AGP Executive Report

Spurs Coaching Shakeup: Former Bulls coach Billy Donovan has agreed to join the San Antonio Spurs as lead assistant under Mitch Johnson, returning to an assistant role after 11 NBA seasons and two NCAA titles at Florida. Medicaid & Voting Rights Fight: North Carolina’s AG Jeff Jackson is part of multistate legal action challenging Trump administration Medicaid work requirements and opposing a USPS rule aimed at restricting mail voting. State Budget & Public Safety: Gov. Josh Stein signed four bills into law, including tougher penalties for obscene images sent to minors, incentives for retired officers to return to work, and tax changes tied to IRS updates and fraud protections. Local Governance: Kannapolis lawmakers approved making City Council elections partisan and shifting election timing to even-numbered years. Transportation: NCDOT’s proposed I-77 expansion was halted after regional planning votes withdrew support. Heat & Fireworks: New Hanover County urged safer fireworks use amid drought and extreme heat. Crime & Courts: A Fourth Circuit filing seeks to revive a challenge to North Carolina’s ban on nonlawyers giving legal advice. Sports (Tar Heels): North Carolina advanced in the MCWS finals, with pitching and late hitting driving key wins.

Heat & Safety: Charlotte-region heat advisories cover nearly all counties, with heat indexes around 105–108 degrees through Thursday evening, as severe storms also threaten parts of the Carolinas. Public Health & Policy: DOJ launched a Title IX crackdown naming North Carolina among states targeted for enforcement actions, while HHS ended teen pregnancy prevention grants to Planned Parenthood affiliates over “sexually explicit” curricula. Economy & Consumer Costs: Major egg producers reached a $3.3M settlement tied to price-fixing claims, with North Carolina included among participating states. Education: Martinsville City Public Schools named LaSaundra Siddle assistant principal at Martinsville High School. Tech & Jobs: Microsoft’s AI diffusion report ranks Watauga County No. 1 in North Carolina for AI use, and JetZero’s blended-wing jet effort points to a Greensboro manufacturing push. Sports & Community: Erica Parkinson joined North Carolina Courage, and local athletes continue to earn recognition—from military academy appointments to state games.

State Budget Update: North Carolina’s long-awaited $34B budget cleared key initial votes, with teacher and state employee pay raises included but a fight over whether raises should be retroactive—Senate leaders say no, House leaders point to one-time bonuses instead. Elections Integrity: The state elections board received complaints about voter registration mailings from Ready to Register Inc., citing outdated party info, wrong return addresses, and privacy concerns tied to QR codes. Public Safety—Heat & Fireworks: With dry conditions and drought in parts of the state, the Fire Marshal is urging people to attend professional fireworks displays and follow burn-safety guidance. Food & Health: Egg producers face a DOJ antitrust settlement tied to price-fixing allegations, including $3.3M in payments and 53 million eggs donated; separately, more cheeses were added to a listeria “do not eat” recall list. Community & Culture: A Wake Forest medical student biked more than 4,000 miles across 12 states to raise awareness for colorectal cancer, and Grandfather Mountain Highland Games return July 9-12.

USPS Tragedy: A North Carolina rural letter carrier, Brandi Reynolds, was kidnapped and murdered on her route; William Craig Durham was arrested and charged with first-degree kidnapping and murder. Public Safety: Emergency departments report a sharp rise in marijuana-induced illness tied to cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome, leaving patients violently ill and dehydrated. State Politics & Policy: North Carolina lawmakers advanced a sweeping elections bill with auditor powers and ballot challenges, while the state also moved to ban third-party litigation financing. Economy & Courts: Egg producers reached a multistate price-fixing settlement, including $3.3M and millions of eggs donated to food banks; North Carolina is among the states involved. Local Governance: Jamestown approved its 2026-27 budget but had to pivot after a property revaluation moratorium changed expected revenues. Infrastructure: NCDOT’s latest STIP prioritized two Wilmington airport safety projects, including upgrades to runway approach aids and a wind cone replacement.

