AGP Executive Report

Historic Travel Picks: Historic Hotels of America highlights seven U.S. hotels with roots stretching back centuries, including a New Mexico property tied to 1625-era origins. Higher Education & Workforce: Rogers State University in Oklahoma won approval to launch its first three-year bachelor’s degree focused on workforce development, with tracks in automation, digital systems, cyber defense, and forensics. Middle East Escalation: Iran fired on Kuwait as retaliation tied to U.S. strikes near the Strait of Hormuz, with air defenses intercepting missiles and drones. Politics & Elections: Trump told Ohio GOP lawmakers he’ll campaign nationwide to help Republicans keep control of Congress ahead of November. Energy Costs: U.S. retail diesel prices hit the highest level since mid-2022, pressuring inflation expectations. Weather & Disasters: Hawaii braces for Hurricane Lowell, now forecast as a dangerous Category 4 with a possible turn toward the islands; meanwhile drought worsened across southern Missouri and northern Arkansas. Public Safety: Utah ICE arrests keep climbing, with new data mapping where enforcement is most active. Sports & Courts: A Louisiana judge cleared the way for LSU to list some former NFL players after a preliminary injunction against the NCAA.

College Sports Legal Fight: The SEC sued LSU in federal court, arguing the school is recruiting former pro athletes in violation of conference rules, with SEC commissioner Greg Sankey testifying as the dispute escalates. Immigration Enforcement: Wisconsin ICE arrests hit a new high this summer, with a Milwaukee Journal Sentinel analysis saying June and July detentions surged as part of a broader Trump push to expand enforcement. Public Health & Safety: A federal migrant health locator tool reportedly sends users to lawmakers’ websites instead of the listed providers, raising concerns about how the system works for people seeking care. Wildfire Updates: The Three Queens Fire remains at 8% contained, with partial evacuation reductions reported as crews respond. Space Coast Permitting: Space Florida applied for stormwater permits for a commercial aerospace facility at Kennedy Space Center, including habitat mitigation for protected species. Weather & Climate: A new U.S. Drought Monitor update shows about 31% of Iowa in some drought or abnormal dryness, with conditions largely unchanged week to week. Identity Theft Risk: A Russian cybercrime forum listing claims to sell scanned IDs for 170M+ people in North America, including millions of U.S. driver’s licenses. Disaster Aid: Trump approved Missouri disaster aid for flash flooding that hit nine counties in July, with Iron County taking the biggest share of damage.

U.S. Border & Agriculture: CBP is teaming up with USDA and partners to stamp out a New World screwworm outbreak in the Southwest, using sterile insect releases to protect livestock and wildlife. Housing Crisis: In Arkansas, rental aid uncertainty is leaving central Arkansas families facing eviction and homelessness after a Little Rock-area program lost funding and the credit union behind it was liquidated. Public Health: A North Carolina teen died after contracting a brain-eating amoeba (Naegleria fowleri), with health officials coordinating with the CDC to trace the source. Energy & Power: New York’s nuclear push is back in the spotlight as Gov. Kathy Hochul calls for major reactor expansion to keep electricity reliable and costs down. Weather & Safety: Three major Pacific hurricanes—Lowell, Karina and Marie—are churning ahead of Labor Day, with dangerous surf risks for parts of Hawaii and the U.S. West. Global Tensions: Iran warned the U.S. it would respond forcefully to an Israeli offensive on a Hezbollah-held ridge in southern Lebanon. Retail Jobs: Walmart is investing $1.3B in a next-generation fulfillment center in Georgia, creating 1,000 jobs.

Energy & Prices: GasBuddy reports show one Newton County, Arkansas station hit the week’s lowest midgrade price at $4.55/gal (week ending Aug. 22), while diesel prices across the Midwest and Plains stay elevated, with examples like Duchesne County, Utah diesel at $5.20/gal and Scott County, Iowa E85 at $2.97/gal. Environment & Water: Wisconsin lawmakers released $10M from the state PFAS trust fund to help Marinette and Peshtigo residents after a Tyco Fire Products settlement. Politics & Fisheries: The U.S. House passed a bill extending the pause on new right-whale lobster rules until 2035, a win for Northeast lobstermen. Tech & Local Governance: New Hampshire officials are weighing a possible massive data center in Bow, with Gov. Kelly Ayotte backing a moratorium amid public concerns. Public Safety: Nebraska authorities are investigating after two people were found dead from gunshot wounds in Osmond; one death appears self-inflicted. Business & Consumer Protection: A federal judge let Publix’s billing fraud claims against ABA Centers of America proceed. National Security & Markets: Wall Street closed higher Wednesday as oil prices eased and bond yields retreated.

