AGP Executive Report

Data Centers & State Politics: A new look at Gov. Josh Shapiro’s early push to welcome data centers shows how that “open for business” pitch is now colliding with a fast-changing public mood in Pennsylvania. Courts & Public Safety: In the Luigi Mangione case tied to the killing of a health executive, a judge ruled the New York state jury will be anonymous, with jury selection set to begin Sept. 8. Local Schools: For the third straight year, Pennsylvania’s budget included extra funding for a small set of school districts, with lawmakers arguing the bumps target specific financial needs. Seniors & Services: Pennsylvania leaders highlighted a new tool, “CAPE,” meant to improve and track services for older adults. Social Media & Teens: Pennsylvania AG Dave Sunday sued TikTok, alleging the platform’s controls and moderation aren’t enough to protect minors. Health & Community: A free Schuylkill Haven remembrance event, “The Faces of Tragedy,” returns Saturday to support substance-use and suicide prevention, recovery, and healing. Weather & Environment: Storm risk and flooding concerns continue across the region, with officials warning of damaging winds and flash flooding.

Healthcare & Community: Penn Highlands Elk in St. Marys earned an Honor Roll spot on the 2026 Lown Hospitals Index for social responsibility, ranking No. 1 in Pennsylvania for health equity, value of care and social responsibility. Local Outdoors: A new canoe/kayak launch opened on the Clarion River near Callen Run, built with help from the Jefferson County Conservation District, Western Pennsylvania Conservancy, Pennsylvania Wilds and partners, and it’s open to the public. Historic Preservation: Nazareth’s Moravian Historical Society is restoring the 1740 Gray Cottage, the oldest existing Moravian structure, to stabilize failing logs and preserve the site for future education and exhibits. Ag & Tourism: Ag Progress Days starts today at Penn State’s Russell E. Larson Agricultural Research Center, with about 50,000 visitors expected and traffic delays warned in Centre County. Public Health Watch: Nearly 880 Pennsylvania kindergartens are below the 95% measles immunization target, with cases rising and officials pushing families to check school vaccination rates. Local Government: Seven Fields approved a contract for Quality EMS to provide emergency medical services starting Jan. 1, with borough funding set at $35 per household for 2027. Transportation Funding: Pennsylvania’s share of the Highway Trust Fund is at risk if Congress doesn’t reauthorize it, potentially delaying PennDOT projects.

Weather Watch: A severe thunderstorm watch is in effect for all 21 New Jersey counties until 9 p.m., with frequent lightning, gusts up to 75 mph, and hail possible—conditions that also stretch into parts of Pennsylvania and the Mid-Atlantic. PennDOT & Land Use: PennDOT scaled back a Route 30/10 bypass plan tied to Sadsbury Woods Preserve, taking 2.2 acres instead of 7.2, with construction expected to start in 2032. Public Safety & Crime: Scranton violent crime has fallen sharply during Mayor Paige Cognetti’s tenure, with the city citing millions invested in police training, vehicles, and technology. Courts & Accountability: The Pennsylvania Supreme Court suspended a Chester County lawyer after he stole historic coins worth more than $1.6 million from a safe-deposit box. Health: Measles cases keep climbing nationwide and in Pennsylvania, raising pressure on school immunization and back-to-school precautions. Environment: Watershed groups across Pennsylvania are using passive treatment ponds and wetlands to reduce acid mine drainage impacts and bring aquatic life back.

Medicaid Shake-Up: Pennsylvania is bracing for major Medicaid paperwork changes starting in January that could trigger coverage losses for hundreds of thousands of enrollees, including more frequent renewals and added proof of work, school, training, or “community engagement.” Immigration Detention Scrutiny: Democrats are pressing for stricter oversight of a private ICE detention operator after a detainee death at a GEO Group facility in Newark, with Pennsylvania’s attorney general issuing subpoenas tied to alleged civil-rights violations and medical neglect. AI Data Center Backlash: More Pennsylvania residents are organizing against new AI data center proposals as opposition spreads from planning meetings to social media, with a Quinnipiac poll showing strong local resistance. Public Safety & Health: Pennsylvania State Police received autism sensory aid bags statewide to help first responders during emergencies; and the state is warning about scam callers pretending to be government officials. Local Economy & Infrastructure: A Rockwood quarry won state approval to sell aggregate, while Essential Utilities urged Pennsylvanians to call 811 before digging. Civic Life: A lawmaker is reviving a push to lower the permanent jury-duty exemption age from 75 to 70.

