AGP Executive Report

MLB Rules Watch: Major League Baseball is weighing roster and game-use changes, including allowing 14 pitchers on 26-man rosters and tightening when position players can pitch, as blowouts and “position-player pitching” are drawing backlash for hurting the sport’s integrity. Baltimore Sports: The Orioles’ late-season pitching grind continues to shape matchups and betting as September ramps up. Chesapeake Bay Conservation: “The Last Osprey” documentary spotlights troubling osprey reproductive declines tied to food shortages and chick starvation, with a Maryland screening and discussion planned. Public Health & Home Life: Maryland fall allergies are in full swing as ragweed and other pollens drive sneezing and itchy eyes, with guidance on managing exposure at home and outdoors. Transportation Safety: Charles County is debating speed cameras on U.S. 301 and MD 228 under a new state law, while privacy and safety concerns remain front and center. Water Tech: A new algae-based river-cleaning system at Bladensburg Waterfront Park aims to reduce pollution without creating oxygen-depleting “dead zones.” Housing & Construction: A broader housing debate is emerging around building-code changes that could allow single-stair residential complexes—balancing affordability with fire-safety rules.

Power Restoration & Grid Stress: Pepco says it has restored power to all but about 7,600 of more than 76,000 customers knocked out by damaging storms, with crews still working through equipment and pole damage. Healthcare Infrastructure: Baltimore VA Medical Center earned primary stroke care center status, aiming to speed treatment under the “time is brain” model. Housing Market Signals: Realtor.com data shows home prices per square foot falling year-over-year in 36 of 50 biggest metros, with Baltimore among the biggest decliners. Energy Costs & Data Centers: Fairfax County schools report averaging 100+ outages a month and paying roughly $100,000 in electrician overtime, with officials linking strain to rising demand from data centers. Aviation Disruption in Maryland: American Airlines flights diverted to Baltimore after passenger incidents and FAA ground stops hit six major Northeast airports as Labor Day travel ramps up. Local Business & Community: Baltimore named the Tuliptree as its official city tree after nearly 2,000 residents voted. Public Safety & Justice: ICE placed a detainer on a driver tied to a deadly wrong-way crash on I-270 in Bethesda, as manslaughter charges move forward. Food & Policy Watch: A proposal would end SNAP’s Restaurant Meals Program after $524M in benefits were spent at fast food restaurants nationwide over two years, including about $475M in California.

Consumer Contract Clampdown: Maryland Gov. Wes Moore signed HB 103, starting Oct. 1, limiting what consumer contracts can take away—businesses can’t waive statutory damages, punitive damages, injunctions, or other key remedies. Space & Tech Jobs: NASA’s Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope—built, assembled, and tested at Goddard in Greenbelt—launched Aug. 30 on a SpaceX Falcon Heavy, with Maryland playing a central role in the mission’s buildout. Energy & Infrastructure Pressure: A Chesapeake Bay region wave of data center pushback is growing, with local bans and moratoriums tied to power strain, water use, and diesel generator concerns. Local Housing Support: Moore announced a Maryland Mortgage Program product for first responders and teachers, with lower rates plus 5% down payment/closing help for first-time buyers. Medical Supply Recall: Baxter and B. Braun issued separate recalls of 0.9% sodium chloride IV solutions after particles were found in sealed bags, including Maryland distribution. Public Transit Update: Metro’s Red Line Bethesda and Grosvenor-Strathmore station shutdowns end Sept. 7 as Purple Line connections near completion.

Food Safety & Manufacturing: Two separate recalls of 0.9% sodium chloride IV solutions hit within days—Baxter (fiberglass particles) and B. Braun (iron oxide)—with Maryland listed among affected states, raising fresh attention on sterile supply-chain controls. Public Health & Access: Maryland updated 2026-27 income rules for free and reduced-price school meals, clarifying eligibility thresholds and reapplication triggers for families. Healthcare Ops & Compliance: A Maryland-linked unsealed qui tam complaint targets 70+ tax-exempt nonprofits over alleged PPP loan fraud, spotlighting timing-based eligibility and potential repayment exposure. Port & Shipping Risk: A Coast Guard Key Bridge inquiry says U.S. ports face growing risks as larger ships outpace older assessment tools, with the Port of Baltimore’s 2024 collapse still shaping national scrutiny. Energy & Resilience: A Bolton Hill power surge and house fire renewed questions about grid reliability and neutral-wire issues. Ag & Community: Southern Maryland’s Sunflower Festival returns Sept. 5-6 at Serenity Farm, blending local agriculture, heritage, and family events. Tech & Government AI: CMS is shifting AI strategy from usage counts to measurable outcomes, signaling how federal agencies may evaluate AI deployments. Transportation & Travel: Labor Day travelers in Maryland brace for heavy crowds and higher gas prices, with BWI pausing part of runway work over the holiday.