North Carolina Jail Crisis: Bertie-Martin Regional Jail inmates took over parts of the facility and held guards hostage before authorities regained control; reporting also points to long-running inspection problems and staffing concerns. Public Safety & Health: As heat and holiday travel ramp up, Novant Health urges caution with fireworks, alcohol, and heat exposure—especially for kids. State Budget Watch: North Carolina’s budget package includes changes to data-center tax incentives, ending a 20-year sales tax break on on-site electricity while keeping other benefits. Elections: The NC House advanced a wide-ranging elections bill with major deadline changes for absentee and provisional ballots, but Democrats opposed it over concerns about voting access. Local Government: Pender County faces possible loss of up to $140,000 in sales-tax revenue after missing the deadline to submit its annual financial audit. Community & Growth: Gaston County bought 562 acres near Lake Wylie to preserve land and plan a future public park. Education: Ashe County High School named its Brown Family Valedictory Award winners, with top students headed to Harvard and UNC-Chapel Hill.

Drought Watch: North Carolina remains in severe to exceptional drought in parts of the Triangle, and officials say dry conditions are likely to continue into next week—so residents should keep following local water restrictions. Jail Safety: A takeover at Bertie-Martin Regional Detention Center in eastern NC ended after inmates overpowered guards, renewing concerns about staffing shortages across the prison system. Offshore Wind Deal: Duke Energy is set to receive about $129 million from the federal government to terminate its Carolina Long Bay offshore wind lease, with the company saying it will reinvest in new capacity and grid upgrades. Public Health & Water: Hickory officials report a “catastrophic” wastewater spill into Lake Hickory after pump station equipment failure, with beach access tied to water testing. Tech & Education: Nutanix and NC School of Science and Mathematics announced an endowed computer science professorship aimed at expanding access statewide, especially for rural students. Business/AI: ServiceTrade acquired Mura to automate field service billing and collections with agentic AI. Local Spotlight: Appalachian State’s NRLP named 2026 scholarship recipients supporting incoming students and future lineworkers in the High Country.

NBA Draft & roster moves: UNC big man Henri Veesaar was taken by the Atlanta Hawks in the second round, with Atlanta trading up to grab the 7-footer. Sports betting & hoops: The Charlotte Hornets continued their offseason shakeup by trading LaMelo Ball to the Minnesota Timberwolves, while the Grizzlies added Jerami Grant and Kris Murray in a Ja Morant-related deal. Public safety—jail crisis: Authorities ended a takeover at Bertie-Martin Regional Detention Center after inmates took two guards hostage; negotiators secured releases and all inmates and staff were safe. Crime: A postal worker was shot and killed in Wilkes County; investigators arrested a suspect and are coordinating with the USPS. Energy & environment: Duke Energy agreed to exit its North Carolina offshore wind lease in a deal tied to a $129M payment, as regulators and stakeholders keep pushing back on impacts. Voting access: A constitutional amendment proposal would protect early in-person voting in North Carolina, aiming to lock in key features voters rely on. Drought & heat: Lenoir County remains in extreme drought, and officials warn conditions are worsening heading into the July 4 stretch.

Charlotte Sports Shakeup: The Hornets agreed to trade Miles Bridges to the Phoenix Suns for Grayson Allen, Royce O’Neale, and draft picks, continuing a fast offseason rebuild after LaMelo Ball’s move to Minnesota. Public Safety: A USPS mail worker was shot and killed in rural Wilkes County; investigators arrested William Craig Durham on murder and kidnapping charges. Weather Watch: Forecasters are tracking a disturbance off the North Carolina coast with a low chance of tropical development as near-record heat builds into the July 4 weekend. Hurricane Prep: The National Hurricane Center is monitoring the same system and related tropical waves, urging residents to stay alert. Local Culture: Boone’s Turchin Center for the Visual Arts hosts a Summer Exhibition Celebration July 2 with multiple exhibits, music, and artmaking. Business & Industry: Raleigh-based Martin Marietta is set to merge with Lhoist North America in a $13.5 billion deal, a major move for construction materials. Tech/Health: United Therapeutics says the FDA approved its LungFX device for centralized ex vivo lung perfusion. Community Events: Southeastern NC is rolling out America’s 250th birthday celebrations with fireworks, parades, and festivals across multiple counties.