Scam Alert: Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday warned residents about a rise in “sheriff office” imposter calls, where scammers spoof numbers and pressure people to pay bail or bond fees over the phone—often via gift cards, Bitcoin, or QR codes. Water Update: Pennsylvania American Water said a small valve leak on North Washington Avenue in Scranton is tied to prior repairs, with evening work planned and no need for customers to panic. Public Safety: Police and residents are sounding alarms about e-scooters and e-bikes after serious crashes, including a fatal scooter collision involving an 11-year-old in Bennington, highlighting the need for safer riding and better rules. Elections & Politics: Stacy Garrity, the GOP nominee for Pennsylvania governor, said in an interview that she “conceded” Trump lost the 2020 election, while still pointing to “irregularities.” Health & Food: The NIH director discussed a widening cyclospora outbreak linked to iceberg lettuce, as food-safety alerts and recalls continue to spread across multiple states. Local Community: North Coventry Township’s Fallen Heroes Car Show honored a Pennsylvania State Police corporal, raising funds for his wife and daughter.

Food Safety Fallout: A cyclospora outbreak tied to shredded lettuce has hit Pennsylvania diners and is still growing nationwide, with officials tracing cases back to products linked to Taco Bell and other retailers as restaurants brace for lingering demand drops. Public Health Watch: CDC updates show cyclosporiasis cases rising across multiple states, and the long reporting lag means more Pennsylvania-area impacts could surface as investigations continue. Local Policing Costs: Oxford, Pa. is moving toward disbanding its century-old borough police force and joining a regional agency, but residents worry about response times and losing familiar officers. Data Center Pressure: A new federal “Data Center Bill of Rights” proposal draws on ideas from Philly suburbs and Western Pa. fracking country, pushing for stronger local protections and a pause while rules catch up. Outdoor Recreation Funding: DCNR opened a new round of motorized recreation grants for ATV, snowmobile and motorized trails, with a Sept. 30 deadline for municipalities and groups. Pennsylvania Agriculture Spotlight: Penn State’s Ag Progress Days returns Aug. 11-13 with hundreds of exhibits and demonstrations, including research tours and family activities.

Teacher Pipeline: Pennsylvania officially joined the Interstate Teacher Mobility Compact, aiming to make it easier for licensed educators to move between states and fill hard-to-staff roles. Public Safety & Mobility: Wilkes-Barre police say e-bikes aren’t automatically unsafe, but higher speeds and sidewalk riding demand stricter rules and better rider education. Local Community Support: True Light Fellowship Church in Northwest Philadelphia hosted a free job fair and festival with more than 25 employers. Immigration & Workforces: Industry groups are pushing back on Trump’s immigration crackdown, warning it could worsen worker shortages and strain the economy. Health & Fraud Watch: Federal prosecutors say Medicaid electronic visit verification can be gamed, including in a Philadelphia home-care fraud case involving alleged billing while caregivers were away. Road Closures: PennDOT will shut down I-81 in Luzerne County nightly Aug. 10-14 for partial demolition of an I-80 bridge, with detours posted. Public Health Alerts: Mount Nittany Health confirmed possible measles exposures at two facilities and is contacting people at high risk. Sports & Community: Bridgewater Little League is in the New England Regional hunt for a spot in Williamsport.

Voter-roll fight in court: After 21 federal district courts and a federal appeals panel rejected the Trump DOJ push to seize unredacted state voter rolls, judges keep asking what’s different this time—DOJ’s answer: nothing, and it’s still insisting it understands civil-rights voting law better than the courts. Diplomacy staffing: The Senate confirmed 74 Trump nominees, starting to fill a deep ambassadorial vacancy gap created by the recall of career diplomats. Religion vs. politics: A renewed debate over the Johnson Amendment is back in the spotlight, arguing it chills churches from speaking about elections. Pennsylvania local impacts—data centers: A new wave of AI-driven data center proposals is colliding with local opposition and practical hurdles like power and water, with Pennsylvania communities among those pushing back. Public health: Measles concerns continue to ripple, including a GIANT/MARTIN’S in-store MMR vaccine push, while the Red Cross warns of a blood shortage in the Lehigh Valley. Community life: Pediatricians are using “Reach Out and Read” to prescribe books for early literacy, and Lancaster County faces enrollment declines that could shape the next school year.