Data Centers in the Spotlight: Baltimore County residents packed a public hearing as the county weighs how to regulate new data center proposals, with a report flagging heavy electricity use and recommending they stay away from residential areas. Energy Efficiency Policy: Maryland regulators are considering cuts to EmPOWER Maryland, the state’s energy efficiency program, after utilities proposed reductions that could lower bills but may raise future grid costs. Port & Logistics Push: State Sen. James Biney is urging investment in the Port of Harper, arguing dredging and rehabilitation could boost shipping, warehousing, and jobs. Workforce & Leadership Pipeline: Leadership Maryland is accepting applications for its 2027 Executive and Emerging Leader programs, aiming to grow local business and community leadership. Public Media for HBCUs: NPR is launching an immersion day for students from Bowie State, Howard, and Morgan State to learn how public radio works and shape future content. Travel & Premium Amenities: Southwest Airlines plans its first airport lounge network, including a BWI location, tied to a new Chase premium card. Local Business & Community: A Maryland diaper bank is suing its former landlord over alleged warehouse roof leaks that disrupted distribution and caused major financial losses.

Energy & Power Development: FirstEnergy named Jon Dormo VP of Generation Project Development, aiming to plan and build new power generation for growing demand in West Virginia and Maryland. Public Works & Construction: Maryland’s Purple Line is 92% complete, with fall Community Advisory Team meetings set for Oct. 13–28 as live-wire light rail testing expands. Transportation Infrastructure: MDOT released its $21.9B draft transportation plan (FY27–32), including Key Bridge rebuild work and Martin State Airport improvements. Urban Development & Housing: Annapolis could see a nearly 50-home community on a former radio-station site, with traffic concerns raised at a public meeting. Workforce & Education: Montgomery College launched new animation credentials—an A.F.A. and an animation certificate—geared to digital media and creative tech jobs. Agriculture & Environment: Maryland is accepting applications for the Keep Maryland Beautiful Grants program (about $349K available) to fund community stewardship and forestry projects on agricultural land. Tech & Policy: A Maryland Tax Court ruling struck down the state’s digital advertising tax, setting up legal pressure on similar efforts in other states. Business & Community: Visit Annapolis is running Café Diem, an eight-day coffee crawl from Sept. 27–Oct. 4, using a digital pass for participating local shops.

Biotech & Forestry: The Trump administration planted genetically engineered Darling 54 American chestnut trees near the White House and USDA deregulated them, reigniting debate over genetically modified forest restoration and permitting. Defense & Tech: The Army secretary vacancy is taking shape after Dan Driscoll’s resignation, with acting leadership and readiness questions in focus as drone combat reshapes priorities. Local Business & Food: Twosome Place, the South Korean coffee-and-cake chain, is entering the U.S. with its first store in Alexandria in October and plans to expand across the DMV, aiming for a premium pairing experience. Cybersecurity: Researchers and security leaders warn that AI is speeding up software flaw discovery and making cyber threats more accessible, raising the pace of risk for organizations. Aerospace/Engineering: Johns Hopkins APL in Laurel is developing a compact phase-change heatsink using additive manufacturing to manage extreme heat in space- and weight-limited systems. Energy & Economy: A Fed Beige Book report says economic activity edged up and prices rose moderately, with mixed sentiment tied to higher energy costs and policy uncertainty. Consumer Finance (Baltimore): Maryland’s “sandwich generation” is carrying rising unsecured debt, with one Baltimore woman describing how family support and bills pushed her into $33K credit card debt. Sports & Community: A Maryland-based custom apparel brand, NeiDIG-IT Promotions & Marketing, is building a purpose-driven business model tied to community fundraising and remembrance themes.

Data Centers & Local Control: Baltimore County council members are weighing a longer pause on data center development, proposing to extend the existing moratorium to December 2027 as residents push back on land use, water impacts, and traffic. Public Safety & Fraud: A new Associated Press/Frontline report says scams hit record levels nationwide, with victims often getting little help and sometimes losing even more. Maryland Transportation: An audit finds the Maryland Transportation Authority has $818M in unpaid tolls from out-of-state drivers, with recovery slowed by cross-state enforcement limits. Chesapeake Bay Research: Maryland DNR contracted Lyman-Morse Workboats for a 59-foot aluminum research vessel to support year-round monitoring and habitat work on the Bay and Atlantic nearshore. Energy & Industry: Dewhurst Group says it secured a geothermal exploration permit in Colombia for the Cóndor Paipa project, aiming to expand baseload power. Travel & Aviation: Southwest Airlines plans its first airport lounges, including at BWI, with openings targeted for late 2027. STEM & Education: Maryland State Fair coverage highlights the next generation of farmers and agriculture talent, while Worcester County is launching an economic growth study aimed at diversifying industries and jobs.