U.S. Military & Foreign Policy: The USS Abraham Lincoln, after 286 days at sea, docked in Thailand for rest following its Middle East deployment, as reports swirl about mental health strain aboard. Middle East Tensions: Iran says U.S. strikes in its territory killed 11, while the U.S. and CENTCOM dispute casualties; the back-and-forth continues around Jordan and the wider region. China & Indo-Pacific: China unveiled a new guided-missile frigate meant to boost coastal and open-sea reach, raising alarms in Japan and Taiwan and putting the U.S. on higher alert. Defense Drills: Russia condemned Japan-U.S.-Australia “Orient Shield” drills, warning about planned deployment of U.S. Typhon missile systems in Japan. Energy & Economy: Texas and other states are tightening data-center grid approvals after electricity requests ballooned far beyond realistic needs, fueling political backlash and uncertainty for utilities. Public Safety & Courts: Wisconsin trucking schools are being shut down in a federal crackdown tied to driver training and licensing rules. Weather & Disaster: Spain’s new storm-season name list is set for 2026-27, while Nepal flood searches continue after a death toll topping 1,100. Local Impact: Ohio’s Supreme Court ordered Lake Erie Correctional to pay an incarcerated man $4,000.

Middle East Escalation: The U.S. struck targets in Iran, and Tehran responded with missiles and drones, with reports of deaths tied to a wedding site—raising fears the intermittent conflict could flare again and push up oil prices. Storm Watch: Tropical Storm Edouard made landfall on the Gulf Coast near the Texas–Louisiana border, with forecasters warning of heavy rain and flash flooding risk. Wildfire Update: Washington’s Three Queens Fire grew to about 9,012 acres but containment stayed stuck at 5%, with evacuation orders still in place. Immigration Court: A federal trial continued for two protesters charged during last year’s “Operation Charlotte’s Web,” with prosecutors alleging they blocked ICE operations. Public Safety: An Atlanta police recruit, Moses Russ, was killed in a motorcycle crash while heading to work. Health Alert: A North Carolina teen died from the rare, often fatal “brain-eating amoeba” infection, days after a Louisiana child also succumbed. Energy & Business: Shell moved to take full control of Tri Star Energy, planning to acquire hundreds of c-stores and expand supply agreements across the South. Local Weather/Infrastructure: Sarasota County approved $20M for flood and storm resilience projects, including storage and stormwater upgrades.

Coastal Monitoring: Researchers at TUM and Oxford unveiled a satellite-based method that uses the beach as a “ruler” to track tide changes where gauges are missing, improving coastal safety and planning. Wildfires: Fire crews reported progress on Washington’s Hagen and Paradise fires, with containment rising and some evacuation orders reduced. Grand Canyon Flooding: A flash flood damaged the park’s only water pipeline; officials say one person remains missing and about 80 were rescued after torrential rain hit Bright Angel Creek. Immigration & Trucking: The Trump administration announced a crackdown on truck driving schools tied to licensing non-English speaking drivers, with federal officials and prosecutors joining the push. U.S.-Canada Politics: Democrats introduced a bill to block Trump’s “Lake America” renaming effort for Lake Ontario. Defense & Diplomacy: South Korea and the U.S. coordinated a possible Cho Hyun visit to Washington for talks with Secretary of State Marco Rubio, including North Korea and Middle East issues. Weather & Climate: A new study finds El Niño events have grown stronger in recent decades, with coral records pointing to today’s unusually intense warming. Local Science Spotlight: A Great Salt Lake meteorite fragment is on display at the University of Utah.

Retail & Logistics: Walmart plans a $1.3 billion, 1.5 million-square-foot automated fulfillment center in Carnesville, Georgia, aiming to speed up same-day/next-day shipping across the Southeast. Road Safety: Wisconsin State Patrol is investigating a fatal rollover on an Interstate 39/90 ramp to the Beltline in Madison; a 40-year-old passenger died and a 25-year-old driver was hurt. Education & Costs: A new projection says U.S. high school graduates will drop 13% by 2041, squeezing college budgets and intensifying admissions competition. Climate Watch: NOAA says El Niño has formed and could become “very strong,” with knock-on effects from drier northern conditions to wetter Gulf/Southeast weather. Energy Prices: GasBuddy reports show diesel prices vary sharply by county, with Wapello County’s lowest diesel at $4.96 (week ending Aug. 22). Public Safety & Wildlife: Oklahoma ordered flags at half-staff for a federal wildlife officer who died while helping evacuate residents during a wildfire. Health & Agriculture: USDA lifted New Mexico’s restricted screwworm “infested zone” after no new infections were detected.