Local Grocery Expansion: Brandywine Communities has fully leased the former Rite Aid space at “The Brandywine” in Squirrel Hill to Murray Avenue Market, a new 12,000-square-foot neighborhood grocery with produce, meats, kosher options, and prepared foods. Election Courts & Voter Rolls: A judge ruled the Trump administration can’t force states to share voter-roll records, extending the administration’s streak of election-related court losses to 21. State Politics & Culture: Gov. Josh Shapiro appears in Meek Mill’s new “Nightmares to Dreams” music video, a “full circle Philly moment” tied to their friendship. Higher Ed & Campus Climate: Haverford College and a Jewish group reached a settlement in a lawsuit over the school’s handling of antisemitism allegations. Public Safety & Health: Pennsylvania is dealing with rising measles concerns, including a reported exposure at University Hospitals in Ohio tied to a Pennsylvania visitor; meanwhile, Montgomery County plans targeted mosquito spraying in Franconia/Souderton areas after West Nile virus was detected. Transportation: PennDOT’s State Transportation Commission adopted a 12-year plan with more than $90B in upgrades, including roads, bridges, transit, and active transportation. Local Government & Data Centers: Moosic Borough will consider new zoning limits on data centers, including restrictions tied to backup generators.

Public Safety & Courts: Pennsylvania State Police say an SCI-Camp Hill inmate, Corey Bennett, sent letters threatening Gov. Josh Shapiro and his wife, with alleged ties to the Crips and threats made via contacts outside prison. Elections & Voting Access: A Reuters report says Trump’s push for unredacted state voter rolls has now lost 21 straight court fights, with judges reiterating states run federal elections. Environment & Water Quality: A new Chesapeake Bay Program update says jurisdictions hit the sediment reduction goal, while phosphorus and nitrogen progress continues and the cleanup timeline stretches to 2030. Local Government & Infrastructure: Advocates are urging Pennsylvania to raise protections around fracking as data centers expand, arguing current setback rules put homes and schools too close to gas infrastructure. Health & Community: A Lancast er County youth voter study finds only 22% of 18-year-olds are registered, and it estimates thousands more could vote if they signed up. Sports & Culture: Penn State’s switch from Nike to Adidas triggered a campus-wide gear overhaul, and IUP was picked No. 1 in the PSAC-West preseason football poll. Food & Consumer Notes: Pennsylvania Lottery sold a $1 million Triple Red 777 scratch-off in Potter County.

Education Policy: Penn State professor warns Head Start overhaul could replace evidence-based federal rules with state standards, potentially widening readiness gaps for low-income kids. Public Safety: Pennsylvania State Police arrested a second suspect in a Schuylkill County armed robbery and kidnapping case tied to ATM demands. School Access: Philadelphia says it plans to offer algebra to all eighth graders at its district schools by 2027-28, but advocates say access is still uneven today. Traffic Safety: Farrell police are urging riders to follow Pennsylvania e-bike rules after near-misses and calls for stronger enforcement. Justice System: A Clearfield County case filed with 5,538 criminal charges alleges a man raped an underage girl over years. Health & Food: CDC-linked salmonella concerns in Colorado trace back to jalapeños served by Chipotle and Qdoba. Community & Culture: A new book spotlights Woodside-Sunnyside history, while Philly’s BlackStar Film Festival returns Aug. 6-9. Local Government Funding: PennDOT awarded $38M via Green Light-Go to modernize traffic signals across 86 Pennsylvania municipalities.

Israel-Gaza Debate in the Spotlight: U.S. Sen. John Fetterman defended his strong pro-Israel stance and pushed back on criticism during a tough interview with Jon Stewart, reigniting debate inside Pennsylvania’s Democratic circles. Progressive Media Fuel: A Reuters look at how a fast-growing left-wing media ecosystem is helping progressive candidates win primaries, with Pennsylvania Rep. Chris Rabb cited as a beneficiary. Voter Rolls Update: Pennsylvania’s voter maintenance “quiet period” update shows 300K-plus voters shifting to inactive status, with active totals now reported at about 3.41M Democrats and 3.38M Republicans. Election Law Fight: The Trump administration is appealing to the U.S. Supreme Court to revive limits on mail-in voting tied to an executive order, after lower courts rejected it. Immigration Detention Scrutiny: Two more deaths at New Jersey’s Delaney Hall detention center have renewed calls to close the facility as ICE arrests surge. Public Health Watch: Pennsylvania confirmed new measles cases in Centre and Jefferson counties, while a cyclospora outbreak linked to iceberg lettuce keeps expanding to more states. Local Food & Health: Hanover’s first Restaurant Week runs Aug. 8-22 with fixed-price menus, and Berks County is holding a ribbon cutting for an enhanced home-delivered meals program for older adults. Weather & Safety: A heat advisory is in effect for parts of Pennsylvania, urging residents to limit outdoor strain and watch for heat illness.

