AGP Executive Report

Virginia Politics & Elections: Arlington Republicans are urging voters to turn out for next Tuesday’s U.S. Senate primary, where the GOP nominee will try to unseat Sen. Mark Warner. Public Safety & Accountability: A new report says Old Dominion University did not ask a student about his criminal history before readmitting him prior to the ROTC classroom shooting that killed Lt. Col. Brandon Shah. Local Labor: Prince William County employees voted to join SEIU Virginia 512, setting up contract talks with the Board of County Supervisors. Roads: VDOT will close the East Wythe Street ramp to I-85 and I-95 south in Petersburg for bridge repairs July 31–Aug. 3. Business & Defense: HII declared a quarterly dividend of $1.38 per share; and the U.S. Army is partnering with a rare-earth company for processing facilities on a military base. Health & Research: UVA researchers are testing a focused ultrasound approach to deliver microRNAs across the blood-brain barrier for glioblastoma. Tech & Economy: A new analysis says AI companies are poaching top economists to study how AI is reshaping jobs.

Intelligence Leadership: The U.S. Senate confirmed Jay Clayton as Director of National Intelligence in a 51-47 party-line vote, setting up a fight over the future of Section 702 surveillance after Democrats walked away from a reauthorization deal. Data Centers & Power: Botetourt County approved an independent commission to assess the proposed Google data center campus, weighing impacts on the environment, infrastructure, utilities, and quality of life. Local Government & Elections: Virginia’s Supreme Court blocked a voter-approved redistricting referendum, dealing a blow to Democrats’ push for extra House seats. Storms: Severe storms hit the D.C. region with tornado and flash-flood warnings, downing trees and flooding roads. Transportation: Virginia Breeze added a new “Tidewater Current” route connecting Harrisonburg to Hampton Roads, including stops in Richmond and Norfolk. Community & Health: Habitat for Humanity Virginia and GiveSolar reached 100 solar-powered homes statewide, while Virginia Tech earned a top Military Friendly ranking for supporting veterans.

Space & Tech/Investing: Six members of Congress bought SpaceX stock after the IPO, including a Virginia Republican (John McGuire), with filings expected to reveal more trades in the coming weeks. Northern Virginia Food & Business: A new Fairfax City restaurant, Chin’s Xi’An Style, is set to open this August inside 99 Ranch Market, bringing hand-ripped noodles and regional Shaanxi dishes to the area. Courts & Federal Power: ProPublica reports federal judges are increasingly criticizing DOJ conduct as “unlawful,” “unethical,” and “unseemly,” challenging whether prosecutors can be trusted. Virginia Energy Leadership: Gov. Abigail Spanberger named Vince Maiden to lead the Virginia Department of Energy as data center growth raises pressure on power costs and grid upgrades. Education Policy: Rockingham County schools are shifting some classes from traditional testing toward an inquiry model that emphasizes critical thinking over rote memorization. Defense/Quantico: Virtuix’s Omni One movement platform is being integrated into counter-drone training for the U.S. Marine Corps at Quantico. Elections: The Trump administration asked the U.S. Supreme Court to uphold sweeping limits on vote-by-mail, setting up a major fight ahead of November.

Virginia Data Centers & Power Costs: Virginia localities can say no to data centers, but the law decides how — and regulators are also weighing who pays as the boom strains grids. Local Governance: In Goochland, residents pushed back against a data center tract ahead of a permit fight. State Policy: Virginia’s new pay transparency law is changing how job postings work. Courts & Rights: Attorney General Jay Jones joined a coalition suing over Trump administration conditions tied to counterterrorism and emergency funding, including demands for sensitive voter data. Public Safety: In Loudoun County, the son of Kansas City Chiefs assistant Eric Bieniemy was charged after his mother was shot at their Virginia home. Health & Education: New federal student loan rules took effect July 1, reshaping Parent PLUS borrowing and repayment for families. Arts & Culture: Commercial Bank and VCUarts Qatar renewed a leadership-through-art partnership. Science: UVA researchers won grants to improve swelling care and lymphatic disease diagnoses.