FTC/A.G. vs. Amazon: The FTC and 22 states sued Amazon over alleged “secret ad surcharge” tactics, claiming the company rigged search advertising auctions to overcharge advertisers for more than seven years—Maryland included. Maryland Consumer/Utility Watch: The Maryland Office of the People’s Counsel published a guide on BGE’s proposed ~17% electric distribution rate hike, while Pepco’s smaller increase was already approved by regulators. Local Environment & Housing: After a $4.1M settlement, mud and erosion violations reportedly continued at a Joppa housing development affecting the Gunpowder River and Foster Branch. Retail Real Estate: Dundalk’s Eastpoint Mall closed its doors, another sign of how online shopping and redevelopment pressures are reshaping Maryland retail. Higher-Ed/Brand Battles: UMD threatened legal action against a cannabis product company over the “TERPS” name, while CareFirst filed a trademark suit against a similarly named Hagerstown health provider. Defense/Manufacturing: General Dynamics released a first photo of its Wolf XM30 prototype delivered to the U.S. Army in Maryland, with a 2027 selection expected. Semiconductors: Taiwan firms beyond TSMC plan an additional $20B in U.S. investment, tied to AI-driven chip demand.

Maryland Agriculture: The state is easing rules for no-land, pasture-only chicken farms, letting qualifying operators extend nutrient management plans from 3 to 5 years to cut red tape while keeping Chesapeake Bay protections in place. Consumer & Retail Fraud: The FTC and 22 states, including Maryland, sued Amazon over alleged “secret ad surcharge” practices that inflated ad prices for advertisers and may have pushed costs onto consumers. Trade Enforcement: A Taiwan-based LED maker and its U.S. unit agreed to pay $5.15M to resolve claims they misrepresented Chinese-origin LEDs as Taiwanese to dodge tariffs. Energy & Grid Resilience: The U.S. Army is moving ahead with a $2.2B plan for nuclear microreactors on military bases to keep power flowing if the grid fails. Housing & Growth: Frederick County leaders say the region may need more taller, denser housing to meet a projected 31,000-unit shortage by 2035. Health & Education: Morgan State’s School of Community Health and Policy earned a national HEED award, highlighting academic excellence and community health work. Defense Tech: A DIFI Consortium keynote at MILCOM 2026 will focus on open architectures and digital engineering for SATCOM modernization.

Defense & Unmanned Systems: The U.S. Navy awarded Textron Systems $15.47M to expand sea-based unmanned aircraft ISR missions, with work managed by Naval Air Systems Command at Patuxent River, Maryland. Weather & Data Infrastructure: KBR won a NOAA/NWS contract (up to $1.1B over five years) to deliver extreme-weather observational data nationwide, with program management in Greenbelt. Healthcare Imaging: A study found AI can detect hepatic steatosis on routine noncontrast CT scans far more often than what radiology reports document—suggesting “not mentioned” doesn’t mean “not present.” Big Tech & Ads: The FTC and 22 state AGs, including Maryland, sued Amazon over alleged secret ad-price surcharges; Colorado AG also filed a similar case. Maryland Energy Costs: The PSC approved a smaller Pepco rate increase than requested, adding about $3.94/month for average residential customers. Local Tech-Policy Fight: Anne Arundel County faces renewed pressure over data center growth, with a proposed zoning change aimed at protecting energy infrastructure and ratepayers. Environment & Forestry: Beech leaf disease is spreading across Maryland and could wipe out large stands over the next decade. Agriculture: Maryland Department of Agriculture plans aerial mosquito spraying in Dorchester County.

FTC vs. Amazon: The FTC and 22 states, including Maryland, sued Amazon over alleged “secret ad surcharge” practices that they say inflated sponsored ad prices for more than 1 million advertisers by over $20 billion since 2019, with costs passed to consumers. Maryland Transit & Jobs: MDOT’s Maryland Transit Administration launched the pilot 411T commuter bus from White Marsh, Golden Ring and Essex to Tradepoint Atlantic, cutting the trip to about 30 minutes and running daily from 5 a.m. to 1:20 a.m. Harborplace Redevelopment: Baltimore Development Corporation approved a major Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILOT) tax break for Harborplace redevelopment, potentially slashing property taxes by up to 95% over 25 years. AI for Housing Permits: Cities are turning to AI to speed up housing application reviews, supported by a new federal Innovation Fund and HUD grants aimed at reducing permitting delays. Transportation Upgrades (US 13): Maryland completed a $4.4 million modernization of the US 13 Truck Weigh and Inspection Station in Delmar, adding new detectors, scales, safety upgrades and improved traffic controls. Public Health (Cyclospora): Federal cyclospora research is being scaled back even as confirmed cases top 17,000, raising concerns about future outbreak tracking. Data Center Backlash: Maryland’s tech sector warns that county data-center bans and delays could choke off the compute capacity AI needs. Local Business Pressure: The Mall in Columbia walked back a paid-parking policy after customer complaints. Food & Agriculture: Maryland State Fair’s Blue Catfish Cook-Off will award $1,000 for the best dish using invasive wild-caught blue catfish.