Election Integrity Talk: Rep. Dan Meuser defended his “no” vote on certifying Pennsylvania’s 2020 presidential electors, arguing rules were changed and “irregularities” occurred, while noting the state hasn’t tightened election laws. Voter Rolls Update: Pennsylvania counties completed routine maintenance, shifting 300,000+ voters to inactive status; active totals now show a 25,811 gap between Democrats and Republicans. Measles Watch: The state reported more measles cases, topping 200 statewide, with two new local cases in Northumberland and Snyder counties. Food Safety: A cyclospora outbreak tied to iceberg lettuce linked to Taylor Farms has expanded to 15 states; investigators are still tracing the source as consumer concern boosts local lettuce sales. Heat Ahead: A heat advisory is set for the Philly region and nearby New Jersey areas, with sticky humidity and a risk of extreme heat Friday. Local Business Revitalization: Shapiro-Davis administration highlighted Main Street Matters funding, including a $153,421 award in Etna, as applications open through Aug. 31. Public Health & Schools: The FCC is reviewing the E-Rate discount program that helps Pennsylvania districts with internet access, raising fears of cuts for Lancaster-area schools. Arts & Community: Carbon County named America250PA essay and art contest winners, celebrating student creativity across the county.

Medicaid Fraud Crackdown: The Justice Department expanded its Northeast health care fraud strike force in Philadelphia, charging 19 people in alleged $4M home care schemes, including aides billing for services they couldn’t have provided (like while incarcerated or hospitalized). Child Welfare Oversight: Erie County’s Office of Children and Youth faces persistent caseworker vacancies as investigations rise, and a judge has criticized how the agency handled a severe neglect case that led to four children being removed. Education Connectivity: The FCC is reviewing the E-Rate program that helps Lancaster County schools pay for internet; potential cuts could force districts to cut services or raise taxes. Public Safety & Infrastructure: PennDOT’s Green Light-Go program is funding $38M in traffic signal upgrades, including Central PA improvements in Blair, Bedford and Centre counties. Agriculture Protection: U.S. Sens. John Fetterman and Dave McCormick introduced a bipartisan spotted lanternfly bill to boost research and protect Pennsylvania crops. Local Economy: Mercer County’s Penn-Northwest Development Corporation highlights how it supports businesses and pursues new investment. Health Care Rankings: U.S. News named 28 Pennsylvania hospitals among top performers in specialty care and common procedures. Transportation Notes: PennDOT scheduled nighttime I-80 and I-79 pavement marking work in Venango and Crawford counties.

Pennsylvania Politics: Lancaster’s Tony Dastra will be on the fall ballot for governor as a Green Party candidate after filing the required signatures, centering his campaign on a proposed moratorium on new data centers amid health and environmental worries. Public Safety: Pennsylvania State Police are asking for help locating 17-year-old Samantha Miscik, last seen leaving her Westmoreland County home in late July and reportedly picked up by a man in a green Subaru Outback; she was later spotted in Lancaster. Drugs: Federal prosecutors say a multi-state meth ring distributed more than 100 pounds of meth across Pennsylvania and Ohio, leading to charges against 15 people. Health Policy: Attorney General Dave Sunday joined a coalition of 15 states urging Congress to pass the STOP FRAUD in Medicaid Act, arguing it should expand Medicaid Fraud Control Units to target beneficiary and recipient fraud. Local Infrastructure: PennDOT awarded Summit Township $533,988 for traffic signal upgrades through the Green Light-Go program. Wildlife & Community: The Pennsylvania Game Commission’s Elk Cam is back for the elk rut, livestreaming from the state’s elk range until early firearm season.

Tariff Fight in Court: A coalition of 25 Democratic-led states, including Pennsylvania, sued the Trump administration over new forced-labor tariffs, arguing the move is a legal workaround that will raise costs for families and businesses. Pennsylvania Legislative Clock: With lawmakers back in Harrisburg only in September, the 2026 session is running out of time, and major items like marijuana legalization, minimum wage changes, and skill-game rules are still stalled. EV Charging for Small Towns: Pennsylvania is set to receive $171 million for local EV chargers, and small communities are pitching the stations as downtown boosters for residents and visitors. School Choice Push: West Virginia and Ohio joined the federal school choice program, while Pennsylvania remains on the sidelines over oversight and accountability concerns. Steelers Camp Shift: Steelers coach Mike McCarthy is leaning into a safer, no-tackling approach for padded practices as NFL rules tighten. Health Care Support in Rural Areas: A new pharmacist-to-heart-failure doctor program links 22 pharmacists across West Virginia and southern Pennsylvania with specialists to help manage meds and reduce hospitalizations. Sports & Community: York Revolution’s “Pack the Park for Kindness” returns Aug. 20, aiming to turn kindness into a nationwide event.