Extreme Heat & Storms: A dangerous heat wave is building across much of the U.S., with North Carolina in the mix heading into the July 4 weekend, while an isolated storm chance lingers early this week. Public Safety Over the Holiday: North Carolina is ramping up patrols for impaired driving during Operation Firecracker, and NCDOT is pausing most highway construction lane closures for smoother travel. Health Care Costs: North Carolinians are dropping Obamacare coverage in record numbers as enhanced ACA tax credits expire, leaving families facing steep premium jumps. Environment & Wildlife: Goats are being used in North Carolina to chew back invasive plants like ivy and kudzu, and biologists say a remote dead-looking tree in the Nantahala National Forest is hiding a rare Indiana bat maternity colony. Rural Health Pressure: A rural health care op-ed warns that federal funding cuts and insurer pressure could slash access to basic care in eastern North Carolina. Local Community Help: Piedmont Triad volunteers are collecting and shipping donations for Venezuelans after back-to-back earthquakes. State Politics & Education: Commentary highlights the ongoing fight over how North Carolina funds education remedies after the Leandro decision. Sports & Local Life: The Hornets make another major trade, and the Blowing Rock Trout Derby draws families for a long-running community tradition.

Transportation & Infrastructure: A major project will link North Carolina’s capital with Virginia, rerouting thousands of cars in the coming months. State Politics: North Carolina GOP lawmakers overrode a governor’s veto and pushed a pro-ICE bill into law, signaling a sharper federal-immigration stance. Energy Costs: Duke Energy cut its requested North Carolina rate hike from 18% to 11.6%, but the AG says it’s still too high. Sports Betting & Universities: UNC and NC State may finally get a share of sports-wagering tax revenue under a revamped distribution model in the state budget. Public Safety & Weather: Forecasters warn of another round of showers and storms, with heat ramping up across North Carolina this week. Education: Alamance-Burlington schools preview preliminary test results showing a 7-point gain in grade-level proficiency, aiming to avoid low-performing district status. Community & Health: Churches across North Carolina are helping wipe out medical debt together, even when politics differ.

Public Records & Accountability: North Carolina’s “right to know” fight is back in focus as advocates push to open public employee disciplinary records, arguing the state still keeps too much behind a wall of secrecy. Child Care Crisis: A new Governor’s Office report says North Carolina’s child care shortage is worsening, driven by staffing gaps and low wages, with an estimated $7 billion annual economic hit. State Budget & Pensions: Gov. Josh Stein signed a bill that changes how the state manages its $127 billion pension fund, moving oversight from the treasurer to a new board. Weather & Safety: Strong storms and a heat wave are in the forecast, with officials warning about damaging winds, heavy rain, and holiday-weekend hazards. Local Community: A Roadman Cemetery cleanup drew more than 30 volunteers in Newport, while Edenton-Chowan schools weigh a jayvee football revamp to include grades 7-9. Business & Food: Carter Bank named a new HR executive, and a pasta salad recall hit multiple states after mislabeling concerns.

Politics & Elections: GOP Sen. Thom Tillis called a pre-election voter ID push “absurd,” saying the timeline is unrealistic. State Government: A new op-ed argues North Carolina is due for “political regime change” after 15 years of Republican control, pointing to tax cuts, school funding shifts, and election-law changes. Public Safety & Health: North Carolina researchers say older dogs’ front-leg stride shortens with cognitive decline, offering a potential early dementia clue. Local Economy & Community: First Citizens Bank CEO Frank Holding was appointed to the Federal Reserve’s Federal Advisory Council for 2026. Sports: The Charlotte Hornets traded LaMelo Ball to the Timberwolves for Naz Reid, draft picks, and swaps. Education & Youth: Martin Memorial Library’s summer reading program is in full swing in Williamston, with weekly free events for kids, teens, and adults. Environment & Infrastructure: NCDOT says Georgia Road construction in WNC is still targeting an August 2021 finish despite utility and weather delays. Crime & Courts: A Robeson County social services worker was sentenced to prison for stealing $102K in food stamps.