Virginia Jobs & Pay Transparency: Virginia’s new law now requires employers to post a good-faith wage or salary range in job postings, and it bars salary-history questions—aimed at giving workers more leverage. Rural Health Care: A new push in Virginia’s health care debate highlights how rural access is being squeezed, with lawmakers pointing to federal Medicaid cuts and proposed rule changes that could hit Virginia hospitals hard. White’s Ferry Reopening: A Virginia ferry co-owner has donated the dormant White’s Ferry operation to Montgomery County, a step meant to restart the Potomac crossing after years of suspension. Data Centers & Power: NextEra is positioning itself as the electricity partner for AI, touting Dominion’s pending merger review and grid connections as data-center demand surges. Privacy Backlash: Across the country, Flock’s license-plate camera network is expanding fast, while privacy critics push back as cameras are vandalized or removed. Local Culture: Charlottesville’s Soul of Cville festival returns with a “Future Heirlooms” theme spotlighting Black-owned businesses and community legacy. Sports/Politics Map Watch: A new analysis says the 2026 House map is more favorable to Republicans than 2024, but not necessarily more favorable than 2018.

Virginia Politics: Early turnout in Virginia’s 2026 primary is lagging 2024, with about 15,000 fewer votes in the Democratic primary and 10,500 fewer in the Republican primary, according to VPAP. U.Va. Health: U.Va. Health says it’s the first health system in Virginia to offer a new melanoma treatment for uveal melanoma that has spread to the liver. Data Centers & Water: Virginia released a long-delayed study warning groundwater declines are likely in the eastern coastal plain aquifer and calls for tighter rules on industrial water withdrawals tied to the data center boom. Broadband: Brightspeed is expanding fiber service in Carroll County, with construction underway for nearly 2,000 locations and more than 200,000 planned statewide. Public Safety: A hit-and-run in Southeast D.C. injured a 5-year-old scooter rider; police are searching for a dark blue Nissan with Virginia plates. Health & Environment: A peer-reviewed study reports measurable mifepristone-related compounds in municipal tap water samples from Blacksburg, Virginia, and two other cities.

Heat & Health: A new analysis says heat waves are driving a sharp rise in hospital visits in Hampton Roads, with 1,088 heat-related ER trips from May–September 2025—up 29% from 2024—showing how quickly summer conditions can turn dangerous. Public Safety: D.C. police are searching for a dark blue Nissan with Virginia plates after a hit-and-run left a 5-year-old with life-threatening injuries while riding a scooter. Local Law Enforcement: Cumberland police arrested a Rockville man after a disturbance at a Virginia Avenue business, charging him with assault on law enforcement and drug possession. Workforce & Business: McLean-based SMS Data Products Group ranked No. 2 among midsize Top Workplaces, while Chantilly’s Koniag Government Services also earned a No. 2 spot in the large-company category. Immigration & Courts: The Trump administration is ramping up denaturalization efforts, aiming for at least 250 cases by October, as it seeks to revoke citizenship for alleged fraud. Virginia Health Costs: A VHHA analysis finds self-paying ER visits in Virginia jumped 49% from 2022 to 2025, warning of pressure ahead as coverage changes loom. Data Centers Backlash: Politico reports Virginia regulators moved quickly to defend a Loudoun County data center that powers itself with natural gas turbines, as residents and advocates question pollution and oversight.

Data Centers & Power Costs: Virginia regulators are facing fresh scrutiny after reports that internal emails moved quickly to defend a Loudoun County data center’s pollution concerns, as the state weighs who pays for massive grid upgrades tied to the AI boom. Public Health: Measles cases hit a 35-year high, with 2,318 confirmed cases nationwide this year and outbreaks concentrated in under-vaccinated communities. Reproductive Health: A new study found anti-progesterone drug activity linked to mifepristone in water samples from Blacksburg, Va., plus two other cities, prompting calls for more investigation. Local Housing & Energy: Habitat for Humanity Virginia marked its 100th solar-roof project in Ashland, aiming to cut long-term utility bills for families. Immigration Policy: The DOJ escalated its crackdown on tuition benefits for illegal immigrants, filing another lawsuit—this time targeting Maryland. Community Safety: A driver crashed into a stand at the Fairfax Farmers’ Market, sending a woman and child to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