U.S.-Canada Tensions: Google Maps renamed Lake Ontario to “Lake America” for U.S. users after Trump’s order, while Canada rejects the change. Public Safety & Health: The FDA warned patients about poor care quality at a West Coast mammography center in Monterey, saying some people may need re-imaging. Local Governance: Chillicothe, Ohio, approved a 60-day moratorium on new data centers after residents raised concerns; Athens had already imposed a similar pause. Energy & Cost of Living: Container shipping rates edged higher as global port congestion persists, while local gas-price reports show pockets of lower prices in multiple counties. Defense & Security: South Korea and the U.S. agreed to expand cooperation in nuclear and high-energy physics. Weather: A busy week is forecast with severe storm risk across parts of the Northeast and another round of dangerous heat.

Middle East Tensions: The U.S. carried out strikes on Iranian rocket launchers near the Strait of Hormuz, after clearing sea mines and ending a brief lull in fighting. Ukraine War: Kyiv reported powerful explosions during a renewed Russian air attack, including drone strikes near a power station and damage in residential areas. Energy & Tribes: The Department of Energy canceled a tribal transmission corridor meant to bring reservation power to market, saying it wouldn’t cut costs or improve reliability. Weather Watch: The National Hurricane Center flagged a system off Louisiana with a 50% chance to form into a cyclone in the next 48 hours, with heavy rain possible. Local Impact: A special grand jury probe is underway into D.C. public schools’ attendance, truancy, and graduation records. Housing Snapshot: ATTOM reports the national vacancy rate held at 1.3%, while “zombie” foreclosures dipped slightly to 3.3%. Rural Health: Infirmary Health received more than $5.3 million to expand rural women’s health services and strengthen referral networks in Alabama.

EU Referendum Watch: Iceland is headed toward rejecting a bid to restart EU accession talks, with the No side leading 52.5% to 47.5% as counting continues. Energy & Cost of Living: Diesel prices are hitting local lows—Blount County, Alabama reported $4.94/gal for the week ending Aug. 22—while fuel costs remain sensitive to global oil and refinery disruptions. Food Culture Online: Israeli chef Eyal Shani’s bare-hands hummus stunt at a Beverly Hills launch went viral, sparking backlash over hygiene and defenses that cooks’ hands are standard tools. Tech & Jobs: A report from China highlights workers worried about losing coding and other roles to AI as adoption accelerates. Disaster Response: Nepal’s border mudslide continues to draw heavy rescue efforts after a glacier breakoff, with hundreds missing and thousands mobilized. Health: Measles outbreaks are expanding in Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, and Georgia, with Pennsylvania reporting the first 2026 measles-associated deaths. Local Business: Dave’s Hot Chicken is planning a new St. Augustine location on U.S. Route 1. Travel Deals: Raleigh-Durham is emerging as a top U.S. airport for international flight deals in 2026.

Border Wall Fight: The Trump administration has started building a new border wall segment in southern Arizona along the Tohono O’odham Nation reservation, with tribal leaders calling it trespassing and damage to sacred land. Crime & Justice: A Los Angeles man wanted for a 2024 fatal hit-and-run that killed a juvenile bicyclist was arrested at LAX after nearly two years on the run. Energy & Courts: Environmental groups filed a petition to challenge Cleveland-Cliffs’ Burns Harbor air permit, arguing it falls short of Clean Air Act monitoring and maintenance requirements. Wildfires: Firefighters are battling two fast-growing California wildfires—Timber Fire near Big Sur and Plaskett Fire near Highway 1—while northwest Nevada crews work to contain three major blazes. Climate Watch: Scientists warn this winter’s El Niño could be unusually strong, raising uncertainty for East Coast weather. Water Stress: Arizona communities tied to the Colorado River are bracing for major federal reductions, with Nevada suing over potential unmet needs. Travel Disruptions: FAA ground stops hit 15 U.S. airports as severe weather triggered thousands of delays and cancellations.

