigh Medicaid work requirements and budget strain, with rural health impacts a growing concern. Cyber Security Trend: A Virginia startup roundup points to agentic AI and non-human identity security as fast-growing areas.

Soft Robotics: NC State researchers say “robo-armadillo” tech can automatically curl into a protective shell when flexible electronics face strain, aiming to make soft machines tougher. Cancer Screening: GRAIL reported full PATHFINDER 2 results at ASCO, saying the Galleri multi-cancer test found more cancers earlier when paired with standard screenings. Public Health/Access: A new report warns Medicaid work requirements and related budget pressures are stressing states’ health systems, with rural NC providers bracing for cuts and possible layoffs. Maternal Health: Durham’s MAAME fundraiser highlights persistent gaps in pregnancy-related outcomes, noting Black mothers in NC face higher, often preventable death rates. Federal Research in WNC: Western North Carolina’s long-term forest research is expected to be spared from a U.S. Forest Service reorganization that could close dozens of similar sites nationwide. Childcare Workforce: Boone Area Chamber of Commerce Foundation launched a campaign for a one-time retention bonus for Watauga County childcare workers, funded for October 2026. Local Tech/Infrastructure: Wilmington’s WMPO board voted to remove the Independence Boulevard extension from the near-term transportation improvement program while keeping it in the long-range plan.

Public Transit & Housing: Even as North Carolina cities get denser, transit use keeps sliding—Charlotte bus ridership was 16% lower and rail 31% lower in 2024 vs. 2019, a sign many residents still prefer cars, walking, or remote work. Education & Labor: A new report ranks North Carolina’s teacher union strength 48th out of 50 states, citing a steep membership drop since 2012 (49% to 21%) and limits on bargaining/strikes. Cancer Screening: GRAIL says results from the NHS-Galleri trial show its blood test reduced Stage IV diagnoses of 12 cancers by 22% and 26% in later screening rounds, with more early-stage detections when added to standard care. Biotech & Drug Development: Dyne Therapeutics filed a biologics license application for zeleciment rostudirsen for Duchenne muscular dystrophy exon-51 skipping, after trial results showed increased dystrophin and improved endpoints. AI & Ethics: Pope Leo XIV renewed calls for “rigorous” AI ethics, warning about surveillance, labor harm, and “digital slavery.” Local Economy: Raleigh-Cary ranks No. 4 for small business performance, driven by business formation, GDP growth, and tech talent. Weather Preparedness: NOAA’s hurricane outlook stays below average, but officials stress early planning as storms can still be dangerous.

Farmland Fight: Haywood farmers packed Raleigh to urge lawmakers to slow North Carolina’s farmland loss, citing rapid housing development that threatens water and food production. Hurricane Readiness: NOAA’s outlook and local engineering coverage highlight why wetter, more dangerous storms mean North Carolina needs resilient infrastructure as hurricane season ramps up. Health Tech: UNC Chapel Hill researchers report that a single blood test using protein levels can outperform small-molecule “default” approaches for predicting many major diseases. Education Tech Glitch: Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools says online state exams were disrupted again by platform/server problems, triggering contingency rescheduling. AI in Policing: A Charlotte father of 10 says Jacksonville facial recognition AI misidentified him, costing him months in jail—raising new questions about accuracy and accountability. Medical Training: UNCP’s occupational therapy master’s program earns full seven-year accreditation, clearing the path for graduates to take the NBCOT exam. Data Center Politics: North Carolina lawmakers advance a “ratepayer protection” push tied to data centers and energy policy, setting up a climate-policy fight. Workforce Pell: Federal Workforce Pell rules are finalized for short-term training programs, with major rollout expected this summer.

Workforce Pell Rollout: The U.S. Education Department published final rules for Workforce Pell, expanding federal aid to short-term training programs (150–599 clock hours) starting this summer, with North Carolina already moving on its approval process. AI & Data Centers in NC: A Carolina op-ed argues NC should lead with modular edge data centers for AI inference, while another local item says Cary is considering a pause on new data center construction amid backlash. Charlotte HBCU Funding Push: A Charlotte lawmaker reintroduced an HBCU infrastructure bill to modernize campus facilities, research labs, housing, and technology. Public Health & Youth Mental Health: A national study links the 988 rollout to nearly 11% fewer youth suicide deaths (ages 15–34), and an NC mother turns her loss into advocacy. Flood Resilience in Bladenboro: DEQ announced a $1.6M nature-based project to store floodwater and restore streamflow to cut recurring downtown flooding. Local Transportation Decision: Wilmington’s WMPO voted to remove the Independence Boulevard Extension from the state transportation plan. STEM Education Access: NCSU-linked RevoLabs helped deliver AI and digital skills to students via a laptop donation initiative in Ghana.

AI Infrastructure & Photonics: Nvidia says it has poured at least $6.5B into photonics firms since March to swap copper links for “light” inside AI data centers, aiming to keep bandwidth and power use from becoming bottlenecks. Cancer Care (Medicare): AngioDynamics won a major Medicare coverage step for its NanoKnife NanoKnife irreversible electroporation (IRE) system, with Palmetto GBA issuing final guidance for prostate and liver indications effective July 5. AI Research (NC State): N.C. State researchers unveiled CHEEM, a framework meant to help AI learn new tasks without losing older skills while using fewer compute steps for simpler jobs. Healthcare (MS): New data presented in Charlotte links GLP-1 receptor drugs with higher physical activity and better patient-reported outcomes in people with multiple sclerosis, pointing to a need for prospective studies. Housing Workforce (Gov. Stein): Gov. Josh Stein visited Pitt Community College to spotlight construction apprenticeships as a way to grow the skilled trades pipeline and expand affordable housing supply. Transportation Planning (Charlotte): NCDOT released six conceptual designs to reconnect the I-77 South corridor, including cap parks and pedestrian/bike “stitches,” while postponing a community design summit. Local Tech & Industry: ECU is turning a former tobacco warehouse in Greenville into the Prizery, part of a 19-acre research and innovation campus. Public Safety: Authorities urged boating safety after a Lake Wylie death, underscoring ongoing risks for recreational users.