NBA Draft: Chicago Bulls selected North Carolina forward Caleb Wilson No. 4 overall, with Wilson aiming for Rookie of the Year and calling the franchise’s Michael Jordan “the GOAT.” Sports & Community: Boone’s Pressley Laton won the 2026 MerleFest Band Competition, and Appalachian Rhythm Clogging & Dance will represent North Carolina in Washington, D.C., for America’s 250th Independence Day Parade. Education & Equity: A new national report ranks North Carolina among the most economically segregated school systems, with economic segregation ranked 7th and racial segregation 33rd. Public Safety & Health: NCDOT crews are prepping for the 2026 hurricane season, while Hugh Chatham Health at Home earned a U.S. News “Best Home Health” spot for quality and patient experience. Local Culture: ArtMix visited the Ben Long frescos at Rumple Memorial Presbyterian Church in Blowing Rock, and Greenville’s Pride festival brought celebrations back to Eighth Street. Environment & Policy: A fishery fight off Florida highlights broader tensions over Trump-era deregulation of ocean rules.

NBA Trade: The Charlotte Hornets agreed to send LaMelo Ball and Josh Green to the Minnesota Timberwolves for Naz Reid, a 2033 unprotected first-round pick, multiple pick swaps, and future second-round picks—setting up Coby White as the likely new starting point guard in Charlotte. DEI in NC Government: The N.C. House overrode Gov. Josh Stein’s vetoes on three DEI-related bills, moving to restrict DEI training and practices in state agencies. Utilities: Duke Energy cut its proposed North Carolina residential rate hike from 18% to 11.6%, but AG Jeff Jackson says it’s still too high as the Utilities Commission weighs approval this fall. PFAS Fallout: EPA and DOJ announced a landmark $450 million PFAS settlement with Chemours tied to contamination of the Cape Fear River, with major funding for alternative drinking water and compliance. Food Safety: FDA upgraded a recall of 684,248 bags of Zapps and Dirty chips to Class I over possible Salmonella contamination. Conservation: Coastal Land Trust signed a deal to permanently protect 3,200+ acres of Sledge Legacy Forest in New Hanover County, if the current development plan stays approved. Local Sports/Community: A YMCA Twisters Gymnastics team is sending 46 athletes to nationals in Greensboro.

Port of Wilmington: North Carolina’s Cape Fear shipping gateway remains in focus, with recent coverage highlighting the port’s role along the river and the big cranes that keep cargo moving. Helene Housing Funding: Gov. Josh Stein announced a first-round $70M federal NOFO for the Renew NC Multi-Family Construction and Repair program to rebuild safe, affordable rentals in Hurricane Helene-impacted areas. DEI/Immigration Law Overhaul: A new NC law locks in campus DEI bans and limits “divisive concepts,” after lawmakers overrode Gov. Stein’s vetoes on immigration and DEI bills. Chemours PFAS Fight: NC AG Jeff Jackson blasted a federal $450M Chemours settlement as inadequate for North Carolina, saying the state gets only $2M annually for 15 years. Scam Alerts: NCDMV warned of a surge in fake text messages claiming unpaid fees or tolls. Wilmington Shooting Decision: Family members protested a DA decision not to charge officers in a fatal Wilmington police shooting. Sports & UNC: UNC finished fourth in the Directors’ Cup, with baseball and women’s lacrosse leading the strong showing.

UNC Basketball to NBA: Caleb Wilson goes No. 4 to the Chicago Bulls and Henri Veesaar lands with Atlanta in the 2026 draft, marking a rare year with multiple Tar Heels selected. Sports Business & Coaching: ESPN reports Portland’s Micah Nori deal drew backlash from coaches over its limited guarantees and incentives. Public Health: A new national analysis says North Carolina has the highest estimated venomous snakebite rate in the U.S., with copperheads and rattlesnakes among the risks. Healthcare & Fraud: A Raleigh man pleads guilty in a $60 million healthcare fraud and kickback scheme tied to lab referrals. Education Access: Wake Forest launches a “North Carolina Gateway” program covering full tuition and living costs for some students starting fall 2026. Local Economy/Industry: Davidson County commissioners unanimously approve rezoning to expand one of NC’s biggest industrial “megasites” in Conrad Hill. Weather Watch: Hot, humid conditions push highs into the 90s with heat index values over 100 and scattered storm chances.