Food Policy Fight: Lighthouse Reports says major food companies filed 239 lawsuits from 2010-2025 to block or delay packaged-food and sugary-drink warning labels, with a big share targeting nutrition and ingredient labeling. Trade & Tariffs: Vermont Democrats plan to introduce the BAD DEAL Act to repeal a tariff provision used in the U.S.-Canada fight, arguing it will hit states that rely on Canada. Water & Regulation: Rep. Tom McClintock’s Turlock forum heard farmers and officials push back on regulatory “headwinds” as they debate water storage and drought policy. Public Health & Tech: Washington regulators are drafting rules so data centers don’t dump electricity costs and risks onto other customers as opposition spreads. Local Resilience: Pinellas County backs a federal study of the aging Lake Tarpon flood-control outfall after storm surge kept gates closed for long periods. Sports: Angel Reese faces a likely one-game WNBA suspension after a technical foul count hit eight. Weather & Winter: The Old Farmer’s Almanac forecasts a mostly mild winter for much of the U.S., with colder spots in parts of the Ohio Valley and snowier areas in the Northeast/Appalachians.

Immigration & Courts: A growing number of deportation cases are being handled in mass “mega master” hearings, raising due-process concerns as people miss court and face deportation in absentia. Haiti Crisis: The UN says nearly 200,000 people were forcibly returned to Haiti in the first eight months, warning security gaps could derail preparations for elections. Border Wall: Arizona construction has begun on a new border wall segment on Tohono O’odham land, with tribal leaders and Native advocates condemning the move. Public Health: Pennsylvania measles cases climbed to 460, including two deaths, with officials pointing to gaps in vaccination. Workplace Safety: OSHA opened an investigation after a fatal Watertown workplace accident killed a 19-year-old employee. Trade & Ports: South Carolina Ports added a new weekly service boosting cold-chain access to South America. Economy & Food: Corn futures topped $5 a bushel on weaker crop-tour results and global supply worries. Local Justice: A judge sent jurors home in the Lindsay Clancy murder trial with no verdict, set to resume Monday. Energy & Tech: Data center opposition is spreading as communities push back over power and water demands. Weather: Tropical Storm Dolly tracking continues as forecasts assess risk to U.S. territories.

Border Wall Clash in Arizona: The Trump administration has started building a new border wall segment in southern Arizona on part of the Tohono O’odham Nation reservation, with tribal leaders calling it trespassing and warning of damage to sacred land. Immigration Politics: Trump proposes a new six-figure fee for H-1B employees, aiming to energize MAGA voters after a judge struck down an earlier H-1B fee plan. Wildfire Recovery in Nevada: NV Energy says power is restored for all customers hit by the Hawk Fire, while Gov. Joe Lombardo signed an executive order expanding housing help for Washoe County wildfire victims. Great Lakes Tension: Trump’s executive order renaming Lake Ontario to “Lake America” is drawing sharp pushback from Canada, as the trade fight with Ottawa escalates. Disaster Watch: Nepal-Tibet flash flooding continues to kill and overwhelm rescue efforts, with hundreds missing and the death toll climbing. Pacific Flashpoint: Taiwan’s island troops on Penghu are training for a possible first strike by China, warning the islands could be targeted early in an invasion. Sports & Courts: A Texas judge paused the SEC’s new eligibility rule as lawsuits spread over the NCAA’s five-year eligibility changes.

Vermont Education Overhaul: Vermont’s new cooperative education service area system is kicking off, with the Champlain Valley North CESA meeting to map shared services and possible district mergers under Act 73/170. Puerto Rico Crime Crackdown: The Justice Department charged more than 80 people in a federal takedown of the “Los Baja Deo” gang, alleging fentanyl and cocaine trafficking plus shootings and kidnappings. Great Lakes Politics: President Trump signed an executive order renaming Lake Ontario “Lake America,” while the U.S.-Canada trade fight escalates. Federal Digital ID Push: A draft OMB memo would expand Login.gov as the primary sign-in tool across most federal authenticated services. Wildfire Update (Texas): The Ross Fire in North Texas grew to about 80,000 acres with limited containment, with evacuations easing for some areas. Business & Tech: RBC says it’s open to acquisitions to grow City National Bank, while Texas cotton groups partner with AI-assisted breeding to handle heat and water stress. Sports (Little League): Phenix City, Alabama was eliminated in the Little League World Series by Hamilton, Ohio.