UVA Leadership Search: The University of Virginia has relaunched its provost search, starting Monday with a reconstituted committee chaired by Gregory Fairchild and aiming to name a permanent provost by year’s end, with interim provost Brie Gertler staying in place. Transportation Oversight: The Virginia Commonwealth Transportation Board approved stricter oversight rules for the state’s Transportation Partnership Opportunity Fund, giving lawmakers more review time and lowering funding thresholds that trigger scrutiny. Data Center Fight in Virginia: Waynesboro residents packed a DEQ hearing to challenge Northrop Grumman’s air permit, warning about health risks from proposed emissions and urging DEQ to halt or reject the application. White’s Ferry Deal: Montgomery County acquired White’s Ferry operations on the Maryland side and is pressing Virginia to help restart service, with the transition hoped to be finalized within two months. Public Health & Policy: A study found anti-progesterone activity tied to mifepristone in tap water samples in Blacksburg, raising calls for expanded EPA monitoring. Local Health Tragedy: Richmond-area woman Ayla Garcia died after a salmonella infection during a church mission trip to Kenya, according to family reports.

Data Centers & Water in Virginia: Virginia’s long-delayed groundwater study warns the eastern coastal plain aquifer is likely to decline and urges tighter rules on data-center water withdrawals, including more power for regulators to reject permits and require alternatives. Botetourt County Cooling Plans: Google says its first Botetourt County data center building will use air-cooling instead of water, after community concerns about potential water use at full buildout. Power Grid Shock Test: A transmission-line fault in Ashburn’s “Data Center Alley” triggered data centers to switch to backup power, cutting more than 3 GW from the PJM grid for seconds without reliability impacts. Public Health: U.S. measles cases hit a new record, driven by waning vaccination rates, with experts warning the country could lose elimination status. Local Transportation: Henrico is considering a Lakeside Avenue “road diet” that would reduce lanes and add bike paths and walkability features. Democrats’ 2028 Primary Calendar: The DNC chose South Carolina first, with Virginia slated for Feb. 29 in the early window.

Data Centers & Power: The U.S. Department of Energy says AI data centers are now the main driver of transmission planning, shifting the focus from aging infrastructure to rapid load growth. Consumer Costs Politics: President Trump is expanding a pledge with governors and utilities to shield Americans from higher utility bills tied to data centers, even as critics question whether savings will show up for households. Virginia Energy Tension: Northern Virginia residents rallied against a proposed 6.5-mile Prince William County transmission line, arguing the region is already being reshaped by substations and data-center demand. Environmental Justice: Virginia DEQ is asking for public input on how to better engage environmental justice communities during permitting, after a new law requires updated guidance. Local Health & Safety: Fairfax County police say a 9-year-old died after an e-scooter crash in Herndon; investigators are still piecing together speed and circumstances. Business/Tech: Booz Allen Hamilton posted preliminary first-quarter results for fiscal 2027. Litigation Watch: Mary Washington Healthcare is switching radiology groups after a dispute with its longtime imaging partner.

Data Centers & Power Costs: President Trump expanded the “Ratepayer Protection Pledge,” adding GOP governors and tech firms to argue Big Tech should pay for grid upgrades tied to AI data centers, aiming to keep utility bills from rising in states including Virginia. Local Accountability: In Henrico, Virginia’s Department of Education ordered SwimRVA to submit a compliance plan by July 27 or shut down after the drowning of 9-year-old King Overton. Courts & Growth Conflicts: A Louisa County homeowner’s lawsuit against Amazon’s data center project is moving forward in federal court, with claims tied to alleged water and quality-of-life impacts. Virginia Science & Health: UVA researchers unveiled a new glioblastoma approach using microRNAs delivered with nanoparticles and focused ultrasound. Trade & Jobs: Gov. Abigail Spanberger wrapped up her UK trade mission, meeting more than 30 companies across aerospace, defense, and biotech, with next stops in Italy and France. Public Safety: A national report says the U.S. is on track for the lowest homicide rate in more than a century.