Maryland Infrastructure Funding: Emmitsburg secured a $2.779 million USDA loan to replace a critical Main Street water line, part of broader rural water and wastewater upgrades. Energy & Utilities: Maryland regulators denied more than half of Pepco’s requested rate increase, a win for ratepayers and a signal for utility cost control. Solar Procurement: Maryland locked in a 20-year solar deal expected to save $300 million, pushing long-term clean power planning. Data Centers & Local Governance: Baltimore County held hearings on data centers, including a proposal to extend a moratorium through 2027 while a planning board study weighs where facilities should go and how much water and electricity they’ll demand. AI Data Center Labor Divide: Unions split over AI data centers—some back them for construction jobs, while others oppose them over job and environmental concerns. Space Industry Spotlight: NASA’s Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope launched from Florida and began a million-mile journey, with telemetry received at Goddard in Greenbelt, underscoring Maryland’s role in high-tech space work. Corporate Moves in Aerospace: Iridium’s remaining Aireon stake deal and Rocket Lab’s planned $8 billion acquisition of Iridium highlight continued consolidation in space and communications.

Space & Tech: NASA’s Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope launched Sunday on a SpaceX Falcon Heavy mission, with Maryland’s Goddard team receiving telemetry early and scientists aiming for first images in early 2027 as Roman maps dark energy/dark matter and hunts exoplanets. Food Safety: The Trump administration is shuttering two USDA cyclospora research projects tied to the Beltsville Agricultural Research Center, while a third is set to move from Maryland to Iowa—though scientists reportedly won’t relocate, raising concerns for outbreak response. Health Fraud: A Silver Spring man pleaded guilty to conspiracy to bill D.C. Medicaid for mental health services that were never provided or were inflated, with losses exceeding $250,000. Energy & Industry: Data centers are driving a new U.S. natural gas buildout, with planned gas capacity tied to data centers nearly doubling in early 2026. Local Business & Community: Wills Group (La Plata) donated $500,000 in 100th anniversary grants to Southern Maryland nonprofits. Environment & Fisheries: Maryland biologists report rare sturgeon spawning activity in Marshyhope Creek on the Eastern Shore.

Maryland Energy Regulation: The Maryland Public Service Commission cut Pepco’s requested rate hike by more than half, approving a $50.9 million increase instead of the utility’s higher ask—translating to about $3.94 more per month for residential customers. Water & Infrastructure: Woodsboro approved a $10,000 leak-detection push with Water Loss Systems to protect water capacity before new development can move forward. Public Works Contracting: Rehoboth Beach commissioners awarded a roughly $725,000 paving and water main replacement contract to Mumford & Miller and also advanced a citywide fiber broadband install. Biodefense Oversight: New documents describe a CIA-NIAID arrangement tied to Fauci-era biodefense work, intensifying scrutiny of how intelligence and public-health research intersect. Space & Data Tech: NASA’s Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope is set to launch, with operations aimed at pushing astronomy into cloud-based workflows from Maryland’s science hub. Health & Safety: Nationwide recalls hit IV saline products from B. Braun and Baxter due to particulate contamination concerns. Consumer Fraud Watch: Maryland regulators and BBB Scam Tracker updates keep spotlight on fraud risk as scam reporting remains elevated in multiple states.

Maryland Energy Regulation: The Maryland Public Service Commission cut Pepco’s requested rate increase by more than half, approving a smaller $50.9 million hike that still raises typical bills by about $3.94 a month. Healthcare Supply Chain: Two companies recalled 0.9% sodium chloride IV fluids nationwide after particulate contamination concerns—B. Braun (zinc oxide) and Baxter (fiberglass). Space & Data Infrastructure: NASA’s Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope will push astronomy into the cloud, with Baltimore-based science operations preparing for a daily data downlink of about 1.4 terabytes. Local Construction Safety: A worker was flown to a trauma center after a roughly 10-foot concrete wall collapsed at a Piney Point construction site. Consumer Labeling: A new look at “local” grocery produce labels finds the term is largely unregulated, leaving shoppers to interpret what “local” really means. Business Dispute in Fuel: A lawsuit alleges a gasoline supplier wasn’t paid for fuel sold through the Freedom Fuel Network, helping explain how some stations offered steep discounts.