Data Center Cost Fight: Twenty-three Republican governors signed Trump’s Ratepayer Protection Pledge, aiming to stop households from absorbing higher utility bills tied to AI data centers, though the pledge is nonbinding and lawmakers point to the need for real federal action. Local Energy Pressure: Virginia’s data-center boom is again in the spotlight as residents and officials argue grid upgrades and costs are being shifted onto everyone else. Virginia Cannabis Planning: Hanover County supervisors moved toward local ordinances for retail marijuana rules ahead of the 2027 launch, giving localities a say in where storefronts can operate. Public Safety Snapshot: A new national study finds the U.S. homicide rate is down in the first half of 2026, with some cities—including Norfolk, Va.—showing spikes. Higher Ed Milestone: Sweet Briar College marked its 125th anniversary year after raising about $14.1 million for scholarships and women’s education. Business Briefs: Carter Bankshares and HomeTrust Bancshares reported second-quarter results, while Tractor Supply updated its outlook amid mixed conditions.

Data Centers & Power Costs: A new federal push would require large-load data center operators to cover generation and transmission costs, as lawmakers respond to backlash over AI power demand and rising bills. Local Public Safety & Privacy: Broadway residents urged town leaders to end a Flock Safety contract and remove surveillance cameras, citing privacy, security, and transparency concerns. Education & Pay: Lexington City Schools approved a 4% pay hike for teachers and staff plus a retention bonus, after the state budget added an extra 1% that left some divisions scrambling. Courts & Accountability: The Winchester Sheriff’s Office passed its annual financial audit, reporting major categories are on pace to grow in 2026. Business in Southwest Virginia: VCEDA approved a $10,000 seed capital matching grant for Seagull Seafood LLC in Bluefield. Justice System Update: A Stafford County bus driver charged in a deadly I-95 crash was granted bond, but release hinges on a second hearing.

Public Safety Fundraiser: The Washington County Sheriff’s Office is hosting the 4th Annual “Battle of the Badges” softball tournament Saturday, July 25, in Abingdon, with free admission and proceeds benefiting St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Immigration & Health Care: A Richmond-area family doctor says immigration enforcement fears are driving missed appointments and cancellations, echoing a national survey where nearly three quarters of clinicians report negative impacts on patients or practices. AI Policy in Virginia: Sen. Mark Warner unveiled a new legislative framework for responsible AI, aiming to set rules for infrastructure, competition and worker impacts as data centers strain local power systems. Dominion-NextEra Merger: Virginia lawmakers are urging Gov. Spanberger to call a special session so the State Corporation Commission gets more time to review Dominion Energy’s proposed merger with NextEra. Local Data Center Pressure: Chesapeake City Council voted to pause data center land-use recommendations for eight months while it works on an ordinance to tighten approvals. Population Update: UVA projects Virginia’s growth will continue but slow, reaching about 9.5 million by 2050.

Virginia Data Centers & Power: Virginia’s State Corporation Commission refused to delay Dominion’s “Golden to Mars” transmission line in Loudoun, clearing the way for a route tied to powering data centers, despite school and community objections. Local Government: Cumberland County named Summer Medina as its new administrator, starting Aug. 3. Education & Workforce: Radford University won an $899,160 SCHEV grant to boost retention and graduation for Pell-eligible students, building on earlier gains. Public Safety & Health: Botetourt County Fire & EMS Chief Jason Ferguson will move to lead Bedford County’s Fire & Rescue. Community & Economy: Prince Edward County supervisors approved a Nov. 3 referendum for up to a 1% sales tax increase to fund school capital projects. Health Care Access: A federal report finds students with disabilities are spending more time in mainstream classrooms, but warns oversight may weaken as special education functions shift agencies. Weather Disruptions: Severe storms across the East Coast caused thousands of flight cancellations and delays, with Virginia-area impacts included in the broader D.C.-region watch.